What this podcast is all about & why we decided to end it after 8 years

For 8 years, The Big Wedding Planning Podcast has been a go-to resource for real, honest, and unfiltered wedding planning advice. With hundreds of episodes and an incredible community of listeners, it’s helped thousands of marriers plan their weddings with clarity, confidence, and heart.

This final episode is both a love letter to longtime listeners and the perfect starting point for anyone just discovering the show.

Michelle is joined by the original co-host, Christy Matthews, for a heartfelt and candid farewell conversation that includes:

1.  A breakdown of the must-listen episodes to start your wedding planning journey:

• Ep 3 – Firsts: What to Do Right After You Get Engaged

• Ep 4 – Budget: How Much?

• Ep 5 – The Guest List

• Ep 31 – The Final Details

• Ep 176 – The Ceremony Layout

• Ep 210 – Crash Course in Wedding Planning

• Ep 392 – How to Start Wedding Planning: Your First Steps

2. Favorite guests, most memorable moments, and behind-the-scenes stories

 3. How the podcast has impacted their lives—and why it’s time to say goodbye

 4. An honest look at the challenges of keeping a passion project going for 8 years

Whether you’re brand new here or you’ve been listening since day one, this episode captures the heart and spirit of what made The Big Wedding Planning Podcast so special.

To every listener, guest, and supporter: thank you. You made this show what it was.

Though this is the final new episode, the entire catalog will remain available for free—full of timeless, practical content to guide you through your wedding planning journey.

Love you, love your show!

—
Hosted & Produced by Michelle Martinez
Music by Steph Altman of Mophonics

Follow us On Instagram @thebigweddingplanningpodcast and be sure to use #planthatwedding when posting, so you can get our attention!

In this episode, we dive straight into the essentials of wedding attire alterations with Cora Mercer from Tailored in White. Discover actionable tips on how to save money on tailoring while ensuring your attire fits like a glove on the day of. Cora explains the intricacies behind alteration costs, gives advice on handling size changes, and shares the best bustling techniques to enhance both comfort and style. She also covers when to seek out a tailor and the expected timeline for the alteration process. Listen in for invaluable insights that will help you navigate wedding attire adjustments smartly and creatively!

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What you will learn

Links We Referenced

Tailored in White Website

Tailored in White on Tik Tok

Tailored in White on Instagram

Pinterest: @tailoredinwhite

The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is...

Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez & Shaun Gray

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This episode is packed with actionable advice on ensuring your wedding attire perfectly captures your unique style and story, aligning beautifully with your overall wedding aesthetic. Join hosts Michelle and Shaun as they chat with wardrobe stylist Risa Kostis, who shares expert insights on personalizing your wedding look, coordinating your wedding party's outfits, assisting your parents in finding the right fits, managing attire changes, and preparing for unforeseen wardrobe mishaps. Tune in to transform your wedding attire choices into unforgettable elements of your celebration.

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Topics We Covered

About The Guest

Risa Kostis is a seasoned wardrobe stylist, The Wedding Emergency Stylist™, a speaker, and entrepreneur based in Phoenix, Arizona. She is the founder of top styling company Risa Kostis Creative and CEO/co-founder of The Rescue Kit Co, offering fashion emergency kits for brides and beyond. 

Links We Referenced

Risa’s Website

Risa on Instagram

Wedding Day Fashion Emergency Kit

Rescue Kit on Tik Tok

Risa on Tik Tok

Revolve

Asos

Anthropologie Weddings

Birdy Grey

Show Me Your Mumu

House of CB

Dessy Group

Lulus

Eloquii plus size

Dillards Department Store

Suit Supply

Bonobos

Men’s Wearhouse

Nick’s Menswear

The Tie Bar

Indochino

Brooks Brothers

Bindle & Keep

LT Custom Style

The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is...

Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez

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If you're investing in a wedding planner, it's crucial to ensure they're truly experts. But how can you tell? In this episode, we unpack everything you need to know to make an informed decision. From identifying genuine expertise to understanding the nuances of what makes a planner right for you, we cover it all.

Whether you're looking locally or branching out virtually, this episode provides the know-how to ensure you pick a planner who aligns with your vision, budget, and expectations.

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Topics We Covered

The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is...

Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez

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We're kicking off this YAWA episode with a major announcement! Joining Michelle as the new co-host of The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is none other than Shaun Gray, a stellar wedding planner who's here to stay! 🎉🕺🔊And, as always in true YAWA style, we dive deep into your wedding planning questions. Get ready to pick up some invaluable tips and tricks for your wedding day!

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Topics and Questions That Were Covered

The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is...

Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we are unraveling the often-overlooked aspect of wedding planning—insurance. What’s the difference between liability and cancellation insurance? Why is insurance crucial even if you don't foresee any issues? Do my vendors need liability policies? Our guest is David Berke, founder of eWed Insurance. David's expert insights will guide you through the complexities of insurance policies, making this essential planning tool accessible and straightforward.

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Topics We Covered

About Our Guest

eWed Insurance, founded by David Berke, a 27-year veteran of the wedding and event industry, provides specialized liability and cancellation insurance to protect couples’ special day from unforeseen mishaps. Liability insurance covers incidents like slip-and-falls and property damage, while cancellation insurance safeguards deposits if events are postponed or canceled due to issues like severe weather or vendor bankruptcy. Prior to eWed, David was the President of Colin Cowie Lifestyle, an internationally recognized luxury lifestyle brand.

Links We Referenced

www.ewedinsurance.com

eWed Instagram

eWed Facebook

eWed Tiktok

https://www.ewedinsurance.com/blog/why-couples-should-always-buy-wedding-cancellation-insurance/

https://www.ewedinsurance.com/blog/

AM Best Rating for insurance companies

The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is...

Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez

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From creative favors to unforgettable experiential events, this episode showcases 5 innovative small businesses that elevate wedding celebrations with unique offerings. Whether you're planning an intimate gathering or a lavish celebration, these businesses provide exciting alternatives like DIY book bars, sophisticated mobile cigar lounges, and personalized ice cream stations. Perfect for any wedding-related event—from the main celebration to the welcome reception and rehearsal dinner—these ideas will dazzle your guests and make your special day truly memorable. 

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Episode Takeaways:

Featured Businesses and Special Offers:

The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is...

Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you planning a wedding that blends cultures or strives for inclusivity? In this episode, we dive into the colorful world of multicultural weddings and female empowerment in wedding planning with international etiquette expert, Jamila Mousaiva. Jamila brings her unique perspective on blending traditions and modern etiquette to help you navigate the complexities of family dynamics and cultural expectations. Whether you're trying to incorporate diverse cultural elements into your ceremony or seeking tips on making all guests feel included, this episode is packed with insightful, actionable advice. Perfect for couples looking to personalize their wedding with elegance and respect, Jamila’s advice ensures your big day is as thoughtful as it is memorable. Join us for a fun, enlightening discussion that breaks the mold of traditional etiquette!

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Topics We Covered

About The Guest

Jamila Musayeva is a certified etiquette teacher, a 3X author on etiquette, and a YouTube creator with nearly 1 Million subscribers, focusing on international etiquette. Raised in Azerbaijan with a rich multicultural upbringing, Jamila is fluent in six languages, and her approach to etiquette intertwines personal development, female empowerment, and cultural appreciation, striking a delicate balance between progressive living and preserving traditions.

Jamila teaches etiquette to ambassadors, young diplomats, as well as everyday people who consume her content and attend her events. Jamila has written three etiquette books, ‘Etiquette: the least you need to know’, ‘Afternoon Tea Etiquette’, and her newest book ‘The Art of Entertaining at Home’, and she’s grown her audience to over 1 million in just a few years

The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is...

Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michelle hosted a Wedding Planning Happy Hour last year for a large group, primarily brides, and answered numerous wedding planning questions from all stages of the process. Listen in to learn a great deal from this episode and hear about others' experiences with planning their weddings.

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Topics and Questions That Were Covered

The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is...

Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you know if a photographer is right for you, and what are the red flags to watch out for? 🚩📷 Join Michelle as we dive into the world of wedding photography with our listener Emily. She brought us along on her two-month journey to find the perfect photographer for her wedding. It was a wild ride! With the help of photographer Raven Shutley, we guided Emily and her partner through the process, offering plenty of advice and support. You’re going to learn a lot from this episode!

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Topics We Covered

About The Guest

Raven Shetley - Raven is a talented wedding photographer based just above Atlanta, Georgia, with 17 years of experience. She specializes in capturing genuine, heartfelt moments, making her a trusted expert in the wedding industry. You can check out her beautiful work on Instagram at @RavenShutleyStudios or visit her website RavenShutleyStudios.com. Feel free to email her at [email protected] for any questions or inquiries.

Links We Referenced

Raven on Instagram

Raven’s Website

The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is...

Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices