fbpx

Wedding & Event Podcast

Frank podcast discussions for event professionals and those planning successful events.

Wedding & Event Podcast

Protocol. Part 2 Wedding & Event Podcast Episode 28

by Leave a Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 53:12 — 48.7MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS | More

When greeting someone for the first time, one could say that the protocol would be to shake hands. This is an accepted response and invites further communication. The natural progression of getting to know one another has begun.

Indeed a wedding reception with a successful grand entrance, for example, is kind of like a handshake. Guests are welcomed and the event is set in motion.

In this episode, Tobey posed this question “Is Protocol what happens at a certain time?” Or “is protocol what is traditional and customary?”

I think it’s a combination of both. And much like a handshake, protocol invites further communication, and in the case of a wedding celebration, facilitates the joining of two families.

And now please enjoy Wedding and Event Podcast episode 28 “Protocol” Part 2

Tobey Dodge and Eric Zimmermann Discuss Wedding Protocol

About Tobey Dodge

“Tobey is about as good as you get. She simply cares about her clients and makes sure every detail has been taken care of…”

John Scott Senior Event Consultant, Classic Party Rentals

Tobey is a published author, Wedding Consultant, Founder and CEO of Prepaired.com.

Contact: tobey@prepaired.com

Website www.prepaired.com

About Eric Zimmermann

Eric is a DJ/Master of Ceremonies, Pianist, Bandleader, and Co-founder of Elegant Music. Eric is also a commercial actor in Los Angeles and host of Wedding & Event Podcast.

Contact: eric@elegantmusic.com

Website: www.elegantmusic.com

Office: 626-797-1795

Event Running Late. Wedding & Event Podcast Episode 26.

by Leave a Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:56 — 27.4MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS | More

Wedding Ceremony Santa Monica Windjammers Yacht Club Marina del Rey, CA

Hosts have a vision for their event. A beautiful itinerary is composed and the stage is set for wonderful things to happen. Events usually go as planned. But things can occur that alter the proposed schedule. I experienced this happening at a recent wedding where I was the DJ/Master of Ceremonies and Pianist. I started seeing the event go off schedule before I had even started.

Now it is true that the times of an itinerary are flexible and an event can float 15 minutes in either direction and in most cases it is totally possible to catch up and get to everything that was planned. 

But time was passing and the guests were too long at the cocktail hour. The weather was hot. The couple was not yet done with their family pictures.  After a while, I felt a bit helpless to correct the situation.

In this discussion, I asked Tobey how she would handle an event that was running late.

She illustrated several factors that can influence schedule. Her insight, examples and level headed solutions made sense and some even surprised me.

And now please enjoy “Event Running Late.”

About Tobey Dodge

“Tobey is about as good as you get. She simply cares about her clients and makes sure every detail has been taken care of…”

John Scott Senior Event Consultant, Classic Party Rentals

Tobey is a published author, Wedding Consultant, Founder and CEO of Prepaired.com.

Contact: tobey@prepaired.com

Website www.prepaired.com

About Eric Zimmermann

Eric is a DJ/Master of Ceremonies, Pianist, Bandleader, and Co-founder of Elegant Music. Eric is also a commercial actor in Los Angeles and host of Wedding & Event Podcast.

Contact: eric@elegantmusic.com

Website: www.elegantmusic.com

Office: 626-797-1795

Pairing. The Client With The Right Vendor. Wedding & Event Podcast Episode 22.

by 1 Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 52:07 — 47.7MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS | More

Hello everyone: The title of this episode is “Pairing. The Client With The Right Vendor.” Episode 22.

Someone new to planning a wedding or event would not have a clue about how to evaluate the extent and quality of services offered by event professionals. By researching Pinterest a couple designing their wedding can collect references of what they like.  This is a good start but there is so much more to it than that.

When a wedding coordinator refers their client to a vendor it has to be the right vendor for the client; you want a good fit.

An experienced coordinator finds out what their client needs and wants and can then perfectly match that client with the right vendors.

In planning a dinner party, the choice of wine to be served with food is a well-known example of “pairing”.


Tobey Dodge of www.prepaired.com and Eric Zimmermann Host 626-797-1795

Another example of pairing might be, a host creating a seating chart by carefully considering the personality and interests of their guests. Guests are paired and seated based on their compatibility with each other.

This is essentially the purpose of www.Prepaired.com.  To help individuals planning a wedding or special event find compatible and qualified event professionals.

This is based on the client’s needs and wants and vendor profiles.

During this discussion, Tobey and I started with the subject of flowers and getting the right vendor for her client’s particular needs.

And now please enjoy “Pairing. The Client With The Right Vendor.” Episode 22.

Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann Host of Wedding & Event Podcast 626-797-1795

 

About Tobey Dodge

“Tobey is about as good as you get. She simply cares about her clients and makes sure every detail has been taken care of…”

John Scott Senior Event Consultant, Classic Party Rentals

Tobey is a published author, Wedding Consultant, Founder and CEO of Prepaired.com.

Contact: tobey@prepaired.com

www.prepaired.com

About Eric Zimmermann

Eric is a DJ/Master of Ceremonies, Pianist, Bandleader and Co-founder of Elegant Music. Eric is also a commercial actor in Los Angeles and host of Wedding & Event Podcast.

Contact: eric@elegantmusic.com

Website: www.elegantmusic.com

Office: 626-797-1795

New Information & New Responsibilities. Part 2. Learning from experience. Wedding & Event Podcast Episode 20.

by Leave a Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:36 — 30.8MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS | More

Party music
Solo Harp Villa del Sol d’Oro by Elegant Music

Solo Harp @ Villa del Sol d’Oro

The title of this episode is New Information and New Responsibilities Part 2. Learning from experience.

It should be obvious that “one doesn’t know” “what one doesn’t know.”  The person is just not experienced in the area.

As an example: If one is trying to produce an event with no prior experience, they will certainly learn a lot however it could happen that they will encounter things that they don’t know and improvising to fill in the blanks, pour choices could be made.

In this episode, Tobey recounts working with a couple on their Grand entrance who had some interesting ideas about “no introductions” and “no announcing”.  Somehow they thought that they could just appear on the dance floor and that suddenly everyone would give them their attention.

This idea of “no announcing” could work nicely for an intimate event such as a dinner party of perhaps 30 to 60 guests. But certainly not for a large event of 100 or more.

Now Tobey is quite the diplomat and patiently illustrated for the couple the various ways that the grand entrance could be done in the way they had chosen.

I think this idea of “No Announcements” is probably born from having experienced bad announcing by a poorly chosen master of ceremonies who wasn’t working from a script.

Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann Host of Wedding & Event Podcast 626-797-1795

About Tobey Dodge

“Tobey is about as good as you get. She simply cares about her clients and makes sure every detail has been taken care of…”

John Scott Senior Event Consultant, Classic Party Rentals

Tobey is a published author, Wedding Consultant, Founder and CEO of Prepaired.com.

Contact: tobey@prepaired.com

www.prepaired.com

About Eric Zimmermann

Eric is a DJ/Master of Ceremonies, Pianist, Bandleader and Co-founder of Elegant Music. Eric is also a commercial actor in Los Angeles and host of Wedding & Event Podcast.

Contact: eric@elegantmusic.com

Website: www.elegantmusic.com

Office: 626-797-1795

Factors to Consider When Planning an Event. Wedding & Event Podcast Episode 17

by Leave a Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:57 — 20.1MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS | More

Hello Everyone. 

The title of this episode is “Factors to Consider When Planning an Event.”

In this episode, Tobey and I discuss factors to consider that contribute to the atmosphere of an event. 

In addition to the location and lighting, this would include having an agreed upon itinerary to guide the natural progression of the event from one activity to the next. We touched on conducting a wine dinner and the importance of understanding the food service protocol of the location or the caterer that you are working with.

Please enjoy “Factors to Consider When Planning an Event.”

Tobey Dodge of www.prepaired.com and Eric Zimmermann of www.elegantmusic.com

About Tobey Dodge

“Tobey is about as good as you get. She simply cares about her clients and makes sure every detail has been taken care of…”

John ScottSenior Event Consultant, Classic Party Rentals

About Eric Zimmermann

Eric is a DJ/Master of Ceremonies, Pianist, Bandleader, and Co-founder of Elegant Music. Eric is also a commercial actor in Los Angeles and host of Wedding & Event Podcast.

Contact: eric@elegantmusic.com

Website: www.elegantmusic.com

Office: 323-270-3650

Contributing Factors. Wedding & Event Podcast Episode: 8

by Leave a Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 51:04 — 46.8MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS | More

Not everything that contributes to a successful event is a “thing”. Food, lights, gifts, decoration are things.  This is quite separate from a “meaningful toast” or a “beautiful poem read”. These are intangible but very valuable contributions to an event.

In this episode, I relate a story about an anniversary party where the celebrants at the beginning of the planning process categorically forbade any announcements or toasts.

It may have been that this couple had had a bad experience in the past that would cause them to limit their anniversary celebration in this way. I granted them that condition of “no announcements” and “no toasts.”

But do listen to what actually happened as we got closer to the event and the planning became more complete. Sheer magic!

Eric Zimmermann DJ/Master of Ceremonies, Pianist and Bandleader

And now please enjoy “Contributing Factors”.

Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann Host of Wedding and Event Podcast 626-797-1795

About Tobey Dodge

“Tobey is about as good as you get. She simply cares about her clients and makes sure every detail has been taken care of…”

John Scott Senior Event Consultant, Classic Party Rentals

Tobey is a published author, Wedding Consultant, Founder and CEO of Prepaired.com.

Contact: tobey@prepaired.com

www.prepaired.com

 

About Eric Zimmermann

Eric is a DJ/Master of Ceremonies, Pianist, Bandleader, and Co-founder of Elegant Music. Eric is also a commercial actor in Los Angeles and host of Wedding & Event Podcast.

Contact: eric@elegantmusic.com

Website: www.elegantmusic.com

Office: 626-797-1795

How to Talk with a Wedding Vendor. Part 3. Wedding & Event Podcast Episode: 6

by Leave a Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:58 — 33.8MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS | More

Wedding Reception @ Rocky Oaks Estates Malibu, California

This episode is part of Planning a Wedding Where to Start. The title is “How to Talk with a Wedding Vendor.” Part 3

So far in this topic, we have discussed some of the services needed in putting together a wedding. These include Location, Flowers, and Music as well as the importance of becoming comfortable talking with prospective vendors.

In this episode, Tobey addresses the subject of food and catering. I love to cook and I love to eat and I would consider that I am passionate about food. However, Tobey introduced aspects of catering I had not considered such as the various ways that food can be presented at an event and the importance of the ratio of service staff to the number of guests and how this contributes to the level of service guests experience.

And now please enjoy “How to Talk with a Wedding Vendor.” Part 3.

Eric Zimmermann www.elegantmusic.com & Tobey Dodge www.prepaired.com

Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann Host of Wedding and Event Podcast 626-797-1795

About Tobey Dodge

“Tobey is about as good as you get. She simply cares about her clients and makes sure every detail has been taken care of…”

John ScottSenior Event Consultant, Classic Party Rentals

Tobey is a published author, Wedding Consultant, Founder and CEO of Prepaired.com.

Contact: tobey@prepaired.com

www.prepaired.com

 

About Eric Zimmermann

Eric is a DJ/Master of Ceremonies, Pianist, Bandleader and Co-founder of Elegant Music. Eric is also a commercial actor in Los Angeles and host of Wedding & Event Podcast.

Contact: eric@elegantmusic.com

Website: www.elegantmusic.com

Office: 626-797-1795

How to Talk with a Wedding Vendor. Part 2. Wedding & Event Podcast Episode: 5

by Leave a Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:13 — 36.8MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS | More

Elegant Music String Trio

Couples planning a wedding go online and get information about services for their wedding; lots of information.

Eric Zimmermann www.elegantmusic.com and Tobey Dodge www.prepaired.com

In this discussion, Tobey covers the importance of the couple making a personal connection with the prospective vendor.  We also talked about the vendors’ responsibility to make options and aspects of their service easily understood so that couples can make informed decisions.  In this regard, we briefly touched on the subjects of music and flowers and how an unforeseeable situation about flowers was handled at a wedding.

And now please enjoy “How to talk with a Wedding Vendor.” Part 2. Episode 3.

Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann Host of Wedding & Event Podcast 626-797-1795

About Tobey Dodge

“Tobey is about as good as you get. She simply cares about her clients and makes sure every detail has been taken care of…”

John Scott Senior Event Consultant, Classic Party Rentals

Tobey is a published author, Wedding Consultant, Founder and CEO of Prepaired.com.

Contact: tobey@prepaired.com

www.prepaired.com

 

About Eric Zimmermann

Eric is a DJ/Master of Ceremonies, Pianist, Bandleader, and Co-founder of Elegant Music. Eric is also a commercial actor in Los Angeles and host of Wedding & Event Podcast.

Contact: eric@elegantmusic.com

Website: www.elegantmusic.com

Office: 626-797-1795

How to Talk with a Wedding Vendor Part 1. Wedding & Event Podcast Episode 4

by Leave a Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:19 — 34.2MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS | More

Elegant Music DJ/MC, Pianist and Bandleader Eric Zimmermann
Beautiful Wedding @ Pasadena Museum of History 

Planning a wedding is a new experience for most couples.  Getting comfortable talking with vendors and learning about services is all part of successful wedding planning.  Communication between client and vendor is a 2-way street.

Using the subject of Photography Tobey addresses both sides of the equation:  Client to the Vendor and Vendor to the Client.

Eric Zimmermann www.ElegantMusic.com & Tobey Dodge www.Prepaired.com

And now please enjoy “How to talk with a Wedding Vendor.” Part 1

Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann Host of Wedding and Event Podcast 626-797-1795

About Tobey Dodge

“Tobey is about as good as you get. She simply cares about her clients and makes sure every detail has been taken care of…”

John Scott  Senior Event Consultant, Classic Party Rentals

Tobey is a published author, Wedding Consultant, Founder and CEO of Prepaired.com.

Contact: tobey@prepaired.com

www.prepaired.com

 

About Eric Zimmermann

Eric is a DJ/Master of Ceremonies, Pianist, Bandleader and Co-founder of Elegant Music. Eric is also a commercial actor in Los Angeles and host of Wedding & Event Podcast.

Contact: eric@elegantmusic.com

Website: www.elegantmusic.com

Office: 626-797-1795

Wedding & Event Planning & Guidance Part 2. Wedding & Event Podcast Episode: 3

by Leave a Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 43:51 — 40.2MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS | More

I have discovered when helping a couple plan music for their wedding that one great song leads to another.

Planning an event is a very creative activity and becomes more and more exciting as ideas come together.

An event is a composition of ideas.

Anyone planning their special event has a vision.

Alice and Wilson’s Beautiful Jazz Wedding with the Elegant Music Jazz Trio

 

Eric Zimmermann and Tobey Dodge www.weddingandeventpodcast.com
Eric Zimmermann www.elegantmusic.com and Tobey Dodge www.prepaired.com

Part of the job of an event professional is to provide a save environment that allows their client to freely express their ideas. It is then the creative task of the event professional to do what’s necessary to help achieve that vision.

And now please enjoy Wedding and Event Planning and Guidance part 2.

Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann Host of Wedding and Event Podcast 626-797-1795

About Tobey Dodge

“Tobey is about as good as you get. She simply cares about her clients and makes sure every detail has been taken care of…”

John Scott Senior Event Consultant, Classic Party Rentals

Tobey is a published author, Wedding Consultant, Founder and CEO of Prepaired.com.

Contact: tobey@prepaired.com

www.prepaired.com

 

About Eric Zimmermann

Eric is a DJ/Master of Ceremonies, Pianist, Bandleader and Co-founder of Elegant Music. Eric is also a commercial actor in Los Angeles and host of Wedding & Event Podcast.

Contact: eric@elegantmusic.com

Website: www.elegantmusic.com

Office: 626-797-1795

Wedding & Event Planning & Guidance Part 1. Wedding & Event Podcast Episode: 2

by Leave a Comment

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 34:16 — 31.4MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS | More

Wedding Ceremony @ Bel-Air Bay Club. Elegant Music 626-797-1795
Wedding Ceremony @ Bel-Air Bay Club

Even for a seasoned event professional with many years of experience planning a major event is a big responsibility. It would be very easy to overwhelm someone new to the planning of such an event.

Eric Zimmermann www.elegantmusic.com & Tobey Dodge www.prepaired.com

But I think everyone can learn and everyone can grow into the role of being the creator of a beautiful and successful event. To do this without a guiding hand however one would experience a very steep learning curve. But please know we are here to help.

I believe it is the responsibility of the wedding and event planner to guide a couple and their families through the planning process at a rate that can be comfortably experienced.

And now please enjoy “Wedding and Event Planning and Guidance.”

Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann Host of Wedding & Event Podcast 626-797-1795

About Tobey Dodge

“Tobey is about as good as you get. She simply cares about her clients and makes sure every detail has been taken care of…”

John Scott Senior Event Consultant, Classic Party Rentals

 

About Eric Zimmermann

Eric is a DJ/Master of Ceremonies, Pianist, Bandleader and Co-founder of Elegant Music. Eric is also a commercial actor in Los Angeles and host of Wedding & Event Podcast.

Contact: eric@elegantmusic.com

Website: www.elegantmusic.com

Office: 323-270-3650

Introduction to Wedding & Event Podcast Episode 1

by 2 Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:04 — 1.9MB)

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | RSS | More

Hello. My name is Eric Zimmermann. I am a DJ/Master of Ceremonies, Pianist and Bandleader in Los Angeles.

Wedding and event planning is a big undertaking and new for most people.

An informed buyer makes good decisions when planning their special event that’s why education and experience are so important. 

The listener of this podcast will benefit from hearing discussions by experienced event professionals. Real situations and issues are addressed and guidance offered.

Our purpose is to provide the listener with fundamental concepts to assist them in the creative process of designing, planning and executing their event.

In addition to increasing creativity and enjoyment for those new to event planning it is our intention to help raise the standard of service provided by event professionals through informative and often entertaining discussion 🙂

Tobey Dodge

Eric Zimmermann & Tobey Dodge www.weddingandevent.com
Eric Zimmermann www.elegantmusic.com and Tobey Dodge www.prepaired.com

Planning a successful event is all about choices. In putting together your team of vendors seek out helpful, experienced and responsible individuals. These qualities certainly are reflected in the individual I have chosen to help me launch this podcast. Over the years I have worked with Tobey Dodge on weddings and events and have grown to know and admire her wisdom and willingness to help.  It is a complete pleasure to work with someone who is a nice person and so competent. Tobey is a wealth of knowledge and fortunate for us, she is willing to share that knowledge.

That’s our introduction. And now please enjoy the first episode of Wedding and Event Podcast “Guidance.”

Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann Host of Wedding and Event Podcast 626-797-1795

About Tobey Dodge

“Tobey is about as good as you get. She simply cares about her clients and makes sure every detail has been taken care of…”

John Scott Senior Event Consultant, Classic Party Rentals

Tobey is a published author, Wedding Consultant, Founder and CEO of Prepaired.com.

Contact: tobey@prepaired.com

www.prepaired.com

 

About Eric Zimmermann

Eric is a DJ/Master of Ceremonies, Pianist, Bandleader and Co-founder of Elegant Music. Eric is also a commercial actor in Los Angeles and host of Wedding & Event Podcast.

Contact: eric@elegantmusic.com

Website: www.elegantmusic.com

Office: 626-797-1795

Social Media