Real Brides Podcast

In this episode of The Real Brides Podcast, Vanessa shares how she chose Princeton’s Chauncey Hotel for her reception—falling in love with the picturesque grounds, the historic Laurie House for getting ready and cocktail hour, and the convenience of on-site lodging that saved time (and transportation costs). She highlights flexible indoor/outdoor spaces (including a beautiful tent), gorgeous photo...

Rosana revisits Nico and Mia’s Battleground Country Club wedding film, packed with sweet and funny moments: Mia’s first look with her twin and her pizza-focused brother, a prank first look that swaps the bride for her tall brother, and an emotional real first look that sets the tone. During the ceremony, Nico “makes it right” with a surprise re-proposal, and the night shines with marquee letters,...

In this episode of The Real Brides Podcast, Rosana and bride Vanessa recap a cautionary tale about hiring a family-friend DJ for her Chauncey Hotel wedding: mispronounced names despite phonetic guides, the wrong entrance songs, awkward pauses, and unprofessional behavior. With help from a stellar day-of coordinator, the celebration still shined—but Vanessa’s takeaway is clear: don’t mix friends an...

In this episode of The Real Brides Podcast, Rosana chats with newlyweds Nico and Mia about choosing Battleground Country Club—and why it exceeded their expectations. They rave about the modern renovations, huge reception room and dance floor (perfect for 300+ guest lists), gorgeous outdoor ceremony space, and a roomy bridal suite connected to the ballroom. Their package was stacked—food and cockta...

In this episode of Real Brides, host Rosana chats with Vanessa, a recent bride who shares a clever and budget-friendly wedding invitation hack that saves time and stress. Vanessa reveals how her sister secretly numbered RSVP cards using invisible ink and an Excel spreadsheet—making it easy to track who responded, even when guests forgot to write their names. Rosana and Vanessa laugh over how often...

In this episode of The Real Brides Podcast, host Rosana chats with Emily, a recent bride who celebrated her wedding at Clark’s Landing Yacht Club. The two dive into the challenges of communication during wedding planning — especially when juggling multiple vendors and a busy mind. Emily opens up about her experience discovering she may be neurodivergent and how ADHD affected her planning process,...

Rosana from Shotwell Productions hosts Vanessa on the Real Brides podcast to discuss her two-part wedding—a micro ceremony and a larger June reception at the Chauncey Hotel—and why she chose to invest in videography. Paying for the wedding themselves, Vanessa and her husband cut back on florals to afford video, realizing how priceless it is to relive moments, voices, and emotions that photos can’t...

In Episode 15 of Real Brides, Rosana welcomes Kristin and Kyle, who reflect on their December 2021 wedding and share the lessons they learned throughout planning. Kristin emphasizes the importance of setting expectations early—deciding on the overall vibe, season, and level of formality—so the rest of the decisions naturally fall into place. She also advises couples to be selective with whose opin...

Hosted by Rosana of Shotwell Productions, Episode 14 of Real Brides features Rebecca breaking down how she built—and stuck to—a realistic wedding budget. She explains how a two-year engagement helped them save, why touring venues via bridal expos clarified costs, and how choosing The Tides for its inclusive packages (open bar, cocktail hour, maître d’) simplified planning. She also flags easy-to-m...

In this episode of Real Brides, Rosana chats with Chelsea, a past bride who tied the knot at The Mill Lakeside Manor on a gorgeous fall day. They reflect on the stunning colors, her bouquet, and the importance of family portraits—an essential but sometimes stressful part of the wedding. Chelsea shares why including her large extended family was non-negotiable, and how managing so many relatives br...

In this episode of Real Brides, Rosana chats with Rebecca—one of our past brides—about how thoughtful details can make a wedding feel deeply personal without being fussy. A self-professed fall girl, Rebecca shares how her November celebration leaned into cozy, autumnal touches (think leaves, pumpkins, and warm textures) and why she chose practical-but-pretty gifts like monogrammed zip hoodies her...

In this episode of Real Brides, Chelsea shares a simple but powerful piece of wedding advice she first came across on social media: never leave your partner’s side on your wedding day. Instead of getting pulled in different directions, she and her husband made it a point to move through the celebration together—greeting guests side by side, enjoying the dance floor together, and reflecting on the...

On this episode of Real Brides, Kristen and Kyle share the story of their December 2021 wedding day—a traditional Catholic church ceremony followed by a reception at the Ramsey Golf and Country Club. They walk listeners through the details of choosing a meaningful parish, working with a young and relatable priest, and experiencing a modernized Pre-Cana that felt welcoming rather than intimidating....

In this episode of Real Brides, Rosanna sits down with Jessica and Dave, who were married in December 2019 at the Lambertville Station. This isn’t their first walk down the aisle—both have been married before—and they open up about the lessons they’ve learned the second time around. From communication struggles to finding balance in honesty and empathy, they share candid reflections on what it tak...

In this joy-filled episode of Real Brides, host Rosana sits down with Kara, a summer bride who tied the knot at the gorgeous Bear Brook Valley in July. Kara shares the intentional decisions behind every detail of her big day—from custom cufflinks for the groomsmen to lace sneakers for dancing the night away. As a teacher, Kara planned around her school schedule and leaned into flexibility, even wh...

In this wild-yet-wholesome episode of Real Brides, Rosana chats with Shelby and her husband about the wedding-day curveball no one plans for: the groom and six groomsmen getting stuck in a hotel elevator an hour before photos. From the moment the doors jammed to the arrival of not one but two fire trucks (the first didn’t have the right key!), the guys kept their cool while their ultra-communicati...

In this episode of Real Brides, Rosana chats with Jessica and Dave, a fun-loving couple who tied the knot in an intimate December 2019 wedding at the charming Lambertville Station. As a second marriage for both, they approached the day with creativity, intention, and a deep appreciation for their community. With no day-of coordinator included in their package, they relied on the talents of close f...

In this heartwarming and insightful episode of Real Brides, host Rosana from Shotwell Productions sits down with Chelsea, a recent bride who tied the knot at The Mill Lakeside Manor. Chelsea shares her journey of finding the perfect wedding dress—how she ended up falling in love with a strapless gown she never thought she'd wear, and the creative alterations she made to add removable off-the-shoul...

In this episode, Lauren and Thien share how they threw tradition out the window and planned a wedding that was 100% them—a vibrant mix of cultures and their favorite TV show, Psych. From pineapple aisle runners and episode-themed table names to a surprise choreographed first dance, their day was filled with laughter, personality, and hidden details only true fans would spot. They talk about how th...

In this heartfelt episode of Real Brides, Shelby and Jatil take us behind the scenes of planning not just one, but two unforgettable weddings that beautifully blended Indian and American traditions. From navigating cultural expectations to choosing which ceremonies to include, they share how they honored both sides of their families while staying true to their own style. With humor and honesty, th...

In this heartwarming episode, we sit down with Jessica and Dave, a couple who found love the second time around and chose to celebrate it their way. After each having large, traditional weddings in the past—complete with parental takeovers and guest lists over 200—they opted for something radically different: an intimate ceremony with just 22 guests at the cozy and festive Lambertville Station Inn...

In this episode of Real Brides, newlyweds Kristin and Kyle get real about the toughest part of planning a wedding: handling everyone else's opinions. From family input to social media pressure, they share how they stayed true to their vision, what they’d do again, and why trusting your own vibe matters most. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by advice, this one's for you.

In this episode of Real Brides, Rosana sits down with newlyweds Shelby and Jatil for a hilarious, heartfelt, and unfiltered look at their incredible wedding at The Palace at Somerset Park. From budget battles and must-have vendors to signature cocktails, LED robot surprises, and a millennial-fueled dance floor, they break down what really matters—and what’s worth the splurge. Plus, hear why pre-pa...