465 JOHN AND MARIJO ELEAZAR: The Power of Storytelling with Video

Andy is so excited to welcome John and Marijo Eleazar to the podcast in this episode! John and Marijo are the managing directors and visual storytellers of Eleazar Film and hail from the Philippines. They spend their time traveling the world looking for inspiration and excitement but also found a home to raise their children in Vienna, Austria. Eleazar Film creates unique films for people and businesses with stories that they want to tell.

You’re definitely going to want to listen in to this episode because John and Marijo have so many great bits of wisdom and insight to share. They discuss the various terms that help us understand the foundation of what they do, how they create such compelling videos for their clients, how to build videos into your overall marketing strategy, why it’s important to create meaningful relationships, and so much more!

Marijo and John also dive into their backgrounds and how the business got started, a bit into their family life in Vienna, a couple of examples of weddings that they filmed and what made them stand out, etc. Andy really has a lot of admiration for John’s and Marijo’s work, so he is so honored to have them on the show and really hopes that you enjoy his conversation with them. He would really love it if you were to share this episode with at least three people you know who might also enjoy it. Be sure to also subscribe to the podcast if you aren’t already so that you never miss a new episode and to leave a top review wherever you listen. That really helps out Andy and the show!


This episode is sponsored by Zola, the fastest-growing wedding platform that connects today’s couples with the right planners and vendors. Zola gives wedding professionals more control, better exposure, and higher quality leads – all with competitive pricing and no annual commitment. Create your free listing at www.zola.com/andy.

 

Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don’t forget about Sean Low’s podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.

 

SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ

Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!

 

Time Stamps

[0:00] – The sponsor of this episode is Zola.

[1:45] – Today’s guests are Marijo and John Eleazar of Eleazar Film.

[2:57] – Why did Marijo and John choose to settle in Vienna?

[4:52] – John discusses the origin of the business.

[7:08] – Learn about some of the terms associated with the business.

[10:32] – Does Eleazar Film use certain techniques to accomplish their goals?

[13:22] – What is narrative transportation?

[16:31] – How do John and Marijo establish attention amongst short attention spans?

[18:31] – Hear why John does not believe in short wedding films.

[20:22] – Marijo discusses their marketing strategy.

[24:55] – Hear a story of a standout wedding.

[28:20] – John gives details of a wedding during the pandemic.

[30:14] – Hear some closing advice on creating meaningful relationships.

[32:35] – Andy reveals where to find John and Marijo online.

 

LINKS & RESOURCES

Eleazar Film – PB Live 2023 Day3 (Director’s Cut)

Eleazar Film – 3 Elements of a Compelling Story

Eleazar Film – The Intrinsic Value of a Compelling Story

 

Find John and Marijo:

Eleazar Film – Website
Eleazar Film – Instagram Page

 

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

The Wedding Biz

The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz Network

The Music Makers

 

Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & Zola.

464 JOEL SERRATO: Artistry in Wedding Photography

Joel Serrato is today’s guest, and Andy is so excited to have him on the show! Joel has been named a top wedding photographer by Harper’s Bazaar and Martha Stewart Weddings, and his photography is based on capturing pure moments of authentic emotions. Some of his noteworthy work includes work for Pat Benatar, Tamara Mowry, and Adam Housley, and the quality of his work simply speaks for itself.

Joel details how his original interest was in filmmaking but that his husband Jose Villa got him interested in wedding photography. He touches upon whether he prefers digital or film (and makes a pretty bold statement that might surprise you), what he does to bring in compatible clientele, and whether or not he has managed to find a balance between being a professional wedding photographer, a husband, and a father to two little ones.

Joel also strongly believes in event professionals supporting each other rather than going up against each other, and he even demonstrates that by reaching out to photographers who got jobs over him and congratulating them. This positivity is something that he also carries with him pretty much everywhere that he goes, and he gives an example of how he managed to make a really good situation out of a literally rainy day, putting on what he calls his “swan face.”

This was such a special conversation for Andy because of how kind and thoughtful Joel is, and he really appreciates Joel’s time and how open that he was on the show. If you enjoyed Andy’s conversation with Joel Serrato, then he would really love it if you were to share this episode with at least three people you know who might also enjoy it. Be sure to also subscribe to the podcast if you aren’t already so that you never miss a new episode and to leave a top review wherever you listen. That really helps out Andy and the show!


This episode is sponsored by Zola, the fastest-growing wedding platform that connects today’s couples with the right planners and vendors. Zola gives wedding professionals more control, better exposure, and higher quality leads – all with competitive pricing and no annual commitment. Create your free listing at www.zola.com/andy.

 

Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don’t forget about Sean Low’s podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.

 

SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ

Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!

 

Time Stamps

[0:00] – The sponsor of this episode is Zola.

[0:23] – Andy recommends the book The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin.

[1:54] – Andy is excited to announce that Joel Serrato is this episode’s special guest!

[2:52] – Discover that Joel got his start in filmmaking.

[5:35] – Joel identifies his husband Jose Villa as his greatest teacher.

[7:39] – Does Joel prefer film or digital?

[10:03] – How does Joel look at lighting, composition, and style?

[12:04] – Joel walks us through the usual process with his clients.

[14:44] – Joel believes that wedding industry professionals should support each other.

[16:09] – Hear what the biggest challenges of destination weddings are.

[19:29] – Does Joel approach photographing celebrities differently?

[22:59] – Joel gives an example of a challenge that he had to overcome.

[25:37] – Learn how Joel calmed a nervous bride down.

[29:24] – Joel discusses situations that led to other opportunities.

[31:26] – Joel reveals whether or not he’s able to balance his professional and personal lives.

[35:14] – Joel reflects back on how his parents inspired him.

[36:41] – What gear is Joel currently using?

[38:59] – Andy gives us Joel’s website and Instagram information.

 

LINKS & RESOURCES

Rick Rubin – The Creative Act: A Way of Being

 

Find Joel:

Joel’s Website
Joel’s Instagram Page

 

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

The Wedding Biz

The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz Network

The Music Makers

 

Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & Zola.

463 MEGHAN ELY: Navigating the Editorial Boom and Getting Your Real Weddings Published

Andy is happy to welcome returning guest Meghan Ely back to the podcast today! Meghan is the owner of OFD Consulting and combines in the trenches event experience with a love of wedding PR, empowering her clients to take their businesses to the next level, and her team’s publicity efforts are even regularly honored by the Public Relations Society of America. A longtime industry speaker and writer, Meghan is a wedding pro educator with regular contributions to Wedding Planner Magazine, The Knot, Wedding Business Magazine, Catersource, and SpecialEvents.com. Meghan also is the 2022 WIPA International President and is a long-time supporter and member of NACE, and SpecialEvents.com honored her as one of the top 25 young professionals in the event industry, with NACE recently having honored her as Speaker of the Year.

Meghan catches up with Andy since her last appearance on the show, discussing the editorial boom in relation to the wedding industry. She also stresses the importance of mindset when it comes to strategy related to getting work published and diversifying your media strategy. Meghan also emphasizes the importance of having your strategies be year-round.

Meghan, in addition, clarifies what’s true about being in PR vs. some common misconceptions, emphasizing, for example, that there are rules that should be followed. She touches upon how to keep a line of communication open with editors and maintain connections, arguing that editors should be prioritized just as if they are clients and that we should follow their public accounts on social media, and offers some incredibly helpful advice to anyone looking to navigate this editorial boom!

Andy really hopes that all of Meghan’s valuable information is helpful to listeners! If so, then Andy would love it if you were to share this episode with a few people you know who might also enjoy it. Be sure to also subscribe to the podcast if you aren’t already so that you never miss a new episode and to leave a top review wherever you listen, as that really helps out Andy and the show!


This episode is sponsored by Zola, the fastest-growing wedding platform that connects today’s couples with the right planners and vendors. Zola gives wedding professionals more control, better exposure, and higher quality leads – all with competitive pricing and no annual commitment. Create your free listing at www.zola.com/andy.

 

Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don’t forget about Sean Low’s podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.

 

SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ

Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!

 

Time Stamps

[0:00] – The sponsor of this episode is Zola.

[0:16] – Andy updates on his comedy class.

[2:17] – Today’s guest is returning guest Meghan Ely!

[3:31] – Meghan defines the editorial boom.

[5:40] – Meghan shares a few strategies to get something published.

[7:59] – Meghan discusses getting into the headspace of the media.

[10:44] – How do we keep communication open with editors?

[12:07] – Don’t DM editors.

[13:12] – Meghan gives advice on how to maintain connections.

[15:58] – Hear some last-minute ways to navigate the submission boom.

[17:03] – What is the best way to take advantage of what Meghan offers?

[18:31] – Andy shares where to find Meghan online.

 

LINKS & RESOURCES

Meghan’s Previous Guest Spots on The Wedding Biz

 

Find Meghan:

OFD Consulting – Website
OFD Consulting – Facebook Page
OFD Consulting – Instagram Page
OFD Consulting – Twitter Page
OFD Collective – Website
Wedding Industry Speakers – Website

 

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

The Wedding Biz

The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz Network

The Music Makers

 

Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & Zola.

462 REVISIT LAURIE ARONS: Fast-Tracking To The Lux Level

We’ve all been told to “fake it till we make it,” but sometimes honesty and tenacity is all it really takes to succeed. Today’s guest, Laurie Arons, is a luxury event planner who has been named one of the top planners in the industry by esteemed magazines such as Vogue, Harper Bazaar and Martha Stewart Weddings.

Based in San Francisco, Laurie’s business caters to high-end and extravagant occasions all around the world. Not only does Laurie offer her impeccable taste and eye for style, but she doesn’t hesitate to lend her expertise, her kindness, and her time to others. To hear more about Laurie’s story, technique, and passion for the event industry, tune into this episode of The Wedding Biz with your host, Andy Kushner.


This episode is sponsored by Zola, the fastest-growing wedding platform that connects today’s couples with the right planners and vendors. Zola gives wedding professionals more control, better exposure, and higher quality leads – all with competitive pricing and no annual commitment. Create your free listing at www.zola.com/andy.


Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don’t forget about Sean Low’s podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.

 

SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ

Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!

 

Show Highlights:

  • Getting out fear and replacing it with creativity
  • How childhood influenced Laurie’s love for planning
  • The influence of having entrepreneurial parents
  • Appreciating the finer things in life
  • Facets of Laurie’s life that shaped her into the person she is today
  • What directed Laurie to event planning
  • How being laid off changed Laurie’s life for the better
  • Targeting the clientele necessary to reach your goals
  • Reaching out to people who have leverage in the industry
  • Having an elaborate and committed follow up
  • Going the extra mile to perfect every task
  • What her event planning process looks like
  • Connecting with people and matching with the right clients
  • Extending assistance and kindness to others
  • Building a loyal following  
  • Top tips for marketing on Instagram
  • The content Laurie’s compiled for her Masterclasses
  • Delivering information in an intimate and accessible way


LINKS & RESOURCES

Jose Villa Interview on The Wedding Biz

Abby Larson, Style Me Pretty, Interview on The Wedding Biz

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/edow47otynsbt38/AAAid8w-4JJfZ3t7yKSp7Gu6a?dl=0

https://vimeo.com/196654927


Find Laurie:

Website

Instagram:  @lauriearons

Facebook: @lauriearonsspecialevents

Masterclass

 

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

The Wedding Biz

The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz Network

The Music Makers

 

Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & Zola.

461 MATTHEW ROBBINS: Catching Up Since the Pandemic

Matthew Robbins joins Andy in this episode to be featured on the show three times! Matthew is the founder and creative director of Matthew Robbins Design, an event-planning firm with a focus on design and production for weddings and other events, and he is the co-owner of Robbins Otoya, a company which focuses on destination events internationally. Matthew is also an author whose work has been featured in many publications such as Martha Stewart Weddings, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, etc., and he has been a featured guest on Martha Stewart Living Radio and The Today Show.

Learn how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted Matthew and his businesses and what he learned from the experience. Also, what you should do if you’re a planner who wants to start doing events overseas, how he navigates burnout and angst, and more! Andy is so appreciative that Matthew returned to the show, and if you enjoy this conversation with Matthew, then Andy would be grateful if you were to share this episode with a few people you know who might also enjoy it. Be sure to also subscribe to the podcast if you aren’t already so that you never miss a new episode and to leave a top review wherever you listen, as that really helps people find the show!

 

This episode is sponsored by Zola, the fastest-growing wedding platform that connects today’s couples with the right planners and vendors. Zola gives wedding professionals more control, better exposure, and higher quality leads – all with competitive pricing and no annual commitment. Create your free listing at www.zola.com/andy.

 

Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don’t forget about Sean Low’s podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.

 

SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ

Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!

 

Time Stamps

[0:00] – The sponsor of this episode is Zola.

[0:17] – Andy updates on his comedy class.

[2:39] – Today’s guest is revealed to be Matthew Robbins of Matthew Robbins Design!

[4:04] – How did the pandemic change the way Matthew runs his businesses?

[7:35] – Matthew shares a couple of his favorite design stories from last year.

[10:24] – Matthew gives advice to planners who want to do international events.

[11:38] – Who does Matthew contact for referrals?

[14:58] – Does Matthew ever experience burnout?

[17:19] – How does Matthew stay inspired and grounded?

[19:21] – What does Matthew do to circumvent artist angst?

[22:03] – Matthew really wants to write another book.

[23:20] – Andy shares where Matthew’s businesses can be found online.

 

LINKS & RESOURCES

Episode 357: REVISIT: MATTHEW ROBBINS: Creative Process and Connecting with Couples

Episode 240 ROBBINS OTOYA: Loving What They Do and Doing It Together

 

Find Matthew:

Matthew Robbins Design – Website
Robbins Otoya Destinations – Website

 

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

The Wedding Biz

The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz Network

The Music Makers

 

Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & Zola.