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#223 So You Want to be a Wedding Planner

With over fifteen years in the wedding industry, award-winning wedding planner and designer Terrica has been creating exquisite weddings and events in the Golden Isles. Terrica is extremely passionate about elevating and encouraging female entrepreneurs, and in this episode, shares some of her amazing insights on the topic of becoming a wedding planner.As the Chief Wedding Planner and Designer of Cocktails & Details®, Terrica leads a team of talented wedding planners and event managers in creating unforgettable destination Southern weddings.Terrica also launched The White Lounge, an intimate wedding planning studio in Historice Downtown Brunswick that brings couples and wedding professionals together.Maintaining a deep connection to her peers under the premise of “each one, teach one”, Terrica created the largest and most diverse online community for wedding planners and designers– bringing together the best and brightest from every corner of the globe for collaboration and connection.Big Takeaways
The wedding is so much more than the design. It takes a lot to get there. You have to be able to take on a lot of roles in order to be a successful planner.
You cannot be afraid of being tough and dealing with really hard situations. Sometimes things don’t work out, and you have to be the one to tell the couple. Wedding planning takes a large degree of fearlessness and then ingenuity to adjust the sails.
Planning your own wedding will be nothing like planning someone else’s wedding. At your own wedding, the day is about you! That is only true for your wedding.
Get in contact with any pro that you can. Even if it’s not directly a wedding planner. Offer to help them work a wedding day and see it from their perspective. Get in touch with people that resonate with your potential style.
Do an internship. Go to a conference. Network. Ask question. Study. Take classes. Build up your cache of experience and information.
When you shadow and intern, stay the WHOLE day at the wedding, the whole 10-12 hours. This is so crucial.
There are so many wonderful elements of a wedding, but you have to have the ability to get through every part of it, good, bad, ugly.
Links We Referencedhttps://terricainc.com/terricainc.com/podcast/Unboring Officianthttps://alpinerings.com/ Use Code: BIGWEDDING15The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is...Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez.
Edited by Veronica Gruba
Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics
On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention!
Inviting you to become part of our Facebook Group! Join us and our amazing members. Just search for The Big Wedding Planning Podcast Community on Facebook.
Easy to get in touch with. Email us at thebigweddingplanningpodcast@gmail.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode
On Patreon. Become a member and with as little as $6.99 per month, you get 2 exclusive, ad-free episodes, + Zoom Happy Hour with Michelle and fellow patrons every month!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#222 Timeless Dresses With a Modern Twist: Allison Webb

Allison Webb is the designer of her namesake bridal collection, Allison Webb, and the Ti Adora by Allison Webb collection. Born and raised in Georgia, Allison attended the University of Georgia and then moved to New York City where she received a degree in Fashion Design from Parsons.Allison began her career interning at Chado Ralph Rucci where she witnessed the art of true couture dressmaking firsthand. Her devotion to luxury craftsmanship led her to the studio of Oscar de la Renta where she spent a year working alongside Oscar and his design team. Soon after, Allison worked for J.Crew, helping with their ready-to-wear and bridal collections and later became their embellishment designer.Allison’s career progressed with roles at Tory Burch and Ann Inc., where she designed luxury embellishments and bridal gowns, respectively. She joins us today to share about her journey through various facets of couture fashion and dress making, her design tips for different body types, and many more lovely insights.Big TakeawaysThere are no hard and fast rules for wedding dresses! Wear what excites you and makes you feel great.Crepe dresses are like the Lululemon of wedding dresses if it’s thick enough. However, they are often too thin and hang to every nook and cranny of the body.Buy your dress at the size you are at right now. If you need to, you can take the dress in later, but don’t set those weight-loss goals for your wedding, it’s too much stress and you look stunning in the right dress.Think positively and be excited when shopping during this pandemic. This is true outside of the pandemic too, get stoked for the process of dress shopping. Don’t take too many people with you.Do your hair up a bit to embrace the feeling of the done-up look.If you have a specific dress in mind, call ahead to the shop. If they don’t have it they sometimes can call to the designer to have it loaned for the try-on.Links We Referencedjlmcouture.com/allison-webb instagram.com/allisonwebbnycQuotes“If you want to wear the princess gown when you’re 50, you should wear the princess gown when you’re 50.” - Allison“It’s important to see brides and real women that are wearing your dress.” - Allison “You should buy the dress at the size you are.” - AllisonThe Big Wedding Planning Podcast is...Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez.
Edited by Veronica Gruba
Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics
On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention!
Inviting you to become part of our Facebook Group! Join us and our amazing members. Just search for The Big Wedding Planning Podcast Community on Facebook.
Easy to get in touch with. Email us at thebigweddingplanningpodcast@gmail.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode
On Patreon. Become a member and with as little as $6.99 per month, you get 2 exclusive, ad-free episodes, + Zoom Happy Hour with Michelle and fellow patrons every month!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#221 You Ask, We Answer - 35

Our monthly installment of You Ask, We Answer. Where we answer all sorts of questions from our listeners.Email 1My partner and I recently got engaged, but haven't announced it yet (we've only told family at this point). He would rather wait until we have the ring before we announce---which sounds reasonable to me. While we had originally wanted a big Fall 2021 wedding, we decided that wouldn't be possible with all of the Covid rescheduling.So instead we decided to do 1) a small wedding in 2021 with family, and 2) a larger event and reaffirmation of vows ceremony in Fall 2022. That's such a long way off, but with the current rescheduling climate we realized we needed to actually start booking pretty soon. My question is this: since the booking timeline is already so sped up from normal years, should we also plan to speed up other parts of our planning?So for instance, should we plan to send save-the dates even earlier than normal (further than 6-12 months in advance)? Should I get my bridal party on board ASAP? Etc. It feels so early (almost absurdly early) to be worrying about these things, but I also know that there's already high demand going into 2022.Voice Mail 1 - Venues and vendorsQuestion about Venue Exclusive Wedding Planners. They already hired their own planner who helped them get started including securing the venue, timeline, etc... She wants to bring her on for the rest of planning if it’s a good fit, they really like her and get along well.One of the venues they like only allows for their exclusive planner for minimum of Month-Of. Should they forget this venue all together or at least interview their planner first? They love the venue they are seeing with their current planner.Should they keep it as a back up in case their current wedding planner and venue are not a good match?Should they tell their current planner know they are looking into this other venue too?Voice Mail 2 - Retrospective and Lessons LearnedCasey calls in and shares the many lessons learned and experiences had in the time of Covid. She’s a wealth of knowledge and warmness!A Big Takeaway: Uninviting guests is something that most couples are struggling with right now. Especially with multiple reschedules and new plans. It’s so hard.Email 2Do you have any advice or tips on an after party? My wedding is at an outdoor venue and because of a noise ordinance we can’t go past 10pm.What do you usually see people do for after parties? Our venue is a little far from any hotels so I’m just not sure what the best place would be for an after party? Also, how do we let our guests know about it? Will guests expect us to provide food and drinks at an after party too?Links We Referenced:unboringofficiant.com/bigwedding/alpinerings.com Use Code: BIGWEDDING15flowermoxie.com/pages/the-big-wedding-podcast theflashdance.com/virtual-party-the-big-wedding-planning-podcast cactus-collective.com/the-big-wedding-planning-podcast/The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is...Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez.
Edited by Veronica Gruba
Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics
On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention!
Inviting you to become part of our Facebook Group! Join us and our amazing members. Just search for The Big Wedding Planning Podcast Community on Facebook.
Easy to get in touch with. Email us at thebigweddingplanningpodcast@gmail.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode
On Patreon. Become a member and with as little as $6.99 per month, you get 2 exclusive, ad-free episodes, + Zoom Happy Hour with Michelle and fellow patrons every month!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#220 - Creative Vendors Keep You Inspired

Jordan Kentris is the founder & creative director of A Good Day, a bespoke experience studio specializing in Custom Stationery, Branding and User Experience. He’s worked with international clients on weddings and events for the past 5 years and also brings 13 years of experience in advertising & digital customer experience. A Good Day was born out of a need to help businesses and couples create meaningful experiences that spark wonder & curiosity. Jordan joins us today to speak about his industry, COVID related changes and adjustments, and how to be a creative vendor.Big TakeawaysIf you have guests that might be traveling, let your guests know the new save the date. Give as much detail as possible. Obviously some things are up in the air. But giving your guests more info will help your rescheduled wedding go smoothly! Remember that the USPS is having numerous issues right now, so being prepared months in advance for mailings is key.Silver Linings List
Enjoy the process.
More time and opportunities to work creatively with vendors.
Re-engage in the planning process.
Take advantage of the remote work - your home speaks to your design aesthetic. We’re more comfortable and vulnerable and open at home -- all good for creativity and productivity! Tap into it!
Explore the crazy ideas that you didn’t do before because you didn’t have the time to really think about them! As a couple, this is a wonderful time to really take time to connect on a deeper level. There are not a lot of opportunities to escape. Strengthen your love and connections.
Links We Referencedagooddayinc.com (Mention TBWPP when inquiring for free envelope addressing) facebook.com/agooddayincinstagram.com/agooddayincflowermoxie.com/pages/the-big-wedding-podcast (Use code BIGWEDDING at checkout)theflashdance.com/virtual-party-the-big-wedding-planning-podcast cactus-collective.com/the-big-wedding-planning-podcast/ unboringofficiant.com/bigwedding/alpinerings.com/discount/bigweddingThe Big Wedding Planning Podcast is...Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez.
Edited by Veronica Gruba
Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics
On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention!
Inviting you to become part of our Facebook Group! Join us and our amazing members. Just search for The Big Wedding Planning Podcast Community on Facebook.
Easy to get in touch with. Email us at thebigweddingplanningpodcast@gmail.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode
On Patreon. Become a member and with as little as $6.99 per month, you get 2 exclusive, ad-free episodes, + Zoom Happy Hour with Michelle and fellow patrons every month!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#219 - The Art of Boudoir

Mike Cassidy is a boudoir photographer from New Jersey who is passionate about both photography and helping his clients to remain invested in themselves. While his clients receive an incredible experience and beautiful one-of-a-kind photos, the real service he provides is the joy and heart filling experience every time his images are viewed. Mike has become an advocate and resource of “real” authentic information about boudoir photography to help others make smart choices when choosing a photographer, so everyone can enjoy boudoir and have a positive experience.Mike joins us today to talk about how to shop for a boudoir photography and the ins and outs of his business.Big TakeawaysBoudoir photography is a great wedding gift. It is so much fun and rewarding. The empowerment that comes with the experience is so positive.A lot of Mike’s client range in the late 20 to early 30s range, but he sees clients of all ages. Beauty is really ageless, and there is no limit.There is no specific type of women that boudoir photo shoots are for, in fact, Mike sees people from every walk of life. It’s for everyone.Society doesn’t always let people express their sexuality as freely as we should be able to. Women are often in “roles” like mom, execs, etc and do not get the opportunity to really express this side of themselves.Book early! Boudoir is not a great last minute project. Photographers are busy during wedding seasons and often booked months in advance.Session take time, even after the shoot is complete, it can take a few weeks for editing, printing, binding, etc.Referrals are a great starting point for finding the photographer for you. Make sure you feel comfortable with the person who is going to be there.Do your research. Don’t settle based entirely on cost. Have a range you are comfortable with so you can pick the best photographer in that range.Links We Referencedinstagram.com/michaelcassidymikecassidyphotography.com alpinerings.com/discount/bigwedding flowermoxie.com/pages/the-big-wedding-podcast theflashdance.com/virtual-party-the-big-wedding-planning-podcast cactus-collective.com/the-big-wedding-planning-podcast/ unboringofficiant.com/bigwedding/The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is...Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez.
Edited by Veronica Gruba
Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics
On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention!
Inviting you to become part of our Facebook Group! Join us and our amazing members. Just search for The Big Wedding Planning Podcast Community on Facebook.
Easy to get in touch with. Email us at thebigweddingplanningpodcast@gmail.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode
On Patreon. Become a member and with as little as $6.99 per month, you get 2 exclusive, ad-free episodes, + Zoom Happy Hour with Michelle and fellow patrons every month!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#218 Overcoming The Obstacles: One Bride’s Story

Today we are joined by newly married Lexie Harmon. Lexi & Ernie were Michelle's clients and on this episode, Lexi shares about losing her brother, rescheduling her wedding multiple times due to COVID, keeping positive throughout the craziness, and dealing with the emotional rollercoaster of 2020.Big Takeaways:
Get a wedding planner.
Get a videographer.
Everything is weird and unstable right now, and nothing is in our control. But remember the reason you are getting married.
Keep your focus on that. Enjoy the pieces that are successful. We are all in this together.
Reach out to your dear ones.
Use your friends to make it look the way you want! It’s hard, but it can still be beautiful and meaningful. Be open to reimagining how it’s going to be. Things might have to happen out of order, but that just means more parties!
If something is super important to you with the wedding, do it.
Links We Referenced:whiteinkcalligraphy.comabbeyrentssf.comforeigncinema.comaubergeresorts.com/solage/stopgolove.comanselevanclayburn.comalpinerings.com/discount/bigwedding [flowermoxie.com/pages/the-big-wedding-podcast ](flowermoxie.com/pages/the-big-wedding-podcast )theflashdance.com/virtual-party-the-big-wedding-planning-podcast cactus-collective.com/the-big-wedding-planning-podcast/ unboringofficiant.com/bigwedding/The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is...Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez.
Edited by Veronica Gruba
Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics
On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention!
Inviting you to become part of our Facebook Group! Join us and our amazing members. Just search for The Big Wedding Planning Podcast Community on Facebook.
Easy to get in touch with. Email us at thebigweddingplanningpodcast@gmail.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode
On Patreon. Become a member and with as little as $6.99 per month, you get 2 exclusive, ad-free episodes, + Zoom Happy Hour with Michelle and fellow patrons every month!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#217 - You Ask, We Answer - 34

Our monthly installment of You Ask, We Answer. Where we answer all sorts of questions from our listeners.Question 1: An inspiring discussion about a dress from a member of our FB CommunityQuestion 2: Alone TimeQuestion 3: What to do with my fiancé and his groomsmen/ushers on the morning of the wedding?Voicemail Question:My original wedding date was in May, and so it did not go on as planned. We eloped and rescheduled the wedding for next year. How we can prevent this from just feeling like a party? How do we keep the vows and introductions from feeling theatrical? How do we recapture that magic?Links We Referenced:alpinerings.com Promo Code: BIGWEDDING15 unboringofficiant.com/bigweddingThe Big Wedding Planning Podcast is...Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez.
Edited by Veronica Gruba
Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics
On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention!
Inviting you to become part of our Facebook Group! Join us and our amazing members. Just search for The Big Wedding Planning Podcast Community on Facebook.
Easy to get in touch with. Email us at thebigweddingplanningpodcast@gmail.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode
On Patreon. Become a member and with as little as $6.99 per month, you get 2 exclusive, ad-free episodes, + Zoom Happy Hour with Michelle and fellow patrons every month!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#216 - The Story Behind Our New Sound

The Big Wedding Planning Podcast has been UPGRADED!Today we are joined by Steph Altman, music composer and owner of Mophonics. Steph has generously donated his brilliant musical talents to build a sound scape for our show. Mophonics, based out of LA and NY, has discovered and developed the careers of some of today’s most prominent artists, writers, and composers.Using his wide array of skills and knowledge, Steph explains the process of vamping up our theme song, and using that as a building block for all the other pieces he created. We share a few of the sounds, talk about how important a playlist or musical score are to creating a wedding, and hear about Playa Studios in LA.Links We Referencedmophonics.com playastudiosla.comPlaya Studios on InstagramThe Big Wedding Planning Podcast is...Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez.
Edited by Veronica Gruba
Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics
On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention!
Inviting you to become part of our Facebook Group! Join us and our amazing members. Just search for The Big Wedding Planning Podcast Community on Facebook.
Easy to get in touch with. Email us at thebigweddingplanningpodcast@gmail.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode
On Patreon. Become a member and with as little as $6.99 per month, you get 2 exclusive, ad-free episodes, + Zoom Happy Hour with Michelle and fellow patrons every month!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#215 - She’s a Wedding Planner and a Bride in 2020

Today we are joined by Katy Turchich, the proud owner of Coastal Coordinating, based mostly in Florida. The idea for Coastal Coordinating started in 2006 when she began helping family and friends plan their weddings and events. Eventually, it morphed into a strong business that continues to grow. Covid is stressful when it comes to many things. But Katy has some great tips for what to do when it comes to rescheduling.Big TakeawaysTips for rescheduling as a planner/couple:
Do what is best for you and your family. Really talk it through.
Once you have the plan of the couple’s new dream wedding, reach out to venue and get a few to several new dates. Work with the couple to find dates that work.
Work with all the vendors for all available dates, and start a spreadsheet for the client to find all and the best date that all the vendors love and are available.
Once you have the new date and all the vendors on board, help the client create a social media post that fits the couple’s style to inform the guests. Also, suggest a “change the date” postcard to mail out.
Gather and make sure all contracts with the new date are correct.
Work on the new planning timeline, day of timeline, update the budget, update the payment dates, and then start working on adjusting decor and colors as needed.
The main objective is to do everything for the client that can tae the stress away from them.
Extra tips for rescheduling as a couple:
Hire a coordinator or work with a coordinator who knows how to take over the rescheduling.
Work with the venue on several dates that can work so you can your dream vendor team on the new date.
If you reschedule for a weekday or Sunday the venue usually will waive rescheduling fee and it is more likely that the vendors will be available.
If you move your wedding to the same season, keep in mind that will be best as far as theme, colors, etc go.
If you were starting to plan a wedding now, Katy highly suggests looking into October to even 2022. You have a longer time to plan and have extra money for the wedding of your dreams. Hire a professional planner that can help you through everything. Make sure that they know how to read wedding contracts and make sure that the contracts have Covid clauses in there and it protects you as well. Having a planner can help you make a plan for planning during a pandemic and help you through this.Links We Referencedinstagram.com/coastalcoordinating facebook.com/coastalcoordinating coastalcoordinating.com pinterest.com/coastalcoordinating/The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is...Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez.
Edited by Veronica Gruba
Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics
On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention!
Inviting you to become part of our Facebook Group! Join us and our amazing members. Just search for The Big Wedding Planning Podcast Community on Facebook.
Easy to get in touch with. Email us at thebigweddingplanningpodcast@gmail.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode
On Patreon. Become a member and with as little as $6.99 per month, you get 2 exclusive, ad-free episodes, + Zoom Happy Hour with Michelle and fellow patrons every month!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#214 - Saving The Event Industry

Kate Whelan is a wedding planner, business owner, and an Advocate for the Live Events Industry. The live event industry includes everything from weddings, concerts, festivals, and conferences to live sports. More than just the planners, the venues, the vendors are being effected by the pandemic! There is a massive trickle down happening causing a big wave in the events economy. Kate joins us to talk about about all the challenges, successes, questions, and more.Big TakeawaysA non-lawful event isn’t necessarily illegal, but instead it goes against health orders/mandates. There are guidelines you must adhere to, and there are consequences should you not. These are put out by the health department, the mayor, and/or the governor.Ex: The consequence now in Illinois is s $10,000 fee. Some states are considering misdemeanor charges for the host (could be the couplet the planner, etc.)What couples need to know:
Do not rely on your vendors to tell you whether or not it is safe to have your event.
Check your state or county’s live event’s coalition.
Insurance is a huge consideration if you are moving your event to a private residence.
Considering a micro-event any time soon?
Determine the current mandates or restrictions for your county.
Review cancellation policies as you book your vendors.
Be prepared to postpone, should mandates change.
There is a lot of uncertainty right now. A lot of businesses are going to close. There are no insurance companies covering Covid related cancellations, but there are some that cover if the company claims bankruptcy.Make your own decisions about what is next, reach out to your vendors to see where they are coming from, and consider the financial impact.Links We Referencedwww.californiaeventscoalition.com www.katewhelanevents.com liveeventscoalition.orgQuotes_“Because most people’s perception of who is involved with any given event is so minimized by us doing a really good job, they don’t realize the economic impact we have across the United States.” - Kate“If you’re planning a wedding, you’re planning a live event.” - Michelle“Staying in the now and staying in the present is more important right now, more so than ever.” - KateThe Big Wedding Planning Podcast is...Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez.
Edited by Veronica Gruba
Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics
On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention!
Inviting you to become part of our Facebook Group! Join us and our amazing members. Just search for The Big Wedding Planning Podcast Community on Facebook.
Easy to get in touch with. Email us at thebigweddingplanningpodcast@gmail.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode
On Patreon. Become a member and with as little as $6.99 per month, you get 2 exclusive, ad-free episodes, + Zoom Happy Hour with Michelle and fellow patrons every month! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices