The Bridal Extravaganza Show: Recent Episodes
The Wedding Extravaganza
According to Tyler Pierce a Maid of Honor is like a soundboard, she helps the bride make decisions while the bridesmaids are like cheerleaders celebrating those decisions.
In Episode 80 of the Bridal Extravaganza Podcast, we chat with Maid of Honor, Tyler Pierce, as she shares with us how she jumped into the role immediately.
Is there something you wanted to do but so many things get in the way of making it a reality? Kimberly Azpeitia tells us that there is no perfect time and life is very short so go out there and do it!
Plan intimate weddings with Water to Wine Events
In Episode 78 of the Bridal Extravaganza Podcast, we chat with Haylee Handly about shifting to microweddings, the importance of doing the CEO level tasks, and the ability to run the back end of a business.
In Episode 77 of the Bridal Extravaganza Podcast, we talk to Mayra Malik about the importance of continued education, learning what’s new in the makeup industry and how they keep up with the trends.
In Episode 76 of the Bridal Extravaganza Podcast, we talk to Russ Ross about video trends in the wedding industry. He also explains the importance of selecting a video provider who understands the video he is recording will be a family heirloom.
What if your wedding planner is also a travel agent? Event Serendipity, LLC is a destination wedding planning service where the wedding planners are also certified travel agents.
In Episode 74 of the Bridal Extravaganza Podcast, we chat with Barbara Gardner about how to stay on top of trends and how to communicate with the millennial bride.
Racheal Payne talks about creating events to inspire for all types of cultures and ethnicities. Find out how to get yourself organized by keeping up with the latest trends. Racheal shares what motivates her to create events to inspire and the strategies that work today.
Yvonne Madueke discusses her entrepreneurial journey from engineer to event planner. Learn how to transition from being employed to being a business owner. Join us to learn tips and advice on being an event planner and business owner.
Join us to learn the behind the scenes story of DarkerSide DJ including the origin of the company’s creative name.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Vendor Talk” Podcast, we chat with Frances Perryman from Proof It Happened Photobooth. Owner Frances Perryman tells us why you should have a photo booth at your next event! Learn how Frances Perryman got started with her photo booth company and the secret behind the name “Proof it Happened”!
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Vendor Talk” Podcast, we chat with Christina Ferrara from The Dressing Room West. This “off-the-rack” bridal boutique is a great place for brides to pick up designer wedding dresses at a real steal. Nothing in this store is over $1200 – which is pretty amazing, considering the fact that every item is a real designer piece. All of the dresses in this store are overstock or discontinued styles from popular designers. Everything available in store is in that particular style, in that particular size – it’s not the kind of place where you’ll find stacks of mass-produced dresses. If you fall in love with a dress, you can take it home on the same day. The Dressing Room West is relatively new on the scene but brides are absolutely loving it. Without the typical 14 to 16 week waiting time, ladies can pop in and find the dress of their dreams even if the wedding is only a few short months away. Another great perk of this store is that it’s “by appointment only”. Brides can book their 1-1/2 to 2-hour appointment, which they can enjoy completely undisturbed. They can bring their friends and family, and peruse the dresses in a store that they have to themselves with no outside interference. It’s a fun and stress-free way to experience dress shopping. Christina chats to us about her entrepreneurial journey from working as a public relations agent in New York to where she is now. We get the scoop on how she manages her work/life balance and what tips she has for anyone who wants to take the plunge and branch out on their own.
"In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Grooms Talk” Podcast, we chat with Rob and Erwin, a couple of fun-loving grooms who are clearly excited about their future together.
Their proposal story is one of the sweetest ones we’ve heard: a music video lip-syncing to Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” played in front of the Disney Castle. If Disneyworld isn’t a romantic spot for a proposal, we don’t know what is! At this point, this couple has found a venue and chosen a date. All the other details need to be filled in – which is why they’ve stopped over at the Bridal Extravaganza Show. After spending 2 and a half hours going through the first aisle, it’s clear that we have tons of vendors just waiting to make the wedding planning process that much easier. Their advice to future brides is to really talk everything out. Get a book or a binder to map out ideas, set goals and deadlines, and to manage your expectations. "
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Vendor Talk” Podcast, we chat with Kim from Inkredible Dance Floors, a company that does wedding and event graphics. Kim and her team take care of everything including custom vinyl dance floors, step and repeat backdrops, wedding decals, various other types of large-scale graphics. The main inspiration behind the start-up of Inkredible Dance Floors was to bring the “wow factor” to weddings and to provide custom graphics for brides with a more middle market budget. All couples want to have memorable weddings but not all of them are armed with a six figure budget – that’s where this company comes in. Most couples want a wedding that is special and unique to them; these custom graphics are an affordable way of bringing something special to the event. Kim’s advice to bride’s who are planning their wedding is to make it about them. Focus on what’s special to the bride and groom. Make a note of things that are an absolute must-have and those that are extravagances you might be able to live without. This helps you to prioritize and keep an eye on your budget. In the end, it’s more about the memories you make than the money you spend.
To find Incredible Dance Floors online, follow them on Instagram @inkredibledancefloors or visit their website inkrediblefloors.com.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Vendor Talk” Podcast, we chat with Richandra from Fervent Designs. This one-stop-shop handles weddings and events from conception to the big day. While the company operates mostly in the Houston area, they are happy to travel around the world for destination weddings.
Fervent Designs truly goes the extra mile in terms of the wedding planning process. They handle design, photography, videography, DJs, musicians, flowers, displays, desserts…the whole shebang. The only thing they don’t tackle is full-on meal catering. It takes a lot off your plate to be able to check off so many things from your list with just a single company. Richandra started Fervent Designs after she became a bride. Having tons of experience in event planning for the oil and gas industry, Richandra realized that there was a serious need for personalized and in-budget wedding planning. Her vision was to create a company that would be able to provide whatever a bride needed in one single contract, without worrying about balancing too many vendors and being unable to keep track of everything. While Richandra and her team are able to do almost everything in-house, they still have a preferred list of vendors for more specific requirements. This works particularly well for clients who can enjoy the benefits of significant discounts and seamless integration, as these teams are all able to work well together. Richandra is committed to staying organized throughout the planning process. She and her team use professional planning software to keep track of everything all of their clients. Various checklists are cross-referenced with Richandra’s own calendar to make sure that absolutely everything gets done on time. This ensures a smooth process from the beginning right to the cutting of the cake. Fervent Designs relies heavily on seamless teamwork. In her own words, her team is her “everything”. Each member of the team is a specialist in their own area of expertise. The great thing about this is that clients are given all the information they need and are provided with specialist insight before they make any big decisions.
To contact Richandra and her team, email them at info@ferventdesigns.com or visit their website at www.ferventdesigns.com.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Vendor Talk” Podcast, we chat with Abigal from FHM Productions. More than just a DJ crew, Firehouse Music and Production is a fully fledged production crew that takes care of venues and lights up your whole event. The crew is made up of DJs, sound technicians, and lighting technicians whose sole purpose is to transform a simple event into something magical. Abigail refers to herself as the “timekeeper”; she’s the person who gives everyone their cues and makes sure that things run smoothly on the big day. Essentially, FHM Productions takes care of even the finest details that could make or break a big event. This vendor’s advice to brides is to find someone they can truly rely on to manage their event – preferably someone personal within the family. This person would liaise with the event manager to make sure that the whole package is more personalized, and perfectly tailored to your needs and tastes. You can find FHM Productions on Facebook by searching for “Firehouse Music”. Like their page and keep your eyes peeled for news and updates.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Vendor Talk” Podcast, we chat with The Villagio Ballroom. This is the perfect wedding venue for anyone wanting that extra bit of sparkle on their wedding day.
The best advice this vendor can give is to “plan ahead and enjoy the experience.” Make it a collaborative effort between you and your fiancé – after all, it’s all about the two of you. Put a bit of yourself in everything you do and have fun doing it. That’s the secret to having the wedding of your dreams.
The Villagio Ballroom is located in the northwest part of Houston off 290, right off the highway. Once they’ve completed their upcoming renovations, they’ll be offering a whole new exciting product to anyone planning their dream wedding.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Bride Talk” Podcast, we chat with Jenna, a bride who’s taking the easy going path towards the altar. Everything’s falling into place for this bride – and we couldn’t be happier for her! That’s the kind of news we like to hear. This particular couple has decided against having a bridal party and instead are having family members as the ring bearer and flower girl. Initially, Jenna and her husband wanted a destination wedding but decided that it was more important to be married at home in Texas with their nearest and dearest. Jenna has settled on the Heart of Texas Ranch in Marble Falls for the wedding. With 60 acres of gorgeous vineyards and accommodation on the ranch, it’s the ideal spot for a wedding of 100 guests.
This bride’s advice to anyone planning their wedding is to focus on the marriage and not the nuptial celebration. In her own words, “Make sure you find yourself a good man that’s going to treat you right.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Bride Talk” Podcast, we chat with Andrea, a Texas bride who met her groom on Tinder. The proposal took place in front of an enormous Christmas tree in the town square – adorable! So far, the couple has been looking at venues before they get too deep into the planning process. They have also chosen their wedding colors: black, white, and gold. After visiting our show, this bride has found tons of inspiration. Andrea’s advice to other brides is to “relax, breathe, and have a drink.” Too much stress can really ruin your big day.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Vendor Talk” Podcast, we chat with D’Ambria from Sophisticated Delights, a catering company that offers desserts and dessert displays. Sophisticated Delights specializes in weddings, bar mitzvahs, and quinceañeras, and has been operating for 4 years. D’Ambria tells us that this catering company focuses on what they call “Texas traditional” so it’s all about the finest local foods and fresh ingredients. While the company is Houston-based, they do travel nationwide and are equipped to cater weddings and create gorgeous cakes as well. What sets these caterers apart from the rest is the love that D’Ambria herself puts into every meal. Growing up in East Texas, food was a big part of her family and life, and it’s this spirit of generosity that she wants to pass on to every bride.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Grooms Talk” Podcast, we chat with Sandal, a Texas groom who talks to us about his spontaneous, out-of-the-blue proposal at dinner and the wedding planning process that is now in progress. Sandal’s advice to other grooms is to “be patient” and take the time needed to think things through. Wedding planning is challenging but it can be so much easier if you take a step back and breathe.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Bride Talk” Podcast, we chat with Brittney, a Texas bride who’s romantic beach proposal is definitely worth swooning over.
Brittney has decided to go with a coral and navy color scheme – one of the major trends this season. The most challenging aspect of planning the wedding, for this bride, has been sticking to the budget. It’s a regular conundrum; wanting to have it all but needing to be careful not to overspend.
This bride’s advice to anyone planning a wedding is to “to make a budget before you start buying stuff, because the little things add up.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Bride Talk” Podcast, we chat with Sarah, a local bride who tells us that she and her groom met when they were “really bad beer pong partners”. This bride’s proposal story is another really cute one involving an unexpected phone call at work. The Bridal Extravaganza Show has been a great source of inspiration for this bride. The happy couple have looked at several florists and photographers to be a part of their special day.
As is the case with many brides, the biggest challenge Sarah has faced is getting her mom to agree with her on the big details. It’s not an unexpected challenge, and we totally get it – moms aren’t really moms if they’re not involved.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Bride Talk” Podcast, we chat with Arika, a local bride whose groom popped the question during a romantic mannequin challenge – that’s one we’ve never heard before!
So far, Arika’s biggest challenge has been picking out her bridesmaids. With 9 ladies by her side on her big day, it’s clearly been an important aspect of the planning process. This bride has chosen Burgundy as her big feature color, and is going for a Gatsby theme.
This blushing bride’s advice to other brides is simple: “Even if your in-laws want you to wear their dress, just say no.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Bride Talk” Podcast, we chat with Tashay and Constance. These two brides have two completely different engagement stories. Tashay’s groom popped the question at his family’s Christmas Eve party, after a heartfelt speech. Constance, on the other hand, took matters into her own hands, and after 7 years with her boyfriend announced that it was time to get hitched. Constance and her groom haven’t done a lot of planning but they have nailed down their colours: Tiffany blue, white, and bling. Her tip to brides visiting the show would be to wear comfy shoes and to bring extra cash in case certain vendors are selling something you might like.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Bride Talk” Podcast, we chat with Felicia. This bride and her groom have been together since Prairie View homecoming in 2011.
Having gotten engaged this past Christmas, Felicia and her groom haven’t really climbed into the planning process just yet. They’re starting with their search for a venue and will go from there.
This bride’s advice to ladies on finding the right man is to know how to cook and keep an open mind – you never know what can happen if you just loosen the reins on your rules a little bit.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Bride Talk” Podcast, we chat with Michelle, a Houston bride who has known her groom since the 4th grade. They never dated all throughout their childhood and high school years but after reuniting on Facebook as adults, they took the plunge and have been inseparable ever since.
Michelle has her heart set on a summer wedding with a color scheme of red and champagne. So far, she hasn’t experienced any major challenges but as there’s still a long road ahead she expects to have one or two difficult decisions in the future. After attending our show, Michelle collected tons of information and inspiration from our amazing vendors – everything she could possibly need to plan her dream wedding.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Bride Talk” Podcast, we chat with Lesslie. This bride’s Christmas proposal story is one of the sweetest things we’ve heard, and it’s clear that she and her husband-to-be are very in love. At the time of our most recent show, Lesslie hadn’t started the wedding planning process yet but told us that the Bridal Extravaganza was the perfect springboard to get her inspired and excited. This bride wants to go for an elegant theme, so she’s already pinpointed her favorite vendors from the show.
Lesslie’s advice to other brides is to remember that it’s about the bridal couple and what makes them happy more than anything else.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Bride Talk” Podcast, we chat with Vantaysia. This beautiful Houston bride’s low key proposal is proof that romance can happen anytime, anywhere! Vantaysia was blown away by our food, flower, and cake vendors. We’re sure she’s found tons of inspiration for her own wedding. Her advice for future brides is to take a trip down to the Bridal Extravaganza Show where you’re bound to find everything that you need for your wedding.
In this episode of Bridal Extravaganza Show's Podcast we chat with Jade Lewis, an event planner who recently planned a 50th anniversary party for Editor-In-Chief at H Texas Magazine, Laurette Veres’ parents.
While the party was quite a casual affair, hosted during the day from 12 to 6, people could not stop gushing about the amazing time they had. Anniversary parties are rare these days, so it was a bit of a challenge to come up with unique elements that would keep people entertained. Jade enjoys thinking out of the box, and she certainly rose to the challenge.
One of the biggest challenges was finding useable photos of the couple. Having been married half a century ago, HD photos weren’t available. She opted for beautiful poster-size photo collages featuring some of their happiest moments. Instead of a generic photobooth, guests had fun with a little instamatic camera – a throwback to the Polaroid photos that were so popular back in the day.
As the celebration marked a 50th wedding anniversary, the main theme was gold. Gold everything – including the outfit and glass-bearing skirt of the woman handing out champagne!
Jade chats to us about what it’s like to own and operate an event-planning business these days, the challenges she faces, and how important it is to maintain an element of trust. She tells us how she keeps track of things at bigger events, and how list-making is an absolute necessity when planning a wedding or party.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Vendor Talk” Podcast, we chat with Michael Maddox from FHM Productions. Also known as Fire House Productions, this company specializes in productions specific to weddings (and bands). They provide everything from DJs to live sound, lighting equipment, and atmospheric effects. While some wedding DJs only do a few uplights, this company goes the whole hog. To kick it up a notch further, they also offer livestreaming of video and iMac video.
What sets FHM Productions apart from their competitors is their vast amount of experience in different set ups and settings. They are able to take care of anything from a wedding to a live touring band, as well as audio/video setups in churches and for music videos. This is an incomparable level of expertise that you may not be able to find elsewhere.
Mike’s advice to anyone planning an event: don’t let yourself get caught up in all the technical; let yourself enjoy your big day.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Vendor Talk” Podcast, we chat with Ann Stevens from The Grand Texana Weddings and Events. This wedding venue features a 100-year-old authentic vintage dairy barn – the ideal spot for that low-key intimate wedding. What makes this wedding venue stand out from the rest is the authenticity of the location. There’s a lot to be said for a real vintage venue – one that has been standing for years. It’s tough to replicate that real old-world charm without a solid foundation. This family business had its big debut with Ann’s daughter getting married in the barn in June; and you don’t host a family wedding somewhere unless you really believe in it.
Ann’s advice to brides is simple: have fun and don’t let it take over your whole life. Relax and realize it doesn’t have to be perfect – it’s going to be special because you’re marrying the perfect partner no matter what.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Bride Talk” Podcast, we chat with Esther. This cool-as-a-cucumber bride’s proposal took place in the comfort of her own home, on the couch, on a night where she just didn’t feel like going out. If that’s not #relationshipgoals we don’t know what is!
Esther’s first step in the planning process was to attend our show for a second time. She has opted for the event planner route and swears by it. In her own words, she just doesn’t have the time or hours in a day to do all the beautiful things the planner does.
With so many vendors at our show, Esther has found so much to look at and enjoy. There’s so much to be inspired by.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Bride Talk” Podcast, we chat with Christina. This real life Texas bride talks to us about her groom’s surprise proposal on her 36th birthday and the wedding planning process.
Christina is having a fairly stress-free time of it, where planning is concerned. As a low-key lady without extravagant tastes, it seems like everything is going according to plan. This bride is taking her time at the bridal show, exploring the various stands and enjoying the experience before making any hard-hitting decisions.
In this episode of Bridal Extravaganza Show's Vendor Talk we chat with Gloria from Life With Beauty, a handmade personalized favor and gift shop.
Brides tend to worry a bit about wedding favors – they generally want to gift their guests with something thoughtful and memorable, without being too kitsch about it. Balancing subtlety with beauty can be a real challenge, but Gloria and her team have it covered. Whether brides are looking for gifts for their bridal party or favors for all of their wedding guests, Gloria can help them decide on something absolutely perfect for the occasion.
Everything sold in the Life With Beauty Etsy store is handmade. No two items are alike. By her own admission, Gloria tells us that there must be thousands of inexpensive items in their online store. Each item is customizable too, so brides can really make a memorable choice. It’s very trendy to have wedding favors personalized – it makes everything feel more “in the moment”.
Gloria started her business after planning her own wedding in 2014. After slogging away in the corporate world for nearly a decade, Gloria decided to focus on her family. Transitioning from a 50-hour work week to being a stay-at-home mom turned out to be too much of a challenge, and Gloria hankered after something to do. She wanted something she could do at her own pace and at her own leisure that would keep her business mind stimulated.
We chat to Gloria about the challenges she’s faced as a new business owner, and the ups and downs of owning a start-up. She gives us the scoop on the software she uses, how she navigates the tricky world of eCommerce, how to convey quality online, and other interesting issues. We get the low down on the most popular items in Gloria’s store, and what’s trending in the bridal industry right now.
Brides can browse Gloria’s etsy store by visiting lifewithbeauty.etsy.com. Alternatively, she can be reached via email at hello@lwbevents.com.
In this episode of Bridal Extravaganza Show's Vendor Talk we chat with Corinne Smith from Hochzeit Hall.
Corinne has been in the bridal industry for quite some time. Corinne’s family owned a bridal business in New Orleans called “Fleur de Lys”. The family business was centered around creating bridal gowns, and Corinne did a fair bit of modelling and odd jobs for her parents.
Now, Corinne is the proud owner of a wedding venue where she focusses on providing brides and grooms with the personal touch that’s so often lacking in modern wedding venues. She does everything old school – nothing is automated on a computer. From that first big hug at their very first appointment, brides know that Corinne is a lot like their fairy godmother.
Corinne’s services as wedding coordinator are included when clients rent the hall. As coordinator, Corinne helps brides to make sure that their vendors are organized, and that everything runs smoothly on the day.
The venue keeps in line with the aesthetic of Old Town Spring. The vintage-looking building is filled with chandeliers and antique décor, and seats 300 guests comfortably. Outside is an open air chapel, with dropdown sides during the colder months. While the building is a new construction, the “old-world” feel is unmistakeable.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Bride Talk” Podcast, we chat with Shanelle. This real life Houston bride talks to us about her proposal and wedding planning process. Although she’s in the beginning stages, she feels as though she’s making good progress.
This bride really enjoyed the Bridal Extravaganza Show. Trying out photo booths and cakes is a definite highlight! Shanelle and her groom are doing a destination wedding, so the show is a great source of inspiration for all the events leading up to the celebration itself.
Shanelle’s advice to other brides is to “get a good man”. Fairly solid advice that is too!
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Vendor Talk” Podcast, we chat with Tamika from Exclusive Wellness & Aesthetics. This house call service provides medical services, sick visits, and aesthetics services in the comfort of the clients home, office, or hotel. For brides, in particular, the Botox, Juviderm, IV vitamins, and after-party rehydration services are quite useful.
What makes this company different from so many others is that they come to you. When you’re too busy for a trip to the doctor’s office, you give Exclusive Wellness a call, and they pop by. Tamika’s background as a family nurse practitioner gives her the edge over other aestheticians – she makes sure that her clients feel safe in her hands.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Bride Talk” Podcast, we chat with real life Texas bride, Allyson. She talks to us about her wedding planning experience with her hands-on husband-to-be and all the ups and downs they’ve faced during the process. They’ve nailed down all the basics: venue, tuxedos, and caterer. Next on the to-do list is the dress.
This bride’s advice to other couples is simple: don’t procrastinate. The longer you wait to get things done, the more stressed out you’ll be.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Groom Talk” Podcast, we chat with Joss. This real groom chats to us about how he met his husband-to-be and fills us in on their gorgeous Christmas Eve proposal.
As far as challenges go, they had to rush to book their venue to beat three other couples out of booking it on the same day! Joss’ advice to other grooms and brides is to have fun. It’s so easy to forget that planning a wedding should be a fun experience, especially when the stress sets in.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Bride Talk” Podcast, we chat with Mariel. This real life bride chats to us about her high school sweetheart and her romantic (and unexpected) proposal during her fiance’s graduation speech.
So far, this bride has started looking for local venues and has locked down her color scheme. Mariel has decided not to hire a wedding planner – she wants to enjoy the experience herself. With a whole 2 years to plan the wedding, it seems like more than enough time to get everything done. Her advice to other brides is not to rush into anything and to give themselves the time to plan everything properly.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Bride Talk” Podcast, we chat with Croix. This real life bride chats to us about how she and her husband met and how he proposed to her at the African-American Museum in Washington.
This couple attended the Bridal Extravaganza Show to get some inspiration. They’re in the beginning stages of the planning process, so all they’ve done so far is find themselves a wedding planner. One thing this bride does know, is that she wants a spring wedding with floral, earthy, vintage vibes. Croix’s advice to other brides is to not “freak out” and go with the flow.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Bride Talk” Podcast, we chat with Kashara. She fills us in on how she met her groom at Prospect Park Willowbrook, and how he popped the question on her birthday. This couple has a year to plan their wedding, so while there may be challenges, they have enough time to overcome each new hurdle.
This couple’s biggest challenge so far has been nailing down the perfect venue. They have, however, decided to take a romantic leap and have the ceremony at the church where the proposal took place. Kashara’s advice to other bride is straightforward: it’s your wedding, so do what you want to do!
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Bride Talk” Podcast, we chat with Danielle. This real-life Houston bride met her future husband at church. The first step in this happy couple’s wedding planning process was to start making a list of guests and who they wanted in their bridal party. The next step was to find a venue.
Danielle tells us that there have been quite a few challenges in the planning process – which is to be expected, really. Finding sequined bridesmaids dresses, finding the perfect wedding dress, and searching for the perfect cake have all been a bit of a challenge, according to Danielle.
This bride’s advice is to make use of all your resources and to make sure that your family is by your side, because being along is just too stressful. Without her matron of honor and maid of honor, Danielle feels like she would have been completely lost.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Vendor Talk” Podcast, we chat with Jan Jordan from Jordan Limousines. Jan’s husband started the company in the early 1980s with his own personal little fleet of vintage Rolls Royces. When his previous work faced major problems due to a bust in the oil industry, he started a special occasion limousine company which has grown from strength to strength.
According to Jan, the biggest challenge the Jordans face is that there really isn’t anything to fall back on when rare vintage cars are your bread and butter. As a result, the cars need to be kept in prime condition no matter what. The rarity of these vehicles makes them more expensive and challenging to maintain than regular limos but it is absolutely worth it in the end.
With their specialty cars and added extras, Jordan Limousines boasts the most unique fleet in the state of Texas. Operating everywhere around Houston, Sugar Land, Beaumont, Galveston, this company offers services for weddings, anniversaries, vow renewals, and proms.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show's “Bride Talk” Podcast, we chat with real-life bride, Rachel, who talks to us about her romantic proposal and wedding planning process. Rachel’s fiancé proposed to her on Thanksgiving Day, where he had made sure that they would have the whole Galleria to themselves (and their loved ones) so that he could plan his amazing ice-rink proposal which featured custom music, a heart of rose petals, and two pairs of ice skates.
One of the first steps in the wedding planning process was for Rachel to find a venue. She chose Ashelynn Manor as the spot for her big day. The hunt is now on for a dress, and there are several contenders in the runnings for this one: Parvani, Weddings by Debbie, and Alfred Angelo.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show “Bride Talk” Podcast, we chat with real-life bride, Taylor who tells us all about her wedding planning process right from the moment she got engaged to her high school sweetheart. Taylor’s first step was to find and book a venue. After taking a tour of Madera Estates, she knew she’d found the perfect place for her fall wedding.
Taylor’s advice to brides is to choose venues that offer all-inclusive packages. In her opinion, it can sometimes be a bit of a challenge to find all the right vendors to suit your needs and budget. At this point, Taylor really only needs a florist and professional invites, which we’re sure she managed to find at this season’s Bridal Extravaganza Show.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show Podcast we’re chatting with Connie from Connie Events and Travel. This interview is all about Connie’s entrepreneurial journey, and how her dream to work for herself turned into the successful travel business it is today.
Connie always dreamed of helping people with their travel plans – she wanted to be the one resource they could always rely on. She wanted to bridge the gap between dreaming of the perfect vacation and struggling to navigate the nebulous information found on the Internet.
Connie spends time talking to her clients about what they really need, helping them sift through all the “noise” they find online. It’s all about helping people plan the perfect destination wedding or honeymoon without all of the hassle. With all the stress of planning the non-travel-related details, couples really appreciate the extra effort and support.
In the next few years, Connie hopes that her company will grow even further, enabling her to hire a few more people with the same amount of passion she has. It’s all about providing the kind of service that the bride and groom can truly rely on.
In this episode of The Bridal Extravaganza Show Podcast we’re chatting with Beverley Jones from Crystal Showcase. We discuss her entrepreneurial journey, the challenges she’s faced along the way, and her upcoming book.
Beverly Jones has applied the knowledge she acquired in her ladies boutique and jewelry design business to running an event planning and wedding décor rental company with the main aim of giving brides that high-end feel without the high-end budget. She prides herself on the relationships she has built with her customers, many of whom become repeat clients after their weddings - the holidays roll around every year, after all.
Crystal Showcase took around 8 years of constant hard work and growth to get to where it is today. Whenever Beverly saw things on sale, she would purchase them. She has also begun manufacturing her own items. Whenever inspiration strikes, in any shape or form, she grabs hold of it and rides with it. That’s the way to make your dreams come true.
Beverly is currently writing her book, Ten Steps after the Yes, which is intended to be a guide for brides who need some direction between getting engaged and saying “I do”.
In this episode of The Bridal Extravaganza Show Podcast we’re chatting with July Vowell from Dream Vacations.
Dream Vacations is a full service travel agency where clients can book anything from a three-day trip to a National Park to their ultimate dream vacation. It’s a popular stop for newlyweds looking for a honeymoon they’ll truly remember.
Right now, July is working on growing her business from strength to strength, with the ultimate goal of bringing her husband into the fold and transforming her thriving home business into a full retail operation.
One of the main things July has learnt on her entrepreneurial journey is that there is so much more information available than people know about. There is the general misconception that planning a vacation or honeymoon is easy but the fact is that too many DIY couples have ended up wishing they had someone to plan their trip for them.
As a member of the Dream Vacations franchise, July has access to all the buying power of World Travel Holdings. Having this access to one of the largest travel suppliers in the world enables July to pass on amazing package deals to her clients, taking all of the stress and frustration out of the planning process.
In this episode of The Bridal Extravaganza Show Podcast we’re chatting with Shayla Northcutt from Northcutt Travel. This interview is all about Shayla’s fabulous success story and, of course, promoting her unique service to the new brides and grooms out there.
Shayla first discovered her love for travel on her honeymoon. During her two-week romantic break with her new husband, Shayla was able to visit several beautiful locations and enjoy them from a completely new perspective. It’s this “insider view” that she passes on to her clients. All of Northcutt Travel’s agents are frequent travellers. If they haven’t experienced it themselves, they won’t sell it to their clients. This unique approach to travel establishes a certain level of trust and gives the agency an edge over other companies.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show Podcast we’re chatting with Chris Wineinger of Chris W Photo and what it was like to be a small business owner before his venture became such a success.
Before Chris broke into the photography industry, he worked as a city planner for the city of Sugar Land. During this time he indulged in his passion for photography as a hobby. With a background in film and photography it was only a matter of time before this would become a professional pursuit. Chris started out doing headshots and models but this quickly developed into the occasional wedding session when people at the city discovered his talent. His enjoyment of the wedding photography scene began to grow steadily until he realized this would be an ideal job. Chris manned his first booth at the Bridal Extravaganza Show while holding down his full-time city planning job. Only once he had enough bookings to equal his salary did he hand in his official resignation. Now, Chris does about 50 weddings in a year – which means that his weekends are almost always fully booked. He has now been in the business for around 10 years, witnessing quite a few technological changes over time. It’s been quite a journey; from a single leap of faith to running a successful photography business.
The best advice Chris has for brides who are looking for photographers is to check their websites to get a feel for their style – you need to make sure that everything fits in perfectly with your vision on your special day.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Show Podcast we’re chatting with Ashley, Stephanie, Kylie, and Bianca who have just finished planning a baby shower for ABC-13’s news reporter, Miya Shay.
Our team came up with the hashtag “#BabyWu2” for Miya’s second baby, a trendy touch for this intimate event of 54 people. We aimed for something a little more elegant than usual. The cake was completely white with dainty chocolate baby shoes while almost everything else was silver, from the cake pops to the balloons and a few items in between. We didn’t want anything to be too blue or too ordinary.
Having the event hosted in a private home made it somehow easier and more challenging at the same time. It’s great to have a personal space with a cozy vibe but being in someone else’s space does have the occasional drawback.
Hiring a professional photographer was a great move. We got some fantastic shots of all the guests enjoying themselves in this gorgeous space. The layout of the home really helped things to flow a bit better. We had a few glitches throughout the day, including an unexpected heavy downpour, but everything was completely manageable. You can’t predict everything after all. We would definitely advise that people plan well ahead for any of these types of events. Having a proper checklist really helps to keep stress levels low.
"LAURETTE: Hello, welcome to the Bridal Extravaganza podcast. I’m Laurette Veres, Editor-in-Chief of Texas Weddings Magazine, and with me today I’ve got Ashley, Stephanie, Kylie, and Bianca, and we just finished planning a baby shower, so we thought we’d come to you today, we’d let you know how the experience was and what we learned and some tips we would have for event planners out there. Whether it’s a bridal shower, a baby shower, or a wedding, so many of the things that you do, the steps that you take, are the same.
In this episode of the Bridal Extravaganza Podcast we’re chatting with Sheronda Carl from Bling Your Own Bouquet. Having recently gone through the wedding planning process herself, Sheronda found herself wondering why most bridal bouquets are so plain. This budding entrepreneur wanted to find a way to take the plain old satin ribbon and kick it up a notch – offering a unique new way for Houston brides to personalize their bouquets.
Inspiration struck after Sheronda’s wedding. Once the dust settled, she knew that she had found the path she wanted to pursue. After making a few samples, and bouncing her ideas off of friends and family, this creative lady had firmly cemented her designs. Bling Your Own Bouquet was born, providing brides with their own designer bouquet wraps for that extra special touch.
Sheronda’s dream is to become an online retailer, and to do completely custom wrap designs as well. Creating bridal bouquet wraps to match the brides’ dresses is a major hook for BYOB right now – Houston brides are absolutely loving the wedding trend that adds that “extra something” to their overall look.
In this episode of Bridal Extravaganza’s podcast, we chat with Liz and Amy, the dynamic mother and daughter team who run A&E Weddings and Events. This boutique wedding planning firm is located in Montgomery and services the entire Houston area.
Whether they take on an event planning project right from its very conception, or whether they join the wedding planning process halfway through, this team’s entrepreneurial journey in the Houston wedding industry began many years ago.
While the company may have been registered I 2013, Liz has been a wedding planner for over 30 years. Her daughter, Amy, began her journey into the industry while she was still quite young, helping her mother on weekends.
Their official partnership seemed to be the inevitable way forward, as both women are passionate about helping Houston brides to coordinate the most magical day of their lives.
The A&E Weddings and Events ladies stay ahead of bridal trends, offering up-to-date, expert wedding advice on all matters. They encourage brides to step outside of the ever-present comfort zone of tradition and express themselves a little more. Liz and Amy are the queens of organization, keeping an in-depth checklist of the finest details.