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#213 - 5K Wedding Budget, Creative Couple

Suki and Anthony are writers from Miami, Florida. They combined their love for storytelling, performance, nerd culture, and all things offbeat into their wedding with a budget goal of $5k.Suki performs, writes, and teaches sketch comedy writing across South Florida. Anthony is a contributing author for a game publishing company.Fun Fact: Anthony and Suki teach screenwriting courses at the university where they met. They join us to talk about planning a wedding on a budget! Doing things your own way, saving money, and getting creative while not spending more than you want!Big TakeawaysDo as much pre-production first. Figure out what are MUST HAVES then set the budget from there. Find where you can borrow, etc. Discuss your priorities before you discuss your number.Top Lessons Learned
What to spend money on
What to totally skip
Why they wish they'd had a coordinator Day-Of.
What they learned about the bar service
What super successful moments surprised them on their wedding day?
Must knows about Rehearsals
Vendors
Allow Yourself To Be Flexible
Links We Referencedinstagram.com/2buckchuckbride https://opalandjayephoto.com https://www.instagram.com/opalandjayephoto/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

#212 - You Ask, We Answer - 33

Our monthly installment of You Ask, We Answer. Where we answer all sorts of questions from our listeners.Question #1: Vendor and COVID GuidelinesI got in an argument with a vendor i had been in talks with about using for my upcoming wedding because they posted a video on their instagram of their whole crew setting up another wedding with all of their masks under their chin. the owner refused to acknowledge there was anything wrong with that and just kept saying i was “judging her without knowing her.” luckily its not too late to pull out on this one, but do you guys have any ideas on how i can make sure my vendors are actually following the rules? i’m super frustrated and disappointedQuestion #2: Questions for a caterer before bookingI'm going through my planning process, and I'm feeling pretty organized. I found my perfect dress last night! I'm meeting with 2 caterers, and I guess my only thing is, I don't feel like i have enough questions to ask. When you meet with caterers, are there some go-to questions you always ask? They will also be hopefully handling some of the linen rentals and various rentals so I want to make sure I know what to ask so I can choose between them. Any thoughts would be very appreciated.Question #3: When to DIY and when not to DIYI have questions about DIY. Do you have any guidance on what projects to attempt a DIY? I love getting crafty and creative, but I don't want to overextend myself. I certainly love Etsy but sometimes it's not quite what I'm looking for so I'm like...maybe I could make something similar myself? I loved your episode with FlowerMoxie and that really inspired me as well. My planner is of course very hesitant on me doing any florals. Bless her for giving me a kind response when I asked. I was like "well...maybe just the bar or cocktail table flowers??" Any guidance or episodes of your podcast to listen to? I'm going to be sleeping with the Cricut more often that I will my fiancé.Question #4:My questions are: 1.) How much should I expect everyone to spend on a bachelorette weekend? 2.) What is a normal price to pay for hair/makeup? 3.) How much is typical to spend on a bridesmaid proposal box? 4.) Thoughts on a joined bachelor/bachelorette weekend?Also, two people in my bridal party do hair and makeup and have both made multiple comments about how they are going to do everyone's hair and makeup... I don't want them to... Is that mean? How do I tell them nicely that I don't want either of them to do it? What if they say they don't want to pay for hair/makeup but the company requires doing everyones hair/makeup?Question #5: VoicemailMariah’s wedding was scheduled for March 21st, 2020. Her fiancé and she did a power wedding before the shelter in place went into effect. They rescheduled for June and then October.They have paid for an entire wedding.Her q’s:
When should I start negotiating/talking with my vendors about possible refunds?
Our vendors have been so flexible. But when should we call it? - How long should we wait before trying to schedule for 2022?
Links We Referencedalpinerings.com - NEW promo code: BIGWEDDING15unboringofficiant.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

#211 Military Weddings

Bree Carroll is a Wedding and Event Specialist, Speaker and Coach who transforms spaces and hearts through authentic design and purposeful planning. With a background in civil engineering, Bree brings her brilliance of problem solving and eye for design to couples so they DESIGN a marriage even more beautiful than their wedding day. She has been featured in Military Spouse Magazine, Military Family Magazine and the B Collective. She is also the 2020 Armed Forces Insurance Air Force Spouse of the Year advocating for strong military marriages & is the Founder of Military Marriage Day.Big TakeawaysOften, in military wedding planning, you don’t have control of the timeline.Timing can be based around deployments or trainings.Planners are so important. Most times, the active duty member cannot contribute as much in the process. Someone like Bree also has direct person experience in marrying an active duty member. That kind of guidance and assistance is invaluable.Set priorities, and be thoughtful of the other person right up front, even when they are not there. Know your partner can come into the wedding and feel seen.Working together is a KEY.Know the deployment schedule and plan the date off of that. Do your due diligence. If you are in the military, in a military family, you have people everywhere you go! The community is huge and welcoming.Success of the marriage is more important than success of the wedding! Be intentional, and set the foundation for a healthy, happy marriage.Show up in and for yourself before you try to show up in the marriage.Links We Referencedbcarrollevents.comalpinerings.cominstagram.com/bcarrollevents https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hearts-stripes/id1489210212https://www.militarymarriageday.comThe 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

#210 Crash Course in Wedding Planning

A crash course in wedding planning expectations. This is the episode that you ask your partner to listen to, if you believe they will not listen to any of the others. This is the episode that’s going to tell them all of the big, important parts they need to be prepared for. It’s not a how-to, it’s more of a What To Expect when You’re Planning.This episode was inspired by an email from our listener, Hannah!Big Takeaways
Beginning: Set yourself up for this project management task
Have a discussion about your priorities
Talk budget and CREATE one
Create your guest list
Create your planning timeline
Division of labor: There is a lot to do, try to keep it equal
Middle: Hire your venue and vendor team - Divide and conquer
Research
Narrow things down
Make decisions quickly based on priorities, budget, and personal connection/comfort level
Read through contracts carefully, ask questions, ask for revisions
Negotiate if the pricing is inflated ONLY
Be respectful
Pay deposits
Update budget spreadsheet
Achieve tasks on the timeline
Create a wedding website
Keep track of details, plans, forms etc
Write a ceremony script
End: Wedding day details planning - Create a wedding day schedule - Create a ceremony layout
Make final payments
There will be a bit of lull while wedding planning. This is why the timeline is so helpful. Enjoy the slowdowns when they pop up.
Links We Referencedunboringwedding.com unboringofficiant.com/bigweddingQuotes“Try not to be too sensitive when you’re having a conversation about budget. It has nothing to do with feelings, it has everything to do with finances.” - Michelle“Be respectful when you are negotiating. Don’t come on a high horse.” - Michelle “Take wedding planning breaks!” - ChristyThe 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

#209 Avoid The Comparison Trap!

Stop Playing the Comparison Game! The grass isn’t always greener and it’s really easy to go down the wedding rabbit hole online - this episode is about how to avoid the trappings of comparing your own wedding to all of your friends...and the entire platform of Pinterest. Let’s get real, people! Styled shoots are not weddings. And not everyone looks like a runway model. And your wedding should be a reflection of YOUR love - and a celebration of the big life decision you are making...it can look any way you want it to! Today we are joined by Margaux Fraise, wedding planner since 2011, lead planner and owner of Harmony Creative Studio.Big TakeawaysPerfection is a myth! The best day ever is relative. Couples use social media to find wedding information and find messages from the old traditional guards and the new narrative with much more realistic viewpoints. It is important to know that the photos you see are lacking the full story and often set unrealistic expectations about what you can afford.
Comparison is the thief of joy.
When it comes to diving into social media, so many negative feelings can come along such as fear, jealousy, feelings of inferiority, FOMO and more!
Avoid trend traps. Don’t be competitive when it comes to making wedding decisions.
Once you hire your vendors, stop following the majority of that vendor type.
After you have hired someone, you are still allowed to ask questions about their process.
You are working together, and it’s important to be on the same page.
Your guests are there to celebrate your love. They want an experience that is true to you as a couple! They want to have fun in your joy.
Pinterest tipsWhen you are first planning, pin your heart out. When you reach the time limit, step away from it for a couple of days. Then come back to it, delete 50% of the pins. Do this multiple times until you have about 30-50 images. Then share that info with your vendors. Once that is done, teach the algorithm the other things you are interested in so you don’t get bombarded with new wedding photos every time you open it up.Links We Referencedalpinerings.com promo code: BIGWEDDINGharmonycreativestudio.cominstagram.com/harmonycreativezoom.ustheknot.com apracticalwedding.com womangettingmarried.comThe 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

#208 You Ask, We Answer - 32

There is a lot of frustration and confusion when it comes to planning, replanning, postponing, changing, etc their weddings right now. You are not alone! At the top, we share some comments about our facebook group’s experiences during Covid-19.Question- About how much does a planner cost?Question: Inviting guests, cutting guests, re-scheduling, re-invitingLinks We Referenced:www.alpinerings.com - use promo code BIGWEDDING for 15% sitewide!unboringofficiant.com/bigwedding (and check out episode 150 for more info!)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

# 207 Plus Size Empowerment with Pretty Pear Bride

Shafonne Myers is a media mogul, self-love coach for plus size brides, and visibility & online revenue strategist for wedding professionals from Temecula, California. She graduated with a biology and psychology degree but always had a love for weddings and helping people. She has built an internationally recognized, award-winning wedding publication for plus size brides, Pretty Pear Bride. Her wedding publication is the only one in the world and has solidified her as THE plus size bridal expert. She works privately with plus size brides looking to gain the confidence to show up on their wedding day and slay the aisle as the beautiful bride that they’ve always wanted to be but never felt they could.Big Takeaways
Top Tips to Improve Your Self-Image
Acknowledge the way you see yourself isn’t the way you want to see yourself.
Create a plan and be consistent to reposition your negative thoughts into positive ones.
Know there will be setbacks. Don’t let them derail you. Just pick up and keep moving.
Detox your environment.
Add positivity to your life
Moderate your social media! Unfollow the people that make you feel worse. This will improve your self-image so quickly.
Follow accounts that excite you!
Links We Referencedhttps://prettypearbride.comhttps://www.instagram.com/prettypearbride/https://www.watters.comhttps://www.jlmcouture.com/Hayley-Paige https://www.morilee.com/browse/bridal-wedding-dresses/plus-size-julietta/ https://www.instagram.com/tessholliday/ https://www.instagram.com/ashleygraham/ https://www.instagram.com/huntermcgrady/https://www.davidsbridal.com https://www.bindleandkeep.com https://www.eloquii.com https://www.instagram.com/lizzobeeating/ https://www.instagram.com/girlwithcurves/ unboringofficiant.comQuotes_"It’s not about what I was advertising, it’s about who I was advertising. And who I was advertising was me.” - Shafonne“We have to remember to love ourselves as much as we love the people in our life too.” - Christy“If something makes you feel like shit, you need to get rid of it.” - Shafonne “You do not have to settle.” - Shafonne_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

#206 One Wedding Planner’s Journey to a Niche

Our guest Denise Lillie O’Neal is the Owner and Lead Event Stylist of Denise Lillie Engagements which she founded in 2008. She is a professional full-time planner with over 20 years of government, corporate and wedding planning experience. Denise shares her journey into wedding planning, and her work in cultural wedding celebrations.Big TakeawaysThere are different international designers that will work with more local boutique salons. It takes some finagling, but if you are getting into that world it is worth looking into!When it comes to cultural weddings, educating yourself is the most important factor.You can plan extra little events that help with timing. If some of the family is always late, you can plan a cocktail hour that allows time for people to filter in.As the planner, you have to be willing to be steering the ship. Which sometimes means doing tough things.Spend time and energy to put together a team that is going to support you along the way. Understand things will go wrong, so you’re going to want to have those can help you recover.Links We Referencedinstagram.com/deniselillieengagementsinstagram.com/fusionnclusionhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Wedding-Planning-Service/Denise-Lillie- Engagements-478098238891850/Quotes“As far as cultural weddings, and being the planner for them, I tripped and fell into that.” - Denise“How the guest feels is a direct reflection of the family and how the family appreciates their community.” - DeniseThe 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

#205 Micro Weddings

Emily Sullivan is the owner of Emily Sullivan Event, a boutique wedding and event-planning firm based in New Orleans, LA, that specializes in celebrations throughout the Southeast. With a passion for entertaining, she uses her intuition and attention to details to customize each and every wedding experience for her clients. Emily joins us to today to share about Micro-Weddings and share tips, tricks, and takeaways for the process.Big TakeawaysMicro Weddings are 50 or less guests. Depending on how you plan it, Micro Weddings are still going to be high quality parties. An Elopement is usually low budget, and much quicker. Not quite as much planning and day of events. Not all Micro Weddings are destination weddings, but Emily works with a lot of them. The budgets really range depending on what is important to you and what experience you want to have.Aspects of a Micro Wedding:
They still want good players involved - They’re flexible
They prioritize guest experience
They want custom touches
They value stress-free more than the traditional couple (shorter planning timeline) - Often multi-day events - all the guests at all the events
They can be done on a week day!
Links We Referencedemilysullivanevents.cominstagram.com/emilysullivanevents https://www.aisleplanner.com/aisle-guide/articles/why-more-couples-are-opting-for-micro- weddings-in-2020unboringofficiant.com(For discount: thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com - click Partners and then Unboring Officiant)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

#204 Wedding Planning While Black, 2020

On this episode, we are joined by Jaz, a Ugandan American bride, and her groom Rodney, a Haitian American, who are getting married in October. She reached out after listening to episode #200 (Anti-Racism & Allyship: A Discussion) to open up a larger conversation about wedding planning while Black.Links We Referencedhttps://terricainc.cominstagram.com/daniellebaum.mua https://www.blackbride.com https://www.munaluchibridal.com https://thebcollective.cohttps://junebugweddings.comThe 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