Unbridely - Modern Wedding Planning

Do you want a wedding ceremony that’s a total vibe? Of course you do. But…what the hell does that actually mean? What most modern couples are really aiming for is an energetic, fun, relevant ceremony that isn’t too long, but still has meaning and feels. So what really makes guests remember your ceremony? What leaves them happy, valued, and, dare I say, impressed? The biggest impact that you can ma...

If you and your fiancé have been bombarded with targeted ads on socials from faceless wedding photography and/or videography agencies promising huge limited-time discounts and “handpicked creatives,” or if you’ve heard stories about engaged couples not receiving their photos from agencies or being unable to contact anyone in person, I think you’ll find this episode very interesting. Today I’m chat...

Does DIY-ing your wedding flowers and styling actually save you money—or does it quietly steal your time, your sanity, and maybe even hijack your dream look without you even realising it? In this episode, two of my long-time colleagues and trusted Adelaide wedding pros, Emily from The Modern Approach and Gabrielle from She Runs Wild Flowers, join the conversation to share what really goes on behin...

Have you ever wondered how planning a wedding might be different the second time around? And why does it feel like such a touchy topic? As if the couple and their guests need to pretend like the first marriage didn’t even happen. What unique challenges do couples face, and how can they create a day that they’re really happy with? Today, I’ll talk about why second marriage weddings feel, to me at l...

Just the other day, I was chatting with three seasoned wedding vendors about how, lately, they’ve been hearing from engaged couples asking tons of questions about details that, honestly, aren’t likely to be problems at all. They were frustrated by how they’ve been micromanaged or not fully trusted. So I asked them: “How can an engaged couple really tell who’s a legit, experienced vendor who won’t...

Have you ever wondered what happens when a wedding feels too good to end, but you’re not quite ready for the party to be over? Maybe you’ve noticed how after-parties are suddenly cropping up in everyone’s wedding plans, or you’re curious why couples are making space in their budget for this bonus round of celebrating. On today’s episode, we’ll dig into the real reasons after-parties are getting so...

Are you a games person, or does the very mention of the word cause you to start dreaming up excuses to opt out? I’ve never been big on games myself, especially at weddings; sometimes they feel awkward or a bit forced, in my opinion. But in this interview, Matthew Vercoe, an experienced MC and now celebrant, really changed my perspective.  Through our conversation, I saw how thoughtfully designed w...

Have you heard about the growing trend of co-piloting wedding ceremonies?  What does it really mean to have the responsibility of the mic shared on one of the most important days of your life, and how can both engaged couples and celebrants team up to make the experience something truly out of the box?  Today I’m chatting with Annie Moz of Celebrant Lady Love about the rise of co-piloting ceremoni...

If there’s one question I’ve been getting a lot from couples lately, it’s how to handle all the emotions that come up on your wedding day. Between the joy, the nerves, the deep sense of meaning and connection, it’s a day that’s bound to move you.. sometimes to happy tears. With so many of you asking how to stay present without completely breaking down into an ugly cry, I thought it was the perfect...

Have you seen any TikToks about how wedding vendors have ripped off unsuspecting and innocent engaged couples by taking their deposit and then ghosting them, never to be seen again?  While some of those stories are true, in my experience in hospitality, events and weddings, they are super, SUPER rare. What many couples are most surprised about is the payment of the booking fee, deposit or retainer...

Why does it always seem like our skin chooses the most inappropriate moment to “act out” with pimples, acne or redness? And how can you respond with self-compassion and solutions that will actually work instead of harsh steroids and endless TikTok scrolling for let’s face it, questionable remedies? I am proud to have met and interviewed experienced Australian skin therapist, Amelia Goff, from Fres...

Any chef will tell you that we eat with our eyes; that the way a plate of food is presented and appears will affect the taste of the meal. So then surely, when we first enter a wedding reception space, the visual impact of the room is like the opening scene of a movie and the precursor for everything that comes after. And for those engaged couples who are not booking a stylist, or who have locked...

The truth often hurts. And in an industry that exists to make dreams come true, no matter the cost, it’s no wonder that it’s commonplace for many vendors to blur the lines a little and to tell engaged couples what they want to hear. However, this is unequivocally NOT the case with my guest today. I first learned that Laura existed through a Reel that was recommended in my Instagram feed titled: “...

What if the wedding you thought would take years to plan could actually come together in just 6 months? And what if your stress levels and your bank account were better for it too? In this episode, I sit down with Daisy, Venue Director at The Post Barn in the UK, to unpack the rise of short-leadtime weddings and what that really means for couples today. You’ll learn why more people are ditching tw...

Welcome back to Part 2 of my interview with Peter and Chelsea from Him and Her Music, where we continue our deep dive into how you can collaborate and work with your wedding musicians to get the very best experience in the lead-up and on the day for yourself, for you, your fiancé and your future memories too. If you joined us for Part 1, you’ve already heard how Chelsea and Pete’s expertise, trans...

You know, I’ve not realised until recently that, for most engaged couples, they’ve never booked and worked with musicians before. In fact, your wedding day might just be the only time you need to discuss an event run sheet, set list, and power requirements with musicians. There are some things that they need from an engaged couple to work and perform to the best of their ability. And the thing is,...

When was the last time you truly listened to the sound of a loved one’s voice? Have you ever noticed how it evokes certain memories and super-charged emotions for you? What if the most meaningful memory of your wedding day wasn't captured in a photo because we chose to think a little differently about, and expanded on, the way we document weddings? My guest, Kate Mishkin, is the founder of Sp...

Have you ever had to endure a painful wedding speech by an overconfident best man or a terrified bridesmaid and thought, “There must be a better way than: a) listing off story after inappropriate story,  b) relying on tired, sexist or clichéd jokes, or  c) just winging it?” You’re absolutely spot on. We can do better. Today, I’m joined by Sydney Shannahan, wedding writer, editor and founder of Alt...

Have you ever pictured yourself gliding barefoot down a sandy aisle, ocean glistening in the distance, a soft sea breeze gently tousling your hair, feeling content and chilled while surrounded by your favourite people? It sounds perfect… right up until someone forgets the sunscreen, your nan gets heat stroke, and that gentle breeze turns into a storm-force gale that rips your floral display clean...

Have you ever noticed how weddings seem to be geared exclusively towards people who are rampant extroverts? But what if your dad’s superpower is more ‘building the ceremony arbour’ than ‘walking towards it with 100 sets of eyes trained on him’? Today, I want to help you figure out how your delightfully introverted dad can still fulfil an important role on your wedding day, without ever setting his...

Ever wondered why bathing in milk, wearing pearls, or popping a silver sixpence in your shoe affects the success of your wedding and/or your marriage? No, neither have I. But as fate would have it (see what I did there), they are not one of the 10 wacky wedding superstitions that I’m going to share with you today. We’re going to travel to Greece, Ireland, the Netherlands and the Philippines to unc...

Family; you can’t live with them and you can’t live with them. But they’re everything, right? And you still love them MOST of the time. Today I want to chat about the different (read: crazy/difficult/upsetting) family dynamics that you may be concerned about in the lead-up to your wedding. The step parents, half siblings, divorced parents and uncle who’s not really your uncle that your Dad can’t s...

Stop me if you’ve heard this one.. A bride-to-be excitedly plans an elaborate proposal to her bridesmaids, self-care products in ribbon-secured boxes or personalised tote bags topped off with a card that reads: “Will you be my bridesmaid?” Within a few short months, there are at least a couple of chat groups to communicate the colour palette the dress code, important dates, and to discuss the brid...

How do you find that sweet spot between what you want for your wedding and what your family expects? Is it even possible to create a celebration that feels true to you, without leaving anyone important out, or blowing your budget? And how many hours drumming at your wedding reception is too much? Today, I’m yakking it up with Ashley and Tim, a newly-married couple from Maine in the United States w...

Have you ever been in the middle of a date with someone and noticed some little warning signs; maybe they only talked about themselves, didn’t ask you any questions, or ignored your boundaries. And you thought, “Hmm, that’s a red flag, right there”?   Well, just like in dating, your search for the right wedding vendors can come with its own set of warning signs.   And ignoring those red flags can...