In this episode of The Wedding Editors Podcast, Yvonne Dixon is joined by Dr Jonquil Chantre, multi-award-winning surgeon and founder of One Aesthetic Studio in Cheshire, to talk about beauty, aesthetics and feeling your best before the wedding.

Dr Jonquil explains why getting wedding ready should never be about chasing a filtered version of yourself, or trying to treat one perfect photograph. Instead, she looks at the full person, the skin, the structure, the lighting, the angles, the stress levels, and how someone wants to feel on the day.

Yvonne and Jonquil talk about when to start treatments, why the best results are gradual, and why brides should avoid leaving everything until the last minute. Jonquil shares why she aims to have the biggest work completed around eight weeks before the wedding, leaving only small refinements closer to the day.

They also discuss mothers of the bride, grooms, skincare, colour, confidence, budget, correction work, Botox parties, groupthink, and why choosing the right practitioner matters far more than following trends or social media popularity.

This episode is for any bride, groom, mother of the bride, or wedding guest thinking about beauty, skincare or aesthetic treatments before the big day, and wanting to feel like the best version of themselves without going too far.

Your day. Your way. Without the wedding planning stress.

In this episode of The Wedding Editors Podcast, Yvonne Dixon is joined by Michelle Beggy, international matchmaker and founder of Ignite Dating, for an honest conversation about finding love before the wedding planning begins.

Michelle works with professional, high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients who are often cash rich, time poor, and looking for something more personal than dating apps. She shares why so many people are stepping away from online dating, how matchmaking really works behind the scenes, and why values, lifestyle, energy and long-term compatibility matter far more than a swipe.

Yvonne and Michelle talk about dating burnout, privacy, confidence, relationship expectations, gut instinct, in-person introductions, and why communication is just as important before the wedding as it is during the planning.

Michelle also shares what it is like to work as a matchmaker, why she sometimes turns clients away, and how her role can cover everything from choosing an outfit to helping someone respond to a text message.

This episode is perfect for anyone who is single, dating, engaged, married, or simply curious about what it really takes to find the right person.

Your day. Your way. Without the wedding planning stress.

In this episode of The Wedding Editors Podcast, Yvonne Dixon talks about one of the most uncomfortable wedding conversations couples often avoid: how much it really costs to be part of the wedding party.

Through Priya's story, Yvonne explores how being asked to be a bridesmaid can quickly shift from an honour into an unexpected invoice, especially when costs build slowly over time through dresses, hen dos, travel, accommodation, hair and makeup, gifts and last-minute group contributions.

Yvonne explains why the problem is rarely one single expense, but the silence around the total cost. She shares how brides can avoid putting pressure on their closest friends by having the money conversation early, giving realistic cost estimates, offering flexible options and making sure nobody feels trapped into saying yes.

You'll also hear this episode's 3 Weddits, plus a Celebrity Confidential insight into why this issue exists at every budget level, from everyday weddings to high-profile celebrations.

This episode is for brides, bridesmaids, groomsmen and anyone in a wedding party who wants to protect friendships, avoid resentment and plan with more honesty, kindness and clarity.

Your day. Your way. Without the wedding planning stress.

In this episode of The Wedding Editors Podcast, Yvonne Dixon explores why a bigger wedding budget does not always create a better wedding experience.

Yvonne explains how couples can spend thousands on details guests barely notice, while missing the things that genuinely shape the day, like food, music, atmosphere, timing and how welcome people feel. She also talks through the budget traps that quietly drain money, including package anchoring, the “Saturday tax,” hidden venue costs and the guest count multiplier.

You’ll learn how to choose your three non-negotiables, ask for itemised quotes, separate cost from value, build in a sensible contingency and avoid making emotional decisions during venue viewings.

Yvonne also shares this episode’s 3 Weddits, plus a Celebrity Confidential insight into what celebrity wedding budgets are really spent on, and why even at the highest end, the money that changes the guest experience is often only a fraction of the total.

This episode is for any couple who wants their wedding budget to work harder, feel more intentional and create a day guests remember for the right reasons.

Your day. Your way. Without the wedding planning stress.

In this episode of The Wedding Editors Podcast, Yvonne Dixon is joined by award-winning confectioner Elaine Hamey from Elaine’s Creative Cakes to talk honestly about wedding cakes, from the craft and time involved to the disasters, trends and practical details couples often never see.

With over 40 years of experience as a confectioner, plus decades teaching the craft, Elaine shares what really goes into creating a wedding cake, why some designs can take far longer than couples expect, and why delivery, structure, venue layout and even room temperature can make all the difference.

Yvonne and Elaine also talk about Pinterest, Instagram and AI-inspired cake designs, why not every beautiful image is achievable as a real cake, and how expert suppliers help couples create something beautiful, realistic and safe.

You’ll hear stories of six-foot cakes, volcano cakes, collapsing cakes, naked cakes, Lambeth-style trends, dog-licked decorations, flying profiteroles and why every good wedding cake needs more planning than most people realise.

This episode is perfect for couples choosing their wedding cake, comparing quotes or wondering what they really need to ask before booking a cake maker.

Your day. Your way. Without the wedding planning stress.

In this episode of The Wedding Editors Podcast, Yvonne Dixon talks honestly about one of the biggest assumptions couples make when hiring a wedding planner: that the person they meet in the consultation is the person who will actually guide them through the planning process and run the day itself.

Yvonne explains why “wedding planner” can mean very different things, from full planning and supplier management to day-of coordination or associate-led support. She shares the key questions couples should ask before signing a contract, including what is included in the scope of services, who will be their main point of contact, who will be there on the wedding day, and how many other weddings the planner is managing that same weekend.

You’ll also hear this episode’s 3 Weddits, plus a Celebrity Confidential insight into why even high-profile planner names are not always the people running the room on the day.

This episode is for any couple considering a wedding planner, already comparing options, or wondering how to make sure they are getting the support they think they are paying for.

Your day. Your way. Without the wedding planning stress.

In this episode of The Wedding Editors Podcast, Yvonne Dixon tackles one of the biggest sources of wedding stress: the guest list.

What starts as a simple list of names can quickly become a minefield of family expectations, plus ones, children, budgets, venue limits and awkward conversations. Yvonne explains why guest list decisions are rarely just logistical, they are emotional, political and often tied to who is contributing financially.

You’ll learn why every extra guest has a real cost, how to set clear rules around plus ones and children, why you should agree your total number before inviting anyone, and how to avoid making quiet exceptions that later turn into full-blown drama.

Yvonne also shares this episode’s 3 Weddits, plus a Celebrity Confidential insight into how high-profile weddings often separate intimate guest lists from wider celebrations.

This episode is for any couple trying to create a guest list that feels fair, affordable and aligned with the wedding they actually want.

Your day. Your way. Without the wedding planning stress.

In this episode of The Wedding Editors Podcast, Yvonne Dixon shares one of the most important venue lessons couples need to know before signing on the dotted line: not every wedding venue is legally licensed for ceremonies.

From expired marriage licences and room-specific permissions to noise curfews, corkage fees, supplier restrictions, planning conditions and décor rules, Yvonne explains the hidden details that can completely change your wedding plans, your budget and your guest experience.

You’ll learn the essential questions to ask before paying a deposit, why every answer should be confirmed in writing, and how to avoid falling in love with a venue that cannot actually deliver the wedding day you imagined.

Yvonne also shares this episode’s 3 Weddits, plus a Celebrity Confidential story about a couple who discovered their outdoor ceremony licence had expired just months before the wedding.

This episode is for any couple viewing venues, comparing options or about to sign a contract, especially if you want to avoid expensive surprises and plan your day with confidence.

Your day. Your way. Without the wedding planning stress.

00:00 . Welcome to The Wedding Editors Podcast and today’s venue warning

00:25 . The dream venue nightmare couples do not expect

00:58 . Why a venue’s operating licence is not the same as a marriage licence

02:26 . The 5 essential venue questions to ask before signing anything

05:19 . Today’s 3 Weddits: licences, restrictions and hidden compromises

In this episode, Yvonne Dixon is joined by Adi from Verdure to talk honestly about wedding flowers, budgets, trends and the creative process behind beautiful floral design. They discuss why wedding flowers can cost more than couples expect, how to make a floral budget work harder, and why working with an experienced florist can completely transform the planning experience.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Meet Adi from Verdure and how he became a florist

03:36 - Pinterest, celebrity weddings and unrealistic flower expectations

04:20 - How to make your wedding flower budget work harder

06:41 - Seasonal flowers, peonies and clever alternatives

11:48 - Current wedding flower trends and where inspiration comes from

Looking for more tips and advice? Join the Wedding Editors Community:

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In this episode of The Wedding Editors Podcast, Yvonne Dixon explores why wedding planning can quickly shift from exciting to overwhelming, especially when decision fatigue, outside opinions, family expectations and the pressure for perfection all start to build.

Yvonne shares practical advice on how to take back control of the planning process by getting clear on your intention, prioritising the decisions that genuinely matter, and learning how to listen to opinions without letting them take over your vision.

You’ll also hear this episode’s 3 Weddits, plus a Celebrity Confidential story about a high-profile couple whose wedding had become almost unrecognisable from what they originally wanted, until they stripped it back and rebuilt the day around what truly mattered.

This episode is for any couple who wants to plan their wedding with more clarity, calm and confidence, without losing sight of what the day is really about.

Your day. Your way. Without the wedding planning stress.

Timestamps:

00:00 . Why wedding planning can suddenly feel like a full-time job

01:25 . The real reason so many couples feel overwhelmed by decision fatigue

02:18 . How family, friends and financial contributions can complicate your wedding vision

03:29 . Why perfection is not the goal, and what to focus on instead

05:37 . Today’s 3 Weddits: decision energy, opinions and structure

Looking for more tips and advice? Join the Wedding Editors Community:

https://www.theweddingeditors.com/joinnow