Amanda Lund and Matt Gourley are getting married! They’ve been planning their wedding and they have a lot of awesome advice! They are getting married in a few short weeks and they’re checking in with us at this point in the process...Amanda just had her bridal shower, Matt is busy with woodworking for the wedding reception signage, and we pick their brains about planning, vendors, social media, and what kind of stuff pisses them off...when it comes to the wedding industry. (It may all be a racket, people.)

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Big Takeaways

Matt and Amanda take wedding planning breaks! What? Brilliant. Michelle and Christy think this is very smart. It’s good for mental health.

When you have big families, having a shower is a wonderful way for everyone to meet each other before the wedding. Silly games break the ice and can be really fun for multigenerational groups - young and old, everyone loves the toilet paper wedding dress game! (Or they hate it. But they have something in common!) Amanda was surprised by how much she enjoyed the shower...and by how tired she was afterwards. You have to preserve your energy for these events!

It’s ok to change your mind. Your initial budget will likely be left behind when you make new decisions and spend a little more money here and there. It’s ok. Roll with it. You can still have your priorities, but you also want to enjoy your day, so if you have decided, after much back and forth, that you actually DO need a DJ...just hire one. You’ll enjoy the day more if you aren’t stressed about a lack of professionals, just to save a little cash. Matt and Amanda didn’t initially think they were going to hire a florist or DJ. They hired both, ultimately.

We’ve mentioned this before - but it bears repeating. Your wedding is YOURS. Make up your own rules. Keep the traditions you like, toss out the ones that don’t work for you. Matt and Amanda talk to us about their non-traditional wedding party and why it is just perfect for them.

Links we referenced

Matt and Amanda’s first episode

Margaux The Cat

Amanda’s hilarious NEW comedy podcast ‘Complete Joy’ on Stitcher Premium

Music by Bonnie

Quotes

“Turns out, people love wedding stuff! And everyone wanted to come, if they were able to.” - Amanda, surprised at the turn out at her bridal shower

“It’s not too rustic, we just wanted people to dress up a little bit, and not wear, like, hoodies.” - Amanda, on the theme of the wedding...it’s outdoors, it’s vintage-y, but it’s still a little fancy, y’all!

“What’s wrong with moss?? It’s alive…” - Michelle, digging deep with Christy and her hatred of moss in wedding decor

“We have done a tremendous amount ourselves and it’s probably as much, if not more, if you include parts and labor.” - Matt, on the virtues of DIY in your wedding

“We decided to hell with it, let’s just do what we want to do.” - Matt, on how they decided to embrace their ‘uneven’ wedding party

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The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is…

Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez 

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Michelle Walker made it easy on us for this episode - she came with a detailed outline of what she wanted to talk about. A top 10. Yay! Here are her most important tips for your wedding planning:

Top 10 Things Wedding Photographers Want to Say to Clients (but usually don’t…)

1) Have a long cocktail hour. 75-90 minutes. So you have time to mingle with your friends and family, and it allows for GREAT candids of the guests. Photographers would much rather shoot candids during this time rather than going to each table during dinner. Who wants pictures of half eaten food in their photos? Also - if you have a lot of family portraits to take after the ceremony, you won’t be able to join cocktail hour AT ALL if you have a short cocktail hour. Why miss out on that fun time with your guests?

2) First Looks (REVEALS) are awesome. More private, and you’re more in control. (Or your photographer is) And you both look more relaxed during the ceremony. Plus, it can be a really special memory, and some of the only time on the wedding day that you are sort of alone with your partner!

3) Allow at least 2 hours for the photographers to hang out and take photos during Hair and Makeup - the Getting Ready portion of the day. Hair and Makeup artists like to work with amazing light...so often times, these can be the most flattering photos of the day. It’s ideal if you can arrange to have a photographer shooting the Getting Ready portion of the day with both partners (typically this means 2 photographers, 2 rooms).

4) Skip the garter and bouquet toss. Or if you decide to do it, embrace the retro vibe! This may be a trend that is coming back...we’ll see

5) HIRE A PLANNER. I mean, do we even have to explain this one? We agree, obvi.

6) Hire a professional hair and makeup stylist...it’s not that much more expensive and it makes for better photographs. This is a photographer, people! She knows what it’s like to retouch shiny faces. Heed her warning!

7) If you can, have your rehearsal dinner 2 nights before your wedding, not the night before. You want to drink, stay up late, catch up with friends...you can’t really party with your friends when you know you have to get up at 6am for hair and makeup. I mean, you can, but it’s not ideal.

8) Plan a private 10-15 minutes with your photographer...maybe sunset, maybe right after dinner. It’s a time to reflect with each other, and it’s a time for the photographer to get amazing, intimate photos of you before you go back in and party and it all goes by so fast. You don’t even know you want this time until you are actually in the moment.

9) Unplug, y’all! Somewhere along the lines, tell your guests to put their phones away. And to let the photographers do their job. It’s a way of reminding everyone how important a wedding day is - and how much you want to just be present with them and enjoy. This is especially important for the ceremony.

10) Buy an album. It’s not cheap, but it’s worth it. Michelle talks about the power of print. We totally agree with her. It’s an heirloom - invest!

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Links we referenced

Michelle Walker on Instagram

Michelle Walker's website

Westin St Francis, SF website

Sunrise/Sunset calendar that Michelle and Christy use for every timeline

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Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez 

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We’ve been doing a lot of interviews and heavy informative stuff on the podcast lately, so we needed to circle back to the fun we have doing this show together as co-hosts! Not that interviews aren’t fun - because they definitely are, but we miss each other!

In this episode, we love on each other, and we love on you, our dear listeners and fans! Join us for some laughs, some Spanish lessons, and we hope you can hear our smiles as we read some of your emails to us, and some reviews!

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Big Takeaways

We’re global! People are downloading our podcast in Mexico, Australia and all over Europe. Weddings! Everyone loves ‘em.

You love us, you really love us! A couple reviewers mentioned how informative and FUN we are. Aw shucks, y’all. You sure know how to make two wedding planners feel special.

Some listener questions we addressed:

Here’s whats coming up in the next few weeks

Michelle’s interview with Michelle Walker, wedding photographer

Michelle’s interview with Kathy Newby, Abbey Party Rentals

Christy’s interview with her BFF Lauren - Lauren is a bride and the wedding is SOON!

Michelle and Christy touch base with Matt and Amanda - our awesome podcasting engaged couple...their wedding is coming up soon too and they have lots of wedding planning wisdom to share

Hair and Makeup Timeline - hints and necessities

Wedding DIYs...what works, what doesn’t

Breaking down the Wedding Day Setup List

Social Media - Ah! Twitter...we need a twitter miracle. Christy is STILL looking for it. Every damn day. Follow us on twitter. Comment! Retweet!

Links we referenced

Our website! Specifically our profile page, which includes pictures of us.

Our host - Fireside It’s a podcasting platform for and by podcasters. We love it!

Quotes

“This is by far the best wedding planning podcast I’ve listened to.” - Boom! This is from a listener! Pugmaster!

“This person’s handle is ‘One Very Satisfied User’” “That is the same title I gave on the review I just wrote for a vibrator I bought on Amazon. One VERY satisfied user.” - Christy bought a vibrator. What?

“Your ability to relax and enjoy your wedding day is paramount...if you go into it with a positive attitude and you are determined to enjoy your day, you probably will!” - Christy, on just making the decision to be HAPPY

“Screw you, I did not say Spanish Dancers!” - Michelle. If she had a dime for every time she has to say that sentence!

“There’s no rule that says you have to cut into a cake. You can even have popcorn balls. Everybody likes a good popcorn ball.” - Michelle. I guess we know at least 1 person who loves popcorn balls!

Get In Touch

The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is…

Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez 

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In the San Francisco Bay Area, you won’t find a shortage when looking for a wedding DJ, but one company looms large on the wedding horizon - Denon and Doyle. In this interview, Michelle talks to owner Sue Doyle, manager and DJ Mark Haggerty and DJ and office manager Mark Addison about their experiences ‘in the field’. They have an amazing team of professional DJ’s and include supplementary services like lighting, photo booths, AV and even childcare for events. Also - virtual reality! What?!

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Big Takeaways

-Customer Service is TOPS. Accessibility for their clients is a priority. If you are a Denon and Doyle client, your questions are going to be answered and you will be treated professionally throughout the process. There is no room for EGO when you are a DJ backed by a big company like Denon and Doyle. We, as wedding planners, LOVE this.

-Most of the Djs at Denon and Doyle have not been professional DJs for a long time before working for the company. Sue mentions that bad habits are hard to break and they like to train their Djs in the Denon and Doyle way. No Cheese-balls here people.

-Sue’s #1 tip for engaged couples planning their wedding? Go into the company’s studio. Meet the DJs. See how the company is run. Does the DJ, or the company, have a client portal that you can utilize to input all the songs that you want and don’t want? Will the DJ go over the wedding day timeline with you? Is the equipment updated and upgraded? Are they insured (the answer needs to be yes!)? Is it possible to test drive a fancy dance floor or a photobooth? Denon and Doyle says YES to all of these questions.

-Virtual Reality sounds pretty cool on a podcast. But it’s SUPER COOL to do it for real. Michelle virtually kicks papaya butt on Fruit Ninja.

Links we referenced

Denon & Doyle Website

Denon and Doyle on Facebook

Get In Touch: 

The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is…

Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez 

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Becca Ashmon is one of Christy’s go-to makeup artists in Dallas/Fort Worth. In this episode, Christy interviews her and they talk about how Becca got into the industry, why being a makeup artist (MUA) is not for the faint of heart, how personality absolutely matters, and what brides can do to find the perfect MUA for their wedding day. Also, Becca shares her favorite makeup brands, and we talk about the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and drag queens because OF COURSE WE DO.

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Big Takeaways

From the world of high school and college theater, to the rooms of a sorority house pre-formal, to photographer’s assistant...Becca has HUSTLED since she was a teenager honing her craft. She talks about how ongoing education is imperative, and how she never turns down the opportunity to learn from someone she looks up to.

Becca is like a walking advertisement for sorority connections. By doing makeup for sorority sisters and friends for years, she curated a built-in client base. She talked about how much relationship building matters in this industry...which we totally agree about! If you are a bride looking for a MUA - you should absolutely do a trial and make sure that you LOVE her personality, and that you feel really great being around! And of course, you should love your face when you are in her capable hands.

For women of color, Becca has found several brands that she relies on for herself and for her clients:

Becca Cosmetics available at Sephora and Ulta - big range of colors

Lancome foundation

MakeUp Forever matte velvet - best for oily skin (and what Becca uses for herself)

Armani (if you can afford it!)

The ‘Smoky Eye’ - everyone wants it right now. But do we really even know what it is? The answer is most likely, no. It doesn’t mean black...and Becca explains how it’s more of a technique, involving fading.

Look for a MUA that can do TIMELESS, classic makeup. Becca uses the example of Celine Dion on her wedding day - her makeup stands the test of time. You don’t want to be able to pinpoint the decade by the look of your wedding makeup. Do whats perfect FOR YOU.

Drag Queens. Christy and Becca totally bond over their love and respect for these professionals.

Links we referenced

www.babeautytx.com - Becca’s website!

https://www.instagram.com/babeautytx/ - Becca on Instagram

https://www.scottbarnes.com - Body Makeup by Scott Barnes - Becca LOVES his body makeup. And he’s Erika Jayne’s makeup artist and we LOVE Erika Jayne

Quotes

“Quality Products are important - there are quality products for 8$ and there are quality products that are 80$... Until the day I die, L’oreal Voluminous in Carbon Black, until forever.” Becca, when Christy pushed her for her favorite budget mascara

“If a client can’t see themselves in your body of work, they aren’t going to hire you.” - Becca, on why diversity in your portfolio is super important

“Don’t spend $1000 on your shoes and then $50 on your makeup. Your shoes will be in 1 picture. Your face will be in every single one.” - Becca, truth

“If most people watched me do my own makeup, they would say it’s ‘Drag Level’ makeup. And let me be very clear: it is. It is. I was a theater kid!” -Becca, who explains that her face can take it

Get In Touch

The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is…

Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez 

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Big Takeaways

Michelle nails another awesome interview! This time, she channels Jerry Seinfeld - driving around town with Nancy, interviewing her for the podcast while they wander the East Bay streets. Nancy Liu Chin is a big time florist in the SF Bay Area, she has been in the biz for 15 years. She is sharing her wisdom, experience and passion for flowers and the wedding industry in this interview. Nancy made the conscious decision to find her path in the event design industry and landed on flowers. And thank goodness! Because we think her work is simply amazing. So is her work ethic, and her business sense and her personal style - so listen and enjoy!

Starting her business as a florist, Nancy knew that her flowers had to anchor the overall look. She was inspired by Stanlee Gatti, an SF legend

Expectations! They can be crazy in the wedding planning world - with Pinterest, and Style Me Pretty, and wedding magazines galore...it’s easy to get wrapped up in a bunch of images that you want to replicate exactly. Nancy gives her advice about how to approach creative vendors and allow yourself to trust them. Your mindset going into the design process can make all the difference.

Budget. You need a dose of realism when you approach your budget and your vision for your wedding. Nancy Liu Chin talks about the unattainable, and how to be inspired and budget conscious...and still design a gorgeous wedding. When a vendor asks you what your budget is for their service/products - tell them! This sets a very helpful parameter - and being upfront and honest is the best policy here, so you don’t go down a road that you have to walk back later. Also - the first question you should as a vendor that you are interested in is “Are you available? That needs to be asked even before you talk about your budget.

Lessons Learned and look Behind-the-Scenes - Nancy shares some of the insane installations she has done, and how logistics are a HUGE part of a florist’s job. What a cool job, amiright?! Here’s a tidbit - sometimes amahhhhhhzing floral walls are a combination of real flowers and silk flowers. And there are plenty of reasons for this. Let Nancy tell you.

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Links we referenced

Nancy Liu Chin Website

Stanlee Gatti Website

Quotes

“Thank God to the rental industry, they have really changed what it means to have a beautiful, reachable wedding and event.” - Nancy on elevating the floral design, and overall design of your event

“For anyone out there that thinks this is the career for them - just go for it! That’s my advice, just go for it.” - Nancy, business advice from a passionate pro

“If you are a couple planning a wedding, your mindset needs to be in the right place. And often, your expectation of an image to reality...it may not always translate. Don’t freak out.” - Nancy, on managing expectations with your wedding

“You have to go with your gut, you have to go with someone you click with, that you feel comfortable with and that is being authentic.” - Michelle, dropping the best vendor-hunting advice

Get In Touch

The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is…

Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez 

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In this episode, we reminisce about some of the funny/awkward/crazy stories from weddings we have done. Between the two of us, we have about 20 years of weddings under our belts. Remember - sometimes it isn’t funny during or right afterward, but in a year, it could be a hilarious story you tell at Thanksgiving! Having a sense of humor about life is imperative.

We hope you enjoy listening to this episode - we sure did enjoy recording it!

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Big Takeaways

Hey, sometimes things don’t go according to plan! Yes, it’s true and as wedding PLANNERS, we can attest to this. These stories are about the times that issues were addressed behind the scenes, or serious moments that were interrupted by some unexpected levity, or misunderstandings that will be really funny later in life,

In certain cultures or families, half of the people are ALWAYS late. Usually we all know who these people are and we love them anyway. Several of the ‘funny stories’ have to do with the late guests...what they miss, why they were late, what they interrupt when they arrive, just generally how clueless people can be. If you have family members and friends like this...tell them the ceremony starts 45 minutes before it actually does!

Some wedding traditions and parts of the day are an absolute liability. (Horah! Anything with fire! Live animals! Kids in general!) That doesn't mean you shouldn’t do them! It just means that you need to be cautious. Or tell someone else to be cautious for you (like your wedding planner…)

Wardrobe Emergencies! We’ve hemmed pants on groomsmen, we’ve dealt with two left feet - or shoes, repaired completely malfunctioning wedding dress zippers, and sewn more than a handful of buttons - this is why your wedding planner will have a heavy emergency bag on site to Be prepared and get it together!

Once the dancing gets really going, guests are hammered and the older people have left...these late hours of a wedding are the funniest. After a few cocktails, everyone is an amazing dancer. Sometimes the photographer has left by this time...which is ok. ;)

Links we referenced

none

Quotes

Get In Touch:

The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is…

Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez 

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

Michelle is sick and Christy has a fat lip - but we will carry on! It’s been a while since our podcast has gotten back to its roots...so to speak. We have been dissecting the WEDDING DAY TIMELINE, in our recent 3 piece mini-series, and Michelle recently interviewed Maria Chang, which was inspirational and insightful. We’ve just been craving a lighter, chatty chat, and we needed to catch up with each other! So here is what we threw around in this episode:

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Big Takeaways

The Real Housewives...we have decided that house-husband PK is no good. But we love you, Boy George!

How are we feeling about our podcast thus far?? Pretty great! How are YOU feeling about our podcast?? Please let us know. We love interacting with our listeners and we will try to answer all your quick questions on twitter and Facebook and beyond! Heck, we may even address your questions on the podcast!

Why are we doing the podcast? Because we love talking about weddings and we love talking to each other and one could argue that we both just love talking! And talking about something that we are knowledgeable and passionate about is pretty awesome. Knowing that people are listening and have found our advice helpful...big bonus! We feel grateful and we are having a great time! In this episode, we talk a little about our process, and our progress.

Weddings we are working on and networking we are doing: We’re busy wedding planners - with Michelle pounding the pavement in the Bay Area (her winter home for now), and with ties to Boston...about to head to Mexico, and Christy doing weddings in Dallas/Fort Worth...we almost have the country covered! Also, we talk about how Open Houses can be really helpful with your wedding planning.

Get In Touch:

The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is…

Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez 

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Big Takeaways

Logistics...Contract review...Vendor policies! This part is, admittedly, not the most fun part of wedding planning. Which is why it’s a feat that Christy and Michelle managed to make talking about it FUN. Or at least we tried. This is part 3 of 3 - TIMELINES.

Part 1 - Framing. The Main Events.

Part 2 - Fun! The Micro Events.

Part 3 - Plugging in the rest. We break down all the ‘little’ details that will flesh out and complete your final day-of timeline.

Here is the list of logistics that we reviewed and dissected:

Getting the word out - You need to send your vendors and venue manager your timeline and you need to do this with enough time for them to review it, and get back to you with questions or necessary adjustments. One change by one vendor can affect the timeline for everyone else, so you’ll send out a semi-final version and then make changes and then send out a FINAL-FINAL version.

Hey! Remember, this part is detailed and might get a little frustrating, especially the transportation part. (A great wedding planner can help with this!) And when you are done with your timeline - frame it! Just kidding. But you should let yourself revel in it a little. You did it and now it’s time to enjoy the big day You’ve figured it all out. Now let the pros handle it.

Who, what, when, where. Include full addresses. The timeline is the map and the instructions, and you will give it to vendors and they’ll have to find their own way on the wedding day. Be detailed, and write everything down in a clear and concise way.

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The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is…

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Big Takeaways

THE AMERICAN DREAM! Maria Chang came to the USA back in 1986, as an 11 year old child refugee from Nicaragua. Maria has been a professional make-up artist for over 20 years.

This is a bit of a departure from our normal show, but it was too good not to put out there. Yes, you will gain some make-up tips for your wedding day, but that is not all. In this episode, you will hear a hard-working, motivated, strong, intelligent, entrepreneurial, woman tell her story.

Oh and we PROMISE, next week to bring you Part 3 of our 3 part Wedding Timeline Series. We just couldn't wait for you to hear this one!!

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Links we referenced

Maria's Company: PMA

Raphael House - Resources & support for homeless families

Nordstrom

Neiman Marcus

Bobbie Brown Cosmetics

Laura Mercier Cosmetics

Estee Lauder Cosmetics

Guerlain Cosmetics

Quotes

-“As a refugee family, we had to work from day 1 and I haven't stopped since." - Maria Chang

"It's amazing to be living in this country. It's something that I don't take for granted. I remind myself every day of how lucky I am to be here" - Maria Chang

"Just don't cover up superficially, care about the woman and actually cater to her beauty needs" - Maria Chang, still believes in the same philosophy she was taught by Bobbi Brown

"Using (make-up) as an accessory versus using it to cover up your personality or cover up your insecurities" - Maria Chang

"If things are not going your way, you've got to trusty that there is a better alternative and there's a better option ahead." - Maria Chang

"If you're so deep in your sorrow because things are not going your way, you're not going to see those doors opening." - Maria Chang

"I love the idea of coming in and making it like a slumber party where the ladies are getting ready and for a moment forget that it's their wedding day and just have fun as girls." - Maria Chang on why she believes a bride should never have to go to a salon on her big day

"I am an artist because my clients provide me that lifestyle, so the least I can do is give them the best possible wedding day. I become like an honorary bridesmaid" - Maria Chang

"Every single wedding, when it comes to cake time, I always have the lipstick ready, but that's all I can do. I can't fix the eyes, I can't powder you..." - Michelle conveying why she love's that Maria stays with their clients until the end of the party

Get In Touch

The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is…

Hosted and produced by Michelle Martinez 

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