Whether you’ve just gotten engaged or you’re knee-deep in Pinterest boards and vendor outreach, we’ll walk you through how to start the search, what to look out for, and the questions you have to ask before signing on the dotted line.

What We Cover in This Episode:

 How to Begin Your Venue Search

• Where to start and now to avoid overwhelm
• The first conversation every couple should have: What kind of wedding do we want?
• Getting aligned on your must-haves vs. nice-to-haves

 Nailing Down Your Wedding Vibe

• Rustic barn? Modern industrial loft? Outdoor garden party?
• How your venue choice shapes the overall aesthetic and affect your wedding budget

Talking Budget Without the Stress

• Why your venue budget affects everything else
• Tips for being realistic about your wedding budget and what the means in terms of your wedding venue

Getting on the Same Page as a Couple

• Discussing values, priorities, and guest count to avoid venue regret
• Balancing dream venue vibes with practical logistics

Narrowing Down the Options

• How many venues should you really visit before choosing?
• Smart ways to research venues before scheduling a tour

Venue Tours 101

• The essential questions you must ask during each visit
• What to look for on your visit
• Decoding the cost of venues and how asking questions is a MUST

Decoding Venue & Catering Lingo

• What do “preferred vendors,” “food & beverage minimums,” or “site fees” actually mean?
• How food and beverage minimums really work

Listen Now If You’re:

• Newly engaged and not sure where to start
• Feeling confused by wedding industry jargon
• Ready to feel confident in choosing a space that reflects you two perfectly

You can find Shannon on the web at Wedding Venue Map and Venue Help Desk, and on instagram @weddingvenuemap and @venuehelpdesk

You can find Deanna on the web at Deanna Nash Events and The Leap Lifestyle, and on Instagram @deannanashevents and @theleaplifestyle .

Want More Planning Help?
Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss upcoming episodes on budgeting, timelines, vendor tips, and more!

As always, thanks for listening!

We’re pulling back the curtain on the creative process: how designers help couples visualize their space, how ideas evolve over time, and why trust in your designer is key to creating something truly unforgettable.

Plus, we’ll talk about:

✨ How wedding trends evolve and how to incorporate them tastefully
 🧳 What makes destination weddings, especially in Europe, unique from a design perspective
🏛️ The importance of respecting historic venues while still adding modern flair

Whether you’re newly engaged, a wedding pro, or just love beautiful events, this episode offers a rich look at the intersection of artistry and tradition in wedding design.

📌 Connect With Us:

• Oudalova Events and Design Website and Instagram
• Deanna Nash Events Website and Instagram
• The Leap Lifestyle Website and Instagram

📩 Got questions or a wedding story to share? Drop us a line at deanna@deannanashevents.com

As always, thanks for listening!

In this episode, we dive into the powerful idea that a wedding day is more than just a celebration—it's the beginning of a lasting legacy. We explore how wedding photography captures not only beautiful moments but is also the foundation of your future family's story. Each image holds emotion, meaning, and a deep sense of history in the making.

We talk about the role photography plays in preserving the raw, intimate, and joyful moments that tell a couple’s unique story. From the walk down the aisle to the spontaneous laughs on the dance floor, these moments become treasured keepsakes that your children, grandchildren, and future generations will look back on to understand where it all began.

This episode also touches on how intentionality in documenting your wedding day can serve as a time capsule—capturing not only who was there but how it felt to begin your journey together. It's a beautiful reminder that your love story is worth documenting in a way that resonates far beyond the day itself.

Whether you're a couple preparing for your wedding or a photographer who wants to approach your work with deeper purpose, this conversation is all about honoring the significance of legacy through the lens of love. Tune in and be inspired to see wedding photography not just as art, but as heritage in the making.

You can find John on the web at www.johnschnack.com and on instagram @john.schnack.

You can find Deanna on the web at www.deannanashevents.com and www.theleaplifestyle.com, and on instagram @deannanashevents and @theleaplifestyle.

As always, thanks for listening!

Weddings on top of a mountain are a breathtaking and unforgettable experience for couples and their guests. But as you can imagine, they come with a unique set of details and logistics that set them apart from traditional sea-level weddings. In this episode, Loni and I dive deep into the dynamics of planning a mountain-top wedding, covering the essential aspects that couples should keep in mind.

We discuss:

• Risk Mitigation: Understanding the potential challenges and how to prepare for them.
• Contingency Plans: Why having a backup plan is absolutely essential for a mountain wedding.
• Altitude Impact: The effects of high elevation on your guests and how it can affect your big day – from physical readiness to the party mood.
• Hiring a Planner: The importance of hiring a wedding planner with specific mountain wedding experience to navigate these unique challenges.

Whether you're envisioning a wedding with panoramic views or seeking advice on how to manage the logistics of a mountain ceremony, this episode will give you the insights you need to make your dream mountain-top wedding a reality.

You can find Loni on her website at www.lpcreativeevents.com and on instagram @lpcreativeevents and @onstagewithloni. 

You can find Deanna on her websites at www.theleaplifestyle.com and www.deannanashevents.com and on instagram @theleaplifestye and @deannanashevents.

As always, thanks for listening!

In this episode, we explore the art of wedding speeches and vows, focusing on how both are deeply personal and meaningful moments that add an emotional touch to your wedding day. Whether you're the best man, maid of honor, or the couple themselves, crafting the perfect speech or vow is a way to showcase your love, gratitude, and unique bond. We’ll discuss why speeches shouldn’t be freeform and offer tips for delivering a polished and impactful message. Plus, we dive into how engaged couples can create wedding vows that truly reflect their journey together.

Key Takeaways:

• Why wedding speeches should never be freeform: Weddings are not the time for off-the-cuff speeches. A thoughtful, prepared speech ensures your words are clear, heartfelt, and delivered with the right impact. We discuss why planning is key to making a lasting impression, and Brian shares great tips for the actual delivery of the toast on the big day.
• Keep it short and sweet: Speeches should be no longer than 3-4 minutes to keep the audience engaged while giving just enough time to express your thoughts and emotions without dragging on.
• Modulate your voice and tone: Learn how modulating your voice—using changes in pitch, tone, and pace—helps draw in your audience and keeps them captivated throughout your speech. A dynamic delivery adds to the emotional depth of your words, and keeps your audience engaged through the entire speech.
• Crafting meaningful wedding vows: For engaged couples, wedding vows are a powerful opportunity to express your love and commitment. We talk about how to incorporate the unique details of your relationship into your vows, making them personal and unforgettable. From memories you've shared to promises for the future, your vows should reflect who you are as a couple. And a tip from the pros: Work on your vows as your are planning your wedding, just as. you plan the other aspects of your wedding day!
• Balance humor with sincerity: Whether giving a toast or exchanging vows, we discuss the importance of balancing humor with heartfelt moments. While it's important to bring some lightness, the sincerity of your message will leave a deeper impact.

You can find Brian on his website at www.vowsandspeeches.com or on instagram at Vows and Speeches.

And you can find Deanna on www.theleaplifestyle.com or www.deannanashevents.com and on instagram at The Leap Lifestyle and Deanna Nash Events. 

As always, thanks so much for listening!

• tips for planning your engagement session
• timeline 
• styling outfits for your engagement session
• getting comfortable in front of the camera

and so much more!

From that conversation, we transitioned into wedding day photography, and covered:

• why you must have a photo shot list for your photographers, and how to help wrangle family members
• time management on the wedding day
• posing tips

You can find Carissa on her website at www.carissawoophotography.com  , on instagram at www.instagram.com/carissawoophotography and www.instagram.com/carissawoo .

And you can find Deanna on her websites www.deannanashevents.com and www.theleaplifestle.com and on instagram her handles are @deannanashevents and @theleaplifestyle.

As always, thanks for listening!

In this episode, Brian and I discuss how to amplify your wedding experience that will, for years to come, be a core memory. We talked through the importance of customizing your music selections and flow, how to work with your DJ to prep music prior to the big day, the strategy of the ebb and flow of music energy from ceremony all the way through to cocktail hour, and why lighting is so important to helping create and enhance the overall wedding experience. There's so much good information in this episode, and Brian's years of experience shines throughout.

Find Brian on instagram at The DJ Brian Smith and MixLux, and on his website  www.mixlux.net.

And find Deanna on instagram at Deanna Nash Events, The Leap Lifestyle, and on her websites at www.deannanashevents.com and www.theleaplifestyle.com.

As always, thanks for listening!

I Do Differently Program
This week we are so pleased to offer 25% off of Felicia's I Do Differently program. I Do Differently is a unique program designed for busy, modern couples like you who want to build a balanced, equitable, and joyful relationship. This program helps you navigate the wedding planning process while also preparing you for a lifetime of partnership.

We know that almost all couples want an equal partnership, but research shows that most couples struggle to make that happen. This pattern can even start to develop during the wedding planning process, which is often bride-focused and steeped in traditions that may or may not represent you as a couple. I Do Differently teaches you how to cultivate a sense of teamwork as you plan your big day, carrying over into your marriage and setting you up for success from the get-go.

Visit the Links Below to view Two Options for I Do Differently, and use code LEAP25 at checkout for the 25% discount.

Tier One:

• 12-Week Self-Paced Digital Course: Concise video content and powerful exercises focused on deconstructing gender, building communication skills, outlining each couple's shared vision for their wedding and the marriage that follows, and cultivating equitable partnership practices.
• Bi-Weekly Office Hours: Your clients will have regular, direct access to an experienced relationship coach to ask questions and get support on everything that comes up during the wedding planning process and beyond.
• Exclusive Bonus Resources: Monthly community meetups, shared values workshop, premium access to our household organizer app, and a special completion gift.

Tier Two:

• Everything from Tier 1+
• 12-Monthly Private Coaching Sessions: During these 60-minute sessions I’ll work with your clients to address any emotional and relational challenges that come up during the wedding planning process.
• Two 90-Minute Conflict Management Facilitation Sessions: Your clients can use these sessions anytime they need them — to bring together in-laws who can’t get along, bridal parties who have gone off the rails, or as an opportunity to dig in deep and work through tricky conflicts that they have been struggling to overcome.

To learn more about this program, you can book a prospective client call with Felicia here.
Find more about Felicia, Tend Task and I Do Differently on:
Instagram
Tik Tok
Facebook
Pinterest
YouTube
And you can find the Leap Lifestyle on:
Instagram
Website
As always, thanks for listening!

• how soon you should reach out to florists
• How to best allocated your floral design budget 
• budgeting best practices including being intentional with floral placement (not every surface requires a floral piece!)
• why flowers are a reminder to be really present on your wedding day
• why its ok to want something for your wedding just because it's really pretty!
• and, Tabitha's best piece of advice is something we all need to practice in our every day lives, but it's particularly poignant for your wedding day

It was such a fun and informative episode to record, and I'm so grateful for Tabitha's friendship and transparency.

You can find Winston & Main on the web, instagram and facebook.

And, for more interviews with wedding and lifestyle pros, visit The Leap Lifestyle.

As always, thanks for listening!

• Timing – how far in advance should you order your veil (spoiler alert – don’t wait too long!)
• The experience of creating a customized veil or cape
• How to determine the length veil do you need to go with your wedding gown 
• Factors to consider when choosing the length of your veil
• Why you NEED to securely pin your veil into your hair! And a veil expert's tip for doing so!
• The various types of veils (straight cut or angel cut), and choosing the fabrication that works best for your dress and venue (yes, the venue matters)!
• Blusher vs. no blusher, and an expert's advice on when to lift the blusher during the ceremony
• Alternatives to a veil, including weddings wings and capes!

 You can see samples of Julies gorgeous work on Instagram (her handle is @julieharrisdesigns) or on her website at www.julieharrisdesigns.com.

Be sure to visit our website for this and much more content  www.theleaplifestyle.com
and you can find us on instagram @theleaplifestyle

As always, thanks for listening!

• How Music sets the tone for every part of your wedding day, and how the nostalgia of music adds to the wonderful memories of any celebration.
• How to choose music for your wedding day. Pro Tip: Lean on your DJ for help! They are the pros! 
• Should you let your guests make music requests at your wedding? You'll have to listen to find out!
• Why the importance of what DJs do is often overlooked.
• Party time - what to expect from dance sets and how DJs help you set that mood and keep the party going!

We cover these topics and so much more! Tune in today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify.

You can find Matt on the web at www.whosthatdj.com and on instagram @whosthatdj

Don't forget to visit The Leap Lifestyle each week for fresh content, and say hello on instagram @theleaplifestyle

As always, thanks for listening!

• How Music sets the tone for every part of your wedding day, and how the nostalgia of music adds to the wonderful memories of any celebration.
• How to choose music for your wedding day. Pro Tip: Lean on your DJ for help! They are the pros! 
• Should you let your guests make music requests at your wedding? You'll have to listen to find out!
• Why the importance of what DJs do is often overlooked.
• Party time - what to expect from dance sets and how DJs help you set that mood and keep the party going!

We cover these topics and so much more! Tune in today on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify.

You can find Matt on the web at www.whosthatdj.com and on instagram @whosthatdj

Don't forget to visit The Leap Lifestyle each week for fresh content, and say hello on instagram @theleaplifestyle

As always, thanks for listening!

• Pay attention to the details. Publishers and Editors are looking for unique details that set your wedding apart from others, and photos of your invitation suite, florals, table design and ceremony design are some of the elements key to catching their eye.
• Don't have a huge design budget? Rebecca shares a few hacks for creating shots that editor's can't resist.
• Rebecca fills us in on what her favorite shots are in anticipation of getting in front of an editor.
• Why photos of the couple are standard, but it's the littlest details that are most often the element that garners the attention of publishers and editors. 
• Why unique design details are key, and why copying something you've seen on the internet is less likely to get your wedding featured.

And so much more! Listen today if you are thinking you'd like to submit your wedding to be considered to publication!

You can find Rebecca on the web at www.rebeccatheresa.com, and her handle on instagram is @rebeccatheresaphotography.

And you can find us at www.theleaplifestyle.com and our instagram handle is @theleaplifestyle.

As always, thanks for listening!

• When to Book your Wedding Day Hairstylist
• Why it's Important to know what your wedding dress looks like before scheduling your hair trial
• Why she always recommends scheduling a hair trial, and why communication at the trial is key to a worry-free wedding day hair experience
• Choosing a hair style that works for your hair type...and color!
• How to prep your hair for your wedding day, including how to properly wash your hair for every day
• And we talk about the importance of wedding day beauty schedules

This episode is jam-packed with great advice, and if you're planning to have a professional style your hair on your wedding day, you don't want to miss this episode!

You can find Lauren on Instagram @KBGlam and on Facebook too.

You can find us on Instagram @theleaplifestyle, and be sure to tune in every Monday for new episodes of The Leap Lifestyle Podcast, and visit our website at www.theleaplifestyle.com for new content every week.  

As always, Thanks for listening!

•  how intimate and elopement photography differs from traditional wedding photography
• what to expect on your wedding day if you've gone the elopement or intimate wedding route
• how to best prepare to work with your elopement or intimate wedding photographer
• and Morgan shares her process, which is full of tips and tricks for your elopement.

You can find Morgan on her website www.keptrecord.com, on Instagram @kept_record and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/keptrecord.

And to grab your copy of Morgan's free elopement starter kit, click here!

Be sure to visit The Leap Lifestyle each week for fresh content and each week's episode of the podcast. And, you can find us on Instagram @theleaplifestyle

Thanks for listening!

• The importance of a dynamic relationship between your DJ and Planner, and how their collaboration benefits each couple
• How your DJ and Planner, along with the other vendors, are your A-team for the night, and how they work to ensure the best day possible for your wedding
• Perfecting the timing for your reception, and the importance of reading the room and being able to flex seamlessly as the evening unfolds
• and so much more!

This episode is for any couple interested in the behind-the-scenes action that takes place leading up to and on the day of your wedding.

You can find DJ Dazzler on Instagram @dj_dazzler, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/djdazzlerlive and on the web at www.djdazzler.com

And you can find The Leap Lifestyle on instagram @theleaplifestyle and on the web at www.theleaplifestyle.com

Thanks for listening!

• What Wedding Management includes and what it does not include
• Why Wedding Management is a step-by-step process
• Pointers for successfully working with your Coordinator on a Wedding Management package
• Why most planners prefer full planning (hint: it's not about the money)
• We walk through the steps of Gabi's full planning process
• We touch on automation and processes to help you manage all the details of a wedding

And so much more! This episode is particularly helpful for couples who are newly engaged and considering when to hire a wedding planner, and what to expect.

You can find Gabi on her website, on Instagram, and on Facebook.

You can fun us on our website and on Instagram.

Thank you for listening to The Leap Lifestyle Podcast!

• When to begin hiring your hair and makeup artists (hint: after you find THE dress)
• Why having a trial run for hair and makeup is so important, and how to prepare for it
• How to choose inspiration to share with you artists, and why communication during this process is so important
• How your daily beauty routine informs the best wedding day hair and makeup for YOU
• Groom's styling (It's a thing!)

And so much more!
You can find Katelyn on the company's website at Elwynn + Cass, and in Instagram too!

Be sure to visit The Leap Lifestyle for more interviews and expert advice to make your wedding the best day ever!

• Incorporating sentimental and meaningful details that tell the story of you
• The important pieces Szu, who is a newlywed herself, included in her wedding day photography
• What to expect with regards to wedding day photography
• Steps to take if you want to submit your wedding to publications

In addition to being known for her gorgeous photography, Szu is also an expert stylist and she has put together an amazing offering for The Leap Lifestyle Listeners. Beginning today through May 12, 2021, The Leap Lifestyle listeners can book a 30-minute styling session with Szu, where she will help you create a cohesive look for your wedding details, or where you can ask for help sourcing certain items. Thank you Szu for such an amazing opportunity! Offer expires May 12, 2021. You can access this opportunity by clicking here.

You can find Szu on her website, on Instagram, or on Facebook.

Thank you for listening to The Leap Lifestyle Podcast! Feel free to visit or message us on Instagram too!