Wedding photographer Rachel May talks to Megan about motherhood, and they come up with the definitive guide to how to be an amazing mother, be ever-present with your kids, run your business well, be always put-together, give your kids the right amount of screen time and social media, and never feel guilt about anything. With a combined six kids, Megan and Rachel know exactly what needs to be done! (Hopefully you read this in extreme sarcasm mode.)

About Rachel May:

Rachel fell in love with photography after her first daughter, Kylie, was born. Her husband Justin was deployed overseas, so she wanted to document every little thing. She chased after those once-in-a-lifetime moments knowing how much they would mean. Today, she carries that same passion with her, chasing after the once-in-a-lifetime moments her clients will treasure.

Rachel May on Social Media:

Facebook: @raymayphoto

Instagram: @rachelmayphoto

Kevin Dennis has been in the wedding industry for 30 years (!!) as the owner of Fantasy Sound Event Services near San Francisco and the Napa Valley. He's also the international president of WIPA, the Wedding International Professionals Association. He's also involved in NACE and many other network associations. So needless to say, he knows his networking. Today, he shares how to use that networking (and other strategies) to get on preferred vendor lists!

Support this show by supporting our sponsor, HelloFresh! Get $80 off your first month of HelloFresh (!) by going to HelloFresh.com/WeddingsForReal80 - with code "WeddingsForReal80" - and start enjoying some of their 5-star recipes!

About Kevin Dennis:

As an event industry veteran and owner of Fantasy Sound Event Services, Kevin takes pride in his leadership of and involvement in industry associations. He is a past chapter president of the Silicon Valley NACE as well as the national president for WIPA. Recognizing a need for networking in his own region, Kevin founded the Tri Valley Wedding Professionals in 2010 and the association has now grown to a membership of nearly 700 pros.

A respected thought leader and national speaker, Kevin was recently ranked as one of the top 3 speakers at NACE Experience. He is an ongoing contributor to Catersource and SpecialEvents.com and has been featured in BRIDES, Martha Stewart Weddings and the Travel Channel, among others. He recently received the Certified Professional in Catering and Events (CPCE) designation from NACE.

Kevin Dennis on Social Media:

Facebook: @fantasysound

twitter: @fantasysound

Instagram: @FSEevents

Imposter Syndrome: a psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a "fraud". Sometimes as creatives, we experience this, and it can be crippling to our success and our mental state. So what do we do? Megan talked to Nikki Whitt Belch from Fancy This Photography, and they share their struggles as well as some strategies for coping with it.

We'd love your feedback on our social media platforms. Let us know if YOU'VE ever dealt with imposter syndrome - and what have you done about it?

Support our Sponsors!

1) Visit MyPinkPartyBox.com for Vendor Gifts and Hotel Welcome Boxes!

2) The Carolina Wedding Market is an new outdoor wedding-planning show that you’ll love attending. With local beer, artisans, food trucks, and a beautiful outdoor-industrial setting this show is not your usual wedding show. Think art market meets dance party meets pig-picking! The Carolina Wedding Market will take place on September 8th, 2019 just south of Raleigh. Visit their website for details, TheCarolinaWeddingMarket.com.

Fancy This Photography on Social Media:

Instagram: @nikki_fancythis

Sam Jacobson, founder of Ideaction Consulting, has found that there are 4 types of buyers in the wedding market - The Relator, the Analyzer, the Boss, and the Dreamer. And today, Sam gives some ways to identify what each of your clients are, how to sell them, how to work best with them, and how you need to change your sales strategy if you want to maximize the opportunities for clients to work with.

About Sam Jacobson:

Sam is a business consultant, coach, and mentor for wedding pros across the country, whether they’re solopreneurs who are trying to level up, or established veterans who are trying to figure out how to not work quite so much.

Prior to starting Ideaction in 2016, Sam was the director of operations for Todd Events out of Texas, and before that the lodging director and sales manager at a resort venue in Washington State, where he discovered the concept of the 4 Buying Types.

Ideaction on Social Media:

Instagram: @IdeactionConsulting

Facebook: @SellWeddingsLikeAPro

When Cavin Elizabeth moved to the San Diego market, she was wondering if making educational videos and sharing them on YouTube would be a way to attract clients and grow her business. After 140 videos and over 1,700 subscribers, YouTube has been a resounding success. But why aren't most of us taking advantage of video marketing? We talk all about it in this week's episode!

Support this show by supporting our sponsor, HelloFresh! Get $80 off your first month of HelloFresh (!) by going to HelloFresh.com/WeddingsForReal80 and start enjoying some of their 5-star recipes!

Announcement as heard on the show:

We are beyond excited for our first LIVE recording on August 21st in Raleigh at The Laurelbrook from 10am-12pm! Our topic will be “How to Stay Committed to Boundaries”, and we invite you to submit a story about when a client might have gone a liiiiitttttle bit past the boundaries on respect, budget, contract, comfort zone, or anything else really. Feel free to email your story to podcast@weddingsforreal.com, and if we use it in the live show (anonymously, no names!) we’ll send you a little thank you gift!

Tickets are available here and include fresh coffee, delicious donuts, some guaranteed laughter and camaraderie. Hope to see you there!

About Cavin Elizabeth:

As a photographer who fully believes in the value of client education, Cavin published a book that teaches brides how to make the most out of their wedding photography and have magazine worthy images entitled A Bride’s Guide to a Picture Perfect Wedding. Her passion for helping clients make the most out of their photos has often been described as one of their favorite things about working with her. Cavin lives in San Diego with her husband David, founder of Aventrix, and their two cats, Boots and Kudzu.

Cavin Elizabeth on Social Media:

Instagram: @cavinelizabeth

YouTube: @cavinelizabeth

At the Engage Luxury Wedding Summit in June, therapist and entrepreneurial coach Andy Maurer gave the most impactful and self-reflective speech at a breakout session - "Toxic Stress and How It's Killing Your Business". Many people left that session crying. I told as many people I could about it but could never do the speech justice. So I had to have Andy back on the show today to share his breakout session, what toxic stress is and where it comes from, and some tips on how to alleviate it. If you have stress in your life - hello wedding industry! - you won't want to miss this one!

Announcements as heard on the show:

1) Come join me and some of the top wedding vendors in the Triangle THIS SUNDAY, Aug 4th from 4-6pm at the Barn of Chapel Hill Open House! It is planned by our good friends and podcast supporters over at Harmony Weddings and Events. Tour one of our very favorite venues, sample food, drinks and cake and meet wedding vendors of all kinds. Tickets are FREE. See you there!

2) We are beyond excited for our first LIVE recording on August 21st in Raleigh at The Laurelbrook from 10am-12pm! Our topic will be “How to Stay Committed to Boundaries”, and we invite you to submit a story about when a client might have gone a liiiiitttttle bit past the boundaries on respect, budget, contract, comfort zone, or anything else really. Feel free to email your story to podcast@weddingsforreal.com, and if we use it in the live show (anonymously, no names!) we’ll send you a little thank you gift!

Tickets are available here and include fresh coffee, delicious donuts, some guaranteed laughter and camaraderie. Hope to see you there!

About Andy Maurer:

As a speaker and licensed therapist, Andy works with high performance leaders, including CEO’s, founders, entrepreneurs, professional athletes, and TV personalities, educating and equipping them on the issue of toxic stress and trauma and its impact on their work and relationships. He uses mindfulness and experiential based exercises to help leaders build awareness, develop meaningful relationships, and create a purposeful and successful life.

Andy Maurer on Social Media:

Instagram: @andymaurer_

LinkedIn: @andymaurer

Styled Shoots. You get your friendors together and create a completely unique pretend wedding that you don't have to plan out for months. They seem easy right? Well, not exactly. Styled shoots can cost money, time, and sanity, so today, Leah Weinberg from Color Pop Events in New York City comes on to share her 3 Do's and 3 Don't's for Styled Shoots!

Support this show by supporting our sponsor:

BetterHelp.com is affordable, private, online counseling. Anytime, Anywhere! By going to BetterHelp.com/WeddingsForReal, you get 10% off your first month.

Weekend Wine Down Time! Megan and Jason talk about the live show coming up in August, where to spend a long weekend, and 9 years of A Southern Soiree!

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 megan@weddingsforreal.com.

Weddings for Real is edited and produced by Jason Gillikin for Earfluence.