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#358 Healthy Relationships and Setting Boundaries

Let's talk about how to keep your relationships strong and thriving, both in everyday life and while planning your wedding. We're talking about your bond with your partner, as well as your connections with your fam and squad. 'Cause let's be real, relationships are EVERYTHING. And who wouldn't want some tips to level up their game? Spoiler alert: everyone can benefit from this knowledge. So let's dive deep and gain a better understanding of how our relationships work, especially when it comes to family dynamics. Dr. Abby Medcalf is in the house and we are LOVING her! What You Will Learn From This Episode
Things you can implement right now to improve your relationships
How NOT to be bitter about taking on the bulk of wedding planning
Problem solving for a happy and successful marriage
Creating and holding healthy boundaries
Navigating your relationship with your new in-laws
Avoiding conversations that are not good for you
How past trauma may be affecting how you respond to others
Unconditional love vs unconditional acceptance
About The GuestDr. Abby Medcalf is a Relationship Maven, psychologist, author, podcast host and Tedxspeaker who has helped thousands of people think differently so they can create connection, ease and joy in their relationships (especially the one with yourself)!Links We ReferencedAbby’s Podcast: Relationships Made Easy with Dr. Abby MedcalfAbby on Instagram Abby’s WebsiteAbby on TikTokThe 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!
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 hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode

#357 Real Wedding Retrospective with Taylor Rae Almonte - Roman

Taylor just tied the knot with her honey, Richard, in the big apple itself, New York City! Their wedding was totally inclusive and reflected their values.Taylor is spilling every detail about how they achieved this and giving awesome tips for how you can too. Grab your AirPods and tune in, cuz it's about to go down!Topics We Covered
Molding tradition to meet you
The benefits of getting married on a Friday
Loving and honoring your Wedding Party
Alternative attire ideas for moms
Being true to yourself
Finding inclusive vendors & vendors that look like you
Gender-neutral & inclusive titles for invitations
About The GuestTaylor Rae Almonte is a Brooklyn-based actor, athlete and activist with brand partnerships and media features that include Women’s Health Magazine, goop, Reebok, The Boston Globe, SELF, bala and many more. Taylor Rae loves sharing her experiences and insights into racial justice, fitness, wellness and beyond.Links We ReferencedTaylor’s WebsiteTaylor on InstagramTaylor on TikTokTaylor on YouTubeGotham Hall VenueFind.HueIDo “Find Wedding Vendors Like You”ZolaAzazieSuit ShopThe 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!
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 hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode

#356 You Ask, We Answer - 65

Non-responsive Wedding Planner and Groomsmen, unwanted family members as guests, wedding insurance coverage, rehearsal schedule conflict, and the stress of it all. Wedding planning help is on the way!!!  Listen in as my co-host and I answer wedding planning questions from listeners like you. My co-host for this episode is expert wedding planner, Amy Shack Egan of Modern Rebel. This is her 1st time joining me for a YAWA. Do YOU have a wedding planning question? Call and leave us a voicemail at 415-723-1625 -or- email us hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.comQuestions We Answered on This Ep:
Just found out my coordinator is pregnant. Should I be worried?
6 weeks out, Groomsmen are non-responsive and behind. What should we do?
Is it weird not to have a father-daughter dance if my partner will be dancing with his mom?
Can I un-invite certain family members after the invitations have already gone out?
Venue can only accommodate a Thursday rehearsal and the wedding party can’t make it until Friday. What should we do?
Is it worth it to add additional coverage to my wedding insurance?
The Wedding Planner is non-responsive. I’m nervous. How do I address this?
About Our Co-hostAmy Shack Egan is the Founder + CEO of Modern Rebel, a disruptive alternative wedding planning company based in NYC. She founded the company in 2015 on the basic principle that weddings should reflect the real highlight: the relationship. In addition to planning love parties, she is passionate about sharing her story as a female entrepreneur, feminist CEO, and industry disrupter with audiences everywhere. She has spoken on a national level and is frequently quoted in the New York Times for her fresh approach to modernizing the wedding industry. In 2022, she launched a relationship focused newsletter, Bandit. Sign up HERE for the monthly digital digest for the modern couple!Modern Rebel InstagramModern Rebel on Tik TokAmy Shack Egan on InstagramModern Rebel's WebsiteThe 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!
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 hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode

#355 How to Avoid Wedding Debt

Debt on top of debt! Nearly half of engaged couples already have credit card debt before planning their wedding. And guess what? A lot of them don't even factor in their debt when deciding how much to spend on their big day. Michelle’s guest on this episodes is Beverly Harzog, a nationally recognized personal finance and credit card expert for U.S. News & World Report. Beverly is telling us all about how to avoid debt as well as coming up with a plan to have your wedding and pay your debt too. Topics We Covered
Saving money for the wedding
Having the wedding you want without making your debt situation worse
How to create a realistic wedding budget & keep track of spending
The type of credit card you should pay wedding expenses with
How to discuss wedding finances with family
Coming up with a plan to pay off debt 
The best way to use Credit Card Rewards
How to make sure your money is being well spent
Explaining credit and credit card terminology
About The GuestBeverly Harzog is a nationally recognized personal finance and credit card expert for U.S. News & World Report. She’s the bestselling and award-winning author of five personal finance books.Her expert advice has been featured in thousands of media outlets, including TV, radio, print and major websites. She's appeared on Fox News, CNN Newsource, NBC New York, NY1, ABC New York, NBC NY, ABC News Radio, Bloomberg Radio, Good Day Chicago and more.Links We ReferencedU.S. News & World Report SurveyAbout BeverlyBeverly on InstagramBeverly on TwitterBeverly on LinkedInU.S. News & World Report Money AdviceSola Wood FlowersThe 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!
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 hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode

BONUS #4: Wedding Planning Happy Hour - April 2023

At the request of a few subscribers, who were not able to make it to our last Happy Hour, I’ve decided to release this bonus episode. It’s very much like a YAWA, except it’s live and unscripted. Listen in, learn and enjoy. I hope YOU can make it to our next Wedding Planning Happy Hour which is a perk of being a TBWPP subscriber. Be sure to check the Wedding Planning Resource Center for the next date and time!Topics / Questions 
90 days out and dealing with disgruntled in-laws
I need help picking between 3 month of coordinators
How can we incorporate Marvel (we are nerds) tastefully to our rehearsal dinner since it means a lot to us?
What comes first? Toasts or First Dance?
We don’t want any micro-events or a cocktail hour? Will that work?
Suggestions of a Mother-Son Dance Song
My wedding planner sometimes tries to “sell us” on the vendors she likes to work with.
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!
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 hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode

#354 Want Your Dog To Be in Your Wedding? Let’s Bark About It!

Everything you need to know about incorporating your dog into your wedding day, right here peeps! My guest on this episode is Veronica Silghigian, owner of Pawfect For You, a wedding day pet care company in New York. According to a 2022 Wedding Pro Study, 50% of all couples own a pet together. Topics We Covered
How to determine if your dog should be involved in your wedding day
Best Breeds of Dogs For Weddings
Fun & cute Ideas to incorporate your dog at the wedding
Venue Tips & Hacks
Tips for your wedding day schedule
Dog-specific checklist of things to bring on the wedding day
What to look for in a wedding day pet sitter
About The GuestVeronica Silghigian discovered a niche in the wedding market for couples seeking to have their pets present on the Big Day. In 2016, she launched Pawfect for You, a New York based company that specializes in the coordination, care, and transportation of pets at weddings. Links We ReferencedPawfect For You Website Mention the podcast and receive a $50 discountInstagram: @pawfectforyouMiss Design BerryEtsyThe 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!
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 hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode

#353 From Cringe to Confident - Dancing at Your Wedding

First dance anyone? In this episode you will learn how to ease your nerves and look confident while dancing in front of your guests at your wedding.Topics We Covered
Forgetting the choreography and finding your organic connection
There is no right or wrong when you’re dancing together
Communication and connection when it comes to dancing
The connected and natural dance method
How to decipher who leads and who follows - regardless of sex
How to choose a first dance song
How long your first dance song should be
How to avoid looking uncomfortable & weird in front of your guests
About The GuestJoel & Clara have taken their 16+ years as professional ballroom dance teachers during which their students have won, national, North American and World Championship gold medals, and created a dance method to take total beginners from knowing absolutely nothing to looking forward to dancing at their wedding. Their Natural Dance Method does not require memorization of stressful dance choreography, counting music or even an ounce of dance talent. The proof that it works is from their 1000+ students from around the world actually having fun dancing together in a way they never thought possible at their wedding and for the rest of their lives together.Links We ReferencedWebsite & Discount for listeners https://www.naturaldancemethod.com/bigweddingig. https://www.instagram.com/jcdanceco/yt. https://www.youtube.com/jcdancecofb. https://www.facebook.com/jcdancecoThe 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!
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 hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode

#352 You Ask, We Answer - 64

Stress, money, opinions,  pressure and soooo many questions. Wedding planning help is on the way!!!  Listen in as my co-host and I answer wedding planning questions from listeners like you. My co-host for this episode is expert wedding planner, Kelly McWilliams. This is her 3rd time joining me for a YAWA. Do YOU have a wedding planning question? Call and leave us a voicemail at 415-723-1625 -or- email us hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.comQuestions We Answered on This Ep:
What can I do? We broke up and called off the wedding. I am losing major money in “non-refundable deposits”. 
Should we still have this wedding? My fiance and I both work in big tech. We’re stressed about all the layoffs happening and worried about losing our jobs amidst wedding planning. 
Do I contact the ladies and explain why they won’t get an invitation? I’m sending invitations to only some of the members of my friend group and not others. We keep in touch via a regular group chat. 
Am I obligated to invite the spouses of my mother's desired guests? 
Should I hire someone to "manage" our Pinterest inspired, Polaroid Guest Book station?
Why am I seeing videos online of weddings where the groom is placing the ring on the bride’s right hand? Is there a meaning or symbolism behind this?
About Our Co-hostKelly is an expert wedding planner and designer based in Florida. She is also the creator and host of the podcast This vs That with Kelly McWilliamshttps://www.kellymcwilliams.com/Instagram: @kellyamcwilliams @thisvsthatweddingpodcastLinks We ReferencedKelly’s Blog Post about Wedding InsuranceThe 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!
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 hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode

#351 Modern Etiquette & Minimizing Wedding Planning Stress

Traditional etiquette is no longer applicable in the context of how couples are now planning their weddings. There is no longer one specific set of rules or traditions that must be followed. With the combination of technology, personalized style and modern etiquette, couples can create an unforgettable celebration without feeling overwhelmed by the stress of planning.Topics We Covered 
The etiquette around digital Invitations
How to handle unwanted opinions with grace
Respectfully setting your boundaries
Communicating & working with your vendor team
Using terminology that is respectful and inclusive to everyone
Hot tips on everyday etiquette
About The GuestLisa Lyons is a modern wedding etiquette expert with 20 years of experience planning and executing weddings. With a niche for sophisticated and refined events, Lisa is striving to raise the standards of events by teaching contemporary wedding etiquette for both engaged couples as well as wedding guests. Links We ReferencedWebsite: www.lisalyonsevents.comInstagram: www.instagram.com/thelisalyonsThe 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!
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 hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode

#350 How To Hire Party Staff For Weddings & Other Events

Ready to learn how to hire party staff for your wedding? It's all about the process! This episode goes deep into the world of event staffing - a topic not often discussed in wedding planning circles or on social media. You're never going to hear it from anyone else, so take this opportunity to get informed by an experienced wedding professional!My guest on this episode is Renee Patrone Rhinehart, founder of Party Host Helpers. Renee has spent the last 12 years helping clients nationwide, ranging from brides to corporations, to make their event dreams and vision a beautiful reality.Renee is offering TBWPP listeners a discount!Visit https://partyhosthelper.com/ and use CODE: renee23 for $30 off Topics We Covered
Signs of a Trustworthy Agency
Types of Events You Might Need Staff For
Tips for Ensuring Agency Staff Are Trustworthy in Your Home
Questions to Ask When Researching a Staffing Company
Guidelines for Assessing How Many Staff Members You Need
Strategies for Saving Money on Event Staffing
Links We ReferencedCompany Website: https://partyhosthelper.com/On Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/partyhosthelpers/Wedsafehttps://www.travelers.com/resources/individuals/protecting-your-wedding-dayThe Bach AppThe 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!
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 hello@thebigweddingplanningpodcast.com or Call and leave a message at 415-723-1625 and you might hear your voice on an episode