Will Coley, a freelance producer and on-air reporter with a background working for outlets such as NPR, BBC World Service, and The New Yorker Radio Hour, has developed a unique service that transforms couples' love stories into personalized audio documentaries. His initiative, ListenWithUs, offers professionally edited audio episodes that chronicle the arc of a couple’s relationship in their own voices, providing an intimate alternative to traditional wedding media.
The idea originated in 2021 when Coley recorded and edited a close friend’s wedding ceremony for grandparents unable to attend. The recording, posted on SoundCloud, attracted nearly 100 downloads, revealing a surprising demand for audio that captures personal moments beyond photographs and videos. “Couples increasingly want to preserve their voices and stories,” Coley said, noting the emotional resonance of audio, which engages listeners’ imaginations and memories more deeply than visual formats.
ListenWithUs produces 30 to 40-minute episodes priced at $1,500 and also offers live event reporting for weddings at an additional cost. The process includes separate hour-long interviews with each partner, where they recount their versions of shared experiences—such as how they met, the proposal, and pivotal moments in the relationship. Following these individual sessions, Coley conducts a joint interview to capture the couple together. The final product features only the couple’s voices, alongside those of significant figures like the person who introduced them or a close family member, with no narrator included.
To ensure high-quality audio, Coley often records in person with portable equipment or coordinates remotely through video conferencing, asking participants to record their sound locally via smartphone apps for clarity. He then utilizes transcription and editing software to weave the interviews into a cohesive, compelling narrative, incorporating music selected by the couple.
Coley emphasized the importance of uncovering moments where relationships shift, such as deciding to be exclusive or agreeing to marry. “What made you want to move forward? What is it about this person that you decided is the one?” are key questions that help articulate the emotional journey.
The final audio episode serves multiple purposes: it is shared with wedding guests to deepen their understanding of the couple’s story, offered to those unable to attend in person, and can be embedded on wedding websites or distributed privately via email. The recordings can also be uploaded to platforms like Spotify or YouTube upon request.
Reflecting on his work, Coley highlighted the unpredictability of love and the serendipitous moments that lead couples to commit to each other. His service aims to capture these intimate, defining experiences, creating a lasting, personal record of a couple’s unique journey.