February 25, 2024 • 31 mins
FAST, FUN, PHOTOGENIC AF!
Ever wondered what a warehouse can be turned into with a sprinkle of creativity and a dollop of love? Lei-Ahna Newell from Janda Events is about to give you a tour of The Valley Altar, a former storage space now reinvented as the dream venue for lovers of all things fun and unconventional. With her partner Jake, Lei-Ahna has conjured up an eclectic paradise for elopements and micro weddings, complete with a vinyl album wall and an epic permanent ceiling install. Imagine saying "I do" under the glimmer of disco balls – that's the kind of magic we're talking about!
Episode Highlights:
- The warm, fuzzy benefits of intimate nuptials that could very well tempt you to ditch the big wedding extravaganza for something more personal and meaningful.
- Discover why more couples are falling in love with intimate elopements and magical micro weddings at this vibe of a venue.
- Spice up your hen party plans with a touch of glamour – dance the night away in style!
- Picture-perfect moments await at every turn – from lush greenery to twinkling lights, your wedding photos will be nothing short of magical.
- Personalised experiences tailored to your unique love story – because your wedding should be as special as your journey together and made easy.
We also whip up a batch of wedding planning tips and vendor recommendations to keep your special day as smooth as your grandpa's dance moves. Let your wedding dreams fly off the conventional track.
Full Shownotes and Resources:
- For detailed information, additional tips, and resources mentioned in this episode, visit our website at https://managemywedding.com/blogs/news/vows-wow-the-valley-altars-epic-wedding-magic
Ready to plan your dream wedding without the stress? Our free masterclass reveals how to avoid hidden costs, save 50+ hours of planning, create a seamless day-of schedule, and handle family opinions like a pro. Start now at https://www.managemyweddingacademy.com/weddingmasterclass and turn your wedding vision into a reality!
🤍
WEDDING MUST-HAVES:
- Download the Free Manage My Wedding App : Stay organised
- Secrets To Planning The Best Wedding Ever: Free masterclass without forgetting a single detail, staying calm through-out, and sticking to your budget.
- Stress-Free Countdown: Your Final 90-Day Wedding Guide: Don't overlook anything in your final weeks
- Additional Tools: For easy smooth planning
🤍
CONNECT WITH US:
- Win Wedding Prizes: Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and enter our monthly competitions.
- Follow Us on Social Media: For valuable wedding advice on Instagram and Facebook.
- Join Our Private Community: Connect with other couples in our private community for support and and plan your dre...
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Yvette Sitters (00:00):
Welcome to the Manage my Wedding podcast, where
we believe your wedding is themost important time in your life
and you deserve to feelsupported and organised when
planning the wedding of yourdreams.
I'm your host, yvette Sidders,so today I have Leana joining me
on the podcast Now.
(00:20):
She has joined me previously onbehalf of Janda Events, which
is her other wedding business.
Now Janda Events they canbasically help you with
everything, so we're brands,bands, djs, soloists, and the
list goes on and on.
But today she's here to talkabout her new wedding biz the
Valley Altar the best name everand, as her Instagram says, fast
(00:43):
, fun, photogenic, af, bed andnot square elopements, micro
weddings and legal only weddings.
And I'm pretty sure I saw thisweek that they're doing even
more than that.
But I'm going to let Leana tellyou all about it, because this
new business is epic and Ireally want to get you thinking
about, like, what you're doingfor your big day and if it's
(01:06):
truly what your heart desiresand maybe some things you might
want to reconsider.
So I'm super excited to haveyou on the podcast today, leana.
Lei-Ahna Newell (01:15):
Oh, I am so stoked to be here again.
It's so exciting.
Thank you.
Yvette Sitters (01:22):
So tell us, oh my gosh, tell us all about how,
tell us about the Valley Altar,how you came up with the concept
and what it's all about.
Lei-Ahna Newell (01:31):
Well, I guess it would have been nearly two
years ago.
We moved into a warehouse spacefor Janda Events, and this
space was where we were going tohold our meetings, for our
clients to do all theirpaperwork.
It was also a place where westore all our music gear and our
(01:52):
muses could come and borrow anygear that they needed to any
time.
They could have jam sessionsthere, and then we have a
beautiful office upstairs thatwe worked from as well.
So it was just this space thatwe needed for Janda Events.
And then I guess I love makingthings look pretty and you're
(02:14):
good at it You're good at it.
Okay, it wasn't just your usualoffice space, I suppose.
So I had one couple who I wasmarrying.
When was this?
Probably, it was actually.
They got married August lastyear, so August 20, 22.
(02:35):
Gosh, I don't even know whatyear we're in, and they were
coming in for meetings to justchat about their day and do
their paperwork with me and theywere like, gosh, why don't we
just get married here?
Or why didn't we just getmarried here?
It's so awesome, it's amazingand it would be perfect.
(02:57):
But they had already planned outtheir day and that sort of
planted the seed of, oh, I guesswe could turn this into a
little space.
It wasn't anything that I hadreally thought about before.
I mean, I think everyone in thewedding industry always dreams
about having a wedding venuethemselves, but it's not some.
(03:21):
It wasn't something that I hadon the cards or anything like
that, especially coming out ofCOVID.
It was just more survival mode.
But then we sort of startedworkshopping the idea and
thinking, oh yeah, we could dothis, we could move things
around and figure out a way ofhow we would like it to be, and
(03:43):
the main problem at that stagewas we had nowhere to hide or
put the music gear.
But then the stars aligned, asthey say, and another little
space in our complex came up forLee.
So we grabbed that, put all themusic gear in there and then
(04:03):
started really working on how wewanted the space to be, and
that would have been about ohgosh June this year, I think,
june 2023.
Yvette Sitters (04:13):
Yeah, and oh my gosh, it looks amazing.
So just to explain it's reallyhard.
Like, obviously I'm going toshow, I'll show photos in the
show notes, I'll pop a fewimages so everyone can see it.
But it's just bright, fun, butit's kind of got that warehouse
feel.
But you explain it because it'sjust.
(04:33):
It's a very cool thing you'vedone.
Lei-Ahna Newell (04:36):
Yeah, I guess as a blank canvas.
It was a white space with thatNew York industrial sort of feel
to it.
So there's black steel frames.
The mezzanine upstairs hasfloor to ceiling windows that
are just amazing and it's.
But it's also got the warmth ofthe lighting as well, the
(04:58):
different light fittings andthings like that.
So we sort of wanted to mix.
I guess how we've ended it, like, honestly, we've had we didn't
go in with a plan of, oh, thisis the style that we want.
I think it's just turned intoour personalities a little bit.
So Jake obviously is superabout music and it's all about
(05:20):
rock music and everything.
So we've got a wall of all ofour vinyl covers on the wall and
honestly, in our opinionthey're the best albums ever.
So it's not just any old vinylwall, it's not just anybody
(05:40):
going to the flea market orsomething and picking up a vinyl
that like they're the best ofthe best.
And then At the end where youget married it's probably my
personality a little bit.
So it's all disco balls andcolour.
So we've got disco ballshanging from the ceiling and
(06:04):
then we've got wall-to-wallstreamer wall, rainbow streamer
wall yeah, it's amazing, yeah.
and then, to tie those two endsin, we've got a bit of a vintage
eclectic look.
In the middle of the room We'vegot a vintage style piano
that's full of on wedding days.
It's full of fresh flowers,disco balls, candles, lollies,
(06:29):
lollipops, everything.
And then on the other sidewe've got the luxe green velvet
curtains that have flocking inthem and it's just beautiful.
And then we've got a big,massive mural that our friend
Jamaica painted that says bestday ever in your peach and pink
(06:53):
colourways.
And, yeah, it's just got a bitof a palm tree vibe down there,
a bit of a palm spring vibe, andour roller doors painted peach.
So it's just a bit of a vibe.
It's no real certain look, it'sjust, I guess, a reflection of
our personalities.
Yvette Sitters (07:11):
I love that.
That's why it looks so good,though right when we go with
what we love Exactly.
I love it.
I'm like going peach.
I need to come and have somebranding photos there.
Lei-Ahna Newell (07:21):
Yes, yes, that peach roller door took me ages
to paint, so someone needs tocome and use it.
I love it.
Oh, and actually I forgot, I'vegot the big install from the
ceiling which is like a twostory or more ceiling, and it's
(07:42):
the big streamers.
It's a bit like a chandelier, Isuppose, which is pretty epic
as well.
Yvette Sitters (07:48):
It looks great.
If you're not considering aloping and you like the sound of
this, you might want to ormicro weddings.
Lei-Ahna Newell (07:55):
Yeah, yeah, it's really epic.
Yvette Sitters (07:57):
It's beautiful.
We've done such a great job, awthanks.
I know, being celebrants,you're seeing a bit of a shift
right at the moment inelopements and micro weddings,
and why do you think this is I?
Lei-Ahna Newell (08:10):
think it's because of a few things,
obviously.
First up, financial reasons.
I think that's always one ofthe big reasons that people
elope or they have microweddings.
They don't want to put a housedeposit down on a wedding.
They would rather put thatmoney towards their future and
(08:31):
still have a wedding, but justhave it in a smaller, more
manageable size for them.
So there's the financial reason, and then I think also oh, it's
2023.
Traditional weddings don't haveto.
You don't have to have atraditional wedding anymore and
(08:55):
it's not a bad thing to elope.
I don't think it's got theconnotation to it like it used
to, like it was a bit of ashotgun thing or don't like my
family, so I'm going to go awayin a lope.
I don't think it's like thatanymore.
It's just a new way of doingsomething and it's more
meaningful doing it for yourselfand not for everyone else.
(09:16):
Yeah, I think they're the twobig reasons.
Yeah, and we do notice there isa shift in the way people are
doing their weddings as well,like that.
Yvette Sitters (09:30):
Yeah, it's so true.
Like people, the traditionsthey don't exist.
They're not real.
Someone just said one daythat's going to be a wedding
tradition and it might be deadset.
Nothing that you like.
And people seem to think, usedto think I think that they had
(09:50):
to do the traditions, but yeah,we've worked up with.
That is not us Like.
Lei-Ahna Newell (09:55):
Yeah, totally, I think the generations that are
coming up or people that aren'tmarried yet, they're doing it
for themselves and that's themain reason, like I guess our
style is a bit of that Las Vegasstyle in a way, where it's all
about the content, it's aboutthe beautiful photos, it's all
(10:16):
of that.
But I guess where ourceremonies differ from the Las
Vegas style is it's 100% writtenfor you, like it's not a
generic script.
Everything is still bespoke.
It's just going to be a littlebit shorter because they're your
right and guys who are with you, who are coming as your guests
so they've been there from thebeginning probably know your
(10:38):
story.
So let's do it in a fun way and, yeah, a bit more meaningful to
you.
And yeah, that's kind of how Isee the elopement to micro
weddings.
Yvette Sitters (10:51):
Yeah, it kind of leads into Monic's question,
like what makes elopement sincesmaller weddings so special in
your eyes?
Lei-Ahna Newell (11:01):
Oh yeah, you've got your closest people there.
They're the people who, oh,they adore you and love you so
much and they just want the bestfor you.
And I'm not saying that youdon't have that at bigger
weddings, but you do have allthose plus funds at the bigger
weddings.
Yeah, I don't know you, andthey're there because they've
(11:24):
been invited or they used towork with you or whatever.
Like when it is a micro weddingor an elopement, it's a tight
group of people that are thereto support you on this thing
that's going forward.
It's not just about a weddingday, it's a marriage, it's a
commitment, it's, yeah, morethan just one day.
Yvette Sitters (11:46):
Yeah, and I think too like you can feel the
love in those micro weddings andthose elopements, like it just
oozes emotion.
Yeah.
It really does you can see that, as a celebrant Like you, can
really pick those weddings whereyou're like oh my gosh, that
couple is so in love.
Lei-Ahna Newell (12:05):
Yeah, I 100% agree, and I think it's awesome.
At times they've been togetherfor a long time, possibly, and
their families and their friendsknow each other, and when they
arrive, you can feel thisconnection in the air.
That's Different from otherweddings and it's just so
(12:28):
beautiful.
Yvette Sitters (12:31):
I've got so many couples at the moment that
Listen to the podcast or use theapp whatever, and they're
saying to me like a lot of them,I think they're actually
eloping or Having that smallwedding and then they're doing
the massive party when they hadoriginally planned, which is
just gonna be a big party.
(12:52):
They're like whatever, justdrink and feed everyone,
whatever and have a good time,and there is not one person I
think that I've ever heard turnaround and say I wish I didn't
do that.
Like.
Lei-Ahna Newell (13:08):
I don't think anyone Know that.
I know of anyway that is everregretted doing An allotment or
a micro wedding never but howmany people do you meet and hope
to regret not doing that right?
Yeah, 100%.
Yeah, it's everyone postwedding.
(13:30):
Whether it's years on or not,they go.
Oh, Would it be an easier justto do it small.
Yvette Sitters (13:38):
Yeah, and there's so many people that,
like sitting on the fence rightnow that I communicate with
they're like I don't know whatto do.
I'm just gonna upset everyoneand I don't know what to do.
But that's what my heart wants.
Lei-Ahna Newell (13:49):
I don't want all those 200 guests staring at
me and yeah and yeah, that isthe other thing like people are
more aware of their emotions andtheir own feelings now and I
think we're in a world where youcan choose what you want to do
now.
If you are a shy person oryou're an anxious person and
Planning a huge wedding is goingto drive you into a World that
(14:15):
you don't want to be in, thendon't do it.
Have a smaller wedding that'smore you and it's gonna be
stress-free.
Yvette Sitters (14:24):
Yeah, because it'll it shows on the face on
the day when they turn up.
Yeah, you would see that as acelebrant, right, yeah, you do
stress because I can't handleall those people and they're
feeling anxious and I mean, it'severyone's biggest fear.
Lei-Ahna Newell (14:38):
Walking down the aisle or saying their vows
on a microphone in front ofpeople, that is Everyone's
biggest fear.
Yvette Sitters (14:47):
Yeah, yeah, I remember that moment.
It's the moment you're thinkingabout the most right in the
lineup, like that is the momentthat is all you can think about
and then you can't.
It's like when you're walkingyou lose consciousness a little
bit, like oh, I'm already at theend because, yeah, it is just
going over and over like thisand you can barely walk 100%.
(15:11):
Really nervous people listeningto me right now.
But it's the most special,beautiful moment, but for some
people it's so terrifying, yeahit is and it's it's good.
Lei-Ahna Newell (15:22):
Nerves Most of the time, yeah, but I mean, it's
the unknown and that makes youso nervous.
You don't know what, whatyou're gonna, what it's good,
what's gonna happen.
Really, you don't know what toexpect.
So, yeah, that's why it's sonerve-wracking.
Yvette Sitters (15:36):
Yeah, and every single person is looking at you.
So how much planning goes intothese allotment and my micro
sort of style weddings?
How do you think it?
How do you think it compares tothe bigger wedding?
Lei-Ahna Newell (15:55):
Well, I I mean with us we try to take as much
pressure off you as possible.
So we kind of we work with thebest of the best in the biz.
So we've got the bestphotographers, videographers,
cake makers, florists and all ofthat, and we do all of that to
(16:17):
wing and fro wing for you.
So if that's a thing thatyou're timed for, you don't have
time to do it, you just want todeal with one person.
That's how we kind of go intoit with our planning.
So we just make sure we'reasking all the right questions
and then we try to keep ithustle free.
Yvette Sitters (16:36):
Yeah, I love that you do that and I'm so glad
that you said that, becausethere's a misconception that you
guys strip away and what it is,and I've had this from so many
brides that say this and peoplethink, oh, I'm having a micro
wedding, I'm only inviting 30people, I'm doing that because I
(16:58):
don't have time, but whatliterally ends up happening is
because they're not going to avenue like yours where they do
that for you Is it ends up beingthe actual same amount of work.
Lei-Ahna Newell (17:08):
Oh, 100% it's only less people.
Yvette Sitters (17:11):
You still have to get the cake, you've still
got to find it.
You still have to get the guestfavors, you've still got to
organize the menu, like there'sstill everything.
And I'm really upfront intelling people that now I'm like
, just so you're aware, ifyou've got to a venue where
you're doing it all yourself,the work is no less than doing
100 people Totally, becauseextra numbers aren't extra work,
(17:35):
they're extra cost.
Yes, totally extra cost.
But you still have to organizethe exact same things, exactly.
So I'm so glad you mentionedthat, because you can go to the
Valley Altar and literally itdoes strip away all that time.
Yeah, if you are considering andyou're listening, make sure you
think that through.
Pick a venue that is actuallygoing to help you do those
(17:59):
things like the Valley Altar do.
Yeah.
Lei-Ahna Newell (18:01):
And I think we do do allotments and micro
weddings through other people aswell, and they kind of have the
same sort of set up as a maybenot, as maybe don't take over
the rain so much, but they dohave preferred suppliers and I
know, I hear it or I see it onFacebook groups oh, I've been
given this preferred supplierslist.
They're just pushing the peoplethey like.
(18:25):
Yeah, that might be the case,but they like them because
they're professional, they'regoing to get the job done, they
know they're going to do anexcellent job and, of course, it
might be a little bit moreexpensive, but I can guarantee
you're going to get the best jobthat you could ever possibly do
.
So, yeah, I think, yeah.
Yvette Sitters (18:49):
I agree on that and I think I did a whole
podcast episode on that, oh yeah, a long time ago, where I said
that because the venue orwherever you're going to get
married, they don't.
They want it to be smooth.
Yeah, every single vendoraffects their job 100%.
You would even know when youturn up to a venue and even if
(19:10):
the venue is not on point, howmuch.
And they're not set up, they'renot ready to go, and you're the
celebrant Like how frustratingis that?
Yeah, it's just wild.
What stylist do you like doingstuff like oh, it is stressful.
Lei-Ahna Newell (19:24):
It is so stressful You're working to a
run sheet all the time and youwant it to stay on time, and the
only way it can stay on time isif you've got the professional
people doing the right job atthe right time.
So it does make a difference.
And as a vendor going tocertain venues and things like
(19:47):
that, you just love it becauseyou're like this is going to be
a great day and you get yoursupplier list from your couples
and you're like, oh, this isgoing to be an excellent day.
Yes, so when there's someone onthere that you don't know,
you're like, oh, how's it goingto go?
But I mean, you just got to gowith the flow.
Yvette Sitters (20:07):
Yeah, I agree, it's so important.
It's so important, so don't betoo stressed people about the
third list.
Lei-Ahna Newell (20:13):
Yeah for a reason?
Yvette Sitters (20:14):
Yeah, is there for a reason and it reflects the
people that have recommendedthem, so they're not going to
recommend bad people ever.
Totally, how many people canyou fit at the Valley Altar?
Lei-Ahna Newell (20:25):
We can do like a legal zone which is just two
people and we can supply thewitnesses all the way up to 40
people.
We kind of max it out at 40people, yeah.
Yvette Sitters (20:38):
Well, I think after 40, it's no longer a micro
wedding.
Lei-Ahna Newell (20:41):
Really, I don't think so You're kind of pushing
it at 40.
But yeah, yeah, I thinkanything above 40 is just a
small wedding.
Yvette Sitters (20:52):
Awesome.
Okay, and did I see somethingelse that you guys are going to
start doing?
Yes, did I see something comingon Instagram?
Oh, yes, I'm like, I'm going tobe doing this.
Lei-Ahna Newell (21:03):
No, no, this is a new idea and I don't even
know how I came up with thisidea.
Well, I kind of do, but again,it was a past pride of mine.
And she called me earlier thisyear in a tiz meeting to find
somewhere to host her bestfriend's hands party, and she
asked if she could hire thebelly altar.
(21:24):
And I'm like, yeah, of course,go on, let's do it.
She hired the belly altarThey'd be why I did drink.
They had a life drawing session.
They were just there for acouple of hours.
They had the best time becauseobviously there's all the photo
opportunities in the valleyaltar.
They didn't have to buy props,they work on all the sunnies,
(21:46):
they've got all the gloves andall the things.
They just literally rocked up,had the best time of their life.
And then they went out fordinner or whatever they did
afterwards.
And so that little scene wasplanted again.
And because I've had I had aweekend off last weekend, let's
just say and it got the juicesflowing again, as it does as it
(22:09):
does I was like why don't we addthis to a little arm of the
belly altars things we can do?
So we are going to start doingthe hands parties.
Again, we've got a preferredsupplier list that you can
choose from any and it's all.
We want it to be fun.
(22:30):
We want it to be different.
We don't want it to be corny oranything like that.
So we're going to be partneringwith people who will teach you
a dance class or they'll teachyou play in sip or paint and sip
or what else was there.
There was hula hooping and howto mix a drink and all things
(22:51):
like that.
So going to be doing packageslike that and just making it
easy for everyone again.
Like you don't have to buy allthe party decorations and then
sell it again on Facebookmarketplace.
Like what a waste of time andmoney and adding to the
environment.
So we've got an epic spacethere.
(23:13):
You just rock up with your girland you book whoever you want
to book in to do yourentertainment, and then there we
go.
Yvette Sitters (23:21):
I love this.
This is very good.
I love it.
I love it.
I'm going to myself.
What about a Valoranule?
Like as well?
Lei-Ahna Newell (23:29):
Oh yeah, oh my gosh, we're totally here for
Valoranules too.
Yeah, keep adding things on,keep adding things on.
Yeah Well, you're 10 years.
I've just had your 10 years oryou're next year too.
Yvette Sitters (23:40):
No, 10 years is in.
Lei-Ahna Newell (23:41):
January yeah, oh yeah.
So you got married in 2014 too.
Yes, I did yeah, so ours isnext year as well.
Yvette Sitters (23:48):
Yeah, and I don't know what, though I'm like
I'd love to get married again,because how amazing how far
weddings have come as in.
To look at Like we're stilldoing the same things eating,
drinking and Valoranule, yeah,but to look at my gosh, it's
amazing, so different.
Lei-Ahna Newell (24:04):
Yeah, it's so beautiful, this stylist it just,
yeah, I think there's just ithas come a long way.
There's so many differentstyles now, I know, compared to
even just 10 years ago Massively.
Yeah, it's fun, but yeah, we,yeah, I'm pretty excited about
the Hens party thing.
Yvette Sitters (24:23):
I love that.
That is so exciting.
I'm excited for you.
Just, it's a great venue.
The photos they can get to it'slike an Instagram venue.
I'm telling you.
Lei-Ahna Newell (24:30):
Totally.
It is an Instagram venue and,like even the whole plan, was
just for everyone to use theiriPhones or whatever to take
photos at the Hens party, butobviously we have loads of
photographers that are on ourlist that I'm sure would love to
take some pics at your Hensparty.
Yvette Sitters (24:50):
Yeah, how fun.
Some of those you might notwant to show.
Lei-Ahna Newell (24:54):
Yeah, exactly, but we're trying to keep it
tasteful.
Yvette Sitters (24:58):
Oh, I love it.
I have loved.
I love what you've created,everyone, please go on to the
show notes, find all the linksand make sure you check them out
.
Look at all the pictures too.
I'm going to share picturesfrom you.
Give us your.
I know this is always a hardquestion.
I'll be interested actually inthe end to go back and listen to
how you answered this questionlast episode.
(25:19):
Oh, and before I do ask thislast question, if anyone wants
to go back and listen to Leanna,it was episode 89.
It was yeah, and it was weddingday musicians and top tips with
gender events.
So go back and listen toepisode 89, because she gave
heaps of like valuable advice onthat one too.
But can you share with us yournumber one wedding planning tip?
Lei-Ahna Newell (25:46):
I think it's probably going to be the same as
what I said on that episode.
I'm going to go back and listenafter.
You need to find your people.
So anyone you work with on yourwedding, you have to imagine
you can sit down, have a coffee,have a drink with them and be
(26:07):
super comfy.
Because if you can't do that,that's the feeling that you're
going to have on your weddingday and you don't want that
feeling on your wedding day.
You want to be super comfy andjust loving the day.
So our biggest tip is always tofind your people.
Yvette Sitters (26:27):
I love that.
I've got a feeling it was thatone too that you did say that.
Lei-Ahna Newell (26:30):
Yeah, I think it might have been.
Yvette Sitters (26:32):
Yeah, I love that piece of advice.
It's so important.
There's so many people thatdoubt who they've picked and I'm
like, if you're doubting it,change it.
Don't do that to yourselfbecause you're frustrated
afterwards.
It's so important, it is soimportant they really do.
Lei-Ahna Newell (26:52):
I know as celebrants and even as musicians
, we try to meet with you asmuch as possible.
Book in for those meetings.
When you're inquiring witheveryone, try to do it face to
face and if you can't do a Zoommeeting or a video call because
you've got to get a feeling,you've got to have that feeling
(27:13):
so, otherwise it's too forcedand it's just not going to work.
Yvette Sitters (27:18):
Yeah, I agree with you.
That's such a great tip and I'mso glad you shared that one.
Lei-Ahna Newell (27:23):
Yeah, and I think, like for us anyway and I
know there's plenty of othervendors out there that are like
us we become 100% invested inyour day from the very beginning
.
So you want someone on boardwho's going to be invested in
you.
So make sure you've got thefeels.
Yvette Sitters (27:46):
Yeah, yeah, I agree, and I think it goes for
the vendor too, doesn't it Likeyou want to work with people
that you get the feels with too?
Lei-Ahna Newell (27:54):
Oh, 100%, and I think Jake and I are pretty
lucky with how we come across inour copy and on our website and
in our social media and that Ithink people get a pretty
immediate feel for how we areand who we are.
So, yeah, and I am quite honest, I'm not for everyone, that's
(28:17):
okay.
Yvette Sitters (28:18):
So that's good, you don't want to be.
Lei-Ahna Newell (28:20):
Yeah, exactly, there's plenty of everyone out
there, so find your person.
Yvette Sitters (28:25):
Yeah, yeah, that's really good.
I love that very.
Thank you so much for chattingwith me.
Tell the listeners where canthey find the Valley, elter and
gender events.
Tell us everything.
Oh, you can remember.
Lei-Ahna Newell (28:40):
There's so many .
The Valley Elter iscomau and weare on the gram as the Valley
Elter.
We are on TikTok as well,valley Elter.
Let's cure those names.
That was great.
And then Janda event is Janda J, a, n, d A eventscomau and you
(29:08):
can find our individualcelebrant pages from there as
well, and our Instagram isJandaevents.
Yvette Sitters (29:16):
And we have a lot of people doing things
Perfect, yes, fantastic.
You guys are just a dynamiteduo between you and Jake, your
husband.
You guys are doing amazing inthe wedding industry, so nice to
watch, and it's nice to seepeople doing things a bit
different as well.
Lei-Ahna Newell (29:31):
Thank you and a lot of fun making it fun.
So we try to make it fun.
We are still a duck.
We're peddling pretty quicklyunderneath that water, I bet.
Yvette Sitters (29:44):
And with kids in tow.
Yeah, you're doing great,though.
Thank you so much for chatting.
Lei-Ahna Newell (29:52):
Thanks for having me, it's been awesome.
Bye.
Yvette Sitters (30:09):
Music playing.
Welcome to the Manage my Wedding podcast, where
we believe your wedding is themost important time in your life
and you deserve to feelsupported and organised when
planning the wedding of yourdreams.
I'm your host, yvette Sidders,so today I have Leana joining me
on the podcast Now.
(00:20):
She has joined me previously onbehalf of Janda Events, which
is her other wedding business.
Now Janda Events they canbasically help you with
everything, so we're brands,bands, djs, soloists, and the
list goes on and on.
But today she's here to talkabout her new wedding biz the
Valley Altar the best name everand, as her Instagram says, fast
(00:43):
, fun, photogenic, af, bed andnot square elopements, micro
weddings and legal only weddings.
And I'm pretty sure I saw thisweek that they're doing even
more than that.
But I'm going to let Leana tellyou all about it, because this
new business is epic and Ireally want to get you thinking
about, like, what you're doingfor your big day and if it's
(01:06):
truly what your heart desiresand maybe some things you might
want to reconsider.
So I'm super excited to haveyou on the podcast today, leana.
Lei-Ahna Newell (01:15):
Oh, I am so stoked to be here again.
It's so exciting.
Thank you.
Yvette Sitters (01:22):
So tell us, oh my gosh, tell us all about how,
tell us about the Valley Altar,how you came up with the concept
and what it's all about.
Lei-Ahna Newell (01:31):
Well, I guess it would have been nearly two
years ago.
We moved into a warehouse spacefor Janda Events, and this
space was where we were going tohold our meetings, for our
clients to do all theirpaperwork.
It was also a place where westore all our music gear and our
(01:52):
muses could come and borrow anygear that they needed to any
time.
They could have jam sessionsthere, and then we have a
beautiful office upstairs thatwe worked from as well.
So it was just this space thatwe needed for Janda Events.
And then I guess I love makingthings look pretty and you're
(02:14):
good at it You're good at it.
Okay, it wasn't just your usualoffice space, I suppose.
So I had one couple who I wasmarrying.
When was this?
Probably, it was actually.
They got married August lastyear, so August 20, 22.
(02:35):
Gosh, I don't even know whatyear we're in, and they were
coming in for meetings to justchat about their day and do
their paperwork with me and theywere like, gosh, why don't we
just get married here?
Or why didn't we just getmarried here?
It's so awesome, it's amazingand it would be perfect.
(02:57):
But they had already planned outtheir day and that sort of
planted the seed of, oh, I guesswe could turn this into a
little space.
It wasn't anything that I hadreally thought about before.
I mean, I think everyone in thewedding industry always dreams
about having a wedding venuethemselves, but it's not some.
(03:21):
It wasn't something that I hadon the cards or anything like
that, especially coming out ofCOVID.
It was just more survival mode.
But then we sort of startedworkshopping the idea and
thinking, oh yeah, we could dothis, we could move things
around and figure out a way ofhow we would like it to be, and
(03:43):
the main problem at that stagewas we had nowhere to hide or
put the music gear.
But then the stars aligned, asthey say, and another little
space in our complex came up forLee.
So we grabbed that, put all themusic gear in there and then
(04:03):
started really working on how wewanted the space to be, and
that would have been about ohgosh June this year, I think,
june 2023.
Yvette Sitters (04:13):
Yeah, and oh my gosh, it looks amazing.
So just to explain it's reallyhard.
Like, obviously I'm going toshow, I'll show photos in the
show notes, I'll pop a fewimages so everyone can see it.
But it's just bright, fun, butit's kind of got that warehouse
feel.
But you explain it because it'sjust.
(04:33):
It's a very cool thing you'vedone.
Lei-Ahna Newell (04:36):
Yeah, I guess as a blank canvas.
It was a white space with thatNew York industrial sort of feel
to it.
So there's black steel frames.
The mezzanine upstairs hasfloor to ceiling windows that
are just amazing and it's.
But it's also got the warmth ofthe lighting as well, the
(04:58):
different light fittings andthings like that.
So we sort of wanted to mix.
I guess how we've ended it, like, honestly, we've had we didn't
go in with a plan of, oh, thisis the style that we want.
I think it's just turned intoour personalities a little bit.
So Jake obviously is superabout music and it's all about
(05:20):
rock music and everything.
So we've got a wall of all ofour vinyl covers on the wall and
honestly, in our opinionthey're the best albums ever.
So it's not just any old vinylwall, it's not just anybody
(05:40):
going to the flea market orsomething and picking up a vinyl
that like they're the best ofthe best.
And then At the end where youget married it's probably my
personality a little bit.
So it's all disco balls andcolour.
So we've got disco ballshanging from the ceiling and
(06:04):
then we've got wall-to-wallstreamer wall, rainbow streamer
wall yeah, it's amazing, yeah.
and then, to tie those two endsin, we've got a bit of a vintage
eclectic look.
In the middle of the room We'vegot a vintage style piano
that's full of on wedding days.
It's full of fresh flowers,disco balls, candles, lollies,
(06:29):
lollipops, everything.
And then on the other sidewe've got the luxe green velvet
curtains that have flocking inthem and it's just beautiful.
And then we've got a big,massive mural that our friend
Jamaica painted that says bestday ever in your peach and pink
(06:53):
colourways.
And, yeah, it's just got a bitof a palm tree vibe down there,
a bit of a palm spring vibe, andour roller doors painted peach.
So it's just a bit of a vibe.
It's no real certain look, it'sjust, I guess, a reflection of
our personalities.
Yvette Sitters (07:11):
I love that.
That's why it looks so good,though right when we go with
what we love Exactly.
I love it.
I'm like going peach.
I need to come and have somebranding photos there.
Lei-Ahna Newell (07:21):
Yes, yes, that peach roller door took me ages
to paint, so someone needs tocome and use it.
I love it.
Oh, and actually I forgot, I'vegot the big install from the
ceiling which is like a twostory or more ceiling, and it's
(07:42):
the big streamers.
It's a bit like a chandelier, Isuppose, which is pretty epic
as well.
Yvette Sitters (07:48):
It looks great.
If you're not considering aloping and you like the sound of
this, you might want to ormicro weddings.
Lei-Ahna Newell (07:55):
Yeah, yeah, it's really epic.
Yvette Sitters (07:57):
It's beautiful.
We've done such a great job, awthanks.
I know, being celebrants,you're seeing a bit of a shift
right at the moment inelopements and micro weddings,
and why do you think this is I?
Lei-Ahna Newell (08:10):
think it's because of a few things,
obviously.
First up, financial reasons.
I think that's always one ofthe big reasons that people
elope or they have microweddings.
They don't want to put a housedeposit down on a wedding.
They would rather put thatmoney towards their future and
(08:31):
still have a wedding, but justhave it in a smaller, more
manageable size for them.
So there's the financial reason, and then I think also oh, it's
2023.
Traditional weddings don't haveto.
You don't have to have atraditional wedding anymore and
(08:55):
it's not a bad thing to elope.
I don't think it's got theconnotation to it like it used
to, like it was a bit of ashotgun thing or don't like my
family, so I'm going to go awayin a lope.
I don't think it's like thatanymore.
It's just a new way of doingsomething and it's more
meaningful doing it for yourselfand not for everyone else.
(09:16):
Yeah, I think they're the twobig reasons.
Yeah, and we do notice there isa shift in the way people are
doing their weddings as well,like that.
Yvette Sitters (09:30):
Yeah, it's so true.
Like people, the traditionsthey don't exist.
They're not real.
Someone just said one daythat's going to be a wedding
tradition and it might be deadset.
Nothing that you like.
And people seem to think, usedto think I think that they had
(09:50):
to do the traditions, but yeah,we've worked up with.
That is not us Like.
Lei-Ahna Newell (09:55):
Yeah, totally, I think the generations that are
coming up or people that aren'tmarried yet, they're doing it
for themselves and that's themain reason, like I guess our
style is a bit of that Las Vegasstyle in a way, where it's all
about the content, it's aboutthe beautiful photos, it's all
(10:16):
of that.
But I guess where ourceremonies differ from the Las
Vegas style is it's 100% writtenfor you, like it's not a
generic script.
Everything is still bespoke.
It's just going to be a littlebit shorter because they're your
right and guys who are with you, who are coming as your guests
so they've been there from thebeginning probably know your
(10:38):
story.
So let's do it in a fun way and, yeah, a bit more meaningful to
you.
And yeah, that's kind of how Isee the elopement to micro
weddings.
Yvette Sitters (10:51):
Yeah, it kind of leads into Monic's question,
like what makes elopement sincesmaller weddings so special in
your eyes?
Lei-Ahna Newell (11:01):
Oh yeah, you've got your closest people there.
They're the people who, oh,they adore you and love you so
much and they just want the bestfor you.
And I'm not saying that youdon't have that at bigger
weddings, but you do have allthose plus funds at the bigger
weddings.
Yeah, I don't know you, andthey're there because they've
(11:24):
been invited or they used towork with you or whatever.
Like when it is a micro weddingor an elopement, it's a tight
group of people that are thereto support you on this thing
that's going forward.
It's not just about a weddingday, it's a marriage, it's a
commitment, it's, yeah, morethan just one day.
Yvette Sitters (11:46):
Yeah, and I think too like you can feel the
love in those micro weddings andthose elopements, like it just
oozes emotion.
Yeah.
It really does you can see that, as a celebrant Like you, can
really pick those weddings whereyou're like oh my gosh, that
couple is so in love.
Lei-Ahna Newell (12:05):
Yeah, I 100% agree, and I think it's awesome.
At times they've been togetherfor a long time, possibly, and
their families and their friendsknow each other, and when they
arrive, you can feel thisconnection in the air.
That's Different from otherweddings and it's just so
(12:28):
beautiful.
Yvette Sitters (12:31):
I've got so many couples at the moment that
Listen to the podcast or use theapp whatever, and they're
saying to me like a lot of them,I think they're actually
eloping or Having that smallwedding and then they're doing
the massive party when they hadoriginally planned, which is
just gonna be a big party.
(12:52):
They're like whatever, justdrink and feed everyone,
whatever and have a good time,and there is not one person I
think that I've ever heard turnaround and say I wish I didn't
do that.
Like.
Lei-Ahna Newell (13:08):
I don't think anyone Know that.
I know of anyway that is everregretted doing An allotment or
a micro wedding never but howmany people do you meet and hope
to regret not doing that right?
Yeah, 100%.
Yeah, it's everyone postwedding.
(13:30):
Whether it's years on or not,they go.
Oh, Would it be an easier justto do it small.
Yvette Sitters (13:38):
Yeah, and there's so many people that,
like sitting on the fence rightnow that I communicate with
they're like I don't know whatto do.
I'm just gonna upset everyoneand I don't know what to do.
But that's what my heart wants.
Lei-Ahna Newell (13:49):
I don't want all those 200 guests staring at
me and yeah and yeah, that isthe other thing like people are
more aware of their emotions andtheir own feelings now and I
think we're in a world where youcan choose what you want to do
now.
If you are a shy person oryou're an anxious person and
Planning a huge wedding is goingto drive you into a World that
(14:15):
you don't want to be in, thendon't do it.
Have a smaller wedding that'smore you and it's gonna be
stress-free.
Yvette Sitters (14:24):
Yeah, because it'll it shows on the face on
the day when they turn up.
Yeah, you would see that as acelebrant, right, yeah, you do
stress because I can't handleall those people and they're
feeling anxious and I mean, it'severyone's biggest fear.
Lei-Ahna Newell (14:38):
Walking down the aisle or saying their vows
on a microphone in front ofpeople, that is Everyone's
biggest fear.
Yvette Sitters (14:47):
Yeah, yeah, I remember that moment.
It's the moment you're thinkingabout the most right in the
lineup, like that is the momentthat is all you can think about
and then you can't.
It's like when you're walkingyou lose consciousness a little
bit, like oh, I'm already at theend because, yeah, it is just
going over and over like thisand you can barely walk 100%.
(15:11):
Really nervous people listeningto me right now.
But it's the most special,beautiful moment, but for some
people it's so terrifying, yeahit is and it's it's good.
Lei-Ahna Newell (15:22):
Nerves Most of the time, yeah, but I mean, it's
the unknown and that makes youso nervous.
You don't know what, whatyou're gonna, what it's good,
what's gonna happen.
Really, you don't know what toexpect.
So, yeah, that's why it's sonerve-wracking.
Yvette Sitters (15:36):
Yeah, and every single person is looking at you.
So how much planning goes intothese allotment and my micro
sort of style weddings?
How do you think it?
How do you think it compares tothe bigger wedding?
Lei-Ahna Newell (15:55):
Well, I I mean with us we try to take as much
pressure off you as possible.
So we kind of we work with thebest of the best in the biz.
So we've got the bestphotographers, videographers,
cake makers, florists and all ofthat, and we do all of that to
(16:17):
wing and fro wing for you.
So if that's a thing thatyou're timed for, you don't have
time to do it, you just want todeal with one person.
That's how we kind of go intoit with our planning.
So we just make sure we'reasking all the right questions
and then we try to keep ithustle free.
Yvette Sitters (16:36):
Yeah, I love that you do that and I'm so glad
that you said that, becausethere's a misconception that you
guys strip away and what it is,and I've had this from so many
brides that say this and peoplethink, oh, I'm having a micro
wedding, I'm only inviting 30people, I'm doing that because I
(16:58):
don't have time, but whatliterally ends up happening is
because they're not going to avenue like yours where they do
that for you Is it ends up beingthe actual same amount of work.
Lei-Ahna Newell (17:08):
Oh, 100% it's only less people.
Yvette Sitters (17:11):
You still have to get the cake, you've still
got to find it.
You still have to get the guestfavors, you've still got to
organize the menu, like there'sstill everything.
And I'm really upfront intelling people that now I'm like
, just so you're aware, ifyou've got to a venue where
you're doing it all yourself,the work is no less than doing
100 people Totally, becauseextra numbers aren't extra work,
(17:35):
they're extra cost.
Yes, totally extra cost.
But you still have to organizethe exact same things, exactly.
So I'm so glad you mentionedthat, because you can go to the
Valley Altar and literally itdoes strip away all that time.
Yeah, if you are considering andyou're listening, make sure you
think that through.
Pick a venue that is actuallygoing to help you do those
(17:59):
things like the Valley Altar do.
Yeah.
Lei-Ahna Newell (18:01):
And I think we do do allotments and micro
weddings through other people aswell, and they kind of have the
same sort of set up as a maybenot, as maybe don't take over
the rain so much, but they dohave preferred suppliers and I
know, I hear it or I see it onFacebook groups oh, I've been
given this preferred supplierslist.
They're just pushing the peoplethey like.
(18:25):
Yeah, that might be the case,but they like them because
they're professional, they'regoing to get the job done, they
know they're going to do anexcellent job and, of course, it
might be a little bit moreexpensive, but I can guarantee
you're going to get the best jobthat you could ever possibly do
.
So, yeah, I think, yeah.
Yvette Sitters (18:49):
I agree on that and I think I did a whole
podcast episode on that, oh yeah, a long time ago, where I said
that because the venue orwherever you're going to get
married, they don't.
They want it to be smooth.
Yeah, every single vendoraffects their job 100%.
You would even know when youturn up to a venue and even if
(19:10):
the venue is not on point, howmuch.
And they're not set up, they'renot ready to go, and you're the
celebrant Like how frustratingis that?
Yeah, it's just wild.
What stylist do you like doingstuff like oh, it is stressful.
Lei-Ahna Newell (19:24):
It is so stressful You're working to a
run sheet all the time and youwant it to stay on time, and the
only way it can stay on time isif you've got the professional
people doing the right job atthe right time.
So it does make a difference.
And as a vendor going tocertain venues and things like
(19:47):
that, you just love it becauseyou're like this is going to be
a great day and you get yoursupplier list from your couples
and you're like, oh, this isgoing to be an excellent day.
Yes, so when there's someone onthere that you don't know,
you're like, oh, how's it goingto go?
But I mean, you just got to gowith the flow.
Yvette Sitters (20:07):
Yeah, I agree, it's so important.
It's so important, so don't betoo stressed people about the
third list.
Lei-Ahna Newell (20:13):
Yeah for a reason?
Yvette Sitters (20:14):
Yeah, is there for a reason and it reflects the
people that have recommendedthem, so they're not going to
recommend bad people ever.
Totally, how many people canyou fit at the Valley Altar?
Lei-Ahna Newell (20:25):
We can do like a legal zone which is just two
people and we can supply thewitnesses all the way up to 40
people.
We kind of max it out at 40people, yeah.
Yvette Sitters (20:38):
Well, I think after 40, it's no longer a micro
wedding.
Lei-Ahna Newell (20:41):
Really, I don't think so You're kind of pushing
it at 40.
But yeah, yeah, I thinkanything above 40 is just a
small wedding.
Yvette Sitters (20:52):
Awesome.
Okay, and did I see somethingelse that you guys are going to
start doing?
Yes, did I see something comingon Instagram?
Oh, yes, I'm like, I'm going tobe doing this.
Lei-Ahna Newell (21:03):
No, no, this is a new idea and I don't even
know how I came up with thisidea.
Well, I kind of do, but again,it was a past pride of mine.
And she called me earlier thisyear in a tiz meeting to find
somewhere to host her bestfriend's hands party, and she
asked if she could hire thebelly altar.
(21:24):
And I'm like, yeah, of course,go on, let's do it.
She hired the belly altarThey'd be why I did drink.
They had a life drawing session.
They were just there for acouple of hours.
They had the best time becauseobviously there's all the photo
opportunities in the valleyaltar.
They didn't have to buy props,they work on all the sunnies,
(21:46):
they've got all the gloves andall the things.
They just literally rocked up,had the best time of their life.
And then they went out fordinner or whatever they did
afterwards.
And so that little scene wasplanted again.
And because I've had I had aweekend off last weekend, let's
just say and it got the juicesflowing again, as it does as it
(22:09):
does I was like why don't we addthis to a little arm of the
belly altars things we can do?
So we are going to start doingthe hands parties.
Again, we've got a preferredsupplier list that you can
choose from any and it's all.
We want it to be fun.
(22:30):
We want it to be different.
We don't want it to be corny oranything like that.
So we're going to be partneringwith people who will teach you
a dance class or they'll teachyou play in sip or paint and sip
or what else was there.
There was hula hooping and howto mix a drink and all things
(22:51):
like that.
So going to be doing packageslike that and just making it
easy for everyone again.
Like you don't have to buy allthe party decorations and then
sell it again on Facebookmarketplace.
Like what a waste of time andmoney and adding to the
environment.
So we've got an epic spacethere.
(23:13):
You just rock up with your girland you book whoever you want
to book in to do yourentertainment, and then there we
go.
Yvette Sitters (23:21):
I love this.
This is very good.
I love it.
I love it.
I'm going to myself.
What about a Valoranule?
Like as well?
Lei-Ahna Newell (23:29):
Oh yeah, oh my gosh, we're totally here for
Valoranules too.
Yeah, keep adding things on,keep adding things on.
Yeah Well, you're 10 years.
I've just had your 10 years oryou're next year too.
Yvette Sitters (23:40):
No, 10 years is in.
Lei-Ahna Newell (23:41):
January yeah, oh yeah.
So you got married in 2014 too.
Yes, I did yeah, so ours isnext year as well.
Yvette Sitters (23:48):
Yeah, and I don't know what, though I'm like
I'd love to get married again,because how amazing how far
weddings have come as in.
To look at Like we're stilldoing the same things eating,
drinking and Valoranule, yeah,but to look at my gosh, it's
amazing, so different.
Lei-Ahna Newell (24:04):
Yeah, it's so beautiful, this stylist it just,
yeah, I think there's just ithas come a long way.
There's so many differentstyles now, I know, compared to
even just 10 years ago Massively.
Yeah, it's fun, but yeah, we,yeah, I'm pretty excited about
the Hens party thing.
Yvette Sitters (24:23):
I love that.
That is so exciting.
I'm excited for you.
Just, it's a great venue.
The photos they can get to it'slike an Instagram venue.
I'm telling you.
Lei-Ahna Newell (24:30):
Totally.
It is an Instagram venue and,like even the whole plan, was
just for everyone to use theiriPhones or whatever to take
photos at the Hens party, butobviously we have loads of
photographers that are on ourlist that I'm sure would love to
take some pics at your Hensparty.
Yvette Sitters (24:50):
Yeah, how fun.
Some of those you might notwant to show.
Lei-Ahna Newell (24:54):
Yeah, exactly, but we're trying to keep it
tasteful.
Yvette Sitters (24:58):
Oh, I love it.
I have loved.
I love what you've created,everyone, please go on to the
show notes, find all the linksand make sure you check them out
.
Look at all the pictures too.
I'm going to share picturesfrom you.
Give us your.
I know this is always a hardquestion.
I'll be interested actually inthe end to go back and listen to
how you answered this questionlast episode.
(25:19):
Oh, and before I do ask thislast question, if anyone wants
to go back and listen to Leanna,it was episode 89.
It was yeah, and it was weddingday musicians and top tips with
gender events.
So go back and listen toepisode 89, because she gave
heaps of like valuable advice onthat one too.
But can you share with us yournumber one wedding planning tip?
Lei-Ahna Newell (25:46):
I think it's probably going to be the same as
what I said on that episode.
I'm going to go back and listenafter.
You need to find your people.
So anyone you work with on yourwedding, you have to imagine
you can sit down, have a coffee,have a drink with them and be
(26:07):
super comfy.
Because if you can't do that,that's the feeling that you're
going to have on your weddingday and you don't want that
feeling on your wedding day.
You want to be super comfy andjust loving the day.
So our biggest tip is always tofind your people.
Yvette Sitters (26:27):
I love that.
I've got a feeling it was thatone too that you did say that.
Lei-Ahna Newell (26:30):
Yeah, I think it might have been.
Yvette Sitters (26:32):
Yeah, I love that piece of advice.
It's so important.
There's so many people thatdoubt who they've picked and I'm
like, if you're doubting it,change it.
Don't do that to yourselfbecause you're frustrated
afterwards.
It's so important, it is soimportant they really do.
Lei-Ahna Newell (26:52):
I know as celebrants and even as musicians
, we try to meet with you asmuch as possible.
Book in for those meetings.
When you're inquiring witheveryone, try to do it face to
face and if you can't do a Zoommeeting or a video call because
you've got to get a feeling,you've got to have that feeling
(27:13):
so, otherwise it's too forcedand it's just not going to work.
Yvette Sitters (27:18):
Yeah, I agree with you.
That's such a great tip and I'mso glad you shared that one.
Lei-Ahna Newell (27:23):
Yeah, and I think, like for us anyway and I
know there's plenty of othervendors out there that are like
us we become 100% invested inyour day from the very beginning
.
So you want someone on boardwho's going to be invested in
you.
So make sure you've got thefeels.
Yvette Sitters (27:46):
Yeah, yeah, I agree, and I think it goes for
the vendor too, doesn't it Likeyou want to work with people
that you get the feels with too?
Lei-Ahna Newell (27:54):
Oh, 100%, and I think Jake and I are pretty
lucky with how we come across inour copy and on our website and
in our social media and that Ithink people get a pretty
immediate feel for how we areand who we are.
So, yeah, and I am quite honest, I'm not for everyone, that's
(28:17):
okay.
Yvette Sitters (28:18):
So that's good, you don't want to be.
Lei-Ahna Newell (28:20):
Yeah, exactly, there's plenty of everyone out
there, so find your person.
Yvette Sitters (28:25):
Yeah, yeah, that's really good.
I love that very.
Thank you so much for chattingwith me.
Tell the listeners where canthey find the Valley, elter and
gender events.
Tell us everything.
Oh, you can remember.
Lei-Ahna Newell (28:40):
There's so many .
The Valley Elter iscomau and weare on the gram as the Valley
Elter.
We are on TikTok as well,valley Elter.
Let's cure those names.
That was great.
And then Janda event is Janda J, a, n, d A eventscomau and you
(29:08):
can find our individualcelebrant pages from there as
well, and our Instagram isJandaevents.
Yvette Sitters (29:16):
And we have a lot of people doing things
Perfect, yes, fantastic.
You guys are just a dynamiteduo between you and Jake, your
husband.
You guys are doing amazing inthe wedding industry, so nice to
watch, and it's nice to seepeople doing things a bit
different as well.
Lei-Ahna Newell (29:31):
Thank you and a lot of fun making it fun.
So we try to make it fun.
We are still a duck.
We're peddling pretty quicklyunderneath that water, I bet.
Yvette Sitters (29:44):
And with kids in tow.
Yeah, you're doing great,though.
Thank you so much for chatting.
Lei-Ahna Newell (29:52):
Thanks for having me, it's been awesome.
Bye.
Yvette Sitters (30:09):
Music playing.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.