Shoot the Vows

Caitlyn Roberts and Kalee Draper

Just engaged? 🥂 You're in the right place! Shoot the Vows is the podcast for couples who want fun, helpful wedding planning advice without the overwhelm. We bring stories, pro tips, and lots of laughs every week — because planning should be enjoyable, not stressful! New episodes every Thursday at 10:00 a.m. ET. Hit subscribe and plan with personality. 💍✨

  1. 1d ago

    Trust Your Vendors The Insider Secrets to Perfect Wedding Photos & Video

    Your wedding photos and video don't have to be a gamble — promise. In this episode of Shoot the Vows, we are breaking down exactly what couples can do (and what to avoid) to make sure their wedding photos and video come out as good as possible. From lighting and location choices to getting ready spaces and timeline planning, they're sharing the real behind-the-scenes stuff your photographer and videographer wish you already knew. We're talking about: 📷 Why your location matters more than you think — and what "bad lighting" actually looks like 📷 The truth about patchy light, cluttered backgrounds, and yes, trash cans 📷 How to build a timeline that gives your photographer and videographer enough time for couple portraits 📷 Why first looks might actually be your best friend 📷 What to do (and not do) in the getting ready space before your team arrives 📷 Why trusting your vendors is the single most important thing you can do Whether you're deep in wedding planning or just starting out, this episode will help you go into your wedding day with a game plan that sets your whole creative team up to do their best work. 🎙 Connect with Shoot the Vows: Website: https://shootthevows.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shootthevows 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shoot-the-vows/id1850468898 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5gdQT05rvXeV4dc9cUBSaz

    15 min
  2. Jun 11

    How Live Music Transforms Your Wedding Ceremony

    What happens when a musician shows up to a fairy-tale forest wedding and just... plays? You get the kind of ceremony that gives guests chills before the couple even reaches the altar. In this episode, we sit down with Kylie Brown, a multi-instrumentalist and wedding musician based in Ithaca, New York, to talk about why live music might be the most underrated thing missing from your wedding day. We're sitting down with Kylie Brown of Metasequoia to talk about how she went from playing Zelda songs on her flute as a kid to performing at weddings across New York and the Hudson Valley, and why live music hits completely different than a playlist ever could. We're getting into: -The real difference between hiring a live musician and a DJ -Why guests literally feel live music in a way recorded music can't replicate -How to find a performer who actually has the "it factor" -What live music for your wedding ceremony and cocktail hour actually costs (it's more affordable than you think) -Video game music at weddings and why it's having a major moment -Live music for proposals and why it's the ultimate move -Kylie's funniest on-the-fly wedding story -If you're a bride, a groom, or just someone who wants their wedding to feel like a real experience and not a playlist on shuffle, this one's for you. 🔔 Subscribe and drop your questions or topic requests in the comments below! 🎵 Find Kylie Brown: 🌐 https://www.kyliebmusic.com/weddings 📸 https://www.instagram.com/kyliebmusic 🌐 shootthevows.com 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5gdQT05rvXeV4dc9cUBSaz 🎙️ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shoot-the-vows/id1850468898 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shootthevows

    34 min
  3. May 21

    What Your Florist Wishes You Knew Before Your Wedding

    Before you pin one more peony bouquet on Pinterest, listen to this. In this episode of Shoot the Vows, we're sitting down with Courtney Rapp from Westcott Florist to pull back the curtain on everything that goes into wedding florals — from the real vs. faux debate to why your flower budget might be higher than you expected (and what you're actually paying for). Whether you're overwhelmed by options or think you've got it all figured out from Instagram, this conversation will change how you approach one of the most visual parts of your wedding day. We're getting into: 🌸 Real flowers vs. faux flowers — when each option makes sense and what to know before choosing 🌸 The questions florists ask before a consultation and why they matter for your design 🌸 What actually goes into wedding florals behind the scenes — and why the cost surprises so many couples 🌸 How Pinterest and AI-generated inspiration can help or hurt your floral planning 🌸 Why trusting your florist's expertise leads to less stress and better results If you're engaged and starting to think about florals (or already stressed about them), this is the episode to send to your partner and say "we need to listen to this." 💐 Connect with Westcott Florist: Website: https://www.westcottflorist.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westcottflorist 🎙️ Connect with Shoot the Vows: Website: https://shootthevows.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shootthevows  🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shoot-the-vows/id1850468898  🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5gdQT05rvXeV4dc9cUBSaz  #WeddingFlowers #WeddingFlorist #RealVsFauxFlowers #WeddingPlanning #BridalBouquet #WeddingFlorals #FloralDesign #WeddingBudget #WeddingTips #WestcottFlorist #RochesterNY #UpstateNYWeddings #WeddingPodcast #ShootTheVows #PinterestWedding #WeddingInspiration #FloristTips #WeddingVendors #BridalFlowers

    36 min
  4. May 14

    Bridal Boudoir 101: Building Confidence Before the Wedding

    This might be the most personal and unforgettable wedding gift you never thought of. In this episode of Shoot the Vows, we're sitting down with bridal boudoir photographer Rae Taryn to talk about why boudoir sessions are having a major moment with brides right now — and why so many couples are calling it the best gift of the entire wedding experience. From what to expect during your session to creative ways to surprise your partner on the big day, Rae is breaking it all down. We're getting into: ✨ What bridal boudoir actually is (and why it's not what you think) ✨ Why it's become one of the most meaningful gifts a bride can give her partner ✨ Hair and makeup is included — making it the perfect trial run before the wedding day ✨ How a boudoir session builds confidence heading into the wedding (and the wedding night) ✨ When to book your session in your wedding planning timeline and what to expect ✨ Creative ways to gift it to your partner — albums, polaroids at the wedding, and more If you've ever been curious about bridal boudoir or you're looking for a truly one-of-a-kind wedding gift, this episode will change your mind about everything you thought you knew. 📷 Connect with Rae Taryn: Website: https://boudoirbyraetaryn.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boudoirbyraetaryn/ 🎙️ Connect with Shoot the Vows: Website: https://shootthevows.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shootthevows 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shoot-the-vows/id1850468898 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5gdQT05rvXeV4dc9cUBSaz #BridalBoudoir #BoudoirPhotography #WeddingGift #BrideGift #WeddingPlanning #BoudoirSession #BridalConfidence #WeddingDay #WeddingNight #BoudoirAlbum #BridalBeauty #HairAndMakeupTrial #WeddingPodcast #ShootTheVows #EngagedCouple #BrideToBeGift #BoudoirInspiration #WeddingGiftIdeas #BoudoirByRaeTaryn

    30 min
  5. May 7

    Engagement Session Tips Every Couple NEEDS to Know

    Your engagement session doesn't have to be awkward — promise. In this episode of Shoot the Vows, we're sharing all of our best tips for getting the most out of your engagement session, whether you're doing photos, video, or both. From what to wear and how to prep to what actually makes the difference between stiff, posed shots and images that feel like you — we're covering everything you need to know before you step in front of the camera. We're talking about: 📸 What to wear — and what to avoid 📸 Why having your wedding videographer at your engagement session is a game-changer 📸 How to feel natural and comfortable in front of the camera 📸 Location tips — how to pick the perfect spot 📸 How your engagement session helps you prepare for your wedding day 📸 What to communicate with your photographer and videographer beforehand Whether you just got engaged or your session is already on the calendar, these tips will help you show up confident and walk away with content you actually love. 🎙️ Connect with Shoot the Vows: Website: https://shootthevows.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shootthevows 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shoot-the-vows/id1850468898 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5gdQT05rvXeV4dc9cUBSaz #EngagementSession #EngagementPhotos #EngagementVideo #EngagementSessionTips #WeddingPlanning #CouplePhotography #EngagementShoot #WhatToWear #EngagementOutfit #PhotoTips #VideoTips #WeddingPodcast #ShootTheVows #EngagedCouple #GoldenHour #CoupleGoals #WeddingPhotographer #WeddingVideographer #EngagementInspiration

    12 min
  6. Apr 30

    Everything Couples Need to Know About Wedding Catering

    Your food choices affect way more than just your guests' plates. In this episode of Shoot the Vows, we're sitting down with Creative Caterers at Glendoveer in Rochester, NY to talk about what really goes into wedding catering — and what most couples don't realize until it's too late. From how your menu impacts your timeline and flow to the biggest planning mistakes that lead to unnecessary stress, this conversation is a must-listen before you book your caterer. We're getting into: 🍽️ What couples get wrong when picking a caterer (and how it affects the entire day) 🍽️ How food choices impact your timeline, guest flow, and overall experience more than you think 🍽️ What a coordinator wishes every couple knew before the wedding day 🍽️ The pros and cons of having your venue and catering under one roof 🍽️ Top planning mistakes that lead to unnecessary stress — and how to avoid them Whether you're just starting to look at caterers or you've already booked your venue, this episode will change how you think about one of the biggest decisions of your wedding day. 🍴 Connect with Creative Caterers at Glendoveer: Website: https://www.creativecaterers.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativecaterers_roc/ 🎙️ Connect with Shoot the Vows: Website: https://shootthevows.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shootthevows 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shoot-the-vows/id1850468898 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5gdQT05rvXeV4dc9cUBSaz #WeddingCatering #WeddingFood #WeddingPlanning #RochesterNY #RochesterWeddings #WeddingVenue #WeddingTimeline #WeddingCaterer #CreativeCaterers #Glendoveer #UpstateNYWeddings #WeddingTips #WeddingMistakes #WeddingPodcast #ShootTheVows #ReceptionFood #WeddingMenu #CateringTips #WeddingVendors

    25 min

About

Just engaged? 🥂 You're in the right place! Shoot the Vows is the podcast for couples who want fun, helpful wedding planning advice without the overwhelm. We bring stories, pro tips, and lots of laughs every week — because planning should be enjoyable, not stressful! New episodes every Thursday at 10:00 a.m. ET. Hit subscribe and plan with personality. 💍✨