Wedding Day Podcast

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Produced by Summit Hill Studios summithillstudios.com
and Iron Diamond Media irondiamondmedia.com

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This week we are in sunny Scottsdale Arizona joined by Anna Ly-Luu, Marketing Director of W Scottsdale. Anna's here to fill your cup with wedding hotel and venue secrets, tips on finding your perfect venue, expert insight on room blocks and wedding accommodations, and when you should ideally book your dream wedding venue.
Summary
In this episode, Anna, the marketing director of W Scottsdale, shares wedding hotel and venue secrets. She emphasizes the importance of booking the venue and room block as early as possible, especially in high-demand areas like Arizona. Anna also discusses the role of a wedding planner and the difference between a venue coordinator and a wedding planner. She highlights the significance of site tours and the importance of visualizing the space. Anna recommends bringing the parents for the final venue walkthrough and encourages couples to be flexible with their wedding dates to secure their dream venue.
Takeaways
Book the venue and room block as early as possible, ideally a year in advance
Consider the role of a wedding planner and the benefits they bring in terms of organization and vendor coordination
Schedule site tours with the venue to visualize the space and ask important questions
Be flexible with wedding dates to secure the dream venue
Bring the parents for the final venue walkthrough to ensure everyone is on the same page
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:58 Wedding hotel and venue secrets
01:11 Bringing Pinterest board to life
02:10 Marketing manager role
03:32 Rehearsal dinners at W Scottsdale
04:59 Private buyout and open rehearsal dinners
06:00 Wedding parties staying at the hotel
07:49 Hotel room block
08:36 Attrition in room block
09:24 Adding rooms to the block
10:18 Estimating room block size
11:13 Booking enough rooms in the block
11:31 Room block cutoff date
12:49 Running out of rooms in the block
13:45 Managing multiple events on the same day
14:50 Importance of having a wedding planner
15:39 Difference between venue coordinator and wedding planner
16:46 Meetings with the venue
18:10 Pre-planning process
19:20 Number of meetings with the venue
20:35 Scheduling site tours
21:35 Ideal time for site tours
22:35 Venue tours and visualizing the space
23:52 Booking the venue and hotel
26:38 Importance of knowing the lighting in the venue
27:56 Booking the venue and room block
29:17 Booking the dream venue
31:34 Booking the room block
33:23 Bride and groom staying at a different hotel
35:24 Conclusion
More from Sonja Babich & Dan Riggs:
Iron Diamond Media: https://www.irondiamondmedia.com/
Summit Hill Studios: https://summithillstudios.com/ @summithillstudios
More from Anna:
@wscottsdale on Instagram
@anna_lyluu on Instagram
Thank you to today’s sponsors:
Linen Effects: https://lineneffects.com/
Warpaint International: https://www.warpaintinternational.com/
Continental Diamond: https://www.continentaldiamond.com/
Today’s episode is powered by:
Ryann Lindsey Photography https://ryannlindseyphotography.com/
Hazel Grove Rentals https://www.hazelgroverentals.com/
Florals by Kendra https://floralsbykendra.com/
Amour de Sucre https://amourdesucre.com/
Le Briege Beauty https://lebeigebeauty.com/

Support the show

Produced by Summit Hill Studios summithillstudios.com
and Iron Diamond Media irondiamondmedia.com

Send us a text

In this episode, Sonia Babich and Dan Riggs interview Andrew Vick, a wedding photographer with extensive experience. They discuss the importance of building a relationship with your wedding photographer and how it can lead to lasting memories. Andrew shares his travel experiences and highlights the value of capturing unique moments in different locations. They also discuss the role of a second photographer and the importance of engagement photos. Finally, they touch on the importance of understanding client expectations and the impact of true color in wedding photography. In this conversation, Andrew Vick discusses various aspects of wedding photography, including the importance of photography style, the role of editors and support teams, backup photographers and support systems, consistency in photography style, collaboration and specialization in photography, delivering on time and building a brand, the power of curiosity in conversation, the importance of building relationships, capturing emotion and moments, the impact of wedding photography, the power of touch in photography, creating meaningful moments in photography, the art of asking questions, creating experiences in conversations, the first look moment, planning the wedding day timeline, the importance of being together on the wedding day, considering lighting and timing, catering to the groom and culinary experiences, making decisions as a couple, the power of who cares more, building a healthy relationship, and additional resources for wedding planning.
Takeaways
Building a relationship with your wedding photographer can lead to lasting memories and a more personalized experience.
Capturing unique moments in different locations can create unforgettable wedding photos.
Engagement photos are important for understanding how you want to be captured on your wedding day.
Understanding client expectations and delivering true color in wedding photography is crucial. The style and approach to taking great photos are more important than the edit or preset used.
Having a support system, including backup photographers, editors, and a team, is important for a smooth wedding day experience.
Collaboration and specialization within a photography team can lead to consistent and high-quality work.
Building relationships and creating meaningful moments through photography can have a lasting impact on couples.
Effective communication, curiosity, and asking meaningful questions can enhance conversations and relationships.
Considering factors such as lighting, timing, and the wedding day timeline is crucial for capturing the best photos.
Making decisions as a couple and understanding each other's priorities can lead to a successful wedding planning journey.
Building a healthy relationship requires communication, respect, and compromise.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:59 Working with a Wedding Photographer
03:19 First Wedding and Travel Experiences
07:01 Creating Lasting Memories
09:16 Importance of Building a Relationship
10:11 The Role of a Second Photographer
11:10 The Value of Engagement Photos
13:07 Creating Personalized Experiences
18:31 Understanding Client Expectations
21:01 The Importance of True Color
22:53 The Importance of Photography Style
23:41 The Role of Editors and Support Teams
24:38 Backup Photographers and Support Systems
25:34 Consistency in Photography Style
26:30 Collaboration and Specialization in Photography
27:27 Delivering on Time and Building a Brand
27:57 The Power of Curiosity in Conversation

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Produced by Summit Hill Studios summithillstudios.com
and Iron Diamond Media irondiamondmedia.com

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In this episode, Sonja Babich and Dan Riggs discuss the process of finding the perfect wedding dress with Christina Wegner from White Dress Bridal Boutique. They emphasize the importance of managing expectations and being open to different styles. They also highlight the significance of the wedding day and the power of weddings to connect people. The conversation touches on the value of investing in wedding details and the role of videography in capturing special moments. They conclude by discussing the timeline of dress shopping and the experience of attending Fashion Week to select dresses. In this episode, Christina discusses the process of selecting wedding dresses for her boutique. She explains how she attends market events to view new collections and how boutiques choose which dresses to stock. Christina also shares her preference for decisive buying and the importance of knowing the market trends. She highlights the availability of off-the-rack options and the growing popularity of second look dresses. Christina emphasizes the role of customization and the different approaches designers take. She also discusses the importance of having a knowledgeable stylist and the significance of red flags when trying on dresses. Christina provides tips for brides on how to prepare for the fitting room and shares insights on pricing and payment options. She also touches on the importance of shoes and alterations, as well as the number of store visits brides typically make. Finally, Christina encourages brides to celebrate their unique love stories and embrace their own wedding planning journey.
Takeaways
Manage expectations and be open to different dress styles when searching for the perfect wedding dress.
The wedding day is a significant and memorable event that should be cherished.
Invest in wedding details and consider the importance of videography in capturing special moments.
The process of finding a wedding dress can be emotional, and it's important to have supportive family and friends. Attending market events is crucial for boutique owners to view new collections and select dresses for their stores.
Brides are leaning towards more colorful dresses and floral designs for the upcoming wedding season.
Off-the-rack options and second look dresses are popular choices for brides who want immediate availability or a different style for the reception.
Different designers have varying approaches to customization, and it's important for brides to have an open mind and communicate their preferences.
Having a knowledgeable stylist is essential for a successful dress shopping experience, and red flags to watch out for include disorganization and lack of expertise.
Brides should come prepared for the fitting room with nude undergarments and an open mind.
Wedding dress prices can range from $1,200 to $8,000, and payment options vary.
Shoes and alterations play a significant role in completing the bridal look.
Most brides find their dress within one to three store visits, but it's important to trust the process and not feel pressured to try on too many dresses.
While venue considerations are important, ultimately, the bride's personal style and preferences should guide the dress selection process.
Every bride's journey is unique, and it's important to celebrate and embrace individual love stories throughout the wedding planning process.
More from Sonja Babich & Dan Riggs:

Iron Diamond Media: https://www.irondiamondmedia.com/

Summit Hill Studios:

Support the show

Produced by Summit Hill Studios summithillstudios.com
and Iron Diamond Media irondiamondmedia.com

Send us a text

In this episode of the Wedding Day Podcast, Sonja Babich and Dan Riggs interview Ryann Lindsey of Ryann Lindsey Photography. They discuss the importance of wedding photography and the value of capturing moments on the wedding day. They also talk about the benefits of doing a first look and the role of the photographer in scouting the wedding venue. Ryann shares her journey from being a nurse to becoming a photographer and emphasizes the emotional significance of wedding photos. The episode provides insights into the process of selecting a photographer and the importance of trust and communication between the couple, planner, and photographer. The conversation explores the use of film photography and content creation in the wedding industry. Ryann discusses the advantages and challenges of shooting film, including the need for extra personnel and the additional time and cost involved. They also touch on the resurgence of disposable cameras and the importance of educating clients about the role of content creators. The conversation delves into the differences between content creation and professional photography and videography, emphasizing the value of polished, curated wedding videos and photos as heirlooms. Ryann also highlights the importance of trust and creating a positive experience for couples on their wedding day.
Takeaways
Wedding photography is not just about capturing beautiful images, but also about preserving memories and creating heirloom items.
Doing a first look allows couples to have alone time and join their cocktail hour, while still getting beautiful sunset photos.
When selecting a photographer, it's important to trust the planner's experience and find someone who aligns with your vision and personality.
Photographers should scout the wedding venue to identify the best locations for photos and consider factors like lighting and accessibility.
Communication and collaboration between the couple, planner, and photographer are key to ensuring a smooth and successful wedding day. Shooting film in weddings requires extra personnel and additional time and cost.
Educating clients about the role of content creators is important.
Professional wedding videos and photos serve as heirlooms and should be polished and curated.
Trust is crucial in creating a positive experience for couples on their wedding day.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
06:47 The Benefits of Doing a First Look
13:13 Selecting a Photographer: Trust and Communication
29:09 The Pressure to Provide Sneak Peeks
39:04 The Value of Professional Wedding Videos
More from Sonja Babich & Dan Riggs:

Iron Diamond Media: https://www.irondiamondmedia.com

Summit Hill Studios: https://summithillstudios.com

Support the show

Produced by Summit Hill Studios summithillstudios.com
and Iron Diamond Media irondiamondmedia.com