The True North Weddings Podcast

Is there even such a thing as a wedding trend anymore, or are we all just doing our own thing now? This week I brought Desi and Asher onto the pod with me to talk about it. We got into the death of the wedding monoculture, why AI is quietly changing how couples find their vendors, and where the line is between using these tools well and letting them replace the people who actually know you. KEY TH...

Ellen Win is one of my favorite humans on the planet, and also happens to be the brand manager and creative force behind The Vault Event Decor Rental — a division of North End Special Events right here in the Northland. She was on the pod back in season one, and I've been dying to get her back ever since. Ellen and I spend a lot of time in the trenches together — talking floor plans, color sch...

What if the single biggest visual transformation at your wedding costs less than you think and it's been there all along, just waiting for someone who actually knows what they're doing with it? That's what I kept thinking as I sat across from Ken of Duluth Event Lighting for this long-overdue conversation. Lighting isn't just a detail. It's the thing that turns a cinderblock ro...

What does it mean to build something with the people you love most — and then watch them walk out the door into their own adventure? This episode is one of my absolute favorites because my guest is literally near and dear to my heart — it's my daughter Josie. You probably know her as the Josephine behind Josephine's Bridal, my shop here in Duluth. And on today's episode, we're pull...

What happens when the woman who's spent years making other people's wedding days magical finally gets a wedding day of her own? I'll tell you — it's equal parts hilarious, emotional, and deeply illuminating. I am so excited to finally share this conversation with you. Alissa Magdzas is the brand manager for Superior Blooms here in Duluth, a longtime member of our vendor family, and...

What does it mean to get married inside a building that helped construct the Golden Gate Bridge? There's something about holding the most personal day of your life inside walls that have held a century of stories — and that's exactly what Clyde Wedding & Event Center offers couples in the Duluth area. I've been working events here for years, and somehow it never gets old. I sat down with Toni...

What if the best decision we could make for our couples… was to offer less choice? What if clarity, alignment, and partnership mattered more than packages? Desi was sitting across from me in one of our weekly planning meetings, and I swear—it was like a bolt of lightning hit mid-sentence. We were looking back at last season. The numbers. The bookings. The weddings that left us feeling lit up. The...

If you work in weddings long enough, you collect stories that live in your bones forever. Some of them are hilarious. Some are deeply moving. Some are so chaotic you still can’t believe they actually happened. And some remind you that there is something sacred woven into a wedding day that no one could ever fully plan for. This episode was such a fun one to record because it came from one of the q...

Wedding planning can get loud fast. So many opinions, so many traditions, so many people telling you what you “have to” do. But the truth is, your wedding day gets to feel like you — and sometimes all you need is a little expert guidance, a little grounding, and someone in your corner reminding you that this gets to be joyful. This episode is such a fun one because it was recorded live at the Dulu...

What if the smoothest wedding days aren’t about adding more…but deciding what to leave out? Today, I’m letting you into the behind-the-scenes do’s and don’ts I wish every couple knew. For our Season Two finale, I brought in our brand manager, Desi, to pull back the curtain with me. People always ask, “Okay, but what do you really think?” Well—this is that episode. Between us, we’ve cleaned glitter...

What if the most important thing you bring to your wedding day isn’t a seating chart or a shot list—but your nervous system? What if the secret to “perfect” is learning to breathe, release, and let the day love you back? Today I invited our producer—and dear friend— Asher James back to the pod. We know him as the one behind our edits, but he’s also a deeply heart-centered wedding photographer and...

Today we delve into the enchanting world of wedding experiences with none other than Jax Eisenmann, the celebrated sales director of the Greysolon Ballroom by Blackwoods.  With an impressive 17-year tenure in the wedding industry, Jax has been instrumental in shaping countless unforgettable experiences at this iconic venue in Duluth.  Her story is one of resilience and passion, transitioning from...

What if the soundtrack to your wedding didn’t just set the mood—but revealed it? I’ve always believed the right DJ translates love into motion. Today’s episode proves it. I’ve worked with Eric Larson for years, and every time I see his name on a timeline, I exhale. He’s the owner of Euphoric Entertainment , and he carries a tagline that instantly clicks for me: “Music is what feelings sound like.”...

Planning a wedding is often depicted as one of the most joyful experiences in a couple's life. Yet, for many, the journey to the altar can feel more like a stress-filled sprint rather than a joyful marathon.  On this episode of the True North Weddings podcast, hosts Mariah and Caitlin explore the all-too-common issue of wedding planning burnout, offering a beacon of hope for those feeling over...

Planning a wedding is a monumental task, filled with countless decisions that ultimately shape the experience of one of the most important days in a couple's life.  Among these decisions, food and beverage choices stand out as a significant priority for many. In the latest episode of the True North Weddings podcast, we sit down with Molly Nett from Blackwoods Group Catering to delve into the i...

What if wedding planning didn’t feel so lonely—or so overwhelming? What if, instead, you could walk into a room full of people who not only understood what you’re going through but wanted to help you make the journey easier, lighter, and more fun? That’s exactly what we set out to create with The Last Hustle Before the Bustle . This episode is a little different. Instead of our usual studio setup,...

Have you ever walked into a space and felt the weight of its history—and the joy of its transformation—all at once? That’s exactly how I feel every time I step into The Garden Wedding and Event Center in Duluth. Check out the tour of The Garden here: https://youtu.be/dHJ3ZztXgR0 In this episode, I sat down with one of my favorite industry partners, Elissa Husby , the Catering and Event Director fo...

Are you in the midst of planning your dream wedding or just got engaged and feeling overwhelmed? Tune in to our latest episode of "True North Weddings" with Mariah McKechnie, and Caitlin Peters, where we uncover the secrets to a joyful and stress-free wedding planning journey! 💍✨ In this episode, you'll discover: 🌊 How to navigate the emotional waves of wedding planning and focus...

We’re back! Season two of the True North Weddings podcast is officially here, and I honestly can’t believe how much has changed since we launched this little corner of the internet just a year ago.  In season one, we laid the foundation—introducing our planning philosophy, spotlighting some of our favorite vendors, and creating space for real talk about the wedding industry here in the Northland....

Whether you're attending as a guest or showcasing as a vendor, this episode is packed with insights to make your wedding expo experience truly rewarding. Join Caitlin and Mariah, as we dive into the vibrant world of wedding shows. Discover why these events are more than just displays; they're sensory playgrounds where dreams meet designs.  We explore essential strategies like committing to the ful...

Today, Mariah and Caitlin unlock the secrets to enjoying the holiday season while planning your dream wedding. With over 15 years of wedding planning experience, they share seasoned strategies to manage family and friends' opinions with grace, keeping your journey to the altar joyful and stress-free. In this episode, we dive into: 🌟 Strategies for maintaining positivity amidst holiday gatherings...

Today we dive deep into the inspiring journey of Al and Lyndsay Johnson, a dynamic husband-wife duo who transformed their passion for art and photography into a thriving wedding venue business. From their early days as art students and camp directors to becoming celebrated photographers and innovative venue owners, their story is a testament to creativity, resilience, and the power of relationship...

Today's episode is a super social one, we we get to have Melanie and David on the show! They are the cutest couple and we are privileged enough to be their wedding planner and wedding day coordinator! Planning a wedding is like putting together an epic playlist, and in this episode, we dive into the awesome journey of Melanie and David as they gear up for their big day. From their adorable lov...

I'm thrilled to welcome you to the latest episode of the True North Weddings podcast, where we dive deep into the serene world of bridal beauty with none other than Duluth's own makeup maestro, Derek Cich. 🌸✨ 🎧 In this episode, we embark on a tranquil journey through the intricacies of wedding day makeup. Derek shares his unique approach to creating a serene and grounding environment fo...

Unlock the secrets to finding your dream wedding photographer with guidance from Asher Carlson of Asher James Creative. Our conversation traverses the vital connection between a couple and their photographer, ensuring the energy on your big day is nothing short of magical. Asher's decade of insight illuminates the path to asking the right questions, so you end up with a visual storyteller whos...