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

This week, Megan and Jen dive into the only thing that can throw a perfectly planned wedding timeline into chaos: toasts. Are we a little crabby about it? Maybe Do we have some hilarious, real-life stories to share? Absolutely Are those stories packed with actually helpful advice? You already know From rogue speeches to timing disasters, we’re spilling the tea on how to give a wedding toast that’s...

Jen is back from Switzerland and filling Megan in on everything from skiing in Davos to sipping Aperol Spritzes in Zurich's 75 degree weather (in March!). The two dive into the magic of solo travel, the Swiss food scene, the surprise weather swings, and yes, Jen cried again. With plenty of signature Jen and Megan banter, this episode is full of laughs, travel inspo, and behind the scenes moments f...

It’s hard to believe, but it’s been five years since the world changed overnight. This week on The Planner’s Passport, Megan and Jen take a look back at 2020 to 2022, revisiting what it was like to navigate the industry through shutdowns, endless wedding reschedules, and the chaos of reopening. From the early days of postponements and pivots to the overwhelming demand that followed, they share the...

This week on The Planner’s Passport, we’re joined by Jill Freeman of Bryn Mawr Jewelry Co., a Chicago-based boutique she owns with her husband, Scott. Jill takes us behind the scenes of custom jewelry design, spills on her biggest pet peeves, and shares how she and her team work closely with couples—not just to create the perfect engagement ring, but to build a lifelong relationship where they can...

Ever wonder what it means to work in wedding production? This week, our podcast welcomes Sean Denny, the Director of Events and Production Designer for Luxe Productions which is based in Chicago. From his humble beginnings working as a DJ during college to traveling the country and producing high-profile, star-studded events, Sean's journey has us wishing he hadn't signed so many NDAs and could sh...

East Coast vs. Midwest Weddings: Jen v. Meg In this episode of The Planner’s Passport, it’s the first-ever Jen v. Megan showdown—though, let’s be real, no one's actually swinging. Megan loves the classic East Coast wedding format, while Jen—well, she’ll happily plan a Midwest wedding, but deep down, she’s ready to flip the whole wedding day schedule on its head. From dancing between courses to rig...

This week on The Planner’s Passport, Megan heads back to Jamaica and visits Sandals Montego Bay ! Along for the ride is her mom Kathy who's always up for a piña colada and some antics on the beach.    Will Jen's favorite OWM make it back to shore after his ill-advised windsurfing adventure? And how do Megan and Kathy take advantage of the baller butler service they received from their new best fri...

This week, we’re tackling one of the most controversial wedding topics—tipping. Who gets tipped? How much? Is it really optional? (Hint: No.) If you’re getting married, this episode will help you figure out who and how to tip your wedding pro team. If you’re a wedding vendor, this is a good listen too—because we know you have thoughts. Jen and Megan break down what they tell their couples to do, s...

This week we’re joined by Brit Grosenick, founder of Happy Joy Candy Co., a Milwaukee-based company bringing the fun with home-spun cotton candy, drink glitter bombs, and more sweet surprises.  We’re diving into the real side of being a wedding entrepreneur, the highs and lows of running a business, and why couples are loving these playful treats at their weddings. If you’re a bride, groom, or wed...

This week on The Planner’s Passport, Jen takes us to the stunning Big Island of Hawaii! She explores Kona and Hilo, drives around the island, and visits incredible spots like the Krishna Cow Sanctuary in Papaikou, the Green Sand Beach at Papakōlea, and the Black Sand Beach at Punalu‘u.   Jen also indulges in a private dinner with Chef Ippy, owner of Nāpua at Mauna Lani, and shares tips for creatin...

This week, we’re chatting with Dan Nowak, the owner and “Tall Guy” behind Brazen Standard, the parent company of Tall Guy and a Grill, The Crafted Tavern, and The Dessert Cart, all based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Dan shares how he turned his passion for food and events into a mega brand that is now a staple in the wedding and event industry. From crafting unique wedding catering experiences to cre...

This week, Jen and Megan are diving into all things catering—a topic every wedding planner and engaged couple needs to know about. And yes, they’re spilling a few new pet peeves along the way (you’re welcome!).    They’ll break down the pros and cons of in-house catering versus bringing in your own caterer, sharing behind-the-scenes insights on how to navigate this key decision. Plus, they’re dish...

This week, Megan and Jen are driving (see what we did there?) into one of the most critical (and often overlooked) aspects of wedding planning—transportation! We’re sharing all the dos and don’ts of booking and coordinating transportation for your wedding day. Whether it’s getting the wedding party to the venue on time, managing shuttles for guests, or navigating last-minute logistics, we’ve got y...

Planning a wedding is like walking a tightrope—balancing the perfect day while hoping no one goes off the rails. Let’s face it: wild wedding guests are inevitable. In this episode of The Planner’s Passport, we’re spilling WTF moments—bridesmaids eating it on stairs, rogue underwear sightings, and a DJ stuck on "Panda" by Desiigner. Oh, and injuries? Plenty. We’ll also share how wedding planners at...

It’s that week between Christmas and New Year’s—when no one knows what day it is, wine is flowing, and schedules are out the window. We might be a little all over the place, but we’re still diving into the pros and cons of planning a holiday wedding! If you’re recently engaged or in the early stages of wedding planning, this episode is full of helpful insights to guide you in choosing the perfect...

In this episode of The Planner’s Passport, Jen takes us on a rollercoaster trip through Munich and Prague, where she wandered through magical Christmas markets like a festive queen, drank her weight in Glühwein (a true talent), attended a European hockey game—because culture comes in all forms—and went on so many educational tours she could practically give one herself.  Of course, no trip is comp...

BTS: Rachael Steacy Events In this episode of The Planner's Passport, we’re joined by our very first guest, Rachael Steacy, the powerhouse behind Rachael Steacy Events. If you’ve ever wondered what makes a great wedding planner worth their weight in gold, this conversation is for you. We go behind the scenes of wedding planning, sharing stories about turning bold and creative visions into reality....

Grab a Caribbean cocktail and come along with Megan as she relives her latest adventure in travel to Beaches Turks and Caicos! The whole family tags along on this adventure down to this salty island where she explores Beaches largest all-inclusive resort on the heart of Grace Bay Beach. We'll meet some turtles, hunt for Drake and drink more pina coladas than one woman should ever consume in six da...

Megan and Jen are airing out their biggest pet peeves in the world of wedding planning. From demanding guests to those infamous Type A bridesmaids, they're not holding back. Tune in to hear their candid rants about the little things that drive them up the wall and advice for staying on a wedding planner's good side. It's a vent session where they're glad you can't see their eyes rolling!  

Join Megan and Jen as they take you behind the scenes, sharing their wildest stories from their early days as newbie planners 14 years ago. From unexpected mishaps to losing a toenail in the line of duty, they give you an unfiltered look at the unpredictable world of event planning - laughable tales that show that everyone starts somewhere (and even as pros, they still are learning and growing as...

Join us for our launch episode as we take a walk down memory lane and share our own stories on how we got our start in the wedding industry as wedding consultants and what has driven us to also dip our toes in the travel industry. Everyone starts somewhere and here's the back story of our story!