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Welcome back to another episode of Totally Absolutely Engaged — the wedding podcast created specifically for engaged couples planning their big day 💍

This special BONUS episode follows on from our previous County Brides episode with wedding industry expert Duane, but this time we’re diving even deeper into advice specifically for brides, grooms, and newly engaged couples.

If you're planning a wedding in the North West, chances are County Brides has already helped shape your wedding journey — from discovering suppliers and venues to helping couples understand how to plan a smooth, stress-free wedding day.

In this episode, Duane shares:
✨ How to structure and timeline your wedding day
✨ The biggest wedding planning mistakes couples make
✨ Wedding entertainment ideas for every part of the day
✨ Speech tips, music advice & ceremony planning
✨ Why DIY weddings can become overwhelming
✨ Current wedding trends for 2026
✨ Real wedding stories from over 40 years in the industry
✨ How to actually enjoy your wedding day instead of stressing through it

We also discuss:

• Wedding fairs & supplier advice
• Budget expectations
• Wedding traditions that have disappeared
• Tips for making lasting memories
• Why communication with suppliers matters
• The importance of planning your wedding in stages

Whether you're newly engaged, deep into wedding planning, or just looking for expert wedding advice, this episode is packed with practical tips, funny stories, and insider knowledge from one of the UK wedding industry's most experienced voices.

🎙️ Guest: Duane from County Brides
💒 Podcast: Totally Absolutely Engaged
📍 Wedding planning advice for engaged couples across the North West & beyond

Produced by TAEPodcast - www.taepodcast.co.uk

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In this episode of Unpacked, we sit down with wedding videographer Laura from Vision Wave Weddings to talk all things weddings, filming love stories, and the reality of working in the wedding industry.

From starting out filming £400 weddings to capturing over 450 wedding days, Laura shares how she built her business, what really happens behind the scenes, and why wedding videography is so much more than just “content creation.”

We also dive into:

• Wedding videographer horror stories
• The biggest wedding guest icks
• Why guests should NEVER wave at the camera
• Confetti disasters
• Content creators vs videographers
• Wedding regrets couples have after the big day
• Advice for brides and grooms planning their wedding
• Funny wedding supplier stories
• What makes a great wedding film

If you're planning a wedding, work in the wedding industry, or just love hearing hilarious behind-the-scenes stories, this episode is packed with laughs, advice, and real wedding industry insights.

🎥 Guest: Laura – Vision Wave Weddings
🎙️ Podcast: Unpacked

#WeddingPodcast #WeddingVideographer #WeddingPlanning #WeddingTips #WeddingIndustry #Videographer #WeddingContentCreator #BrideToBe #WeddingAdvice #VisionWaveWeddings

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In this episode of Totally Absolutely Engaged, we’re switching things up and hearing directly from a REAL bride! 💍

Bex joins us to spill everything about her wedding journey — from the engagement and venue search to budget shocks, family drama, wedding regrets, photographer mistakes, and the emotional reality of the big day.

As both a bride AND wedding coordinator, Bex shares honest advice every engaged couple needs to hear before planning their wedding.

We chat about:
✨ Wedding planning mistakes brides regret
✨ Budgeting realities no one warns you about
✨ Family opinions & guest list drama
✨ Why choosing the RIGHT photographer matters
✨ Wedding day nerves & emotional moments
✨ Kids at weddings — yes or no?
✨ Wedding trends worth the hype
✨ The biggest waste of money during planning
✨ Why the day goes SO fast
✨ Post-wedding blues & married life

If you're engaged, planning a wedding, or obsessed with wedding content, this episode is packed with real, funny, unfiltered advice from someone who's actually lived it.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe for weekly wedding chats, supplier stories, planning tips, and behind-the-scenes wedding industry insights.

#WeddingPodcast #BrideAdvice #WeddingPlanning #WeddingTips #RealBride #WeddingRegrets #Engaged #BrideToBe #WeddingBudget #WeddingDay

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Get social and follow us on Instagram where you can get in touch with any questions https://www.instagram.com/totallyabsolutelyengaged/

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Planning your wedding? This episode is FULL of honest advice that every bride, groom, and wedding supplier needs to hear.

In this solo episode of Totally Absolutely Engaged, we’re breaking down the biggest frustrations, misconceptions, and behind-the-scenes truths in the wedding industry — from BOTH the couple’s perspective and the supplier’s side.

We discuss:
• Why slow replies lose bookings
• Why wedding suppliers don’t always reply instantly
• The REAL reason wedding services cost what they do
• Why deposits matter
• Wedding planning mistakes couples make
• Why changing plans last minute causes chaos
• Whether wedding pricing is actually inflated
• How to build better relationships with your wedding suppliers
• Wedding budgeting tips
• Why trust and communication are EVERYTHING

If you’re currently planning a wedding, this episode will genuinely help you avoid stress, save money, and understand how the wedding industry really works behind the scenes.

Whether you're looking for wedding planning advice, wedding supplier tips, wedding budget guidance, or just love hearing the reality of the wedding world — this episode is packed with useful insight, funny moments, and honest conversations.

🎧 Totally Absolutely Engaged Podcast
New episodes every week featuring wedding industry experts, real wedding advice, supplier stories, behind-the-scenes chaos, and tips to make your wedding planning easier.

✨ Follow us for more wedding content:
TikTok: @totallyabsolutelyengaged
Instagram: @totallyabsolutelyengaged

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Get social and follow us on Instagram where you can get in touch with any questions https://www.instagram.com/totallyabsolutelyengaged/

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Planning your wedding and wondering what stationery you actually need?

In this episode, we dive into wedding invitations, save the dates, and on-the-day stationery, breaking down what’s essential, what’s a waste of money, and whether DIY wedding invitations are really worth it.

We’re joined by Michelle from Rella Event Stationery, who shares expert wedding planning advice, insider tips, and the biggest mistakes couples are making right now.

We cover:

• Wedding stationery checklist (what you actually need)
• When to send save the dates and invitations
• DIY vs professional stationery
• Wedding trends for 2026
• Budget-saving tips for couples

If you’re planning a wedding, this episode will help you make smarter decisions and avoid unnecessary stress.

Support the show

Get social and follow us on Instagram where you can get in touch with any questions https://www.instagram.com/totallyabsolutelyengaged/

Or check out our website https://www.totallyabsolutelyengaged.co.uk for blogs, contact information and more!

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If you’re planning a wedding or working in the wedding industry… this episode is a MUST listen.

We sit down with Duane from County Brides — one of the biggest names in the Northwest wedding scene — to break down:

• How wedding awards REALLY work
• What brides should be asking suppliers
• The biggest mistakes couples make
• How suppliers can actually stand out at wedding fairs
• The truth about budgets (from £90 weddings to £50,000+!)
• And how the industry has changed after COVID

We also dive into:
✔️ How to protect your wedding with smart payments
✔️ Why some suppliers lose bookings instantly
✔️ What goes on behind the scenes of wedding awards
✔️ And how cheating is actually prevented 👀

Whether you’re a bride, groom, or supplier… this episode will change how you see the wedding industry.

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe for more real, honest conversations about weddings & business.

Support the show

Get social and follow us on Instagram where you can get in touch with any questions https://www.instagram.com/totallyabsolutelyengaged/

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In this episode, Isla and Paul sit down with Emma, a professional bridal hairstylist from Finesse Bridal, with nearly 10 years of experience in the wedding industry.

If you’re planning your wedding, this episode is packed with expert bridal hair advice to help you avoid common mistakes and feel confident on your big day.

💍 We cover:

• The biggest bridal hair mistakes brides make
• Hair up vs hair down – what actually suits you
• How wedding hair trials really work (and how many you need)
• Do you need hair extensions for your wedding?
• How to prep your hair before the big day
• Wedding morning timelines & what to expect
• Bridal hair trends (messy updos, Hollywood waves & more)
• The truth about Pinterest & AI inspiration photos

💡 Emma also shares:

• Her journey into the wedding industry
• What makes a great bridal hairstylist
• Tips to make your hairstyle last all day

Whether you're newly engaged or finalising your look, this episode will help you look and feel your best on your wedding day.

Support the show

Get social and follow us on Instagram where you can get in touch with any questions https://www.instagram.com/totallyabsolutelyengaged/

Or check out our website https://www.totallyabsolutelyengaged.co.uk for blogs, contact information and more!

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We took the podcast LIVE for the very first time… and brought together real wedding suppliers to answer the questions couples actually need to hear.

In this episode, Isla & Paul sit down with multiple wedding industry experts including jewellers, photographers, content creators and more — all sharing unfiltered, honest advice from real weddings.

💍 We cover:

• The biggest wedding planning mistakes couples make
• How to choose the right wedding suppliers
• What actually matters (and what doesn’t 👀)
• Red flags to watch out for before booking
• Wedding trends (including lab-grown diamonds 💎)
• Real emotional + funny behind-the-scenes stories

🔥 This episode is packed with:

• Honest opinions
• Expert wedding tips
• Live audience energy
• No-BS advice you won’t hear anywhere else

If you’re planning your wedding, this will help you save money, avoid stress, and make better decisions.

Support the show

Get social and follow us on Instagram where you can get in touch with any questions https://www.instagram.com/totallyabsolutelyengaged/

Or check out our website https://www.totallyabsolutelyengaged.co.uk for blogs, contact information and more!

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Planning your honeymoon? This episode is a must listen!

We’re joined by honeymoon expert Alex Collins from Travel Counsellors to break down everything you need to know before booking your dream trip. From choosing the right destination and managing your budget to avoiding common mistakes couples make, this episode is packed with honest, practical advice.

We also dive into whether the Maldives is actually worth it, how to balance relaxation vs adventure, and why using a travel expert could save you time, money, and stress.

If you’re getting married or planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip, this episode will help you do it right.

Hit play now 🎧

Support the show

Get social and follow us on Instagram where you can get in touch with any questions https://www.instagram.com/totallyabsolutelyengaged/

Or check out our website https://www.totallyabsolutelyengaged.co.uk for blogs, contact information and more!

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Wedding planning isn’t all Pinterest-perfect moments… sometimes it’s chaos, controversy, and completely unhinged stories 🤯

In this episode of Totally Absolutely Engaged, it’s just us — no guests — diving into our viral TikTok and Instagram comments, reacting to the wildest takes, biggest debates, and funniest (and harshest) opinions from the internet.

From wedding DJs vs playlists to makeup artist horror stories, and even a debate that sparked serious backlash about taking your partner’s last name, we’re breaking it ALL down.

Plus… we share some of the most ridiculous real-life wedding stories we’ve ever heard (trust us, you are NOT ready for the post box story 😳).

💥 In this episode:
Why wedding DJs are so controversial right now
The truth about “overplayed” wedding songs
Should you trust your suppliers or control everything?
The BIG debate: do you have to take your partner’s surname?
Wedding timelines – are earlier ceremonies ruining the party?
Real wedding horror stories (including one you won’t believe…)

If you're planning a wedding or just love behind-the-scenes drama, this episode is unfiltered, honest, and hilarious.

🎧 Hit play now — and find out what people REALLY think about weddings.

Support the show

Get social and follow us on Instagram where you can get in touch with any questions https://www.instagram.com/totallyabsolutelyengaged/

Or check out our website https://www.totallyabsolutelyengaged.co.uk for blogs, contact information and more!

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