Are they the 'Chip and Joanna' of the wedding industry? Raleigh-based wedding filmmakers launch reality show

The Raleigh-based husband-and-wife duo and owners of Heart Stone Films travel the world, documenting high-profile weddings in places like Scotland, Italy and Aruba. And they've filmed a few pretty amazing weddings right here in North Carolina, including the wedding of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Emily Maynard of The Bachelor and Bachelorette fame and lots of professional athletes. Their work has been featured in People, USA Today, US Weekly, and E Online.

But these days, the Wheatons aren't just behind the camera. The couple, who have a young son, have recently launched their own reality show on Amazon Prime Video with Love Stories TV called, "Weddings with the Wheatons." The show, I'm told, takes a behind-the-scenes view of what it’s really like to document weddings for a living. Some say they might just be the next Chip and Joanna Gaines, the couple behind the HGTV hit Fixer Upper, of the wedding industry.

Toni Wheaton: Yes! It’s amazing! I love to travel, I love to tell stories, and do it all with my husband. I’ve dreamed about being in production and traveling the world my whole life, so this really is a dream come true! Some of my personal favorite locations are Scotland, Aruba, the Bahamas, Mexico, and Italy!

TW: This is my favorite story. We had been married for three months, we were lying in bed one night sharing our dreams, as we still do to this day. I told Chris that owning my own production company was my dream, and his was to own a business. That’s when the seed was planted in our minds. A few months later the owner of the production company I was working for at the time decided to retire, and he offered me the business. I was 23, Chris was 22, and suddenly we had our own little production company. It’s hard to imagine where we are now, 10 years later after that seemingly small conversation!

TW: Oh wow, this is a good one. First, it’s not for everyone, and that’s OK! Here’s what works for us: Have clearly defined roles and responsibilities in the business, have a strong conflict resolution plan for those inevitable heated conversations, and have a trusted business advisor to help mediate if necessary. Also, make sure you leave the business at work and make your home time personal time. A healthy separation helps keep your marriage a priority, so you don’t let the business consume you and your marriage. Finally, always remember you’re on the same team and working towards a shared goal!

TW: It’s been surreal! The response has been so positive and encouraging, and we’ve gotten so many personal messages from strangers: couples who have been inspired by how open we are about our marriage; young entrepreneurs who have been encouraged by the growth of our company from working on a computer on our bedroom floor to now having a show on Amazon (crazy!!); and people who have (no joke) told us how our show has made them believe in love again. It melts my heart! Also, people seeing my real life as a mom and business owner has encouraged a lot of moms out there, which is amazing and has also been encouraging to me as a new mom and business owner because balancing the two wasn’t an easy road.

TW: Absolutely, for several reasons. One, I’m really close with my dad so when the bride comes down the aisle with her dad I always get choked up. Second, Chris cried when he saw me walk down the aisle on our wedding day so if I see a groom start to tear up it gets me. And third, now that I’m a mom, I start to think about my son Elijah growing up and one day getting married, so I understand and relate to the parent’s emotions during a wedding. Oh, and if there is a dog in the wedding then I usually cry because I’m also a dog mom.

Catch new shows of Weddings with the Wheatons every Tuesday on Amazon Prime Video.