Dawn Diehl has been a part of this historic South Florida tradition for over thirty years and now captains this vessel. We will speak with her about what it takes to put on this massive production that is seen every year by over a million people and impacts the local economy by a whooping fifty million dollars. We will also dive into her own cruise and what else is rocking the boat and making waves! Dawn Diehl - Event Director, Winterfest Inc. Dawn is happily married to George and...

Behind The Veil Podcast - The Real Weddings Study from The Knot This week we welcome Tom Chelednik - The Associate Director of Vendor Engagement of North America to talk about the recently released "Real Weddings Study" from The Knot. In The Knot 2025 Real Weddings Study, we discover how couples are bringing this exciting day to life through the entire planning process. The wedding report includes insights from nearly 17,000 US couples who got married in 2024 as well as data fr...

The Knot Worldwide 2025 Wedding Trends Watch Report. This weeks guest: Tom Chelednik - Associate Director of Vendor Engagement of North America. This years report is wide ranging with data captured from thousands of couples about what they are looking at, where they are looking at, who they are looking, and why they are looking. It's a plethora of knowledge that will help vendors and couples figure out what is going to be the next hottest thing. About our guest: Tom is the Ass...

Behind The Veil: The Art of The Hustle "The Art of the Hustle" often refers to the skill and finesse required to navigate the world of business and entrepreneurship successfully. It's about more than just hard work; it's about strategy, perseverance, adaptability, and sometimes a touch of charm. The "hustle" implies a relentless drive to achieve goals, overcome obstacles, and seize opportunities, even in the face of adversity. Our guest: Terrica Terrica ...

Behind The Veil - Founder and CEO of Honeyfund Sara margulis Our guest this week: Sara Margulis, Co-founder and CEO Honeyfund.com, Inc. Honeyfund is the Go-To website for couples wanting to provide a whole array of gifting options. How she got started and the trends she is seeing will be just be one of many things we will talk about! Sara is an enthusiastic champion of love and travel. As co-founder and CEO of the popular honeymoon registry Honeyfund, she is focused on a singular mission: h...

We all think "How cool would it be to work with celebrities and athletes" but have zero idea of how to get in front of them. And once we book them, what are they truly like to work with. Our guest today: Randy Long Randy Long is the owner of The Pix Squad, a professional event photography company specializing in corporate gatherings, golf outings and charity galas. The Pix Squad’s Mobile Pix Cart has turned golf photography upside down and is welcomed by PGA, LPGA and PGA Canada tourn...

This week we dive into what it takes to get published on The Knot, and we hear directly from the source! Esther Lee is the Deputy Editor for The Knot Online and In Print. Whether you are a couple or a vendor, getting your wedding published is like winning first prize in the wedding world. The most visable location is The Knot. Known worldwide as the go to source for all things weddings, having an article or photos that include your event adds credence to vendors reputation....

Word of mouth is the most effective way of getting your name out there - so how do you do that? Our Guest: Carin Hunt Carin Hunt, CEO of Celebration Pros, leads a dynamic community of ambitious wedding professionals determined to break through their glass ceiling of doubts and achieve the success they so desire and deserve. With her innovative Champagne Logic approach, Carin collaborates with clients in both group and one-on-one settings, uncorking the potential in their businesses, ...

Behind The Veil: The Knot Real Weddings Study and Budgeting The Knot and Wedding Wire are the main sources that couples use for finding and booking vendors. it is also where many of them go to get their information. Find out where they get their numbers and more! Our guest: Tom Chelednik, North America Director of Vendor Engagement, The Knot Worldwide Tom Chelednik, North America Director of Vendor Engagement, The Knot Worldwide Tom Chelednik has over 25 years of experience in...

Behind the Veil: luxury lifestyle concierge The most valuable asset we posses is time. When planning a wedding, a honeymoon, or any escape, having a someone to take care of every detail could be immeasurable! Our Guest: Shauna Norton - Founder of Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life) Known for her attention to detail, she stands as the owner of a thriving Lifestyle Concierge service. With a proven track record in project management and a knack for strategic problem-solving, Shauna is a versatile entr...

Ever want to know what really goes on behind the scenes on "Say Yes To The Dress"? Or wish you could ask a burning question to one of the stars about your wedding dress? This coming Tuesday is your chance! This week we welcome the amazing Monte Durham - one of the stars from TV's Say Yes To The Dress Atlanta. Finding the right dress has never been easy for most brides. The idea of going shopping for a dress downright scares some brides. But now, throw in issues with fa...

Being a wedding planner - The good the bad and the not so pretty When you tell someone that you are an event and wedding planner, most think they know what you do. In reality, there is so much more to, and the job is different for every client. Our Guest: Marina Luri-Clark Marina Luri-Clark is the owner and creative director at Marina Luri Events, an event planning & design company with offices in New York, Connecticut, and Italy. With over 20 years of international experience in th...

Bringing Flair & Excitement to Your Wedding From Down Under Every couple always seems to look for something to make their wedding standout. Sometimes this can include going back to basics, such as having an MC guide your night. Meet Nathan Cassar, Australia's Premier Award-Winning MC - specializing in truly unforgettable events that always leave a lasting impression. Based in Sydney, Nathan Cassar MC has for over 10 years (and counting) proudly done what he is most passionate about ...

The value of a wedding planner for DIY couples Planning a wedding is no easy task, even for the best DIY couples. But if you are really Doing It Yourself, do you really need a wedding planner too? And for planners - How do you show the value of hiring a planner to a couple? Our guest today: Cassie LaMere Blending a lifelong passion for exceptional event curation with a keen eye for detail, Cassie LaMere stands as a paragon in luxury event planning. As the Founder and Creative Directo...

Behind The Veil: Your Trending in 2024! Weddings are usually the first place where the latest trend is going to make its appearance. Our guest today is a source for truly what is trending and what you should be prepping for! Our guest - Nicole Ettenhofer About Nicole Ettenhofer Nicole Ettenhofer is the VP of Growth & Strategy for George Street Photo & Video, a national wedding photo and video company based in Chicago, IL with experience serving thousands of customers and offerin...

Season is back with a vengeance! So are the long hours that come with it. From working with existing clients, to onboarding new clients, to finding clients at all... It can all become overwhelming. Our guest today: Carissa Kruse / Carissa Cruse Weddings Carissa is a wedding industry maven and a marketing and conversion strategist. She works with overworked wedding professionals to increase their profitability and cut their workload in half, using her Endless Engagement Met...

Writing, and then speaking, wedding vows can be a stressful experience. What happens if you can't figure out how you feel, or fear speaking in front of an audience. It is already a high stress day, and now add this to the whole experience. Our guest today is Tanya Pushkine Tanya Pushkine was born and raised in Brussels, Belgium to an American-born musical conductor and German/Belgian painter. Upon moving to the USA, she was soon accepted to The Juilliard School’s Drama Division. I...

AV is needed at every single wedding. For most, they will reach out to a DJ or entertainment company when needing to book a sound system or music. What should you know before you start reaching out? A little knowledge can save you big money! Our Guest today: Damon Russell Damon has been in the wedding industry since 2003 and likes to think that he is a pioneer. In 2007, wireless LED technology did not exist so he Macgyvered” LEDs to provide wireless lighting on the shores of Bimin...

This week we speak to the founder of Heritage Park Hospitality Group. The company behind the management of some of the most sought after locations in the Florida Keys. Doug Barrow is the founder of Heritage Park Hospitality Group, a full service boutique management and investment group with a vision for the future of hotel stays and travel. He has always shared an eye for detail and a passion for the hospitality industry, bringing creativity and innovative ways of thinking to the small ...

Finding the right photographer is a daunting process. Especially since they are going to be in your personal space on your wedding day. What should you be asking, and how do you know if they are telling the truth? Our guest: Bonnie Sindelar Bonnie lives in Nebraska and is the founder of two companies: Genesis Photography and Happily Ever Photo. She founded Genesis Photography 9 years ago, and while she's shot almost every portrait genre over the years, (including weddings), ...