Wed and Worth It

Planning your wedding and dreaming of a free honeymoon? In this episode, we’re breaking down how to maximize your credit card points while planning your big day — from paying vendors strategically to booking travel like a pro.

We’ll share our favorite points hacks for engaged couples, the best cards to use for wedding expenses, and how to turn that dream honeymoon (or family trip) into a reality using rewards you already have.

Connect with Ricky:

The Luxury Honeymooner Course

Roame Travel

@theluxuryhoneymooner

Connect with Melissa

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MelissaIvyPhotography⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WedandWorthit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://melissaivy.com/

What happens when your $30K wedding budget turns into $80K? This New York couple planned their destination wedding in Mexico City from afar — juggling time zones, family flying in from the Philippines, and a catering team so good even Vogue took notice.

In this episode, we talk about what really goes into planning a wedding overseas, how to balance food, family, and finances, and why sometimes the best memories come from going a little (okay, a lot) over budget.

Connect with Melissa

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MelissaIvyPhotography⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WedandWorthit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://melissaivy.com/

In this episode of Wed and Worth It, Melissa sits down with Morgan, a 2023 bride and the creator of Vows N Vibes, a refreshingly honest wedding planning community on Instagram. Morgan walks us through her wedding journey—from an unforgettable proposal in Brooklyn to the charming coastal celebration in Newport, Rhode Island. We dive into the realities of budgeting, the emotional rollercoaster of planning, and how Morgan prioritized meaningful guest experiences while balancing cost. From swapping bands last-minute to coordinating yoga classes for guests, Morgan shares the wins, lessons, and moments that made it all worth it. If you're planning a wedding or just love a good story, this one’s packed with practical gems and feel-good vibes.

Follow Morgan: https://www.instagram.com/vows.n.vibes/

Connect with Melissa

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MelissaIvyPhotography⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WedandWorthit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://melissaivy.com/

In this unforgettable episode of Wed and Worth It, Melissa chats with newlyweds Siobhan and Bobby about their dazzling New Year’s Eve wedding in Westchester County. With a budget that expanded from $100K to $400K, the couple prioritized a Broadway-caliber band, phenomenal food, and an emotional, personalized guest experience—including a surprise 10-minute drone show. From vintage chairs to espresso martinis at midnight, this celebration was a masterclass in weaving personal meaning into every detail. If you're planning a wedding that’s anything but ordinary, this one’s for you.

Connect with Melissa

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MelissaIvyPhotography⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WedandWorthit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://melissaivy.com/

In this vibrant and deeply thoughtful episode of Wed and Worth It, Melissa chats with Seets about her November wedding in Philadelphia—a celebration that blended Indian and Chinese cultures, bold artistic inspiration, and some serious color.

From eloping in their living room with eight friends to a $300K event planned over 18 months, Seets shares the emotional, logistical, and creative highs and lows of pulling off a truly intentional, multicultural celebration. With priorities like guest comfort, photography, and a mood board inspired by Gustav Klimt, she didn’t just plan a wedding—she designed an experience. She also drops one of our favorite lines to date: “Never let your wedding be more beautiful than your marriage.”

Connect with Melissa

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MelissaIvyPhotography⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WedandWorthit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://melissaivy.com/

In this heartfelt and hilarious episode of Wed and Worth It, Melissa sits down with Renee, a newlywed who shares the incredible 22-year journey that led to her luxe mountaintop wedding in West Virginia. From high school science class to long-distance love and a surprise proposal in Santorini, Renee walks us through every detail—from their black-tie ski resort venue to hiking Machu Picchu on their honeymoon (and yes, even adopting a stray kitten along the way). She shares budget realities ($130K including honeymoon), major wins, regrets, and honest advice for anyone planning a wedding they want to remember forever. This one is packed with laughter, real talk, and a gentle reminder to make your wedding day YOURS.

Connect with Melissa

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MelissaIvyPhotography⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WedandWorthit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://melissaivy.com/

Planning a wedding in Hawaii? On this episode of Wed and Worth It, we chat with Kate from Sunshower Weddings, a Big Island wedding planner with a background as a venue owner (and even a lawyer!). She shares the reality of planning destination weddings, the biggest budgeting mistakes couples make, and why hiring a planner with logistical expertise is a game-changer.

From breaking down the hidden costs of a Hawaii wedding to revealing her dream wedding trend (hint: it's all about the caterpillar table ), Kate spills it all. If you're dreaming of a Hawaii wedding or just love a behind-the-scenes look at high-end planning, this one’s for you!

Connect with Kate:

https://sunshowerweddings.com/

Connect with Melissa

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MelissaIvyPhotography⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WedandWorthit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://melissaivy.com/

In this episode of Wed & Worth It, Taylor shares her experience planning a destination wedding on Kiawah Island while navigating family expectations, budgeting, and the unexpected twists that come with wedding planning.

From eloping in Nantucket to crafting a wedding that felt more like a luxe dinner party than a traditional event, Taylor dives into what mattered most to her and her husband—and what she wishes she had done differently. Plus, she spills the details on a florist fiasco, why she skipped a bridal party, and how she found the perfect balance between high-end details and laid-back vibes. Was it worth it? Listen in to find out!

Connect with Melissa

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MelissaIvyPhotography⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WedandWorthit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://melissaivy.com/

In this episode of Wed &Worth It, Arizona wedding planner Alicia from J-Starr Wedding Company joins Melissa for an in-person conversation about all things wedding planning. From navigating vendor selection and budgeting to the most overlooked aspects of the big day, Alicia shares her expert insights and personal experiences. She also flips the script, putting Melissa in the hot seat with a few unexpected questions! Whether you're deep in the planning process or just getting started, this episode is packed with valuable advice and a whole lot of fun.

Connect with Alicia:

https://jstarrweddingcompany.com/

Instagram: @jstarrweddingcompany

Connect with Melissa

⁠⁠⁠@MelissaIvyPhotography⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠@WedandWorthit⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://melissaivy.com/

In this episode of Wed and Worth It, Melissa chats with Emma about her elegant and logistically complex New York City wedding at a historic museum. Emma shares her journey planning a $300K wedding in just 11 months, including how she navigated vendor selection, budgeting surprises (hello, $50K tent quote!), and the unexpected costs that come with a non-traditional venue. From her best budgeting advice to why chairs and lighting cost way more than she expected, this episode is packed with practical takeaways for anyone planning a wedding—especially in a big city.Was it worth it? Emma says yes, and she’s sharing why!

Connect with Melissa

⁠⁠⁠⁠@MelissaIvyPhotography⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠@WedandWorthit⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://melissaivy.com/