The Say Less Podcast

023 - How Content Creators are reshaping weddings with raw, real, unfiltered content ft. Katie from The Veil Club

• Alex & Grace • Episode 23

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In this episode, hosts Alex and Grace sit down with Katie Bryant, the visionary behind The Veil Club, to explore her inspiring journey from working in occupational therapy to becoming a full-time content creator in the wedding industry. Whether you're a budding creator or a seasoned vendor, Katie's story offers valuable insights on embracing unexpected paths and building a personalized brand.

In this episode:

  • Katie shares her background, moving across states and transitioning from healthcare to content creation
  • The story behind naming The Veil Club and how branding was a reflection of her community-focused approach
  • How her accidental entry into wedding content blossomed into a full-time entrepreneurial venture
  • The real difference between traditional videography and content creation—what couples need to understand
  • Tips on building a reliable team without sacrificing intimacy and authenticity
  • The importance of creating content that captures joy and real moments over trends
  • Strategies for integrating content creation into wedding days without adding stress
  • The evolving role of content creators in the wedding vendor ecosystem
  • Practical advice for new entrepreneurs to leverage unplanned opportunities and validate their passion

Connect with Katie

Special note: If you’re feeling stuck or starting with no clear plan, remember Katie’s story... sometimes, the most beautiful paths are unplanned. Trust the process and embrace opportunities that come your way, even if they weren’t in the original game plan. Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to follow, review, and share this episode with fellow creatives and industry friends. Until next time, keep creating meaningful moments!

Send us burning questions, topic ideas, and things you’re loving about the podcast!

Connect with Alex & Grace:

Education:

Must-Have Systems

Arisa Haus Creative Marketing Agency

Grace & Andrew Cacho provide clarity to businesses and personal brands by means of Brand Message Clarity, Audits, Brand Strategy, Content Creation, Photo & Video, Web Design, and Social Media Management.

SPEAKER_01

And to speak to something that you said, Alex, about like creating a day for content versus creating like a wedding day. So like I've seen both. Yeah. I prefer the day that is like for the couple and like so sweet and so intimate. Like I've done several wedding days and I was like, this is for content. Like this is only for so we can post that we're married and it was like beautiful and perfect in every way. But like you know what I mean? And so it just to me, it it takes the joy out of it. Um, and it shows in the content. I wanted to start a podcast for creative entrepreneurs.

SPEAKER_03

So I asked Alex to join me and I said, say less, I'm in. Welcome to the Say Less podcast, where we actually say a lot more about motherhood, creativity, photography, business ownership, and everything in between.

SPEAKER_02

We are your hosts, Alex and Grace. And this is a space for creative women building something meaningful. Whether you're raising babies, raising your rates, or just trying to figure out your next move.

SPEAKER_03

We talk about all the real stuff. What's working, what's not, what we're unlearning, what nobody tells you about building a business that has to fit inside of real life.

SPEAKER_02

The pivot, the pressure, the sustainability, and all of the seasons. If you've ever felt like you're creating in the margin of your time, your energy, or your confidence, you're not alone here.

SPEAKER_03

So stay a lot. Let's get into it. Hello everyone. We have a special guest on the podcast today. We have Katie with The Veil Club. Katie is owner and lead content creator for The Veil Club, born and raised in small town Arkansas, but she's lived all over, which I want to talk about, DFW, New York City, LA, Nashville, Kansas City, outside of Austin, and now back to DFW again for her second go-around. I can't sit still, clearly. We went to grad school at TWU Denton, where she received her master's in occupational therapy and has worked in various settings, mostly with kids, over the last eight years. She always knew it wasn't her passion. So when she fell into content creation, she knew this was it for her. She loves Jesus, all things pink. I think you and Alex had that in common. Girly and fun. So let's make lemonade out of lemons. Loves the beach and sunshine, ice latte's new coffee shops, shopping till she drops, dancing and trying new restaurants with the girlies, staying active and traveling and exploring. I told Alex this reminds me of a meetup profile. Have you seen that app where it's like bumble but for friends? Admin. It's like a dating app, but for BFFs, and that's what this reminds me of.

SPEAKER_02

My issue with your bio is like it could be my bio as well. I'm like, Adam, she has two kids, she doesn't sleep, and she drinks too much caffeine. And mine's is literally exactly the same. Pink, curly, restaurants, lattes, shopping, dancing, restaurants. Like it's me. It's me. Like we're the same.

SPEAKER_01

It's fine.

SPEAKER_02

We're the same.

SPEAKER_01

I love it.

SPEAKER_02

That is. I had a cool question. Where did you come up with the Veil Club? Oh my gosh.

SPEAKER_01

That was like the bane of my existence when I was trying to figure out like what to name because I was like very, very like, I need it to be like there were so many other ideas I had, but I was like, I don't want to add like a dot in it in my like ad on like Instagram or exactly the same on both like on Instagram and TikTok. I didn't want it to, you know, like have to have an underscore in one, or like I was like, I just want it to be that. And like I don't even know. I mean, I was like using ChatGBT, like I was just asking like content creation ideas like unique, blah, blah, blah. Like, I just literally, and then I don't even know. I just was at my like job at the time talking about it with like my coworkers, and then I just was like, okay, what about this? Like, I loved like like a club.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

I was like, I wanted it to feel like I don't know, like we were like friends and like hanging out and not just like I don't know. And I didn't want my name, I knew I didn't want my name attached to it. Like there's yes, like content by, which is like totally fine. I just knew I didn't want it. I was like, I don't know, I just don't want my name. I love it. Like I love it.

SPEAKER_02

I love the feel of club. Like yeah, I love the feel of club, like exactly what you said, because I feel like like collaboration and like collective, like I'm rebranding in tiny teaser, but it has collective in it. I'm like, all of that is like really like people are doing it. It's kind of a thing that's going on, and club feels like intimate and casual, but like inclusive. Like it's the club and it's friends, but it's veil club, so it's bridal. I love it. I just think it's so cute. It is like absolutely perfect. And I want to hear more about the Veil Club. So give us kind of a little like background preview.

SPEAKER_01

Okay, well, I'll just like go into like how I like started, I guess. Yeah. So I was living in Kansas City at the time. Um, I was like working as an occupational therapist, and I was actually moving like in June of 2024, like away from Kansas City. But probably in like May, I like got a random DM on like my personal Instagram. Mind you, I've never heard of wedding content at this time. Like I have no background in like the wedding industry or anything. And this girl that I had followed in Kansas City who like would plan like girly like hangouts, meetups, I don't know. Um, her name is Hannah. And I never went to any of them, so I never met her, but like we just followed each other. She literally messaged me on Instagram and was like, Hey, would you come and do like content at my wedding? Like, it's really expensive to hire like an actual content creator, but like I see your post, I know you could do a good job. I want to give you my phone, I'll give you like a shot list, like I'll send you inspo and like I'll pay you. I just like can't pay like whatever. And she's like, How and I'm like, What? I'm like, that's crazy. That's wild. And I'm like, okay, cool. And I'm like, hey, I'm flattered and honored, and like, yeah, sounds fun. Like, I'm available and I will do it. I'm like, how did $200 sound? Sping, yeah, I just put it gallus by gasped. Like, I and I mean I had no experience and like whatever. So I was like, sure, and she's like, yeah, for like seven hours, and I'm like, sure. Like she literally was like, That's pennies, yes, hired. Okay, and so I went and I had like the most fun other, ever. And like look at that, that like content is like to me, it's like not very good, but like I mean, no, I'm sure it was great. I didn't even use my phone too, so it was just like I just like went, and I was like, people do this and get paid like a lot of money, like yeah, I mean, you know, and I was like, okay, so I'm gonna do this, but I was moving, yeah. I was like gonna be an arc back in Arkansas for like a month, and I actually like found uh like a mutual friend from college who was getting married in the town that my mom lives in. And I was like, Hey, can I come to your wedding and do content for free because I need to build more portfolio and whatever. And I had like made the social, like I'd come up with a name by this point. Um, and so I went, whatever, did her wedding, and then I was moving to Killeen, like my boyfriend at the time was in the army. Um, and so that's where I was headed next, like outside of Austin. And so I was like, okay, great, I'll like keep, you know, build this up in Austin. And I did like so like in the fall, so I moved in August of 2024, and like in the fall was really just like building the brand, trying to learn the like business side of things. Um, I wasn't really doing, I did like one wedding in DFW. So I was obviously following photographers from planners, like trying to connect with people. I feel like a lot of people, like you'll know, like you guys probably know, just say like Texas, right? So it's like you don't really know where they're located, like you don't know if they're in DFW, but they just say Texas. And so I think that that's probably why it was happening. But I basically connected with two people, Riley Aaron Photo and Kayla Shea events. Like I connected with both of them. Well, turns out they're like DFW based. Did a wedding with Riley in the fall. Again, this is like all portfolio building. Did one wedding in Austin in January of 2025 that I like found this girl on like a, I don't know, like a wedding, Austin wedding Facebook group, and just was like, hey, I saw you're getting married. Can I come to your wedding? And she was like, Yeah. And so then I had already kind of committed to a couple other weddings with Riley and Kayla that were not going to be happening until the spring. Um then I like was slowly starting to book. Like I booked a wedding in Arkansas, and then like again, just through these portfolio building weddings that I was doing, I was slowly booking, but everything I was booking was in um DFW. And so I'm like, I'm like, this is weird, like whatever. It didn't matter because it's like it's only three hours. I had friends in DFW from like grad school. I can stay with people, whatever. But fast forward spring of 2025, like we broke up and I was like, oh my gosh, like this is why I'm booking. Like I'm supposed to move to DFW. I'm like, oh my gosh.

SPEAKER_02

Period, period.

SPEAKER_01

Look at God, like this is crazy. So because like every single wedding that I had, except for like two, um, which were that are they're just now about to happen in June, were like DFW or Arkansas based. Wow. So yeah, so then I moved to DFW. Like I went back home for a couple months, just like save money, had a couple like weddings last summer that I would just like kind of like go back and forth for, and then I officially moved to Frisco in August, so um of 2025. So I have a new yeah, and so now like fast forward, I yesterday was my last day full-time as an OT. And so I'm here full time.

SPEAKER_02

Those of you that are um listening to the podcast, by the time this episode launches, it'll be like a couple weeks into this, probably. First of all, as a full-time creative entrepreneur creative, that's so awesome. No, it's so I'm like, thank you for celebrating with us.

SPEAKER_03

Like very emotionally, like, I don't know. I feel like you're no idea.

SPEAKER_00

No, I have not so exciting.

SPEAKER_02

I so and I want to comment on a couple things. I like was thinking in my head, I was bullet pointing notes while you were discussing all that. Number one, the Texas wedding industry thing is crazy. The state is the size of a country. So like you could say Texas, and honestly, I don't travel that much anymore now that I have two little ones. You were though, yes. We've talked about this on previous episodes, like we would go anywhere, and I still would given the right opportunity, but I like to stay in the DFW region now. Yeah, but I'm like, people all the time reach out from new brawnfuls and blah blah blah. I'm like, oh, you're like a DFW, and I'm like, dude, that's six hours a walk. That is like not a simple commute anymore. So that's crazy, and I totally understand, and I'm so happy you're in the DFW area. Yeah, it's just so freaking exciting. I am excited. But you're from Arkansas, right? Yes, yeah. Okay. Okay. Welcome here. I'm thrilled. Um, I had a couple questions, and Grace and I were talking about this before you hopped on, but content creation is uh a little bit of a hot topic in the wedding industry right now, specifically up against like wedding videographers. And just for background, one of us is married to a wedding videographer. I'm not pointing out, I'm not pointing out me, but it ain't me. But I will say that he doesn't have any hot takes. We are not content creator haters at all. We've worked with a bunch, we love them, but I do think our older generation and some people that aren't as involved in the industry and in this community of wedding vendors don't understand like exactly what it is and kind of how it holds up versus a wedding videographer. So I wanted you to kind of like give a brief overview kind of like what you do. So not like necessarily what you offer or anything like that, but kind of what you do specifically versus a wedding videographer. And actually, let me not say versus. So I'm like not in competition with, but in addition to, in addition to alongside.

SPEAKER_01

What do you think about that, Katie? Yeah, I will start with just yeah, like what I'm there to do. And then I can go into like I get asked on almost every inquiry call, like what like what's the difference? And like, what should I do? kind of thing. Like rides will literally just be like, I don't know what should I do, and I'm like, yeah. But obviously, I'm there with an iPhone, like literally latest iPhone. That is what I'm using. I'm not using like content is not professional grade, like video cameras. It is strictly like for me, and at least how I run the bell club, like some content creators can be different. But like for me, I am like, I want to be behind the scenes. Like I'm rarely like leading creatively as far as like giving like creative direction to the couple. Like, I'm rarely that um, you know, I will sometimes if I'm asked or if there's something very specific that like the bride or the couple wants. Um, and I'm always communicating that beforehand. But like I'm essentially there with an iPhone, capturing short video clips throughout the entire day. Some, you know, some like little live photos and stuff if it's like more appropriate of a moment, but just capturing different angles, different zooms of just all of the moments happening throughout the day. And it's a little bit more like raw, real, natural, even like intimate, right? Like zooming in on like a handhold, like things like that. And yeah, it's all iPhone and it's short video clips, and that's like the best way I feel like to describe it.

SPEAKER_03

And it's so fun, natural.

SPEAKER_01

And then as far as like editing goes, of course, like so difference, you know, biggest difference in like video traditional videography and content is like you're getting all the raw footage, you know, very quick turnaround time, you're getting the raw, so then you can turn like if you are like a creative bride or a couple, like you can kind of turn that content into your own things if you want. And then it's of course, like deliverables are very different, like traditional videography. You're getting like a beautiful, long, like masterpiece video. And like content is like, yes, it's still so beautiful and so fun, but it's just a little bit more raw, real, natural, shorter, shorter kind of piece together to tell um, you know, like mini stories of your day versus like a beautiful, like longer, cinematic masterpiece of how I describe it. But like they're both just so different and like beautiful in their own way. Like when my brides asked me, I like literally say, if I was getting married today and budget is not an issue, I'm having two videographers, two content creators, two photographers. Yeah, period. Yes. Every single moment, it will not be missed. Yes, getting married today and there's no budget, you know, and it depends on your style. Are you someone who wants that like longer video to watch every anniversary and post and you know, have that to look back on and you can afford it because it like the cost is very, very different, then okay, great. Are you someone who prefers a little bit more raw, real, natural in the moment, not like a lot of heavy like Photoshop or filters or like you're creative and you want to be able to have that content to like, you know, repurpose in your own way, kind of thing? Like, yeah, yeah, it's so different, but like I say have all three if you can afford it. But like, yeah, yeah, I love that.

SPEAKER_02

In my experience with content creators, too, it's kind of like having a friend versus like a videographer is like another vendor. And I, of course, remain professional, but do try to be friendly with my couples in the way of I'm gonna capture everything we've discussed, but I'm also here to capture like all the moments in between. And I feel like videographers capture kind of what I capture, but they're also, you know, they're flying the drone over the venue and they're exactly what you said, making like a cinematic masterpiece. Whereas like you're getting those clips in between, and they're like, Hey, can you grab this? Or you're kind of seeing moments that maybe the photographer and videographer are missing, but also, and I don't want to say like it's not important to the videographer, that like moments that content creators are capturing. I don't want to say not important, but y'all, y'all get what I'm saying when I say not important, but those the tiny things that don't need to be in your wedding video, but are important characteristics of the day. Yes, you know what I mean. I think they're helping the bride no. You go ahead. You go ahead.

SPEAKER_03

I think that also in a in a way could potentially take pressure off videographers because you have so many people asking for extra this, extra that. Can you deliver us the raws of this and the raws of that? And right a lot of times those are extra costs, anyways. And so I think if you want to like prioritize those moments, like speeches or or whatever, if somebody had something fun to say at the reception and the videographer got it, but it's not on your highlight video, like where'd it go? And I think a content creator, I don't know, it just kind of fills not necessarily the gaps, but things that you'd want to get anyways, but they'd be probably in the format that that you'd want them, just like on your phone, and you're able to like reference them more quickly and as often as you want to without it being a whole big thing. So you you offer Raw's like individual clips, and then do you also like splice stuff together? Yes, yeah. For like short form, long form.

SPEAKER_01

Yep. So like each of my packages comes with like a different amount of like edited content. And so do you want me to go into that right now? Yeah, go ahead. Dive in. So yeah. So I have like six, eight, and ten hours. And so each each one of those packages comes with all the raw. So basically, I kind of sift through typically immediately after a wedding. I'm like already starting to like sift through and like you know, delete out if it's like eyes closed on a photo or like uh duplicate second video just like didn't turn out. Like I'm sifting through because I don't want my couples to have to do that, and then I like organize and upload everything to Dropbox in like different folders so that it's like able to easily be found bridals, you know, golden hour, bridesmaids, all the things. And so typically, like my goal is always to upload that before I'm before I go to bed, if I'm able to. And that way is uploaded and I can send the gallery over to the couple and then um then I start working on the like deliverables um across each package. It kind of varies, but essentially um every package comes with like a full recap. So I just say that's anywhere from like one to three minutes, and that's kind of like piecing together the whole day for fun. Like, especially if they don't have video, I'm like, this would be more so like your traditional videographer video because it is gonna try to tell a story of the whole day, but it's still not, it's still very different, right? It's still not gonna be as long, it's still not, it's gonna be in a different, you know, format, in different editing style, all of that. But like I kind of compare it to that, and then like depending on the package, it's like three, four, or five, I believe, or two, three, or four. It doesn't matter. Anyways, highlight videos, which I always say those are like what you see me posting on socials, 30 seconds typically or less, highlighting more of like a specific moment in time. Yeah, anything that the couple wants, or honestly, most people just give me creative freedom. So it's like, okay, I just go and like see how the day goes. It's like obviously I'm gonna make one of like the bride and the groom, like that's gonna be a highlight video of like goals an hour or whatever. Yeah, you know, or if there's just anything that like sticks out to me during the day, I will, you know, use that for like the highlight videos. But but yeah, yeah. So all the that's awesome. Yeah, and I always also like give an option. So, like if my couple does have traditional videography, then I always give the option if you don't want that like longer recap video. If you prefer to seven like more highlights, like an extra like three highlights instead of that, like I always give that option because some of them are like, Yeah, um, since they do have that traditional like video coming, they prefer like more highlights throughout the day. And I mean, I just typically get so inspired and I just make so many videos and uploads.

SPEAKER_03

So I think I mean over shooter, yeah. You're in good company, over deliverer.

SPEAKER_01

Like, I'm like, oh my gosh, you have a milk and cookie thing. Like, you didn't ask for this video, but I will be making this thing.

SPEAKER_02

Yes, that's so awesome.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, it's so fun, but yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Do you also work for vendors or do you only work for brides and grooms? Like, if if I wanted to hire you if grooms, I was gonna ask that. That's great. Yeah, like with vendors as well for background footage or just for bride and groom. And how does that look like on a wedding day? So I've always here for, yeah. Yeah, like I've always wanted to, but then I'm like having someone follow me around, like videoing me on their phone on someone else's wedding day. I I just like can't wrap my brain around it. But like I want it.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, I haven't actually like done it. I actually just had a planner reach out and ask me, and I was like, yeah, I can definitely do that. I feel like the planning side would be different versus like the photo side, just because obviously, like planning, you could get there like earlier in the day and you're gonna be focused on like setup and things. I have some friends who have done it for planners and things like that. I just haven't yet, but like it's definitely something I'm like open to. Um, but I do think so. I've actually been at a wedding where like the DJ had like their own content creator, um, which cooking and like I didn't know, and I ended up knowing her, so that was like so fun to see my friend. I'm like, I didn't know you're gonna be here. I was there for the couple, she's there for the DJ. But like we were both we were kind of getting like the same content, right? Like of the dance floor. Um and so like I think it is just um can be tricky, and I think the biggest thing is like communicating it like. It's great. Like everyone needs that. Like it would be helpful for a content creator to come for just like an hour or two and like follow around the photographer to get like BTS for their socials. Um I think it's just making sure that you're like communicating it to all the other vendors, the couple, because I think that's where like obviously I don't care. But like when I did, I'm like, well, we're both here, like that it and I didn't know. Like it's just kind of like, oh, and like it's like, does the couple know? Like me, my day, like I want to like if my vendor is bringing like another vendor, like I want to know, like for right. And I also think um that like my personal thing is like I think the couple should have access to that, like if they want it, like just kind of like using their day, you know what I mean? Yeah, yeah. Like that's that's where like that makes sense. It's like weird, but like because like you they would maybe take some like of just the couple, right? So that you can post like a the moment versus the shot content, like idea like that. And so I just feel like if you're essentially like gonna, I don't know, you know what I mean?

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, I do. I get what you're saying, and that's exactly how I feel is that I'm like, I am hired to do a job, but like I'm using this to like advance my business, other than like the obvious of I'm gonna use your photos for marketing. Yeah, it's hard because and this is why I think that content creators are thriving right now. Like we're in such a content focused society, and like the wedding industry, pro and con, is so content focused. Um, and Grace and I do highlight this conversation often of um creating a day that isn't only for content but is special to you, you know, not like creating your day so that you can create content if you're getting what I'm saying, which maybe I'm like speaking to the wrong crowd because I know you're a content creator. Although I know you probably still agree with me, but yeah, we are in like such a content-driven society and especially like this industry. And I always joke with Grace like if I didn't run a business as a creative entrepreneur, I probably wouldn't have social media because I I'd get so burnt out and tired of it. But at the end of the day, I need content to post. And this is like such a pivotal time in your business of needing to here's how I work, and here's me, you know, communicating with my clients. I feel like that's such valuable content for me to have. Of this is me actually working. You can witness it in raw format of me working with my clients on their wedding day. And I feel like it would be so valuable. And I will do it someday. And I think I'll just have to be have like a relationship with my couple, maybe someone I already know and not someone, you know, I'm showing up on their wedding day with someone. Cause I do try to get my second photographer to get some behind the scenes. I always make a reel of my wedding days of like quick moments, and then I can post like one of my photos as like the cover photo, but I never wanted to steal from taking photos.

SPEAKER_03

So it's always like that's like always the priority. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Exactly. It's like two second clips, and I never usually get any. It's my second photographer that'll get some. But any anything I post that's me actually working, it always pops off over just like posting my product. But I was I was wondering about that because I always want to come off professional and focused on wedding days, and like especially with I I don't, I know you don't know, but I have been shooting weddings for 10 years. So I'm like 10 years into being a full-time photographer, and my priority has always been to stay away from the trends and focus on my couple, hoping that my couple is also focused on my couple and not on the trends. So it kind of was all full circle. But at the end of the day, it's hard because you do have to kind of stay up with what's relevant in order to continue to get hired in order for me to keep doing what I want to do. Yeah. So that was kind of a soapbox, but kind of just like how I've been feeling.

SPEAKER_03

Question for you, Katie. When you're talking to your couples or your brides or whatever, or even after you've sent deliverables, what is your finding? Like, how much emphasis do they put on what you deliver them and like how is it being used? How like what kinds of brides booking content creation and like what are they using it for? Right.

SPEAKER_02

Like, not only influencers is what Grace is asking.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01

I will say, like, I've had some couples, I'm like, I am shocked that you like wanted content. And like, I don't know. Like, it's just like I will meet you and I'm like, I just feel like like it doesn't seem like these, like some of them, I'm like, you don't strike me as someone who like even cares about social media. So I think there are those that are wanting it as a more cost-effective form of video, right? And so it is like strictly like just for them. Like I've never seen them post any of it. And it's like I'm not there, like that's your content. Like, if you're just scrolling and you want to watch it in bed every single night, that's totally fine. Versus, like, you know what I mean? Like, I don't if it like doesn't ever get posted because like they're always still so like grateful and they are like you know, communicating that they like absolutely love it. Yeah. And to speak to something that you said, Alex, about like creating a day for content versus creating like a wedding day. So like I've seen both. Yeah. I prefer the day that is like for the couple, and like so sweet and so intimate. Like, I've done several wedding days that I was like, this is for content, like this is only for so we can post that we're married and it was like beautiful and perfect in every way, but like yeah, you know what I mean? And so it just to me, it it takes the joy out of it. Um, and it shows in the content. Like, I'm like, you can tell and like wasn't like this just like raw in the moment, like real, no posing, like less of the like posing, and like I don't know, it just you can just tell. And I just always find that like honestly, the content that I feel like is just amazing are the types of couples that are like truly there because it's just like they can't wait to marry their person and it's the best because of that. Granted, like, yes, it's a beautiful party, and that's awesome too, but like truly just there to like celebrate with their person and their loved ones, and they're just like giddy and joyful, and they're not asking for any specific trends or TikToks or anything like that. Like, I've had very few who have asked for TikTok trends and stuff like that. Um but yeah, so it's really a mix. Like I've seen both, but honestly, I feel like the majority is just the type that is just like not even like a super like influencer, like social media focused person. It's literally just the average, you know, girl who just wants to have like a form of video um at their wedding if they even if they do already have like traditional videography. I love that. Yeah, we're pro content, grace of the both.

SPEAKER_02

We're like the more the merrier. We always are saying that we're like have a videographer, have a content creator, have some photographers, have all of it. Like it is your most important day. And we always have said it, it was like a saying a long time ago, but like the flowers die and the cake gets eaten, but like the content, your photos, your video, the content is all is going to withstand. Yeah. So I just think it's so important. We're we're pro content, we're pro content creators. Yeah. And I love that it's become a thing in the right area. Yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03

I think when you like strip away to like we're photographers, we can like make a photo Ibe, for lack of a better word, with a preset and you know, posing people the right way. And a videographer can add like color grading and very cinematic movements and slow-mo and all these things. But when you're delivering your deliverables, I think something that you're really hitting on is like the more awe and real it is with content creation, the more shows why they wanted that and like who the wedding is for. When you get into those moments, like if you strip away all of the fancy decorations or people that did do a wedding just for content, like what are you left with? If there's no joy, then that's definitely gonna show up when you like strip away all the presets and the pretties, and you're just left with like what am I just being captured in the moment? Like, how am I being just in the moment? And so I think you're capturing something like really really beautiful for people in a way that can't be captured with photography and videography.

SPEAKER_02

That's so good. That's so true. Okay, Katie, I have a question for you. So now that you have some wedding days under your belt, I have to know, like from your standpoint, what's your favorite part of the day and your least favorite part of the day?

SPEAKER_01

Oh my gosh. Okay, favorite part of the day is definitely like golden hour photos. Like, I absolutely live for that. If you try to skip me on my golden hour photo, mad. Yeah, pushback where we need to push back for this. Beach, dances can weigh. Like you, I just like know that this is like you're finally, it's like all the like, it's like you can breathe. Like the couple, like it's the ceremony's done, like everything's kind of like under the belt, right? Like all the hard parts of the day are like, and it's just like time to just like frolic and run and be free. And like, it's like always just so beautiful and right sweet. And I'm just like, that is like hands down my favorite and my favorite content. Honestly, the least favorite part of the day is probably speeches. That's fine. That's mine, that's fine.

SPEAKER_02

I knew you were gonna say that, and that's mine. I knew you were gonna say it. That's fine. Like, and I'm like, and this is no hate, this is no slander, this is no one specific in my brain, but like the speeches. So I've been singing them now where people are doing them at their rehearsal or at their welcome party instead of on their wedding day. Because like I'm so sorry. I hope that this doesn't fall on deaf ears and this is heard as the way it's supposed to. But I'm serious when I say, like, ain't nobody in that room caring about what people are saying during the speech. And it's so the drinking dancing. Yes, get to the whatever is next. Yep. Let's get to the meat and potatoes. I'm telling you, like, as a photographer, I have to remind myself a hundred times to like smile because I'm like standing in the middle of the room and I want to be going like making this like get this over with stories, but I'm like, I have to be going, it's literally my least favorite part of the day. I knew you were gonna say that. I don't even know why I asked.

SPEAKER_01

It's just boring. Like, I don't know.

SPEAKER_02

I'm just like it is, yeah.

SPEAKER_01

Don't get me wrong. There's been some changes that I'm like, those are so sweet. Yes. I think it could be done at the rehearsal, more intimate with really your people, but like, I don't know, your random sorority sister from college who's coming to your wedding, like doesn't like that you haven't seen in three years, like doesn't like want to hear that. Like, you know what I mean? People that want to hear it are the people at the rehearsal dinner. And then also I'm like, you could have 30, 45 minutes of golden hour if you just cut out these speeches.

SPEAKER_04

True.

SPEAKER_01

Like for go have a moment to yourself and just a little snack.

SPEAKER_02

Yes, yeah. I have been seeing a lot more couples, and I've been encouraging this as I've been talking to my couples. If you're a bride listening to our podcast, saving those golden hour photos for the actual golden hour, closer to sunset, especially this time of year, you know, it's closer to eight o'clock, and joining your cocktail hour. I've had I've been having more brides request to join their cocktail hour and reserve photos for when their guests are eating dinner. And I've been enjoying that. So they join cocktail hours, sit down and eat like immediately while their guests are eating, and then hop out and do photos at that time. And then they really truly like aren't missing any aspect of their day, especially with all the cocktail hours I've been shooting. There's been beer donkeys and live bands and like all this stuff, which has been so cool. And like couples want to join. And I've been like loving seeing more authenticity throughout wedding days and like involvement from the bride and groom, too. So I think that's great. But yeah, the speeches have got to go. I feel like Kay and Garter are on their way out, and speeches gotta be next.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, I just don't, I think, or like we have to cap it. Like, we need to like cap it minutes. No open mic, less than two. Oh my gosh. My gosh. So I did. Um, wait, I have a question for y'all. Okay. I'm just thinking on like timeline stuff. Are you like team first touch or first look or what? Like team first look. Yeah, I'm from a self-first standpoint. Yeah, is it because of like timeline?

unknown

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah. I I'm totally fine with both. When I receive this question as a vendor, um, I do explain that of if you do a first look, we're able to do more portraits prior to ceremony and guest arrival. But if you want the traditional aisle and that's the hill you want to die on, that it's your day and you should have exactly what you make it work and we will make it work. But I I'm team first look, and I have been married, this is year seven. Um, and I personally did a first look. So not only am I I do recommend it to my brides, I also practice what I preach because I did it on my wedding day. And it's actually one of my most favorite parts of my day. My husband is uh a little shy and reserved. We're opposites, obviously. Yeah, and uh he just like preferred that private moment. He was like, I don't want everyone staring at me, thinking, like, is he gonna cry? And they're gonna know that we've, you know, already had some time together, and we're just not traditional, I guess, but I'm team first look for sure.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, I figured y'all would be because like I am as a vendor, but like personally, I'm like, it's first touch. Like you won't see me. Well, we'll see. Like, whoever he is, maybe he'd be like that. And I guess I could maybe we can have maybe he's listening to this podcast.

SPEAKER_02

Oh, maybe he is. Yeah, listening to this podcast. I'm like, and it's like we have two male listeners and it's like our husbands. Yeah, maybe they know someone. I know, right? Maybe they're listening, except that they heard you say first touch and they're like, no, I wanted a first look, so never mind. She's like, never mind.

SPEAKER_01

She had me until I clearly am like, I will have my wedding at like 2 p.m. if it means like we can fix that. Yeah, you know what I mean? Like we'll have a 3 p.m.

SPEAKER_02

ceremony with a that's not that's like not as uncommon as you think, I think. Well, then like I have done a bunch.

SPEAKER_03

I was gonna say, Alex did a you did a brunch wedding. You've probably done multiple, but there's like one specific one I'm thinking of, and that was really great.

SPEAKER_02

I did one in San Antonio that I my like call time, my time to start was like 7:30 a.m. And the ceremony was like at 10. And like instead of cake, they did donuts. And shout out to Courtney and JP. This was like a this was, I don't know, this was seven years ago. Happened before I started working with you, so it was a long time ago. Yeah, so it was like seven, seven plus years ago. That's crazy. Yeah, it was really beautiful. They did a mimosa bar and served like a plated breakfast and had like breakfast bars and a donut wall. It was it was really cute and really special, and the weather was amazing, and um, it was beautiful. Most of our portraits were taken like close to sunrise. It was beautiful. It was like the opposite of golden hour, it was sunrise time. It was a great day. So I'm like, and they it was exactly what they wanted. They were like, We love the morning. We're morning people, we love breakfast. I was like, period. It was great. It was great. That's I have another question for you, Katie. Two questions that are gonna kind of roll into each other. Do you currently have anyone working for you?

SPEAKER_01

Do you have a team of people? So I kind of like it's yes, kind of. I have like I'm like they're like many associates, like it's cool. Just like many because it's kind of just like as neat, right? Really as one of them actually like just started her own content creation business. Um, and then one of them was actually she kind of has her own content business, but she doesn't really do anything with it. And she's my friend. So yeah, yeah, and like we're like really good friends now. So it's kind of just like more so like because I am obviously like taking it full time, like it's hard because I have to take as much as like I can really. Like I have to be doing it mostly right now, just because I'm like, okay, I have to make money, but um like I it it's slowly but surely building. It's a process that I've been like hesitant towards only because I probably have control and like trust issues, and I'm like it's a baby, and like if I am going to send someone to represent me, I need them to base like you need to base it on me. I just can't, I don't know. I just so that's been like a struggle, and also because I know there are some content creation businesses that like have like you know, 10 associates, and I don't know. I just am like, I don't know, these like if it were me, like I want like who I talk to on the call. Like, I don't know.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, it's a really personal experience. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01

And like that's what I try to make for my couples. It's like I feel like we're we're friends and we develop relationship through this process from booking all the way to wedding day, and that way it does feel like intimate and special and not just another vendor that you don't know. Yeah. And so that's been like one thing that I like, it's just hesitant, but then it's also hard because you get these increases and you're already booked, and you want to take it and you don't want to not, you know, turn them away. It's just yeah, that's like a big struggle for me of like scaling, but like I don't want to scale like so big that it feels like some like corporate thing that like they never like meet or see me. I don't know. I feel like I'm like, I want to be there. Like I have I have FOMO that I'm at this other wedding and you're there and I can't be at both. So it's been and then also just yeah, the trust piece and like so I've really like just been very blessed with like the two that I have now that are just like my as needed girls when I need them. I didn't really have to like train them because they already are in the content world. So it's been awesome because that's another thing. Like obviously, like training someone up, like you know, who I don't know you can trust. So it's been nice that I'm like, I know you take good content and I know you know how to be the, you know, on a wedding day and be and handle it. It was more so just like, okay, here's like my content preferences, like look through this gallery, like kind of adapt how I shoot if you need to, you know what I mean? Like really study it a little bit and like also like represent me well, but like I know them personally, and so I know so I know they're gonna like represent me well. But like that's a thought I have of like growing and trusting and not growing and keeping it intimate and like personable, and yeah, so work in progress.

SPEAKER_02

It's scary to scary to take a chance on someone that doesn't have any experience, but then sometimes it leads you six years down the road and into starting a podcast together. Because that's our story, that's our story. That's our week, that's our love story. Every once in a while, you take a chance on someone and it brings you here all these years later, and that's me and Grace.

SPEAKER_03

Uh well, okay, I'm not gonna speak from lead photographer in this scenario because I'm not, but uh for Alex. But uh I learned a lot on the job from Alex, and she like taught me as I went, and she like made it very clear to me like, ask me questions, like like so. I asked her, like, what's your Kelvin for this setting? I want to match what you're doing, like in the moment. And I just like made mental notes of it, and I learned how she shot and adapted that kind of for my own stuff. And she had babies, and I was at the point finally where I'd worked with her enough and she taught me enough, like how she does things, even just watching her, like you just learn by watching a lot and like how people handle situations and how people talk. I have this Alex voice that I channel sometimes and I don't even realize I'm doing it because I've just done it so much. Um yeah, like she had babies and I was able to like associate shoe receptions and like for like a reception dinner because she had to go nurse and come back, and it was just like uh it was fine. And so that's just encouragement for you. Like having your people, it doesn't have to be a huge thing, you don't have to have 10 associates. I think that I mean, you're very you're a very relational person, anyways, and so I have no doubt that you'll like build deep, deep connections, and I think that's what fosters like a cohesive team that can create content that looks the same and the experience is the same. So I'm not building an associate team, but I'm just I I feel like that's how it could go. But yeah, just some encouragement for you. I think it's gonna be really good if you decide to like branch out into that more.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah, I'm definitely like kind of I'm I'm not like pushing it because again, like the need right now is not necessarily like super big, but I would love to have like under two, you know, girlies that like I feel like are also like fully committed to like the brand, like as a whole, sure, not necessarily like doing their own thing. Like it's like it's so hard because like I don't want to be like it's like if you want if you have a passion to do that, like I want you to do like your own to like do that, you know what I mean? Like ask me questions, you can still come and like shadow me and like all the things, but like if you have like a dream or something to like create your own wedding content business, like I don't necessarily it's like hard for me of like, well, I don't know. I want someone who's like wants to be like the veil club team member, like yes, a team, like we're together. It's like oh the veil club, that's Katie and so and so kind of thing. Yes, I feel like that's been a little bit like hard to find, and like tell people that is kind of like it's you know what I mean? It's like, oh well, if you want to do your own thing, like sorry, but it's like it's not like that, it's just more so like wanting them to like really be like, no, I I believe in like this brand and like want. to be alongside you and like maybe it's that they already you know maybe it's that they're a stay-at-home mom and they just want like a fun little side gig or maybe it's that they work you know in healthcare or something and this is like a creative outlet but they don't have like a desire to like take it out on their own but like they would love like they want to partner with me. So if anyone's listening fear application too. Yeah I feel like it's just one of those things that I'm like I just I'm like you know what I'm just gonna pray on that and like the Lord will drop that in my lap whenever it's like yes be in the right timing. Like I'm not gonna force it or like you know try to like I don't know seek out someone I just feel like it'll happen like when it's supposed to it totally will.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah it's literally it took me so many years now 10 years in I know I mentioned but more like more so six years in of full time main gig whatever and I have three girls Grace being one of them Grace being my longest standing but I have three girls that I trust with my name with my business with everything that I know that I could send them if needed the drop of a hat entirely instead of me. I have three Grace being one that I know would represent me well and be able to work the day in the same way if not better because they're working harder out of their like love and respect for me that I could send them in place of me. Wow. And so it definitely takes definitely takes time. Yeah totally does and it's the same as what you said I've encouraged all three of them all three have their own businesses as well you know so do your own thing and take on your own thing but I also know that they would go to bat and stand on business for my business, which is amazing and it comes with time and experience and exactly what Grace said you have a great personality and the passion and like willingness to grow and so that like blessing will come your way for sure. And I wanted to say one more thing. I know we have to wrap this up because we are already like almost an hour in and we try to keep things too hard to I'm literally honestly I'm honestly don't tempt me with a good time. I wanted to go back to one thing you said at the beginning and you were talking about how this wasn't really like in the plan for you. Like you never were like I love this I kind of want to start it you kind of got thrown in I just want to kind of give that as like an encouragement to our listeners mainly a lot are creative entrepreneurs or wanting to start their own business. I feel like that's just I wanted to go back to it only because I feel like that's how it begins. And especially in this industry not a lot of people are like this is something I want to do but it's kind of something you pick up or you kind of just start doing out of necessity and then it's like this should be my business and it becomes your lifestyle. But I just want to encourage people in that of here Katie is day one of her new life and her new career. It's so fun. Yeah something that she literally just kind of really literally got plucked out of nowhere to do and has like created such a successful thing for it. And I'm just excited for you and I'm excited to watch it grow and I'm so happy that you chose to come with us on the podcast for day one. Yeah literally I know you've been doing it for like years but I'm saying day one. This is like ground zero.

SPEAKER_01

It feels like yes it I will it'll be two years in June when I since I did like my first wedding. Yeah. A lifetime ago but like also I feel like I had like a pretty like slow start because I was kind of just like okay yeah like whatever like I'm moving like this would be a fun like side gig I wasn't even like thinking about it as like a I don't know like I knew I was like not loving like tea just I love my like sweet angel babies that I worked with but just like as a whole I was like I just like get burnt out like I worked in a lot of different settings because I was just like so burn out and like I do I'm I don't have a background in business I don't have a background in cre like the creative space at all I just like I'm just awesome. I'm just a girl who likes a just a girl and like I'm on Instagram like that's awesome. And I'm not like an influencer like I'm like no I literally have like 2,000 followers like I'm normal whatever. So like when I tell people the story they're like do you have a lot of followers like why did she message you and I'm like no I literally just like like to post like I just yeah in my life like nothing special. I put like zero effort into it. I just like it for me and so and then I'm like and look so honestly here's your sign post the content because like now I've posts like that I like I wasn't even trying to like have a I wasn't trying to be an influencer. I wasn't trying to be you know what I mean and then like because I like I guess I had a little creative eye like yeah I mean because now here we are but like so just yeah it's like the one thing that I can say I like didn't have to like like work towards in at first like it just fell in my lap but then like obviously like it's like been a constant like growing and learning and like just I mean I've flown by the seat of my pants but like I have obviously I've studied other creators like I've taken a course from another content creator and so like you do have to invest like the time and energy and things like that into it and like you will see the benefits if it's like what you want to do. So yeah for sure people are encouraged.

SPEAKER_03

Wow I love it this is one of my favorites so far it's gonna be just gonna throw that you did an amazing job.

SPEAKER_02

I know girls I just was yapping away that's and that's what we do and that's the theme of every episode is yap. Say less I would thank you so much Katie so this is so much fun I'm so excited to continue to watch your journey um for our listeners we're gonna have all of Katie's information and the Zale Club information in our show notes. So be sure to go and follow.

SPEAKER_03

Bye bye