Congratulations! You’re getting married! Now, what? Where do you start? Lucky for you, Fallon is here to be your personal Bride Guide — welcome to Wedding Planning 101. On this very special episode, Fallon details the entire vendor process, including when to start, in what order to book, and what to look out for in the contracts. Then, we hear from you, as Fallon pulls submissions from the Brides inbox and her personal DMs & offers her professional opinion. If you *just* got engaged or you’re about to start your wedding planning journey, this is the best place to start.

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Fallon asked for the audience for a destination bride getting married in Italy and indeed, she received. Enter RBB Kim Hawkins, joining the podcast this week to share all the things you need to know (and what you should expect) when planning a destination wedding. From firing a wedding planner due to cultural differences, to finding a venue for the ceremony that accommodates multiple religions, she’s been through it all. Then, hospitality guru Antonella Merli steps in to discuss one of our all-time favorite topics: the guest experience. Through her own experience as the Area Director of Sales for Belmond Hotels, she recommends the little touches for guests that go a long way.

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RBB Taylor Sanders joins Fallon this week to talk about marrying her college sweetheart in a multicultural ceremony. She shares the ways they’re honoring their 10-year relationship, including having a poet write custom poems for each guest as a party favor. Then, Fallon advises her on the best practices for menus (and dietary restrictions) during a buffet, wedding logos, reception curfews, and blended families. How should Taylor involve her stepmom in the festivities to make her feel special… and not upset her mom? Expert Ahna Hughes — the owner of Dear Bayard, a boutique floral studio in Brooklyn — joins to discuss repurposing florals from the ceremony to the reception when on a tight floral budget.

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This week, Fallon welcomes back Mila White, a return RBB who has already had an intimate church ceremony but is just days away from a far larger, and grander, celebration. They walk through the logistics that even a type-A bride (like Mila) can miss, including factoring in breaks for the band, coordinating multiple costume changes, and acing the first dance... even if you don't have rhythm. Gabby Rello Duffy, the Editorial Director at brides.com, joins to assuage Mila of her planning regrets. As they wrap up, Gabby shares what’s trending, and what is no longer, in the ever-evolving world of weddings.

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RBB Alyssa Blanchette joins Fallon to hammer out the delicate details surrounding her Vermont wedding (without *gasp* WiFi). First things first, alcohol. How do you navigate the open bar vs cash bar debacle when your future in-laws are footing the bill? Then, they get into the rabbit hole that is DIY-ing and dealing with a noncommittal groomsman. While on the topic of the wedding party, Fallon brings on expert hairstylist and friend, Tinika Sadie, to guide Alyssa in her search for inclusive hair & makeup artists. Tinika explains what will make everyone feel their best... and it may or may not involve a mood board.

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Fallon and RBB Caitlin Carpenter begin this week’s episode discussing Caitlin’s intimate destination wedding in Austin. Despite starting the planning process even before her engagement, she’s experienced the same struggles that brides planning a smaller-scale wedding face. Fallon brings in the big guns to help: Gretchen Culver, owner of Minnie Weddings & micro wedding specialist. Together, Gretchen and Fallon advise Caitlin on the best ways to shoot her shot when it comes to vendors, venues, and hotels. Gretchen also shares the positives of a smaller guest list, such as working within a tighter budget and having the time (and let’s be honest — energy) to hyper-personalize the guest experience.

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This week, Fallon welcomes Lizzy Hale, our RBB whose wedding is taking place in August as an unintentional yet intentional ode to T Swift. After Lizzy expresses her anxiety about perfecting the guest experience, Fallon gives her two cents on structuring the run-of-show (despite what wedding TikTok has to say) when having a ceremony later in the day and wanting the speeches to be as seamless as possible. Expert Allison Raskin — writer, comedian, mental health activist, & fellow August 2023 bride — enters the chat, giving Lizzy permission to feel all the feelings. Allison helps Lizzy reframe her mindset to be less solution-oriented and, well, more selfish. Brides: it's your big day, after all.

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Mazel tov! RBB Jamie Spock joins Fallon to talk all about her big fat lesbian-Jewish wedding. First things first, Fallon advises Jamie on how to bring together three seemingly different themes. Then, Fallon makes a case for stations (aka a buffet) and shares other ways of working with your budget to get the vendors and wedding that you want. Ainsley Blattel, Director of Brand and Marketing at Modern Rebel, joins the party to give their perspective as one of the first non-binary wedding planners in the country. The trio discuss being intentional with your choice of vendors and making the wedding feel authentic to you and your fiancé — especially in an industry that focuses on the bride, but has little tradition for weddings with two.

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Fallon welcomes yet another RBB, Hannah Djalleta, with a wedding just a month away. *cue The Final Countdown* They cover from A to Z wedding guests and photographers, including coordinating with guests living abroad, budgeting under the assumption every person RSVP's yes, and finalizing HMU timelines & shot lists. As they get into the disagreements Hannah and her fiancé faced mid-planning, they're joined by the perfect expert: Maggie Doherty, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (and 2022 bride). She shares best practices for avoiding tension in your relationship, though normal throughout the planning process, and staying present on your wedding day.

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Just a month before her Palm Springs wedding, RBB Payal Vitha joins Fallon to cover her (decor) bases. What’s the best way to decorate a large venue without spending the remainder of your budget on flowers? While on the topic of venues, Payal shares the questions she asked — and everyone should ask — to find the perfect venue. Expert Sneh Diwan, wedding planner & founder of Diwan by Design, joins the conversation to discuss unsolicited family input. The trio tackle boundary-setting, as well as finding that sweet spot between tradition and modernity and carving out time with your fiancé in the whirlwind leading up to your wedding.

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