The Planner’s Passport - Wedding Planners, Travel Agents, Decades of Stories

This week on The Planner’s Passport we’re joined by a very special guest, Grace from Tarot D’Amore. Grace is a soulful tarot and movement specialist who brings wisdom, intuition, and heart to everything she does. She offers tarot readings for weddings and beyond, guiding people to connect with themselves, their relationships, and the deeper meaning behind life’s milestones. In this episode, she sh...

It’s one of the questions we get asked the most, and this week we’re finally talking about it. After years of watching couples up close on one of the biggest days of their lives, we’ve seen just about everything—moments that melted our hearts, and a few that made us quietly wonder how the night (or the marriage) would end. In this episode, we’re sharing some of the stories that stuck with us, the...

We love a confident couple who says, “We’ll totally have time!” … until they realize photos, champagne, and nerves say otherwise. In this episode of The Planner’s Passport, we’re diving into one of the biggest wedding day struggles — the timeline. We’re breaking down why you’re probably not giving yourself nearly enough time, how long things actually take, and why your vendors aren’t being dramati...

The wedding industry is, at the end of the day, a for-profit industry. That might surprise some couples, but it’s true. This week, Megan and Jen are pulling back the curtain on how pricing works in the wedding world and why it makes sense. Here’s the thing: just because you’re planning a wedding doesn’t mean vendors should automatically discount their services. Yes, weddings are joyful, and yes, w...

After years of planning weddings and events, Megan and Jen have figured out which rules matter most and they are not budging. In this episode, they dive into the non-negotiables of wedding planning: the details that make or break an event, the mistakes couples should avoid, and the standards they will always defend. If you are planning a wedding and wondering what is really worth it (and what is n...

This week, travel talk is back as Megan takes us on a journey back to Jamaica Join us as she shares her family vacation to Beaches Negril on the famous Seven Mile Beach, one of the top all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica. From stunning Caribbean beaches and unforgettable sunset views to unexpected travel mishaps and family adventures, this trip had it all. We talk about Beaches handled the bumps with...

This week we’re diving into one of the biggest wedding guest debates: kids or no kids? We break down the pros and cons of having little ones at your wedding, how to figure out if your kids are actually invited, and what you should do (and plan for) if you decide to make your wedding kid-free. Whether you’re planning your own wedding or packing up the stroller for someone else’s big day, this episo...

This week, we’re talking about the one thing you can’t control on your wedding day: the weather. From sudden storms to sweltering heat, we’ve seen it all—and we’re sharing our own weather disaster stories to prove it. We’ll cover what couples often forget when planning for outdoor ceremonies and receptions, why guest comfort should always come first (hint: no one wants to sit in 90-degree heat), a...

Let’s be real—your hair and makeup team can make or break your wedding morning vibe. In this episode, we’re chatting about why you shouldn’t wait to put down that deposit (yes, glam squads book up fast!), how to speak up during your trial so you actually love your look, and why the big day beauty is always, always about the bride (sorry Aunt Karen). We’ll share funny stories, real talk, and planne...

Ever wonder what really goes on behind the scenes of a wedding? In this laugh-out-loud episode, two seasoned wedding planners spill the tea (and maybe a little champagne) on some of their most outrageous confessions from the job. From sneaking sips of prosecco during the ceremony to shamelessly devouring the couple's untouched appetizers (look, someone had to eat them), no story is off-limits. Oh...

This week, we talk about… well, everything and nothing at all, which is basically our specialty. We catch up on Megan’s time up north Wisconsin, one of Jen’s former make-out sessions, and why you should always walk up the hill when your boyfriend tells you to. (Spoiler: proposals happen on hills.) We get into upcoming travel plans, pooping on vacation, Groupon purchases, Mexican food cravings, and...

This week, we’re joined by Jesse Lyon of Lyon Mental Health—a therapist, dream interpreter, and hilarious human who somehow made talking about the subconscious feel like a party. We get into the weird and wonderful world of wedding dreams (yes, those anxious ones with missing dresses and runaway grooms), including Megan’s cake dream that—spoiler alert—wasn't really about cake at all. Jesse breaks...

This week on The Planner’s Passport, we’re talking timelines—specifically, how much time you really need to plan a wedding. Whether you're stretching things out over 18 months or sprinting toward an 'I do' in six weeks, there are perks and pitfalls on both sides. Longer planning timelines might sound like a dream (hello, options), but with time comes the temptation to overthink everything. Shorter...

This week on the pod, we’re joined by one of our OG listeners —  Heather Cook Elliott ! To say that Megan and Jen are as mutually obsessed with her as she is with us? A massive understatement. Heather is a Milwaukee-based wedding and portrait photographer whose work is rooted in real connection, thoughtful storytelling, and capturing people as they truly are. She’s the kind of person who shows up...

This week, we’re joined by the wildly talented and hilariously cheeky Rachal A. Duggan, the creative genius behind Rad Illustrates. Known for her signature butt drawings (yes, you read that right), Rachal is an illustrator, author, and workshop leader who brings her one-of-a-kind style to everything from comics to custom wedding art. We dive into how Rachal started drawing butts, what it’s like be...

Last week, Jen popped off about moms (and no, Megan still does not agree with her). This week? Megan’s the one telling it like it is. And honestly? We're. Here. For. It. She’s in her villain era, y’all. We’re talking wedding industry awards and how (surprise!) a lot of them are paid for. Not saying the people winning don’t deserve the spotlight, but it’s worth knowing there’s usually money behind...

This week’s episode is all about moms.   To be clear, Megan does not sign off on any of this. This is 100% Jen’s story arc... from superhero to supervillain wedding planner. Now, Jen actually loves most moms. But in her experience, a few bad apples spoiled the bunch so much that she no longer works with parents unless they’ve been fully vetted. But this episode isn’t just about mom drama (although...

We’re fangirling a little harder than usual this week, because our guest isn’t just TikTok-famous—he’s also one of Jen’s former grooms… twice. (Ah, the joys of COVID-era weddings.) Marco Braun—aka @marcosfunhouse—joins us to share the story of his two celebrations, what it was like planning during a pandemic, and how he accidentally became the internet’s vintage recipe king. Oh, and did we mention...

🎙️ This Week on the Podcast: We're Going Tropical, Baby! 🌴 Pack your sunscreen and questionable swimwear—we're taking this podcast to The Bahamas and want YOU to come with us! In this episode, we spill the (piña colada-flavored) tea on our upcoming getaway to Sandals Royal Bahamian . Think snorkeling with sea turtles (or at least aggressively friendly fish), late-night karaoke that may cause perm...

This week, Jen’s in Sonoma County to facilitate a bachelorette party , but let’s be real, she also used the trip to scout the region for future travelers (because of course she did).    From sipping sparkling wine at  Iron Horse Vineyards  to inhaling the best vegan quiche of her life at  Little Saint in Healdsburg , this episode is packed with wine country magic and mild chaos. She stopped in  Bo...

This week on The Planner’s Passport, we’re heading south. We’re joined by Kelley Kohler of  Haviland Events , a boutique wedding planning and design firm based in Charlotte, North Carolina. After hearing our East Coast vs. West Coast episode, Kelley had a few thoughts, especially after Jen questioned whether North Carolina even counts as “the South.” (Spoiler: it does. And she came ready to defend...

This week, we’re taking you behind the scenes at the WedMKE wedding show in Milwaukee! We had an incredible time hosting a booth, connecting with real couples (and a few very enthusiastic moms), and catching up with some of our favorite vendor friends, like Milwaukee Airwaves and Two Birds Event Group. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Planner’s Passport episode without a bit of chaos and laughter. Jen...

Let’s talk wardrobe malfunctions because if it can go wrong, it will go wrong. We’re talking red wine spills, last-minute crotch sew-ups, duct tape...(yes, actual duct tape), and everything in between. We’ve seen it all. We’ve fixed it all. And now we’re telling the stories.   If you’re planning a wedding, deep in the Pinterest spiral, or just need a laugh at someone else’s bridal fashion emergenc...

This week on The Planner’s Passport, Megan takes us to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, where work and play collided in the best way. She went for business (because Megan’s idea of time off is working from a beach), but she still found time to soak up the island magic—bat cave adventures, new friendships (channeling Jen, of course), and a Sandals resort experience that seriously impressed her. She...

Are you dreaming of saying “I do” with your toes in the sand? This week, Jen and Megan are diving into all things destination weddings—the good, the complicated, and the cocktails. From breezy beach vows to mountain-top ceremonies, we’re breaking down the real pros and cons of planning a wedding away from home. Should you hire a local planner? When does it actually make more sense not to? And what...