Unbridely - Modern Wedding Planning

You know how it goes in wedding planning. Someone tells you emphatically, you have to do this, or whatever you do, do not do that. And some part of you thinks, noted but we’ll do what’s right for us.

This is one of those episodes.

Parts 1 and 2 of this series gave you the honest picture of love hires from the people who see them play out from first light to last song. And this episode, Part 3, is the practical part. 8 wedding vendor roles, what can go wrong when they are filled by someone without experience, who to consider booking instead at different price points, and if you are still going ahead with a love hire anyway, the specific steps to take before the day.

You’ll learn

• Why the timeline your MC has been given is a guide, not a command, and what they actually need to do before making a single announcement.
• The one DIY makeup product that can ruin your photos without anyone realising until it is too late.
• What a co-pilot ceremony is in Australia and why it’s the only legal path forward in Australia if your person is not an authorised celebrant, plus
• Why the DJ is one of the highest-risk love hire roles, and what to do if budget means a professional is not possible.

Resources Mentioned:

Wilson and Lewis Photography: www.wilsonandlewisphotography.com

Luke John Photography: www.lukejohnphotography.com

Married by Jay (Jay Bingle-Brown, celebrant, QLD): www.marriedbyjay.com.au

Mobile Make Overs Australia (Tallora Dee): www.makeoversaust.com.au

Tallora's DIY wedding makeup blog: www.makeoversaust.com.au/tips-for-brides/makeup-products-needed-for-diy-wedding-makeup

Amuse Event Lighting and Audio Visual (Sam Balfour): www.amuselav.com.au

Send Unbridely a 90-second audio message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/unbridelypodcast

*The Unbridely Podcast is sponsored by its listeners. When you purchase products or services through links on our website or via the podcast, we may earn an affiliate commission.*

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This episode of the Unbridely Modern Wedding Planning Podcast is brought to you by Never Miss Moments Unbridely's recommended wedding guest photo and video-sharing tool. With your unique QR code, your family and friends can quickly, easily and securely share their snaps with you in your personalised online gallery.

Visit nevermissmoments.com/unbridely to receive your 10% discount on your gallery.

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Unbridely acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we record this podcast on, the Kaurna People. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unbridely/
or TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unbridely

Email the Unbridely Podcast:
[email protected]

Last week in Part 1 of this 3 part series, Tereza and Tony from Wilson and Lewis Photography broke down what love hires are, why couples are turning to them more than ever, and the ripple effect that runs through a wedding day when an important role is filled by someone learning on the job. This week, they go further.

Today in Part 2, you will hear stories from real wedding days, and what it looks and feels like when the opposite is true: when every vendor is exactly where they should be, doing exactly what they were hired to do.

Including:

• What happens when a gap opens up on a wedding day and someone has to decide whether to step in (or watch things unravel)
• Why a well-oiled vendor team feels completely different from a patchy one, and how that difference shows up in your photos and footage.
• The moment couples tend to notice something has gone wrong. 

Part 3 lands next week with the practical: what to consider instead of a love hire, and if you are going ahead with one, the steps you can take beforehand to reduce the risk.

RESOURCES

Wilson and Lewis Photography on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wilsonandlewis/

https://www.wilsonandlewisphotography.com/

Send Unbridely a 90-second audio message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/unbridelypodcast

*The Unbridely Podcast is sponsored by its listeners. When you purchase products or services through links on our website or via the podcast, we may earn an affiliate commission.*

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This episode of the Unbridely Modern Wedding Planning Podcast is brought to you by WedSites.com, Unbridely's recommended all-in-one wedding website builder, guest management platform & wedding planning tool.

Visit WedSites.com to get started on your FREE wedding website and use code UNBRIDELYPOD to get 10% off any of their paid plans.

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Unbridely acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we record this podcast on, the Kaurna People. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unbridely/
or TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unbridely

Email the Unbridely Podcast:
[email protected]

In the wedding industry, there is an unspoken code: solve the problems quietly, smile and protect the couple's experience. But it has an unintended consequence, because it means engaged couples are making planning decisions without understanding what they are actually costing them.

Tereza and Tony from Wilson and Lewis Photography have witnessed hundreds of wedding days from first light to sparkler exit and they are talking about love hires: what they are, why more couples are turning to them than ever before, and what really happens when an important vendor role is handed to a friend or family member who has no idea how big the job actually is.

You will learn:

• Why the money you save on a love hire is rarely the full cost of the decision,
• What actually happens to the friend or family member who says yes, and
• The knock-on effect that runs through every other vendor’s experience and ability to do their job on the day. 

This is Part 1 of a 3-part series. Part 2 continues the conversation next week, and Part 3 brings the practical, what to book instead. Plus if you do choose to go ahead with a love hire anyway, the planning tweaks that can genuinely reduce your risks.

RESOURCES

Wilson and Lewis Photography on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wilsonandlewis/

https://www.wilsonandlewisphotography.com/

Send Unbridely a 90-second audio message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/unbridelypodcast

*The Unbridely Podcast is sponsored by its listeners. When you purchase products or services through links on our website or via the podcast, we may earn an affiliate commission.*

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This episode of the Unbridely Modern Wedding Planning Podcast is brought to you by Unbridely’s ebook How To Write Wedding Vows That Don’t Suck 

https://unbridely.com/shop/htwwvtds

This is for YOU if you want to write the unique and heartfelt wedding vows your fiancé deserves, but don't know where to start. 🤔

AND want to get it done in 20 minutes or less. 💪

Grab your instant pdf download of the Unbridely ebook 'How To Write Wedding Vows That Don't Suck' for just $27 now! 🧡

https://unbridely.com/shop/htwwvtds

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Unbridely acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we record this podcast on, the Kaurna People. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unbridely/
or TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unbridely

Email the Unbridely Podcast:
[email protected]

You’ve decided the big white wedding is not for you and an elopement or micro wedding is what fits you. So you start looking at potential venues, and you hit a wall fast; half of them have a 50 guest minimum, and the other half never actually tell you what is included, or that you have to share the space, until you are already deep into the contract.

Today we share the 9 things you need to check before booking your elopement venue, wherever in the world you are planning it. 

Including the one clause buried in almost every Airbnb or short-term rental listing that could shut your ceremony down entirely, and it has nothing to do with how much you are paying. 

Plus one new Adelaide CBD elopement venue that literally ticks all the boxes: Coco NB. 

Resources: 

COCO NB: https://camille-coconb.my.canva.site/

Our Wild Love Elopements: https://ourwildloveelopements.com/

Send Unbridely a 90-second audio message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/unbridelypodcast

*The Unbridely Podcast is sponsored by its listeners. When you purchase products or services through links on our website or via the podcast, we may earn an affiliate commission.*

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This episode of the Unbridely Modern Wedding Planning Podcast is brought to you by Easy Name Change.

You simply choose which companies you need to notify, and they send you detailed process instructions for each of your companies, plus ready to send forms, letters, and emails, so you just attach your marriage certificate to them and you're done!

More info on how to change your name after you get married: https://unbridely.com/blog/name-change-after-marriage 

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Unbridely acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we record this podcast on, the Kaurna People. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unbridely/
or TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unbridely

Email the Unbridely Podcast:
[email protected]

You set a budget before you even got engaged or you had a number in your head. And then someone in your family offers to help, maybe with the venue, maybe with the photographer, and suddenly that number isn't entirely yours anymore.

And the problem with an offer like that is you're stuck:

• You don't actually know what they're picturing.
• They don't actually know what it costs.
• Your budget doesn't know what to do with an offer that has no number attached to it.

Today we're going to talk about who actually pays for weddings in 2026, why the answer is nothing like what you probably grew up believing, and exactly what to do the next time family offers to help. Including the one finding in this year's data that completely flips what you'd assume happens when family pitches in, and it has nothing to do with how generous they are.

Resources Mentioned:

Easy Weddings 2026 Australian Wedding Industry Report: https://www.easyweddings.com.au/business/australian-wedding-industry-reports/

Zola 2026 First Look Report: https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/the-first-look-report-2026

Send Unbridely a 90-second audio message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/unbridelypodcast

*The Unbridely Podcast is sponsored by its listeners. When you purchase products or services through links on our website or via the podcast, we may earn an affiliate commission.*

------

This episode of the Unbridely Modern Wedding Planning Podcast is brought to you by Never Miss Moments Unbridely's recommended wedding guest photo and video-sharing tool. With your unique QR code, your family and friends can quickly, easily and securely share their snaps with you in your personalised online gallery.

Visit nevermissmoments.com/unbridely to receive your 10% discount on your gallery.

-----

Unbridely acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we record this podcast on, the Kaurna People. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unbridely/
or TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unbridely

Email the Unbridely Podcast:
[email protected]

You set an RSVP deadline. You put it right there on your wedding invitation. You probably even sent a reminder. And yet, here you are, past that date, staring at a guest list where a chunk of people have just said... nothing.

And the problem with no response is that you’re stuck: 

• Your caterer needs final numbers. 
• Your venue needs final numbers. 
• Your seating chart needs names.  

Today we’re going to talk about why this happens, why it hurts as much as it does, and exactly what you need to do next. Including one strategy that I think is one of the most overlooked tools couples have in this situation, and it has nothing to do with sending another group reminder.

RESOURCES

Emily Post Institute: https://emilypost.com/advice/reuters-no-excuse-not-to-rsvp 

Send Unbridely a 90-second audio message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/unbridelypodcast

*The Unbridely Podcast is sponsored by its listeners. When you purchase products or services through links on our website or via the podcast, we may earn an affiliate commission.*

------

This episode of the Unbridely Modern Wedding Planning Podcast is brought to you by WedSites.com, Unbridely's recommended all-in-one wedding website builder, guest management platform & wedding planning tool.

Visit WedSites.com to get started on your FREE wedding website and use code UNBRIDELYPOD to get 10% off any of their paid plans.

-----

Unbridely acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we record this podcast on, the Kaurna People. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unbridely/
or TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unbridely

Email the Unbridely Podcast:
[email protected]

While you might not label yourself as a feminist, most of my listeners believe in the value of equality.

And that means that some traditional wedding customs definitely don't sit well with you. But your wedding doesn't have to be all or nothing, and this episode is going to show you exactly how to make it yours.

My guest, Synclaire Warren, is a Gender Equity Leader, Key Note Speaker, and bride-to-be, who’s planning her very own wedding for this September. And when she announced her engagement online, many people commented that she was a sellout. A fake. That she was perpetuating a patriarchal institution.

So today we are talking about what it actually looks like to hold strong values and still want a beautiful wedding.

How to choose your own adventure when every tradition comes loaded with history and reflects a different era. 

And how you, whether you're getting married or not, can live by what you believe without turning every dinner conversation into a debate.

RESOURCES

Synclaire Warren on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/synclaire.warren/

www.synclairewarren.com

Vow for Girls: https://vowforgirls.org/

Send Unbridely a 90-second audio message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/unbridelypodcast

*The Unbridely Podcast is sponsored by its listeners. When you purchase products or services through links on our website or via the podcast, we may earn an affiliate commission.*

------

This episode of the Unbridely Modern Wedding Planning Podcast is brought to you by Unbridely’s ebook How To Write Wedding Vows That Don’t Suck 

https://unbridely.com/shop/htwwvtds

This is for YOU if you want to write the unique and heartfelt wedding vows your fiancé deserves, but don't know where to start. 🤔

AND want to get it done in 20 minutes or less. 💪

Grab your instant pdf download of the Unbridely ebook 'How To Write Wedding Vows That Don't Suck' for just $27 now! 🧡

https://unbridely.com/shop/htwwvtds

-----

Unbridely acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we record this podcast on, the Kaurna People. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unbridely/
or TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unbridely

Email the Unbridely Podcast:
[email protected]

There’s a good chance (91% in fact) you’ve never planned a wedding before and that you’ll only have one shot at it - with no do-overs. Wedding regret is a real thing that can steal joy from the planning, have you feeling anxious on the day and can haunt you afterwards too. 

But there are solutions to most dilemmas, circumstances and situations if you’re willing to listen and learn. 

In this special episode, you’ll learn: 

• 4 wedding truths that you need to accept,
• the 9 most universally common and heartbreaking (because they can be avoided) wedding regrets that I’ve either experienced, read about or heard about from my couples, plus
• some extra, more subjective, wedding regrets.

Resources: 

EasyWeddings 2026 Wedding Industry Report: https://www.easyweddings.com.au/business/australian-wedding-industry-reports/

Ep 20: 6 Essential Questions To Ask Yourself Before You Pick Your Bridesmaids

Ep 35: 22 Wedding Budget Ideas That Don't Discount Your Style Or Values

Ep 61: Micro-weddings With Massive Impact: Why Size Really Does Matter with WedShed

Ep 34: How to Give an Amazing Wedding Speech (even if you're really nervous) with Authentically Funny Speeches

Ep64: Pt 1 - 6 Most FAQ Will Make or Break Your Wedding Day Timeline With Luke John Photography

Ep65: Pt 2 - 6 Most FAQ Will Make or Break Your Wedding Day Timeline With Luke John Photography

Send Unbridely a 90-second audio message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/unbridelypodcast

*The Unbridely Podcast is sponsored by its listeners. When you purchase products or services through links on our website or via the podcast, we may earn an affiliate commission.*

------

This episode of the Unbridely Modern Wedding Planning Podcast is brought to you by Easy Name Change.

You simply choose which companies you need to notify, and they send you detailed process instructions for each of your companies, plus ready to send forms, letters, and emails, so you just attach your marriage certificate to them and you're done!

More info on how to change your name after you get married: https://unbridely.com/blog/name-change-after-marriage 

-----

Unbridely acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we record this podcast on, the Kaurna People. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unbridely/
or TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unbridely

Email the Unbridely Podcast:
[email protected]

You might have arranged an unplugged ceremony, but what about the other 8 to 18 hours of your wedding day when it’s entirely up to your guests as to whether they take photos or video.

While many couples don’t mind what’s captured, they often do care about what’s posted to social media, who gets tagged, and when. 

Today I’m tackling the stuff the unplugged ceremony conversation never touches: spoilers, livestream complications, ex-partners, tricky family dynamics, children being posted without consent and more. 

You’ll also learn about what one of my couples did this year when they realised that no amount of planning was going to guarantee that their wedding day was going to be what they wanted and why it might be the most brilliant and useful mindset shift of the entire almost 4 years of the Unbridely podcast. 

Resources Mentioned:

Send Unbridely a 90-second audio message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/unbridelypodcast

*The Unbridely Podcast is sponsored by its listeners. When you purchase products or services through links on our website or via the podcast, we may earn an affiliate commission.*

------

This episode of the Unbridely Modern Wedding Planning Podcast is brought to you by Never Miss Moments Unbridely's recommended wedding guest photo and video-sharing tool. With your unique QR code, your family and friends can quickly, easily and securely share their snaps with you in your personalised online gallery.

Visit nevermissmoments.com/unbridely to receive your 10% discount on your gallery.

-----

Unbridely acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we record this podcast on, the Kaurna People. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unbridely/
or TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unbridely

Email the Unbridely Podcast:
[email protected]

How do you make sure your vendors know what an incredible contribution they made to your wedding and what it meant to you?

In the United States, the answer is tips and gratuity. It's expected, it's budgeted for, and on an average wedding they add thousands of dollars to a bill engaged couples are already pushed to afford.

I recently polled the Unbridely Suppliers Facebook group about this topic. They are all Australian wedding vendors, and their answer was something completely different. 

So it got me thinking: when a vendor works for themselves and has the privilege of setting their own prices, is a tip really what they need/want? Or is it just the most convenient way for a couple to feel like they've said thank you properly. And is there a better, easier and yes, cheaper way to do it that actually means more to everyone involved? 

RESOURCES

1. The Knot 2026 Real Weddings Study theknot.com/content/average-wedding-cost
2. Zola 2026 Wedding Spend Survey zola.com/expert-advice/whats-the-average-cost-of-a-wedding
3. The Wedding Report 2025 wedding.report/action/wedding_statistics/view/market/id/00/idtype/s/location/United_States/
4. SoFi January 2026 sofi.com/learn/content/average-wedding-cost/
5. Fortunly Wedding Cost Statistics 2026 fortunly.com/statistics/wedding-cost-statistics/
6. The Global Statistics, Wedding Cost Statistics US 2026 theglobalstatistics.com/wedding-cost-statistics-in-us/
7. North American Community Hub nchstats.com/wedding-cost-in-united-states/

Vendor Tipping Amounts & Etiquette

1. Emmaline Bride 2026 Vendor Tipping Guide emmalinebride.com/planning/who-to-tip-at-wedding/
2. MasterClass Wedding Tipping Etiquette masterclass.com/articles/how-much-to-tip-wedding-vendors
3. WeddingTipCalculator.com 2026 weddingtipcalculator.com/how-much-to-tip-wedding-vendors/
4. TheWeddingPlanner.ai theweddingplanner.ai/wedding-vendor-tipping-guide
5. Mike Staff Productions 2026 mikestaff.com/wedding-ideas/how-much-to-tip-wedding-vendors/
6. Reel Vendor Network reelvendornetwork.com/wedding-vendor-tipping-guide/
7. Watson Block Wedding Tipping Cheat Sheet watsonblock.com/blog/your-wedding-vendor-tipping-cheat-sheet/
8. Michelle Leo Events michelleleoevents.com/blog/tipping-wedding-vendors
9. Marryment marryment.com/post/a-guide-to-tipping-your-wedding-vendors
10. You're The Bride yourethebride.com/tip-your-wedding-vendors/
11. The Drunk Wedding Photographer thedrunkweddingphotographer.com/summerimperfect/tipping-wedding-vendors

UK Tipping & Wage Law  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/distributing-tips-fairly-statutory-code-of-practice

Canadian Tipping & Wage Law: https://minwage-salairemin.service.canada.ca/en/general.html

Send Unbridely a 90-second audio message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/unbridelypodcast

*The Unbridely Podcast is sponsored by its listeners. When you purchase products or services through links on our website or via the podcast, we may earn an affiliate commission.*

------

This episode of the Unbridely Modern Wedding Planning Podcast is brought to you by WedSites.com, Unbridely's recommended all-in-one wedding website builder, guest management platform & wedding planning tool.

Visit WedSites.com to get started on your FREE wedding website and use code UNBRIDELYPOD to get 10% off any of their paid plans.

-----

Unbridely acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we record this podcast on, the Kaurna People. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Support the show

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unbridely/
or TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unbridely

Email the Unbridely Podcast:
[email protected]