For Real: Life, Leadership, & Unlearning

The Barn of Chapel Hill on Wild Flora Farm is one of the hottest new venues in the Triangle area of North Carolina, opening up in 2017. Kara Brewer, the owner, and Jennifer Wood, the creative director opened up to Megan about how it hasn't been the easiest process to start weddings up at the Barn. In fact, there was (and still is) a very active protest group, and the media once portrayed the new venue as "The Party Barn". Kara and Jennifer tell us all about that saga, plus how they run the business together, and what's next to the barn. If you've ever wondered what it's like to start a new venue when there's opposition, you won't want to miss this one! The Barn of Chapel Hill (image by Bow Tie Collaborative) The Barn before they moved it from upstate New York Inside the Barn of Chapel Hill (image by Krystal Kast) Kara Brewer and Jennifer Wood, Barn at Chapel Hill (image by Danell Beede Photography) Barn of Chapel Hill at Wild Flora Farm on Social Media: Instagram: @barnofchapelhill Facebook: @barnofchapelhill Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal Wedding Education Seminar February 4th from 9:30am-12pm at The Umstead Hotel in Cary NC. Purchase tickets by following this link. In this intimate and educational seminar, we will cover two distinct topics relevant to purposefully growing your event business! Jason Gillikin will cover digital marketing and SEO tips for helping your ideal client find YOU,and Megan Gillikin will cover the client experience from start to finish. This seminar is ideal for wedding vendors that have a high touch relationship (multiple interactions) with their clients such as: planners, venues, caterers, photographers, videographers, DJs, bakeries, florists, hair and makeup artists, and stationers. Whether you're an up and coming vendor or a veteran member of the event industry, you are certain to walk away with an increased knowledge on digital marketing and gain invaluable insight from this seminar on how to best serve your client. Get your tickets at Eventbrite! If you're a wedding vendor, go get Honeybook! At A Southern Soiree, we’ve been using Honeybook since February 2015. I think we were one of their very first clients, and it has truly been a life changer. They make proposals and contracts super easy to use on both our side and the client side. I think before Honeybook I would send proposals and contracts by email, and the client would have to mail the contract to us or fax it by efax. Proposals were in no way streamlined either, so this has made our lives so much better. As a consultant, whenever I sign up a vendor client, one of the very first recommendations I make is Honeybook. No need to complicate things – it works, it’s great…just get it. And if you follow this link, you get 50% off your first year of Honeybook, which is nice, but not nearly as nice as all the time you’re going to save. And if you have any questions about my experience, feel free to send me an email to [email protected]. Music for this episode by https://www.bensound.com. The host of the show is Megan Gillikin, owner and lead consultant at A Southern Soiree Wedding and Event Planning. She's also available for wedding and hospitality business consulting and can be reached at [email protected]. Weddings for Real is edited and produced by Jason Gillikin for Earfluence.

Megan and Jason Gillikin are back for a Weekend Wine Down, where we reflect on the chaos that was 2018 and put some goals out there for 2019! We hope you enjoy, and have a great weekend, and Happy New Year! The host of Weddings for Real is Megan Gillikin, owner and lead consultant at A Southern Soiree Wedding and Event Planning. She's also available for wedding and hospitality business consulting and can be reached at [email protected]. Weddings for Real is edited and produced by Jason Gillikin for Earfluence.

Megan Gillikin was the guest on the Holdermess Podcast with Kim and Penn Holderness, on their episode, "Our Wedding was NOT the best day of my life". If you haven't already, be sure to subscribe to their podcast, and check out their latest viral video, "Baby Just GO outside!" Holderness Family on Social Media: Instagram: @theholdernessfamily Facebook: @TheHoldernessFamily twitter: @KimDHolderness Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal

It's the Day in the Life Podcast on the Weddings for Real feed! If you don't know Day in the Life with Brittney Lynn, go check it out! She interviews people that have interesting jobs - counterterrorism expert, pastry chef, Hollywood producer, etc - and gets to know what a day in the life is like for them. Such a cool concept! And today we're sharing her interview with Megan Gillikin, host of the Weddings for Real Podcast. Megan is the owner and lead consultant at A Southern Soiree Wedding and Event Planning. She's also available for wedding and hospitality business consulting and can be reached at [email protected]. Go subscribe, rate, review, and follow the Day in the Life Podcast on: Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/day-in-the-life/id1292726596?mt=2 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3js3PiIdZxq6LTS4s50Tra Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/brittney-lynn/day-in-the-life Instagram: @dayinthelife Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal

Megan Gillikin, host of the podcast, has been a wedding planner in the Raleigh NC market since 2010. Over the last 8+ years, she has made some mistakes in her business. And today she opens up and talks about those, with lessons learned from the experience. Wedding vendors, hopefully you can avoid some of these. Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal If you're a wedding vendor, go get Honeybook! At A Southern Soiree, we’ve been using Honeybook since February 2015. I think we were one of their very first clients, and it has truly been a life changer. They make proposals and contracts super easy to use on both our side and the client side. I think before Honeybook I would send proposals and contracts by email, and the client would have to mail the contract to us or fax it by efax. Proposals were in no way streamlined either, so this has made our lives so much better. As a consultant, whenever I sign up a vendor client, one of the very first recommendations I make is Honeybook. No need to complicate things – it works, it’s great…just get it. And if you follow this link, you get 50% off your first year of Honeybook, which is nice, but not nearly as nice as all the time you’re going to save. And if you have any questions about my experience, feel free to send me an email to [email protected]. Music for this episode by https://www.bensound.com. The host of the show is Megan Gillikin, owner and lead consultant at A Southern Soiree Wedding and Event Planning. She's also available for wedding and hospitality business consulting and can be reached at [email protected]. Weddings for Real is edited and produced by Jason Gillikin for Earfluence.

Deanna and Grant of Harrison Wedding Films in Washington DC came on the show to talk lessons they've learned in their first year of business, communication tips for vendor collaboration and creativity, what they do differently that sets them apart from their competition, and the hurricane that took years off their lives! Deanna and Grant are such a fun and talented couple, and we're excited to share this episode! Deanna and Grant, Harrison Wedding Films (Image by Never There Yet Photography) Deanna and Grant with one of their couples Deanna and Grant at their wedding (image by Joy Michelle Photography) Deanna and Grant in Film School Here's some of Harrison Wedding Films' work! You can find more on their YouTube Channel! Harrison Wedding Films on Social Media: Instagram: @harrisonweddingfilms Facebook: @harrisonweddingfilms Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal If you're a wedding vendor, go get Honeybook! At A Southern Soiree, we’ve been using Honeybook since February 2015. I think we were one of their very first clients, and it has truly been a life changer. They make proposals and contracts super easy to use on both our side and the client side. I think before Honeybook I would send proposals and contracts by email, and the client would have to mail the contract to us or fax it by efax. Proposals were in no way streamlined either, so this has made our lives so much better. As a consultant, whenever I sign up a vendor client, one of the very first recommendations I make is Honeybook. No need to complicate things – it works, it’s great…just get it. And if you follow this link, you get 50% off your first year of Honeybook, which is nice, but not nearly as nice as all the time you’re going to save. And if you have any questions about my experience, feel free to send me an email to [email protected]. Music for this episode by https://www.bensound.com. The host of the show is Megan Gillikin, owner and lead consultant at A Southern Soiree Wedding and Event Planning. She's also available for wedding and hospitality business consulting and can be reached at [email protected]. Weddings for Real is edited and produced by Jason Gillikin for Earfluence.

Did you know that 40% of engagements occur between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day?!?! Wedding Vendors, is your business ready for engagement season? Megan Gillikin, qualified industry veteran, host of this show, wedding planner, and business coach (along with her completely unqualified but occasionally funny husband Jason Gillikin), gives her tips for making sure your business is ready! Rockefeller Center Proposal Image from Katherine Miles Jones Photography (Katherine was on episode 9) Proposal Image by Mikkel Paige Photography (episode 11), featuring Mollyann Russel (episode 21) Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal If you're a wedding vendor, go get Honeybook! At A Southern Soiree, we’ve been using Honeybook since February 2015. I think we were one of their very first clients, and it has truly been a life changer. They make proposals and contracts super easy to use on both our side and the client side. I think before Honeybook I would send proposals and contracts by email, and the client would have to mail the contract to us or fax it by efax. Proposals were in no way streamlined either, so this has made our lives so much better. As a consultant, whenever I sign up a vendor client, one of the very first recommendations I make is Honeybook. No need to complicate things – it works, it’s great…just get it. And if you follow this link, you get 50% off your first year of Honeybook, which is nice, but not nearly as nice as all the time you’re going to save. And if you have any questions about my experience, feel free to send me an email to [email protected]. Music for this episode by https://www.bensound.com. The host of the show is Megan Gillikin, owner and lead consultant at A Southern Soiree Wedding and Event Planning. She's also available for wedding and hospitality business consulting and can be reached at [email protected]. Weddings for Real is edited and produced by Jason Gillikin for Earfluence.

Jaine Kershner, owner of Brklyn View Photography, has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, The Knot, Style Me Pretty, and many more, and she was even named by BRIDES Magazine as one of NYC's best wedding photographers. Today she comes on the show to give her 5 tips to get your wedding photography published! Jaine also has a podcast, Tea with Jaine, so go give that a listen! Brklyn View Photography owner Jaine Kershner (image by Mekina Saylor) Jaine Kershner has a podcast, Tea with Jaine (image by Bethany Michaela) Jaine's websites: http://www.brklynview.com/ http://www.brklynviewblog.com/ https://www.teawithjaine.com/ Brklyn View Photography on Social Media: Instagram: @brklynview Facebook: @brklynview twitter: @brklynview Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal If you're a wedding vendor, go get Honeybook! At A Southern Soiree, we’ve been using Honeybook since February 2015. I think we were one of their very first clients, and it has truly been a life changer. They make proposals and contracts super easy to use on both our side and the client side. I think before Honeybook I would send proposals and contracts by email, and the client would have to mail the contract to us or fax it by efax. Proposals were in no way streamlined either, so this has made our lives so much better. As a consultant, whenever I sign up a vendor client, one of the very first recommendations I make is Honeybook. No need to complicate things – it works, it’s great…just get it. And if you follow this link, you get 50% off your first year of Honeybook, which is nice, but not nearly as nice as all the time you’re going to save. And if you have any questions about my experience, feel free to send me an email to [email protected]. Music for this episode by https://www.bensound.com. The host of the show is Megan Gillikin, owner and lead consultant at A Southern Soiree Wedding and Event Planning. She's also available for wedding and hospitality business consulting and can be reached at [email protected]. Weddings for Real is edited and produced by Jason Gillikin for Earfluence.

Laura Wasser, Celebrity Divorce Attorney, comes on the show to talk prenuptial agreements. What can and cannot be included in a prenup? How do prenups help with difficult future conversations in marriage? Can you get a post-nup? And of course, what are some of the weirdest clauses that Laura has been asked to put in a prenup? :) Laura is the founder of ItsOverEasy.com and practices law at Wasser, Cooperman, & Mandles. She also has her own podcast, Divorce Sucks! And she wrote a book, "It Doesn't Have to be That Way: How to Divorce without Destroying Your Family or Bankrupting Yourself". Laura Wasser on Social Media: Instagram: @itsovereasy twitter: @itsovereasy Facebook: @itsovereasy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0LdyqapFXeDcAi2Ln2LpWQ Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal If you're a wedding vendor, go get Honeybook! At A Southern Soiree, we’ve been using Honeybook since February 2015. I think we were one of their very first clients, and it has truly been a life changer. They make proposals and contracts super easy to use on both our side and the client side. I think before Honeybook I would send proposals and contracts by email, and the client would have to mail the contract to us or fax it by efax. Proposals were in no way streamlined either, so this has made our lives so much better. As a consultant, whenever I sign up a vendor client, one of the very first recommendations I make is Honeybook. No need to complicate things – it works, it’s great…just get it. And if you follow this link, you get 50% off your first year of Honeybook, which is nice, but not nearly as nice as all the time you’re going to save. And if you have any questions about my experience, feel free to send me an email to [email protected]. Music for this episode by https://www.bensound.com. The host of the show is Megan Gillikin, owner and lead consultant at A Southern Soiree Wedding and Event Planning. She's also available for wedding and hospitality business consulting and can be reached at [email protected]. Weddings for Real is edited and produced by Jason Gillikin for Earfluence.

Megan and Jason walked around with a microphone at the Forest Hall at Chatham Mills Open House on Sunday, talking to wedding vendors and some engaged couples, and it was such a fun experience! Thank you Aneesa for having us, and thank you to everyone who let us interview them. They were: Aneesa Glines, Forest Hall and Harmony Weddings (Forest Hall Instagram, Harmony Instagram) Elyssa Kevis, owner of Kevis and Camera (Instagram) Michelle Bonham, Magnolia and Grace Wedding Planning (Instagram) Kristen Cleve, Slice Pie Company (Instagram) Nina McCaskey, Wedded Kiss Hair & Makeup (Instagram) Ashleigh Davis, Tenco Coffee (Instagram) Michelle Clark, Makeup Artist (Instagram) Brent Dietrich, Live View Studios (Instagram) Forest Hall at Chatham Mills Vendor Group Picture! (from Live View Studios) And as promised, here's Michelle Clark's puntastic Halloween Costume, Taco Belle Weddings for Real is edited and produced by Jason Gillikin for Earfluence.

Weekend Wine Down 8! Megan and Jason follow up on this week's episode on Next-Level Instagram with Tyler J McCall, and Megan shares more of her Instagram no-no list, which is: Do NOT follow/unfollow! Do NOT crop a professional photograph! Do NOT use bots! Do NOT forget to tag the vendors! Do NOT post photos you had nothing to do with! We hope you enjoy, and have a great weekend! Weddings for Real will be at Forest Hall at Chatham Mills in Pittsboro NC for their open house on Sunday November 4th from 4-7PM. Tickets are available at https://foresthall.eventbrite.com. We hope to see you there, and maybe we'll ask you some questions! The host of Weddings for Real is Megan Gillikin, owner and lead consultant at A Southern Soiree Wedding and Event Planning. She's also available for wedding and hospitality business consulting and can be reached at [email protected]. Weddings for Real is edited and produced by Jason Gillikin for Earfluence.

Tyler J McCall is a social media strategist and coach...actually that's selling him way short...Tyler is THE Instagram Guru, and he comes on to share some of his Instagram tips and tricks for wedding vendors! Hear his advice on Instagram Stories versus your feed, sharing too much on Instagram, how to attract the right clients through client onboarding AND client offboarding, and the concept of relational capital. It's fabulous, he's fabulous, and you won't want to miss it! You can find Tyler at TylerJMcCall.com, the Follower to Fan Society, and The IG Advantage Facebook Group. Tyler McCall on Social Media: Instagram: @tylerjmccall Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal Weddings for Real will be at Forest Hall at Chatham Mills in Pittsboro NC for their open house on Sunday November 4th from 4-7PM. Tickets are available at https://foresthall.eventbrite.com. We hope to see you there, and maybe we'll ask you some questions! If you're a wedding vendor, go get Honeybook! At A Southern Soiree, we’ve been using Honeybook since February 2015. I think we were one of their very first clients, and it has truly been a life changer. They make proposals and contracts super easy to use on both our side and the client side. I think before Honeybook I would send proposals and contracts by email, and the client would have to mail the contract to us or fax it by efax. Proposals were in no way streamlined either, so this has made our lives so much better. As a consultant, whenever I sign up a vendor client, one of the very first recommendations I make is Honeybook. No need to complicate things – it works, it’s great…just get it. And if you follow this link, you get 50% off your first year of Honeybook, which is nice, but not nearly as nice as all the time you’re going to save. And if you have any questions about my experience, feel free to send me an email to [email protected]. Music for this episode by https://www.bensound.com. The host of the show is Megan Gillikin, owner and lead consultant at A Southern Soiree Wedding and Event Planning. She's also available for wedding and hospitality business consulting and can be reached at [email protected]. Weddings for Real is edited and produced by Jason Gillikin for Earfluence.

Megan and Jason just came back from the Rocky Horror Show at Booth Theatre in Cary NC, and it was amazing! Plus Megan shares her "dead cat as a groomsman story"! Last week we had Katie and David from Overlook Barn, and next week we have Instagram guru Tyler McCall. Have a great weekend everyone! Weddings for Real is edited and produced by Jason Gillikin for Earfluence.

The Overlook Barn on Beech Mountain (North Carolina) is an absolutely stunning wedding venue both inside and out, with views for miles and so many options inside. But just four years ago, it was a run down storage shed. That is until Katie Elder and David Schumann got engaged and decided to buy the property, turn it into a venue for their own wedding, then make it one of the most sought after venues in North Carolina! Listen in to hear about how Katie and David met, all about the history of the barn, their wedding, what it's meant to the town, and what it means to them to run a venue. And check out these incredible before and after photos! Overlook Barn Before and After Overlook Barn Before and After Overlook Barn Before and After, Bridal Suite Katie and David with Katie's 105-year-old Grandma (wedding photos by Michelle Lyerly Photography) Katie and David's Wedding Ceremony at Overlook Barn on top of Beech Mountain Can you imagine this reveal when they saw this for the first time? So gorgeous! Overlook Barn on Social Media: Instagram: @overlookbarn Facebook: @overlookbarn pinterest: @overlookbarn Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal Are you planning a wedding and still looking for a gown or decor and want to stay on budget? Our friends at All Saints Chapel in Downtown Raleigh are hosting the All Saints Day Wedding Marketplace on Thursday, November 1st. Vendors and past brides will be selling items at a discounted rate. It will be like a Facebook marketplace, in person! Pop-up shop style. A $10 VIP ticket gets you a swag bag and early access to shop from 6-7pm. General admission is free, with access from 7-9pm. Don't miss out! Tickets are available on Eventbrite right here. If you're a wedding vendor, go get Honeybook! At A Southern Soiree, we’ve been using Honeybook since February 2015. I think we were one of their very first clients, and it has truly been a life changer. They make proposals and contracts super easy to use on both our side and the client side. I think before Honeybook I would send proposals and contracts by email, and the client would have to mail the contract to us or fax it by efax. Proposals were in no way streamlined either, so this has made our lives so much better. As a consultant, whenever I sign up a vendor client, one of the very first recommendations I make is Honeybook. No need to complicate things – it works, it’s great…just get it. And if you follow this link, you get 50% off your first year of Honeybook, which is nice, but not nearly as nice as all the time you’re going to save. And if you have any questions about my experience, feel free to send me an email to [email protected]. Music for this episode by https://www.bensound.com. The host of the show is Megan Gillikin, owner and lead consultant at A Southern Soiree Wedding and Event Planning. She's also available for wedding and hospitality business consulting and can be reached at [email protected]. Weddings for Real is edited and produced by Jason Gillikin for Earfluence.

Kim and Penn Holderness are known for their viral videos on YouTube where they sing and dance, sometimes in their Christmas Jammies. But Kim and Penn are much more than what you see in the videos. They are a dynamic, hilarious, and down-to-earth couple who came on the show today to talk about how they met, their engagement, their wedding, tips for a healthy marriage, and how to be a great guest at a wedding. We find out, what advice would Kim and Penn give themselves, about marriage, on their wedding day 13 years ago? Kim and Penn Holderness That's Jason as a seat while his brother was about to take off the garter Megan was on the Holdermess Podcast a couple months ago. You can listen to that here: The Holderness Family on Social Media: Instagram: @theholdernessfamily Facebook: @theholdernessfamily YouTube: @VisitTheGreenroom twitter: @KimDHolderness Podcast: http://marriedwithpodcastwiththeholdernessfamily.libsyn.com/ Go see Penn as Riff-Raff in the Rocky Horror Show in Cary NC on October 26th and 27th. Tickets are available at https://www.etix.com/ticket/e/1007940/rocky-horrow-show-cary-carys-koka-booth-amphitheatre. Megan and Jason will be there in section 2, Row M, so come say hi! Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal If you're a wedding professional in the Raleigh area, come check out our online marketing seminar. It's at The Umstead Hotel in Cary NC on Monday, October 22nd, for a Brunch and Learn from 9:30AM-12PM. Here are some of the details, and you can sign up with Eventbrite. We can't wait to see you there! What you can expect from this intimate seminar: An Insider’s Guide to Social Media Strategy & Etiquette, SEO Tips and Tricks, and Generating More Legit Inquiries! The Social Media Strategy: • Breaking down Instagram components and how to maximize use of them for your business • How to build the right following and continue a steady growth of followers/future clients • Social Media Vendor Etiquette and how this translates into real life referrals • Best use of Instagram stories, polls, etc • What to post, what not to post, and best times to post • Tools and tips to streamline your Instagram posting Millennials: How are millennials finding their wedding vendors? What factors determine whether you get the job? Learn some easy best practices for attracting and communicating with the generation that is your biggest client base. The SEO Component: • Setting up/Refining your Google business page • Online directory tips to improve your rankings • Getting reviews (the formula Megan uses!) • Titles, tags and descriptions and how these help or hurt your business rankings • Writing SEO friendly and user friendly content for your site • Image optimization tips Sign up at Eventbrite. See you there! If you're a wedding vendor, go get Honeybook! At A Southern Soiree, we’ve been using Honeybook since February 2015. I think we were one of their very first clients, and it has truly been a life changer. They make proposals and contracts super easy to use on both our side and the client side. I think before Honeybook I would send proposals and contracts by email, and the client would have to mail the contract to us or fax it by efax. Proposals were in no way streamlined either, so this has made our lives so much better. As a consultant, whenever I sign up a vendor client, one of the very first recommendations I make is Honeybook. No need to complicate things – it works, it’s great…just get it. And if you follow this link, you get 50% off your first year of Honeybook, which is nice, but not nearly as nice as all the time you’re going to save. And if you have any questions about my experience, feel free to send me an email to [email protected]. Music for this episode by https://www.bensound.com. The host of the show is Megan Gillikin, owner and lead consultant at A Southern Soiree Wedding and Event Planning. She's also available for wedding and hospitality business consulting and can be reached at [email protected]. Weddings for Real is edited and produced by Jason Gillikin for Earfluence.

Megan and Jason give advice to their 20-year-old selves, Megan on kissing frogs and Jason on traveling more. Coming up on Wednesday's episode, Megan talks to the hilarious and wide-open Kim and Penn Holderness on what marriage advice they would give themselves on their wedding day, plus how to be a great guest at a wedding. Don't forget, we have a seminar coming up at The Umstead Hotel in Cary NC on Monday, October 22nd, for a Brunch and Learn from 9:30AM-12PM. Here are some of the details, and you can sign up with Eventbrite. We can't wait to see you there! What you can expect from this intimate seminar: An Insider’s Guide to Social Media Strategy & Etiquette, SEO Tips and Tricks, and Generating More Legit Inquiries! The Social Media Strategy: • Breaking down Instagram components and how to maximize use of them for your business • How to build the right following and continue a steady growth of followers/future clients • Social Media Vendor Etiquette and how this translates into real life referrals • Best use of Instagram stories, polls, etc • What to post, what not to post, and best times to post • Tools and tips to streamline your Instagram posting Millennials: How are millennials finding their wedding vendors? What factors determine whether you get the job? Learn some easy best practices for attracting and communicating with the generation that is your biggest client base. The SEO Component: • Setting up/Refining your Google business page • Online directory tips to improve your rankings • Getting reviews (the formula Megan uses!) • Titles, tags and descriptions and how these help or hurt your business rankings • Writing SEO friendly and user friendly content for your site • Image optimization tips Sign up at Eventbrite. See you there! The second conference that day is for wedding planners. For tickets, click here! Weddings for Real is edited and produced by Jason Gillikin for Earfluence.

Day-Of Wedding Coordination, sometimes called month-of wedding coordination, can actually be more difficult than full-service planning - or at least it can be more confusing. Wedding planners, and really anyone in the events industry, tend to be people pleasers. So when couples ask for more than what's in the contract, it's a wedding planners natural inclination to say yes. But when you're only contracted for the logistics of the day, how do you eliminate that scope creep? Erin McCauley from Chestnut and Vine Day-Of Wedding Coordination came on to talk to Megan about her business, which she started three and a half years ago, her wedding four years ago, why she chose to market herself as a day-of wedding coordinator, how she defines her role, and what's next for her company! Erin with one of her lovely brides (photo by Brian Mullins) Erin McCauley on the day-of (photo by Brian Mullins) Chestnut and Vine on Social Media: Instagram: @ChestnutAndVineWeddings Facebook: @ChestnutAndVineWeddings Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal And here's the information you need on our seminars! The first one is an online marketing seminar. It's at The Umstead Hotel in Cary NC on Monday, October 22nd, for a Brunch and Learn from 9:30AM-12PM. Here are some of the details, and you can sign up with Eventbrite. We can't wait to see you there! What you can expect from this intimate seminar: An Insider’s Guide to Social Media Strategy & Etiquette, SEO Tips and Tricks, and Generating More Legit Inquiries! The Social Media Strategy: • Breaking down Instagram components and how to maximize use of them for your business • How to build the right following and continue a steady growth of followers/future clients • Social Media Vendor Etiquette and how this translates into real life referrals • Best use of Instagram stories, polls, etc • What to post, what not to post, and best times to post • Tools and tips to streamline your Instagram posting Millennials: How are millennials finding their wedding vendors? What factors determine whether you get the job? Learn some easy best practices for attracting and communicating with the generation that is your biggest client base. The SEO Component: • Setting up/Refining your Google business page • Online directory tips to improve your rankings • Getting reviews (the formula Megan uses!) • Titles, tags and descriptions and how these help or hurt your business rankings • Writing SEO friendly and user friendly content for your site • Image optimization tips Sign up at Eventbrite. See you there! The second conference that day is for wedding planners. For tickets, click here! In this intimate and focused seminar geared towards planners and aspiring planners in years 0-3 of their business, we will focus on the below topics to elevate your wedding planning business to the next level! With a combined 20+ years of experience in the event industry, Megan and Gina of A Southern Soiree are teaming up to provide a behind the scenes look into how to elevate your wedding planning business to the next level by sharing tips and strategies on best practices for event contracts, tools to help with workflow, the client and vendor experience, and pricing to be profitable! Topics We'll Cover: The Importance of Managing the Client Experience From Initial Inquiry to Completion of Event Including Coverage of: Responding to Client Inquiries, Client Onboading Process, Setting Clear Expectations, and Managing Difficult Situations Best Practices for Strengthening Vendor Relations and Building Your Referral Base Contracts and How To Protect Your Business - The top 5 clauses your contract should include to protect your business! Systems to Streamline Your Business - What to use for proposals, contracts, invoices, timelines and more! Pricing for Your Worth: We will cover basic pricing strategies and well as insight into package offerings that focus on your core strengths! Finally, at 5:30, we have a Podcast Marketing Seminar! Click Here for the Eventbrite Link! Podcasting is a great way to create evangelists for your brand and stand out from the competition. But how do you get started? Two successful Raleigh podcasters share their secrets on building an audience, buying gear, and turning listeners into customers. How to Start a Branded Podcast is for: - Marketers looking to stand out and become thought leaders. - Small businesses looking to grow their business. - Beginners wanting to learn how to launch a podcast. For all seminars, use the coupon code WFR25 for $25 off your ticket! If you're a wedding vendor, go get Honeybook! At A Southern Soiree, we’ve been using Honeybook since February 2015. I think we were one of their very first clients, and it has truly been a life changer. They make proposals and contracts super easy to use on both our side and the client side. I think before Honeybook I would send proposals and contracts by email, and the

In this weekend wine down, Megan just got back from a wedding, so she talked about that - why she has purple feet, and did the best man really throw a head of lettuce at the groom during his speech? Plus unpacking the amazing experience that was interviewing Van Eure and Kelly Joslin from the Angus Barn. Next week, we have Erin McCauley from Chestnut and Vine Day-Of Wedding Coordination on the show, so be sure to check that out! And here's the information you need on our seminars! The first one is an online marketing seminar. It's at The Umstead Hotel in Cary NC on Monday, October 22nd, for a Brunch and Learn from 9:30AM-12PM. Here are some of the details, and you can sign up with Eventbrite. We can't wait to see you there! What you can expect from this intimate seminar: An Insider’s Guide to Social Media Strategy & Etiquette, SEO Tips and Tricks, and Generating More Legit Inquiries! The Social Media Strategy: • Breaking down Instagram components and how to maximize use of them for your business • How to build the right following and continue a steady growth of followers/future clients • Social Media Vendor Etiquette and how this translates into real life referrals • Best use of Instagram stories, polls, etc • What to post, what not to post, and best times to post • Tools and tips to streamline your Instagram posting Millennials: How are millennials finding their wedding vendors? What factors determine whether you get the job? Learn some easy best practices for attracting and communicating with the generation that is your biggest client base. The SEO Component: • Setting up/Refining your Google business page • Online directory tips to improve your rankings • Getting reviews (the formula Megan uses!) • Titles, tags and descriptions and how these help or hurt your business rankings • Writing SEO friendly and user friendly content for your site • Image optimization tips Sign up at Eventbrite. See you there! The second conference that day is for wedding planners. For tickets, click here! In this intimate and focused seminar geared towards planners and aspiring planners in years 0-3 of their business, we will focus on the below topics to elevate your wedding planning business to the next level! With a combined 20+ years of experience in the event industry, Megan and Gina of A Southern Soiree are teaming up to provide a behind the scenes look into how to elevate your wedding planning business to the next level by sharing tips and strategies on best practices for event contracts, tools to help with workflow, the client and vendor experience, and pricing to be profitable! Topics We'll Cover: The Importance of Managing the Client Experience From Initial Inquiry to Completion of Event Including Coverage of: Responding to Client Inquiries, Client Onboading Process, Setting Clear Expectations, and Managing Difficult Situations Best Practices for Strengthening Vendor Relations and Building Your Referral Base Contracts and How To Protect Your Business - The top 5 clauses your contract should include to protect your business! Systems to Streamline Your Business - What to use for proposals, contracts, invoices, timelines and more! Pricing for Your Worth: We will cover basic pricing strategies and well as insight into package offerings that focus on your core strengths! Finally, at 5:30, we have a Podcast Marketing Seminar! Click Here for the Eventbrite Link! Podcasting is a great way to create evangelists for your brand and stand out from the competition. But how do you get started? Two successful Raleigh podcasters share their secrets on building an audience, buying gear, and turning listeners into customers. How to Start a Branded Podcast is for: - Marketers looking to stand out and become thought leaders. - Small businesses looking to grow their business. - Beginners wanting to learn how to launch a podcast. For all seminars, use the coupon code WFR25 for $25 off your ticket! Weddings for Real is edited and produced by Jason Gillikin for Earfluence.

The Angus Barn Way, their commitment to unparalleled service, is legendary in the local hospitality industry. The owner of the Angus Barn, Van Eure, sat down with Megan to talk about the history of the Barn (her father opened it in the middle of nowhere in 1960), empowering employees to make sure the customer experience is second to none, why she vowed never to do weddings again (never say never), and building the Pavilion for weddings back in 2008. Such an amazing institution and presence in Raleigh, and we're so excited to share this episode with you! The Angus Barn Van Eure with her father Thad Eure Megan and Van after recording in the Wine Cellar Angus Barn on Social Media: Instagram: @angusbarn Facebook: @angusbarn twitter: @angusbarn Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal And here's the information you need on our seminars! The first one is an online marketing seminar. It's at The Umstead Hotel in Cary NC on Monday, October 22nd, for a Brunch and Learn from 9:30AM-12PM. Here are some of the details, and you can sign up with Eventbrite. We can't wait to see you there! What you can expect from this intimate seminar: An Insider’s Guide to Social Media Strategy & Etiquette, SEO Tips and Tricks, and Generating More Legit Inquiries! The Social Media Strategy: • Breaking down Instagram components and how to maximize use of them for your business • How to build the right following and continue a steady growth of followers/future clients • Social Media Vendor Etiquette and how this translates into real life referrals • Best use of Instagram stories, polls, etc • What to post, what not to post, and best times to post • Tools and tips to streamline your Instagram posting Millennials: How are millennials finding their wedding vendors? What factors determine whether you get the job? Learn some easy best practices for attracting and communicating with the generation that is your biggest client base. The SEO Component: • Setting up/Refining your Google business page • Online directory tips to improve your rankings • Getting reviews (the formula Megan uses!) • Titles, tags and descriptions and how these help or hurt your business rankings • Writing SEO friendly and user friendly content for your site • Image optimization tips Sign up at Eventbrite. See you there! The second conference that day is for wedding planners. For tickets, click here! In this intimate and focused seminar geared towards planners and aspiring planners in years 0-3 of their business, we will focus on the below topics to elevate your wedding planning business to the next level! With a combined 20+ years of experience in the event industry, Megan and Gina of A Southern Soiree are teaming up to provide a behind the scenes look into how to elevate your wedding planning business to the next level by sharing tips and strategies on best practices for event contracts, tools to help with workflow, the client and vendor experience, and pricing to be profitable! Topics We'll Cover: The Importance of Managing the Client Experience From Initial Inquiry to Completion of Event Including Coverage of: Responding to Client Inquiries, Client Onboading Process, Setting Clear Expectations, and Managing Difficult Situations Best Practices for Strengthening Vendor Relations and Building Your Referral Base Contracts and How To Protect Your Business - The top 5 clauses your contract should include to protect your business! Systems to Streamline Your Business - What to use for proposals, contracts, invoices, timelines and more! Pricing for Your Worth: We will cover basic pricing strategies and well as insight into package offerings that focus on your core strengths! Finally, at 5:30, we have a Podcast Marketing Seminar! Click Here for the Eventbrite Link! Podcasting is a great way to create evangelists for your brand and stand out from the competition. But how do you get started? Two successful Raleigh podcasters share their secrets on building an audience, buying gear, and turning listeners into customers. How to Start a Branded Podcast is for: - Marketers looking to stand out and become thought leaders. - Small businesses looking to grow their business. - Beginners wanting to learn how to launch a podcast. For all seminars, use the coupon code Angus40 for $40 off your ticket! If you're a wedding vendor, go get Honeybook! At A Southern Soiree, we’ve been using Honeybook since February 2015. I think we were one of their very first clients, and it has truly been a life changer. They make proposals and contracts super easy to use on both our side and the client side. I think before Honeybook I would send proposals and contracts by email, and the client would have to mail the contract to us or fax it by efax. Proposals were in no way streamlined either, so this has made our lives so much better. As a consultant, whenever I sign up a vendor client, one of the very first recommendations I make is

In this weekend wine down, we talk about the new intro where Megan mentions a dead cat as a groomsman. It's true, and we'll share it...when we get to 60 reviews on Apple Podcasts. We also talk about our seminars on October 22nd, and the guests coming up in the next several weeks. Be sure to check out the podcast this week where we release 2 episodes with the Angus Barn Restaurant in Raleigh NC! And here's the information you need on our seminars! The first one is an online marketing seminar. It's at The Umstead Hotel in Cary NC on Monday, October 22nd, for a Brunch and Learn from 9:30AM-12PM. Here are some of the details, and you can sign up with Eventbrite. We can't wait to see you there! What you can expect from this intimate seminar: An Insider’s Guide to Social Media Strategy & Etiquette, SEO Tips and Tricks, and Generating More Legit Inquiries! The Social Media Strategy: • Breaking down Instagram components and how to maximize use of them for your business • How to build the right following and continue a steady growth of followers/future clients • Social Media Vendor Etiquette and how this translates into real life referrals • Best use of Instagram stories, polls, etc • What to post, what not to post, and best times to post • Tools and tips to streamline your Instagram posting Millennials: How are millennials finding their wedding vendors? What factors determine whether you get the job? Learn some easy best practices for attracting and communicating with the generation that is your biggest client base. The SEO Component: • Setting up/Refining your Google business page • Online directory tips to improve your rankings • Getting reviews (the formula Megan uses!) • Titles, tags and descriptions and how these help or hurt your business rankings • Writing SEO friendly and user friendly content for your site • Image optimization tips Sign up at Eventbrite. See you there! The second conference that day is for wedding planners. For tickets, click here! In this intimate and focused seminar geared towards planners and aspiring planners in years 0-3 of their business, we will focus on the below topics to elevate your wedding planning business to the next level! With a combined 20+ years of experience in the event industry, Megan and Gina of A Southern Soiree are teaming up to provide a behind the scenes look into how to elevate your wedding planning business to the next level by sharing tips and strategies on best practices for event contracts, tools to help with workflow, the client and vendor experience, and pricing to be profitable! Topics We'll Cover: The Importance of Managing the Client Experience From Initial Inquiry to Completion of Event Including Coverage of: Responding to Client Inquiries, Client Onboading Process, Setting Clear Expectations, and Managing Difficult Situations Best Practices for Strengthening Vendor Relations and Building Your Referral Base Contracts and How To Protect Your Business - The top 5 clauses your contract should include to protect your business! Systems to Streamline Your Business - What to use for proposals, contracts, invoices, timelines and more! Pricing for Your Worth: We will cover basic pricing strategies and well as insight into package offerings that focus on your core strengths! Finally, at 5:30, we have a Podcast Marketing Seminar! Click Here for the Eventbrite Link! Podcasting is a great way to create evangelists for your brand and stand out from the competition. But how do you get started? Two successful Raleigh podcasters share their secrets on building an audience, buying gear, and turning listeners into customers. How to Start a Branded Podcast is for: - Marketers looking to stand out and become thought leaders. - Small businesses looking to grow their business. - Beginners wanting to learn how to launch a podcast. For all seminars, use the coupon code WFR25 for $25 off your ticket! Weddings for Real is edited and produced by Jason Gillikin for Earfluence.

Thanks for listening! On this Weekend Wine Down, Megan and Jason talked about 2 seminars coming up on October 22nd, what happens when you play a podcast on half speed, attending The Big Fake Wedding in Raleigh, last week's episode with Becca Atchison, and next week with Alan Berg. We hope you enjoy! Below are the seminar images with links: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brunch-learn-instagram-millennials-marketing-your-wedding-business-tickets-50302613471?aff=utm_source%3Deb_email%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Dnew_event_email&utm_term=eventname_text https://www.eventbrite.com/e/planning-for-success-tips-for-elevating-your-wedding-planning-business-tickets-50543994448?aff=utm_source%3Deb_email%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_campaign%3Dnew_event_email&utm_term=eventname_text Weddings for Real is edited and produced by Jason Gillikin for Earfluence.

Full Service Wedding Planning Company Rebecca Rose Events founder, owner, and creative director Becca Atchison comes on the show to talk about how and why her pricing model is different than almost everyone else in the wedding planning industry, why she decided to bring a partner into her company, what she's most proud of (not being named top planner by Southern Living Magazine or a Planner to Follow by Martha Stewart Weddings, which she was), and that time her company was sued by a client. In addition to being a wedding planner and creative director, Becca is passionate about coaching and consulting, and you can find information about that on her education page on her website, https://www.rebeccaroseevents.com/education. Becca will also be speaking at The School of Styling in July. Clearly she has a lot going on (plus she's a mom with baby 2 on the way soon!), so we appreciate her coming to visit! Becca Atchison on the Job (Image by Jake and Heather Photography) Becca Atchison, Rebecca Rose Events and Rebecca Rose Creative (image by Jake and Heather Photography) Becca Atchison and Betsy Krug (image by Nancy Ray Photography) Becca Atchison (image by Nancy Ray Photography) Rebecca Rose Events on Social Media: Instagram: @rroseevents Facebook: @rebeccaroseevents twitter: @rroseevents Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal Also, at the top of the show, Megan mentioned an online marketing seminar. It's at The Umstead Hotel in Cary NC on Monday, October 22nd, for a Brunch and Learn from 9:30AM-12PM. Here are some of the details, and you can sign up with Eventbrite. We can't wait to see you there! What you can expect from this intimate seminar: An Insider’s Guide to Social Media Strategy & Etiquette, SEO Tips and Tricks, and Generating More Legit Inquiries! The Social Media Strategy: • Breaking down Instagram components and how to maximize use of them for your business • How to build the right following and continue a steady growth of followers/future clients • Social Media Vendor Etiquette and how this translates into real life referrals • Best use of Instagram stories, polls, etc • What to post, what not to post, and best times to post • Tools and tips to streamline your Instagram posting Millennials: How are millennials finding their wedding vendors? What factors determine whether you get the job? Learn some easy best practices for attracting and communicating with the generation that is your biggest client base. The SEO Component: • Setting up/Refining your Google business page • Online directory tips to improve your rankings • Getting reviews (the formula Megan uses!) • Titles, tags and descriptions and how these help or hurt your business rankings • Writing SEO friendly and user friendly content for your site • Image optimization tips Sign up at Eventbrite. See you there! If you're a wedding vendor, go get Honeybook! At A Southern Soiree, we’ve been using Honeybook since February 2015. I think we were one of their very first clients, and it has truly been a life changer. They make proposals and contracts super easy to use on both our side and the client side. I think before Honeybook I would send proposals and contracts by email, and the client would have to mail the contract to us or fax it by efax. Proposals were in no way streamlined either, so this has made our lives so much better. As a consultant, whenever I sign up a vendor client, one of the very first recommendations I make is Honeybook. No need to complicate things – it works, it’s great…just get it. And if you follow this link, you get 50% off your first year of Honeybook, which is nice, but not nearly as nice as all the time you’re going to save. And if you have any questions about my experience, feel free to send me an email to [email protected]. Music for this episode by https://www.bensound.com. The host of the show is Megan Gillikin, owner and lead consultant at A Southern Soiree Wedding and Event Planning. She's also available for wedding and hospitality business consulting and can be reached at [email protected]. Weddings for Real is edited and produced by Jason Gillikin for Earfluence.

Megan and Jason talk about what a weird week that was because of the Hurricane, and the new seminar Brunch and Learn: Instagram, Millennials, and How to Market Your Wedding Business, coming October 22nd at The Umstead. Listen to the episode for a discount code! As part of that seminar, Megan will share her Instagram No-No list, and she gives a preview of it in this Weekend Wine Down today. If you want to sign up for the seminar, it's 9:30AM 10/22, and you can see more information here! Weddings for Real is edited and produced by Jason Gillikin for Earfluence.

Makeup Artist and all-around hilarious and amazing person Michelle Clark came on the show today, not so much to talk about makeup - although we get to that in the lightning round - but more so about what goes on in the bridal suite before the wedding. The makeup artist and the hair stylist are usually the first vendors in the room, so they see the dynamic between the bride and her tribe first-hand. Usually it's a fun festive atmosphere, but sometimes, it can get a little tense. Michelle Clark in her new office! (image by LiveView Studios) Michelle and Megan on Recording Day Makeup Artist Michelle Clark in Action Makeup Artist Michelle Clark on Social Media: Facebook: @karenmichelleclark Instagram: @kmichelleclark twitter: @kmichelleclark Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal If you're a vendor, go get Honeybook! At A Southern Soiree, we’ve been using Honeybook since February 2015. I think we were one of their very first clients, and it has truly been a life changer. They make proposals and contracts super easy to use on both our side and the client side. I think before Honeybook I would send proposals and contracts by email, and the client would have to mail the contract to us or fax it by efax. Proposals were in no way streamlined either, so this has made our lives so much better. As a consultant, whenever I sign up a vendor client, one of the very first recommendations I make is Honeybook. No need to complicate things – it works, it’s great…just get it. And if you follow this link, you get 50% off your first year of Honeybook, which is nice, but not nearly as nice as all the time you’re going to save. And if you have any questions about my experience, feel free to send me an email to [email protected]. Music for this episode by https://www.bensound.com. The host of the show is Megan Gillikin, owner and lead consultant at A Southern Soiree Wedding and Event Planning. She's also available for wedding and hospitality business consulting and can be reached at [email protected]. Weddings for Real is edited and produced by Jason Gillikin for Earfluence.

Happy Weekend! It was a big week here, and Megan and Jason talked about it. We had our "Instagram, Millennials, and How to Market Your Wedding Business" seminar, and we're already planning another one for next month! Give us feedback if you get a chance - what do you think of this format? In addition to the regular episodes of course! Weddings for Real is edited and produced by Jason Gillikin for Earfluence.

I brought my mom onto my podcast, and you'll hear all about our arguments from my wedding, which included cake, videography, photography, and invitations. And believe it or not, we both admit that the other one was right! Today’s show is all about how moms and daughters can plan a wedding together in peace. As you probably know, the wedding tradition still is that the bride’s parents pay for the wedding, and with so much money invested, there’s going to be some tension – and even some arguing - between brides and moms. Usually when I’m planning a wedding, either the mom or the daughter are my primary contact. And they don’t always get along – sometimes they openly argue right in front of me and it can be pretty tense. I get it, wedding planning can be stressful, and I had a few arguments with my mom too when I was getting married. But whose wedding is it really? Let’s say the parents are paying for the entire wedding – does the mom get to make all of the decisions? What if those decisions aren’t what the daughter wants at all? So I talked to my mom about all of this, plus we talked about our own weddings, what happens to money that’s saved up if a daughter elopes, if we’ll ever get out of the tradition of a brides’ parents paying for a wedding, and finally I get to put my mom through the lightning round. Jackie Brewer and Megan Gillikin Jackie and Megan (image by f8 Photography) (image by f8 Photography) (image by f8 Photography) Jackie and William Brewer If you like this episode, leave us a review! Here's how: Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal If you're a vendor, go get Honeybook! At A Southern Soiree, we’ve been using Honeybook since February 2015. I think we were one of their very first clients, and it has truly been a life changer. They make proposals and contracts super easy to use on both our side and the client side. I think before Honeybook I would send proposals and contracts by email, and the client would have to mail the contract to us or fax it by efax. Proposals were in no way streamlined either, so this has made our lives so much better. As a consultant, whenever I sign up a vendor client, one of the very first recommendations I make is Honeybook. No need to complicate things – it works, it’s great…just get it. And if you follow this link, you get 50% off your first year of Honeybook, which is nice, but not nearly as nice as all the time you’re going to save. And if you have any questions about my experience, feel free to send me an email to [email protected]. Music for this episode by https://www.bensound.com. The host of the show is Megan Gillikin, owner and lead consultant at A Southern Soiree Wedding and Event Planning. She's also available for wedding and hospitality business consulting and can be reached at [email protected]. Weddings for Real is edited and produced by Jason Gillikin for Earfluence.