This week on The Leap Lifestyle Podcast, I'm thrilled to welcome Shannon Tarrant, co-found of Wedding Venue Map and Venue Help Desk! With more than 20 years experience helping couples source venues, Shannon shares why choosing your wedding venue is one of the biggest (and earliest) decisions in the wedding planning process, and it sets the tone for everything that follows. In this episode, we’re breaking down exactly how to find a venue that truly fits you as a couple.

Whether you’ve just gotten engaged or you’re knee-deep in Pinterest boards and vendor outreach, we’ll walk you through how to start the search, what to look out for, and the questions you have to ask before signing on the dotted line.

What We Cover in This Episode:

How to Begin Your Venue Search

• Where to start and now to avoid overwhelm
• The first conversation every couple should have: What kind of wedding do we want?
• Getting aligned on your must-haves vs. nice-to-haves

Nailing Down Your Wedding Vibe

• Rustic barn? Modern industrial loft? Outdoor garden party?
• How your venue choice shapes the overall aesthetic and affect your wedding budget

Talking Budget Without the Stress

• Why your venue budget affects everything else
• Tips for being realistic about your wedding budget and what the means in terms of your wedding venue

Getting on the Same Page as a Couple

• Discussing values, priorities, and guest count to avoid venue regret
• Balancing dream venue vibes with practical logistics

Narrowing Down the Options

• How many venues should you really visit before choosing?
• Smart ways to research venues before scheduling a tour

Venue Tours 101

• The essential questions you must ask during each visit
• What to look for on your visit
• Decoding the cost of venues and how asking questions is a MUST

Decoding Venue & Catering Lingo

• What do “preferred vendors,” “food & beverage minimums,” or “site fees” actually mean?
• How food and beverage minimums really work

Listen Now If You’re:

• Newly engaged and not sure where to start
• Feeling confused by wedding industry jargon
• Ready to feel confident in choosing a space that reflects you two perfectly

You can find Shannon on the web at Wedding Venue Map and Venue Help Desk, and on instagram @weddingvenuemap and @venuehelpdesk

You can find Deanna on the web at Deanna Nash Events and The Leap Lifestyle, and on Instagram @deannanashevents and @theleaplifestyle .

Want More Planning Help?
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As always, thanks for listening!

In this episode of The Leap Lifestyle Podcast, we dive into the magical space where timeless traditions meet modern wedding design trends. Join us as we explore how visionary designer Margarita Oudalova of Oudalova Events and Design brings a couple’s dream day to life—from the first spark of inspiration to the final reveal.

We’re pulling back the curtain on the creative process: how designers help couples visualize their space, how ideas evolve over time, and why trust in your designer is key to creating something truly unforgettable.

Plus, we’ll talk about:

✨ How wedding trends evolve and how to incorporate them tastefully
🧳 What makes destination weddings, especially in Europe, unique from a design perspective
🏛️ The importance of respecting historic venues while still adding modern flair

Whether you’re newly engaged, a wedding pro, or just love beautiful events, this episode offers a rich look at the intersection of artistry and tradition in wedding design.

📌 Connect With Us:

• Oudalova Events and Design Website and Instagram
• Deanna Nash Events Website and Instagram
• The Leap Lifestyle Website and Instagram

📩 Got questions or a wedding story to share? Drop us a line at deanna@deannanashevents.com

As always, thanks for listening!

In this week's episode of The Leap Lifestyle Podcast, I was thrilled to welcome my friend and incredible wedding photographer John Schnack of John Schnack Photography.

In this episode, we dive into the powerful idea that a wedding day is more than just a celebration—it's the beginning of a lasting legacy. We explore how wedding photography captures not only beautiful moments but is also the foundation of your future family's story. Each image holds emotion, meaning, and a deep sense of history in the making.

We talk about the role photography plays in preserving the raw, intimate, and joyful moments that tell a couple’s unique story. From the walk down the aisle to the spontaneous laughs on the dance floor, these moments become treasured keepsakes that your children, grandchildren, and future generations will look back on to understand where it all began.

This episode also touches on how intentionality in documenting your wedding day can serve as a time capsule—capturing not only who was there but how it felt to begin your journey together. It's a beautiful reminder that your love story is worth documenting in a way that resonates far beyond the day itself.

Whether you're a couple preparing for your wedding or a photographer who wants to approach your work with deeper purpose, this conversation is all about honoring the significance of legacy through the lens of love. Tune in and be inspired to see wedding photography not just as art, but as heritage in the making.

You can find John on the web at www.johnschnack.com and on instagram @john.schnack.

You can find Deanna on the web at www.deannanashevents.com and www.theleaplifestyle.com, and on instagram @deannanashevents and @theleaplifestyle.

As always, thanks for listening!