The Wedding Whisperer Podcast

Picking your reception playlist

Matt Gwynn, owner and lead DJ with Riptide Productions based in Lexington, KY shares how he matches his couples to the best DJ and how to plan their reception. Matt also touches on trends that are on their way out and new trends that have started in the past few years!

Don’t forget to book the wedding officiant!

Liz Arena, with Happily Ever, Arena sits down with us to share what credentials your officiant must have to marry you in the state of Kentucky, the process of getting a marriage license, how much you should budget for an officiant and more!

Hear from an April 2023 Lexington, KY Bride

You’ve heard from Dani with First Dance Lexington as a wedding vendor, but this episode you’ll get the opportunity to hear about her as an April 2023 bride! She shares if she stuck to her budget and several unique things they did for their wedding day, including the flower girl passing out chocolate and a final last dance.

Unveiling the Magic: Behind the Scenes with Simply Love Studio

Simply Love Studio is Kentucky’s only wedding resource center, based in Lexington, KY. Owner and Wedding Concierge Sarah Burton has been in the wedding industry for 15 years. Simply Love Studio is funded by local wedding vendors to help couples plan for free. On this episode you will hear about Sarah’s background and the the history behind Simply Love Studio. Followed by how a full service wedding planning, month of coordinator and wedding concierge are different and how to find the best one for you!

Wedding Hair & Makeup

Evan Barnett, licensed cosmetologist and owner of Evanlution Salon in Frankfort, KY, travels throughout Kentucky providing on-site hair and makeup services for weddings and special events. Hear why using a seasoned stylist for your wedding day is important on this episode.

Wedding Food Trucks

Beth Campbell Richardson, owner of Spotz Gelato, shares how they started as a food truck and now have 6 store fronts throughout central Kentucky. We talk about the most popular gelato flavors, ways to incorporate gelato on your wedding day, and things you need to consider when having a food truck at your wedding.

Things to know before hiring a wedding DJ

Jason Henninger, Owner of Kentucky Pro DJ based in Richmond, KY has backups for his backups on wedding days! Jason shares the difference between a DJ and MC, how far in advance to book a wedding DJ, how long a traditional reception lasts and even why there’s a price gap in DJs in our area and what you need to know before booking.
Listen to learn more about:
01:04: How did Jason become a wedding DJ?
01:30: Jason talks about how his business, Kentucky Pro DJ, got started
02:24: The professionalism of DJs at Kentucky Pro DJ
03:27: What’s the difference between a DJ and MC?
04:48: How does your pricing work for reception, cocktail hour, and ceremonie setups?
06:23: Providing equipment for officiants, readers, or live musicians
07:59: Make sure to have backup equipment to protect against malfunctions
10:12: Ideal time frame to book a wedding DJ
12:06: The Price difference in DJs – from hobbyists to professionals
14:19: Professional at Kentucky Pro DJ extends to their attire
15:21: Having a clean setup
17:02: The standard timeframe for booking a DJ for the reception
18:38: What else do you offer couples besides DJing?
19:42: You need a contract with your DJ. What needs to be in it?
21:36: Jason’s advice for enjoying your reception
 
Connect with Jason at Kentucky Pro DJ:
Website:  www.kyprodj.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyprodj/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KentuckyProDJ/Telephone: 859-200-5156
 
Connect with Sarah:
Website:  www.simplylovestudio.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplylovestudioFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/simplylovestudioPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/SimplyLoveLex/
How to work together:
If you’re a bride or couple in the Lexington, Kentucky area who feels overwhelmed when it comes to preparing for your wedding, Simply Love Studio is here for you! Simply Love Studio is a free resource for couples at any stage of their wedding planning process and is funded by Lexington’s most preferred wedding vendors. Make an appointment in person or online with me, Sarah, today with my link!

Wedding Videography 101

Kelliejoy Films is a Kentucky based wedding videographer that puts her heart and soul into every wedding she films. From start to finish, you work with Kellie herself on your wedding video. Hear how photography and videography are different, what you can expect to spend on a wedding video in Kentucky, and how long a normal wedding video takes to edit!

Custom Wedding Dress from Renee’s Bridal

Renee’s Bridal based in Mt. Sterling, KY has been featured on numerous Reality TV shows including 19 Kids and Counting, Counting On, Bringing Up Bates and Renee’s Bridal Takeover. Renee shares the process for designing a custom wedding gown, how much you can expect to spend and how the options are endless.

Sweating For the Wedding

Hear from Josh Bowen, owner of Aspire Fitness, a personal training boutique in Lexington, KY. With more than 15 years of fitness industry experience, Josh shares do’s and don’ts for brides when it comes to working out and nutrition during the wedding planning process.

Honeymoon Planning in 2023

Jessie Ladipo, owner of Trips to Cherish talks about how travel has changed since the pandemic, booking vacations much further in advance and the most popular honeymoon destinations of 2023.

Destination Engagement Photos

Veronica Sparrow with Veronica Sparrow Photography shares about a recent destination engagement session she shot and why this is the new thing going forward in photography!

Wedding Flowers, Design, Planning, & Coordinating in One Place

Meet Bryan Kidd, Co-Owner of Added Touch based in Richmond, KY. Added Touch is a full service floral and design company. In addition to florals they offer planning and coordinating. On this episode Bryan talks all things florals, including what he did recently for his own wedding and how silks can actually help your floral budget.

City Barbeque for Your Wedding Catering Solutions

Meet Antonia Hansford, Wedding Coordinator for City Barbeque, serving the Lexington and Louisville, Kentucky markets! Antonia shares that City Barbeque is more than just a restaurant and how they can make your wedding catering process seamless.

Wedding Planning Services Simplified

Meet Doug Smith and Glenn Blind with Doug Smith Designs + Events based in Lexington, KY. Doug Smith Designs offers full-service planning, day of coordinating and full floral design for weddings and events. On this episode Doug & Glenn will share the difference in the types of wedding planning services offered and what a planner can help you with!

Wedding Day Dance Preparation with First Dance Lexington

Meet Dani Dunmire, owner of First Dance Lexington, based in Lexington, KY. Learn to dance for your wedding with customizable private dance lesson in studio or online! First Dance Lexington offers packages with as little as one lesson that can teach you basic moves for your first dance. Looking for a more choreographed dance, that option is available too!

What To Look For In A Wedding Photographer

Kevin & Anna Thompson with Kevin & Anna Photography, based in Lexington, KY share what to look for when booking your wedding day photographer and questions to ask! Update: 1/1/24 - while Kevin and Anna are no longer Simply Love Studio preferred vendors, we still think this is relative information for engaged couples and think very highly of their work!

Venues with In House Catering: Summer Cooper, Lundergan Group

Local industry veteran, Summer Cooper, Director of Catering and Special Events at The Lundergan Group, home of Lundy’s Special Events and The Carrick House. Summer shares the benefits of working with a venue that has an in house caterer. Update: 12/21/23 - While The Carrick House is no longer a Simply Love Studio preferred vendor we do believe this content is still relevant for engaged couples. 

Choosing a Wedding Venue: Emily Orschell, The Thoroughbred Center

Looking for the perfect wedding venue in Kentucky or beyond? Hear from industry veteran Emily Orschell, Event Coordinator at The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington, KY about how many venues to visit and things to remember when booking.

Bar Service for Weddings: Set the Bar Kentucky

If you’re planning to have alcohol at your wedding, this is a must listen! Hear from Chelsea Hollingsworth, Co-Founder and Cocktail Curator with Set The Bar KY shares all things you need to know when it comes to the bar for your wedding day. Update: 12/21/23 - while Set The Bar has a new owner, we think there is still relevant content here for couples when it comes to wedding day bar.