Weddings 101

Creating a wedding seating chart sounds simple, until you're trying to balance family dynamics, friend groups, plus-ones, venue layouts, and last-minute RSVP changes. For many couples, table assignments become one of the most unexpectedly stressful parts of wedding planning. In this episode, I share practical strategies for creating a wedding seating chart that helps guests feel comfortable while...

Can you really plan a beautiful wedding and celebration for under $5,000? Megan did. In this episode of Weddings 101, I sit down with Megan, a bride who planned an intimate wedding at Chapel Dulcinea in Austin, Texas, followed by a separate after-party celebration with family and friends, all for less than $5,000. With just two months to plan before starting medical school, Megan and her husband f...

Planning pre-wedding events can feel exciting, but also confusing once you start wondering which celebrations you actually need, who plans them, who gets invited, and how much everything is supposed to cost. In this episode of Weddings 101, Kyleigh Grace walks through the most common pre-wedding celebrations including engagement parties, bridal showers, bachelorette parties, and bachelor parties t...

Trying to decide between hiring a wedding DJ or using a playlist for your reception? In this episode, I break down the real pros and cons of DIY wedding music versus hiring a professional DJ. From reception flow and dance floor energy to ceremony audio, microphones, and hidden logistics couples often overlook, I walk through what a wedding DJ actually does and when a playlist can realistically wor...

Should you do a first look before your wedding ceremony, or wait for the traditional aisle reveal? In this episode, I break down the emotional, practical, and logistical differences between first looks and traditional ceremony reveals so you can decide what truly fits your wedding day vision. This decision impacts far more than just your photos. It can affect your wedding timeline, photography sch...

Catering is one of the biggest expenses in wedding planning, and for many couples, it’s also one of the most surprising. If you’ve started getting quotes and are wondering why wedding food costs so much, you’re not alone. In this episode of Weddings 101, I break down why catering is so expensive in the first place and, more importantly, how to save money without sacrificing your guest experience....

Wedding vendor contracts can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not used to reading legal language. But understanding your contracts is one of the most important steps in protecting your wedding experience and avoiding miscommunication. In this episode of Weddings 101, I break down how to read and negotiate vendor contracts in a way that actually feels manageable. I walk you through the key d...

Wedding registries can feel confusing, especially when you’re not sure what you actually need or how to ask for gifts without feeling awkward. In this episode of Weddings 101, I break down everything first-time brides need to know about wedding registry etiquette, including whether you need a registry, how to handle cash gifts and honeymoon funds, and how to create a system that works for both you...

Planning a wedding with out-of-town guests? Figuring out hotel blocks, transportation, and welcome gifts can feel overwhelming fast. In this episode, I walk you through how to coordinate guest travel in a way that’s simple, thoughtful, and budget-friendly. You’ll learn the difference between courtesy and contracted hotel blocks, how many hotel options to provide, and what to include on your weddin...

Creating a wedding website sounds simple until you start wondering what actually needs to go on it and when it should go live. In this episode, I walk through how to create a wedding website and FAQ page that truly helps your guests instead of leaving them confused or texting you for every detail. I break down the timeline for building your site so you know what information should be included befo...

Choosing your wedding music is about so much more than just picking a few songs. It’s about creating a feeling your guests will remember long after your wedding day is over. In this episode, I sit down with Durham-based wedding harpist, pianist, and vocalist Kara Taylor to break down everything couples need to know about planning their wedding music. From defining your overall vibe to choosing mea...

What does it really look like to plan a wedding that feels deeply personal while still being beautifully designed and seamlessly executed? In this episode, I sit down with Annie Nesbit to talk through her experience planning a whimsical mountain garden party wedding in Banner Elk, North Carolina. From the very beginning, her love for the mountains shaped every decision, creating a celebration that...

Wedding planning can bring out stress, conflict, and emotions you may not have experienced in your relationship before. But it can also be an opportunity to strengthen how you and your partner communicate and show up for each other. In this episode of Weddings 101, I’m joined by Monica Tanner, an RLT-trained relationship coach, host of Secrets of Happily Ever After, and Amazon best-selling author...

Choosing your wedding food and drink options can feel surprisingly overwhelming, especially when catering and bar service are some of the largest expenses in your wedding budget. Many couples start planning thinking they will simply choose between a buffet or plated dinner and decide whether they want an open bar, but quickly realize their venue rules, guest count, and budget all play a major role...

Should you have kids at your wedding, and if so, who takes care of them? In this episode of Weddings 101, I sit down with Carson Wagner, founder of Lifetime of Love Nannies, to break down everything couples need to know about offering childcare on their wedding day. From onsite kids rooms and hotel based nanny care to child to nanny ratios, safety protocols, and accommodating infants, toddlers, sc...

Choosing your wedding entertainment can feel overwhelming faster than you expected. DJs, live bands, hybrid options, pricing, logistics, emcee styles, and song lists can quickly turn what seemed like a simple decision into one of the most stressful parts of planning. In this episode, I break down the real differences between DJs, live bands, and hybrid entertainment so you can make a confident dec...

Wedding flowers can feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t know where to start, what’s in season, or how to make your vision work within your budget. In this episode of Weddings 101, I sit down with local wedding and events florist Abby Jensen of Jensen Creations to walk through everything couples need to know before booking their floral vendor. We talk about how to prioritize your ceremony sp...

Your wedding ceremony and reception should feel like one seamless experience, not a series of rushed or confusing transitions. In this episode, I share how to create a smooth, stress-free flow from ceremony to cocktail hour to reception. You will learn how to build a realistic wedding timeline with buffer time, manage travel between venues, keep guests comfortable during transitions, and avoid com...

Wedding rentals are one of the most overlooked and expensive parts of planning your big day. From tables and chairs to linens, lighting, and ceremony décor, it’s easy to get overwhelmed or accidentally overpay. In this episode, I break down what wedding rentals actually include, what your venue may provide, and how to manage your rental orders efficiently. You’ll learn the key questions to ask ven...

Asking someone to be your maid of honor is one of the most meaningful moments in the early stages of wedding planning, but it can also come with pressure, expectations, and questions about how to do it “the right way.” In this episode, I walk you through different ways to ask your friend or sister to be your maid of honor, from heartfelt handwritten letters and personalized gift boxes to surprise...

Struggling to decide who gets a plus-one at your wedding? You’re not alone. In this episode, I break down wedding plus-one etiquette in a clear, modern, and stress-free way. You’ll learn what a plus-one actually means, why there is no single “right” rule, and how to create a guest list policy that feels fair, intentional, and aligned with your budget. I cover the most common plus-one policies coup...

Choosing your wedding venue is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make and one of the easiest places to miss important details if you don’t know what to ask. In this episode, I walk through exactly what to ask during wedding venue tours so you can confidently compare spaces, avoid surprise costs, and choose a venue that truly fits your wedding vision and budget. You’ll learn the core questions ev...

Your wedding ceremony is the heart of your day, and your reception should feel like a natural continuation of that moment. In this episode, I walk you through how to design a wedding reception that reflects your relationship without overwhelming yourself or overspending. You will learn why personalization matters, how to pull ideas directly from your story as a couple, and where intentional detail...

In this episode, I sit down with Charlotte bride Jordan Keane to talk through how she created an unforgettable wedding by leading with a clear vision and a strong focus on guest experience. Jordan shares how planning a wedding in Charlotte influenced her venue choice, vendor selection, and overall approach, including why working with vendors familiar with the space helped the day flow smoothly. We...

Wedding venue contracts can be overwhelming, confusing, and full of hidden costs that quietly inflate your budget. In this episode, I break down exactly how to read and understand your wedding venue contract before you sign. You’ll learn what common contract terms really mean, including food and beverage minimums, service charges versus gratuity, overtime fees, taxes, corkage fees, cake-cutting fe...