The Wedding Of Distinction

The 2024 Woman's Health, Beauty & Bridal Expo takes place in the convention center of the Mohegan Sun Casino this Saturday February 24 & Sunday February 25. The Wedding Of Distinction Podcast interviews with Tim Burrows of Full Power Radio to preview the big show! 

On this episode I am very proud to bring you a interview with Golden Bachelor contestant Susan Noles. Susan is a wedding officiant and was a fan favorite on the ABC series, The Golden Bachelor watched by millions!  We discuss the anatomy of what it takes to be a pro wedding celebrant along with some thoughts on her time spent on the hit TV series. If you are interested in having Susan officiate your wedding find her at:Nuptials by Noles  can be found on Instagram & Facebookor contact Susan by e-mail at MybellaSu@gmail.com for booking & rate  information 

On the heels of our last podcast about cruises, Craig Rashid from Polaris Travel Experts  returns to give you his Top 10 honeymoon destinations! Craig gives his most preferred destinations from the Caribbean, to Europe, to the South Pacific.Craig can handle all of your travel plans whether you are planning a honeymoon or just need to get away.  Contact Craig at Polaris Travel Experts * 380-799-8544or email crashid@polaristravelexperts.com

They say that timing is everything. But how can you properly plan your wedding day? Where do you start and what resources should you consider?On this episode Mike Fernino speaks with John Munno of John Munno Weddings. He brings a ton of great insight as to the proper timing of your wedding day from his prospective as a professional wedding photographer! To contact John call 203-824-7423or JohnMunnoWeddings.com

On this program I interview with Wedding Officiants Shelly Armatino and Kathy Vass about a brand new training course they have come up with for first time wedding officiants. This course is designed to greatly improve the skills of the person who will be performing a very crucial role for your wedding day. Please read the following statement regarding the course.......... There are many reasons they may want to re-think their ask and hire an experienced Professional. Responsibility to properly execute and return the license.Online Ordainment is not legal in all States. First time Officiants are not able to react quick enough when a last minute issue transpires just before the ceremony or during the ceremony. Causing long pauses, confusion, awkwardness for the couple and Guests...There is coordination between the venue , DJ, photographers, videographers that need to be clearly communicated.Dealing with the Wedding party, Processional & Recessional We have all heard stories about how the ceremony was just ok, or a disaster but this practice seems to be a common trend lately.Mostly because couples express that they want a more "personal ceremony" and think the only way to achieve that is to have their Bestie officiate. Not true- Most couples  have their heart set on their person officiating and there is no convincing them otherwise but it takes a bit more than a simple google search or  Chat GPT to create an amazing experience This is why we decide to offer this LIVE ONLINE BOOTCAMP COURSERegister at the this email:   OfficiantCoaches@gmail.com

Planning a Honeymoon? A cruise can be a great choice. You just need to know the ins and outs of planning. On the podcast program my special guest is Craig Rashid of Polaris Travel Experts. Craig is a CLIA Elite Cruise Counselor and has made 92 cruise excursions in his professional career. He is the perfect advisor to inform you on what is the right and wrong way to set up your cruise honeymoon.380-799-8544 Office and  crashid@polaristravelexperts.comWe discuss ports of call, the major cruise lines, what's all included and why you should not go it alone without a counselor when planning a honeymoon! 

Our special guest is Greg Zonsius of ZonCom Marketing. Greg speaks about how he made his very own website for his wedding way ahead of its time and what a website can contribute to your wedding preparations, along with how to create one. Hosted by Mike Fernino of Music In Motion Entertainment.  

After your wedding it's time to relax, make magic and make memories. What better a place than the happiest place on Earth.My special guest Johanna Raymond is a expert travel consultant with Academy Travel. She discusses everything a bride and groom planning their Disney honeymoon would want to know...... and then some! 

Mike Fernino interviews with Danielle of Flowers By Danielle from Trumbull Connecticut. Danielle is an expert florist operating in the Southern New England and New York market. She provides some great advice for couples planning their weddings wondering what flowers and decorations are trending and popular. 

With January 2023 upon us couples come to the sudden realization that their wedding is not very far away and they better get booking their wedding vendors.  After the venue, booking your photographer is the next important vendor to book.  But with so many options out there how do you decide who is good and who is not.  Wedding Photographer John Munno, the owner and photographer of John Munno Weddings will give you lots of invaluable information on what to look for when hiring a wedding photographer, so you can find the best photographer for your wedding needs.

Mike Fernino from Music In Motion speaks with Emma of Emma Thurgood Weddings. Emma is a professional planner, photographer and wedding officiant. She is based in New Britain Connecticut and specializes in intimate weddings and elopements. On this episode of WOD we discuss the proper planning and execution of a smooth wedding ceremony and why working with a coordinator can really take the edge off. 

On this episode my guest is John Munno as we discuss selecting the perfect wedding venue! John Munno is the owner and photographer for John Munno Weddings. John’s interest in photography started in high school years when his father gifted him a family heirloom camera. That camera went with everywhere John went.  Thus was born his love for capturing beautiful scenes, precious moments and telling stories through photography.As this interest continued to grow in his life, John went on to study photography at the New York Institute of Photography after which he started his career as a Nature and Landscape Photographer with a focus on creating beauty with healing photo art for medical buildings in Connecticut.   His photography has been featured in numerous galleries across the state as well as permanent installations in hospitals and medical facilities such as UCONN and Yale Hospital. Still with much love doing landscape and nature photography, over time, his direction shifted to full time wedding photography.   His wedding photography career started off as a photographer and studio manager for a large well established wedding photography company in Connecticut.  There he gained a ton of experience in all aspects of the business including shootings and editing of weddings, design of wedding albums, printing and of course working with a variety and multitude of clients.At the same time, he wanted to provide a more personalized individualized approach to couple's wedding day.  He didn’t want a cookie cutter, high volume approach but wanted to provide something different, a unique, personalized wedding photography experience where he was able to take care of each client from start to finish, ensuring they had nothing short of an amazing wedding experience that would exceed expectations.Thus was born his wedding photography company “John Munno Weddings” with the mission and vision to provide a unique personalized wedding experience delivering individualized care and attention with honesty, integrity and excellent customer service.   John is committed to every detail of your wedding from start to finish, and at the same time delivering creative, artistic, quality work with quick turn-around times and reasonable pricing.John’s studio is based out of Southbury, Connecticut.  He is an established, seasoned professional wedding photographer in Connecticut.  He is most known and sought after for his classic, rich and colorful style of photography.  John is a 4 x Best of Knot Weddings and Knot Hall of Fame Award winning photographer with over 85 five star reviews.  He is loved by his clients for his hard work dedication and service.

Mike Fernino interviews with Hawk Ridge  Winery manager Jeff McHugh about the rise in popularity of wineries for weddings. Jeff speaks about wine, trends and what makes Hawk Ridge of Watertown Connecticuta great place to host a wedding or wedding related event! 

Mike Fernino from Music In Motion Entertainment chats with Dance Choreographer Paul Herman about the benefit of dance lessons for your wedding reception. Paul is a 20 year veteran of the dance and theater industry and has worked with the likes of Flo Rida, Alicia Keys, Chris Brown, Sean Paul, Eve and Lil Wayne! Paul is the Co-Owner of Double Up Dance Studio in Fairfield CT and takes a few to discuss first dances, parent dances and general dance choreography for weddings and special events. 

Marcello Pedalino is a successful DJ/MC/Entertainer from New Jersey with his company MMP Entertainment. He's also a author with his book, "Celebrate Life!" Marc takes some time with Mike Fernino to discuss the book, the famed KETO diet and how a healthy lifestyle can help you survive these troubled times. Link to Marcello’s blog article as mentioned in the podcast:https://www.marcellopedalino.com/celebrate-life-blog/2020/5/18/more-reading-less-eating-how-knowledge-and-science-can-help-you-survive-and-rebuild-your-life-during-exceptional-times

Many major wedding and special event facilities in the state of Connecticut now require a certificate of liability insurance from all vendors providing services on their premises. Also required in a additional insured declaration. What the heck is all that? Dr. Hugo Drax is the president of the American Disc Jockey Association and he has been a great source to turn to about this subject. Find out why your vendors should and need to be insured. 

Wedding / Bridal Shows are incredibly social events connecting couples with professional vendors. In the age of COVID-19 what is the future of a traditional bridal show and what are couples planning a wedding to do? On this episode of Wedding of Distinction  Mike Fernino chats with Cris Raposo of the Grand Wedding Expo.  A wedding trade show producer, Cris puts on 4 bridal shows annually throughout Southern New England. We get Cris to offer up his thoughts on where and when we will all be social at a wedding expo again! 

My conversation with professional wedding coordinator and planner Victoria Warren from Everlasting Affairs. Victoria discusses her advice for couples planning a wedding in the middle of the global pandemic along with the traditional roles of a wedding coordinator and what impact they can have on your wedding. 

JP stands for Justice Of The Peace. Couples planning a wedding ceremony outside of the church often will need a JP to perform the ceremony for legal and ceremonial reasons. On this episode Mike Fernino has a discussion with Justice Of The Peace Shelly Armatino discussion everything from the services a JP will provide, to legal issues that can arise and why to hire a professional rather than having a friend get certified online. 

Mike Fernino interviews with New Jersey's Mike Walter from Elite Entertainment. As one of the biggest and most successful entertainment companys in the country Mike discusses how Elite is handling the challenges of changing wedding dates, working with his couples in a COVID-19 lifestyle along with some great tips for brides and grooms on keeping in shape.