🎙️ Episode 5: Avoid These 5 Wedding Planning Mistakes

Episode Description (for Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.):
Planning your dream wedding? In this episode, Jennifer Starr of J.Starr Wedding Company shares the five most common mistakes couples make—and how to avoid them—so your planning experience feels calm, confident, and joy-filled from start to finish.

💍 Episode Highlights

1️⃣ Trying to Please Everyone
It’s impossible to make everyone happy. Stay grounded in what matters most to you and your partner.

2️⃣ Overestimating Ballroom Size
Bigger isn’t always better. A cozy, inviting space creates connection and celebration energy.

3️⃣ Miscounting Invitations
Remember—it’s one invitation per household, not per person. Save money and simplify your process.

4️⃣ Underestimating Guest Timing
If your ceremony and reception are at different locations, plan realistic transitions or mini breaks for guests.

5️⃣ Expecting to Know Everything
You don’t need to have all the answers. That’s why expert planners and vendors exist—to guide, support, and simplify.

✨ Jennifer's Final Thought

Avoiding these five common mistakes will help you plan with intention and joy. Your wedding is more than logistics—it’s a reflection of your love story. When you focus on meaning over perfection, you create a celebration that feels truly you.

💫 Connect with J.Starr Wedding Company

📍 Website: www.jstarrweddingcompany.com

📧 Email: [email protected]

📸 Instagram: @jstarrweddingcompany

🎙️ Episode 5: Avoid These 5 Wedding Planning Mistakes

Episode Description (for Spotify, Apple Podcasts, etc.):
Planning your dream wedding? In this episode, Jennifer Starr of J.Starr Wedding Company shares the five most common mistakes couples make—and how to avoid them—so your planning experience feels calm, confident, and joy-filled from start to finish.

💍 Episode Highlights

1️⃣ Trying to Please Everyone
It’s impossible to make everyone happy. Stay grounded in what matters most to you and your partner.

2️⃣ Overestimating Ballroom Size
Bigger isn’t always better. A cozy, inviting space creates connection and celebration energy.

3️⃣ Miscounting Invitations
Remember—it’s one invitation per household, not per person. Save money and simplify your process.

4️⃣ Underestimating Guest Timing
If your ceremony and reception are at different locations, plan realistic transitions or mini breaks for guests.

5️⃣ Expecting to Know Everything
You don’t need to have all the answers. That’s why expert planners and vendors exist—to guide, support, and simplify.

✨ Jennifer's Final Thought

Avoiding these five common mistakes will help you plan with intention and joy. Your wedding is more than logistics—it’s a reflection of your love story. When you focus on meaning over perfection, you create a celebration that feels truly you.

💫 Connect with J.Starr Wedding Company

📍 Website: www.jstarrweddingcompany.com

📧 Email: [email protected]

📸 Instagram: @jstarrweddingcompany

Episode Description:
In this episode of More Than Just a Wedding, I sit down with my dear friend and fellow wedding planner, Andrea Leslie, to explore the art—and heart—of planning a truly intentional wedding. We dive deep into the challenges couples face, the lessons Andrea has learned from decades of helping people celebrate love, and the moments that have left a lasting impact on her personally.

Andrea shares:

• Her journey into the wedding industry and what drew her to this work
• Common areas where couples get stuck or overwhelmed—and how to navigate them
• Tips for making your wedding feel personal and intentional, not just “by the book”
• Heartfelt stories that shaped how she views love, commitment, and family
• Insider advice on timelines, first looks, and choosing vendors who feel like the right fit

Plus, we have a little fun discussing some classic wedding questions: Should you schedule a first look? And why personality may matter more than price when picking your dream vendors.

We wrap up with a signature question: What does “more than just a wedding” mean to you? Andrea’s answer is as thoughtful as it is inspiring.

Whether you’re a couple planning your big day or a wedding professional seeking insight, this conversation is packed with heart, wisdom, and a few laughs along the way.

Connect with Andrea Leslie Weddings:
Website: www.andrealeslieweddings.com

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @andrealeslieweddings

Listen and get inspired to plan a wedding that’s not just beautiful—but meaningful.

🎙️ Episode 3: Protect Your Energy — Wedding Planning Without Burnout

Wedding planning is exciting—but it can also be overwhelming. In this episode, we’re talking about how to protect your energy, set boundaries, and actually enjoy this season of your life.

Learn how to:

• Keep your wedding emails organized with a separate account
• Set “wedding work hours” to avoid burnout
• Choose vendors and a bridal party that support you
• Focus on what truly matters so your wedding feels as good as it looks

✨ Your energy sets the tone for your entire wedding—protect it, and the rest will fall into place.

Subscribe to More Than Just a Wedding for stress-free, intentional wedding planning tips and insights you won’t find on Pinterest.

Every bride wants to feel confident, radiant, and stress-free on her wedding day—and your hair and makeup play a huge role in that. In this episode, I sit down with Linda from Linda V Salon, a Phoenix-based bridal beauty expert who has built her reputation on creating timeless looks that truly last, from happy tears to hours of dancing.

Linda shares what to look for when choosing your hair and makeup artist, how far in advance to book, and her best advice for preparing for a smooth, relaxed wedding morning. We also dive into the importance of a bridal trial, tips for making your beauty last through hugs, heat, and emotions, and what to do if you’re a bride who doesn’t usually wear much makeup but still wants to feel extra special.

Whether you’re planning a big bridal party or just want to feel like the best version of yourself, Linda’s insight and calm approach will help you feel prepared and confident for the big day.

Interview Questions Covered

1. Linda shares her journey into bridal hair and makeup and what inspired her to open her company.
2. Key qualities to look for in a hair and makeup artist.
3. How far in advance to book hair and makeup.
4. Tips for preparing for a smooth wedding morning.
5. Handling large bridal parties and when to bring in a team.
6. What to expect during a bridal trial and how to prepare.
7. Best practices for long-lasting hair and makeup (tears, hugs, Arizona heat, dancing).
8. Advice for brides who don’t usually wear much makeup but want to feel radiant.
9. One universal piece of advice Linda gives to every bride.
10. How to connect with Linda and learn more about her services.
11. Linda’s perspective on how a wedding day is about more than just the wedding itself.

✨ Connect with Linda V Salon:
www.lindavsalon.com/weddings

About Linda V Salon
Linda and her team specialize in creating timeless, natural, or glam bridal looks, offering both in-salon and on-site services across Phoenix. Their artistry includes advanced techniques like airbrush makeup, tattoo cover-up, and seamless hair extensions. Linda emphasizes personalized schedules, stress-free mornings, and beauty that lasts all night—from tears and hugs to dancing. Brides can choose customized packages for themselves and their bridal parties, with detailed timelines tailored to ensure the morning runs smoothly. 

Highlight from Linda V Salon

• On-location or in-salon bridal services.
• Expertise in natural, glam, and timeless looks.
• Bridal trials recommended to ensure the perfect look.
• Uses double-layering makeup techniques to withstand emotions and movement.
• Personalized schedules to keep the bridal party stress-free and on time.
• Serving Phoenix and surrounding areas (25-mile travel radius).

Planning a wedding comes with what feels like a million decisions—but before you dive into the details, there are four foundational choices that will shape your entire planning journey:

1. Guest Count – Why starting with a realistic number matters and how it impacts every other decision.
2. Budget – How to approach it without stress and make sure it reflects your priorities.
3. Date – Tips for choosing a wedding date that makes sense for you, your families, and your venue.
4. Venue – Why this is often the biggest piece of the puzzle and how to make the right choice.

In this episode, I’m joined by April Warner, our Director of Team Development and Senior Lead Planner, to walk you through each of these steps. Together, we’ll share insider insights, common pitfalls to avoid, and practical tips to help you feel confident in your earliest (and most important!) wedding decisions.

Whether you’re newly engaged or feeling stuck on where to start, this conversation will give you a clear path forward—so you can plan with more joy and less overwhelm.

✨ What you’ll learn in this episode:

• The order you should make your first wedding decisions
• How your guest count drives your budget (and why it’s not just about numbers)
• Smart ways to set a budget that actually works for you
• What to consider when choosing your wedding date
• Why your venue decision impacts nearly every other choice you’ll make

Gift for You: 

•  Download our complete Wedding Budget Checklist with every line item you’ll want to consider → Download Here

Links & Resources:

• Follow along on Instagram: @jstarrweddingcompany
• Visit my website for planning tools & resources: www.jstarrweddingcompany.com

Let’s Connect:
If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to hit subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes of More Than Just a Wedding. And if you found this helpful, I’d love it if you’d leave a review—it helps other couples discover the show!

Hi All!

I’m so excited to officially introduce the More Than Just a Wedding podcast! This has been a dream in the making, and I’m thrilled to finally bring it to life.

This podcast is about so much more than logistics, timelines, and to-do lists. It’s about the heart behind a wedding—the relationships, the meaning, and the life that unfolds long after the big day. My hope is that each episode will inspire you, encourage you, and remind you that your wedding is just the beginning of something even greater.

I can’t wait to share these conversations and reflections with you. Thanks for being here at the very start of this journey—I’m so glad to have you along. 

💛Jennifer Starr