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Weddings Unscripted

Weddings Unscripted

Written by: Alexandra Pare
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With over 18 years of planning and designing weddings, we have seen it all! Join us for a fun and insightful journey as we laugh, cry, and learn together on Weddings Unscripted – because planning a wedding is just as unforgettable as the big day itself! Subscribe today and be the first to listen! Launching January 10, 2025.2024 Art Education
Episodes
  • Ep 49 • The Design, Hospitality, and Details That Made Charleston Stand Out

    Ep 49 • The Design, Hospitality, and Details That Made Charleston Stand Out
    May 13 2026
    What happens when a DC-based wedding planner takes her 20-year expertise to a brand-new city — and pulls it off flawlessly? In today's episode, Alex recaps MacRae and Austin's stunning Charleston wedding at Lowndes Grove, and she and Ali spill everything: the vendor trust-building, the color hunt that took months, the beauty concierge game-changer, and why your breakdown documents might be saving (or costing) you thousands. Together, we dish on destination wedding planning tips, vetting out-of-market vendors, why final walkthroughs matter (even if local teams think they don't), and the one planner document that will completely change how your caterer breaks down a reception. Whether you're a couple planning a destination wedding, a wedding vendor curious about how DC-area planners operate, or an aspiring wedding planner learning the ropes, this episode is packed with real, unfiltered insight from two planners who've seen it all. Key Takeaways: Vetting out-of-market vendors is non-negotiable — even if they know the venue better than you do.A beauty concierge isn't a luxury — it's a timeline saver.Your caterer needs a visual breakdown document — full stop. Chapters: [00:01:02] Why Cherry Blossom Events Said Yes to a Destination Wedding[00:03:10] Lowndes Grove Venue Breakdown (Ashley River views, Outer Banks filming location, all-day setup access)[00:09:05] Vetting Vendors You've Never Worked With Before (Trust-building, Instagram-stalking, and why your name is always on the line)[00:18:17] The Beauty Concierge: Worth Every Penny (On-site hair and makeup, timeline coordination, and the bun that almost caused a meltdown)[00:22:03] Bar Placement & Spatial Strategy[00:25:10] Linen Logistics & The Breakdown Document (Four rental companies, a mis-sorted fork, and the photo doc that changes everything)[00:31:20] Vendor Shoutouts & The Band That Didn't Take a Break (A-Town A-List, Palmetto Strings, Nebo Films, and more)[00:34:36] Transportation Trends: Trolleys, Vintage Buses & the DC Market Gap (What Charleston does that DC doesn't — and a business idea for someone brave enough) Follow Our Vendor Teams on Instagram: Planning & Design: @cherryblossomeventsdc Photography: @aaronandjillian Videography @nebofilms_ Bars / Lighting / Drape: @litcharleston Florals: @tupelohoneyfloralshop Beauty: @lashesandlacechs Cake: @sweetrhi_ Venue+ Catering Lowndes Grove: @pphgevents Ceremony Music: @palmettostrings Stationary: @studio.ack Linens: @curatedeventscharleston @stradleydavidson @reverie_social Rentals: @snyderevents @cheers.chs @pphgevents Entertainment: @samhillentertainment Band: @atownalist Escort Wall: @swirlsandscriptcalligraphy Transportation: @lowcountrytrolley @compasschs Dress: @leahdagloria Bar Signs: @coppiceandcrafts Connect with us: Visit our website: http://www.cherryblossomwe.com/podcast Cherry Blossom Weddings & Events: www.cherryblossomwe.com Follow us on our socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572429101755 Instagram: @weddings_unscripted TikTok: @weddings_unscripted
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    43 mins
  • Ep 48 • Music Without a Stage: Inside an Artist-Led Experience with Dylan Galvin

    Ep 48 • Music Without a Stage: Inside an Artist-Led Experience with Dylan Galvin
    Apr 28 2026

    What if your guitarist didn't just play at your wedding — what if they walked through it with you?

    This week Ali goes solo and sits down with Dylan Galvin, a wireless roaming acoustic guitarist and DJ who's bringing a whole new energy to DC-area weddings and events.

    In this episode, Ali chats with Dylan Galvin — Berkley-trained guitarist, solo entrepreneur, and one of the most unique live performers in the DMV wedding market. Dylan breaks down his wireless roaming performance concept, how he became a one-stop-shop for live music and DJ services, and why reading the room is just as important as knowing your set list. From mentorships with Paul Simon, John Mayer, and Joe Satriani, to a cross-country solo tour that taught him what not to do, Dylan's story is packed with hard-won lessons in music, business, and the art of creating unforgettable wedding experiences. If you've ever wondered what live wedding entertainment can look like beyond the traditional string quartet or seated guitarist, this episode is your answer.

    Key Takeaways

    • Wireless roaming live music is a game-changer for wedding cocktail hours and receptions — it delivers the energy of a full performance without tethering the artist to one corner of the room.
    • Being a successful wedding musician isn't just about talent — it's about mastering sales, marketing, and branding as a small business owner, and knowing when to outsource the rest.
    • The best wedding entertainment starts long before the event: the planning calls, the vendor communication, and the ability to improvise on-site are what separate a good performance from a truly timeless occasion.

    Chapters

    01:17 – Meet Dylan Galvin: Wireless Roaming Guitarist & Event Performer

    2:09 – What Is a Wireless Roaming Performance? (And Why It Changes Everything)

    5:35 – The DC Wedding Market Needs This — Roaming vs. Traditional Live Music

    7:37 – Dylan's Origin Story: Berklee College of Music & Famous Mentors (John Mayer, Paul Simon, Joe Satriani)

    14:26 – From School to Stage: Solo Touring and Why It's Not a Business Plan

    17:40 – The Pivot to Private Events

    18:40 – Sales, Marketing & Branding: The Three Things That Actually Differentiate You

    23:10 – How Long Has Dylan Been Roaming? The Origin of the Wireless Rig

    36:55 – Breaking Into the DC Market After 10 Years in LA

    41:50 – Advice for Solo Entrepreneurs — Humility, Outsourcing & Staying Hungry

    45:46 – The Unseen Work Behind Every Wedding Vendor — And Why It Matters

    Connect with Dylan:

    Website: www.dylangalvin.com

    Instagram: @dylangalvinevents

    Connect with us:

    Visit our website: https://www.cherryblossomwe.com/podcast

    Cherry Blossom Weddings & Events: www.cherryblossomwe.com

    Follow us on our socials:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572429101755

    Instagram: @weddings_unscripted

    TikTok: @weddings_unscripted

    If this episode helped you, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it truly means the world to us and helps other couples and planners find the show.
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    48 mins
  • Ep 47 • Social Media Strategy for Wedding Vendors: How to Attract, Engage & Convert Modern Couples

    Ep 47 • Social Media Strategy for Wedding Vendors: How to Attract, Engage & Convert Modern Couples
    Apr 22 2026

    Are you posting constantly but still hearing crickets? The rules of wedding vendor marketing have changed — and social media alone won't save you.

    In this episode, we sit down with social media strategist Heidi Schmidt of Heidi Schmidt Creative to unpack what's actually working in 2026: from building authentic content and nurturing leads, to understanding Gen Z couples and knowing exactly where your clients are coming from.

    Heidi breaks down the full lead lifecycle, from follower to signed contract, and shares actionable frameworks for multi-channel marketing, smart follow-up sequences, and understanding your ideal client avatar. Whether you're a wedding photographer, planner, or florist trying to figure out TikTok — this episode is your social media strategy session.

    Key Takeaways:

    1. Stop Using Social Media Like a Billboard. Audiences want to be brought into your world, not sold at. Scarcity tactics and "slots available" posts belong in Stories, not your feed.
    2. You Cannot Rely on Social Media Alone — Know Where Your Leads Actually Come From. If Instagram went down tomorrow, would your business survive? Multi-channel marketing — email lists, referrals, Google, networking, vendor relationships — is non-negotiable.
    3. Gen Z Converts Through Trust, Transparency & Speed. They want pricing transparency, fast responses, authentic brand voice, and value alignment.

    Chapters:

    00:00:55 Meet Heidi Schmidt of Heidi Schmidt Creative

    00:05:07 Quality Over Quantity: Why Follower Count Is the Wrong Metric

    00:05:31 Stop Using Social Media Like a Billboard

    00:07:00 Behind-the-Scenes Content: What Wedding Photographers & Vendors Should Be Posting

    00:08:34 The Truth About Scarcity Tactics — When They Work & When to Ditch Them

    00:10:19 Why You Can't Rely Solely on Social Media for Your Wedding Business

    00:13:56 Auditing Your Lead Sources — Where Are Your Clients Really Coming From?

    00:17:12 Marketing to Two Generations: Reaching Both Millennials & Gen Z Couples

    00:22:37 Making Behind-the-Scenes Content Without Overwhelm — Practical Tips

    00:25:18 Lead Conversion 101: Turning Inquiries into Signed Contracts

    00:29:54 Engagement Begets Engagement: The 10-Minute Daily Social Media Habit

    00:41:38 Modern Couples Are Intentional, Not Uninformed — A New Wedding World

    00:47:51 Modern Weddings & Breaking Traditions — What Today's Couples Actually Want

    00:49:20 How to Research & Define Your Ideal Client — Heidi's Strategy Session Exercise

    00:53:34 The Customer Experience Starts Before They Sign a Contract

    Resources & Links

    • Heidi Schmidt Creative — Social Media Strategy & Management
    • Tools mentioned: HoneyBook, Dubsado (CRM & lead tracking for wedding vendors)
    • Platform mentioned: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Google Ads
    • Get our FREE Wedding Planning Checklist: https://www.cherryblossomwe.com/wedding-planning-checklist

    Connect with Heidi Schmidt

    Website: https://www.heidijschmidt.com/

    Instagram: @heidischmidtcreative

    Facebook: Heidi Schmidt Creative

    Services: Social media management, 90-minute strategy sessions, consulting packages, email marketing

    Connect with us:

    Visit our website: http://www.cherryblossomwe.com/podcast

    Cherry Blossom Weddings & Events: www.cherryblossomwe.com

    Follow us on our socials:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572429101755

    Instagram: @weddings_unscripted

    TikTok: @weddings_unscripted
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    56 mins
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