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#82 Financial Planning And Your Wedding

If you have listened to the podcast for a while, you know we talk about money A LOT. We have an entire episode dedicated to the budget breakdown and we discuss money/fees/costs/value with wedding industry pros we have on. We generally encourage you, our dear listeners, to create a realistic budget, temper insane expectations, stop comparing yourself to the Pinterest Joneses, follow your hearts, and to keep your eye on the prize. We do NOT think it’s a wise idea, or a worthwhile venture, to go into massive debt for your wedding. We try to remind you all to stay connected to your partner throughout the planning process and to strengthen your communication skills. All of this is to lay a foundation for a successful MARRIAGE - not just an awesome party. It’s stressful. It’s expensive. We get it! We’re here to help and today, we are taking a broader look at planning...wedding planning and financial planning. Life planning. Together.Dan wrote a guide titled ‘How to talk about Money with your Spouse: The Ultimate Guide.’ His business is called ‘Adulting With Money.’ Links below!Big TakeawaysDan is a financial COACH - that’s very different from an advisor, banker, stock broker…He is a professional that helps people (couples) create good habits and teaches the skills necessary to make good decisions financially. He helps couples learn how to lay the foundation and communicate with each other so they can collaborate on financial planning.Working together, playing on strengths. The work of financial planning and record keeping doesn’t have to be 50/50. One partner might be better at keeping track of expenses than the other. The ‘work’ can be 90/10, but the BIG expenses and decisions need to be 50/50.Joint accounts. Dan emphasizes that there are happy marriages all over the spectrum on this. But here is the typical successful situation that he’s seen: All the paychecks go to the joint account, and all the bills get paid from the joint account. Then have separate accounts to use for the "fun money" or "spending money". Often, many couples will also set up a few, smaller accounts to park money for a down payment or emergency fund.Fun money: do it! If you opt to combine bank accounts and have one main pool from which to draw from for big monthly bills, it’s a great idea to still keep a small account individually. It helps make people feel independent. You have may have to tweak the amount after some trial-and-error, but as a general rule, it’s a good idea.Where to start? Let’s say you’re engaged and you have about a year until your wedding. You want to start talking about budgeting and long term financial planning. Expect it to take about 3-4 months of trying and tweaking the numbers until you get to a do-able sweet spot. It takes some getting used to! Remember that the plan will evolve and that you will make mistakes, but keep your eye on the prize! You can’t predict the future. So start with some estimates and then keep track as best you can so that you can adjust as you go.Apps help! The links below are all budgeting apps and tools that couples can use to keep track of expenses and stay on the same page.Links we referencedMint: https://www.mint.com/ (the gateway drug for budgeting)YNAB: https://www.youneedabudget.com/EveryDollar: https://www.everydollar.com/Mvelopes: https://www.mvelopes.com/GoodBudget: https://goodbudget.com/https://www.adultingwithmoney.com/bigwedding - This is Dan’s FREE guide!Get In TouchEMAIL: thebigweddingplanningpodcast@gmail.comFACEBOOK: @TBWPpodcastINSTAGRAM: @thebigweddingplanningpodcastBE SURE TO USE THE HASHTAG: #planthatweddingTWITTER: @TBWPpodcastPHONE: (415) 723-1625 Leave us a message and you might hear your voice on the show!PATREON: www.patreon.com/thebigweddingplanningpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#81 Welcome Bags And Welcome Claire!

We are pleased to introduce you to our new Jr. BFF...our social media assistant...or unofficial intern...Claire! We’re quizzing Claire on wedding trivia today, AND talking about Welcome Bags. What are Welcome Bags anyway? We’ll tell ya.We put the ask out for help months ago and Claire stepped up and has since helped us step up our podcasting game. We are so happy to have her on board and she’ll be helping us bring you great content - so, a win all around!Big TakeawaysWe played Wedding Trivia with Claire to make sure she was up to par. What fun! Here are some of the factoids:Most popular location in the world for destination weddings: Las VegasApprox 62% of weddings have a Flower GirlMost popular flower used in American weddings: RoseEngagement and wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand because it was once thought that a vein in that finger led directly to the heart.Green is a taboo color in Scottish weddings because it’s the color of fairies and is a symbol of revenge. It’s even considered unlucky to eat green vegetables during the wedding.Welcome Bags - traditionally utilized for destination weddings, this gift for guests is making it’s way into the mainstream. How to put them together, who to give them to, and how to distribute them...we’re breaking it all down. Check out the links for awesome examples of Welcome Bags, and companies that will do all the work for you...for a price.Ideas for Welcome BagsSnacks (Snacks are always a good idea! Regional snacks are extra special.)Bottle of water‘Hang over’ cures or kits (look these up on Amazon, so cute!)Mini bottles of alcoholCity of wedding stuff - map, brochures, itinerary, list of favorite bars/restaurants/parks…City knick knack souvenirBranded wedding stuff - maybe a coozie?Pashmina or scarf, lightweight blanketPersonalized noteBug spray or sunscreenLinks we referencedhttps://www.songfinch.com - create your own wedding song with our awesome SPONSOR!https://maptote.com - for welcome bagshttps://www.vistaprint.com/promo/catalog/bags/totes.aspx?swsr=tote&swsrn=0&rd=1 - custom tote bags and schwaghttps://www.simply-bags.com
https://saltandpepperco.com - luxury, curated boxes to be mailed
https://asignaturewelcome.com - custom welcome boxes
https://opheliaruth.com - custom and corporate gifting, Dallas
https://www.marthastewartweddings.com/333539/welcome-bags-real-weddings?slide=873618 - slideshow of examples of Welcome Bags
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

#80 Amanda & Erick Plan Their Wedding **Correct Version**

Amanda has been listening for the last 7 months while planning her wedding. One weekend, she roped Erick in on a road trip...he's hooked!Our guests for this episode are real engaged couple, Amanda Faile and Erick Tjarks. Amanda has a blog (link below) and here’s what she said about TBWPP:“Not only are these girls equipped with never-ending knowledge, they’re hilarious. I often wish I was hanging out with them as they are so funny and full of life. They’re also the reason Erick and I splurged and hired our month of coordinator, Taylor Boesen of White Willow Events. Whether you’re planning a wedding, helping plan a wedding, or simply interested in learning more about the crazy bridal industry – listen to their podcast, you won’t be disappointed.” Awesome! Listen to this episode to find out how a midwestern couple is planning their own destination wedding. (Living in Chicago, Planning in Des Moines.) Amanda and Erick talk about their good decisions, their compromises and things they wish they had done a little differently. Plus - goldendoodles!Big TakeawaysType A Bride and Involved Groom - Amanda and Erick worked together on wedding planning and the distribution of labor (we mention this a lot on the podcast, it’s usually more than a little bit uneven) was pretty fair!We’re looking at approximately 150 guests for a budget of 25k. Wedding spending goes a lot further in Iowa than other parts of the country (I’m looking at you Coasts!) Amanda and Erick were very clear about their priorities (awesome photographer for her, awesome band for him) from the onset of wedding planning, and they skewed their budget to accommodate those priorities.Challenge #1: The Bar PlanChallenge #2: Hiring vendors when you don’t live in the area.Cool Detail: Combining Dirt!The biggest thing Amanda took away from the podcast when planning her wedding was to hire a ‘month of’ coordinator. She ended up hiring someone that has worked at their venue often and it’s a perfect fit. Hooray for our good advice and the positive impact it can make!Links we referencedAmanda’s lifestyle blog about TBWPP helping her on her planning journey: http://www.livingaf.com/home/2018/4/2/wedding-planning-101Amanda on Instagram: @amandafailla (remember the video we posted of these two cuties singing our theme song? So fun.)Our Bar Episode: http://www.thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com/quick-focus-bar-serviceThe 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

#79 You Ask, We Answer - 4

This month’s questions run the gamut! We’re talking about parents, rings, and welcome bags. We delve into the pros, cons, and what-ifs and we dish out some compassionate advice regarding potentially emotional decisions. We think we’re doing right by our dear listeners and we so appreciate the follow up emails that these brides sent us after we answered them. Happy that we are able to share their experiences with you all!What We’re DoingWe have decided that we’re going to do a ‘You Ask, We Answer’ every month. Last Wednesday of the month - tune in and we’ll be answering your questions. In detail! With chutzpah! So, keep sending us your questions, your problems and your issues related to wedding planning. We read everything, we answer every email, and we might read your email on the air (don’t worry, we’ll ask permission!) so that your questions, and our answers, can help countless other people in the midst of wedding planning. It’s a win win, y’all!#1 Email “A Ring Dilema”Ask: It’s obviously been four months since we decided to get married and I don’t have a ring yet. I have thought about the ring for a long time. And I have an idea of what I would like to have but I’m troubled. His mom offered us his grandmother’s ring. I like it, But it’s definitely not what I had pictured for myself.Answer: Head to a jeweler and see about a custom ring combining elements from Grandma’s ring into a new custom ring that will make you happy and still feel sentimental!#2 Email “My Father is a Maybe”Ask: He sent me a message saying he would be there come hell or high water. It was nice, and I want to believe him, but it is obviously difficult. My question is: Do I walk myself down the aisle?Answer: We think you should do what makes YOU feel confident and beautiful and happy. Don't make the decision because of how you think your dad feels or doesn't feel about your wedding. Make the decision that feels right to YOU.#3 Email “WTH Welcome Bags!?”Ask: Our carefully curated, beautifully assembled welcome bags...would you deliver to all of the guests by somehow capturing their lodging in advance? Would you limit them to only those who are booking and staying in our block? We’re expecting roughly 150, which translates to about 80 gift bags.Answer: This is tricky since your guests are staying all over the place! We think the hardest part will be the organizing, not the actual delivery. If you want to go above and beyond, every guest traveling in to your wedding should get a Welcome Bag. So start that spreadsheet, honey! And get your parents to help gather addresses. Then get your wedding party and friends to help you deliver them the day before the wedding. Good luck!Links we referencedwww.ponyeducation.comhttps://www.patreon.com/thebigweddingplanningpodcastThe 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

#78 Marijuana is Making It’s Way Into Weddings

As legal use & consumption of marijuana becomes a reality for some of the United States, the business of pot intersects with the business of weddings and we’re here to find out how and why! We’re talking to an expert on cannabis weddings, and how couples (in California and Colorado) are incorporating a little green into their weddings. The topic has more to it than meets the eye!Big TakeawaysOur guest is Ivy - she is a cannabis events coordinator, and certified wedding planner. Her business, Token Events, curates cannabis and brand experiences for tourists and locals in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is leading the charge in California for normalization of legal cannabis use, and to define and enforce industry standards. Basically, she is a pioneer in the world of legal marijuana and when she saw a demand for event planning in this realm, she jumped in and began connecting the opportunities with the vendors and laws. Now she’s an authority on all three!How are people incorporating weed into their weddings? It’s not all about consumption!Bud Bars in lieu of standard barsPassed edibles in addition to passed appsFavors - instead of a tiny potted succulent, a guest can go home with a tiny potted pot plant!Decor - marijuana leaves incorporated into the boutonnieres, bouquets or centerpiecesJoint rolling station instead of a cigar rolling stationVintage vases as bongs and pretty glass pipes mixed in with other decorHemp or hemp silk as table runners or veilsWho knew weed was so complicated?? We sure didn’t. CBD vs THC. In a nutshell: CBD doesn’t get you high, it affects physical pain like an aspirin. The THC does get you high. CBD can actually counter the effects of THC.The laws are changing often in California and other states where cannabis is legal (it’s still ILLEGAL federally, btw), so events need to comply with current laws. For example, right now, Ivy is planning her events in private homes, and there are rules about where people can smoke, or vape.Links We ReferencedCannabis concierge events and services: http://tokenevents.caSome background on current California cannabis laws: http://www.thecannifornian.com/cannabis-culture/everything-know-california-marijuana-laws-kicking-jan-1-2018/Cannabis Wedding Expo: https://www.cannabisweddingexpo.com/all-regionsThe 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

#77 Funfetti Cake & Games With Lauren Kitchens

Funfetti, Metallic Icing, Dolly Parton’s Tattoos and no more naked cakes?!! Lauren Kitchens is back and she is talking 2018 Cake trends and how to work collaboratively with creative vendors.Michelle felt really left out the first time we had Lauren on the show, and this time, she makes up for it! We are so stoked to have Lauren Kitchen’s - owner, operator and artist at Fancy Cakes by Lauren - back on the show. The first time, we talked about cake basics, and this time, we delve more into the artistic side of things. (Also, have you heard the rumor that Dolly Parton has tons of tattoos? It’s Christy’s favorite rumor of all time.)Big TakeawaysHow do awesome clients work with Lauren? She gets clients that want to challenge her. It’s a brainstorm between the client and Lauren from the very beginning. A bride comes in with a vision, and Lauren asks questions and gets a feel for the couple and then starts to sketch...some ideas stay, some ideas go. It’s rare that a client will come in with a photo of a cake and ask Lauren to exactly replicate it.Lauren specifically mentions that the more you can tell her about your other vendors, and about decisions that have already been made - the better.Vendors that have been around for a while, work really well together.At the tasting - keep it small.When negotiating with creative vendors, find out what THEY want to do...and you may be able to get a lower price because they want to have something cool and new in their portfolio.A cake can sit out for about 5 hours before being cut and served. The longer it sits out, the less structurally sound it is.Quick trends: Copper and metallic tones = IN. Naked Cakes = OUT. Gold > Blush.Links we referencedwww.fancycakesbylauren.comhttps://www.instagram.com/fancycakesbylauren/https://www.instagram.com/grace_loves_lace/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

#76 Real Couple Ashley & Blake - Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy

Ashley & Blake were truly the most relaxed, joyful, smile-y couple from start to finish on their wedding day and while we know that some of that is just the kind of people they are, we can’t help but think that some of their day-of attitude was also by design. Christy was Ashley and Blake’s wedding planner at their wedding a month ago in Dallas, and we wanted them on the podcast today to share their advice and hindsight about their wedding day...and specifically how they both stayed so darn happy all day long. What they did, and didn’t do, that led to such a positive experience: We present to you, a retrospective, from Ashley and Blake, the happiest couple ever.Big TakeawaysWhen Ashley and Blake started to plan their traditional wedding, the biggest hurdle was figuring out the venue, which in turn, informed the budget.Negotiating sometimes falls into your lap - when the hotel underwent some renovations, Ashley and Blake went with the flow. For a price.Advice from Ashley and Blake:Hiring a planner is key!Hiring a photographer that they instantly clicked with (puns!) was a big part of Ashley and Blake’s wedding planning success.Priorities! Blake and Ashley talked about the things that were really important to them when they started to plan their wedding and when things would get overwhelming or when decisions became tough, they went back to their list of priorities and stayed the course.By booking some vendors early - like their DJ - Ashley and Blake got great deals!Trust your vendors. This was easy for Ashley and Blake because they trusted their planner - who recommended these vendors.Keep your eye on the prize! Blake and Ashley never lost sight of the fact that the wedding day is supposed to be about getting married! They knew that was going to happen...and everything else was bonus-awesome.Invite people you know are going to celebrate YOU. If you have some judge-y, toxic friends or family members - maybe they don’t need to come to your wedding.Planning all the events at one hotel made the scheduling a lot easier for Ashley and Blake, their parents and their wedding party.Don’t skip the grand entrance! It’s once in a lifetime!Links we referencedOther TBWPP episode that relates to Ashley and Blake:Trish Dove, photographer: http://www.thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com/fall-in-love-with-your-wedding-photographerOther vendors that Blake and Ashley hired (that we talked about on the ep)Lizzie Bees Flower Shoppe: https://www.lizziebees.netTrish Dove - Beatbox Portraits: https://www.beatboxportraits.comLeForce Entertainment: http://leforceentertainment.comThe Adolphus Hotel: http://www.adolphus.comThe Big Wedding Planning Podcast is...Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez.
Edited by Veronica Gruba
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

#75 You Ask, We Answer # 3

We have decided that we’re going to do a ‘You Ask, We Answer’ every month. Last Wednesday of the month - tune in and we’ll be answering your questions. In detail! With chutzpah! So, keep sending us your questions, your problems and your issues related to wedding planning. We read everything, we answer every email, and we might read your email on the air (don’t worry, we’ll ask permission!) so that your questions, and our answers, can help countless other people in the midst of wedding planning. It’s a win win, y’all!Big TakeawaysQuick reminder - don’t forget to hashtag #planthatwedding when you post about our podcast or your wedding planning. We’re tagging everything with #planthatwedding - across all social media. And if you send a little video of you listening to the podcast (love our opening song? Thanks!) - you will MAKE OUR DAY.1 Email - “Unkind Mother of the Bride”Ask: This listener, Cheyenne, wrote in about her mom. “She’s always been an unhappy person, but it wasn’t until I was an adult that I realized how narcissistic and downright mean she is.” This heartbreaking email outlines the bride’s tense relationship with her mom, and how it’s affecting her wedding planning. This bride has distanced herself during the planning process, but is very worried that her mom’s involvement and presence will ruin the wedding day, and taint her experience of what is supposed to be a joyful day. She wants to know if she should cut her mom out of the wedding completely.Answer: Note that we are not therapists. But we do have some experience with all of this. Repeat this; “I can no longer wish my mother to be who I want her to be.” Release your expectations of your mother - she will never meet them. Take her for who she is, or don’t. Don’t put any weight on your mom’s reactions any more.2 Email - “Newbie Wedding Planner or Experienced-and -Maybe-Over-priced-Planner”Ask: This bride wants to know if she should hire a planner that is new to the industry and offering a great deal for full planning, or an experienced planner with fairly high prices.Answer: There are pros and cons, of course. In our long answer, we emphasize the importance of “month of” planning, as we have often on the podcast.Things to think about:
With the established planner, make sure that you know -in writing - exactly who will be there managing the wedding day. (It could be an associate, and you should know if this is a possibility.)
With the ‘newbie’ - get references of previous brides she has worked with, even if it’s only 2.
Also with the newbie - check out her day-of templates. Make sure her contract is long and legit. A good vibe between you and your wedding planner is VERY important. You have to go with your gut a little. If you feel like the newbie will:
have your back
aim to please
be very responsive
stand her ground (advocate for you, be a strong liaison between you and vendors, make quick, SMART decisions day of, be assertive...) ....then we think you should hire her. There's no guarantee the experienced planner will be better just because she's done more weddings. We were all newbies at some point!
Links we referencedwww.livingaf.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

#74 Listener, Bride - Guest!

Allyson is a Canadian bride & TBWPP listener, who initially reached out to us almost a year ago with a couple specific questions she’d run into planning her wedding. Several emails later, Allyson had her dream wedding and then she gifted us with the BEST recap and list of lessons/advice. We loved Allyson’s ‘retrospective’ so much, that we asked her to be on the show so we could dissect it together. This episode is chalk-FULL of great information from one of you, our dear listeners!Big TakeawaysAllyson originally emailed us 10 months ago - was a loyal fan and had lots of questions. She explained that she and her fiance wanted a really fun wedding, and their timeline was very relaxed...7 hour reception, no sit-down dinner, minimal announcements, etc. Also, she described a Pincho style of dinner service and we had no idea what she was talking about - or how to pronounce it. We wrote Allyson back with our advice and then she responded with an awesome follow up and she took a lot of our advice and was feeling GREAT about planning at that point - six months out. Also, she told us what a pintxo bar was: Just so you know, a pintxo (pinch-oh) bar, is a way they eat in san sebastian spain as well as barcelona. There will be a big ham leg being hand carved jamon, oysters, and snacks on toast. That sounds amazing.One big piece of insight Ally has is that listening to our podcast was super helpful! We don’t think she was blowing smoke either - she had specific episodes that she mentioned that helped her a lot, including the timeline and budget episodes. The convenience of being able to listen while she went running or did chores...huge. We’re so happy to provide this podcast for all of you! We helped her and now she wants to help you!A couple of Ally’s “DOs”:During the planning process - talk to and LISTEN to the matriarchs in your family about wedding stuff...you will get gems, we promise. Take the time to connect with your familiesGo to bed early the night before the weddingBridesmaids (attendants) giftsWedding Day gift/card for your partnerFirst Look photosHire a plannerLinks we referencedAllyson’s highlight video: https://www.facebook.com/TruthAndTales/videos/1733460110038075/?fref=mentionsManly Bands: www.manlybands.com/tbwpp (15% discount! Woohoo!)Truth and Tales (Ally’s awesome photographer and videographer): http://truthandtalesstudio.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!
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#73 Fashion & Styling with BTS Event Management

Michelle and Christy are awesome wedding planners. Fact. But one thing that we don’t usually do with clients is outfit the wedding party or dress the bride from head to toe. So we called in some experts - Trista and Alex from BTS Management based in Scottsdale AZ (links below) are event planners that focus on the styling aspect of the event, and they work closely with their clients to dress, style and push the fashion boundaries of every wedding. We had a lot of fun talking to them about wedding trends, fashion shows, bomb bridesmaids and breaking the fashion rules.Big TakeawaysThese two gorgeous ladies - Alex and Trista - showed up for our Skype session in full makeup, good lighting and it even looked like they were wearing pants. WHAT?! We immediately made jokes about our appearance inadequacies and asked if they were related. They get that a lot. Also, one of them (Alex) looks just like Daenerys Targaryen. And off we went!BTS produced and hosted a bridal fashion show event called “Dream” with the Omni Resort - they wanted to bring a bridal show to the market, but do it thinking outside of the box. It was a priority to be the best. The final product featured Randy Fenoli as the official host, and designs from couture high-end designers from around the world. The planning process got them invited to NY Fashion Week. And that over-the-top experience got the wheels turning for the Dream event this year.“Following the No Rule Rule” It’s important that any woman (anyone, really!) in your wedding party feels confident in what she’s wearing. She’ll be happier and it will show! The whole day can be informed and experienced by how amazing everyone feels in what they’re wearing. That’s the power of fashion! Think outside the box - you don’t have to wear white just because you’re the bride. The women in your wedding party don’t have to wear dresses...jumpsuits or tailored suits are hot right now. Be unique! Do your thing!Trends Trista and Alex are predicting: For men: mixing and matching patterns and colors. Burgundy suits, brighter blue suits. Wearing something different than the groomsmen. Changing into a white dinner coat for the reception. For women: dresses that push the envelope more with more skin tone showing through, high leg slits, plunging necklines… you know, stuff for the confident bride! Trumpet shape is out and princess dress tulle drama is sticking around. Stiff fabrics are out. Modern is in. Lace and embellishment detail...in.Requesting that the guests wear a specific color...it’s a thing! Put it on the invitation and the wedding website and you can pretty much style your photos before the guests even arrive. Imagine all the guests in black and red...and then you and your partner rocking sleek white suits. The photos are on point and everything else in the room is there to elevate the theme. It’s cohesive and fun. We dig it!Links we referencedBTS Event Management: http://btseventmanagement.comBTS instagram: https://www.instagram.com/btseventmanagement/Dream Couture Event: https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/scottsdale-montelucia/things-to-do/upcoming-events/dream-eventThe Big Wedding Planning Podcast is...Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez.
Edited by Veronica Gruba
Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics
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