Unveiled Interviews

S2E19: Reviving Bridal with Allison Chou of Double Happiness Bridal

The economy, changing values, re-defining traditions, and the “virality-factor” of house labels are all pushing consigned bridal fashion forward as the leading option for so many brides looking for ‘the dress’  – but, what does this process of shopping used actually look like? In this interview, we talk with Allison Chou, founder and curator of Double Happiness Bridal, a luxury bridal consignment boutique in New York City. Though growing in demand, the work Allison does is still relatively new to the industry, so we ask her all about the how’s and why’s of consignment over new, what makes a fashion label considered “luxury,” and the mindset that brides should have when choosing their dress. Website: https://www.doublehappinessbridal.com/ [https://www.doublehappinessbridal.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doublehappinessbridal/ [https://www.instagram.com/doublehappinessbridal/]

S2E18: The Art of Filmmaking with Mark Brown

In this flashy, new-aged world of high-tech cameras and high expectations, it’s always impressive to hear from artists who embrace the art of a slower and more intentional creative process. The pressure to create for a dopamine hit is real, and has caused a massive shift in the way we consume, appreciate, and create works of art today. It’s no surprise that this pressure has landed in the wedding industry as well, where we have too seen a shift in the way weddings are created and then captured. In this episode, we hear from cinematography-extraordinaire, Mark Brown, a UK-based wedding filmmaker who travels the world creating wedding videos using only analog media. Mark’s work is whimsical and comedic, but also romantic and poetic. It’s not flashy or boastful, highly edited or high-definition, but in a way, that’s what makes it so beautiful and memorable. Through all the trends and advancements in film tech, Mark continues to hold tight the process and style that most resonates with his personal taste and values, even when it may polarize with the expectations set by modern standards – all the reasons we wanted to learn from hilm. In our conversation, we ask Mark all about his use of film (the why’s and the how’s), how it informs his process and style, and what his thoughts are on the impact of modern technology on the creative process. Website: https://www.markbrownfilms.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markbrownfilms/

S2E17: Planning Really Good Parties with Tory Smith of Smith + James Events

Nearly all engaged couples have the same end goal in mind: showing their guests an incredible experience. But, what exactly does it take to accomplish this? Is it all in the food and beverage? The music or entertainment? Does a good experience depend on creative design or thoughtful amenities? What about the itinerary or wedding day timeline – is this the secret to a lasting impression? Given her business motto is all about “planning really good parties,” we figured the best person to ask all these questions to was Tory Smith, lead planner/producer at Smith + James Events. Tory and her team have done unparalleled work both executing events that perfectly fuse refinement with approachability, and reaching clients that also speak their language, so we invited her to find out: how do they do it? Website: https://www.smithjamesevents.com/ [https://www.smithjamesevents.com/]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smithjamesevents [https://www.instagram.com/smithjamesevents]

S2E16: Setting Your Wedding Biz Up for Success with Downey Street Events

Building a thriving and reliable business, especially in the wedding industry, requires more than just creative talent or charisma. Many wedding professionals often get caught up in maintaining appearances through social media, blogging, submissions, and workshops, and while these are important for visibility, they don't guarantee long-term success or sustainability. Kelsey Connely, owner and creative director of Downey Street Events, brought a strong understanding of business-to-people relationships from her previous career in HR before later acquiring the premier wedding planning company. In our conversation, Kelsey and I delve into the often "daunting" aspects of business ownership, covering topics such as setting up bank accounts, saving for taxes, drafting and negotiating contracts, and strategizing to move a business into higher markets. Website: https://downeystreetevents.com [https://downeystreetevents.com/]/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/downeystreetevents/ [https://www.instagram.com/downeystreetevents/]

S2E15: Building an Associate Team with Ali Beck

As so many wedding photographers navigate tumultuous waters of business-ownership, many explore the pros and cons of expanding their team through associates. While many find this route to provide ease through added hands, others find that adding associates to their brand actually hinders performance of themselves or their business. With so many questions and unknowns around operating with associates, we invited someone much more experienced in the area – destination wedding photographer, Ali Beck. Through her career as a wedding photographer, Ali has dabbled in many forms of associateship including building an associate team then reverting back to solo. Throughout this process, she learned so much about her own personal and professional goals, all of which she so generously shares in this interview. Website: https://www.alibeck.co/ [https://www.alibeck.co/]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alibeckphoto/ [https://www.instagram.com/alibeckphoto/]