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It's happening! Smartly entertaining wedding pros Joseph Esser (professional wedding photographer) and Tessa Gomes (Hawaii-based wedding planner and coordinator), have joined forces to bring you Unveiling Paradise - your "go-to" destination wedding podcast. Planning a wedding is hard, but planning a destination wedding is even harder! Through real-life stories, interviews with industry experts and insider advice, tips and tricks, Joseph and Tessa will guide you through your wedding planning ...
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We flipped the script this week and invited one of our couples to come onto our podcast 2 day before their wedding!! Why? Because the weather was going sideways, stress was at an all time high, and we wanted to throw more at them ... JUST KIDDING! The weather was not looking good, and since we had multiple conversations about their wedding plan, we…
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There's no question that choosing the right team of vendors for your wedding can make or break your wedding, so choose wisely. In this episode, we go through what you should consider when finding the perfect team for your wedding day. These are our top 3 episodes to start with if you are about to have your summer wedding. We'd love to hear from you…
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We're beyond excited to welcome our real life couple, Courtney and Kris, to the show. Blissfully coming off of their wedding high, we convinced them to hang out with us again and recap all things wedding. In this episode, we'll talk about things they loved about their wedding, things they wished they could do differently, and they'll share their ti…
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I think we can all agree that choosing the right wedding party (or choosing not to have a wedding party) can really set the tone for your wedding day. We’ve been around so many weddings and have seen AMAZING, SUPER SUPPORTIVE wedding parties, and have also seen some less than amazing ones. In today's episode we're going to talk about wedding partie…
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Everyone wants to look their very best on their wedding day, and today on our show we have Bernice Delos Reyes from The Mango Tree Fitness Studio talking about how to incorporate fitness and nutrition into your pre-wedding plans. Key takeaways? Find something you LOVE to do, get someone to hold you accountable, and always remember it's a matter of …
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Anyone getting married knows that pre-wedding skincare starts months in advance. From drinking water, to trying to get a decent amount of sleep... it takes work! And even with all the hydration and rest you can get, sometimes you need a little more help. In this week's episode, we have aesthetician Cara Matsuura talking about customized, mobile tre…
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Wanna know the biggest trend for 2024? Having a wedding content creator for your special day. What is a wedding content creator? It's having someone capturing photos and short videos on their IPHONE... so you, your family and friends can enjoy the day. What do you do with all of these short videos? You can create social media clips, share them with…
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Everyone knows your wedding ceremony is the creme de la creme of the entire day. From the logistics - who sits where and is it wrong to switch it up? To the vows - how long should they be? Should they be serious or funny? Your wedding ceremony is the official union of two people in love. In this episode, we take a deep dive into each part of a wedd…
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We're back with season 5, and we're starting off strong by talking about wedding cake + all types of yummy, delicious desserts. If you're planning to have a wedding cake, dessert bar, ice cream station or any type of sweet treat to end the night, this episode is for you. These are our top 3 episodes to start with if you are about to have your summe…
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It's the last episode of Season 4, and we're back with listener questions. Tune in to hear Joe and I share our thoughts and advice on the following: Do we need wedding insurance? What is that and are there different types? Does it make sense to do hair and makeup at the wedding venue, or a hotel? Who normally takes all of our stuff at the end of th…
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FACT: The details of your wedding reception really can make or break your wedding. Do you have too many speeches? Are you trying too hard to play games that no one wants to play? Do you have grand ideas of smashing cake in your partner's face?? (HINT: DO NOT SMASH THE CAKE). In this episode, Wes Nakano, owner of From Above Entertainment, sits down …
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FACT: A good wedding is actually not just one event, or even one day. A good wedding allows your guests to fully embrace their time together with you and your significant other, and what better time is there to lean into all that QT then at the rehearsal dinner? A couple things to note: A rehearsal is NOT the same as a rehearsal dinner. You don't n…
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Planning a wedding is hard, but trying to decode all of the wedding day lingo is almost possible! From BEO to scullery, plus plus to bar back, and every other acronym under the sun... we're here to help. Together with Michele Ganiko, Associate Director of Catering at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, we discuss and decode some of the most common acronyms …
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This is personally one of my favorite episodes - everything you need to know when interviewing wedding planners. When I have initial meetings with clients, they're often in the "deer-in-headlights-too-overwhelmed-to-know-what-to-ask" stage of wedding planning. Hiring a planner can be a huge relief, and a huge first step, but finding a good fit is c…
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It's the never ending wedding question - live band or a DJ? In this episode, we have Brian Webb, cellist and singer extraordinaire, from LoveJack. While he's a one-man show, his looping skills (listen to the episode to find out what looping is all about) are legendary. We go into depth with him and really make him answer some tough questions: - How…
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This week's episode combines the best of both of our worlds - wedding day timelines and photography. In a good timeline, the photography plays a key role in the day. As Joe mentions, there are 4 main parts of the day that can affect your timeline: 1. Getting ready/prep 2. Ceremony 3. Portraits/Formal Photos 4. Reception Tessa looks at timelines fro…
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Listen... As much as you communicate with your guests and think you've given them all the info they'll ever need for your wedding, there will ALWAYS be the barrage of questions on your wedding day. What time is the wedding? How do we get there? Is there a dress code? Can I bring my new friend I just met last night? OMG, IT'S A LOT. So how do you be…
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If you're debating whether or not you need videography for your wedding - tune in to this week's episode. Joe and I have some BIG FEELINGS about this topic, and you're gonna want to hear our thoughts. Tessa's key takeaways: Everyone tells me "I'll never watch my video again" or "I don't want to watch myself - it's so cringey" BUT, what if we tell y…
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If you're deep in the midst of your wedding planning, we're positive that you've seen a preferred vendor list - this could be either from your wedding planner, your venue, or even one of your other many vendors. Caterers partner with staffing and bar companies, photographers will refer videographers that they work collaboratively with, and venues w…
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The Electric Slide, Macarena and Mr. Brightside - are these on your MUST PLAY or DO NOT PLAY song list for your wedding day? In this episode, DJ Kevo chats with us about songs to create your perfect wedding day playlist - from the ceremony, through cocktail hour, to the very last song of the night - we're here to help you find the right tunes to fi…
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DIY, or D-I-Why?? Everyone who has ever gotten married, is getting married, or has thought about a budget knows that this *somewhat dangerous* thought will pop into your head at least once during your wedding planning... Can I DIY elements of my wedding and save money? (For those wedding planning newbies... DIY = Do It Yourself) If you've ever cons…
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Choosing the right venue for your destination wedding is a BIG DEAL, but how do you even know where to begin? We're thrilled to have Christiana Okada, the Director of Catering at the Halekulani join us this week as we talk about the process of working with a hotel venue as you plan your destination. Having a team of professionals helping you make t…
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"A dry wedding is still a fun wedding!" Hmmm... thoughts on this unpopular wedding opinion? In this episode, Tessa and Joe take a deep dive into 10 controversial wedding opinions. Popular or not, tune in to hear a professional photographer and wedding planner share their thoughts and advice on these heated topics. Support us: patreon.com/unveilingp…
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Allowing your guests a peek into your relationship through thoughtful accents placed throughout your wedding is always a great way to make everyone feel like they’re part of something special. From highlighting your fur-babies, to taking guests on a travel-themed adventure, these personalized touches will truly make your guests feel included in you…
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We made it to the final episode of Season 3, and in true Unveiling Paradise style, we're ending the season with a pop quiz! In this episode, Joe's alter ego (Professor Esser) tests Tessa with 10 questions asked by our real life couples. As a professional wedding planner, Tessa should get 100% on this pop quiz, right? Tune in to find out... Support …
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You asked, and we answered! We gathered some of the most common “this or that” questions that clients have asked during their wedding planning process. Should we have a band or a DJ? Dessert bar or late night snacks? Should we allow plus ones at our wedding? What are your thoughts on having an unplugged ceremony? It’s always a big deal and we’re he…
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In our opinion, making sure your guests enjoy themselves at your wedding is a top priority. Henry Fang, owner of Paradise Monarchs, joins us today to share some inspiration, tips and advice on ways to create authentic, unique experiences for your wedding guests. If you're having a wedding larger than just you and your significant other, you'll want…
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Is there anything better than, as a couple, finding your wedding style? Your wedding day is the introduction of the two of you becoming one, and creating a styled, cohesive vibe for your wedding day is a MUST DO. Today, we have Connie Esteban, owner of C'est Calligraphy, explaining how her 3 loves (fashion, architecture, and design), led her down t…
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Hair and makeup is arguably one of the most important elements of someone’s wedding day. All eyes on you, and you’ve spent a lot of money on professional photography and videography. Why wouldn’t you hire a professional hair and makeup artist to make you look (and feel) your very best? In this episode, Erika Kalaikai from Perfectly Made, is sharing…
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We’re playing the hardest game of “Would You Rather…” ever. Would you rather spend your wedding budget on a wedding cake or a photo booth? Good food or gorgeous decor? And the hardest questions of all… would you rather indulge in a wedding planner (Team Tessa) or a photographer (Team Joe)! Why do you even have to make these tough decisions? Honestl…
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80s style puffy sleeves, mason jars, and overly filtered photos... what do these thing all have in common? They're all wedding trends that came (and went). Being overly trendy is one of our common wedding faux pas to look out for. Want to learn the rest? Stay tuned. It doesn’t matter how much you plan… things can always go wrong. We’re here today t…
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What does inclusivity at a wedding mean to you? Does it mean accepting a couple as they are - LGBTQ+ or otherwise? Does it mean not just working with vendors who are affirming of an LGBTQ+ relationship, but they’re actually a good, quality vendor? Does it mean regardless of the couple, allowing your wedding party to wear what they feel most comfort…
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Here’s a crazy thought… If you’re hiring a caterer for your off-site, outdoor wedding, you will likely be building a restaurant from the ground up. Tents, lights, ovens, plates, serving trays, and so much more. This is why hiring a professional catering with experience at your venue is a 100% must. Your wedding day food can make or break your weddi…
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SPOILER ALERT: This week’s topic isn’t glamorous or at all exciting, but it’s probably one of the most important topics we’re going to cover all season long: your wedding contracts. As you plan your wedding, you’ll likely spend more money and sign more contracts than you probably have in your entire life up to that point. We’re here today to help y…
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It’s true, weddings are often about the brides. We love talking about the gorgeous wedding dresses, hair and makeup splurges, and all the pretty details. In today’s episode, we change things up and focus our full attention on the grooms. If you’re a groom, if you’re marrying a groom, or know a groom - this episode is for you! From tying a tie, to f…
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Serious question: Do you know exactly what your venue provides for your wedding? Do they provide tables and chairs? Forks and knives? What about trash cans? In this episode, we talk about the rental items you might need for your wedding, what in the world is a rain hold, and what rental items are the most forgotten. Gabrielle Richter, President of …
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Have you ever heard that faux flowers are cheaper than real flowers? How about the fact that you can save money by using bud vases? Are these floral facts? Or floral fiction? In this episode, we talk with Floral Creative,Jeff Alencaster, about common wedding floral misconceptions and help you figure out what’s true, and what floral falsities should…
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From weather disasters to wedding dress debacles, we’re talking about 5 of the most common wedding day emergencies. As a professional photographer and wedding planner, we’ve been through more wedding day emergencies than you can imagine. Hurricanes? YES! Food poisoning? YES! False Missile Alerts? ALSO YES! Tune in to this episode to hear our pro ti…
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We’re back! It’s season 3 and we’re stoked to bring you our fresh new episode - the final countdown to your wedding day. In this episode, Joe and I talk about what happens 1 month before your wedding, 1 week before your wedding, and 1 day before your wedding. Sit back, relax and get ready for… the final countdown! Support us: patreon.com/unveilingp…
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HOT DAMN… We did it! We made it through season 2. Quick update: Tessa and Joe didn’t kill each other, and are STILL BFFs. #winning Here’s the deal - In the middle of season 1, we stopped answering our listener questions. Why? Because we realized that we talk way too much, and the episodes were getting soooo long! We had to make the tough decision t…
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If you strip away all the bells and whistles of a wedding - the extravagant decor, lush flowers, even (gasp!) professional wedding planning and photography - at the end of the day all you need to get married is you, your significant other, and an officiant. Your officiant is the person who will make your marriage legal, so this is the only “must ha…
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When we ask couples what their priorities are for their wedding, the #1 answer is “good food, good drinks!” We 100% agree that good food and drinks are WEDDING MUSTS, but what exactly does that mean? In this week’s episode, we get a little tipsy with Chad McDonald, owner of Stir Beverage. He goes into detail about how to elevate your wedding day ba…
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Everyone knows an engagement shoot with your significant other is a MUST HAVE. We get it… get to know your photographer, figure out your awkwardness level as a couple with said photographer, practice holding your smiles for hours while daydreaming about your prime rib dinner… again, we get it, we’re doing it. Now comes the tricky part… what can you…
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FACT: At every wedding when there is something slightly out of place, someone will yell, “just photoshop it!” Every. Single. Wedding. Today, we have guest photographer Rachel Robertson talking about photoshop, and how to best prepare for your wedding day photos. Hint: The goal is always to do as little photoshopping as possible!! This episode will …
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OMG… I’m excited to say that in this episode, we’re talking about EXECUTIONS. Before you get too excited, we’re not talking about killing people (this isn’t a true crime podcast)! Better yet, we’re talking about day of coordination and wedding day execution with Natalie Christensen, wedding planner and co-owner of Aloha Bridal Connection. Wedding p…
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Spoiler Alert: If you like awkward, you’re going to LOVE this episode. It’s awkward, it’s cringy, and it’s OH-SO-GOOD. Today, we’re taking the pressure off of you, and placing it onto your friends and family as we talk about how to be the PERFECT wedding guest. Tell your friends and family this episode is a MUST LISTEN, as we prepare you and your g…
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There are a few MUST HAVE details you don’t want to forget on your wedding day, and we’re here to help. As a professional wedding planner and photographer, we’ve been to more weddings than we can count, and we’ve seen everything. We’re taking our combined knowledge and sharing our expert advice on the small, but very important details that are ofte…
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Why is using cheap shampoo better than a nice, fancy shampoo before your wedding day? When is it better to forgo sunscreen rather than slathering it on? Do you want to learn some tips to manage baked-in-the-sun-for-way-too-long sunburns? Professional hair and makeup artist, CJ Siepka, is here to answer all of these questions and more! In this episo…
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Who’s job is it to create your timeline? Be the point of contact for your vendors? Cut your cake or work with your guests on their food allergies? Do these jobs fall to your catering manager or wedding planner? In this episode, we’re chatting with Amanda Douglas, the Director of Catering and Conference Services at the Four Seasons Ko Olina on Oahu,…
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Weddings are A HUGE investment of time and money. We 100% agree. Our advice as a professional wedding planner and photographer? Don’t waste your time and money on the things that your guests don’t care about. And trust us - there are things they don’t care about. In fact, in this episode, we list 7 things your wedding guests don’t care about… and 1…
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