Lifting the Veil

Children at Weddings? Let’s Talk About It.

It’s one of the most debated (and emotionally charged) wedding topics out there—children at weddings. Some couples can’t imagine saying “I do” without their littlest loved ones in attendance, while others dream of an adults-only celebration without high chairs, meltdowns, gentle parenting (oy!) or early bedtimes. So…who’s right?

In this episode, we’re diving headfirst into the pros and cons of having children at weddings. From heartfelt moments and family traditions to logistics, guest experience, and the need for the adults to have a child-free night out, we unpack what couples really need to think about before making the call. Whether you’re firmly "Team Kids", "Team No Kids", or somewhere in between, this honest (and judgment-free) conversation will help you feel confident in choosing what’s best for your day.

If nothing else, you giggle at how awkwardly Kathy and Christina make their way through this hot button topic. 

You thought you hired a wedding photographer or planner…but little did you know, you also got a therapist.

In this episode, Kathy and Christina dive into the unofficial role every wedding pro takes on; becoming a make-shift therapist for their couples. From family drama and emotional overload, to managing expectations and calming nerves, they share why these moments are not the exception—they’re the norm. 

With humor and honesty, they explain why couple's family dynamics aren’t as unique as they think (sorry!) and why embracing this role actually leads to smoother planning, stronger relationships, and a better overall wedding experience. Spoiler alert: they don’t just accept it—they fully embrace it.

If you’ve ever talked feelings before timelines, this episode is for you.

The wedding pro survival guide for building a sustainable business without burning yourself out...or trying like hell. 

Christina kicks us off with words that hit home, "Let’s be real — running a creative business is hard enough. Add homeschooling two kids, working with your spouse, and trying not to burn it all down? That’s a whole different game."

Then Kathy coming in with the corporate to "side hustle" shift...."I'm no longer able to just focus on the craft of what I love, now we have to build a sustainable and responsible business. Let’s just say it’s not all coffee shops and flexible hours.”

So let's dig in and discuss what burnout and boundaries really look like for creatives in the wedding industry. And let's throw balance in the mix because we love to make things even more complicated sometimes....so here we go. In this episode Kathy & Christine discuss: 

• What it's like to go from a hobby or side-hustle to a full blown small business, with spouses, family responsibilities, children, pets, etc. all while trying not to burn the house down accidentally. 
• Why is it so easy for us to miss the early warning signs? You can pretty much blame adrenaline and passion for masking the damage. Maybe we see the early signs, but we're REAL good at ignoring them because there are already so many other things to focus on. 
• How the industry’s triple-standard message: 1). hustle harder, 2). look perfect, 3). act “chill” no matter what.
• The emotional cost of what people only see on "pretty" social accounts.
• The cost of measuring success only by booked dates and income.
• Failed personal & professional boundaries. 
  • Recognizing when “yes” is actually self-sabotage.
  • Learning to say "no" with grace and without guilt. 
  • How no’s lead to better yeses (and fewer regrets).
  • Why failing at boundaries sometimes teaches you more than setting them. 
• Protecting your homelife, your spouse, children and yourself.
• Shutting down after a certain hour — or at least trying to. 
• Navigating client expectations when you are your brand. 
• The Big Lie of “Balance”
• Practical Tools for Sustainability
• Encouragement for the Vendor in Survival Mode
  • Christina: “You’re not failing — you’re adapting.”
  • Kathy: “This season won’t last forever. Your worth isn’t tied to your output.”
• In closing, remember you can't do your best work if you're running on empty, and NO, you don't have to earn your rest. 

Finally feeling like you're not alone? Share your story. We'd love to know what challenges you have as a small business owner/creative professional and how do you manage those challenges. 

You may have seen this social media trend going around….”Things We Would Tell You if We Weren’t Afraid of Hurting Your Feelings”, we're going to share our take on the trend. While we've got a LOT of things we could share, we've narrowed down our Top 10. This episode is unfiltered for sure, and has language so if you're listening without headphones or around the kiddos, be advised they may need to "ear muff". 

We'll give you the list here (in no specific order) but you'll have to tune in to get the full details, explanation and unfiltered opinions from Christina and Kathy. Okay, strap in and let's do this! 

1. Why Hire a Professional if You’re Going to Argue with Their Advice? 
2. Yes, You Do Need a Rain Plan & Outdoor Summer Weddings are Miserable
3. No, You Likely Won’t Be Able to Attend Your Cocktail Hour
4. You’re Delayed Response is Bottlenecking the Process
5. You Don’t Want a Planner, You Want Someone to Follow YOUR Instructions 
6. If You Are Comparing for Vendors by Price Alone, Then I’m Not the Vendor for You
7. Uncle Bob Doesn’t Need to Bring His Camera
8. A Pinterest Board Isn’t a Shot List
9. Your Ceremony Start Time Matters (A Lot)
10. Don’t Ask For Fun Wedding Party Photos If you and Your Wedding Party Aren’t Fun
11. BONUS TIP! You'll have to listen for this one :)

Before the cake is cut and the dance floor opens, there are five conversations that every couple should have — and they might be a little uncomfortable. In Episode 46, Kathy and Christina get honest and real about the top 5 things you should talk about before your wedding day:

1. Children

2. Finances

3. Goals

4. Religion

5. Sex

These are the topics that can make or break your long-term connection, and yet they’re often the hardest to bring up. That’s why this episode is all about getting the conversation started. Kathy and Christina walk through each topic with insight, compassion, and a bit of humor — because we all know what they say about assuming (it makes an ass out of you and me!).

Whether it’s deciding if you want kids (and when), figuring out how to navigate finances, setting goals for the future, aligning your beliefs, or navigating the ever-evolving topic of sex, these are the conversations that matter. Relationships grow and change, and the key to staying connected is being able to talk through those changes together.

Kathy and Christina share why it’s crucial not to assume your partner wants the same things you do, how to approach hard topics with grace, and why communication is the most romantic thing you can do for your relationship. From planning your future family to imagining what your life looks like in 20 years, this episode is full of encouragement to sit down, ask the big questions, and get on the same page with your partner.

Don’t miss this one — because love isn’t just about the wedding day; it’s about building a life together after the confetti settles. 

In this eye-opening episode of Lifting the Veil, Christina and Kathy dive deep into the concept of wedding dysmorphia—that overwhelming feeling couples experience when Pinterest boards and social media dreams collide with real-world wedding budgets and timelines.

Our wedding pros offer advice on approaching planning with clarity, communication, and priorities. They break down what a realistic wedding budget in Dallas looks like (spoiler: a stunning day with nothing over the top averages around $55,000) and offer encouragement for couples to focus on textures, color palettes, and personal design touches that reflect them, not a late-night Pinterest scroll.

Plus, they share tips on how to avoid falling into the trap of comparison, how to build a wedding “brand,” and why asking your vendors about challenges they’ve overcome might be the most valuable interview question of all.

Whether you’re deep in planning or just getting started, this is an episode every engaged couple needs to hear. 

Ever been dazzled by a vendor’s “award-winning” status and thought, “Wow, they must be the best!”? Hold up, gorgeous. Before you get swept away by the glitter, let’s talk truth.

In this episode, we’re peeling back the sparkly curtain on wedding industry awards. Spoiler alert: many of these accolades are more about paying than earning. That’s right—some vendors are just buying their bragging rights. 💸

We’ll dive into:

• The reality behind those shiny badges—are they truly earned or just purchased?
• Why popularity contests don’t always equate to quality service.
• The importance of reading genuine reviews and scrutinizing past work.
• Trusting your gut over glittery titles.

Remember, your wedding is about you, not about someone else’s bought prestige. Let’s empower you to make choices based on authenticity, not just accolades.

With love and real talk,

Kathy & Christina 💕

If you are a "thick glowing goddess", or pretty much anyone with a pulse, this episode is for YOU. In this episode, our two thick glowing goddesses tackle the "I need to lose weight to fit into my dress pandemic. 

Common problems among brides, bridesmaids, moms, grandmoms, etc are : 

• Waiting for alterations so you can lose as much weight so your dress will be perfect. Unless you're going wicked hard-core, or jumping on the weight loss shot bandwagon, it's just not a practical task.. 
• Identify why you are listing to the negative tape in your brain that is living rent free in your brain. our fiancé thinks you're perfect, your friends think you're perfect and in case you don't know it, you are indeed perfect just as you are! 
• We all have childhood trauma will live in our psyche. Your brain power can take over in a hard core way.
• Don't wait for that fleeting moment you feel "perfect" to live your best life. Life is short and best of all, now, so let's do this damn thing baby. You are perfect !!! Give yourself grace and work toward reprogramming your brain 

In the past, the wedding industry has been guilty (and still is in certain arenas) of making a bride feel less than if she isn't skinny enough, pretty enough or God forbid she doesn't have enough money for the type of wedding you think she should have. It's time for us to stop allowing what we think others think of us and worry about what we think of us. What our partners, our families, our besties think of us is all that matters and even THAT is up for debate.  Did you know you have to size up 2-3 sizes for a bridal gown and THEN alter down. That in and of itself will do a number on your emotional state. 

What is the negative tape that place in your head and how do we stop it? Do you have an eating disorder? Have you ever really wanted help but not quite ready to get started? If you're finally ready and looking for help, contact https://www.eatingrecoverycenter.com. We are not affiliated with nor do we specifically endorse this location. We are simply providing a local options in the DFW metroplex and providing a preliminary link to local options. Please do your own research and contact your trusted physician to begin you deprogramming journey. 

References: Follow https://www.instagram.com/danaemercer/ for your daily dose of normalcy and love.  

With all love, Kathy & Christina

What are the top 10 most common wedding planning mistakes most couples make? Everyone has an opinion about this but together we  have pulled together the most common mistakes we hear about from couples. And you know the drill, these are in no specific order...that's not how our brains work. 

1. Hiring your vendors too soon or without proper research.
2. Hiring vendors outside your budget point. And you need to know how much is allocated PER vendor and/or category for your wedding or event. 
3. Paying your vendor's full price upfront. 
4. Not responding to your planner or vendors in a timely fashion.
5. Not reading and/or understanding your own contracts. 
6. Inviting more guests than you are prepared to accommodate or pay for.
7. Not trying on your wedding day attire. ALL of it. Everything you are supposed to wear. 
8. Not talking to your photographer about THEIR timeline to meet YOUR needs. 
9. Not allocating enough time for your portraits.
10. Don't let trends dictate your wedding day. 

What are your thoughts? Have you experienced any of these or know someone that has? These are common and you shouldn't be embarrassed if you're guilty of one or more....we've all be there. But take a listen as we provide best practice tips for avoiding these dreaded mistakes. 

Are you planning a destination wedding? Thinking it'll be easier, save you money, be fun for all involved...maybe think again. While destination weddings are magical and amazing, there is just as much work involved, if not more. 

Being outside the country there are often elements that can affect literally everything you do. Island time and mountain time are real...everything takes a bit longer that it does in the states. Weather is often an issue. You have to deal with extreme heat, cold, humidity, snow, sand, etc. All those things need to be considered when planning for you, your family, your guests and your vendors. Planning for back-up options is key. Ask yourself "what happens IF??" 

Don't fret, Kathy & Christina have insight that will plant seeds and provide real world experience for all the little things that can go wrong alongside all the things that will also go right. As always, the key is education, being prepared and plan back-ups. Tune in to listen and learn!