Now You May Kiss Podcast with Chanelle Carlin, your Celebrant for Life

"Don't just rent the venue. Feel yourself in the space. This is the place where your marriage begins."

— Patti Falconer, Parties on the Terrace

There are countless beautiful wedding venues throughout the Pacific Northwest, but beauty alone doesn't make a place unforgettable.

In this episode of Now You May Kiss™, I sat down with Patti Falconer, co-owner of Parties on the Terrace, to explore what truly makes a wedding venue special and why choosing your venue isn't simply about where you'll celebrate, but where you'll begin your marriage.

As I listened to Patti share her heart for hospitality, one thought kept returning to me: the best wedding professionals don't simply provide services; they create spaces where marriages begin.

That's a philosophy I deeply believe in as Your Celebrant for Life™, and it's why I couldn't wait to share this conversation with you.

I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did.

What does it really take to build a marriage that lasts?

In this heartfelt episode of the Now You May Kiss™ Podcast, Chanelle Carlin sits down with relationship mentor, Quora Elder Advisor, author, and grandmother Belle Gayer on her 54th wedding anniversary to explore the lessons she's learned from more than five decades of marriage.

Together they discuss:

• Why romantic love naturally changes and why that's actually good news;
• The difference between falling in love and building enduring love;
• Navigating financial hardship, grief, and life's unexpected challenges;
• Why self-worth is essential to healthy relationships;
• Daily habits that keep couples emotionally connected;
• The power of communication, empathy, and intentionality; and
• What every engaged couple should focus on before their wedding day.

Whether you're recently engaged, newly married, or celebrating decades together, this conversation offers timeless wisdom and practical encouragement for creating a marriage that grows stronger with every season.

Mentioned in this episode:
• Are Relationships for Suckers by Belle Gayer
• FREE Download: 5 Questions Every Couple Should Ask Before They Say "I Do"

Remember...

Your wedding is a moment. Your marriage is a lifetime.

After the vows are spoken and the celebration ends, many couples find themselves in a space no one really talks about.

A quiet comedown.
A sense of “now what?”
Even unexpected sadness.

In this solo episode of Now You May Kiss™, Chanelle Carlin—wedding officiant and Celebrant for Life™—opens an honest, compassionate conversation about the post-wedding blues.

Why do so many newlyweds feel a sense of loss after such a joyful day?
What emotional shifts are actually happening beneath the surface?
And how can couples move through this transition with intention and connection?

This episode is a gentle reminder that nothing has gone wrong—
you are simply stepping into something deeper.

Because while the wedding is a moment…the marriage is the meaning.

A short and heartfelt check-in from Chanelle.

After a quieter month, she shares a personal update—navigating a family health scare, settling into a new home, and honoring the need for rest in an unexpected season.

She also shares some exciting news:

Now You May Kiss has been nominated for a Women Podcasters Award in the Society & Culture category.

If this podcast has ever resonated with you, your vote would mean so much. Voting is open April 1–30.

https://www.womenpodcasters.com/awards-nominees?page=5

Regular episodes return next week—with more meaningful conversations, beautiful love stories, and intentional guidance for your marriage journey.

What happens when love, marriage, and entrepreneurship all intersect?

In this episode of the Now You May Kiss Podcast, Chanelle sits down with transformational relationship expert Annie Yatch, who helps entrepreneurial couples strengthen both their partnership and their business.

Annie’s work focuses on helping high-performing couples dismantle subconscious patterns of control, competition, and unresolved trauma so they can lead—and love—with deeper connection and unity.

Together, Chanelle and Annie explore how couples can shift from conflict to connection, navigate feedback without defensiveness, and transform their relationship into their greatest leadership asset.

You’ll hear practical tools for improving communication, resolving conflict with compassion, and creating a shared vision for the life and business you’re building together.

If you’re an entrepreneurial couple—or simply committed to building a strong, intentional marriage—this conversation will give you powerful insights to strengthen your relationship.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why many relationship conflicts are driven by subconscious “stories”

• How couples can identify and shift the narratives that create disconnection

• The importance of defining your relationship’s desired emotional state

• Practical techniques for navigating conflict with compassion

• A powerful framework for giving and receiving feedback without triggering defensiveness

• Why the goal in conflict should always be to “race back to connection”

Because a thriving marriage isn’t accidental—it’s intentional.

Destination Weddings Done Right with Carolyn Kulb of Windward Path

Did you know that 1 in 4 couples is now choosing a destination wedding?

In this episode of the Now You May Kiss (TM) Podcast, Chanelle Carlin welcomes back luxury travel advisor Carolyn Kulb, owner of Windward Path, to talk all things destination weddings.

From European villas to mountaintop elopements in the Pacific Northwest, Carolyn shares who destination weddings are perfect for — and who should think twice. They discuss legal vs. symbolic ceremonies, managing guest logistics, travel insurance, budgeting realities, weather considerations, and how to build the right team so you’re not overwhelmed.

If you’re dreaming of saying “I do” somewhere extraordinary — or wondering whether a destination wedding is truly right for you — this episode will help you plan wisely and beautifully.

What if your wedding day didn’t require choosing between celebration and caregiving?

In this heartfelt episode of Now You May Kiss, host Chanelle Carlin sits down with Chelcy Flores, founder of Devote Home Care and Devote Event Care, to explore how couples can include beloved grandparents and family members with special needs—without added stress.

Chelcy shares the deeply personal story behind Devote Event Care and how her background in nutrition, orthopedics, and home care led her to identify a major gap in the wedding industry. Together, Chanelle and Chelcy discuss how intentional planning, compassionate support, and gentle presence allow couples to stay fully present while ensuring their loved ones are safe, comfortable, and included.

From intimate mountain ceremonies to destination weddings, this conversation is a powerful reminder that weddings are not just about two people—but about generations, legacy, and love.

If having your grandparents and loved ones there truly matters to you, this episode will open your eyes to what’s possible.

Guest: Vic (Victoria) Thomas – New Zealand Celebrant & Founder of My Celebrant

In this heartfelt and globally-minded episode of *Now You May Kiss™, Wedding Officiant and Celebrant for Life™ Chanelle Carlin sits down with Vic (Victoria) Thomas, a New Zealand-based marriage celebrant and the founder of My Celebrant—the world’s first celebrant-specific business management platform.

Together, Chanelle and Vic explore what it truly means to be a celebrant: not just someone who officiates weddings, but a professional who holds space for life’s most meaningful milestones. From deeply personal ceremony creation and micro-weddings, to building sustainable, heart-led businesses that support family life, this conversation beautifully blends love stories with leadership.

Vic shares how becoming a celebrant — and later a mother of three — inspired her to rethink systems, boundaries, and client experience, ultimately leading to the creation of the mycelebrant app, now live in New Zealand, Australia, the UK, and Ireland. The episode also reflects on the sacred impact of marriage itself, the shifts that occur after “I do,” and the privilege celebrants hold as witnesses to love, legacy, and lifelong commitment.

Whether you’re a couple planning a meaningful wedding, a celebrant seeking alignment and sustainability, or someone who believes in the power of intentional ceremony, this episode will leave you inspired, grounded, and full of hope.

Now You May Kiss™ Podcast | Featuring Carter Eve of Carter Eve Jewelry

What makes an engagement ring truly meaningful? In this episode of the Now You May Kiss™ podcast, Chanelle Carlin sits down with Carter, founder and designer of Carter Eve Jewelry, for a heartfelt conversation about intention, craftsmanship, sustainability, and honoring love stories through thoughtful design.

Carter shares her journey from a childhood fascination with gemstones to becoming a formally trained fine jewelry designer with degrees from SCAD and RISD, and an apprenticeship under a master goldsmith. Together, Chanelle and Carter explore why engagement rings and heirloom jewelry should never be one-size-fits-all — just like weddings and marriages themselves.

From reimagining family heirloom pieces into modern, wearable designs, to practical advice on caring for fine jewelry, appraisals, and insurance, this episode is filled with wisdom for couples who want their rings to reflect who they truly are — not outdated rules or trends.

If you’re newly engaged, planning to propose, or dreaming of a ring that reflects your lifestyle, values, and story, this episode is a must-listen.

About our guest:Carter Eve is a Los Angeles–based fine jewelry designer known for creating modern heirlooms with timeless intention. Classically trained as a goldsmith, she specializes in custom engagement rings, wedding bands, and heirloom transformations—reimagining meaningful pieces for a new chapter. Each design is rooted in thoughtful craftsmanship, refined materials, and the belief that jewelry should be both deeply personal and made to last a lifetime.

Veils are more than an accessory — they’re a moment, a memory, and often the finishing touch that transforms a beautiful dress into a wedding look.

In this episode of the Now You May Kiss™ Podcast, host Chanelle Carlin sits down with Bethany Spence, owner and lead designer of August Veils in Portland, Oregon. Bethany shares her serendipitous journey into the bridal industry, how she came to lead one of the Pacific Northwest’s most beloved veil studios, and why veils continue to hold timeless significance for modern brides.

Together, Chanelle and Bethany explore:

• The evolving traditions of wedding veils

• How veils can elevate, balance, and personalize a bridal look

• Modern veil trends, from lace and blushers to vintage-inspired styles

• Practical advice for outdoor weddings, wind, and veil security

• The beauty of heirloom veil restoration and multi-generational wedding pieces

• When (and how) to choose the right veil — even if you think you’re “not a veil bride”

Whether you’re newly engaged, planning an outdoor wedding, or drawn to meaningful heirloom details, this episode offers thoughtful insight and expert guidance from a true artisan of bridal design.

🎧 Tune in and discover how the right veil can complete your wedding-day story.