Weddings Unfiltered

Not every wedding vendor is going to get along, and that's okay. The real challenge is ensuring personal differences never impact the couple's experience. In this episode of Weddings Unfiltered, the team shares stories of difficult vendor interactions, navigating wedding day tensions, and handling conflict with professionalism. From communication breakdowns to situations where personal opinions crossed professional boundaries, they discuss how these moments can affect both vendors and couples. Tune in for an honest conversation about teamwork, integrity, and why keeping the focus on the couple should always come first. Visit Weddings Unfiltered: https://weddingsunfiltered.com.au/ Join The Wedding Vendor Academy: https://weddingswithshelby.com.au/wva-enroll Book Jem Weddings Deluxe Coordination: https://www.jemweddings.com.au/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weddingsunfiltered_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Be our next guest: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/p2yfwj1RC7MdEraxuiTR Share your story: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/Qu8nKxCGuFNOP2EOTBZj

In this episode of Weddings Unfiltered, we sit down with Perth wedding photographer Gonzalo Novoa for a brutally honest conversation about the growing issues happening in the wedding photography industry. From delayed galleries and poor communication to surprise replacement photographers showing up on wedding days, we dive into the reality behind the wedding vendor horror stories couples are increasingly sharing online. Gonzalo shares his perspective as a photographer with over a decade of corporate experience, explaining why communication, trust, client connection, and realistic workloads matter more than ever in the wedding industry. We also unpack the pressure social media has created for vendors, the dangers of competing purely on price, why couples need to properly vet their photographers before booking, and how photographers can avoid burnout while still delivering an incredible client experience. Plus, we chat about contracts, agency style photography businesses, second shooters, wedding day expectations, and the red flags couples should never ignore. Expect candid conversations, industry insights, plenty of laughs, and some very strong opinions along the way. Visit Weddings Unfiltered: https://weddingsunfiltered.com.au/ Join The Wedding Vendor Academy: https://weddingswithshelby.com.au/wva-enroll Book Jem Weddings Deluxe Coordination: https://www.jemweddings.com.au/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weddingsunfiltered_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Be our next guest: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/p2yfwj1RC7MdEraxuiTR Share your story: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/Qu8nKxCGuFNOP2EOTBZj

In this episode of Weddings Unfiltered, we dive into the real behind-the-scenes chaos of wedding mornings—where timelines can make or break the day. Joined by Rose, a seasoned bridal beauty expert with over two decades in the industry, the conversation unpacks how miscommunication, tight schedules, and unrealistic expectations create unnecessary stress for everyone involved. From hair and makeup delays to media team pressure and last-minute surprises, it’s clear that strong teamwork and clear communication are everything. The episode also highlights why building buffer time into your schedule isn’t optional—it’s essential if you want a smooth, stress-free start to your wedding day. Join The Wedding Vendor Academy: https://weddingswithshelby.com.au/wva-enroll Book Jem Weddings Deluxe Coordination: https://www.jemweddings.com.au/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weddingsunfiltered_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Be our next guest: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/p2yfwj1RC7MdEraxuiTR Share your story: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/Qu8nKxCGuFNOP2EOTBZj

This week's episode of Weddings Unfiltered drops you straight into the chaos of a real bridal dress fitting and it’s everything you’d expect and more. We’re inside Zolotas as Jess finally tries on gowns she’s been dreaming about for over a decade, and let’s just say… picking “the one” is not as simple as it sounds. From instant yes moments to second-guessing every detail, you’ll hear the unfiltered reactions, opinions flying from every direction, and the emotional rollercoaster that comes with finding the perfect dress. One minute it’s “this is it,” the next it’s “wait, try the other one again.” Beyond the dresses, the conversation dives into the reality of wedding planning. From navigating budgets and DIY decisions to the behind-the-scenes stress vendors deal with, it’s a raw and honest look at what actually goes on. We also get into maid of honor duties, hen party planning, and the pressure of making everything come together. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by choices, questioned your decisions, or just wanted to be a fly on the wall during a bridal fitting, this episode brings you right into the moment. Grab a drink and come along for the ride! Join The Wedding Vendor Academy: https://weddingswithshelby.com.au/wva-enroll Book Jem Weddings Deluxe Coordination: https://www.jemweddings.com.au/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weddingsunfiltered_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Be our next guest: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/p2yfwj1RC7MdEraxuiTR Share your story: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/Qu8nKxCGuFNOP2EOTBZj

AI is everywhere right now and yeah… we’ve got thoughts. What starts as wine, chaos, and a very questionable bottle quickly turns into a real, unfiltered chat about how AI is actually being used in the wedding industry (and whether we’re all doing it wrong). We get into how vendors are building custom bots, using AI as a sounding board instead of a crutch, and why so much AI content still feels painfully obvious. There’s a big difference between working smarter and losing your voice and we’re calling it out. We also dive into the stuff people don’t talk about enough: digital overload, the need to switch off, and the slightly terrifying reality of where AI could be heading if we’re not careful. It’s part strategy, part chaos, part “what the hell is going on?”—exactly how we like it. Join The Wedding Vendor Academy: https://weddingswithshelby.com.au/wva-enroll Book Jem Weddings Deluxe Coordination: https://www.jemweddings.com.au/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weddingsunfiltered_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Be our next guest: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/p2yfwj1RC7MdEraxuiTR Share your story: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/Qu8nKxCGuFNOP2EOTBZj

In this episode, we sit down with Karli Louise — also known as the Converse Celebrant — who quite literally works at both ends of life’s biggest moments. As a marriage celebrant, funeral celebrant, and now a funeral director, Karli shares what it’s like holding space for both the highest highs and the hardest goodbyes. We talk about how she originally set out to work in the funeral industry, the unexpected path that led her into weddings, and how she now balances celebrating love stories on weekends while supporting grieving families during the week. The conversation dives into the surprising similarities between weddings and funerals, why both are ultimately celebrations of life, and how traditions in the funeral industry are slowly evolving. Along the way we get into the real stuff — why people should talk more openly about death, planning your own farewell, the songs people choose for their funerals, and some of the surprisingly funny conversations that happen when you mix wedding vendors with funeral directors. It’s a raw, honest, and sometimes hilariously unexpected conversation about love, loss, and why the moments in between matter the most. Join The Wedding Vendor Academy: https://weddingswithshelby.com.au/wva-enroll Book Jem Weddings Deluxe Coordination: https://www.jemweddings.com.au/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weddingsunfiltered_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Be our next guest: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/p2yfwj1RC7MdEraxuiTR Share your story: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/Qu8nKxCGuFNOP2EOTBZj

Booking your hair and makeup last minute? Big mistake. We’re joined by Director/Principal Artist of Makeup Art & Direction, Siobhan Gillam, whose 30+ year career spans theatre, film, TV, fashion, and weddings. She shares how that experience shapes the way she approaches bridal beauty and why it’s about so much more than just makeup. We cover building trust with your artist, when to actually book your trial (and why leaving it too late is a mistake), and how to balance trends with timeless, photo-ready results. Because on your wedding day, the goal isn’t to look like someone else, it’s to look like you, just elevated. Join The Wedding Vendor Academy: https://weddingswithshelby.com.au/wva-enroll Book Jem Weddings Deluxe Coordination: https://www.jemweddings.com.au/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weddingsunfiltered_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Be our next guest: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/p2yfwj1RC7MdEraxuiTR Share your story: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/Qu8nKxCGuFNOP2EOTBZj

In this episode, we chat with luxury floral designer Elysia Tsangarides from Maple & Wren Floral Design about how she built her wedding business from experimenting with flower crowns to running one of Perth’s most sought-after floral studios. We talk about finding your craft without formal training, practicing your art until it becomes second nature, and how small opportunities can turn into real business growth. We also dive into the reality of building a team in the wedding industry, the myth of doing everything on your own, and the moment you realize you can’t be on every job forever. From hiring your first assistant to learning how to let go of control, this conversation explores what it really takes to grow a creative business and what it looks like to aim for big goals, including a $1M revenue target. Join The Wedding Vendor Academy: https://weddingswithshelby.com.au/wva-enroll Book Jem Weddings Deluxe Coordination: https://www.jemweddings.com.au/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weddingsunfiltered_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Be our next guest: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/p2yfwj1RC7MdEraxuiTR Share your story: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/Qu8nKxCGuFNOP2EOTBZj

In this chaotic catch-up episode of Weddings Unfiltered, we cover everything from destination wedding food poisoning anniversaries to sleeping in separate beds for survival and yes, it only gets more unhinged from there. We dive into “this is not in my job description” wedding moments (hello, shoemaking and last-minute timeline rewrites), early red flags that signal a spicy wedding day, and the times we had to keep a straight face while internally spiralling. We also talk about boundaries, the ones we learned the hard way from overextending for needy clients to booking too many weddings in one week. Plus, we unpack wedding planner myths, viral coordinator drama, guest entitlement, and what vendors really wish couples understood about the behind-the-scenes work that makes a wedding day run smoothly. Join The Wedding Vendor Academy: https://weddingswithshelby.com.au/wva-enroll Book Jem Weddings Deluxe Coordination: https://www.jemweddings.com.au/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weddingsunfiltered_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Be our next guest: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/p2yfwj1RC7MdEraxuiTR Share your story: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/Qu8nKxCGuFNOP2EOTBZj

In this episode, we rip into some of the biggest wedding myths that just won’t die and explain why they cause way more stress (and cost) than couples expect. From the belief that DIY weddings save money, to relying on friends instead of coordinators, skipping seating plans, thinking “we’ll just be chill,” and assuming more expensive automatically means better, we break down what actually happens behind the scenes. Drawing from real weddings, real mistakes, and years in the industry, we talk hidden costs, timelines, vendor responsibility, organisation vs chaos, and why a good team is what really makes a wedding feel effortless. Consider this your no-BS reality check before you plan (or panic). Join The Wedding Vendor Academy: https://weddingswithshelby.com.au/wva-enrollBook Jem Weddings Deluxe Coordination: https://www.jemweddings.com.au/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weddingsunfiltered_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Be our next guest: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/p2yfwj1RC7MdEraxuiTRShare your story: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/Qu8nKxCGuFNOP2EOTBZj

In this episode, we sit down with two floral powerhouses Bec from Belle A Fleur and Deb from Ruby & Dulcie to break down the real differences between fresh and faux flowers. We dive into how each option works behind the scenes, the true costs involved, seasonal limitations, ordering timelines, and why fake flowers aren’t automatically the cheaper choice couples assume they are. From stem pricing and supply chains to weather stress, Valentine’s Day chaos, hiring vs buying, and what actually goes into creating wedding florals, this conversation pulls back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood parts of wedding planning. Whether you’re deciding between fresh or fake flowers this episode lays it all out. Join The Wedding Vendor Academy: https://weddingswithshelby.com.au/wva-enrollBook Jem Weddings Deluxe Coordination: https://www.jemweddings.com.au/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weddingsunfiltered_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Be our next guest: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/p2yfwj1RC7MdEraxuiTRShare your story: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/Qu8nKxCGuFNOP2EOTBZj

If you’re planning a wedding and already feel overwhelmed by venues, vendors and timelines this episode might change how you think about the entire experience.We’re joined by John, owner of The Decoy, a restored heritage paddle steamer turned all-inclusive wedding venue cruising the Swan River. In this conversation, John shares the story behind The Decoy and why it was created for couples who want a wedding that feels calm, intentional and genuinely enjoyable without spending the day managing people, decisions, or schedules.We explore what it’s really like to get married on the water, including:How an all-inclusive wedding allows you to be fully present on the dayWhat a wedding aboard The Decoy feels like from ceremony through sunsetWhy water, movement, and scenery create noticeably more relaxed couplesPartnering with Perth’s most trusted wedding vendors to remove stress and decision fatigueThis episode is for engaged couples who want a wedding experience that feels calm, seamless and all-inclusive, so they can focus on being present rather than coordinating the day. Join The Wedding Vendor Academy: https://weddingswithshelby.com.au/wva-enrollBook Jem Weddings Deluxe Coordination: https://www.jemweddings.com.au/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weddingsunfiltered_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Be our next guest: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/p2yfwj1RC7MdEraxuiTRShare your story: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/Qu8nKxCGuFNOP2EOTBZj

In this brutally honest episode of Weddings Unfiltered, we dive into the messy, awkward, and often misunderstood world of wedding deposits. From last-minute cancellations to “change of mind” dramas and emotional pressure plays, we spill what really happens behind the scenes when couples cancel and vendors lose thousands.We unpack why deposits are non-refundable, what vendors actually do before your wedding day, how contracts protect small businesses, and why guilt shouldn’t be part of running a sustainable wedding business. Plus we talk about payment plans, tightened T&C, and the real impact of social media backlash. Join The Wedding Vendor Academy: https://weddingswithshelby.com.au/wva-enrollBook Jem Weddings Deluxe Coordination: https://www.jemweddings.com.au/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weddingsunfiltered_?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Be our next guest: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/p2yfwj1RC7MdEraxuiTRShare your story: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/form/Qu8nKxCGuFNOP2EOTBZj