Wine and Dine Me Podcast
This is a home to episodes of The Wine and Dine Me Podcast - Reagan’s candid take on hospitality, sophisticated events, leadership, and the standards behind unforgettable experiences. Through conversations with planners, photographers, designers, hospitality leaders, and other creative operators, the podcast offers an honest look at what actually makes something exceptional.
Expect behind-the-scenes perspective, thoughtful conversation, and content rooted in taste, service, and substance.
Alison Hotchkiss
After nearly 25 years in the events industry, Alison Hotchkiss has learned that longevity has far less to do with recognition than with relationships, consistency, adaptability, and how people feel working with you. Reagan sits down with the founder of Alison Events to talk candidly about leadership, building a strong team, collaboration, guest experience, and what it really takes to build a creative business that lasts.
Julie Livingston & Caroline Brown
In this episode of The Wine and Dine Me Podcast, Reagan sits down with EventDox co-founders Caroline Brown and Julie Livingston to discuss concierge event medicine, guest safety, planner liability, and the quiet layer of care that protects high-touch weddings and private events before a medical moment ever disrupts the celebration.
Bryan Rafanelli
Bryan Rafanelli joins The Wine and Dine Me Podcast for a candid conversation about building lifelong client relationships, protecting the guest experience, talking about money with clarity, and staying relevant in an industry that often confuses visibility with true influence.
Anja Winikka
Reagan sits down with Anja Winikka, founder of Freeda Network, for a candid conversation about visibility, influence, founder loneliness, and why trusted rooms matter more than ever for creative business owners building at a high level
Lauren Taylor
A conversation on influence, trust, and the structure creative entrepreneurs need as their work begins to grow. In this episode of The Wine and Dine Me Podcast, Lauren Taylor shares how her background in law, brand partnerships, and talent strategy shaped her perspective on personal branding, protection, and building a business with longevity.
Alex Schon
A photographer should not be another moving part you have to manage. In this episode, Alex Schon and Reagan break down zero-management partnership, obsessive hospitality, and the “one-inch rule” that separates a polished production from a weekend that only looks polished.
Laura Somma
In this episode of The Wine and Dine Me Podcast, Reagan sits down with Italy planner Laura Somma to talk about what high-stakes events really require: discretion, directness, and a calm standard that does not bend under pressure. They get into privacy-first logistics, why the most sophisticated hosts crave simplicity, and how multi-country wedding weekends are changing the definition of experience.
Lynn easton
A polished event can look effortless - but authority and calm are built long before guests arrive. In this episode, Lynn Easton shares what it really takes to lead at the highest level: confident direction, clear budgeting, and systems strong enough to hold under pressure (including her platform, eventPERCH)
Calder clark
A candid conversation with Calder Clark on what actually protects an event: clear expectations, smart boundaries, and design that functions as well as it photographs. We talk value (not just price), why the bill payer needs a seat at the table early, and how Calder builds a point of view without living on the scroll.
Jessica Connolly
Great design isn’t about what photographs well. It’s about how a space works, feels, and moves people. In this episode of The Wine and Dine Me Podcast, Reagan sits down with Jessica Connolly of Social Supply Design to unpack why execution, emotion, and human behavior matter more than aesthetics when scaling a creative business.
Sarah Schreiber
A thoughtful conversation with former Brides and Martha Stewart Weddings editor Sarah Schreiber reveals the deeper shifts shaping today’s weddings — from trend forecasting and authenticity to social presence, pricing transparency, and the evolving role of publications. A grounded look at what couples truly want and how our industry can respond with clarity and intention.
Candice Lorraine Soffner
Resilience doesn’t always look like strength—it often looks like showing up anyway. In this episode, Reagan sits down with Charleston creative Candice Lorraine Soffner to explore what it means to rebuild with grace, lead with kindness, and find renewal through honest reinvention. Together, they unpack the delicate balance between confidence and humility, community and competition, and the quiet bravery required to start again.
Reagan Prechter
Percentage-based pricing often raises questions for both couples and planners. In this episode, Reagan explains why it has long been a standard in the wedding industry, how it protects against scope creep, and why transparency and trust are essential.
Bronson van Wyck
Hospitality is not about spectacle—it’s about connection. In my conversation with celebrated planner Bronson van Wyck, he shares how the simplest gestures create the most lasting impact. From his Arkansas upbringing to high-profile events across the globe, Bronson reveals why true welcome is rooted in warmth, not wealth.
john foreman
Weddings represent some of life’s most meaningful investments, yet few couples think about protecting them with insurance. From venue liability to weather cancellations, vendor bankruptcies, and even cyber threats, event insurance provides a safeguard for both couples and planners. Here’s what you need to know before your next celebration.
Reagan Prechter
Not every truth is easy to hear, but they can make all the difference in how your wedding feels. In this blog, I share my unfiltered advice—why you shouldn’t over-entertain guests, why florists can’t be quoted like 1-800-Flowers, why lighting transforms everything, and more. These are the observations I’d tell you if I wasn’t afraid of hurting your feelings.
Ryan Schwartz
Marriage is a celebration of love—but it’s also a legal contract with lasting financial implications. In this episode of Wine and Dine Me, attorney Ryan Schwartz joins Reagan Kerr Prechter for an honest conversation about prenups, financial transparency, and why the most important decision you’ll ever make might not be what you think.
Persephone
Marketing in the luxury space isn’t about chasing every platform or paying to be on every list—it’s about knowing your numbers, understanding your audience, and focusing on what actually converts. In this conversation with Persephone Maglaya, CEO of The Media Socialites, we unpack the real ROI of marketing, the vanity trap of industry recognition, and why transparency is the new luxury.
Tara Skinner
An unfiltered conversation with veteran planner Tara Skinner on what it really takes to run a planning business with longevity and grace. From pricing transparency to vendor evolution and team-building, this episode dives deep into the behind-the-scenes decisions that shape high-level event production.
Reagan Prechter
What happens when the forecast shifts days before a wedding? For planners, it’s a test of leadership, logistics, and emotional steadiness. This candid reflection explores how to navigate the unexpected with confidence, communicate with clarity, and lead your team—and your couple—through a rainy wedding weekend with grace.