In today’s episode, Danielle and Sara welcome John Rogers, a recently married half of a same-sex couple. John talks about planning a same-sex wedding and the challenges that come with it, covering such aspects as vendors, family and traditional concepts.

John reminds vendors to be mindful of words they use and advises listeners on how you can find gay-griendly vendors that are accepting. He goes on to discuss how to handle friends and family that are not accepting of your marriage and how to incorporate traditional concepts in your wedding. John also discusses the dynamics of last names and highlights why you should focus on what really matters - your marriage.

Finally, the group shares their hilarious wedding horror stories that illustrate why you should use professional vendors, and plan ahead for unforeseen circumstances.

Make sure to follow Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram, where you can ask questions, share stories, and suggest topics for future episodes. You can also check out Danielle’s Floral Design company at RuffledWillow.com, as well as Sara’s gorgeous barn wedding locale at BurdocFarms.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

• Planning a same-sex wedding and the challenges that come with it
• Being mindful of your words as a vendor
• Navigating gay-friendly vendors
• Vendors needing to become more friendly and accepting
• Focusing on what really matters
• How to handle family and friends that are not accepting of your marriage
• Wedding parties and bridal parties for a same-sex wedding
• Last names in same sex marriages
• 
  
• Wedding horror stories

Quotes:

“When my husband told me about picking a June date, I looked at him knowing about us in the wedding industry. I was like, no, because I'm working.”

“As a vendor, you should think about your words.”

“Marriage is not about what you want in life. It's more about what is more important to you”

“I kept my last name, he kept his. We're married. That's all that matters to us.”

“I think every wedding should do what is important to you.”

Links:

Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram

Danielle

Ruffled Willow Floral Design website RuffledWillow.com

@RuffledWillow on Instagram

Sara

Burdoc Farms, Weddings & Events website BurdocFarms.com

@BurdocFarms on Instagram

In today’s episode, we have Danielle and Sara all to ourselves as they share advice on how to prioritize your budget when beginning to plan your wedding. They discuss how to set up a budget and why you should book professionals ahead of time to get the dream wedding you’ve always wished for.

Our hosts start by discussing the need to prioritize your budget according to what you want at your wedding, be it the photographer, venue, or dresses. They go on to offer their thoughts on how you can set up a budget and how to have hard conversations around your budget with your family. Danielle and Sara also encourage you to book vendors ahead of time and encourage your guests to RSVP, making this yet another episode filled with extremely valuable advice from these two undisputed experts in the field.

They finish up by sharing more hilarious wedding venue horror stories that illustrate why you need to get vendors that you trust and professionals that have good reviews.

Make sure to follow Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram, where you can ask questions, share stories, and suggest topics for future episodes. You can also check out Danielle’s Floral Design company at RuffledWillow.com, as well as Sara’s gorgeous barn wedding locale at BurdocFarms.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

• Take the time to enjoy your engagement before starting to plan a wedding
• Give your children fun things on family trips
• Prioritize what you want at your wedding
• A guest list and a budget are very important
• If your family is pitching in, you need to have a conversation with them if they have preferences
• Decide on a realistic guest count and determine if you want a wedding planner or not
• Reach out to professionals ahead of time
• If vendors do not reply, find others
• Be sure to note in your invitations if you don’t want children at your wedding
• Encourage your guests to RSVP
• 
  
• Wedding horror stories

Quotes:

“80% of people get engaged between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day.”

“Trips are really important for families.”

“What you want people to say about your wedding, how you want to feel on your wedding day. That's important.”

“Our goal is to help you get the dream wedding at a budget you can afford.”

“We want you to be happy. The wedding is not about us. It's about you. And knowing your budget can let us direct you into where to go.”

“The biggest thing is to prioritize. What is your priority? Is it the venue? Is it the photographer? Is it the dress? Is it the floral decor? Location? ”

Links:

Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram

Danielle

Ruffled Willow Floral Design website RuffledWillow.com

@RuffledWillow on Instagram

Sara

Burdoc Farms, Weddings & Events website BurdocFarms.com

@BurdocFarms on Instagram

Madison Barger, co-founder of M & M Event Bartending, is Danielle and Sara's special guest on the podcast today. Serving primarily Clarksville and Middle Tennessee, M & M helps design cocktail menus and estimate necessary quantities for events, and works with wedding vendors on such topics as scheduling and champagne toasts.

Drawing upon her experience in the industry, Madison talks about the ins and outs of hiring a bartending service for your events, and offers specific advice on why you should choose canned beers over kegs and over bottled beers. She also discusses how to create a drinks budget for your event, how many bartenders you should hire based on the number of guests you are expecting, and clarifies the difference between liquor liability insurance and liquor licenses. Other topics addressed are tips about hiring a bartending service, how cleanup is handled, and why you should verify the policies of your venue before booking them.

Finally, the group shares their hilarious wedding venue horror stories that illustrate why you should trust your bartenders, watch your bridal party around alcohol, and take it easy on the alcohol the night before your wedding.

To learn more about M & M Event Bartending, visit them on Facebook.

And make sure to follow Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram, where you can ask questions, share stories, and suggest topics for future episodes. You can also check out Danielle’s Floral Design company at RuffledWillow.com, as well as Sara’s gorgeous barn wedding locale at BurdocFarms.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

• It’s booking season so book your vendors if you haven’t done so
• Today’s guest is Madison Barger, co-founder of M & M Event Bartending
• Liquor liability insurance helps your bartenders protect your events and guests
• Professionals help you curate your cocktail menu and give you a bar setup
• The issues with choosing kegs over canned beers
• Why canned beers over bottles?
• Creating a drinks budget for your event
• Typically, it's always beer and wine, and an open bar at weddings
• A liquor license is important if alcohol will be sold at your event
• Handling intoxicated guests
• Cutting someone off when they’ve had too much
• Do not make your couple signature drinks complicated
• The right bartender-to-guests ratio
• Let your venue know if you are bringing in your own liquor
• Tips and charges
• How to handle cleanup
• Wedding horror stories
• 
  

Quotes:

“Don't do kegs, you're going to regret it .”

“Eventually you're going to have to cut somebody off. ”

“If you're having 300 guests, please do yourself a favor. Have at least two bartenders.”

“Clean up the bar, wipe it down, take out the trash. And that's just something that I personally like to do.”

“You have a professional bartender for a reason. Let me serve and make sure you're having a great time. Responsibly.”

“Take it easy on the night before your wedding.”

Links:

Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on...

In today’s episode, Danielle and Sara welcome Cari Holder, the owner of Eventfull by Cari, a business that does ‘a little bit of everything’ including event planning, event coordination, and event design. They offer their clients full set up and take down service, and also have an ever growing inventory of rentals - almost 8000 square feet worth - ranging from the expected to the highly unique. The ‘rentals’ aspect of Cari’s business has certainly taken off over the years, and she is here today to share that story as well as the value that rentals provide when planning your special day.

Cari talks about what you need to know about rentals, their impact on your events, and why you should rent rather than purchase as this saves you time and cost. She shares her insight on how to fill dead spaces, how you can elevate your events with photo backdrops and lounge areas, and, in particular, why you should hire professionals so you can enjoy your day to the fullest. Cari also talks about setting up your event tables with unique centerpieces and rentals that can transform the look of your setup.

Finally, the group shares their hilarious wedding venue horror stories that illustrate why you should always choose your professionals for your events and to always be prepared for unforeseen circumstances.

To learn more about Eventfull by Cari, visit them on Facebook.

And make sure to follow Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram, where you can ask questions, share stories, and suggest topics for future episodes. You can also check out Danielle’s Floral Design company at RuffledWillow.com, as well as Sara’s gorgeous barn wedding locale at BurdocFarms.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

• Danielle talks about getting and treating COVID
• Today’s guest is Cari Holder, the owner of Eventfull by Cari
• Eventful by Carrie offers event planning, event coordination, event design, and unique rentals
• Unique rentals elevate your wedding
• Change the look of an entire table by filling up dead spaces with chargers or napkins
• Tips and tricks for rentals
• Use your budget wisely
• Don’t be afraid to mix colors and textures
• Design trends coming in 2022
• Spandex chair covers, chair sashes, and mason jars are trends that need to fade out!
• Purchasing vs renting
• Purchasing rentals leaves you with more cost and less time to enjoy your day
• Candles are an important part of your wedding
• Ensure to check with venues to know their policy around candles
• Photo backdrops elevate your wedding and give your guests something cool to take pictures
• Carrie’s wedding horror story
• 
  

Quotes:

“I'm very particular about what I own, what I use in my weddings. And I love to be able to tell brides or any type of client, that what you see in my photos is available.”

“Don't be afraid to mix textures and pull in your transitional colors.”

“The more color, the better.”

“I hate to tell y'all. I never liked the 70’s.”

“Your time is worth something. And this is the biggest event of your life. There are only a few big events in your life, and this is one of them.”

“Candlelight in itself can completely change the mood of a reception.”

“Trust your professionals.

On today's episode, Danielle and Sara welcome Callie Foster, a wife, homeschool mom to four, and the owner of Callie Foster Dessert Design, her business which specializes in providing brides with their dream wedding cakes in Clarksville, TN. Callie comes from a family that cooks, bakes and generally loves food, and so it seems fitting that she went to culinary school, after which she gathered experience working many events, and eventually started her own business when a newly engaged friend asked her to make her a wedding cake.

Today, Callie shares some tips for couples when it comes to wedding cakes and desserts, identifies the three most popular flavors and cake decorating trends, and reveals some ways to save money on cakes. She also talks about the tallest cake she has ever made, her thoughts on dummy cakes regarding being cost-effective, and the fact that some people don't really want cake but do want that look for the photo. Callie also discusses single large cakes versus the smaller cakes, the cost involved, and how creative she would be when decorating a cake to make a statement in her industry. She finishes up by noting how hard it can be when trying to grasp what a couple means by a ‘simple and rustic’ cake, and that, while Pinterest can prove helpful, it shouldn’t be relied upon for inspiration.

Finally, the group recounts their own wedding cake horror stories that illustrate why you should not have a middleman between the cake artist and the bride, and why you should use digital images for reference. They also delve into the fear of recommending other service providers and conclude that you should not be liable for whatever outcome may result.

To learn more about Callie Foster Dessert Design, visit them on Facebook.

And make sure to follow Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram, where you can ask questions, share stories, and suggest topics for future episodes. You can also check out Danielle's Floral Design company at RuffledWillow.com, as well as Sara's gorgeous barn wedding locale at BurdocFarms.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

●  Today's guest is Callie Foster from Callie Foster Dessert Design in Clarksville, Tennessee

●  They specialize in providing brides with their dream wedding cakes

●  Callie started her business when her friend asked her to make her wedding cake

●  She gives her best tips on wedding cakes and desserts

●  Callie advises her clients to always book in advance to secure the date

●  Her three most popular flavors

●  Cake decorating trends are just like the clothing and hair trends

●  The naked cake is not going away soon

●  For large tiered cakes, keep them refrigerated

●  Fresh Flowers on the cake are unbeatable, beautiful, and will match everything else

●  Callie’s tips on how to save money on cakes

●  Plan for 20% of people not eating cake

●  She shares her thoughts on dummy cakes and why people use them

●  Cost variations on large and small cakes

●  What her creative self would love to create

●  Pin lighting cake is cool and draws attention

●  Pinterest is a helpful tool

●  Use digital images for reference as...

On today’s episode, Danielle and Sara welcome Angie Gibbs from The Studio 3s Performance & Event Venue in downtown Hopkinsville, KY. Angie goes over everything you need to know about hosting small events with a big impact, whether that be your wedding, bridal shower, birthday party, or holiday celebration. She shares her helpful insight for couples who like to plan events themselves, and also acknowledges that the best way to enjoy your event with as little stress and troubleshooting as possible is to hire experts who can take care of all the logistics for you while still working within your budget.

Angie talks about giving yourself plenty of time to set up and break down your event, meeting with your venue ahead of time, confirming the number of guests attending, and renting linens. You’ll also hear how COVID has impacted the wedding industry, what type of events Angie sees most often in her studio, and why it’s so important to have a backup plan for your party.

Finally, the group shares their hilarious wedding venue horror stories that illustrate why you should always choose your bridal party carefully, be considerate of your vendors’ time, and use a staggered start for your sparkler display.

To learn more about The Studio 3s Performance & Event Venue, visit them on Facebook. 

And make sure to follow Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram, where you can ask questions, share stories, and suggest topics for future episodes. You can also check out Danielle’s Floral Design company at RuffledWillow.com, as well as Sara’s gorgeous barn wedding locale at BurdocFarms.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

• Today’s guest is Angie Gibbs from The Studio 3s Performance & Event Venue in downtown Hopkinsville, KY
• They specialize in smaller events that make a big impact
• They have an intimate space where guests can relax and have fun
• Many of Angie’s clients are fans of DIY and simply want to rent the space
• She gives her best tips to those who like to take on the event planning themselves
• Give yourself plenty of time to set up and break down
• Hire experts to make the planning process less stressful and rushed
• Consider renting linens
• Meet with your venue beforehand and walk through the logistics
• Confirm the number of guests you’ll be having
• Alcohol restrictions and guidelines at The Studio 3s
• How COVID has changed the wedding industry
• Angie has not seen many elopements in her space
• They do a lot of rehearsal dinners, birthday parties, bridal showers, Christmas parties
• Current supply sourcing issues
• September/October is the busiest wedding season
• Always have a backup plan in case the weather does not cooperate
• Wedding horror stories

Quotes:

“Pretty much any smaller event that you can think of is perfect at the studio.”

“The best advice I could give is to allot yourself extra time.”

“Let the people that specialize in doing those things do those things for you. This is a special time for you.”

“I would say linen rental is another thing that really is a no-brainer.”

“We have a lot of little nooks and crannies in the studio that can be set up to meet your individual...

On today’s episode, we have Sara and Danielle all to ourselves as they break down the biggest trends they’re seeing in the wedding industry right now, including the most striking color combinations, a resurgence of fun 70s aesthetic, and the heartwarming ways couples are paying homage to their families on the big day. Next, our hosts dive into the origins of some of our favorite wedding traditions, like why brides wear white, the bouquet and garter toss, bridal veils, and throwing rice at the happy couple. 

You’ll also hear which scents bring back wonderful (and not so wonderful) memories for Sara and Danielle, their hilarious take on the great dog versus cat debate, and why you should never smash a wedding cake into a beautiful bride’s face on her special day - in case that wasn’t clear. Finally, Danielle tells the sweet story of how she met her husband, and Sara shares the best marriage advice she ever received.

Make sure to follow Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram, where you can ask questions, share stories, and suggest topics for future episodes. You can also check out Danielle’s Floral Design company at RuffledWillow.com, as well as Sara’s gorgeous barn wedding locale at BurdocFarms.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

• Vibrant, iridescent colors, as well as warm tones are big right now
• When you’re looking at Pinterest photos, be careful it’s not a stylized shoot as these are always over the top
• 70s trends are making a comeback
• Modern, clean lines
• Couples are also incorporating their heritage into their weddings
• Queen Victoria made white wedding dresses the tradition we know today
• White was associated with wealth
• Origins of bridal bouquet and Danielle’s use of fragrant flowers to create beautiful sensory memories
• Bridesmaids were originally used to protect the bride and her dowry as she walked to the groom’s village
• Tradition of the veil
• Bouquet and garter toss
• Throwing rice as a symbol of fertility
• Bride and groom “First Looks”
• Average age of bride and groom
• How Danielle met her husband 
• Sara’s favorite marriage advice from her dad

Quotes:

“I'm seeing a lot of that goldenrod, mustard, lots of arches.”

“Be careful when you are looking at pictures that you're not looking at a stylized shoot, because it is always over the top.”

“I'm seeing a lot of disco balls when I'm looking online.”

“We have Queen Victoria to thank for having white dresses. Because pre-Queen Victoria, women couldn't afford white fabric.”

“Brides used to wear red. Up until Queen Victoria, they wore red.”

“Back in the day, the bridesmaids were used to literally send off or protect the bride as she was walking to the groom's village.”

“The group of women, who were similarly dressed, were expected to intervene if venture people tried to hurt the bride or steal her dowry.”

“It was common for the groom to take a bite of bread at the wedding, crumble the rest over the bride’s head for good luck, and then people would scramble to her feet to pick up the crumbs in order to absorb some good luck.”

“Originally brides wore veils to protect from evil, jealous spirits and to preserve their modesty.”

“Past couples didn't wait until their honeymoon to consummate their marriage. They would often do the deed right after saying, I do, the bouquet toss...

Chef Teeka from Southern Belle Catering joins the show today to answer all of Danielle and Sara’s questions about catering for your big day. Teeka explains what’s included with a catering service, the pros and cons of hor d'oeuvres, buffets, and plated meals, and how she handles food allergies and dietary restrictions. She talks about her passion for Southern comfort food with a modern twist, and the sacrifice involved with being a small business owner in the wedding industry. 

Next you’ll hear about the latest trends in wedding catering, how you can enhance your guests’ experience with food and displays, and Teeka’s best tips for working with a tight budget. Teeka also shares her insight on what to do with leftover food after your wedding, being courteous by feeding your wedding staff and vendors, and of course, the show ends with everyone’s favorite wedding catering horror stories. 

For more information about Chef Teeka, visit the Southern Belle Catering or Southern Belle Deli Facebook groups. You can also call the Oak Grove location at 270-697-5098, or the Hopkinsville location at 270-874-5670, or email Teeka at [email protected].

Make sure to follow Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram, where you can ask questions, share stories, and suggest topics for future episodes. You can also check out Danielle’s Floral Design company at RuffledWillow.com, as well as Sara’s gorgeous barn wedding locale at BurdocFarms.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

• Today’s guest is Chef Teeka from Southern Belle Catering, which offers Southern comfort food with a modern twist
• Hor d'oeuvres tend to be more expensive than an actual meal
• Services provided by caterer
• Buffet versus plated meals
• Sacrifice and passion of small business owners in the wedding industry
• How Teeka deals with food allergies and dietary restrictions
• Teeka’s early experience baking cakes and how it evolved into catering
• Biggest trends currently in wedding catering, like stations, charcuterie boards, and late-night snacks
• Using risers to display the food and add to the guests’ experience
• Making sure your caterer can accommodate your vision and dietary needs
• Staying within budget for food and beverage
• Get a specific head count at least three weeks in advance
• Teeka likes to serve two meats to give guests options
• Provide “To Go” boxes for your guests 
• Be courteous by feeding staff/vendors
• Clarify whether your caterer is full service
• Wedding catering horror stories
• Having a community of vendors and the value of communicating with one another

Quotes:

“Basically my thing is Southern classics with a modern day twist. So I love all the Southern comfort foods that I grew up on, but I like to put that modern day twist on it.”

“For us it's about making the guests feel special, so that's why we always want to serve.”

“Shout out to all the small business owners because it's a lot of work. And a lot of people...just see the fluffy side… They don't see the...

Here to tell Danielle and Sara about the wedding planning process from the perspective of someone who just went through it is newlywed Maggie Pelletier, who married her husband, Joe, in June of 2021. Maggie shares how long it took her to plan her wedding, what her dress shopping experience was like, and how her catering company added to the full experience of the day. As a self-proclaimed “DIY Budget Bride,” Maggie describes the ways she used family and friends as vendors to cut down costs, and encourages other brides to hammer out their budget from the start.

Maggie also offers her thoughts on what she wishes she would have done differently in planning her wedding, including staying organized on her guest count, checking in on the reception before entering, and doing a private “First Look” before the ceremony. She talks about being clear and efficient in the planning process but not sweating the small stuff, balancing your own vision while respecting your parents’ wishes, and hiring excellent vendors to make the most of your special day. Maggie wraps up with her advice about when to leave for your honeymoon, and of course, you’ll hear some truly cringe-worthy wedding horror stories about questionable cake artists and misplaced wedding rings.

Make sure to follow Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram, where you can ask questions, share stories, and suggest topics for future episodes. You can also check out Danielle’s Floral Design company at RuffledWillow.com, as well as Sara’s gorgeous barn wedding locale at BurdocFarms.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

• Maggie is a newlywed who just married her husband, Joe, in June of 2021
• It took them just over a year to plan their wedding
• Maggie’s dress and catering were big priorities early on
• Maggie recommends talking about your budget from the beginning
• Don’t rush into planning your wedding - soak up your engagement for a week or two  first
• Maggie and Joe used Postable.com to collect address information from guests
• Their biggest challenge was the amount of people to invite
• Remember that not everyone will stay for the reception or drink alcohol 
• Stay organized on your guest count
• Check out the reception before you enter so you can appreciate everything that went into the event
• Consider doing a private “First Look” before you walk down the aisle, so you can truly appreciate the moment before your nerves have set in
• This also carves out some special time for just the two of you
• Having an earlier wedding may also allow for more pictures and less stress
• Try not to sweat the small stuff - if something goes wrong, you probably won’t even notice
• It helps to be organized and efficient in the planning process
• Bringing your own vision to light while also respecting the wishes of your parents
• Maggie used Makenzie Made Films for her videographer and had an exceptional experience
• When deciding on a DJ versus a band, go with your personal preference
• If midnight seems too early to end the event, consider planning an after party
• Wait until Monday to leave for your honeymoon
• Hilarious wedding horror stories
• Remember, when things go wrong, hardly anyone will notice and it will make a fun story for the couple to...

Join hosts Sara and Danielle today as they speak with the extremely talented cosmetologist and makeup artist, Emmy Ward. Based out of Princeton, KY, Emmy works at The Q Salon and she specializes in bridal makeup. She talks about her passion for hair and makeup, and finding her path to this career. She then dives into all of her favorite tips and tricks for brides concerning hair and makeup on their big day, including doing a trial run beforehand, what to expect in terms of gratuities, and which types of foundations and products to use as a bride. She explains how to find a look that enhances your natural beauty rather than getting lost in the makeup, what to ask potential hair and makeup artists to make sure you’re a good fit, and she describes her signature “soft glam” look. You’ll also hear about Emmy’s favorite makeup products, how she makes her brides stand out, and the typical budget for wedding hair and makeup services. 

Follow Emmy on Facebook and Instagram to view her stunning work. And make sure to follow Not Your Pinterest Wedding Podcast on Instagram, where you can ask questions, share stories, and suggest topics for future episodes. You can also check out Danielle’s Floral Design company at RuffledWillow.com, as well as Sara’s gorgeous barn wedding locale at BurdocFarms.com. Thanks for listening!

Episode Highlights:

• Emmy Ward is a Hair and Makeup artist (HMA) based in Princeton, KY
• She works at The Q Salon in Princeton
• For weddings, she typically sticks to makeup only as it’s rather hectic to do hair as well
• Emmy recommends having two separate professionals to do hair and makeup in the interest of time on the big day, especially with large bridal parties
• She recommends scheduling about one hour per person for both hair and for makeup
• She discovered this career during her sophomore year of college and has never looked back
• Her biggest recommendation is to do a trial run as this helps you narrow down your aesthetic and take the pressure off on your wedding day
• You can also do a test run for portraits on the same day you have your hair and makeup done
• Gratuities are never expected, always appreciated, especially for associates who may not own the business
• Thank-you notes also go a long way
• Which types of foundation and products to use so that you feel authentic to who you are rather than getting lost in the makeup
• Emmy likes to get to know the bride ahead of time and get a sense of the look they’re going for
• Foundation also depends on the time of year and your skin type
• Emmy explains her process for keeping tools clean and sanitized
• She feels that getting licensed is important for cosmetologists, but there are also talented people out there who aren’t licensed
• You want to make sure you’re a good fit with your hair and makeup artist, and that you’re on the same page with the look you’re going for
• Emmy’s signature look is a soft glam
• Her favorite lip product is Pillow Talk by Charlotte Tilbury
• Emmy feels the bride should always stand out and have a different look from her bridesmaids - bridesmaids can have a similar look, but the bride should have a little extra
• Portrait trials can help you make sure...