How can you be sure you’re planning a wedding that your family and friends will actually enjoy?

In my job as a celebrant here in Australia this wedding season, I’ve been reminded of some of the basics of wedding planning and how, frequently, it doesn’t matter how big or modest your budget is. 

These concepts are about making a welcoming and comfortable space for your guests so they want to stay, and in fact, when the lights come on after last drinks have been called:

1)        There’ll still be people there and

2)        There’ll be an audible groan that the celebrations have come to an end.

Today I’m sharing the top 10 things that wedding guests secretly hate, but won’t complain about (to you, at least). 

Resources: 

EP85: Is A Seating Chart Absolutely Necessary For Your Wedding?

Ep34: How to Give an Amazing Wedding Speech (even if you're really nervous) with Authentically Funny Speeches

Ep67: How To Write A Memorable And Gracious Wedding Speech For Your Own Wedding with Authentically Funny Speeches

Australian National Support: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/mental-health-crisis-support#:~:text=Lifeline%20%E2%80%94%20call%2013%2011%2014,or%20with%20thoughts%20of%20suicide

Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.html

New Zealand: https://1737.org.nz/

United Kingdom: https://www.spuk.org.uk/national-suicide-prevention-helpline-uk/

United States of America: https://988lifeline.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.*

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This episode of the Unbridely Modern Wedding Planning Podcast is brought to you by the Unbridely Couples private Facebook group: https://facebook.com/groups/unbridelycouples

Are you engaged to be married and need planning advice, want to talk something out or share your wedding stories?

If you’re looking for a like-minded community of modern engaged couples join us in the Unbridely Couples Facebook group! 🙋

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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]

If you had a dollar for every time your family or friends asked, 'What’s the dress code?' or ‘Can I bring a +1’ you’d have enough to pay for the open bar.

But seriously, there’s a way to cut the volume of those repeat questions pretty much in half.

So before you hit the 'delete guest list' button, consider this: your wedding website is like your very own virtual assistant, and the FAQ page means that they’re working for you 24/7.

It’s like the 'Frequently Asked Questions' section on your favourite online store, but instead of shipping rates, despatch times and returns info, it’s ‘Yes, there’s parking’, ‘no, you can’t bring your dog’, and ‘yes, there’ll be a gluten-free option for dessert’ —saving you time, sanity, and about 67 text messages.

And when you use your wedding website to anticipate your guest’s concerns you also minimize the back-and-forth communication with them.

It’s also important to include clear and comprehensive FAQs to help you hold your boundaries and to communicate any changes and/or exceptions to the decisions that you’ve already made.

I’ve pulled together a list of the most common and helpful 16 FAQs to get you started. 

RESOURCES 

Ep15: The 3 biggest wedding planning time sucks (and how to avoid them) with WedSites

Best Wedding Websites of 2024 and Why You Need One: https://unbridely.com/blog/best-wedding-websites

EP36: Why child-free weddings are so controversial + adults-only wedding wording

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

To get $5 off your name change use the promo code UNBRIDELY5 (valid until end of 2024) 

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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]

What would you do if you didn’t receive your wedding photo gallery?

As weeks turn to months after your wedding day and you still haven’t gotten your wedding photos, it can start to feel like your memories are being held hostage. And that’s when the panic can set in.

Did your photographer lose your photos?

Were their SD card/s damaged?

Why are they still posting other couple’s photos on socials?

You can really start to spiral.

I reached out to 10 of the Unbridely Suppliers pro wedding photographers to get their perspective on: 

• how long is too long to wait for your wedding photo gallery, 
• why delays sometimes happen and how to handle them, 
• why communication is key, and 
• how to avoid this situation happening to you from the very start.

RESOURCES

Tim Day Photography: @timdayphotography

K Photography by Karina: @k_photography_by_karina

Time With Alex: @timewithalex.co

Wilson and Lewis Photography: @wilsonandlewis

Chasing Eve: @chasingeve

Oak Tree Studios: @oaktree.studios

Rexvil Photography: @rexvil.photography

In The Mood For Love: @inthemoodforlove.jaz

House of Love Adelaide: @houseoflove.adl

Luke John Photography: @lukejohnphotography

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]

Imagine this: You find, trust, book in and pay for a vendor for your wedding mainly because they’ve won every wedding award out there, only to find out later (when it’s too late)… that they actually paid for those awards, or aren’t as experienced or talented as you presumed, or, and this is surely worst, they can’t even deliver what you actually need.

Could this ever happen?

So today, I’m going to teach you a little about some of the biggest wedding industry awards and their processes including WeddingWire, The Knot, Easy Weddings, Wedding Industry Awards and ABIA.

You’ll find out: 

• their advantages and their shortcomings, plus 
• how bias, undeclared interest, and pay-to-play tactics might affect how you feel about vendors who participate in these awards, and
• how best to view wedding industry awards when you’re researching and putting together a short-list of your vendor dream team to make sure that you’re not left disappointed or taken advantage of.

I’m hoping to give you a balanced and insightful look into the value for you and the general impact of wedding industry awards. Do they help engaged couples make informed decisions or do they just act as thinly veiled (pun intended) marketing smoke and mirrors to get your business?

Spoiler alert: I think you’re going to be surprised when I tell you the truth. 

Resources Mentioned:

The Knot Best Of Weddings: https://vendorsupport.theknotpro.com/hc/en-us/articles/12234320206484-Best-of-Weddings-FAQs

Wedding Wire Couples Choice Awards: https://vendorsupport.weddingwire.com/hc/en-us/articles/12234377350036-Couples-Choice-Awards-FAQs

EasyWedding 5 star awards: https://www.easyweddings.com.au/pro-education/australias-top-reviewed-wedding-suppliers-2024/

Wedding Industry Awards: https://weddingindustryawards.au/how-it-works/

ABIA awards: https://abia.com.au/abia-awards/how-it-works

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 off their galleries.

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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]

Have you ever imagined ditching the rules and the guest list and simply escaping to a hidden gem to exchange your vows, just the two of you?

Jenny Mac, founder of Eloping Is Fun, curates extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime adventures in New York City for couples from all over the world. 

But she’s not interested in following tradition or making the experience like a mini wedding day, she challenges the norm and empowers people to have the best day of their lives. 

Jenny will teach you about: 

• the cultural shift away from traditional weddings, 
• the kind of freedom that eloping gives engaged couples, and 
• the joy of creating memorable individual experiences (like an elopement in a vegan doughnut shop). 

Jenny also shares some of her favourite secret locations in New York City for couples to tie the knot and has some great ideas for how to make your day cool and super fun. 

Resources Mentioned:

Eloping Is Fun: https://elopingisfun.com

Instagram Eloping is Fun: https://www.instagram.com/elopingisfun/

NYC Community Garden Weddings: https://elopingisfun.com/how-to-get-married-in-a-community-garden-in-nyc/

The Artist Loft: https://elopingisfun.com/welcome-to-the-artist-loft/

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 wedding website builder, guest management platform & wedding planning tool all in one.

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]

What’s sweeter than saying ‘I do’? 
Saying ‘we do’—to your new blended family! 

If you’re scratching your head trying to figure out how to involve your kids or stepkids in your wedding ceremony while steering clear of the more cliché rituals, you’re in for a treat.

I've found 8 creative, symbolic, and yes, even delicious ways to celebrate your blood, or found, family in your special day.

So if you’re ready to find out how to make your wedding unforgettable by weaving some story and symbolism into your ceremony to make your family feel honoured and special, stick around.  

Resources: 

Blended Family Unity Rituals For Your Wedding Ceremony (That Haven't Been Done to Death): https://unbridely.com/blog/family-unity-wedding-ceremony

What are Rock Cairns & Why You Shouldn’t Build Them: https://bearfoottheory.com/what-are-rock-cairns/

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 the Unbridely Couples private Facebook group: https://facebook.com/groups/unbridelycouples

Are you engaged to be married and need planning advice, want to talk something out or share your wedding stories?

If you’re looking for a like-minded community of modern engaged couples join us in the Unbridely Couples Facebook group! 🙋

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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]

What do you think your wedding dress will be worth after your wedding day?

You might be surprised to hear that you can be the life of the party, stains and all and still have a pristine wedding gown for the future.

Whether it's a sentimental keepsake, a family heirloom in the making, or something you plan to sell or donate later on, the real value of your gown depends on how well you take care of it after the big day.

Today I’m going to tackle the often-overlooked task of storing your wedding gown after your wedding.

You can get 5% off your gown cleaning and preservation with MyDressBox.com.au by using the discount code UNBRIDELY at checkout.

And stick around until the end of the episode, because I’ll be sharing My Dress Box’s essential dos and don’ts of wedding gown storage to help you avoid costly mistakes and keep your dress looking as gorgeous as it did on your wedding day.

Resources: 

My Dress Box wedding dress cleaning and storage services: https://mydressbox.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 MyDressBox.com.au

If you want to clean and/or store your wedding dress after your wedding day to be handed down to your daughter, donated, kept as a keepsake, repurposed or re-sold My Dress Box’s services in Australia and New Zealand offers professional, experienced and gentle cleaning and preservation services that you can trust. 

And Unbridely Podcast listeners can also take advantage of a 5% discount by using the discount code UNBRIDELY at checkout.  🙋

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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]

Picture this. It's your wedding day, the moment you've been planning for months and maybe even years. The morning has gone smoothly, energy is high, and your guests would have just started to arrive at your venue about now.  But as you're getting into the car to go to your ceremony, a button falls off, your veil rips, maybe you start sweating like you've never sweated before, or your heel breaks. What do you do?  

This is exactly why a Wedding Day Emergency Kit is your best friend and your safety net. It's the ultimate just-in-case toolkit, and trust me, it's not just for the bride.

With a little prep in advance, you can sail through your big day like a pro and have immediate solutions at your fingertips, no matter what curveballs get thrown your way. Today I'm going to teach you all about why you need an emergency kit, when to put it together, and most importantly, what to put in it.

RESOURCES 

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

To get $5 off your name change use the promo code UNBRIDELY5 (valid until end of 2024) 

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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]

What’s your idea of the perfect honeymoon? Is it at a beachside location or exploring somewhere exotic and remote? Are you on a premium river or canal cruise through Europe, or are you reclining in opulence at one of the most exclusive hotels in the world? 

And what if it only cost you a fraction of the price it should, or even better, nothing at all?

Crazy right? Elliot from Hack My Honeymoon says, crazy wonderful. But with the emphasis on the wonderful part.

Today Elliot is going to share with you:

• Some of the success stories from couples who have used his loyalty points coaching services (you won’t believe the deals they got especially with first-class air travel – think lie-flat beds),
• What qualities couples need to have to be the best candidates to take maximum advantage of the experiences you can book via a sustainable loyalty and reward points accumulation strategy, 
• the risks and potential downsides of loyalty and reward points hacking that you need to be aware of

PLUS IF the idea of points hacking to pay for your honeymoon is something that interests you, Elliot includes some crucial and important advice at the end of the episode to make sure that you get the very best deals possible and protect the value of the points you’re accumulating as you go along, both now and in the future. 

RESOURCES

Hack My Honeymoon: https://www.hackmyhoneymoon.com/

Hack My Honeymoon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ehrosenberg

Hack My Honeymoon TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ehrosenberg

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]

This week marks an exciting personal milestone for me as an Australian marriage celebrant; conducting the ceremony to get my 1000th couple married. 

I’d love to share some profound insights about love, relationships, and marriage that I’ve gleaned along the way. And so I’ll be unpacking some of my realisations, and discussing the complexities behind the public displays of love and commitment.

Plus the 3 constants that seem to be evident in successful relationships. 

Thank you so so much for being a part of my journey. 

*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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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]