Now That I'm Engaged, How Do I Get Married

Kevin Dennis
  • 5.0 (3)
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Created for newly engaged couples, Now That I’m Engaged, How Do I Get Married? Provides soonlyweds with everything they need to navigate their wedding planning journey easily. Kevin Dennis, host, and owner of Livermore-based lighting and A/V company Fantasy Sound Event Services, invites wedding professionals from across the industry to share their tips and advice on smart wedding planning (and what not to do!). Tune in each week to learn everything from budgeting and booking vendors, overcoming guest drama, and timing your plans for the big day.

  1. 20h ago

    #67: We React to Reddit's Craziest Wedding Stories

    In this episode of Now That I'm Engaged, How Do I Get Married?, Kevin Dennis and August Yocher take a break from traditional wedding planning advice to react to some of the internet's wildest wedding stories straight from Reddit. Some of Reddit's most unbelievable wedding stories become the jumping-off point for a conversation about family drama, guest behavior, and wedding-day mishaps. Kevin and August break down each situation, offering professional insight and practical advice on how many of these disasters could have been avoided. These stories may be outrageous, but they also offer valuable lessons for couples planning their own weddings. Kevin and August share practical advice, professional insight, and a few laughs along the way. Highlights: Reacting to some of Reddit's craziest wedding storiesWhat happens when a wedding guest has one drink too manyHow to handle difficult family members without letting them ruin your dayWhy great vendors can help prevent wedding-day disastersKevin shares real-life wedding stories from over 35 years in the industryLessons couples can learn from other people's wedding mishaps Connect with Kevin & August: Website Instagram Youtube TikTok Pinterest LinkedIn

    #67: We React to Reddit's Craziest Wedding Stories

  2. Jul 7

    #66: Wedding Pros vs AI: Who Knows Weddings Best? Part Two

    In this episode of Now That I'm Engaged, How Do I Get Married?, Kevin Dennis and August Yocher put wedding planning advice to the test in Part 2 of their "Wedding Pros vs. AI" series. This time, they compare their real-world experience against AI-generated responses to answer two common wedding planning questions: how to choose your ceremony and reception music, and whether wedding lighting is truly worth the investment. Kevin shares his perspective as a DJ with more than 35 years in the wedding industry, offering practical advice on creating a ceremony soundtrack that reflects your personality, building a reception playlist that keeps guests engaged, and balancing your own music preferences with those of your guests. August also shares simple planning tips to help couples choose meaningful songs without feeling overwhelmed. The conversation then shifts to wedding lighting, where Kevin and August discuss how lighting impacts the overall atmosphere, guest experience, and photography. They compare their recommendations with AI's responses and explore where technology provides helpful guidance and where the experience of seasoned wedding professionals still makes all the difference. If you're deciding on your wedding music, wondering whether lighting is worth the investment, or curious how AI stacks up against real wedding professionals, this episode offers practical advice to help you make confident planning decisions. Highlights: • How to choose meaningful ceremony and reception music • Current wedding music trends and playlist recommendations • Tips for creating a fun, guest-focused dance floor • Whether wedding lighting is worth the investment • How lighting transforms your venue and guest experience • Wedding Pros vs. AI: Where AI gets it right and where real expertise still wins Connect with Kevin & August: Website Instagram Youtube TikTok Pinterest LinkedIn

    #66: Wedding Pros vs AI: Who Knows Weddings Best? Part Two

  3. Jun 16

    #65: What to Know Before You Shop for the Wedding Gown with Nadine Bozeman

    In this episode of Now That I'm Engaged, How Do I Get Married?, Kevin Dennis and August Yocher sit down with Nadine Bozeman, owner of Sweet Francis Sewing Co. and founder of Secrets of a Bridal Seamstress Podcast, to discuss what every bride should know before wedding dress shopping. Nadine shares expert advice on when to start shopping, how to prepare for appointments, what to expect from the alterations process, and how to find a gown that fits both your vision and your body. She also breaks down common misconceptions about wedding dress sizing, timelines, and alterations. If you're getting ready to shop for your wedding dress, this episode is filled with practical tips to help you feel confident and prepared every step of the way. Nadine Bozeman is the founder of Secrets of a Bridal Seamstress, a podcast and membership community that helps bridal sewists build profitable alterations businesses. Through her own bridal studio, Sweet Francis Sewing Co., Nadine has helped countless brides achieve the perfect fit while navigating the wedding dress journey with confidence. Highlights: • When to start wedding dress shopping • What to expect during bridal appointments • Common wedding dress shopping misconceptions • Understanding alterations timelines and costs • Why fit matters more than size • How to choose the right silhouette • Tips for a stress-free dress shopping experience Connect with Nadine: Website Instagram Facebook Connect with Kevin & August: Website Instagram Youtube TikTok Pinterest LinkedIn

    #65: What to Know Before You Shop for the Wedding Gown with Nadine Bozeman

  4. Jun 9

    #64: The Art of Capturing Your Wedding Story with Renée van den Kerkhof

    In this episode of Now That I’m Engaged, How Do I Get Married?, Kevin Dennis and August Yocher sit down with Renée van den Kerkhof, a live wedding painter and courtroom sketch artist from the Netherlands, to explore how couples can turn their wedding memories into one-of-a-kind works of art. With nearly eight years of experience painting weddings across Europe, Renée shares what it's like to capture a wedding day in real time and why live wedding paintings offer couples a unique way to preserve the emotion, atmosphere, and meaningful moments of their celebration. From selecting the perfect scene to incorporating beloved pets, family members, and personal details, she explains how each painting becomes a reflection of the couple's story. The conversation also covers what couples should know before hiring a live wedding painter, how artists work within the flow of a wedding day, and why trusting the creative process often leads to the most memorable results. Along the way, Renée shares unique wedding traditions she's encountered across Europe and offers practical advice for creating a keepsake that will feel just as meaningful years from now as it does on the wedding day. If you've ever considered hiring a live wedding painter, wondered how a painting comes together during a wedding, or are looking for a personalized way to preserve your memories, this episode offers an inside look at the artistry behind live wedding painting. Renée van den Kerkhof is a live wedding painter and courtroom sketch artist from the Netherlands. She specializes in romantic and detailed portraits that truly resemble the wedding couple while capturing the emotion and atmosphere of the day. Renée serves couples across Europe and lives with her partner and dogs in Dordrecht, near Rotterdam. Highlights • What live wedding painting is and how the process works • How couples choose the perfect moment to capture • Why live wedding paintings offer more than just a keepsake • Creative ways to incorporate pets, loved ones, and personal details • The guest experience of watching a painting come to life • What couples should know before hiring a live wedding painter • Unique wedding traditions from across Europe • How to create a timeless and meaningful wedding keepsake Connect with Renée: Website Instagram Facebook TikTok LinkedIn Connect with Kevin & August: Website Instagram Youtube TikTok Pinterest LinkedIn

    #64: The Art of Capturing Your Wedding Story with Renée van den Kerkhof

  5. Jun 2

    #63: Elevating Wedding Design with Strategic Rentals with Nezhdeh Parsanj

    In this episode of Now That I’m Engaged, How Do I Get Married?, Kevin Dennis sits down with Nezhdeh Parsanj of Opus Event Rentals to talk about one of the most impactful yet often overlooked parts of wedding design: rentals and the role they play in shaping the overall guest experience. With more than a decade of experience in event operations and design, Nezhdeh shares how thoughtful rental selections can completely transform a space, elevate the atmosphere, and help couples create weddings that feel memorable and intentional. From specialty lounge furniture and custom dance floors to large-scale installations such as pool covers and fabric structures, he explains that rentals go far beyond simply filling a room with tables and chairs. The conversation dives into how couples can strategically prioritize their rental budget, why guest experience has become one of the biggest wedding trends, and how small design choices can often create a bigger impact than couples realize. Nezhdeh also shares behind-the-scenes insight into event logistics, vendor coordination, and why communication between planners, rental companies, caterers, and other vendors is critical to keeping wedding days running smoothly. You’ll also hear practical advice on when couples should bring rental companies into the planning process, common mistakes people make when selecting rentals, and how to balance a dream design vision with real-world timelines and venue limitations. If you’ve ever wondered how weddings are transformed into immersive experiences, questioned which design elements are actually worth the investment, or wanted a better understanding of what happens behind the scenes to bring an event to life, this episode offers an inside look into the world of wedding rentals and event design. Nezhdeh Parsanj is the owner and lead event designer at Opus Event Rentals, a Southern California–based event rental company specializing in corporate events, live productions, and private celebrations. With over a decade of experience in event operations and design, Nezhdeh helps clients bring events to life through thoughtful planning, reliable execution, and high-quality rentals. Highlights • How rentals can completely transform a wedding space • Why guest experience is shaping modern wedding design • The difference between functional rentals and impactful design pieces • How to prioritize your rental budget strategically • Common mistakes couples make when selecting rentals • Why vendor communication and logistics matter so much behind the scenes • When couples should bring rental companies into the planning process • Current wedding rental and event design trends couples are loving Connect with Nezhdeh: Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Connect with Kevin & August: Website Instagram Youtube TikTok Pinterest LinkedIn

    #63: Elevating Wedding Design with Strategic Rentals with Nezhdeh Parsanj

  6. May 26

    #62: What Actually Makes a Great Wedding Speech (and Why Most Advice Gets It Wrong) with Dylan Hattem

    In this episode of Now That I’m Engaged, How Do I Get Married?, Kevin Dennis and August Yocher sit down with Dylan Hattem, author of The Wedding Speech Crisis: A Guide to Writing a Toast People Want to Hear, to break down one of the most overlooked yet memorable parts of a wedding day: the speeches. Dylan shares why so many wedding speeches miss the mark, from making the moment too much about the speaker to dragging on far longer than guests can stay engaged. Together, they unpack why giving a great speech is harder than people realize, and why so much traditional wedding speech advice simply doesn’t work in real life. The conversation dives into what actually makes a wedding speech meaningful, including how to create structure, connect with the full audience, and balance humor with sincerity without turning the speech into a stand-up routine or an inside joke only a few people understand. Dylan also explains why the best speeches are rooted in love, vulnerability, and selflessness rather than attention-seeking moments or embarrassing stories. You’ll also hear practical advice on handling nerves, delivering a speech confidently, writing memorable openings and endings, and why preparation matters far more than people think. Dylan shares insights from his new book on how wedding speeches can genuinely shape the energy of a wedding and become one of the most memorable moments of the entire celebration. If you’ve ever had to give a wedding speech, worried about public speaking, or sat through a painfully long toast wondering how it could have gone differently, this episode will completely change the way you think about wedding speeches. Dylan Hattem is a sales executive, entrepreneur, and the author of The Wedding Speech Crisis: A Guide to Writing a Toast People Want to Hear. With a background in entrepreneurship and storytelling, Dylan wrote the book to help people create wedding speeches that feel authentic, engaging, and memorable while avoiding the common mistakes that often make speeches uncomfortable or forgettable. Highlights • Why so many wedding speeches miss the mark • The biggest mistakes people make when giving toasts • How to balance humor, sincerity, and storytelling • Why speeches should focus on the couple, not the speaker • The importance of structure and theme in a speech • How to make guests feel included and engaged • Tips for managing nerves and delivering a speech confidently • Why wedding speeches can become one of the most memorable moments of the day Connect with Dylan: Website Instagram Facebook TikTok LinkedIn Order the Book!: Amazon Barnes & Noble Target Order Direct Connect with Kevin & August: Website Instagram Youtube TikTok Pinterest LinkedIn

    #62: What Actually Makes a Great Wedding Speech (and Why Most Advice Gets It Wrong) with Dylan Hattem

  7. May 12

    #61: Hiring Boutique Companies vs Large Companies with Julian Ribinik

    In this episode of Now That I’m Engaged, How Do I Get Married?, Kevin Dennis and August Yocher sit down with Julian Ribinik of Julian Ribinik Studios to break down one of the biggest decisions couples make when building their wedding vendor team: choosing between boutique vendors and larger companies. Julian shares why the conversation is more nuanced than couples may realize, explaining that “large” doesn’t always mean experienced and “boutique” doesn’t always mean small. Together, they unpack how communication, personal connection, consistency, and trust all play major roles in shaping the wedding experience, especially when couples may not know who will be there on the wedding day. The conversation dives into the pros and cons of both approaches, including the advantages of personalized service, the realities of larger multi-team companies, and why understanding a vendor’s process matters just as much as their portfolio. Julian also shares practical advice on the questions couples should ask during the booking process, the importance of knowing who will actually be handling your event, and why strong communication often matters more than trends or aesthetics. You’ll also hear an honest discussion about pricing, associate teams, referrals, and how couples can identify the vendors who truly align with their priorities and personalities. If you’ve ever wondered whether a boutique vendor or a larger company is the right fit for your wedding, this episode will help you better understand the differences and make more confident decisions when building your team. Julian Ribinik is the owner and creative director of Julian Ribinik Studios, a boutique wedding photography and cinematography studio based in New York City. Originally learning photography alongside his father in the former USSR, Julian developed a documentary-style approach rooted in emotion, instinct, and storytelling. Together with his wife, Evgenia, he has built a studio known for creating imagery that blends honesty with elegance and candid moments with an editorial eye. Highlights • The difference between boutique vendors and larger wedding companies • Why personal connection matters when choosing your vendors • The risks of not knowing who will actually show up on your wedding day • Questions couples should ask during the booking process • The pros and cons of associate teams and larger vendor companies • Why communication and trust matter more than trends • How referrals and vendor relationships impact your experience • What couples should prioritize when building their wedding vendor team Connect with Julian: Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Connect with Kevin & August: Website Instagram Youtube TikTok Pinterest LinkedIn

    #61: Hiring Boutique Companies vs Large Companies with Julian Ribinik

  8. May 5

    #60: The Disconnect Between Wedding Inspiration and Reality with Nora Culley Tuck

    In this episode of Now That I’m Engaged, How Do I Get Married?, Kevin Dennis and August Yocher sit down with Nora Culley Tuck of Engaged with Nora to break down one of the biggest challenges couples face today: the disconnect between wedding inspiration and reality. With social media constantly showcasing highlight reels of luxury weddings, Nora shares how easy it is for couples to fall in love with ideas that don’t reflect the true time, cost, and coordination behind them. She explains why inspiration without context can quickly lead to overwhelm and how to shift your mindset before it impacts your planning experience. The conversation dives into how to use inspiration more intentionally, why looking beyond weddings can lead to more meaningful design, and how to build a vendor team that brings your vision to life in a realistic, personalized way. Nora also shares practical tips on communicating your vision clearly, avoiding comparison, and focusing on what actually matters to you as a couple. You’ll also hear an honest look at where expectations often need to shift, especially when it comes to large-scale design elements like hanging installations, and why understanding the “why” behind your choices is key to creating a wedding that feels authentic, not just trendy. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by Pinterest boards or unsure how to turn inspiration into something real, this episode will help you refocus, simplify your approach, and create a wedding that truly reflects you. Nora Culley Tuck is the visionary behind planning firm Engaged With Nora. After launching in 2020, the company has grown to a team of 25 planners specializing in bold, authentic, and chic events with an experience-driven approach. Nora’s background in theatre, bridal attire, hotel blocking, catering, venue management, and design gives her a unique perspective that helps her team create weddings that stand out while staying true to each couple. Highlights• The disconnect between Pinterest inspiration and real wedding logistics • Why social media shows a highlight reel, not the full picture • How to use inspiration without becoming overwhelmed • Why your wedding should be inspired by your life, not other weddings • The importance of building the right vendor team early • How to clearly communicate your vision to vendors • Why hanging installations often come with unexpected costs • How to avoid comparison and focus on your own priorities • Why trends don’t equal timeless and what actually does • The mindset shift that leads to a more meaningful wedding experience Connect with Nora: Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Connect with Kevin & August: Website Instagram Youtube TikTok Pinterest LinkedIn

    #60: The Disconnect Between Wedding Inspiration and Reality with Nora Culley Tuck
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About

Created for newly engaged couples, Now That I’m Engaged, How Do I Get Married? Provides soonlyweds with everything they need to navigate their wedding planning journey easily. Kevin Dennis, host, and owner of Livermore-based lighting and A/V company Fantasy Sound Event Services, invites wedding professionals from across the industry to share their tips and advice on smart wedding planning (and what not to do!). Tune in each week to learn everything from budgeting and booking vendors, overcoming guest drama, and timing your plans for the big day.

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