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Weddings For Real is a top-rated wedding industry podcast packed with expert tips, actionable strategies, and relatable stories. For over 6 years, we've interviewed the leading voices in the wedding industry, covering everything from client experience and team building to social media, SEO, branding, and the real-life lessons learned as an entrepreneur. With over 280 episodes and 250+ 5-star reviews, we guarantee you’ll find the insights you need to grow your wedding business and thrive.

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280+ Episodes

5 star reviews

Over 250+ five star reviews

Podcast downloads

350,000 Downloads

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290

10 Life Hacks for Squirrel Brain Entrepreneurs


239

219

279

What You Need To Know About Growth + Burnout (Part 1)


Use This Strategy For Standing Out In A Crowded Market


5 Truths Every Business Owner Needs To Hear

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Megan Gillikin Megan Gillikin

WWD 7: Rocky Horror at Booth Theatre in Cary Review & Yes, the Cat Story

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 Happy Hippo Digital.

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Megan Gillikin Megan Gillikin

34: On Top of Beech Mountain: Overlook Barn Owners Katie Elder and David Schumann

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!

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Megan Gillikin Megan Gillikin

33: Kim and Penn Holderness on Tips for a Healthy Marriage and How to be a Great Guest at a Wedding

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?

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Megan Gillikin Megan Gillikin

WWD 6: Advice to our 20-year-old selves, plus a preview of the Holderness episode

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.  

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Megan Gillikin Megan Gillikin

32: Day-Of Wedding Coordination with Erin McCauley with Chestnut and Vine

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!

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Megan Gillikin Megan Gillikin

WWD 5: Purple Feet, Throwing Lettuce, and It’s Epsom with an M

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 Joslinfrom the Angus Barn.

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Megan Gillikin Megan Gillikin

31B: Angus Barn Events Coordinator Kelly Joslin on Weddings at Both Bay 7 and the Pavilion

Angus Barn events coordinator Kelly Joslin came on the show to talk about what happened when the Angus Barn took over ownership of Bay 7 in Durham in 2013, some fun hilarious stories of both tours and weddings, and what makes the Angus Barn so special.  Kelly started at the Barn 18 years ago as a waitress and has grown into an amazing lead wedding coordinator at the Pavilion, which the Angus Barn built in 2008.    If you haven’t already, be sure to check out part 1 of the Angus Barn podcast this week where owner Van Eure came on to tell the history of the restaurant and their commitment to servicing the customer.   It’s been an amazing week here!         Events Coordinator at the Angus Barn, Kelly Joslin   Angus Barn on Social Media: Instagram: @angusbarn Facebook: @angusbarn twitter: @angusbarn   Weddings for Real on Social Media: Instagram: @weddingsforreal Facebook: @weddingsforreal twitter: @weddingsforreal

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Megan Gillikin Megan Gillikin

31A: Van Eure on the Angus Barn History, Commitment to Service, and Opening the Wedding Pavilion

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!

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