Weddings Unscripted

What happens when a seasoned event planner throws her own party — and finally gets to do it exactly how she wants? In this episode, Alex is joined by longtime industry friend and mitzvah planning expert Danielle Couick of Magnolia Bluebird and Ghost Host — a lifestyle brand dedicated to the art of home entertaining. With Alex's 50th birthday party on the horizon, the two planners get into what it'...

11 guests. 160 guests. Same weekend. Wildly different chaos. What happens when your entire team is on-site at two completely different weddings at the same time? You get a masterclass in everything nobody tells you about micro weddings — and a reality check on why "small" doesn't mean "simple." In this milestone 50th episode, Alexandra and Alison pull back the curtain on a real behind-the-scenes w...

What happens when a DC-based wedding planner takes her 20-year expertise to a brand-new city — and pulls it off flawlessly? In today's episode, Alex recaps MacRae and Austin's stunning Charleston wedding at Lowndes Grove, and she and Ali spill everything: the vendor trust-building, the color hunt that took months, the beauty concierge game-changer, and why your breakdown documents might be saving...

What if your guitarist didn't just play at your wedding — what if they walked through it with you?   This week Ali goes solo and sits down with Dylan Galvin, a wireless roaming acoustic guitarist and DJ who's bringing a whole new energy to DC-area weddings and events.   In this episode, Ali chats with Dylan Galvin — Berkley-trained guitarist, solo entrepreneur, and one of the most unique live perf...

Are you posting constantly but still hearing crickets? The rules of wedding vendor marketing have changed — and social media alone won't save you. In this episode, we sit down with social media strategist Heidi Schmidt of Heidi Schmidt Creative to unpack what's actually working in 2026: from building authentic content and nurturing leads, to understanding Gen Z couples and knowing exactly where yo...

What happens when a wedding florist with 25+ years of experience starts noticing that her whole industry feels disconnected? She builds something about it. In this episode, we sit down with Kate Denman of  Floret and Vine — and repeat podcast guest — to dig into the origin story of the DMV Wedding Collective, the DC-area's fastest-growing wedding vendor networking and education organization. From...

You just got engaged — now what? Before you book a single vendor, there's a conversation you need to have (and most couples skip it). In this episode of Weddings Unscripted, we are breaking down exactly how to kick off your wedding planning the right way — from that first budget conversation to knowing which vendors to book first . With 19+ years of combined experience, we walk through the biggest...

Ever wonder what's actually going on behind the scenes of your wedding? Today, we are spilling. In this episode of Wedding Unscripted , we share the funny, unscripted moments that happen on the other side of every wedding day. Vendor meals, hotel bag drop-offs, transportation logistics, wild client requests — it's all here, told the way only two planners with 19+ years of experience can tell it. C...

What actually makes a wedding run smoothly behind the scenes? In Part 2 of this Planner Q&A series, we dive deeper into real feedback from our industry survey — unpacking one of the biggest challenges in wedding planning: communication . From navigating vendor relationships and managing client expectations to avoiding costly assumptions, this episode is a candid look at what's really happening beh...

What do wedding planners actually look for when choosing vendors? Why do planners stop working with certain vendors—even ones they like? And how do wedding professionals avoid burnout in an industry that rarely slows down? In this episode of Weddings Unscripted , we asked our network of wedding professionals to send us anonymous questions through a vendor survey. From building trust with planners...

What does it really take to build a successful wedding entertainment company from the ground up? In this episode of Weddings Unscripted , we sit down with *Rebecca Steele & Lauren Brettell *, the founders of Lucy Black Entertainment , a women-owned wedding entertainment agency known for curating live wedding bands, string ensembles, DJs, and immersive entertainment experiences . They share the sto...

What if wedding dress shopping feels overwhelming because the system itself is broken? This week on Weddings Unscripted , we sit down with bridal industry innovator Becca Wenning , former boutique owner and founder of Dress It and MyBria , to unpack what's really happening behind the scenes in the wedding gown world — from inventory overload and store locator frustration to decision regret and AI...

What really makes the Eastern Shore one of the most underrated wedding destinations in the DMV? This week on Weddings Unscripted , we're joined by Caroline Petosa , owner and editor-in-chief of My Eastern Shore Wedding - a digital planning resource and vendor directory to talk about what's actually happening across the Bay Bridge — from tent trends and bold design moments to building a tight-knit...

Ever wonder what really goes into designing weddings that feel intentional, personal, and seamless? In this episode of Weddings Unscripted , we share behind-the-scenes updates from our upcoming 2026 weddings — from destination celebrations to large-scale cultural events at iconic venues. We discuss how design concepts evolve, why cultural awareness is essential in planning, and the level of coordi...

Curious how wedding planners are actually using AI behind the scenes—and where they draw the line so creativity, connection, and trust stay human? In this episode of Weddings Unscripted , hosts Alexandra Pare and Alison Golt are joined by fellow wedding planner, designer, and mom of four, Jessica Ashley . Following her standout panel appearance at the DMV Collective, Jessica dives deeper into how...

What if the most powerful marketing tool in the wedding industry isn't social media, ads, or algorithms — but real human recommendations? Welcome to Weddings Unscripted . In this episode, hosts Alexandra Pare and Alison Golt sit down with Tony Stubblebine , Founder & CEO of Benable , to explore how word-of-mouth marketing is evolving — and why it matters more than ever in a world shaped by AI, Gen...

Ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes when booking a live wedding band—and why logistics, timing, and trust matter just as much as talent? In this episode of Weddings Unscripted , Alexandra Pare sits down with Felicia Kettler of Sam Hill Entertainment to pull back the curtain on what it truly takes to book a live band for weddings and events. Felicia brings a unique perspective as bo...

Wondering how Gen Z couples are really finding, vetting, and choosing their wedding vendors—and why what worked five years ago might not work anymore? In this episode of Weddings Unscripted , we are joined by Adrienna McDermott of Ava , an expert on Gen Z consumer behavior, to unpack how the next generation approaches wedding planning. From how Gen Z shops and researches to what builds trust (and...

Ever wonder why the final month or two before your wedding suddenly feels like a full-time job? You've booked the vendors, chosen your menu, and sent the invitations… so why does it feel like there's more to do now than ever ? In this episode, Alex and Alison walk couples through everything that happens in the final stretch — the tasks planners can do, the ones they can't , and why that last push...

If you've ever wondered what it really takes to run a wedding venue — the logistics, the zoning restrictions, the noise ordinances, the late-night load-outs, the neighbor complaints, the staffing puzzle — this episode is a must-listen. This week, Alison sits down with Sarah and Jenna of Brick & Mortar , the powerhouse team behind some of DC's most beloved event spaces. They break down everything c...

What really goes into creating a wedding film that makes you feel the magic all over again? In this episode, Alex and Alison sit down with Whitney and Taylor of Bowen Films , the sister duo behind some of the most heartfelt and cinematic wedding films in the industry. They share how their father's legacy inspired their work, what couples often overlook when choosing a videographer, and why video c...

Ever wondered what it really looks like to build a thriving wedding planning career while juggling motherhood, pumping breaks in parked cars, surprise school pick-ups, and the occasional chair-hauling at 9 months pregnant? 🤯 In this candid episode, we peel back the curtain on the realities of being moms and wedding planners — the balance, the guilt, the boundaries, and the moments that make it al...

Ever wondered what couples are really thinking when they scroll through your Instagram or hop on a discovery call? This week, we sit down with former client (and Weddings Unscripted listener!) Maggie Rault , who planned a six-event wedding weekend in Washington, DC. From her perspective as a bride, Maggie shares how she navigated vendor research, chose her dream planner, and found creative ways to...

Welcome to Weddings Unscripted ! Ever wonder how a vintage rental company became one of the most trendsetting forces in the DC wedding scene? In this episode, we sit down with Dawn and Molly of Something Vintage — the powerhouse duo redefining event design through color, craftsmanship, and creativity. From humble beginnings collecting teacups to running a 35,000-square-foot warehouse , Dawn shares...

Ever been stuck in a long bar line at a wedding and thought, "There has to be a better way" ? You're not alone. In this episode of Weddings Unscripted , Alex and Alison continue their candid conversation with Mary Margaret of Ridgewells Catering , diving deep into what it really takes to create a seamless, guest-centered dining and bar experience. From perfecting staffing ratios to preventing thos...