How Wedding Awards REALLY Work (And How to Win)

Wedding Industry Marketing Secrets with County Brides’ Duane | Supplier Bonus Episode

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2417620/fan_mail/new] In this special bonus episode of Totally Absolutely Engaged, we dive into the business side of the wedding industry with Duane from County Brides — one of the North West’s most recognised wedding marketing platforms. Following on from our previous County Brides episode dedicated to engaged couples, this supplier-focused special is packed with honest advice, marketing strategies, wedding fair tips, networking insights, and industry truths for wedding professionals looking to grow in 2026 and beyond. Duane shares decades of experience from attending over 200 wedding fairs a year, running the famous County Brides Wedding Awards, and helping suppliers build visibility, bookings, and long-term success in an increasingly competitive wedding industry. In this episode, we discuss: ✨ Why too many venue open days could be damaging the wedding industry ✨ How wedding fairs should actually work for suppliers and venues ✨ The biggest wedding trends for 2026 including sage green, monochrome weddings & tropical colour palettes ✨ Why consistent marketing beats “being the best” ✨ The truth about supplier networking and referrals ✨ How to stand out as a new wedding business ✨ Why suppliers MUST ask for the booking ✨ The importance of LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube & Google for wedding marketing ✨ County Brides Wedding Awards explained — and how finalists are chosen fairly ✨ Why visibility, consistency and relationships matter more than ever in the wedding industry Whether you're a wedding photographer, DJ, florist, venue stylist, content creator, celebrant, videographer, entertainment supplier, venue owner, or just starting your wedding business — this episode is full of practical advice, real industry insight, and honest conversations. If you work in the wedding industry in the North West or beyond, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. 🎧 Listen now and discover how to market smarter, network better, and grow your wedding business in 2026. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2417620/support] Check out our range of led letters, selfie mirrors and more on our website theaddedextra.co.uk [https://theaddedextra.co.uk/prop-hire/] Or get social and follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.co/theaddedextra/] where you can get in touch with any questions.

Wedding Planning Secrets from County Brides’ Duane | Bonus Episode for Engaged Couples

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2417620/fan_mail/new] Welcome back to another episode of Totally Absolutely Engaged — the wedding podcast created specifically for engaged couples planning their big day 💍 This special BONUS episode follows on from our previous County Brides episode with wedding industry expert Duane, but this time we’re diving even deeper into advice specifically for brides, grooms, and newly engaged couples. If you're planning a wedding in the North West, chances are County Brides has already helped shape your wedding journey — from discovering suppliers and venues to helping couples understand how to plan a smooth, stress-free wedding day. In this episode, Duane shares: ✨ How to structure and timeline your wedding day ✨ The biggest wedding planning mistakes couples make ✨ Wedding entertainment ideas for every part of the day ✨ Speech tips, music advice & ceremony planning ✨ Why DIY weddings can become overwhelming ✨ Current wedding trends for 2026 ✨ Real wedding stories from over 40 years in the industry ✨ How to actually enjoy your wedding day instead of stressing through it We also discuss: * Wedding fairs & supplier advice * Budget expectations * Wedding traditions that have disappeared * Tips for making lasting memories * Why communication with suppliers matters * The importance of planning your wedding in stages Whether you're newly engaged, deep into wedding planning, or just looking for expert wedding advice, this episode is packed with practical tips, funny stories, and insider knowledge from one of the UK wedding industry's most experienced voices. 🎙️ Guest: Duane from County Brides 💒 Podcast: Totally Absolutely Engaged 📍 Wedding planning advice for engaged couples across the North West & beyond Produced by TAEPodcast - www.taepodcast.co.uk Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2417620/support] Check out our range of led letters, selfie mirrors and more on our website theaddedextra.co.uk [https://theaddedextra.co.uk/prop-hire/] Or get social and follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.co/theaddedextra/] where you can get in touch with any questions.

Confetti Down the Dress?! Wedding Videographer Horror Stories & Advice

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2417620/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Unpacked, we sit down with wedding videographer Laura from Vision Wave Weddings to talk all things weddings, filming love stories, and the reality of working in the wedding industry. From starting out filming £400 weddings to capturing over 450 wedding days, Laura shares how she built her business, what really happens behind the scenes, and why wedding videography is so much more than just “content creation.” We also dive into: * Wedding videographer horror stories * The biggest wedding guest icks * Why guests should NEVER wave at the camera * Confetti disasters * Content creators vs videographers * Wedding regrets couples have after the big day * Advice for brides and grooms planning their wedding * Funny wedding supplier stories * What makes a great wedding film If you're planning a wedding, work in the wedding industry, or just love hearing hilarious behind-the-scenes stories, this episode is packed with laughs, advice, and real wedding industry insights. 🎥 Guest: Laura – Vision Wave Weddings 🎙️ Podcast: Unpacked #WeddingPodcast #WeddingVideographer #WeddingPlanning #WeddingTips #WeddingIndustry #Videographer #WeddingContentCreator #BrideToBe #WeddingAdvice #VisionWaveWeddings Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2417620/support] Check out our range of led letters, selfie mirrors and more on our website theaddedextra.co.uk [https://theaddedextra.co.uk/prop-hire/] Or get social and follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.co/theaddedextra/] where you can get in touch with any questions.

Bride Reveals Wedding Regrets, Budget Mistakes & Best Advice | Wedding Podcast

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2417620/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Totally Absolutely Engaged, we’re switching things up and hearing directly from a REAL bride! 💍 Bex joins us to spill everything about her wedding journey — from the engagement and venue search to budget shocks, family drama, wedding regrets, photographer mistakes, and the emotional reality of the big day. As both a bride AND wedding coordinator, Bex shares honest advice every engaged couple needs to hear before planning their wedding. We chat about: ✨ Wedding planning mistakes brides regret ✨ Budgeting realities no one warns you about ✨ Family opinions & guest list drama ✨ Why choosing the RIGHT photographer matters ✨ Wedding day nerves & emotional moments ✨ Kids at weddings — yes or no? ✨ Wedding trends worth the hype ✨ The biggest waste of money during planning ✨ Why the day goes SO fast ✨ Post-wedding blues & married life If you're engaged, planning a wedding, or obsessed with wedding content, this episode is packed with real, funny, unfiltered advice from someone who's actually lived it. 🎧 Listen now and subscribe for weekly wedding chats, supplier stories, planning tips, and behind-the-scenes wedding industry insights. #WeddingPodcast #BrideAdvice #WeddingPlanning #WeddingTips #RealBride #WeddingRegrets #Engaged #BrideToBe #WeddingBudget #WeddingDay Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2417620/support] Check out our range of led letters, selfie mirrors and more on our website theaddedextra.co.uk [https://theaddedextra.co.uk/prop-hire/] Or get social and follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.co/theaddedextra/] where you can get in touch with any questions.

What Couples REALLY Think About Wedding Suppliers (And Vice Versa!)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2417620/fan_mail/new] Planning your wedding? This episode is FULL of honest advice that every bride, groom, and wedding supplier needs to hear. In this solo episode of Totally Absolutely Engaged, we’re breaking down the biggest frustrations, misconceptions, and behind-the-scenes truths in the wedding industry — from BOTH the couple’s perspective and the supplier’s side. We discuss: • Why slow replies lose bookings • Why wedding suppliers don’t always reply instantly • The REAL reason wedding services cost what they do • Why deposits matter • Wedding planning mistakes couples make • Why changing plans last minute causes chaos • Whether wedding pricing is actually inflated • How to build better relationships with your wedding suppliers • Wedding budgeting tips • Why trust and communication are EVERYTHING If you’re currently planning a wedding, this episode will genuinely help you avoid stress, save money, and understand how the wedding industry really works behind the scenes. Whether you're looking for wedding planning advice, wedding supplier tips, wedding budget guidance, or just love hearing the reality of the wedding world — this episode is packed with useful insight, funny moments, and honest conversations. 🎧 Totally Absolutely Engaged Podcast New episodes every week featuring wedding industry experts, real wedding advice, supplier stories, behind-the-scenes chaos, and tips to make your wedding planning easier. ✨ Follow us for more wedding content: TikTok: @totallyabsolutelyengaged Instagram: @totallyabsolutelyengaged Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2417620/support] Check out our range of led letters, selfie mirrors and more on our website theaddedextra.co.uk [https://theaddedextra.co.uk/prop-hire/] Or get social and follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.co/theaddedextra/] where you can get in touch with any questions.