You Asked, We Answered!

03/29/23 • 27 min

Unveiling Paradise: Your Go-To Destination Wedding Podcast

HOT DAMN... We did it! We made it through season 2. Quick update: Tessa and Joe didn’t kill each other, and are STILL BFFs. #winning
Here’s the deal - In the middle of season 1, we stopped answering our listener questions. Why? Because we realized that we talk way too much, and the episodes were getting soooo long! We had to make the tough decision to cut them (OK, Joe made that decision so blame him). The good news is that we’ve gathered all of those questions to answer today, on the last episode of season 2. Sit back, tune in, and enjoy our season 2 wrap.
Support us: patreon.com/unveilingparadise
We got a TON of great questions, so we picked our faves to answer in this episode. Listen in hear what Tessa and Joe have to say... as usual, they’re not on the same page for most.

What do we need to consider when we’re looking for flowers? Where do we start? What’s a nice budget and what should we consider?
What are your thoughts on book rooms? Do we think we need a travel agent? Should we meet them in advance to make sure they’re a good fit for our wedding?
When you’re choosing your wedding party, how do you choose? Do you pick your best friend or sister? Or someone who would do the best job?
Do you think we should spend so much money on your wedding - a one night party, or spend it on something more long term, like a house? How do we prioritize?
How do we navigate the outside voices that are “helping” us with our wedding planning, and how do we keep the peace? “I want to invite 100 of my friends to your wedding”, “I’m paying so I should be able to pick your photographer”... What do we do??
When should we send save the dates and let people know about our wedding? Is there such a thing as too soon?

Ahhhh, we miss you all already, but we will see you soon in SEASON 3!!
Find Us on Instagram:
Unveiling Paradise @unveilingparadise
Joe @josephesser
Tessa @fredandkateevents
Or find us here:
Email [email protected]
Web unveilingparadise.com
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These are our top 3 episodes to start with if you are new to our show. We'd love to hear from you. Hit us up and mention our show to learn more about our Unveiling Paradise Promo.

Please support this episode's show sponsor - Fine Time Shave Ice - Learn more at https://www.finetimeshaveice.com

Support the show

Find Us on Instagram:
Unveiling Paradise @unveilingparadise
Joe @josephesser
Tessa @fredandkateevents
Email us [email protected]
Web unveilingparadise.com

What do we need to consider when we’re looking for flowers? Where do we start? What’s a nice budget and what should we consider?
What are your thoughts on book rooms? Do we think we need a travel agent? Should we meet them in advance to make sure they’re a good fit for our wedding?
When you’re choosing your wedding party, how do you choose? Do you pick your best friend or sister? Or someone who would do the best job?
Do you think we should spend so much money on your wedding - a one night party, or spend it on something more long term, like a house? How do we prioritize?
How do we navigate the outside voices that are “helping” us with our wedding planning, and how do we keep the peace? “I want to invite 100 of my friends to your wedding”, “I’m paying so I should be able to pick your photographer”... What do we do??
When should we send save the dates and let people know about our wedding? Is there such a thing as too soon?

These are our top 3 episodes to start with if you are new to our show. We'd love to hear from you. Hit us up and mention our show to learn more about our Unveiling Paradise Promo.

Please support this episode's show sponsor - Fine Time Shave Ice - Learn more at https://www.finetimeshaveice.com

Support the show

Find Us on Instagram:
Unveiling Paradise @unveilingparadise
Joe @josephesser
Tessa @fredandkateevents
Email us [email protected]
Web unveilingparadise.com

Previous Episode

"Follow My Lead" - Wedding Ceremonies with Kelehua Kawai

If you strip away all the bells and whistles of a wedding - the extravagant decor, lush flowers, even (gasp!) professional wedding planning and photography - at the end of the day all you need to get married is you, your significant other, and an officiant. Your officiant is the person who will make your marriage legal, so this is the only “must have” on your wedding day.
Our guest today, Kelehua Kawai, is a professional officiant, specializing in personalized ceremonies. She likes to add her own Hawaiian culture to each of her ceremonies, creating something unique for her couples. Whether or not you’re planning to get married in Hawaii, everyone needs an officiant, so this episode is for you.
Support us: patreon.com/unveilingparadise
CREATING THE PERFECT WEDDING CEREMONY

Your ceremony is the main part of your day - it makes the marriage legal, so spend time finding someone that is a good fit for your wedding.
Some couples want to get very involved in the ceremony process, others just want to follow along - either way is OK.
“Follow my lead” - Kelehua explains that if people are nervous, or don’t want to or don’t have time to get involved with the ceremony details, it’s OK. They can follow her lead (writing their own personal vows or not) and still create something very special and personal to each couple.
It’s OK not to write your own vows - you want them to be perfect, and sometimes there’s a lot of pressure to make it exactly perfect.
Wanted vows to be perfect - but understand the pressure to make it perfect
When you’re writing your own vows, make sure they are what you truly want to say, not what you think people want to hear. People often express what they’re thankful for in their partner, and then share what they vow to do. Personal vows are on average 1-2 minutes long. Be you, and say the things you want to say.
What about a family member or friend officiate the wedding? It can be beautiful! Just make sure you communicate what you want so they can be fully prepared. Another option is to dual officiate - having a professional guide your family member or friend.
What makes a professional officiant great, is they work with your other vendors to make sure things are aligned with their vision, and yours. Where is the best placement for the officiant to stand but not be in the way? Why do we move the veil after the lei exchange? What’s the best way to speak into a mic so everyone can hear, and the video can capture clear audio? All of these things matter, and a professional officiant manages all of this during your ceremony.
There are many different types of officiants - religious, non-denominational, a judge, someone who ties in cultural elements. The first step is to figure out what you need/want.
Responsible tourism is a relatively new concept - it’s creating an environment for people to start being more aware of their actions and footprint when going to a foreign d

These are our top 3 episodes to start with if you are new to our show. We'd love to hear from you. Hit us up and mention our show to learn more about our Unveiling Paradise Promo.

Please support this episode's show sponsor - Fine Time Shave Ice - Learn more at https://www.finetimeshaveice.com

Support the show

Find Us on Instagram:
Unveiling Paradise @unveilingparadise
Joe @josephesser
Tessa @fredandkateevents
Email us [email protected]
Web unveilingparadise.com

Next Episode

The Final Countdown to Your Wedding Day

We’re back! It’s season 3 and we’re stoked to bring you our fresh new episode - the final countdown to your wedding day. In this episode, Joe and I talk about what happens 1 month before your wedding, 1 week before your wedding, and 1 day before your wedding. Sit back, relax and get ready for... the final countdown!
Support us: patreon.com/unveilingparadise
ONE MONTH TO GO:

Collect your RSVPs: You should ideally have your final guest count 1 month out. Share this number with your rental company, caterer and anyone else who needs to know.
Get your marriage license: This timing will differ in different states, so check with the state/country that you’re getting married.
Final dress fitting: Get fitted, and do the alterations as needed.
If you’re planning to write your own vows, give yourself the time and space to do it before the wedding day!
Thank you speech: Just like your vows, don’t wait until the last minute to write your thank you speech. Spend time thinking about everyone who has helped you during your engagement. PRO TIP: Don’t forget to thank your parents!
Create a wedding timeline (if you don’t have a wedding planner) that lists the following information: when is everyone arriving - vendors and guests, what is the flow of the day, when does the venue need to be fully cleaned up and empty? Put as much info as possible into this timeline so everyone knows where to be.
Start working on your photo list - who do you want pictures with, what family combinations?
Start working on your song list, too. What song do you want when you walk into the ceremony? What about the first dance? Think about these songs now because there are A LOT of great songs.

ONE WEEK TO GO:

Pack your overnight bag (make sure you include your invitation suite for photos)
Do a wardrobe check - do you have the right undergarments? Do your rental tuxes fit? Do you have socks?
Break in your shoes so your feet don’t hurt! Joe’s counterpoint - don’t break in your shoes - they’ll look dirty for your photos.
Plan ahead and wrap all gifts for your wedding party and family.
Pack your welcome bags now - don’t wait until the last minute.
Hand off your ceremony and reception items to someone in charge - a wedding planner or someone else in charge.

ONE DAY TO GO:

Do your wedding rehearsal. PRO TIP: Do it 2 days before so you have the day before your wedding to relax. Don’t forget to practice your kisses!!
REST! Don’t drink too much, stay out of the sun, and try to stay rested and calm
Write your vendor thank yous and pack their tips to hand off to your wedding planner or someone else in charge.
Double check your attire - is everything ironed or steamed? Do you have access to a steamer if not? Don’t forget to think about bridesmaid dresses, too!
Chill your champagne, and make sure you have glasses to

These are our top 3 episodes to start with if you are new to our show. We'd love to hear from you. Hit us up and mention our show to learn more about our Unveiling Paradise Promo.

Please support this episode's show sponsor - Fine Time Shave Ice - Learn more at https://www.finetimeshaveice.com

Support the show

Find Us on Instagram:
Unveiling Paradise @unveilingparadise
Joe @josephesser
Tessa @fredandkateevents
Email us [email protected]
Web unveilingparadise.com