Wine and Dine Me

Reagan Prechter, Owner of Reagan Events

The Wine and Dine Me podcast is brought to you by Reagan Prechter, owner of Reagan Events, a luxury event planning and design firm based in Charleston, South Carolina. With more than 15 years of experience executing events all over the world, she’s seen a thing or two. Join Reagan weekly for her unfiltered, no-rules-attached commentary where she dives into the stories behind exceptional hospitality, the business strategies that drive success, and life’s most unforgettable moments. This podcast is unapologetically not for the basic. Follow us on instagram @reaganevents reaganevents.com

  1. May 28

    Bryan Rafanelli on Building Clients for Life

    In this episode of The Wine and Dine Me Podcast, Reagan sits down with Bryan Rafanelli for a conversation about the kind of event work that lasts beyond a single night. Bryan shares how he thinks about client relationships, not as one-time projects, but as long-term partnerships built through trust, care, and future-minded service. From wedding planning and private celebrations to corporate and nonprofit events, he talks about why the strongest businesses are built by staying close to clients, understanding who is in the room, and creating moments that feel personal without being performative. Reagan and Bryan also talk about high-touch guest service, the pressure to stay relevant, why event innovation cannot only be visual, and how planners can advocate for the right decisions when the integrity of the guest experience is at stake. The conversation moves from business strategy to hospitality philosophy, with Bryan offering a generous, candid look at what has shaped his career after decades in the event industry.They also discuss:  Why a wedding can be the beginning of a lifelong client relationship  How to make sure guests know who produced the event without awkward self-promotion  The role of trust when discussing budgets, investments, and last-minute decisions  Why planners should understand the character of the guest list  How to approach VIPs with confidence and humanity  Why diversifying your client portfolio can create a stronger business  The difference between staying visible and staying truly relevant  Why guest experience is still the real measure of a memorable eventConnect with Anja Winikka: Instagram: @rafanellievents Website:  rafanellievents.comListen & Follow Subscribe to our newsletter for inspiration, updates, and expert advice.Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes moments, trending ideas, and so much more.Tune in to our Wine and Dine Me Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, where we explore all things weddings, life, and business.

    42 min

  2. May 21

    Visibility Is Not Influence: Anja Winikka on Trust, Taste, and the Rooms That Matter

    In this episode of The Wine and Dine Me Podcast, Reagan sits down with Anja Winikka, founder and CEO of Freeda, a private membership network for leaders in the global events industry.Anja has seen the wedding and event industry from nearly every angle. She spent more than a decade at The Knot, helped shape modern wedding media, co-founded Maroo, and now leads Freeda, where creative founders gather in curated peer groups for honest conversations, trusted relationships, and the kind of support that rarely happens in public.This conversation looks at the difference between visibility and true influence, why follower count is no longer the strongest signal of credibility, and why discerning clients are paying closer attention to trust, referrals, and the rooms people are actually in.Reagan and Anja also talk about the loneliness that can come with building a successful creative business, the pressure to appear booked and thriving, and what longevity really requires behind the scenes: emotional intelligence, operational maturity, financial clarity, boundaries, and relationships that can sustain you through different seasons of business and life.This episode is for creative founders, planners, designers, photographers, and hospitality professionals who are asking bigger questions about growth, visibility, trust, and what kind of business they actually want to build.Listen to the full episode for a candid conversation on influence, private networks, mature business ownership, and why the right room can change everything.In This EpisodeReagan and Anja discuss:  The shift from media-driven visibility to trust-based influence  Why follower count does not equal credibility  How high-end clients evaluate trust differently now  What creative founders are craving behind the scenes  Why Freeda was created for more honest peer conversations  The difference between networking and belonging  What longevity really looks like in the wedding and event industry  Why emotional intelligence and operational maturity matter more than ever  How the right relationships can shape both your business and your lifeConnect with Anja Winikka:Instagram: @joinfreedaWebsite: https://www.joinfreeda.com/Listen & Follow Subscribe to our newsletter for inspiration, updates, and expert advice.Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes moments, trending ideas, and so much more.Tune in to our Wine and Dine Me Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, where we explore all things weddings, life, and business.

    33 min

  3. May 14

    From Influence to Trust: How Creative Entrepreneurs Build Brands That Last with Lauren Taylor

    What matters more now: being followed, or being found?In this episode of The Wine and Dine Me Podcast, Reagan sits down with Lauren Taylor, founder of LeFleur Society, a high-touch agency representing creators, celebrities, public figures, and entrepreneurs. Lauren’s path started in law, but her work now sits at the intersection of legal protection, brand strategy, creator representation, and business growth.Together, Reagan and Lauren talk about what it really takes to build a brand that lasts. Not just one that looks good online, but one built with clarity, protection, credibility, and trust.They dig into why follower count is losing its power, why authenticity has become harder to fake, and why creative entrepreneurs need to think more like business owners. Lauren also shares what brands are looking for now, how searchability and SEO are changing the way people discover businesses, and why the strongest founders are not waiting for the perfect moment to begin.In This EpisodeReagan and Lauren discuss:  Why follower count is becoming less important than credibility  How creative entrepreneurs can better understand their own value  What authenticity actually means now  How sophisticated brands can show more realness without losing polish  Why personal brand and business brand need to grow together  The difference between viral content and lasting brand trust  Why SEO, searchability, and platform strategy matter more than ever  What creators may be giving away without realizing it  Why entrepreneurs are beginning to replace traditional influencers  How to build a brand ecosystem that extends beyond one platform  Why imperfect timing is often the moment to moveConnect with Lauren Taylor:Instagram: @lefleursociety / @laurentaylorattorneyWebsite: https://www.lefleursociety.com/Listen & Follow Subscribe to our newsletter for inspiration, updates, and expert advice.Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes moments, trending ideas, and so much more.Tune in to our Wine and Dine Me Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, where we explore all things weddings, life, and business.

    42 min

  4. Mar 6

    Obsessive Hospitality and Zero-Management Photography with Alex Schon

    In this episode of The Wine and Dine Me Podcast, Reagan sits down with photographer and licensed sommelier Alex Schon to talk about what “exceptional” really looks like when the weekend is high-stakes and the margin for error is basically nonexistent. They get into the difference between a vendor who creates pretty work and a partner who protects the entire experience. The throughline is simple: the best people on your team add calm, not questions.Alex shares how an aerospace engineering background wired him to think in systems, contingencies, and cause-and-effect. One small delay doesn’t stay small. It cascades. That’s why his standard is “zero management.” He shows up already briefed, already prepared, already watching the room, already solving what most people don’t notice until it’s too late.They also talk about the “one-inch rule” and why tiny details matter more than anyone wants to admit. Because photography is the permanent record. It becomes the proof of the weekend. One crooked chair or messy corner in a frame can quietly undermine the credibility of a multi-layered production. Not because clients are picky, but because the images are forever.Along the way, Reagan and Alex get candid about trust, pricing, and the post-COVID market. Alex makes a point every vendor needs to hear: pricing isn’t just math. It’s integrity. If you feel opportunistic or inconsistent, the people who refer you will notice first.In this episode, we cover:  What “zero management” actually means on a wedding weekend Why obsessive hospitality is the real flex, not performative service How an engineering brain changes the way you plan and shoot The one-inch rule and how small details can weaken the entire story Why photography is the final filter, not the main character How to build calm through preparation, not personality Pricing, trust, and why the market always corrects inflated value The difference between anxiety and care, and why clients feel it Alex’s sommelier lens on guiding experiences without showing off His closing line that says everything: if you’re a project, you’re not a partnerKey moments (timestamps) 00:00 Intro and why this conversation matters for planners and vendor teams 03:40 Alex’s background and how engineering shaped his planning brain 08:55 What “zero management” looks like in real time 13:20 Obsessive hospitality and the Mary Poppins bag mentality 18:45 The cascade effect: how one delay becomes the whole day 24:10 The one-inch rule and why details affect credibility in photos 31:30 Photography as the permanent record: proof, not performance 38:05 Pricing, integrity, and what breaks trust fastest 46:15 Sommelier mindset and guiding people through experience 52:30 Closing takeaway: partnership over performanceConnect with Alex: Instagram: @alexschonWebsite: www.alexschon.comListen & Follow Subscribe to our newsletter for inspiration, updates, and expert advice.Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes moments, trending ideas, and so much more.Tune in to our Wine and Dine Me Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, where we explore all things weddings, life, and business.

    1h 12m

  5. Feb 20

    Discretion, Directness, and High-Stakes Events with Laura Somma

    In this episode of The Wine and Dine Me Podcast, Reagan sits down with her Italy-based partner, Laura Somma, to talk about what “high-touch” really looks like when the guest list includes celebrities, royals, and families who do not tolerate chaos. They start with the practical magic of a cross-time-zone partnership, then trace Laura’s path from studying German literature to building a career defined by precision, discretion, and calm execution. Laura shares the behind-the-scenes stories that shaped her standards, including producing a paparazzi-proof private island birthday for Naomi Campbell in Positano and how a chance conversation in Doha led to working inside the orbit of the royal family of Qatar. Along the way, she makes a point planners need to hear: the most powerful thing you can bring into a room full of “yes people” is a steady voice that tells the truth. They also dig into what sophisticated clients actually crave when they can already access everything: authenticity, simplicity, and experiences rooted in place. Laura explains why she builds a “bridge” in design across cultures, why a local performance is often the most unforgettable anchor of a destination celebration, and how The Wedding Prive was created to solve the real complexity of multi-destination weddings with senior planners leading each chapter. In this episode, we cover: Why a US + Italy planning partnership eliminates lag, follow-ups, and lost daysHow German literature (and German work habits) shaped Laura’s planning brainThe first wedding she ever produced, and why she asked two questions firstWhat discretion looks like when paparazzi are actively trying to get inThe real reason top-tier clients choose “simple” food and simple momentsHow to read a culture fast (and why you should stop relying on other people’s opinions)Laura’s non-negotiable for guest experience: a performance that belongs to the placeWhat The Wedding Prive is, and why multi-destination weddings are the next frontierLaura’s closing advice to planners: trust your gut and lead the conversation Key moments (timestamps) 00:52 Laura’s background and why Reagan trusts her as an Italy partner04:24 German literature, Goethe, and the pivot into events10:35 Her first wedding came from a corporate guest, and she never “sold” planning14:55 The private island birthday story and what discretion actually requires20:07 The Doha connection that opened the door to royal work29:36 How Laura learns a new culture: sit, watch, listen, decide for yourself33:58 Her guest-experience non-negotiable: local performance over predictable extras36:24 The Wedding Prive and the operational reality of multi-destination weddings48:52 Final advice: trust your gut, stop people-pleasing, lead the roomConnect with Laura: Instagram: @theweddingprive, @ellesseventsEmail: info@lsevents.netWebsite: The Wedding PriveListen & Follow Subscribe to our newsletter for inspiration, updates, and expert advice.Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes moments, trending ideas, and so much more.Tune in to our Wine and Dine Me Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, where we explore all things weddings, life, and business.

    53 min

  6. Feb 3

    Own Your Power: Authority, Calm, and the Systems That Let You Lead at the Highest Level with Lynn Easton

    In this episode of The Wine and Dine Me Podcast, Reagan sits down with Lynn Easton, founder of Easton Events, for a candid conversation about what actually separates “pretty” from powerful in high-stakes event work. Lynn shares how she built a brand people recognize before they even read the caption, why language is one of a planner’s most underrated tools, and the real reason budgets must get handled early (not “once we see what things cost”). They also get into the systems behind calm execution, including the story that led Lynn to build her timeline and budget infrastructure and eventually turn it into eventPERCH.  In this episode, we cover: Why “ma’am” and “sir” can shrink your authority when you’re the one responsible for the callBranding as behavior, not visuals: what makes a brand feel consistent in the room and in the inboxThe budgeting conversation planners avoid, and why avoiding it makes you the villain laterWhat Instagram is actually good for (and what it should never replace)The moment a single timeline mistake changed how Lynn built her systems foreverWhy Lynn chose to share her proprietary workflow with the industry through eventPERCH A real take on growth: more people, better structure, and protecting the work from burnoutAbout Lynn Easton:Lynn is the founder of Easton Events and Easton Education, known for producing sophisticated, high-touch celebrations with serious operational discipline behind the scenes.Connect with Lynn: Easton Events on Instagram: @eastonevents Easton Education on Instagram: @eastoneducation eventPERCH: eventPERCH (event planning software built from Easton’s internal systems) Listen & Follow Subscribe to our newsletter for inspiration, updates, and expert advice.Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes moments, trending ideas, and so much more.Tune in to our Wine and Dine Me Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, where we explore all things weddings, life, and business.

    1h 6m

  7. Jan 23

    Clear Is Kind: Budgets, Boundaries, and Better Planning with Calder Clark

    In this episode of The Wine and Dine Me Podcast, Reagan sits down with Calder Clark for a candid conversation about what it really takes to produce beautiful events without losing the plot. This one is equal parts creative process and hard-earned perspective. The kind you only get after years of doing the work, living through the curveballs, and learning when to hold the line.Calder shares how she thinks about value, how she navigates client expectations (especially when the vision is larger than the budget), and why the best planners are the ones who can protect the experience while staying calm and direct. They also dig into what fuels Calder’s design process, how she stays inspired without living on social media, and why getting copied is not the crisis people make it out to be.It’s smart, grounded, and full of the kind of real-world advice that helps you refine how you sell, design, communicate, and lead.In this episode, we cover: Why “value” is the real conversation, not priceHow to handle the expectation gap when budgets don’t match the visionWhy you need the bill payer involved early (and how it changes everything)The difference between planning, designing, and producing - and why clients confuse itBoundaries that still feel high-touch and responsiveHow Calder stays inspired without chasing the scrollWhat her actual design process looks like (sources, references, and how she builds a point of view)Why being copied is not the threat people think it isWhen “pretty” becomes standard, and how to keep your work intentionalThe mindset shift that makes you easier to work with - and better at the jobGuest SpotlightCalder Clark is a Charleston-based planner and designer known for her editorial eye, confident point of view, and ability to balance beauty with real-world execution. She brings a rare combination of creative clarity and business candor - the kind that elevates the final product and protects the client experience at every step.Listen & Follow Subscribe to our newsletter for inspiration, updates, and expert advice.Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes moments, trending ideas, and so much more.Tune in to our Wine and Dine Me Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, where we explore all things weddings, life, and business.

    1h 4m

  8. 12/29/2025

    All In or Nothing: The Reality of Scaling a Creative Business with Jessica Connolly of Social Supply Design

    In this episode of The Wine and Dine Me Podcast, Reagan sits down with Jessica Connolly, co-founder and creative director of Social Supply Design, for a wide-ranging conversation on what it actually takes to build meaningful experiences at scale. Jessica shares her unconventional path from government work to wedding planning to running a multimillion-dollar experiential design and build studio. Together, Reagan and Jessica unpack why design without function is just decoration, how emotion and execution must work together, and what happens when creatives stop designing for Instagram and start designing for people. This conversation goes deep into the realities of entrepreneurship, scaling a labor-intensive business, hiring with intention, and navigating creativity, leadership, and ADHD in a high-pressure industry. It’s honest, grounded, and filled with insight for anyone building something that matters. In this episode, we cover: Why design without function fails the guest experienceThe difference between decoration and design that performsTaking real risks and going all in on your businessHow divorce, alignment, and life shifts can clarify your workScaling a creative business when every project is a one-offBringing production in-house to protect quality and executionDesigning spaces around human behavior and emotional flowHiring for humility, hunger, and honestyWhy trends fade but nostalgia and intention endureWhat’s overdone in event design and what’s being overlookedGuest SpotlightJessica Connolly is the co-founder and creative director of Social Supply Design, an experiential design and production studio known for immersive, interior-grade builds for events, brands, and venues nationwide. Her work sits at the intersection of architecture, emotional storytelling, and execution at scale.Connect with JessicaInstagram: @socialsupplydesignWebsite: socialsupplydesign.comListen & Follow Subscribe to our newsletter for inspiration, updates, and expert advice.Follow us on Instagram and TikTok for behind-the-scenes moments, trending ideas, and so much more.Tune in to our Wine and Dine Me Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, where we explore all things weddings, life, and business.

    1h 1m
See All (70)

5
out of 5
13 Ratings

About

The Wine and Dine Me podcast is brought to you by Reagan Prechter, owner of Reagan Events, a luxury event planning and design firm based in Charleston, South Carolina. With more than 15 years of experience executing events all over the world, she’s seen a thing or two. Join Reagan weekly for her unfiltered, no-rules-attached commentary where she dives into the stories behind exceptional hospitality, the business strategies that drive success, and life’s most unforgettable moments. This podcast is unapologetically not for the basic. Follow us on instagram @reaganevents reaganevents.com

Information

  • Creator
    Reagan Prechter, Owner of Reagan Events
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    70
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Reagan Prechter, Owner of Reagan Events
  • Show Website
    Wine and Dine Me

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