The Preferred List: A Wedding Vendor Podcast

James
  • 5.0 (2)
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The Preferred List is a podcast that pulls back the curtain on the wedding industry, featuring honest conversations with the pros behind the scenes. From planners to photographers to DJs and florists, we dive into the real stories, lessons, and moments that make weddings unforgettable — and what it really takes to earn a spot on the list.

  1. 5D AGO

    Episode 30 From Courtrooms To Contouring: Lunar Beauty Studio

    The face you wear down the aisle shows up in every photo, so why not make it feel like you at your best? We sat with Kyleigh of Lunar Beauty Studio to unpack a calm, natural approach to bridal makeup that holds up on camera and still feels light in person. Her story—leaping from a criminal justice degree and restaurant management into beauty—sets the stage for practical wisdom anyone planning a wedding can use. We dig into the heart of a stress-free morning: build your timeline backwards from the photographer’s needs, finish early to allow for tears and touch-ups, and put the bride second-to-last to protect her time and nerves. Kyleigh shares how she coordinates with hairstylists, why hair-first often beats makeup-first, and the simple prep steps that change everything—arrive with clean skin, remove last night’s mascara, moisturize as usual, and save lips for last. She breaks down a photo-savvy kit, from avoiding flashback powders to creating a balanced glow that reads fresh, not greasy, under both natural light and flash. Style-wise, Kyleigh is all about you but better: fresh skin, soft color, enhanced features. Trials aren’t optional; they’re built in to align on habits, lashes, brows, and the look you’ll love. When AI-perfect inspiration photos appear, she translates the vibe into reality by isolating elements—shadow tones, lash density, blush placement—so real skin looks refined without losing texture or life. Beyond day-of, she recommends monthly facials three to six months out to create a smoother canvas and a much-needed pocket of calm, plus tested brow laminations and lash lifts to streamline the final look. Whether you’re a vendor or a couple, you’ll find a blueprint for better mornings: communicate early, set expectations, and surround the bride with people who protect her calm. Enjoy the craft, trust the process, and let subtle tweaks do the heavy lifting. Loved the conversation? Subscribe, share with a friend planning their day, and leave a quick review so we can keep highlighting the people who make wedding days work. https://www.lunarbeautystudio.com/ https://www.instagram.com/lunarbeauty_studio/

    47 min

  2. APR 2

    Episode 29 No One’s Wobbling? Don’t Panic, Here’s The Backup Plan: Ryan Smetzer DJ

    A packed dance floor doesn’t happen by luck; it happens by design. We sit down with wedding DJ and radio pro Ryan Smetzer to unpack how the right music strategy, MC skills, and vendor communication can transform a reception from “nice” to unforgettable. Ryan shares his origin story, from Frankensteined desktop towers and pink disco balls to a full calendar of weddings, and shows why customization—not cookie-cutter playlists—wins every time. We explore the art of reading the room: spotting subtle cues, choosing when to speed through a chorus, and when to hold for that belt-it-out bridge. Ryan explains how he builds must-play and do-not-play lists, uses a live request line without losing control, and rescues a sluggish floor without leaning on tired line dances. Venue layout plays a real role too; patios and fire pits can disperse a crowd early, so he plans for natural ebbs and builds to a late-night surge that feels like lift-off. Beyond the booth, a great DJ is a great MC. Ryan walks through timelines, phonetic name checks, and vendor huddles that keep photographers and filmmakers ready for every milestone. We get into collaboration under pressure—like threading a rain-free, ten-minute ceremony window—and how calm, prepared teams make chaos invisible to guests. His systems are as dialed as his mixes: CRM organization, cloud and local backups, offline playlists, and early arrivals that put couples at ease. Thinking about hiring a DJ? Ryan’s take on “fit” will help you find the personality and approach that match your vision—and avoid the one-size-fits-all trap. If this conversation helped you plan a reception that feels like you, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who’s choosing their wedding team. What’s your must-play or do-not-play song? Tell us—we might feature it next time. https://ryansmetzer.com/ https://www.instagram.com/ryansmetzer/

    1h 14m

  3. MAR 26

    Episode 28 How The Right Vendor Team Makes Or Breaks Your Wedding: Aalea from The Booking House

    What if your wedding day felt calm, focused, and fun from first look to last dance? We sat down with Aalea, the no-nonsense wedding coordinator at The Booking House, to reveal how great timelines, strong vendor teams, and clear priorities turn chaos into flow. From the rugby field to the reception floor, she brings a play-caller’s mindset to planning and execution: anticipate, adapt, and protect the couple’s experience at all costs. We dig into the decisions that matter long before the aisle—how to define your top priorities together, why the right vendor lineup can save the entire event, and the questions that separate a true coordinator from a building site manager. Aalea shares how she builds timelines that actually work, keeps vendors aligned without drowning couples in emails, and safeguards the day from last-minute detours that steal time from dancing, dinner, and real connection. If you’re juggling budget constraints, she offers practical levers to pull: cut guest count before quality, focus decor where it counts, and repurpose florals between ceremony and reception. You’ll also hear hard-won lessons on accountability and teamwork: what great vendors always do, how to avoid trends that look cute online but waste precious minutes, and why communication should flow through one channel as the day approaches. For new vendors, Aalea lays out a path to credibility—over-prepare, learn names, take notes after every event, and own your misses. For couples, she keeps it human: limit outside opinions, share a simple list of priorities with your coordinator, and build white space so the best moments can breathe. If you want a wedding day that feels like you—and runs like clockwork—this conversation is your blueprint. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s planning, and leave a review to help more couples find their calm amid the confetti. https://www.thebookinghousemanheim.com/ https://www.thebookinghousemanheim.com/in-house-services https://www.instagram.com/thebookinghouse/

    51 min

  4. MAR 19

    Episode 27 Inside A Year-One Venue: Harmony Forge Inn

    A Zillow link, a river view, and a leap of faith—this is the story of how Billy and Kasey took Harmony Forge Inn from a hidden property to a weekend wedding venue couples will remember for years. We open up about the first chaotic weddings, the emergency mulch run that saved a last-minute ceremony switch, and the relationships that made year one not just possible, but joyful. Walk the property with us: the Victorian main house where the bridal suite sits steps from the kitchen, the Creekside Lodge that keeps the groom’s party on time, a 200-guest barn brightened with chandeliers and picture windows, and a flat lawn along the water that turns cocktail hour into a relaxed, social drift. We explain why the weekend model matters—check in Friday, ease out Sunday—and how that extra time eliminates stress, rushed setups, and complicated logistics. We also get tactical. If you’re venue shopping, learn how to compare true all-in packages, spot hidden fees, and ask questions that uncover flexibility, future upgrades, and vendor-friendliness. If you’re building a dream vendor team, hear why coordinators are the unsung heroes, how to leverage preferred lists, and what red flags to watch for. For fellow owners and planners, we share our systems—shared calendars, CRMs, after-action notes—and the small operational choices that make a big difference, like stocking water and mapping parking before anyone arrives. Looking ahead, we reveal two upgrades we’re excited about: a covered wraparound bar that transforms cocktail hour and small events, and permanent restrooms to replace the mobile setup. Through it all, our goal stays the same: create a beautiful, adaptable space and serve couples so well that the only thing they remember is how easy and meaningful the day felt. If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe, share it with a friend planning a wedding, and leave a review so more couples and vendors can find the show. Got a venue question we didn’t answer? Send it our way—we’d love to help. https://www.harmonyforgeinn.com/ https://www.instagram.com/harmonyforgeinn/

    57 min

  5. MAR 12

    Episode 26 Where Drinks Meet Moments: Megs Winnie Bar

    The heartbeat of a great reception isn’t the timeline—it’s the bar that keeps people laughing, mingling, and dancing. We’re joined by Meg, the craft-minded force behind Winnie Bar, to unpack how a thoughtful, well-run bar can transform the entire guest experience. She shares the real playbook: when to pre-batch, how to balance a menu with sweet and dry options, why fresh citrus matters, and what it actually takes to move a long line without losing warmth or quality. We dig into the decisions couples wrestle with—open bar vs limited selection, beer-and-wine-only budgets, and the reality of making signature cocktails work at scale. Meg explains the venue constraints most people miss: no sink, tight space, and the hidden labor of hauling ice, stocking mixers, and packing out at the end of the night. You’ll hear how she stages gear for speed, sets smart limits for safety, and reads the room to keep the energy high while avoiding the late-night spiral. Her take on trends is refreshing too: looser timelines, pre-ceremony photos, grazing dinners, and flexible cocktails that double as mocktails so every guest feels included. Along the way, Meg’s personality shines—yes, she’ll dance behind the bar—and her experience shows in small details that make a big difference. From real quantities and return policies for unopened bottles to gentle ways to slow someone down without a scene, this is wedding bartending without the guesswork. If you’re planning a reception or you’re a vendor aiming to elevate your service, you’ll walk away with practical, field-tested tips and a new appreciation for the bartender as the curator of fun. Love conversations that blend craft, honesty, and real wedding know-how? Follow, share with a friend who’s planning, and leave us a quick review so more couples and vendors can find the show. https://www.instagram.com/megs_winniebar/ https://www.facebook.com/megswinniebar/ megswinniebar@gmail.com

    38 min

  6. MAR 5

    Episode 25 Why Hiring Your Planner First Can Save Your Wedding: Blake Events

    A planner who never meant to be a planner built a 15-person team and now steers 170+ weddings a year—and she’s here to tell you exactly how. Taryn of Blake Events takes us behind the curtain to show why calm leadership, clear systems, and honest budgeting matter more than trends, and how to protect your day from the hidden pitfalls couples rarely see coming. We trace her leap from corporate marketing to full-time planning after a life-altering health scare, the slingshot effect of 2021’s boom, and the SOP-driven growth that makes excellence repeatable across a large team. Taryn breaks down planning tiers—why “day-of” is a myth, how 90-day coordination rescues overwhelmed couples, why partial planning is the true sweet spot, and when full service becomes the stress-free choice. She explains how to align design with budget and venue constraints, using tight visual references and clear language to avoid misinterpretation. Then we get real about vendor lists, contracts, and pricing. You’ll learn how to vet beyond five-star reviews, why some venue lists are pay-to-play, and what a seasoned planner knows about staff turnover, access rules, and delivery windows that drive up labor costs. We talk transparent pricing on vendor sites, qualifying leads, and why averages on the internet mislead more than they help. If you’ve ever felt “venue poor,” or wondered whether to book the band, video, or floral statement first, this conversation hands you a framework to set a drop-dead number, rank priorities, and make tradeoffs with confidence. We keep the tone candid and warm—boss without being bossy—so you leave with practical tools and a clear head. If you’re a couple wanting less stress and fewer surprises, or a budding planner seeking a realistic roadmap, this one’s for you. Enjoy the stories, steal the systems, and if it helped, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a quick review to tell us your biggest wedding planning question. https://www.blakeevents.com/ https://www.instagram.com/blakeeventco/

    1h 2m

  7. FEB 26

    Episode 24 Presence Over Perfection: Rethinking Wedding Photography: Hannah Constein Photography

    What if the best wedding photos happen when we stop chasing perfection and start protecting presence? We sit down with photographer Hannah Constein to unpack how a people-first approach shapes the entire day—from the first hello with vendors to the last sparkler burn. Hannah traces her path from 18-year-old coordinator to in-demand photographer, revealing the mindset and systems that let her shoot 30–35 weddings a year while raising three kids. The secret isn’t hustle for hustle’s sake; it’s clear boundaries, smart outsourcing, and a commitment to serve couples over algorithms. We get tactical about the craft. “Documentary” is trending, but do couples truly want zero direction? Hannah explains selective intervention: guide light and posture when it matters, then step back for unscripted moments during cocktail hour and the reception. We talk first looks and timelines—how they open space, reduce weather risk, and actually get you to that cocktail hour you paid for. There’s a powerful thread about guest coverage too: the images couples cherish most often feature parents, grandparents, and friends in real, unguarded scenes. If you’re a photographer, you’ll love the shop talk: anchor images for consistent edits, backing up to a fireproof safe, why second shooting builds resilience, and how consult calls prevent mismatched expectations. We also go deep on film photography—why the slower rhythm and honest grain still matter, how to start with an accessible camera, and what makes film’s look different from digital emulation. On the business side, Hannah shares a practical social media strategy to attract ideal clients without faking a persona, plus a peek at her growing associate team and occasional mentorships. Whether you’re planning your wedding or refining your creative process, this conversation delivers clear takeaways: set expectations early, prioritize presence over performance, and build a vendor team that chooses the couple first. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s planning, and leave a review with your favorite takeaway—we’d love to hear where you land on first look vs aisle reveal. https://hannahconsteinphotography.com/ https://www.instagram.com/hannahconsteinphotography/

    1h 10m

  8. FEB 19

    Episode 23 From A Basement Of Decor To Full-Service, Custom Rentals: Nittany Valley Events

    What if your wedding rentals felt crafted for you instead of copied from a catalog? We sit down with Rob and Aly of Nittany Valley Events to explore how a basement trove of decor grew into a flexible, custom-forward rental company serving couples who want personality without a runaway budget. From vintage floral china and colored goblets to farmhouse tables sealed hours before delivery, they show how curation and craftsmanship can transform a venue into something singular. Aly brings years of event planning insight that helps couples separate essentials from upgrades and build smart swaps that preserve the look. She even uses AI mockups to visualize layouts, place settings, and color palettes, giving first-time planners the confidence to choose what matters most. Rob’s woodshop turns Pinterest saves into real pieces—arches sized to the space, lounge accents with character, and bold ideas like a four-piece circular bar. Their catalog still covers the basics—tables, chairs, tents, linens, chargers, flatware—but their edge is the uncommon: items you can’t order two days before the wedding. We dig into the startup journey too: streamlining with rental software, stepping up from pickup trucks to a box truck, and building strong ties with planners and venues for day-of backups and last-minute saves. They talk transparent quoting, wishlists that show the full picture before scaling back, and how to stretch dollars with smart substitutions. Along the way we unpack trends in wedding design, from evolving color palettes to how AI and social media expand creative possibilities while keeping the human touch at the center. If you’re planning a wedding, you’ll leave with a blueprint to shape a unique look, a checklist to vet rental partners by reviews and responsiveness, and ideas for custom elements that make photos and guest experience pop. If you’re a vendor or aspiring founder, you’ll pick up practical advice on sustainable growth, inventory strategy, and collaboration that serves the couple first. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s planning, and leave a quick review to tell us what detail you’d customize next. https://www.nittanyvalleyevents.com/ https://www.instagram.com/nittanyvalleyevents/

    49 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Preferred List is a podcast that pulls back the curtain on the wedding industry, featuring honest conversations with the pros behind the scenes. From planners to photographers to DJs and florists, we dive into the real stories, lessons, and moments that make weddings unforgettable — and what it really takes to earn a spot on the list.

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