Weddings are thorny right? From trying to juggle bridesmaids to trying to juggle feminism; from in-law relationships to marquee costs to eco-guilt.

Of course, weddings are also incredible but sometimes the lead-up and the day itself can be unforgettable in all the worst ways. Well we've tackled every aspect of pre-wedding stress over the last 10 episodes and 6 guest specials of The Thing About That and now it's time to close the door on this particular topic. We've discussed: Why would a modern woman even choose to get married? In heterosexual couples, should a woman still be taking a man's surname? How can the Wedding Dress industry shake off the ugly shackles of diet culture? We've heard from elopement photographers, female proposers, Hindu-Punjabi divorcees and gay grooms.  It's been fascinating and joyful. But in this episode, Becca, Hettie and Lucy break down the lessons learnt over the past series, from understanding the value of involving your parents and in-laws to learning about how to be more sustainable in your event-planning choices.

Take a listen and then drop us a review or give us a cheeky star-rating! Also be sure to subscribe to make sure you don't miss upcoming series from The Thing About That.

Follow us on twitter: @TTAT_Podcast

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Series 1, Episode 11 length: 52 mins 19 seconds

What have we learnt? (01:35)

How does our image of marriage still need to change? (11:22)

In what way has our thinking changed because of this podcast (14:14)

Know where the individuals desires of a wedding come from (27:43)

Wedding-planning as great marriage-training (31:28)

Analysing the experience of making a podcast (36:11)

Favourite episode from the series (42:30)

Thank you for listening!

It's time to get a bit of wisdom and perspective from actress and author Shobna Gulati!

In this special episode of The Thing About That, we hear from Shobna Gulati, star of Coronation Street, Dinnerladies and Everybody's Talking About Jamie. She opens up about the expectations of marriage within her Hindu Punjabi family, what her favourite bits of a Hindu wedding are and what happens when your marriage doesn't actually last forever...

Take a listen and then drop us a review or give us a cheeky star-rating! Also be sure to subscribe to make sure you don't miss any of our other episodes.

Email us on [email protected] or comment on our social media accounts with your questions and suggestions for future conversation.

Follow us on twitter & instagram: @TTAT_Podcast

Follow us on facebook: @TheThingAboutThatPodcast

Guest Special length: 34 mins 36 seconds

Marriage expectations within a North Indian family (02:24)

Gender specific pressures (09:32)

Shobna's favourite hallmarks of a Hindu wedding (12:01)

What happens after divorce? (19:51)

The finances of a Hindu wedding (28:20)

Punjabi wedding traditions (29:30)

And you can find Shobna's book Remember Me? here: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Remember-Me-by-Shobna-Gulati-author/9781788402477

Thank you for listening!

Shall we let the boys have a say...?

In today's episode of The Thing About That you'll finally hear from the fiancés/husband elects/star partners of our 3 hosts, Becca, Hettie and Lucy. For a whole series we've spoken on their behalf and laid bare our own souls, sometimes at their expense! But now we're giving them the floor. How did Ben respond when Becca caught him picking an engagement ring? When did Jacob decide to take Hettie's surname? What incentivised Tris to propose within 8 months and was Lucy's reaction distressing? How can you actively combat toxic masculinity in your romantic choices?  Why might you still choose to ask a father's permission to marry his daughter in this day and age? We force the men to talk about and contemplate weddings just as much as we women find ourselves forced to contemplate the subject on a daily basis. 

Take a listen and then drop us a review or give us a cheeky star-rating! And if you've missed our earlier episodes, Also be sure to subscribe to make sure you don't miss any forthcoming episodes. 

Comment on our social media accounts with your questions and suggestions for future conversation:

Follow us on twitter & Instagram: @TTAT_Podcast

Follow us on facebook: @TheThingAboutThatPodcast

Guest Special 5 length: 56 mins 38 seconds

Hettie talks to the future Mr Becca (00:40)

Lucy talks to the future Mr Hettie (05:22)

Becca talks to the future Mr Lucy (38:37)

Recommendations mentioned in the episode:

Untamed by Glennon Doyle.

Thank you for listening!

In this revolutionary new episode, we're ripping off the bandaid and talking wedding finance!

In Series 1, Episode 10, Lucy, Becca and Hettie Allen open up their spreadsheets and their bank statements in a gesture never yet heard of on a wedding-planning podcast. Or any podcast for that matter. In an effort to make sure that men and women who are going through the wedding circus are enlightened and empowered, we're going to be super honest and candid about the numbers we're spending on all the big hitters of a wedding. From food and drink, to music and marquees, as well as all those hidden smaller costs of a wedding that you never predict.

Take a listen and drop us a review or give us a cheeky star-rating! Also please subscribe and stay with us on this crazy journey!

You can comment on our social media accounts with your questions and suggestions for future conversation:

Follow us on twitter & Instagram: @TTAT_Podcast

Follow us on facebook: @TheThingAboutThatPodcast

Series 1, Episode 10 length: 53 mins 47 seconds

13:00 - Catering 

19:12 - Venue & marquees

27:03 - Flowers

31:06 - Alcohol

33:00 - Bridesmaid Outfits / Hair and Make-up / Funding accommodation for others

39:53 - Wedding Dress

43:44 - Photographer

46:46 - Band / Entertainment

50:03 - Admin fees

Thank you for listening!

We've got all the top tips on how to make your wedding eco-friendly, and not 1 of them is about plastic straws...

The reality is that to truly go green on your big day, you really ought to not have a wedding at all! But if throwing an enormous event to celebrate your love is a non-negotiable, there are all sorts of things to consider if you want to make the day as kind to the planet as possible. And we at The Thing About That can help! When it comes to reducing your carbon footprint, there's loads to consider from plants vs. flowers to vegan menu choices to rental wedding dresses. With a little help from Stylist journalist Alessia Armenise, in Season 1 Episode 9 we lay down the law for you and give you a brilliant sustainable check-list to adhere to. 

Take a listen and drop us a review or give us a cheeky star-rating! Also please subscribe and stay with us on this crazy journey!

You can comment on our social media accounts with your questions and suggestions for future conversation:

Follow us on twitter & Instagram: @TTAT_Podcast

Follow us on facebook: @TheThingAboutThatPodcast

Series 1, Episode 9 length: 47 mins 51 seconds

05:50 - Summary of tips

10:00 - The problem with the industry

14:13 - Alternatives for wedding presents

16:56 - Sharing/re-using

23:05 - Interview with Alessia Armenise

25:06 - Lesson 1: HAVE FEWER PEOPLE

28:58 - Lesson 2: PICK A BEAUTIFUL LOCATION THAT NEEDS NO EMBELLISHMENT

29:44 - Lesson 3: HOLD BACK ON THE FLOWERS!

32.09 - Lesson 4: SECOND-HAND OR RENTAL BRIDAL GOWNS

35:16 - Time for sustainable wedding planners

42:06 - Lesson 5: BUY LOCAL

42:40 - Don’t let perfect be the enemy of the good.

Find Alessia Armenise here:

www.prettyslow.life

@alessiaarmenise

Thank you for listening!

Same-sex weddings are leading the charge in tradition-breaking days!

In this special episode of The Thing About That, we chat to theatre actor and bezzie mate of Lucy Eaton: Freddie Hutchins. He talks candidly about all the ups and downs of planning his beautiful autumnal wedding in Kew Gardens, London, as a gay man. As well as getting some crazy helpful tips on how to delegate roles amongst your bridal party and what is best to spend your money on (btw it's a photographer), we analyse why LGBTQ+ weddings are some of the most liberating experiences. There's no antiquated blueprint to follow, no specific bride and groom so the pressures are less. Why can't we all just start from a similarly open-minded base line? How different would weddings look if we could?

Take a listen and then drop us a review or give us a cheeky star-rating! Also be sure to subscribe to make sure you don't miss our upcoming guest episodes.

Email us on [email protected] or comment on our social media accounts with your questions and suggestions for future conversation.

Follow us on twitter & instagram: @TTAT_Podcast

Follow us on facebook: @TheThingAboutThatPodcast

Guest Special 3 length: 41 mins 52 seconds

Meet Freddie and Oli (01:15)

That "fearing a proposal" feeling (03:02)

As a same-sex couple, was it always clear which of you would take the initiative on proposing? (04:04)

Why marriage? (04:40)

How involved were family and friends? (07:51)

Same-sex marriages leading to a more open-minded, instinctive planning experience (13:00)

When is tradition helpful? (17:40)

What was restrictive in the process as a homosexual groom (21:28)

Multiple brief speeches (26:30)

What if you're a bride or groom who hates being the centre of attention? (30:50)

You can find Freddie's recommendation Bride Book here: www.bridebook.co.uk

Thank you for listening!

A fiercely honest and joyful chat with Afro-latina photographer Amy Anaiz?? Yes please!

Amy is a New York City based wedding photographer, who specialises in intimate weddings in fabulous city locations. She's been featured in the New York Times, Brides, Buzzfeed, Huffington Post, The Knot, E! and TLC! She loves to capture and celebrate brides and grooms of all shapes and colours, and today's special episode delves into the tough and thorny conversations in the wedding industry today, holding no punches. Why does the industry still look so white? And what are the worst aspects of being a wedding photographer?

Take a listen and then drop us a review or give us a cheeky star-rating! Also be sure to subscribe to make sure you don't miss our upcoming guest episodes with  industry professionals, gay grooms and even our very own husband elects!

Email us on [email protected] or comment on our social media accounts with your questions and suggestions for future conversation. 

Follow us on twitter & instagram: @TTAT_Podcast

Follow u on facebook: @TheThingAboutThatPodcast

Guest Special 3 length: 35 mins 31 seconds

Does photographing weddings make you more or less of a romantic (01:28)

Why is the classic bride in all imagery white? (02:35)

Female photographer vs male photographer (08:25)

Photographing the groom (11:55)

Elopements so white (16:30)

Worst parts of being a wedding photographer (20:25)

Uncomfortable, important conversations about equality and race  (23:20)

Amy's favourite wedding (32:31)

And you can find Amy at:

www.amyanaiz.com

@amyanaizphoto

And here's that wonderful favourite wedding: https://amyanaiz.com/the-foundry-long-island-city-new-york-wedding-amy-anaiz

Thank you for listening!

"BRIDE-TO-BE!" sashes, willy straws and a healthy dose of friendship rivalry: it must be a hen do!

Today we break down hen dos, stag dos, bachelorette parties, bridal showers... whatever you wanna call them! From the sentimental (memory books) to the sordid (strippers) and everything in-between (the obligatory lasagne and garlic bread night), we ask all the important questions on Season 1, Episode 8 of The Thing About That. What actually is the purpose of a hen do? What's with the highly-sexed heteronormative traditions? Would you rather plan it yourself or have the whole thing a surprise? Lucy is angry, Hettie is cautious and Becca is still traumatised from one particular hen-do memory, which you simply HAVE to listen to. Whether you're a bride-to-be or a groom-to-be or a bridesmaid or a wedding guest, you'll relate. 

Take a listen and then drop us a review or give us a cheeky star-rating! Also be sure to subscribe to make sure you don't miss our final guest episodes, where we're talking to wedding planners and the husband elects: Ben, Jacob and Tris!

Comment on our social media accounts with your questions and suggestions for future conversation:

Follow us on twitter & Instagram: @TTAT_Podcast

Follow us on facebook: @TheThingAboutThatPodcast

Series 1, Episode 8 length: 36 mins 09 seconds

Virtual Hen-dos during lockdown (02:09)

The purpose of a bachelor or bachelorette party (05:22)

The pressures of a hen-do (11:08)

Gender balance (12:10)

Other people's opinions (16:40)

A traditional hen-do (18:38)

The uncontrollable expense and length of hens and stags (19:35)

The enemy is activities (22:00)

The uncomfortably sexualised heteronormative style of hens and stags (29:32)

Link to the Alessia Armenise article referenced by Lucy: https://www.stylist.co.uk/long-reads/hen-do-dread-cost-friendship-weddings-bachelorette-parties/312662

Thank you for listening!

Elopements are cheap and secretive runaway weddings in Vegas, right?? WRONG!

It turns out elopements today are deeply desirable, jaw-droppingly beautiful and heart-breakingly intimate versions of a wedding that bring all the wow-factor and none of the drama! In this guest special, your The Thing About That hosts chat to Maddie Mae, founder of Adventure Instead: a company that specialises in organising, planning and photographing elopements. Hettie, Becca and Lucy learn all about how elopements have changed over the years and why they are now such a sought-after and non-traditional way of getting married. This episode tells you everything you need to know about elopements. Trust us - by the end, you'll wish you were eloping...

Take a listen and then drop us a review or give us a cheeky star-rating! Also be sure to subscribe to make sure you don't miss our upcoming guest episodes and final Series 1 discussions on hen-dos and LGBTQ+ weddings.

Email us on [email protected] or comment on our social media accounts with your questions and suggestions for future conversation:

Follow us on twitter & Instagram: @TTAT_Podcast

Follow us on facebook: @TheThingAboutThatPodcast

Guest Special 2 length: 30 mins 49 seconds

Introducing Maddie Mae (00:34)

Why do elopements still have traditional trappings? (04:)

Why should you elope? (07:26)

What is the process of planning an elopement? (09:59)

Is elopement an act of romance or defiance? (11:33)

Finance as a driver (13:50)

How to manage the family if you choose to elope (14:54)

Real life elopement example (16:30)

How to be "invisible" as an elopement photographer (19:26)

The start of your elopement day (24:45)

You can find Maddie Mae and Adventure Instead at:

www.AdventureInstead.com

@AdventureInstead on Instagram

And you can find the photography academy Maddie Mae spoke about here:

www.AdventureInsteadAcademy.com

@AdvtureInsteadAcademy on Instagram

And a free Educational Facebook Group for Aspiring Adventure Wedding & Elopement Photographers:

www.facebook.com/groups/weddingsandwanderlust

Thank you for listening!

It’s time to hear from the wedding experts!

In a series of special guest interviews over the next month, we’re going to feed your ears all the expert insight you need from people in the alternative wedding bracket. Today’s guest, Kate Beavis, is founder of Magpie Wedding: the ultimate go-to guide for non-traditional and vintage weddings. We discuss how to find inspiration for a non-traditional wedding, what do you do if your period lands on your wedding day and where the wedding industry still needs to pick up the pace a bit on its awareness of LGBTQ+ marriages and non-heteronormative couples.

Take a listen and then drop us a review or give us a cheeky star-rating! Also be sure to subscribe to make sure you don't miss our upcoming guest episodes with elopement photographers, gay grooms and even our very own husband elects!

Email us on [email protected] or comment on our social media accounts with your questions and suggestions for future conversation:

Follow us on twitter & Instagram: @TTAT_Podcast

Follow us on facebook: @TheThingAboutThatPodcast

Guest Special 1 length: 40 mins 03 seconds

Introducing Kate Beavis (00:48)

Where to go for inspiration on non-traditional weddings (06:18)

Heteronormative weddings / straight weddings (08:30)

Wedding taboos (11:35)

Love is Love (13:37)

Wellbeing over weight loss (19:51)

Financial implications of weddings (23:30)

Ethical / eco-conscious weddings (27:25)

Corona effect on wedding industry (30:20)

And you can find Kate Beavis and Magpie Wedding at:

www.magpiewedding.com

@magpiewedding

Thank you for listening!