In this episode, we dive straight into the essentials of wedding attire alterations with Cora Mercer from Tailored in White. Discover actionable tips on how to save money on tailoring while ensuring your attire fits like a glove on the day of. Cora explains the intricacies behind alteration costs, gives advice on handling size changes, and shares the best bustling techniques to enhance both comfort and style. She also covers when to seek out a tailor and the expected timeline for the alteration process. Listen in for invaluable insights that will help you navigate wedding attire adjustments smartly and creatively! Want to listen to us Ad-free? Click HERE to become a premium subscriber. What you will learn The Importance of Tailoring: Why proper fitting should be a key aspect of your wedding planning. Bustling Techniques: How to choose the right bustling for your dress and the importance of practicing before the big day. Cost Factors: Understanding what drives the cost of alterations and how to budget for them. Accommodating Changes: Tips for handling alterations related to pregnancy or weight loss. Undergarments and Structure: The role of undergarments and built-in support in enhancing the fit and look of your wedding attire. Fabric Considerations: How different materials and details like lace and beading affect the tailoring process. Preservation Tips: Advice on preserving your gown post-wedding, whether for sentimental reasons or practical future use. Links We Referenced Tailored in White Website Tailored in White on Tik Tok Tailored in White on Instagram Pinterest: @tailoredinwhite The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is... Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez & Shaun Gray Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is packed with actionable advice on ensuring your wedding attire perfectly captures your unique style and story, aligning beautifully with your overall wedding aesthetic. Join hosts Michelle and Shaun as they chat with wardrobe stylist Risa Kostis, who shares expert insights on personalizing your wedding look, coordinating your wedding party's outfits, assisting your parents in finding the right fits, managing attire changes, and preparing for unforeseen wardrobe mishaps. Tune in to transform your wedding attire choices into unforgettable elements of your celebration. Want to listen Ad-free? Click HERE to become a premium subscriber. Ad-free, full length episodes The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Topics We Covered How to coordinate your wedding party with different styles/colors  Where to find wedding party attire, what shopping sites and stores  How to incorporate heirloom/vintage pieces from family members  Appropriate attire to wear as a wedding guest based on dress code requirements  How to pack for your wedding/honeymoon  How to choose your head-to-toe wedding look How to incorporate wardrobe changes into your day  Going custom - what do you need to know about having items made for you  About The Guest Risa Kostis is a seasoned wardrobe stylist, The Wedding Emergency Stylist™, a speaker, and entrepreneur based in Phoenix, Arizona. She is the founder of top styling company Risa Kostis Creative and CEO/co-founder of The Rescue Kit Co, offering fashion emergency kits for brides and beyond.  Links We Referenced Risa’s Website Risa on Instagram Wedding Day Fashion Emergency Kit Rescue Kit on Tik Tok Risa on Tik Tok Revolve Asos Anthropologie Weddings Birdy Grey Show Me Your Mumu House of CB Dessy Group Lulus Eloquii plus size Dillards Department Store Suit Supply Bonobos Men’s Wearhouse Nick’s Menswear The Tie Bar Indochino Brooks Brothers Bindle & Keep LT Custom Style The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is... Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're planning a wedding and love our planet, this episode is packed with tips, stories, and a bit of fun that’ll help you make a difference. Michelle brings together a fantastic crew of experts who are passionate about making weddings greener. You’ll meet Courtney Barrett, an environmental scientist weaving eco-friendly magic into her own wedding, and Cris Angsten from the green-certified Oak Leaf Cottage, sharing her personal journey to sustainability. Plus, wedding planner Kristen Gosselin and David Schoenfeld from Ring Bear drop some serious knowledge (and cool ideas!) on keeping your big day beautiful and environmentally sound.  We're all about sustainable weddings—not just for Earth Day, but for every day!  Want to listen Ad-Free? Click HERE to become a premium subscriber: Ad-free, full length episodes The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Links We Referenced Courtney on Instagram Poshmark https://wildalchemyphotos.com/ https://www.thicketfloraldesign.com Oak Leaf Cottage Website Oak Leaf Cottage on Instagram KG Events Design Website KG Events Design on Instagram Ring Bear Website Ring Bear on Instagram The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is... Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our monthly episode of You Ask, We Answer; where we take time to listen to our audience’s questions, select top trending picks, and answer them on the show. This month Michelle's co-host is one of the most incredible wedding planners around, Jason Mitchell Kahn! Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Questions Answered! How to handle a registry (asking for charitable donations as well as wedding gifts) in a non-tacky way RSVP deadlines for a destination wedding Having a wedding officiant that’s a friend, and how to break it to your parents you’re not going the pastor route What to do when a coordinator drops out last minute Tips for tent weddings (fully outdoors/there are no inside spaces) Links We Referenced https://luxurydestinationtravel.com jasonmitchellkahn.com  instagram.com/mrjasonmitchell twitter.com/mrjasonmitchell facebook.com/jasonmitchellkahnandco Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who doesn’t love to travel?! Michelle certainly loves it. Especially to Mexico City! In this episode, she shares some great travel tips to make your adventures as stress-free as possible. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools What Is Covered Medicine Travel Viruses Seeing doctors in other countries Packing! What clothes should you really bring?  Toiletries What should go in your carry-on?  Sanitizing  Travel credit cards Passports TSA Pre-Check Global Entry Links We Referenced Michelle's Ultimate Travel Packing Amazon Shopping List Chase Sapphire Preferred Travel Rewards Credit Card TSA Precheck Global Entry Mobile Passport Control Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A wedding should be alllll about you and your partner! When your guests leave, they should be smiling and thinking, “wow that was so them.” On this Real Wedding Retrospective, Delanie shares all about her unconventional, simple, and REAL wedding. From all vegan food, to flower people and bubble boys, to a magician, to her husband tossing the bouquet, this wedding was anything other than traditional.  Delanie Fischer is a Business Simplicity Coach, Professional Podcaster, and “influencer” turned social media-free entrepreneur. She helps both new and established service providers build and scale minimalist businesses for more revenue AND free time. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Big Takeaways If you have a lot of single friends at the wedding, try a co-ed bouquet toss. It’s a fun way for everyone to see each other.  Delanie recommends bringing your own coordinator to the venue she used, and not using the venue’s coordinator. The rest of the venue staff was great! Topics Vegan Menu Planning - how to suss out whether the venue chef can make a delicious plant based menu before booking COVID rescheduling and elopement No kid wedding! Roasts instead of toasts Going overtime with the bar Unique touches to the big day Links We Referenced delaniefischer.com  https://www.westlakevillageinn.com https://www.instagram.com/selfhelplesspodcast/ https://flowermoxie.com https://www.selfhelplesspodcast.com/episodes Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It can be very hard to find worthwhile options for the non-traditional bride. We all want to find something really special and that actually fits our desires for the wedding day. There are beautiful, unique options out there though, you just have to know where to look! Madison Chamberlain is a Fashion Designer who focuses on creating non traditional gowns and accessories for the unique bride/client. After years designing in the fashion industry, Madison took a leap and left to start her own business where she could focus on being inclusive and sustainable while designing beautiful pieces. She believes fashion should be playful and fun and bring the utmost joy to the wearer! Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Big Takeaways Custom dresses/wedding garments don’t have to mean $20,000. It is actually very much in line with a typical off-the-rack dress. Also, with off-the-rack, you almost always will have to get alterations. For Madison, she starts at $2,500 and it can change with complexity and cost of materials. In the end, you leave with a custom made, fits-like-a-glove piece. Everyone deserves to feel their very very best in their wedding day garments. No matter your body size, your shape, your emotions, a custom piece can make you feel like royalty.  Links We Refenced Madisonchamberlain.com instagram.com/madisonchamberlain_ https://candicecuoco.com Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our monthly episode of You Ask, We Answer; where we take time to listen to our audience’s questions, select top trending picks, and answer them on the show. This month Michelle's co-host is an extra special, familiar voice, Christy Matthews!  Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Question 1: My fiancé’s grandma used to yodel professionally. Yes - not singing, but yodeling. She’s in her 90s now and definitely misses her yodeling career. She yodels at every opportunity when she leaves the house.  I am worried that she will try to steal the show at our wedding. There will be lots of new faces for her - a fresh audience. I know that it would mean a lot to my fiancé if we have her perform a song. And I think 1 song would be acceptable, but how do I draw (and enforce) the line?  Question 2:  Do you have any suggestions for something casual in terms of welcome drinks and also something casual to say goodbye at the end of the weekend?  Question 3:  I’m dealing with something very difficult for my January 14 wedding. My older sister who I always assumed would be one of my maid/matrons of honor told me 3 weeks ago that she didn't want to be in the wedding and she thought it should just be me and my friends. We have a hard relationship, 8 years apart, and this was sad and hurtful to me.... Then last week she called to tell us that she’s pregnant with her third baby! This is exciting... but her due date it January 13- the day before my wedding She lives in Texas and I’m in Florida so this means she wouldn’t be able to even attend, no flower girls, and I’m so happy for her but heartbroken at the same time because I can’t picture my wedding without her. I think most of it is out of my control at this point. Any thoughts? Question 4: I’m struggling with how to tell a girl who I’m not close with that she isn’t in the bridal party. She’s made so many assumptions that she is and references to bridesmaid dresses and it’s just incredibly uncomfortable. She got mad at me for not inviting her when I went dress shopping. I’m a people pleaser so I was tempted to just include her, but her personality is not one I want around me on my special day (she will still be a guest).  Question 5: My fiance and his mother are not very close. His brother’s wedding anniversary is a week before our wedding. His mother wants us to dedicate a song to them. We will not be doing that. I want to reach out to her and let her know that we will not be dedicating our wedding to them. I know this may sound mean, but I know this woman and she will keep pushing unless I set boundaries. What do you think? Should I just ignore it? Or say something?  Question 6: When is the bridal/wedding shower held? I've seen and heard everything from 2 months to 5 months before the wedding date. Does the timeframe matter? G e t In Touch:   The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you want to look on your wedding day? Are you thinking of changing your hair? Are you going to spray tan? Do you want to hire a hair and makeup artist? What about skin treatments? In this episode we cover all things beauty that you need to know in preparation of your wedding.  Emily Edgar has been a professional makeup artist for over 10 years working all over the industry. Having been trained in Paris, France with the top European makeup academy and worked in the iconic New York City beauty scene – she has seen and done a lot! In addition to her on-set experience, she spent 3 years teaching the skills of makeup artistry to new artists and beauty enthusiasts alike at the Make Up For Ever Academy in NYC. Like the true professional she is, Emily provides endless tips, tricks and product recommendations, making her and the Bride's Guide to Beauty a valuable resource for individuals of any skill level.  Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Big Takeaways While there is truly zero requirement to do any of the beauty tips recommended in this episode, we wanted to give some hot tips from a professional make-up artist on how to look your most polished on your wedding day. It is important to remember that sometimes you can overdo it too, you want to feel like yourself in your pictures when you look back. Ultimately, you want to feel comfortable in your skin.  When you’re looking for your hair and make-up people, consider if you would feel good spending a lot of time with them. You absolutely want to be surrounded by people who support you and help you feel calm as you are preparing for the ceremony.  There is often no time to have a trial before booking a make-up artist, so when searching there are some things to look out for. Do a google search, find them on big wedding sites, see how they appear and what they share on multiple platforms. They should have a professional site. Think about how they are responding to your emails, are they respecting your time?   Remember that your vendor team and your planner are great resources! Vet your practitioners! If they haven’t been practicing for a long time, it might not be the best option before your wedding. Someone with a great portfolio and recommendations goes a long way. When deciding your wedding style, consider how you want to mesh the inspiration you find and the styles you love with your personal daily beauty/style. Think about what it is in the pictures you found that you really like. Is it their skin texture? The lip color? The hair? Consider the details. Links We Referenced The Bride's Guide to Beauty (Use promo code BIGWEDDING for $100 off) Emily Edgar Makeup Bride's Guide to Beauty on IG Emily Edgar Makeup on IG Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You will be inspired by listening to celebrity wedding planner, Darryl Moore of D’ Concierge Events share awesome stories, experiences and advice. Darryl has been featured in Vogue, Munaluchi Bride, Brides, The New York Times and more. What we love about Darryl is that even though he has planned some celebrity weddings, he still loves working with the “everyday bride”. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools What you will learn on this episode Advice on hiring a planner How Darryl advocates diversity for his clients and his colleagues LOTS of design tips How to stop overspending on things that have little impact Darryl’s theory on accessorizing your dining tables What to do when you like too many colors for your wedding How to use the color black in your wedding design - it’s always timeless look How to ensure cohesiveness with your wedding design Some of the celebrity weddings Darryl has worked on - Danielle Brooks! Links We Referenced http://dconciergeweddings.com https://www.withlovedconcierge.com Instagram handle: d.concierge Quotes “If you’re going to have a preferred vendors list, there should be some diversity.” - Darryl Moore “When it comes to instagram and social media, I don’t really follow other event planners and that’s not a competition thing. My inspiration really comes from home interior, fashion magazines, and travel magazines, because I feel like that’s kinda where the trends start.” - Darryl Moore “And that’s all that matters to me, you know. Like the girl that has the wedding of her dreams. That’s all that matters to me and getting married and having the, ya know marrying her prince charming. That’s, in the end, that’s what matters. Everything else does not.” - Darryl Moore Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are all perfectionists in some way, shape or form. Planning a wedding can certainly heighten our perfectionist tendencies. And while we all know that wedding planning can be overwhelming, guess what? Overwhelm causes procrastination! Our guest on this episode is going to give some tips on how to avoid these tendencies and procrastination and set you on the right track. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Our guest is Nicole Baker. Nicole is a Coach who helps perfectionists not only set goals, but actually follow through on them. Having grown up in a family immersed in the personal development world, she has been attending seminars and absorbing personal growth tools her whole life. She has since helped hundreds of perfectionists accomplish goals ranging from starting their own businesses, to starting and staying committed to a morning routine. She has been featured in Authority Magazine, Thrive Global, The Self Helpless Podcast and The Mighty plus is the CEO of Life Coach Baker LLC and the host of The Life Coach Baker Podcast. Nicole’s 3 types of perfectionists: The Overachiever: Sees the very high peak goal and thinks they need to have reached it yesterday The Procrastinator: Gets overwhelmed and then distracted. Puts things off until they are “motivated”. The People Pleaser: Do not trust their own voice and put others on a pedestal Nicole's tips for perfectionists: Slow Down Find a mantra you can come back to that helps calm you down and bring you back into yourself. Trust your own voice. Listen to a personal development podcast that helps center you. Read a good personal development book. Hire a therapist, coach, or mentor. Start that inner work. Start at step one, and move one step at a time. Links We Referenced Nicole's Podcast Take the Quiz! What type of perfectionist are you? Nicole on Instagram: @lifecoachbaker Peerspace Quotes: “Are you teaching people how to be perfect, Nicole?” - Michelle “I’m doing the opposite. I’m like let’s be messy, let’s release control, let’s take action and not feel like it has to be perfect.” - Nicole “Overachiever - hella motivated, very, very good at getting shit done. Procrastinator - they’re really good at dreaming. Procrastinators are phenomenal at saying, ‘I want this type of life.’ It’s just the follow through that they have issues with. And then people pleasers - they’re so empathetic. They love to care about other people’s feelings, which is definitely a trait to be admired. However, when it comes at the cost of your own voice, that’s when it’s the issue.” - Nicole “And the biggest thing about slowing down, it’s not like going and laying on your couch and watching Netflix, unless that’s your jam. It’s all about slowing down your mind and getting present, because if we’re not present for our life, why are we working so hard to build it?” - Nicole  Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author Georgia Clark returns to talk Summer Reading 2022! Last year, she was a guest on episode #253 Summer reading 2021. It was such a fan fave, that we wanted her back to give us more! Georgia hosts a live storytelling show called, “Generation Women,” in NYC, where she live’s with her “hot wife”, Lindsay and baby girl Rozella, born on 2/27/22 at 12:22. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Georgia's summer book recommendations #1 Seven Days in June by Tia Williams - Romance (rom-dram) - Best seller. Paperback out in June 2022 - Epic love story between 2 black writers - A sexy, joyful, dark, gritty, star-crossed lovers tale set in Brooklyn, NY. #2 Ghosts by Dolly Alderton - Coming of age/fiction - Dolly’s first novel - After saying ‘I love you,’ Nina’s boyfriend ghosts her. - First person narrative #3 The Wedding Crasher by Mia Sosa - Contemporary rom-com - Follow up to “The Best Worst Man” by Sosa - Centers the fake-relationship trope #4 Call Me By Your Name by Andrew Aciman - Throwback classic romance - The book that the movie was based on! - Story of young love between a teenage boy and a summer guest at his parent’s home in Italy #5 I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston - Queer young adult - Author of Red, White, and Royal-Blue - Centered around a prom queen that goes missing #6 Island Time by Georgia Clark! - Queer ensemble rom-com - Set in Georgia’s home country of Australia - A 3-day trip turns into a 6-week experience due to a volcanic explosion In case you missed it last year: It Had To Be You by Georgia Clark - Great read for the wedding planning process Links We Referenced georgiaclark.com generationwomen.us Georgia on Instagram: @georgialoclark Quotes “I have never really read a book that so beautifully and expertly charts the feeling of first love in the way that it’s so full of desire and passion, but also obsession, you know, even anger. The spark that exists between these two men just leaps off the page.” - Georgia (on Call Me By Your Name) “I got married in 2019 and that’s when I started writing this book because I realized that wedding planning was no joke. It’s really tough. It also just brought up so much stuff for us.” - Georgia (on her new book, Island Time) Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michelle is joined by Chanler & Lauren of The Pop Apologists Podcast on this very fun episode where they review many weddings in pop culture. Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker start us off! Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Weddings covered on this episode: Kourtney Kardashian & Travis Barker #Kravis Danielle Brooks & Dennis Gelin Kim Kardashian & Kanye West Cardi B & Offset Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie Links @popapologists on Instagram Listen to the Pop Apologists on Apple Podcasts or any podcast player you like! Chanler on Instagram: @chancuterie Lauren on Instagram: @laurenbledsoe Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PLEASE LISTEN! Some important updates about the future of our show. This episode is a bit different, as I’m discussing the changes coming to the podcast and what it means for you, my valued listeners. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness: Ad-free, full length episodes The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Topics Covered A Heartfelt Thank You: Expressing my deep gratitude for the incredible support from our listeners, especially our paid premium subscribers.  Major Changes: Announcing the transition of our podcast back to a free feed model and the shift to releasing new episodes monthly.  Our Rich Library: Over 400 episodes filled with invaluable wedding planning advice and stories are now freely available. This treasure trove of content remains a resource for anyone planning their wedding. Premium Feed Adjustments: Introducing the new format of our premium feed, which will continue to offer an ad-free listening experience with a slight change in content offerings. The subscription pricing has been adjusted to $4.99 a month or $45.99 annually. A Brief Pause: Explaining the pause in releasing new episodes until the end of the month as we transition to the new model. Your patience during this period is greatly appreciated. Looking Ahead: So much excitement for the next chapter of The Big Wedding Planning Podcast and the value-packed episodes to come. Questions or Feedback? If you have any questions about the changes or need assistance with your subscription, please don’t hesitate to reach out at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com. The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is... Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our monthly episode of You Ask, We Answer; where we take time to listen to our audiences questions, select top trending picks, and answer them on the show. This month Michelle's co-host is Megan Gillikin. Megan is a wedding planner, podcast host and career coach (to planners). Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Questions In This Episode My fiancé's brother got married last year (eloped with only us present). Last weekend, he asked my fiancé "Do you ever think you ended up with the wrong person?" Yikes! How often do you see family photos taken without the spouses of siblings?   I got engaged in October 2021 to my partner of 4 years. It was magical and amazing. I am part of a friend group consisting of 4 other girls and their partners. One girl who I’m not as close with, was waiting for her boyfriend to propose and was upset when I got engaged. She didn’t congratulate me, and we spent a girls trip we went on shortly thereafter consoling her while she cried. Can I not invite her to my wedding? How to make the reception flow when there is no ceremony? 3 weeks from my wedding! What am I forgetting?   I am knee deep in designing my dream engagement ring, and my partner is excited for me and so supportive, so I should feel nothing but joy... but part of me still feels a tinge of sadness knowing that the ring itself, or when it's being shipped to us will not be a surprise like I had always hoped. How can we retain some element of magic and surprise around the proposal when I'm so intimately involved in the process already (and will always think every outing could be the big day)?  I’m trying to decide on a San Diego based wedding planner but for one’s price point for partial planning package ($4750) is more than others price point for full planning package ($4200). It seems like a no brainer since we like both planners but with the full we are getting more. Advice for comparing packages and prices?  Links We Referenced https://www.thebigweddingplanningmasterclass.com https://asouthernsoiree.com/ https://www.theplannersvault.com/ instagram.com/plannersvault  Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The amount of things that went wrong for this couple while wedding planning is almost unbelievable! From being victims of a ponzi scheme, to COVID reschedules, to their wedding planner being banned from their 3rd venue (yes, you read it right, 3rd venue), to the Maid Of Honor quitting...and that's not even the half of it. Elliot Olson is a wife, dog mom, fitness and food enthusiast, and implementation consultant from the Kansas City area. She’s passionate about diversity and equality, vegan food, and her two adorable pups. In her free time, she loves to check out local coffee shops, go on walks around her neighborhood, watch chick flicks, and force Kenny to join her on all the above. Elliot and Kenny were legally wed on March 21, 2020, and they celebrated on March 19, 2022. Along the way, they hit every snag you could think of through the process of planning from day one. "I may not have had the best luck wedding planning, but I had the best luck in finding my partner" ~ Elliot (soooooo sweet and in love) Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Links We Referenced https://www.loveandcoevents.com/ instagram.com/loveandcoevent https://www.bstratbuckerphoto.com/ instagram.com/bstratphotofa12 https://www.dutzelscatering.com/ instagram.com/dutzelscatering https://28event.com/ instragram.com/28event https://www.elbowchocolates.com/ instagram.com/alyacevedophotography We are able to produce this podcast because of YOUR support. Become a Patron, you'll get 2 exclusive, ad-free episodes + Zoom Happy Hour with Michelle and fellow patrons every month. Learn More: Patreon Page. Plan your wedding using The Big Wedding Planning Master Class. A self-paced digital course created with love for you by Christy & Michelle. Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michelle and guest Julie Roth Novack of PartySlate, give you all of the hard facts, pro tips and tricks of the process of finding and securing your wedding venue. About our guest: Julie Roth Novack is the CEO and Co-Founder of PartySlate. She brings over 20 years of digital experience overseeing global and national teams. Prior to PartySlate, Julie led the Sales and Services team at Vibes, a mobile marking SAAS company. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Links We Referenced [Julie on Instagram](instagram.com/juliepartyslate/) PartySlate Houzz Doodle Episode #296 All About Home Weddings with David Tutera Episode #182 Venue Owner Tells All Episode #201 Five Venues Across The Country As We Reopen Michelle’s YouTube video about venues Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ok, so now we need to worry about scams while wedding planning? Seriously? Who knew? We don’t want to freak you out. We want to bring these things to your attention, so you are aware they are out there and provide some info on how you can protect yourself. There are so many tips in this episode. Not only during wedding planning, but best practices for protecting yourself from identity theft, credit card theft and so many scams. Adam K. Levin is a nationally recognized expert on cybersecurity, privacy, identity theft, fraud, and personal finance and has distinguished himself as a fierce consumer advocate for the past 50 years. Former Director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Levin is the founder of CyberScout and co-founder of Credit.com. He is author of the critically acclaimed book Swiped and host of the podcast What the Hack with Adam Levin. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Wedding Scams To Be Aware Of Fake vendors Counterfeit dresses Fake honeymoon packages Fake registries Fake Charities & Group donations Links Adam on Instagram: @adamklevin Adam's website: https://adamlevin.com/ Adam's podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-the-hack-with-adam-levin/id1571482669 Adam's book: https://www.amazon.com/Swiped-Yourself-Scammers-Phishers-Identity-ebook/dp/B012271LV0/ref=sr_1_1?crid=YPUV3NOBRI6F&keywords=swiped+adam+levin&qid=1649897301&sprefix=swiped%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-1 https://loudtreemedia.com/ https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action https://www.charitynavigator.org/ Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People jump into wedding planning without really getting themselves set up for success. Planning a wedding is a lot like taking on a second part time job where you’ll be spending hundreds of hours planning, in addition to all the other things you already have going on in your life, at work, with family and more. Which is why, this special episode is all about guiding you toward the smoothest planning road possible. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools My 5 tips to get you set up and organized for your wedding planning journey. #1 - New Email Address for the wedding only - I recommend signing up for a Google. You have a personal email, you have a work email, now you have a wedding email. When you’re done with wedding planning, you can close it. Only check it at certain times. Keeps you focused at work if you do. When you sign up on wedding websites for discounts, you won’t be spammed in your other email inboxes. It comes with Google Drive - all the tools you need - sheets, docs, slides. #2 - Google Voice Google Voice is a free service. A single phone number that you can call or text from. I have the app on my iPhone and it rings from there. You can set up a voicemail outgoing message as well. You can set up a Google Voice account on either your computer or mobile device, and immediately begin placing domestic and international calls, or sending texts. Privacy - You don’t have to give your personal number to potential vendors at a wedding expo. Keeps your personal or work phone clear of wedding communication. #3 - Social Media Accounts Helps keep your personal or business feed free of wedding related content. Remember, once the wedding is over, you won’t need to be seeing this stuff anymore. You can move on to your next life event. DM’ing may start happening with vendors too. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Tik Tok, Pinterest… #4 - Weekly wedding planning sessions Talking about your wedding planning tasks all the time is no good for your relationship. Do yourselves a favor and keep notes on items that need to be covered for your scheduled wedding planning meetings. They may change to bi-weekly once all vendors are hired and you are in your lull phase of planning. Keep your life organized. Wedding Wednesdays? Add standing meetings to your google calendar. #5 - Priorities It’s time to talk about what is important to each of you when it comes to the wedding. This is going to drive every decision you make AND influence your wedding budget. This is an exercise for you. Each of you does this first part alone. No influence from your partner. The scale of 1-10 To get a free PDF of this exercise, go to www.thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com/priorities Links we referenced! Master Class Sign up for a free personal google account here: https://accounts.google.com/signup/v2/webcreateaccount?flowName=GlifWebSignIn&flowEntry=SignUp www.thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com/priorities - Free PDF Plan your wedding using The Big Wedding Planning Master Class. A self-paced digital course created with love for you by Christy & Michelle. Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our monthly episode of You Ask, We Answer; where we take time to listen to our audiences questions, select top trending picks, and answer them on the show. This month we've got co-host Mark Allan Groleau joining Michelle as a special co-host. Mark is a professional full time wedding officiant and a trainer of officiant and celebrants all over the world as he helps to teach others how to officiate an unboring ceremony! Mark and Michelle dive into your most sought after questions, and answer questions ranging from 'two languages and two religions', all the way to officiating 'non religious weddings'. Listen in and get ready to learn! Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Question #1: Is it too much for me to ask to be copied on emails she sends to our vendors regarding our wedding? Question #2: Ceremony readings that aren’t religious? Also, ideas for a unity ceremony that aren’t super cheesy or overdone (like the sand mixing)? Question #3: I’m using Unboring wedding academy and my moms best friends are our officiants. Having 2 officiants instead of just 1? Any advice or tricks? Question #4: I’m not changing my name so at the end of the ceremony what should they say instead of “the new mr and mrs. blank”? Question #5: Considering asking a friend to be an officiant. How do we go about asking? Should we pay for their certification/license? Question #6: How to go about choosing an officiant when you’re not a part of a church? Question #7: How to tell your parents that you don’t want to use their pastor? Question #8: Ways to make the ceremony more personalized to you and your fiancé? Question #9: Best way to incorporate 2 religions or 2 languages? Question #10: What suggestions do you have for an officiant in a ceremony with cultural elements that not all guests may be familiar with? (I.e. Chinese Tea Ceremony, jumping the broom, Filipino sponsors, Areas, etc.) Question #11: What’s a good thank you gift for your female officiant who is a friend? Question #12: What should your officiant wear? Question #13: When/how do they enter the ceremony? Question #14: How does an officiant approach “housekeeping details” like asking everyone to silence their phones or to stick around for a group photo when the couple recesses down the aisle, etc Question #15: Where is the best place to fit a handfasting ceremony into the larger wedding ceremony? Question #16: My officiant said he doesn’t come to the rehearsal!! What do we do? Links We Referenced https://www.unboringweddingacademy.com https://unboringwedding.com Mark's no stranger to the podcast so if you haven't heard him previously head back to: Episode #150 - Will you Marry Us Episode 241 - The Big Wedding Planning Masterclass. Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is…  Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Woot Woot! Today we are celebrating 300 Episodes of The Big Wedding Planning Podcast! We’re toasting this milestone with guests Rosie and Will. Wedding planning clients of Michelle, the couple was married in October of 2021. Their wedding happened just as Covid restrictions were lifting, which surprisingly brought its own unique set of challenges. Rosie and Will chat with Michelle today about what they learned, share advice on what they might have done differently, and reflect on the moment that brought them together for a lifetime. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Big Takeaways There were about 86 guests in attendance. Most of the wedding took place outside, at a family friend’s house. In regards to covid precautions, they only required a negative covid test. The caterer had been used by a family member before so they felt confident booking them. Challenges and Tips Unfortunately, their catering company was sold during the pandemic and sadly the couple has yet to receive their deposit back. Even under pressure, do your due diligence. Family style food was a cost-savings for the couple. Make sure you and your partner are on the same page with timing throughout your wedding day. Rosie and Will purchased their own alcohol and ended up with way more than they needed. The pair purchased spirits as well as beer and wine, but waited until after dinner to put the spirits out. A great cost savings tip Their favors were custom matches. Rosie's father has passed away. So to honor him, they lit candles at the beginning of the ceremony for him and Will's grandparents. It was a symbolic way of feeling their presence at the wedding. They tried to save money on lighting and ultimately wish they had paid a professional to do the lighting for them. Be thoughtful about where you seat your elderly family members. Upon reflection, the pair wishes they had done a first look. If Rosie could go back, she would have purchased a second dress for post wedding ceremony festivities. Remember to find time to eat. The day goes by quickly. Links We Referenced danipadgettweddings.com culinaryeye.com Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Don’t get married! Don’t do it!” Those were the words of advice our guest of today’s podcast used to share with his friends and family. As one of Atlanta’s award winning Divorce attorney’s, Aaron Thomas, a graduate of Harvard Law School, has spent years working with couples during the painful side of marriage, watching them come to an end. Today, Aaron is happily married himself and no longer advocates against getting married, he does however, offer uplifting and positive advice for the consideration of prenups when planning a wedding. Michelle's discussion with Aaron, helps demistify why prenups get a bad reputation and how they can be a useful tool for couples who want to start their financial relationship in an intentional, transparent, and fair way. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Big Takeaways Three Things that lead to a successful financial relationship: 1. Transparency Disclose all your assets and debts when you come in. 2. Communication Make agreements on certain spending habits. For instance, Aaron and his spouse communicate any time they are going to spend over $500. 3. Fairness Buckets of spending are important. For instance, asking about spending that $500 is only when it is coming from the couple spending bucket. Then each person has their own account as well. If things do come to an end, can we handle it in a way that treats both of us fairly and kindly? Even if you never get divorced, having a pre-nup can do wonders for your relationship. In setting up the agreement, both people must lay out their entire financial situation, and this creates a vulnerability and understanding of each other that may never otherwise come. The pre-nup doesn’t just have to be about what happens if the marriage ends, you can add in comments about how money is spent and handled DURING the marriage. Creating budgets helps the couple experience things together on equal footing. You can create a pre-nup after getting married, it’s actually called a post-nup! If you can’t add the pre-nup in right now, at least have the conversation. Talk to your partner about your finances! Links We Referenced prenups.com aaronthomaslaw.com Evite.com/BigWedding Flower Moxie Use code BigWeddings for $25.00 off your purchase! Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've got some super fun announcements for you on today's brand new bonus episode of The Big Wedding Planning Podcast! Michelle opens up about the exciting career path she's on, her mission to give you increased access to even more wedding planning secrets, as well as giving you more insider access to everything you need for planning wedded bliss. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Hint hint...here's one of the major announcements you aren't going to want to miss. Michelle is starting a new series exclusively for Patrons of TBWPP. This bonus episode is your sneak peak into what's ahead for you when you become a member too. For $6.99 per month, you'll gain access to episodes like these, where Michelle will release 2 ad-free episodes per month + invete you to a monthly Zoom Happy Hour where we can all hang out, laugh, have fun, inspire and help each other out with wedding planning. Patreon is going to be a vital lifeline to the continued growth at TBWPP. On today's special Patreon episode, you'll listen to our guest share the issues of getting her fiancé to focus on making decisions with wedding planning. After doing the research, and having the options ready, her fiancé has so much work in his regular life that the decision fatigue has effected his ability to contribute to the planning process. In order to avoid friction in the relationship, Michelle gives advice on how to ask her fiancé for help by scheduling dedicated planning times, and how to work together for a smooth remainder of the planning. We're able to produce this podcast because of YOUR support. If you want to learn more, check out our Patreon Page. Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Home weddings are so much fun and include some of Michelle’s favorite wedding planning moments. On today’s episode she’s chatting it up with one of our favorite guests, David Tutera. The pair discusses the challenges not previously considered when using a home as a wedding venue as well as all the wonderful, intimate emotion that surrounds a wedding of this nature. Listen in because you are going to learn a lot! Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Tips: You can buy handheld candles that are usually used for memorials. They prevent wax drippings and you can raise the cup up to make sure the flames are safe. If you don’t want a lot of dancing, you can create moments like musicians that cut in between smaller sections of dancing. A rental specialist would be a helpful vendor if you are not having a planner. They will know what kind of rentals are needed to make the event go off without a hitch. Caterers do not want to use your kitchen, and you probably don’t want them using your kitchen anyway. Make sure your spaces are not far apart from each other, so there isn’t a lot of moving around. Consider what your guests have to walk through. Permits! Know what kind of permits you might need in your area. HOA, city ordinances, fire department, police department, etc. Liability insurance is crucial! Purchasing your own alcohol might not actually save you that much money. Hiring caterers/bartenders is a much more practical idea. Have someone available to keep up the cleanliness of toilets. Restroom facility rentals come with attendants! Valet is the way to go. Several months prior to your wedding, send a note to your neighbor with a gift that tells them about the event. Then the night before, give them a nice bottle of wine or food. You MUST have a generator. Get a movie-quiet one if you can. Lighting is very important, not only for safety but for aesthetic reasons too. Do not water the grass! Turn off the sprinklers at least a few days before the wedding. Check with your caterer about the trash! Get them haul it away. It will cost extra but it sooooo worth it. Decibels and energy should increase before the ending of the night, that way you can start to quiet things down gradually. The host can give a thank you and that helps guests know it’s time to leave. Links We Referenced davidtutera.com experience.davidtutera.com instagram.com/davidtutera facebook.com/TheDavidTutera Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeding your wedding vendors isn't just courtesy—it's a must, especially for those who dedicate hours to make your day special. In this episode, I chat with my dear friend and seasoned wedding pro, Duncan Reyes. Dive into our lively discussion on the ins and outs of vendor meals, filled with insights, laughter, and Duncan's unmatched charm. Don't miss out! Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness: Ad-free, full length episodes The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Topics We Covered Understanding the necessity of providing vendor meals Clarification on which vendors require meals  Insights into the cost of vendor meals Optimal timing for serving vendor meals during the event Whether vendors should receive the same meal as guests Options for sourcing vendor meals: caterer vs. external options  Timing for finalizing vendor meal counts alongside guest counts Inquiring about food allergies among vendor staff About The Guest Duncan Reyes began his illustrious career as a Corporate Event Planner before moving into luxury hotel management and event planning with roles at The Portman Hotel, The Pan Pacific Hotel San Francisco, The Fairmont Hotel in both San Francisco & Chicago, The Julia Morgan Ballroom, and The Westin St. Francis Hotel San Francisco. With over 30 years of experience in wedding, corporate, and social event planning, Duncan's passion and exceptional skills led him to found F. Duncan Reyes Events By Design, making him a premiere figure in the event industry. Honored by the San Francisco Business Times in 2009 and a recipient of multiple WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards, Duncan is celebrated for his ability to create sophisticated, unique events that reflect his clients' styles, drawing on a vast network of resources to turn dreams into lasting memories. Links We Referenced Duncan on Instagram Duncan’s Website The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is... Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our monthly episode of You Ask, We Answer; where we take time to listen to our audiences questions, select top trending picks, and answer them on the show. This month's show has Kelly McWilliams on as a co-host. Kelly is a wedding planner and a podcast host herself. She and Michelle speak each other's language in helping people planning their weddings. You'll get double the expertise as Michelle and Kelly give you answers to everything you're dying to know. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Question #1: You had a lot of great episodes on your podcast about multicultural weddings and how to make people feel included, but I was wondering if you have more tips about how to include people that communicate in different languages? Question #2: We are hoping to stay in $25,000-35,000 for 50 person wedding. Is that too small a budget for a wedding planner around the Washington, DC area? Also if you know any planners in the area, I would love some recommendations. Question #3: When do we send out the invites? and when should we make the RSVP by date? Question #4: What would you suggest that we do to keep our guests entertained and kind of provide structure for the evening? Question #5: My fiancé, Doug, and I are having a weekend style summer camp wedding. Guests will arrive at 5:30pm Friday for a BBQ then leave on Sunday at 11 am after brunch. There is a full day of activities planned on Saturday (lake activities, ropes courses etc) and our ceremony is scheduled for 6:30. The wedding is this June, so it will still be daylight. I do not want to miss many of the daytime activities on Saturday, but I know I need to set some time aside for my hair and make up. My plan is to start getting ready at 3:30 with a close group of friends, then do the first look and pictures at 5:30. I have planned a wine class for the guests that starts at 3:30, that majority of our guests will attend. (I am a professional wine buyer and have lots of wine professional friends, so I have enlisted a few to do the class) I do not mind missing the wine class and intentionally scheduled it at this time to start getting ready. So my question...Is this a reasonable timeline for that portion of events or do I need to allocate more time for hair, make up and pictures? I know many timelines have the bride starting to get ready 6 hours+ before. Side note, I am not planning on hiring a hair and make up artist and mostly because of the tight timeline. Question #6: The other question is about insurance. We are required to have limited liability insurance and our venue will allow us to add ourselves to their policy for the weekend for $350. Should we get additional insurance in case anything happens to our other vendors or the venue itself? It sounds like the insurance that we are purchasing through the venue just covers if something happens to our guests during the wedding. Links We Referenced https://www.kellymcwilliams.com https://www.kellymcwilliams.com/blog/this-vs-that-wedding-podcast(This Vs. That Podcast) https://www.bellanottedc.com https://bellwetherevents.com https://wedding.report https://www.theexperientialwedding.com QR Code Generator Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wondered about the crazy fun, interesting, and shocking things celebrity wedding planners see behind the scenes? The author of this really cool new book titled: "Without a Hitch" joins Michelle today on the podcast. Author Mary Huddleston is a a former wedding planner to celebrities and to people who have spent insanely large amounts of money on weddings. Mary's new book isn't a documentary necessarily, but is based on the things she's done and seen in her career. The main characters of the book are relatable at times and over the top hilarious at others. Whether you're planning a wedding now, or you work as a wedding planner yourself, you're going to laugh your head off reading this book. In the mean time get to know Mary on today's show as she offers up a few sneak peaks with Michelle. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Big Takeaways The more money and family involved, the more drama. A good wedding planner has your back and acts as a liaison between you and the vendors and more. Sometimes, they even act as a therapist. It’s important to really connect with your planner. When it comes to day-of coordination, Mary also does not advise it. Minimum, she recommends hiring a planner three months out. They need to have time to give advice and review everything. It can’t happen in one day or month of. If you hire someone earlier on they can fix problems, negotiate contracts, and do all the magic that planners do. Tips and questions to ask a wedding planner you might not have thought to ask: How long have you been doing this? How often have you worked at this venue? Make sure they are the kind of person who can stand up for you when needed. 4. Do you have experience doing the type of wedding we’re doing? Links We Referenced https://www.instagram.com/mrssouthernsocial/ https://www.pinterest.com/mrssouthernsocialofficial/ https://mrssouthernsocial.com/ https://mrssouthernsocial.com/book-club-guide/ https://pleasebeseated.com Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A year ago, our guest on today’s show, Jordan Hager, reached out to Michelle with a story you won’t want to miss. Her email was titled: “My wedding story when all vendors cancelled.” She shares once-in-a-lifetime experience which begins on the day Texas, experienced the worst ice storm the state had ever seen. Jordan’s story is one of hope and a powerful reminder to those of you planning a wedding that yes, you will experience stress and drama during the process of getting married, but keeping your focus on the end result of marrying your sweetheart is really what it’s all about. Jordann Hager is 27 years young and currently lives in Colorado Springs with her husband Matt and their sheepadoodle puppy, Bodhi (bo-dee). Jordann spends her days working in Pediatrics & Family Support Services and her nights working as an associate wedding planner. Jordann is known for her love of pink and her quick wit and is often referred to as “The Actual Elle Woods”. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Big Takeaways In the intensity of everything changing, and needing to be adjusted last minute, Jordann was able to stay optimistic, and work with her people to create a magical wedding day. Having a wedding planner was ultimately the only way her wedding was able to still happen. Amanda, her planner, put out fires, found last minute substitutes, and never stopped working. Jordann’s biggest advice for staying sane on the big day is marry your best friend. The goal of the day is to get married, and in the end, if that happens that it was a successful day. Choose a wedding planner that you would want around you if everything went wrong. Links We Referenced instagram.com/jordann.hager instagram.com/dovetail_jordann dovetailweddings.com instagram.com/dovetailweddings instagram.com/makeupbymaddz_ saloneforte-hair.com themansionatcolovista.com instagram.com/themansionatcolovista austinstuartphotography.com instagram.com/austinstuartphoto kalocatering.com instagram.com/kalocatering hellotara.com instagram.com/taralyonsphotography Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of the podcast Michelle connects with the lovely Claire White, owner of White Ink Calligraphy. Listen in as Claire answers all those questions you want answers to about any type of print material you're going to need for your wedding. Claire White puts pen to paper in Nashville Tennessee and has been serving the wedding industry for five years. White Ink started out as a calligraphy studio and has recently expanded to offering full invitation services, graphic design and printing services. White Ink assists their clients with wedding details from Save the Dates to the place cards at their wedding reception, and everything in between. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Big Takeaways From Chava: Any tips for creating your own invitation/invitation suites? We want to design the invitation ourselves but how to best execute once we have the design. What card stock would you recommend? Any specifics on how to utilize a cricut? From Anamaria: Ways to save money on custom invitations. From Hope: What is the best way to find postage that will compliment your invitation suite without the ability to customize stamps? Do you ever have issues with return addresses printed on the back of envelopes being sent back instead of to the intended recipient because it isn’t on the front in the upper left hand corner? From Brigit: The whole USPS mailing process. Anything we should know about weight/stamps/ hand canceling (I know I've heard that term before but think it's more expensive??) From Laura: What’s the best way to address invites in the modern age? From Amber: What recommendations do you have for seating chart styles and formats (ex. Grouped by tables or alphabetically) in light of Covid and higher likelihood of people not being able to come last minute and maybe needing to shuffle some people around. Especially for outdoor weddings where escort cards are likely to fly away. From Jessica: Recommendations on what information to actually include on the invites/inserts? - From Natasha: What's the etiquette for sending out 2 different invitations? One set for the bride's family and a different one for the groom's side. I feel like certain family members need to be told specific things and others do not. From Nika: Any advice on mailing invites abroad? My save the dates took 6 weeks to get to parts of Europe. From Manda: Do I have to include physical rsvps or can I just have people go online? I don’t want to be tacky- but also think this could save a good bit of money. From Cassy: If its OK to add a leaflet about a welcome party in the invitation suite, why is it bad form to add the reception invitation to the suite? Why do people recommend mailing them separately? Links We Referenced etsy.com store.usps.com/store/results/stamps/_/N-9y93lv?_requestid=304204 emilypost.com crane.com/etiquette-guide qr-code-generator.com whiteinkcalligraphy.com instagram.com/whiteinkcalligraphy littlepostagehouse.com/vintage-postage-curated-collections enfieldpost.com magnoliapostage.com Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our monthly episode of You Ask, We Answer; where we take time to listen to our audiences questions, select top trending picks, and answer them on the show. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Question 1: My tentative wedding date is the day before my parents 40th wedding anniversary. I want to do something to honor them, but not sure what would be best! Do you have any ideas or suggestions? Question 2: Best way to help my anxiety on my wedding weekend? Question 3: Does it look bad to only provide transportation for the wedding party and not all guests? Question 4: Should we do all the eating first, and then move to dancing? Seems disjointed otherwise Question 5: Wanting to require COVID tests upon guest arrival (in addition to showing proof of vaccination). We have over 200 guests. Ideas? Question 6: Tips for layouts at the venue? I’ve got a big room but I'm unsure where to put the dance floor. Question 7: I booked a venue in a forest with a garden ceremony which was amazing and gorgeous. However, the more I think about it the more I realize it's not exactly what I want. There's a venue in Portland that fits everything I'm not realizing I want, as it's in a cozy greenhouse and in the city, but I haven't seen it in person (only over video). I'm nervous that I'm going to keep changing my mind, but I feel strongly that the first venue we paid a $3K deposit on is not the one for me. Every time I have to think about making a decision on it, or start looking at inspirations, I freeze and realize it's not really right for me. What is the best way to know what I really want? How do I stop myself from losing more money? I also don't want to offend the people who own the venue I already paid a deposit on, but I know they're super popular so I know they'll have no issue rebooking the date (they've already booked out pretty much every date for 2023), but I do want to ask for a partial refund if they can rebook. Links We Referenced thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com/episodes/182-venue-owner-tells-all thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com/episodes/201-five-venues-across-the-country-as-we- reopen instagram.com/thedixiebagley Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is…  Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is a whole big wide world out there and we are roaring to see it! You’re going to love today’s show as Michelle connects with Linda Mitchell, owner of Luxury Destination Travel. Whether you’re planning an amazing honeymoon, a destination wedding, or a little RandR for yourself, you’ll want to listen in and learn all about where to find the best pricing, locations as well as understanding how the pandemic continues to add minors hiccups to hitting the road. As owner of Luxury Destination Travel, Linda Mitchell knows the importance of high level customer service. Planning trips for clients to destinations all around the world is her passion! Linda has held positions at esteemed corporate travel offices including Addison Wesley Publishing Company, Harvard University, Fidelity and Stride Rite Corporation. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools If my honeymoon is the one big vacation of my life, where do I start? Honeymoons are very emotional and being planned at a very busy time of your life. Consider budget, think about the honeymoon registries. If you are leaving right after your wedding, you are going to be exhausted, so consider your energy levels. Cruises are not necessarily a great first choice because it's your first big vacation together and you don't want to be surrounded by 5000 other people with little control over your schedule. Think about what you want to experience together (Drink wine, eat good food, go hiking, etc?) Tips for Jet Lag: Take a "no jet lag" homeopathic pill an hour before your flight and follow the instructions. When crossing time zones, change your watch as soon as you get on the plane, the earliest you can so your body can start adjusting. Drink lots of water. Bring whatever brings you comfort and helps you feel "at home" (pillow, favorite eye mask, etc.) When you arrive, stick to the time zone as much as possible. Try not to keep your old sleep schedule. It will make it so much easier to adjust. What are your top favorites for honeymoons? With Covid restrictions, traveling outside the US can be very challenging. Consider places that you haven't been able to explore in the states. New Your city can be so wonderful if you've never really spent a lot of time in cities. The Florida Keys Different spots in California Caribbean (consider travel time) - Mexico (Mayakoba) Maldives Italy Hawaii Bermuda What are the hottest spots for destination weddings? Everything is failry local right now. Consder your guests but don't base it on your guests. Most guest seas coast to coast: Bermuda, The Caribbean Read reviews, see Ifit's Fit to Accomodate Destination Weddings Are there vendors and such? Links We Referenced nojetlag.com bungalowskeylargo.com caesar-augustus.com mayakoba.com awaytravel.com instagram.com/luxurydestinationtravel luxurydestinationtravel.com Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Podcast SuperFan Kayla Langton Pepe joins Michelle on the show today. Kayla caught the attention of TBWPP crew because she continually showed up as a thoughtful contributor on Instagram, both through her comments and joining our LIVE experiences and we certainly could never overlook all of the insightful questions she would continually email our way. Today Kayla opens up about how the show influenced her wedding planning, her deviating from professional advice (hint hint, don’t do that) and course correcting to finally land an amazing wedding experience in October 2021. Located in Vancouver, Canada, Kayla is a teacher for child actors on film sets. She passionately works on her business, Bunny's Makery on the side. Kayla is a chocolatier with lots of enthusiasm and a love of connecting people. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Big Takeaways Kayla met her husband Mark on bumble! With a little wiggle room in their budget, they added string bulb lights indoors and outdoors. They had a DJ, even though they were originally against the idea of it. When it came to her bridal party, Kayla let her friends decide what events they wanted to be included in and how they would be included. She didn’t want to have a planner, because of the family having run their own events so many times before. Eventually, it just didn’t make sense to do it alone, and she hired a planner. Her work schedule, and life were all too much to not have a planner. She had a two-month out planner and never once regretted it. A lot of their guests said that their wedding was the best one they’d ever been to. Kayla believes that a lot of that was due to truly showcasing who they are as individuals and as a couple. When it came to table seating, she combined people who had things in common! There were conversation starters in the Hygge theme (cozy, comfy, etc) on every table to get everyone talking to each other. With restrictions due to Covid, everything was limited to ages 15 and over. Kayla recommends communicating personally, one on one. It leaves less room for judgement and speculation. Ultimately, they focused on only inviting people that knew them as a couple, which made it easy to have the no kids policy. And they also each knew everyone that was there. When it came to complicated family dynamics, Kayla really had to think critically about how much she wanted to include people in certain aspects. The day was about her and her husband, and she wanted to have healthy boundaries in that regard. Her grandpa ended up walking her down the aisle. Guests under 20 received handmade chocolate bars with their escort cards, and everyone else had a local roaster’s coffee beans. Links We Referenced bunnysmakery.com instagram.com/bunnys.makery instagram.com/kaitlindayphotos kaitlindayphotography.com etsy.com/ca/shop/LittleLarrys?page=1#items foodburnaby.ca/weddings/riverway-clubhouse sayeventsco.com/portfolio theexperientialwedding.com instagram.com/theexperientialwedding sayeventsco.com/portfolio The Big Wedding Planning Podcast YouTube Channel FlowerMoxie.com Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Randi Smith is an island girl who is passionate about celebrating life’s big moments. She is the founder and lead designer at Sugar Euphoria - a boutique wedding cake and confectionery studio in North Carolina. On today's episode of the podcast, Randi chats with Michelle about navigating through the busyness of being an entrepreneur, cake designer, and mother. She's got a lot on her plate, but her story of going from burnout to profit, isn't one you're going to want to miss! Randi has been featured in Style Me Pretty Brides Magazine, Martha Stewart, Borrowed & Blue, Southern Bride & Groom, Munaluchi Bride, Wedding Sparrow, and Grey Likes Weddings. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Big Takeaways Top 5 Questions for Randi Does she stay and cut the cake? No. Most caterers offer a cake cutting service though. What if there are a lot of guests but not a big budget? Cupcakes, sheetcake, and more are a great option! What should we do with the extra cake? You can box up cake for guests, create a storage solution, save a slice for the one year! Put the cake in the fridge first, to help the icing harden a bit, then saran wrap it, put it in a box, and put it in the freezer! Will she put the flowers on the cake with fresh flowers? Depends! Are the flowers an important part of thedesign? Ifnot, it’s fine if the florist does it. Otherwise, she will try to work with the florist to make it work. How many flavors can you have in your tiered cake? As many flavors as there are tiers. When you have allergies or food restrictions, it is important to do the research on your bakers. There are really great alternative options, and some bakers will even have a referral for you. Plated dinners, you want to make sure you have cake for everyone. When it comes to proposals and contracts: - They should be detailed. How to cut and serve the cake Alternatives to cake Links We Referenced sugareuphoria.com instagram.com/sugareuphoria Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our monthly episode of You Ask, We Answer; where we take time to listen to our audience's questions, select top trending picks, and answer them on the show. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Question #1: I have an awkward bridal [wedding] party question for you... My fiancé has been married once before. It was short. They were young. It was essentially a mistake. His best friend from childhood was his best man [back] then. Now, we aren't as close with him anymore. Even though I was friends with everyone from the former wedding and we were close with his best friend at that time. We are definitely still friends but we now spend more time with another couple. My fiancé wants to ask the guy from the couple we spend a lot of time with now to be his best man, but he's afraid of hurting his old best friend's feelings. My mother doesn't even think the old best man should be in the wedding at all because he was in the first one lol Do you have any experiences like this or any advice I can give my fiancé? Question #2: I am 41 years old and this is my second marriage. I got married on a beach in Jamaica at the age of 22, and was separated by the time I was 26. I went on to raise my four lovely (and sometimes not so lovely) sons. This is my first big wedding and I would like to have my sons (now aged 22, 19, 17, and 16) be the ones to walk me down the aisle. The question is how to do this without it being so messy looking? Question #3 I am a professional event planner and used to solely work in weddings which is why I have been so excited in planning my own wedding coming up in March. I wanted to reach out and see if you had any tips for how to take off my “work hat” and put on my “bride hat” when the big day rolls around. While I’m doing the bulk of the planning myself, I’ve hired the best vendors around and my day-of coordinator is incredible. However, as we know, most event planners are control freaks and I’m no exception. I’m worried I’ll be too focused on trivial small details like whether the chairs are too pushed in to truly enjoy my time with my friends, family and soon-to-be husband. Any tips or tricks you can provide would be really appreciated. Question #4: My fiancé and I got engaged in October 2021 and we wanted to wait to jump into things as we didn’t want to get married until 2023. I realized things were booking up super quickly so we had a panic! We picked a venue that we love for September 2023. I have a decent idea of what I want and want to start picking photographers and florists but I’m so scared I’ll change my mind on my aesthetic given how far away the wedding is. I don’t want to lose out on great vendors but feel like I am not ready to commit to a style or colors. Advice? Question #5: I am getting married in June 2022. I Want to require vaccines but am trying to figure out how to go about it. Common to do’s? Links We Referenced: davidtutera.com experience.davidtutera.com instagram.com/davidtutera facebook.com/TheDavidTutera Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An exclusive behind-the-scenes journey with Violeta, a bride on the brink of her wedding day, and me, her wedding planning guide and fairy godmother. This episode is a treasure trove of voice messages shared between us during the crucial last 72 hours before her big day, topped off with a heartfelt Zoom catch-up post-rehearsal. From forgotten boutonnieres to impromptu speeches, witness the real, unfiltered moments of wedding planning magic and mayhem. Violeta's reflections the day after her wedding offer a raw, emotional insight into the whirlwind of tying the knot. Join us for this intimate glimpse into the highs and lows of the final countdown, and maybe pick up a few tips for your own journey down the aisle. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness: Ad-free, full length episodes The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Topics Covered / What you will learn Real-life wedding planning crunch time Navigating last-minute details The emotional impact of wedding rehearsals Handling forgotten elements gracefully Post-wedding reflections Insights on giving away wedding items The importance of gratitude in speeches Creative solutions for including distant family members The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is... Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deno and Carl of Emerald City Band travel all over the world helping throw the best parties ever. Listen closely about the way they talk about what they do because when you're interviewing a band, you want to hear this kind of passion, drive, and authentic talent as well as a love for what they do. The energy of these bands is dynamic! Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Big Takeaways Reach out directly to the band, sales team, band leader - if you can. When you go to an agency, they are the middle man. This does mean, you are paying for their service. Not all bands have the capability to speak to you individually, so the agency is a great step. However, we do live in the time of social media, a couple can reach out straight to the band. When you are researching, go see the band live! This is the best way to know what you will be getting. There are “fake” bands that are thrown together right before the big day. They read music off iPads and phones, and just play the hits together, sometimes it’s the only time they have ever played together. The price point of the band is obviously important. Often though, they are those “fake” bands when it seems too good to be true. It can be a good sign to look deeper. A good band is not the cheapest route to go. Think about what kind of party you want! A band rider outlines the production needs for the band, including sound, lights, instruments, etc. Wedding bands should come ALL-INCLUSIVE. If the band if going to ask for anything, it should be a hot meal, water, a room to dress in, etc. There are a lot of things to consider about your space with a band, including power. So it’s good to ask questions, and do the research. The first dance can be edited down! That way you are hanging out on the floor solo for too long. Every band should be able to learn your first dance song. Bands are typically booked for 4 hour blocks. To Consider For Ceremony: Have you secured PA speakers for mics (for officiant or readers)? Do you prefer recorded music, or do you want a musician live? Links We Referenced instagram.com/emeraldcityband instagram.com/downtownfever instagram.com/pmbanddallas instagram.com/elevationpartyband ecbands.com youtu.be/kIJF6QAa6O0 deno@emeraldcityband.com Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Real wedding retrospectives with couples fresh off their wedding planning journey is so much fun! Their crisp memories about the wedding gets you so excited about your own wedding. On today's episode of the podcast Michelle is connecting with Averi Harper and her husband Ken Robinson. Averi is a journalist for ABC News and has been an avid listner of the podcast. She and her husband Ken live in New York city and customized their wedding, adding some beautiful traditions and so much fun to the event that the party went well into the early hours of the morning. Can you say after party?! Listen to their journey of hiring a wedding coordinator, to why they chose their venue, and eventually having their wedding picked up by the NYTimes! Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Big Takeaways Their wedding was a night because there was another wedding during the day attheirvenue. People are planning wayyyy in advance, and at the end of the day, that was the time they could get. Ceremony was at 7, and last dance was at 1am. They had a DJ While most o fthe planning was done by Averi and her crew, they did have a month of coordinator - who stepped into really take the reins on the day of. Ken is a chef, and they customized their own menu with lots of options fo reveryone. During cocktail hour, they had passed apps and stations available. They did a first look Ken hired a Groom Concierge- Cameron from Fontaine Concierge Cultural aspects were very important for their ceremony. Steel band during cocktail reception JumptheBroomstick Moko Jumbies (stiltwalkers) DIY Favors - rumcake,etc After the wedding, they read their written vows to each other in private. During the ceremony, they couldn’t find their vows and so they had to improvise a bit. Links We Referenced instagram.com/averiharper flowerfield.com https://www.fontaineconcierge.com/ https://www.amerisierevents.com/ www.fetefone.com Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Birdy Grey was founded in 2017 in Los Angeles by digital marketing, social content and branding expert Grace Lee. Lee has 13+ years of experience working for top female brands in fashion and beauty including InStyle, Kate Spade, Stila Cosmetics and Kate Somerville Skincare. Having been a bridesmaid six times herself, she personally knew how fun (but damn expensive) being a bridesmaid could be. She saw an opportunity for aspirational bridesmaid dresses at affordable prices, and so Birdy Grey was born. Based in Los Angeles, Grace combines her expertise in fashion with her love for digital storytelling and all-things bridal to make Birdy Grey one of the fastest-growing bridal brands today. Now, Grace is getting married! With a new perspective on weddings, she joins us to talk about her big day, the planning process and all the in-betweens. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools *Big Takeaways * In finding an officiant, Michelle recommends Unboring Wedding Academy to make sure whoever she chooses to officiate can really make the perfect day. For wedding invitations, Grace decided to use digital invites with a wedding website. Then, she sent out a beautiful informational card to those who RSVP’d yes. That way it was useful, and not wasteful. Although a large part of their families can’t make it over to the states for the wedding, they do intend to travel to Asia and have a second wedding there. They have opted to not have a virtual component because of the time difference, and the ability to travel once things have cooled down with the pandemic. While their wedding venue is very classic, they are mixing classic and modern for the design. Blue and grey are their main colors. They plan to have an installation, and an instagram backdrop lounge where people can take photos and hang out. They intend to rent furniture and again mix vintage with more modern. Grace highly recommends a wedding photographer, and creating a shot list well before the big day. That way you can work with them to get all the beautiful photos you are really wanting. Links We Referenced birdygrey.com The Big Wedding Planning Podcast: Episode 144 unboringwedding.com withjoy.com wedfuly.com Rosewood Hotels suitshop.com carolinetran.net @birdygrey Instagram Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After many hours of contemplation, considering, and real reflection, Christy has decided to step out and away from weddings, events, and podcasting. This is her last episode, and while we are so sad to see her go, we know she has great and beautiful things ahead of her. Christy shares her favorite experiences on the podcast, her love for Michelle, and what lies ahead for her. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Question #1: My partner and I have been together for a decade and we're finally getting married in May of 2022 in Mexico City. I've always wanted a destination wedding weekend, and I'm so excited to have it in a city as opposed to on a beach resort. However, I'm a little torn on what to do about the hotels. Seeing as most people are coming from the states, and may not have been to Mexico City before, would you recommend limiting options and encouraging guests to stay together at the large hotel (for ease of transportation, etc)? Or do you think most people will prefer the charm of the smaller hotels and don't mind being scattered? We plan to provide a few different price points for people, but generally, luxury hotels in CDMX are cheaper than those in the U.S. Question #2: I have an invitation etiquette question! A bit of context: My fiancé and I are paying for the majority of the wedding and keeping the price to ourselves. My parents are divorced and have been for over 20 years. It wasn’t always civil, but it’s much better now and everyone gets along. Mostly. My dad is contributing a generous amount. My dad will most likely play host as we’re getting married at the venue he and my stepmom got married at 14 years ago. I love my mom and she’s contributing in any way she can. Leaving her off wouldn’t feel okay. And my fiancé’s parents are paying for a pretty extravagant rehearsal dinner for 50+ people, so having them on feels right too. The complication is my step dad. He’s a nice guy. But he’s only been around officially for the past 4 years. He and my mom have been off and on since BEFORE my parents were divorced (as in while my parents were married way back when) and while I’m sure things will remain civil at the wedding, it will be the first time my dad and stepdad are meeting after all of these years and my dad essentially holds my stepdad responsible for ruining our family. Regardless, leaving him off feels very blatantly like leaving someone off given how many people we’re including. And putting him on the invitation feels completely wrong. I look forward to building my relationship with the man my mom has loved for so long, but honoring him on the invitation just doesn’t feel right. So what do we do? Do we include all parents except my stepdad even though my mom is remarried? It doesn’t feel right to have him on there and it feels like a massive disrespect to my dad. But it feels disrespectful to my mom and my stepdad to leave him off. And leaving off all parents doesn’t feel right because they’re helping with the wedding and honestly, we want to honor them and say thank you. Any advice on what to do and invitation phrasing would be much appreciated!! Links We Referenced emilypost.com/shop/books/emily-posts-wedding-etiquette-6th-edition Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's episode is a fan favorite. We almost never share repeats, but this episode (originally #94) has a new intro and is a top 10 favorite on all the things you need to know about planning your wedding. We're getting personal about what we really think about our clients, talking about the things that drive us crazy, and what we wish more people knew. Get ready because we're going to tell you everything so buckle up. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Big Takeaways: Listen to the episode for our elaborations! Come Prepared to a wedding meeting. Especially if it’s an initial consultation. Look at the vendor’s website at the VERY least. Communication is VITAL. We’re talking about between the client and planner, but it goes for life generally too. Be open, be honest. Make decisions! In a timely fashion. When you hem-and-haw, you frustrate everyone and you slow down the process of wedding planning. Yes, there are big decisions...there are also deadlines. Embrace the deadlines Once you find what you are looking for, stop looking. Instead of a hard number for your budget, have a range. Make sure you have the funds for the TOP of your budget range. You don’t need to let your vendors in on your entire decision-making process. Vendors need final decisions. Emailing them everytime you change your mind is probably not necessary and could muddle and confuse things. Keep it simple. Be smart about how you display your seating assignments! And don’t worry if someone cancels the day before the wedding...no need to mark up that perfect seating chart sign that you printed. BUFFER time. Know it, love it. You need it. Definitely consider the hair/makeup micro-timeline, and definitely consider the shuttle/transportation schedule. Be prepared for an extra 10-30 minutes of buffer time. Hair and Makeup stylist should stay past the ceremony if possible! Embrace every moment. This is a challenge, so choose to practice mindfulness during the wedding planning process so that you are ready to live in the moment on your wedding day! Your wedding party shouldn’t act like assholes to your wedding planner. Plan your wedding using The Big Wedding Planning Master Class. A self-paced digital course created with love for you by Christy & Michelle. Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After years of listening to the show Michelle Dobbs reached out to Christy for a wedding planning consultation regarding her cocktail style wedding reception. If you’ve never heard of this kind of wedding, you’re not alone. There's no sit down dinner and well you’re pretty much just throwing out the rulebook, so if you make the decision to have this kind of wedding reception then you’d had better be ready to JUST DO IT! This episode is all about the planning, execution and retrospective take-aways after the big day. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Big Takeaways For a cocktail style event/wedding, have something that happens every 30-minutes or so. It can just be an announcement, or something bigger, but it helps with the passage of time. For seating: set it up like you would see at a bar or restaurant so it encourages people to not settle down on to one table, but to move around and sit where they want. Writing your own vows and privately sharing them was a huge relief and felt very intimate. I also added a note in the invites on what to expect and I think that really helped people get it. People loved the tray - pass drinks. I did end up doing the "order of events" sign - Icalled it "here's the plan" which people complimented because that's so me, which was fun. And I think that helped people know what food was when and what to look forward to Jessica’s Takeaways (after the wedding) : Everyone says the day goes by so fast. I had no idea! There is a lot I didn't see. I was present for every conversation I had but not much else. If I could go back I would be more intentional about building in time to see the reception space and take a moment to take a deep breath and really take it in rather than just keep moving. Get married and celebrate in a way that works for you! At the end of the day, it'll be you and your partner at home holding on to those memories. Links We Referenced manscaped.com aisleplanner.com Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For many people it's daunting to think about the design process for their wedding. You’d think it be as simple as picking some colors and tying some bow, right? On today’s show, Christy and Michelle connect with Birch Event Design, a high-end production design and floral installation company that brings awe-inspiring moments to life. As experienced creators, Birch’s goal is to discover what inspires their clients and design an immersive world that perfectly expresses that energy. At every stage their team works hand in hand with clients to elevate their event to the highest level. Founder Josh Spiegel has done over 3000 events— weddings, milestone moments, corporate affairs, soirées, installations— and is consistently transforming raw spaces into breathtaking ballrooms, eyesore counters into eye-popping tablescapes, and bare-as-bone poles into effervescent fairylands. Birch Event Design has been featured in Brides, The New York Times, and People Magazine. While not everyone can have a million dollar wedding, Josh shares his suggestions to make any budget feel big, beautiful, and budget-less. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Big Takeaways How to get big looks with a budget Whatever you do, do in the masses. It doesn’t have to be made of the most expensive materials. Anything in abundance creates a wow factor. Candles give you a lot of bang for your buck! Use different variations of anamazing item you love. Don’t try to mix all the ideas. Find the ones of whichy ou can get the most and you love the most. Uses of twhitelighting, not colored lighting. Down lighting can really look more romantic than uplighting. Go where thepicture takes you. Spend where it is going to be seen! - Look for hacks on TikTok. Recycle the old! Find something you love and make it your own. SPRAY PAINT anything/everything! There are no rules. Links We Referenced [manscaped.com](manscaped.com) birchevents.com instagram.com/bircheventdesign TikTok: @bircheventdesign rentmywedding.com Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Choosing a wedding party can be an honor but sometimes it's D.R.A.M.A! It's not always an easy relationship to assign and people tend to put some really high expectations for on those fulfilling these roles. Things don't always turn out the way you hoped, causing tears to be shed and friendships to be dismantled. Enter in Bridesmaid For Hire. On today's show Christy and Michelle connect with Jen Glantz, Jen Glantz is the founder of the viral business, Bridesmaid for Hire, the creator of the project, Finally the Bride, the voice of the podcast, You're Not Getting Any Younger, the founder of the coaching business, Jen & Juice, and the author of the Amazon-bestselling books, All My Friends are Engaged, & Always a Bridesmaid for Hire, published by Simon and Schuster. Bridesmaid for Hire has been featured on more than 500 media outlets around the world, including TODAY Show, Good Morning America, FOX News, and CNN, and Jen serves as a recurring wedding and bridesmaid expert for media on a weekly basis. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Big Takeaways There is a lot of weight put on the role of bridesmaid. And often, there can be a lot of drama that mixes into the equation. It’s a big, emotional event, and things rise up to the top. People tend to hire Jen for two major reasons: they don’t really have close friends, and want someone to come in and act the role of bridesmaid, or they need someone to come in and sort of bring calmness to a messy team of bridesmaids and their drama. The job of groomsmen and bridesmaids starts months before the wedding. Jen loves getting to the deep, emotional stuff quickly. She is able to bond quickly, and help the bride or groom feel seen and heard. She also runs interference between people so the couple doesn’t have to deal with the stress of that. Tips for the wedding party: The morning is NOT about you. Let it go,and move on. If you’re not happy, don’t bring it up. If something is going wrong, and you notice it, do NOT tell the bride. Tell the wedding planner, tell a family member, etc. Keep it calm. It’s a big day, ease into it. Having zero pressure to entertain is so important. Just be a GOOD friend, in the best way possible. Have some separate spaces for getting ready, if possible. Go-To Pep Talk Ideas: Ditch the motivation, get real What are the options right now? Just listen, ask questions, and help them see how irrational they are being. It really helps Links we Referenced bridesmaidforhire.com/hire-jen/ instagram.com/bridesmaidforhire instagram.com/jenglantz manscaped.com Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every month, Christy and Michelle spend time reading through hundreds of emails and listening to voicemails from podcast listeners. You Ask, We Answer Episodes are a listeners treat as they spend some time answering your questions. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Question 1: My fiancé and I are having trouble figuring out how to find a good DJ. Music is one of our top priorities for our wedding. We have yet to hear a DJ that we’ve loved. In fact, most have made us cringe. How do we go about finding a DJ that we like? Question 2: My daughter will be 15 when my fiancé and I walk down the aisle. She is currently expressing interest in wanting to be my Maid of Honor and not just a bridesmaid. It would mean the world to me to have her in that position but I am afraid she would be biting off more than she can chew. I have told her some of the tasks associated with being a MOH but I am sure I have not thought of some. What are the typical (and not typical) MOH duties for a wedding? Question 3: As we get closer I am feeling intensely overwhelmed at the thought of saying vows in front of so many people—many of whom I am not close to. As a compromise, we are considering turning our welcome dinner on Friday into a wedding ceremony with family and wedding party only, about 50 guests, and then having our larger reception the next day with 110-120 people. Is this something you have seen done before? Question 4: Is anyone having trouble with hair and makeup? I have seven girls I need to get ready the morning of. I was planning on having stylists come on- site so we don't have to worry about driving back and forth, but every stylist I've consulted doesn't get back with me. One of my bridesmaids is suggesting we all go to a salon the morning of. Is it better to leave the ceremony preparation area to drive a half hour there and a half hour back to a salon as opposed to having stylists come to us? I was just in a wedding where we had to go to a salon to get ready, and we nearly missed the ceremony start time. Makes me so nervous. Links We Referenced The Big Wedding Planning Master Class Use Discount Code: THANKS2021 for $150 off at Checkout. theflashdance.com myneonstore.com (35% off with code BIGWEDDING - expires 12/1/2021) zola.com/bigwedding (50% of Save the Dates - SAVE50) manlybands.com/bigwedding (Use promo code BIGWEDDING for 25% off through cyber Monday!) Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Tutera and Joey Toth are co-hosts, and producers of the David Tutera Experience. The goal of the experience is to educate, inspire, and motivate people within and adjacent to the event planning industry. Together, they have learned to work through their issues in efficient ways so they can show up as their best selves in public spaces. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Big Takeaways Be open to things that challenge your process and try toa tleast see their perspectives. Remember to rest after big events (like your wedding!) There is so much work that goes into the big day, and it's totally natural to want to shut off afterwards. It's ok to disagree. Stay groudned The trick to a great planner is to have fun! If they aren't having fun, then maybe that planner isn't who you should be working with. Obviously there are hard moments, but overall this is an exciting thing! Remember it's about love. Not having everything perfect. 75%-80% of events and weddings will have some sort of issue come up. It's an emotional dynamic and can cause waves. Let your differences help your success. A big pucture and small pictuer person together can get amazing things done! Talk. Ask questions. You don't have to agree, you just have ot know how to communicate! Acknowledge pride with your partner Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join me as I talk with Eli and Matt for a candid conversation about their recent wedding journey. Dive into the heart of their experiences, from the joys and surprises to the moments of reflection that shaped their special day. They share invaluable insights on staying aligned with their true priorities, navigating unexpected situations, and the significant impact of finding guidance and support throughout their planning process. Their story is not just about the planning and the celebration but a reminder of the love and commitment at the core of a wedding. Don't miss this heartfelt retrospective filled with laughter, lessons, and love. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness: Ad-free, full length episodes The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Topics We Covered How personalities and strengths play a role in the distribution of labor  Navigating unexpected moments Prioritizing personal touches Embracing wedding surprises Setting the ceremony tone Creating an inclusive vibe Integrating cultural traditions Including distant family members Exciting and unique micro-events About Our Guests Eli is originally from Beaufort, SC. He now lives in Baltimore, MD with his husband Matt by way of Washington, DC. He has a background in nonprofit fundraising and social impact business development.  Matt is originally from Sandwich, MA. He moved to Baltimore, MD for Teach for America over a decade ago. Originally an 8th grade science teacher, he is now an academic coach for the middle school team at Hampstead Hill Academy. Additionally, he is the Director of the Hampstead Hill Players who perform musicals (this year, they performed Legally Blonde Jr., which premiered two weeks after our wedding). Links The Maryland Theatre Celebrations Catering 28 South SAD Brunch Charm City Trivia Stanlion Clothier Studio Darius Floristry DJ Tezrah Omar Zeta Photography Borden Transportation The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is... Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How important are wedding flowers? We're pretty sure you'd agree they're a huge part of your decor, right? Yet is it really, totally, and absolutely necessary to use live flowers? “Say whaat? Fake flowers? No way!” But wait, we're not talking about the kind of faux flowers you’d find at your local craft store. On today’s show Christy and Michelle are talking to a Megan and Amanda Rapacz, sisters and co-founders of Silk Stem collective , a silk flower rental company that offers a menu of options for you to choose from. Their model of rent, use, and return isn’t only sustainable it’s quite savvy don’t you think? You’ll also hear from Maria, a wedding planner from Kara Mia Events as the ladies chat it up and discuss manufactured wood flowers. The discussion leads to fresh vs fake flowers, sustainability in the wedding industry, and how to make the right choice for your big day. Ready? Set. Learn. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Big Takeaways There are ways to sustainably source and dispose of real cut flowers. Look for locally grown, in- season flowers. Use them without flower foam. Arrange to have them donated or composted at the end of the day. However, sometimes there isn’t a viable option with travel, guests having allergies to flowers, not having a proper way to dispose of them, etc. And if you want to keep the flowers having the sola wood option means you can keep them forever or even use them again. There is definitely a craftsmanship with florists. This isn’t to say you can’t DIY, but when you really want something perfect, the extra cost of a florist can absolutely be worth it. With Silk Stem, they do make the arrangements for you. They have multiple collections you can choose from. This can really help you match colors and see exactly what you’re getting when you order. Another benefit of these flowers is that they will still look good a day later. If dates are changing, or you have two day photoshoots, you know for sure these flowers will still look fresh and new. Basically - as Maria said - there is no one size fits all. And if you’re thinking of alternatives to fresh flowers for your wedding - both fabric and sola wood are options you can consider. What do you like the look of? Order samples? What can you afford? What do you want to do with it afterwards? And remember - aiming for a green wedding is not an all or nothing endeavor. You don’t need to feel overwhelmed by the prospects and options - there are ways to zero in on one element and make that a more sustainable option for your wedding. There is a lot of fear around faux flowers. If you are on the fence, order a sample! Links We Referenced greenweddingguild.com karamiaevents.com instagram.com/greenweddingguild facebook.com/greenweddingguild silkstemcollective.com (Use Code: PODCAST20 for 20% of $200+ and free shipping) instagram.com/silkstemcollective Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We talk a lot about wedding gown shopping on the show. It's a process, which for many, is something really fun! Yet believe it or not, there are some brides who just don't look forward to the shopping process at all and would simply rather not do it. On today's show Michelle connects with Lillian Hung, owner of Lyra Vega Bridal; a direct to consumer online bridal line built to bring high quality yet affordable gowns to modern brides. Michelle met Lillian on Clubhouse and instantly new bringing her on the show would offer listeners a cool new concept. Especially because Lyra Vega Bridal, is focused on empowering women to make smart choices with their big day, rather than blindly following tradition. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Big Takeaways Planning Budget: Attire typically accounts for 5% of youroverall wedding budget. How you wish to spend your budget is up to you! Timeline 15-10 months-do your research, set your budget, and start the searchf or your wedding gown 9 months-given the wide range in the time it takes for a gown to arrive (average4-8 months), you will want to finalize your decision around the 9 month mark. Research Seek Within First: BEFORE you throw yourself into the sea of information that is the internet, take a look at your own closet or other gowns that you’ve worn in the past first (hello long forgotten prom dress!). This will help you get an idea of what styles and shapes make you feel the best,what’s worked and what hasn't. Start Browsing Start with trends articles on reputable publications to get your brain started on some style ideas. This will give you more up to date and organized compilations than generically searching for “wedding dresses”. When you see some thing that catches, take a moment to understand what you like about it. Use those details as keywords to find others that you might like! Action BookYourVenue Securing your venue before buying a dress wil lhelp you visualize your day and how you want to dress for it! Because your venue will be the backdrop to everything, you will want to pick a dress that doesn’t feel out of place. Examine Your Research Look at everything you’ve collected and try to find the patterns of what you like. Are you a minimal bride that wants a simple sheath dress? Or are all your pins ball gowns encrusted in jewels? You should be able to narrow in on a handful of styles you might be interested in. Decision When it comes to sizing, Lyra offers made to measure gowns, no sizes on the site. This helps make sure each dress fits each body and reduces the need for excessive tailoring. One thing to keep in mind when going a typical gown shopping route is that you are likely going to need to plan on spending an extra $300-500 on tailoring. Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is…  Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our monthly YAWA episode - when Michelle and Christy answer all the pressing questions you want answers to. This month's questions are definitely going to take you across a few different spectrums from the challenges the grandparents you love pose, all the way to Destination Weddings. Click HERE to become a premium subscriber and unlock all of the amazingness:       Ad-free, full length episodes      The TBWPP Wedding Planning Resource Center with  Access to 6 mini courses of The Big Wedding Planning Master Class  Wedding Planning Templates and Tools Question 1: How do I deal with a grandparent who doesn’t seem to want to listen to our needs and requests? I.e.: not respecting no photography rules, getting in people’s faces and way. Do you guys have any advice on how to deal with family dynamics like this? Not inviting him really isn’t an option, because that would cause even more drama. Anything would be much appreciated! Question 2: My fiancé (35M) and I (30F) finally decided on a venue that we wanted. The date we want (a Thursday in June) was available at an amazing venue in Key West. So a destination wedding. We were very excited to get moving with some real tangible plans. After reviewing their required/ preferred vendors list. Just after the caterer our budget is hit. The budget I'd like to stick to is 15,000- 20,000 absolute max. After emailing the the venue wedding planners, asking them for advice to keep the wedding within budget I got the following response. "Well another option could be to have the wedding ceremony here and maybe have a reception at a restaurant? They tend to be a bit cheaper. For 50-60 people this will definitely bring you to the top of your budget with food and alcohol. Maybe inquire with Bagatelle or first flight they will be able to accommodate your size party and might be able to keep you on budget? " I guess, I just don't understand how I could have saved up so much money and that can't cover a reasonably small party. Personally, I don't like the idea of leaving the venue for a dinner reception. I went on Wedding Report for my town and it says that based on the answers I gave I could achieve a wedding around 18k-25k for 75-100people. My fiancé doesn't want to get married here, so that doesn't really feel like a back up plan. Should I keep pricing things out in Key West? Thanks for at least letting me vent a little. Question 3: What are the thoughts on shape wear and when to get the shape wear? Should you get it before dress consultation? Question 4: Instead of going the traditional catering event, they decided to use a restaurant that will set up the buffet. Without needing servers, they are looking for people to help with pouring water, cutting cake, etc, how do we find a staff? What do we look up to find the right help? Question 5: We are having a 40 person wedding. How do you feel about DJs? Our families are a mix of partiers/dancers and those that just want to sit. Is a DJ awkward with 40 people? Get In Touch:  The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is… Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez  Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics  On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention! Easy to get in touch with. Email us at hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices