Shows
Unveiled InterviewsS2E19: Reviving Bridal with Allison Chou of Double Happiness BridalThe economy, changing values, re-defining traditions, and the “virality-factor” of house labels are all pushing consigned bridal fashion forward as the leading option for so many brides looking for ‘the dress’ – but, what does this process of shopping used actually look like?In this interview, we talk with Allison Chou, founder and curator of Double Happiness Bridal, a luxury bridal consignment boutique in New York City. Though growing in demand, the work Allison does is still relatively new to the industry, so we ask her all about the how’s and why’s of consignment over new, what makes...
2025-11-071h 01
Unveiled InterviewsS2E18: The Art of Filmmaking with Mark BrownIn this flashy, new-aged world of high-tech cameras and high expectations, it’s always impressive to hear from artists who embrace the art of a slower and more intentional creative process. The pressure to create for a dopamine hit is real, and has caused a massive shift in the way we consume, appreciate, and create works of art today. It’s no surprise that this pressure has landed in the wedding industry as well, where we have too seen a shift in the way weddings are created and then captured.In this episode, we hear from cine...
2025-10-141h 17
Unveiled InterviewsS2E17: Planning Really Good Parties with Tory Smith of Smith + James EventsNearly all engaged couples have the same end goal in mind: showing their guests an incredible experience. But, what exactly does it take to accomplish this?Is it all in the food and beverage? The music or entertainment? Does a good experience depend on creative design or thoughtful amenities? What about the itinerary or wedding day timeline – is this the secret to a lasting impression?Given her business motto is all about “planning really good parties,” we figured the best person to ask all these questions to was Tory Smith, lead planner/producer at Smith + James E...
2025-08-191h 10
Unveiled InterviewsS2E16: Setting Your Wedding Biz Up for Success with Downey Street EventsBuilding a thriving and reliable business, especially in the wedding industry, requires more than just creative talent or charisma. Many wedding professionals often get caught up in maintaining appearances through social media, blogging, submissions, and workshops, and while these are important for visibility, they don't guarantee long-term success or sustainability.Kelsey Connely, owner and creative director of Downey Street Events, brought a strong understanding of business-to-people relationships from her previous career in HR before later acquiring the premier wedding planning company.In our conversation, Kelsey and I delve into the often "daunting" aspects of business...
2025-08-121h 03
Unveiled InterviewsS2E15: Building an Associate Team with Ali BeckAs so many wedding photographers navigate tumultuous waters of business-ownership, many explore the pros and cons of expanding their team through associates. While many find this route to provide ease through added hands, others find that adding associates to their brand actually hinders performance of themselves or their business.With so many questions and unknowns around operating with associates, we invited someone much more experienced in the area – destination wedding photographer, Ali Beck. Through her career as a wedding photographer, Ali has dabbled in many forms of associateship including building an associate team then reverting back to so...
2025-08-051h 12
Unveiled InterviewsS2E14: Curating Wedding Wardrobes with Bridal Stylist Gabrielle HurwitzFor some brides, the tradition of shopping for “the dress” is warmly embraced, leading to joyous memories of "girl time" over champagne. But for others, the reality isn’t so simple or glamorous; its stress over finding multiple looks, refuting conflicting tastes, balancing price tags with budgets, and figuring out how to communicate likes (and dislikes) with the wedding party.Fortunately, for these types of wedding woes, we have professionals like Gabrielle Hurtwitz, a bridal fashion stylist based in New York City. Not to be confused with beauty artists or personal shoppers, bridal stylists like Gabrielle work closel...
2025-07-291h 13
Unveiled InterviewsS2E13: The In’s and Out’s of Wedding Publications with Sarah SchreiberWedding publications, magazines, digital editorial: Whatever you want to call it, what is going on in this space?What are publications' purpose in the wedding industry? What role should they fulfill? Are they genuinely helpful or relevant for couples planning their weddings today? For wedding professionals and vendors serving these couples, is it worth “paying to play” and why have the wait times for publication become so long? With me in this episode is weddings editor turned media consultant, Sarah Schreiber, who, over the course of her decade-long career in digital editorial at Martha Stewart Weddi...
2025-07-221h 23
Unveiled InterviewsS2E12: Education in Wedding Photography with John DolanThough he prefers to say he is “photographer fascinated by weddings, rather than a wedding photographer,” John Dolan is recognized today as a pioneer who helped bring wedding photography into the modern world, where we seek creative and holistic storytelling and appreciate it as an actual artform.But, the appreciation of the artform has seemed to fog up a bit as a new industry has emerged – the industry of education in wedding photography. Suddenly, the focus seems to be more on the business side where photographers are seeking quick-fixes and immediate gratification. So we wanted to kno...
2025-07-011h 21
Unveiled InterviewsS2E11: Softening the Professional Footprint with Joel & JustynaThis episode is for all the wedding documentarians out there – photographers, videographers, and yes, content creators, I’m looking at you – who are wondering how they can get their clients to open up a bit more, feel more comfortable, and ultimately be fully present with the full range of emotions that are ultimately felt on a wedding day.In this interview, I welcome Joel & Justyna Bedford, a husband and wife destination wedding photography team. Joel and Justyna are highly recognized in their industry for their warm and whimsical approach to photography and for their ability to document their s...
2025-06-241h 12
Unveiled InterviewsS2E10: Beyond Social Media with Amanda Luu of Studio MondineWhat would weddings look like without our beloved Instagram, Tik Tok, etc.? Would the trends be the same? Would they last as long, or longer? How would we find our vendors? How would we find our inspiration? Though I originally reached out to her with the intention of having a conversation around floral trends, Amanda Luu of Studio Mondine and I immediately bonded over our mutual struggles with social media and the way it has shaped the way we think about weddings today. So, we figured why not have this conversation instead?In this episode, w...
2025-06-171h 19
Unveiled InterviewsS2E9: Demystifying Workshops & Styled Shoots with Nicola DixonWorkshops, content days, styled shoots – they come by many names, have many purposes, and run with many reputations, but not matter what you call them or how you see them, there is no doubt that these curated experiences have made tremendous impact for so many businesses in the wedding industry. From using them for content to their powerful networking opportunities, styled shoots and workshops have certainly earned their place as a powerful strategy to grow one's business.But what exactly makes for a successful styled shoot/workshop? As a host, what elements should we co...
2025-06-121h 26
Unveiled InterviewsS2E8: Building a Family Alongside a Business with Olivia Rae JamesConsidering that the wedding industry is largely composed of female entrepreneurs, it's surprising there isn’t a stronger dialogue in this space concerning the realities of operating a creative business as a mother. Becoming a mother changes you in so many ways – physically, mentally, and spiritually – and comes with endless unknowns. With all of these shifts, how does one find a sense of work-life balance? How can women prepare their businesses for pregnancy, then again in post-partum, then create a sense of balance (and abundance) through the following seasons? As entrepreneurs, how can we be prese...
2025-06-101h 11
Unveiled InterviewsS2E7: Aligning Wedding Dreams with Reality with Barbi Walters of The Lynden Lane CoNavigating the complexities of wedding planning can be a challenge, especially when it comes to balancing dreams with practical realities. The abundance of inspirational examples can sometimes lead to unrealistic expectations for newly engaged couples, who may be unaware of the resources and effort required to bring their visions to life. In an effort to alleviate these challenges, I invited Barbi Walters of The Lynden Co, an event production team who specializes in fully-custom build outs. During our conversation, Barbi and I demystify the logistics and costs behind so many of the wish list items for the m...
2025-06-031h 05
Unveiled InterviewsS2E6: Designing a Wedding with Augusta ColeIn a world saturated with endless inspiration, how does one even begin to approach designing one of the most important events in a person's life – their wedding day?In this episode, I'm joined by Augusta Cole, one of the top event designers and producers in the wedding industry. Augusta’s work is widely recognized for its classic and inviting style, yet each event holds a unique character of its own.In our conversation, Augusta shares insights into how she uncovers the true goals and priorities of each client, and how these elements combine to shape the...
2025-05-271h 04
Unveiled InterviewsS2E5: Rising & Refining with Samm BlakeWhat does it take to grow a wedding business today? Is it more about networking, getting published, refining your portfolio, or cultivating a strong personal brand?While achieving these goals seems pretty straightforward when you’re familiar with your audience, entering a new market introduces a new set of challenges, often leaving business owners feeling stuck and confused.In this episode, we interview Samm Blake, a New York-based wedding photographer. Samm not only shares the key behind scaling her business to the high-end market but also reveals how she transformed her brand into a household na...
2025-05-201h 47
Unveiled InterviewsS2E4: Editorial Wedding Photography with Madison AycothLike “documentary” photography, "editorial" is definitely a buzzword right now, but how many people know what this term actually means in terms of in-person process and approach on a wedding day? Do couples understand what will be expected of them in order to achieve an "editorial" style? Do photographers that use this term in their branding understand what could be expected of them in terms of their approach, experience, or philosophies? In this episode, wedding and editorial photographer Madison Aycoth demystifies these two terms and explains how although they may appear different in style, they can actually be qu...
2025-05-131h 12
Unveiled InterviewsS2E3: Finding Your Signature Style with Camille DelauneIt’s easy enough to start a business in the wedding industry and start calling yourself a professional artist, but what is it that makes your art different and unique? What sets your work apart from the sea of wedding professionals out there and what does it take to achieve a truly distinguishable style?In this episode, we speak with NYC-based wedding photographer, Camille Delaune, where we discuss her journey in discovering her confidence and solidifying her place in the world of wedding photography.Website: www.camilledelaune.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/camilledelauneweddings
2025-05-061h 39
Unveiled InterviewsS2E2: Representing Artists with Lisa Ashley of The Wedding Artists CoIn this episode, we interview Lisa Ashley, founder and curator at The Wedding Artists Co, a company that represents a selective group of photographers and videographers in the wedding industry. Lisa’s role is pretty unique but one that (we believe) is up-and-coming and soon will completely transform the landscape of the wedding industry as we know it.Website: www.theweddingartistsco.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/theweddingartistsco
2025-04-291h 04
Unveiled InterviewsS2E1: Building a Vendor Team with Jesse TombsWhen looking at photos of a wedding online, it’s easy to imagine the execution of that wedding being as effortless and romantic as the images portray… but to the surprise of many, the reality is not so simple. Like cogs in a clock, the success of any wedding can be determined by the harmony of the professional team; when everyone has a similar vibrancy and end-goals in mind, that’s when true magic can be made.With me in this episode is Jesse Tombs, founder and lead creative director of the eponymous event production company based in the...
2025-04-221h 13
Unveiled InterviewsS1E24: Managing Stress During Wedding Planning with Olivia MuzonesSociety loves to brand weddings as the “best day of someone’s life” but in reality, there is a ton of stress felt by so many during the planning process and sadly it's not openly talked about enough.
To help shed some light on the topic of stress, we invited Dr. Olivia Muzones to the podcast, a practitioner of holistic chiropractic kinesiology based in California. During this conversation, Olivia addresses many of the ways stress can manifest physically, emotionally, and spiritually and shares some things couples can do to hopefully keep the planning process as fun and beautif...
2024-10-081h 09
Unveiled InterviewsS1E23: Finding the Right Beauty Artist with Michelle Schultz of Willow House BeautyFrom being one of the very first professionals a couple will interact with on their wedding day to determining how a person will look in photos for the rest of their lives, the role of a hair and makeup artist is certainly a role that holds a lot of power.
Here to talk about power of the role and what couples can do to ensure they find the best artist for them is Michelle Schultz, founder of the NYC-based hair and makeup collective, Willow House Beauty. Throughout this conversation, Michelle helps us understand how couples can find t...
2024-10-011h 29
Unveiled InterviewsS1E22: Harmonizing Hormone Health and Entrepreneurship with Rachel Nichols of Restoring EveIn the professional space, we see so many female business owners struggling with health issues that are frequently tied to stress/burnout in some form or the other. Especially in the wedding industry, a space predominantly operated by females, it’s sad that we commonly see business owners struggling with a sense of imbalance, overworking, perfectionism, and burnout especially when they originally established their businesses from a place of passion, joy, and inspiration.
In this episode, we interview Rachel Nichols, a hormone-health specialist who predominantly coaches female entrepreneurs through her own business called Restoring Eve. During ou...
2024-09-1746 min
Unveiled InterviewsS1E21: Planning Your City Hall Wedding with Blake NelsonWe talk a lot about the big, fancy, exuberant wedding celebrations here on Unveiled Interviews, but we also believe their is another way to get married. A wedding doesn’t have to be elaborate to be special; for some couples, it’s the simplicity of an elopement or courthouse ceremony that resonates most with their beliefs and priorities.
In this episode we interview Blake Nelson, a wedding and editorial photographer based in New York City. Recently, Blake’s wedding work has been recognized as synonymous with Manhattan’s city clerk’s office, so he has so much wisdom to...
2024-09-1057 min
Unveiled InterviewsS1E20: Inside the Mind of a Wedding Photographer with Emily Magers
In this content-driven world, the demand for photography in the wedding industry has skyrocketed. More and more, wedding photographers are feeling the pressure to work not only for the couple who hired them, but also the vendors who are also contributing to the wedding. The pressure of serving upwards of a dozen different clients per wedding has muddied the waters a little bit in how photographers approach their work.
More than ever, photographers are having a difficult time distinguish themselves as unique artists, and it's not difficult to see why this is happening. Content...
2024-09-101h 25Unveiled InterviewsS1E19: What Defines a “Luxury” Wedding with Jaime Kostechko of Wild Hearts EventsWith the rising trend of the term “luxury”, it seems like everyone wants to call themselves a “luxury” fill-in-the-blank these days.
But what does the term luxury even mean in the wedding industry? Are there qualifiers for being able to use the term? Does the term say something about how a professional charges or the level of service they provide? How do you know whether a wedding classifies as a luxury event? And the biggest question – is working in the luxury market a true pinnacle of success?
In this conversation, we talk with Jaime Kostechko, lead planne...
2024-08-271h 00
Unveiled InterviewsS1E18: Establishing a Wedding Budget with Corinne Van Arsdale of Canvas WeddingsOne of the very first, and often most stressful, parts of wedding planning is establishing a budget. It’s the piece that sets the tone for the rest of the wedding planning and execution processes and when done right, has the power to alleviate you from further stressors down the road.
However, how exactly does a couple establish a wedding budget? How do couples decide how much to spend on their wedding, then how do they decide where to allocate those funds amongst all of the areas including venue, food and beverage, decor, documentation… there is just so m...
2024-08-201h 07
Unveiled InterviewsS1E17: The Allure of Film Photography with Sophie BerardAfter over a decade of being suppressed by the convenience of digital, film photography is having its renaissance, especially in the wedding industry. Even with its rising costs, slow and tedious process, and theoretically risky behavior, more and more couples are requesting their wedding days to be captured on film, which has led to more and more wedding photographers feeling the pressure to start offering it in their process.
But, what exactly are people loving about film? Why has it become such a popular request? What can film do that digital cannot?
I am so...
2024-08-131h 40
Unveiled InterviewsS1E16: A New World of Wedding Planning with Lara Mahler of TPIM ONLINEOut with the old and in with the new – weddings today are not what they once were. Waning traditions and a newfound love for personalized experiences have taken over the wedding industry and couples today are seeing their big day in a whole new light. Simply put, societal expectations for weddings have just changed, which has caused a little confusion for couples as to what steps they need to take, when, and in what sequence, in order to plan the celebration of their dreams.
In this interview, Lara Mahler, founder and lead planner of wedding planning company TH...
2024-08-071h 24
Unveiled InterviewsS1E15: The Power of Stationery with Alexandra Collins of One Mimosa Please
Wedding stationery is so much more than just invitations – customized signage, paper products, personalized tokens and mementos all have the power to transcend a wedding’s experience and how this remembered. Yes, monogrammed matchbooks and handwritten place cards have their moment, but going a step further with other unique whimsical touches can collectively create an immersive experience that demands attention from all the senses – leaving a lasting impression on both the couple and their guests for years to come.
In this episode, we are joined by stationery artist and visionary, Alexandra Collins of One Mimosa...
2024-07-3158 min
Unveiled InterviewsS1E14: Planning a Destination Wedding: a Couple’s PerspectiveEver wonder what it’s like to plan a destination wedding from a couple’s perspective?
In this two-part series of Unveiled Interviews, we sit down with a real couple, Gillian and Matt who reside in New York City, and ask them all about the experience of planning their upcoming destination wedding, which will take place June 2024 in Mallorca, Spain:
How did they decide where to have their wedding? How did they break the news to their family? Did they experience any backlash from guests, and if so, how did they handle it? How did they...
2024-07-241h 01
Unveiled InterviewsS1E13: Planning a Destination Wedding: a Planner’s Perspective with Laura Garcia of Moon Velvet StudioSo many couples dream of a destination wedding in their hearts, but when it comes to putting pen to paper, step away from their dream because of assumptions around cost, planning logistics, or even reactions from family and friends. But what if they knew planning a destination wedding ultimately isn’t much different than planning a local wedding?
During this episode of Unveiled Interviews, wedding planner Laura Garcia of Moon Velvet Studio – who specializes in destination weddings across Southern California, Spain, and beyond – walks us through all the logistics and debunks all the common misconceptions around planning a desti...
2024-07-171h 22
Unveiled InterviewsS1E12: Infusing Soul into Your Wedding Business with Lexie HandBusiness can often be seen as a very mechanical thing with cogs and wheels – we so often feel limited by the invisible rules set by our peers and forget to look at things with a holistic perspective. What if, instead of seeing things as mechanical and analytical, we started running our businesses with our hearts? What if our businesses were so intertwined with our personal morals and passions that we started operating with an abundance of energy, ambition, and creativity? What if we could see each and every opportunity with fresh eyes and infuse our work with soul every ti...
2024-07-101h 09
Unveiled InterviewsS1E11: Elevating Your Wedding Fashion with Sydney Marie CoWedding fashion – for not only brides but also grooms, family members, other guests, and even wedding professionals – has been rapidly growing in popularity in recent years and (we believe) for good reason. What you wear to wedding not only affects how you feel and therefore the energy you emit throughout the day, but then transcends to others around you affecting how they feel and the energy they emit throughout the day. Bold, artful, maybe even a little daring fashion has the ability to elevate not only the aesthetics of a wedding day, but also the overall energy and experience.
2024-07-031h 21
Unveiled InterviewsS1E10: The Art of Pricing with Anni Graham of Immersed EducationPricing is a topic that comes up a lot in the wedding industry: why are weddings so expensive?! Why are wedding vendors charging so much for their services?! Is there an industry standard that you should be considering when shopping for your vendors?
What about if you are a wedding professional – how do you determine what to charge? How do you determine what your work is worth? Are the prices you're dreaming of charging realistic? What about this concept of an industry standard... does it exist and if so, how do you figure out where you land?...
2024-06-281h 23
Unveiled InterviewsS1E9: Growing Your Wedding Business with Kelly Mour
If you’re running your own professional business in the wedding space, you’ve probably found yourself wondering what it takes to get your business to the next level – you may be wondering:
"How do I book projects that excite me? How can I connect with clients and other vendors that resonate with my own taste and approach? What’s it going to take to finally feel like I’ve arrived?"
In this episode, we are privileged to hear from wedding photographer and filmmaker, Kelly Mouradian of @kellymour__, who walks us through her career...
2024-06-261h 27
Unveiled InterviewsS1E8: Getting Your Wedding Published with Shelby WaxEver wonder what it takes to get your wedding featured in an esteemed wedding magazine like Brides or even Vogue? What are these publications looking for, what does the submission process look like on the other side, and
Shelby Wax is a writer, editor, and consultant who has created work for renowned publications such as Vogue, Allure, The Knot, and Brides. During our conversation, we discuss the prestige that such sought-after publications continue to strive for in their featured work and the specific elements desired in the wedding space. Shelby’s insight offers a first-hand look into the...
2024-06-181h 14
Unveiled InterviewsS1E7: Floral Reality Check with Ahna HanOne of the biggest questions asked by couples planning their weddings – why are wedding florals so expensive? In this week’s episode, Brooklyn-based wedding florist Ahna Han breaks down the cost of wedding florals and all the reason’s couples today are receiving higher floral quotes than ever before.
Spoiler alert: you aren’t just paying for the flowers themselves. Just like any other industry, florists are dealing with increased costs associated with labor, transportation, importation taxes, etc. Ahna gracefully shares her insight on all of these costs and how they impact overall floral costs fo...
2024-06-1248 min
Unveiled InterviewsS1E6: Defining Documentary Photography with Tracy JadeIt’s taking over the internet for its eclectic whim and effortless vibe – but what is documentary photography, really? Why are we suddenly so drawn to it? How does it differ from "editorial" or other styles of photography? What mindset is required (of both the photographer and subject) for the most beautiful documentary style photographs to take place? What strategies and techniques can wedding photographers apply in their process before or on a wedding day to leave with more candid captures?
In this episode, we sit down with wedding photographer Tracy Koflanovich of Tracy Jade Photography and ask...
2024-06-051h 31
Unveiled InterviewsS1E5: Choosing the Right Venue with Erika Bellitt of Array Creative DesignThe cornerstone of the wedding day – venues play quite possibly the most influential role in how a wedding is experienced by the couple, guests, and vendors. Venues can define the personality and essence of a wedding, and can impact everything from the number of guests you can have, whether or not you can get ready or have the ceremony on site, how events flow from early to late into the evening, as well as additional rentals, florals, or amenities that must be considered in the overall budget. Even “last minute” details such as contingency plans, prep space for catering, parkin...
2024-05-281h 17
Unveiled InterviewsS1E4: Defining Planner vs. Coordinator with Manda Worthington of Mae & Co CreativeBoth have their time, place, and impact in the wedding industry, but many fail to realize the true difference between their (vastly different) roles – the planner vs. the coordinator.
In this episode, we sit down with renowned planner and educator, Manda Worthington of Mae & Co Creative, who breaks down the roles of wedding planners and coordinators and what makes their jobs so different from one another. She also defines the role of the venue coordinator, who yet again plays their own unique part in the wedding experience and in most cases should not be co...
2024-05-221h 09
Unveiled InterviewsS1E3: Navigating Imposter Syndrome with Krista K PhotoThe wedding industry is a funny space; it depends on both the following and creation of trends but it's also compelled to keep old-school traditions alive. How can we possibly expect artists in this space to keep up with such insane expectations?!
Imposter syndrome and burnout are two things nearly every wedding professional has experienced (or will) at one point or another in their career. Being a creative entrepreneur has its challenges beyond the logistics of business – it takes a lot of emotional energy to create with your heart – and in an industry as emot...
2024-05-151h 16
Unveiled InterviewsS1E2: The Evolution of Weddings with Rachel Urban of Apricity Event CoIs it the post-pandemic mindset, a shifting economy, or maybe the up-and-coming new generation of couples? The wedding industry has experienced a huge transformation in recent years leaving so many couples and industry professionals wondering how to prepare themselves for the 2024 and 2025 wedding seasons (and beyond).
During this episode of Unveiled Interviews, we sit down with New York City based wedding planner, Rachel Urban, to get her take on what is happening behind the scenes:
Why have weddings become so expensive? Why are couples taking longer to plan their we...
2024-05-0759 min
Unveiled InterviewsS1E1: Establishing Foundational Client-Vendor Relationships with Kristin PiteoFor the pilot of Unveiled Interviews, we wanted to start things off with a conversation around the importance of clients hiring vendors with whom they can develop a deeper, more personal and trusting relationship.
Especially in an industry as emotionally-driven as weddings, it’s more important than ever that the vendor-client relationship is cornerstoned with trust above all else. As much as couples can try to plan their day with every single detail considered, things can happen on a wedding day that are completely out of anyone’s control. Rather than pulling themselves away from...
2024-05-011h 16Unveiled InterviewsWelcome to Unveiled InterviewsBiggest welcome to Unveiled Interviews: a podcast dedicated to making the wedding industry a more transparent place for everybody.
My name is Alyssa (@alyssavanzophoto) and I am a wedding photographer based in Rochester, New York. Although most of my work is in the New York City and Hudson Valley regions, over my six years in business I have been fortunate enough to travel all over the continental US for weddings including many National Parks, up and down the coasts of Oregon and California, and nearly every corner of New York State.
2024-04-3011 min