Grace and Kelsey explore unusual wedding traditions and bride prices from different cultures and time periods, uncovering practices that range from fascinating to shocking.

• Spanish brides in the 1600s wore black wedding dresses to symbolize "till death do us part"
• Medieval grooms sometimes "kidnapped" brides if the family didn't approve, with best men serving as bodyguards
• Chinese brides were expected to cry for a month before their wedding
• Women born under unlucky astrological signs in parts of India had to marry trees first to break curses
• European guests threw shoes at brides for good luck, while bridesmaids dressed identically to confuse evil spirits
• In South Sudan, marriages weren't valid until the bride had given birth to two children
• African bride prices were measured in cows through the tradition of "Lobola"
• West African cultures used salt as currency for bride payments
• Chinese grooms during the Han Dynasty presented roasted pigs to symbolize wealth and fertility
• Viking grooms offered ancestral swords in exchange for the bride's dowry
• European monarchs arranged marriages as political deals, sometimes trading sisters between kingdoms

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Our hosts answer listener questions about breaking into the wedding planning industry, revealing it's not the sparkly, carefree career most people imagine but requires exceptional organization and people skills.

• Wedding planning requires patience, organization, and attention to detail
• Shadow an established planner before committing to this career path
• Industry experience through internships helps determine if it's the right fit
• Educational courses aren't required but help with understanding diverse wedding traditions
• Building relationships with vendors creates a reliable network for referrals
• Navigating family dynamics is a crucial skill for wedding planners
• The behind-the-scenes work includes mediating difficult conversations
• People skills are vital for handling emotions and personalities on wedding days

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We tackle a listener's Instagram question about DIY versus pre-made wedding decor, sharing our personal experiences and professional insights. Our honest discussion reveals the hidden costs, storage challenges, and post-wedding realities of the DIY approach while highlighting strategic ways to balance handmade and purchased elements.

• Grace used a 50-50 approach for her wedding, buying statement pieces while DIY-ing others
• Professional signage creates a cohesive look and reduces stress during wedding planning
• Consider your venue's natural beauty before overinvesting in decorative elements
• DIY projects require significant time, space, and mental bandwidth during planning
• Post-wedding storage becomes a challenge for purchased decor items
• Rental companies offer hassle-free alternatives that disappear after the event
• Pinterest fails are a real risk when DIY skills don't match wedding day expectations
• Choose your DIY battles wisely and know when to invest in professional help

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Micro weddings are trending but don't automatically mean cost savings. We examine the realities of planning an intimate celebration with fewer than 50 guests.

• Micro weddings typically include 20-50 guests but maintain traditional wedding elements
• Post-COVID popularity has shifted wedding expectations and planning approaches
• Venue costs generally remain the same regardless of guest count
• Catering and decor offer the most significant savings opportunities
• Smaller guest lists allow for deeper connections with each attendee
• Weekday weddings are becoming more common for micro celebrations
• Non-traditional venues like art galleries and private gardens are trending
• Themed micro weddings (vintage, boho, 1920s) offer creative possibilities
• Clear communication helps manage expectations with uninvited guests
• Even small weddings benefit from professional coordination
• Prioritizing experiences over quantity creates memorable celebrations
• Focus on what matters most to you as a couple rather than others' expectations

Be sure to follow us on Instagram and TikTok for the daily lives of Kelsey and Grace, where you'll find tidbits and clips from the podcast.

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We answer a listener's question about transportation recommendations for newlyweds' grand exits, sharing our personal experiences and providing practical advice for wedding day transportation.

• Remember to prioritize safety with a designated driver if you plan to drink
• Transportation options vary by location
• In Phoenix, consider Jet Limousine for shuttle buses and limos
• Check classiccarsaz.com for vintage vehicle rentals
• Turo works like "Airbnb for cars" with luxury vehicle options
• Personal dream exit vehicles include horse-drawn carriages, G-Wagons, and classic trucks
• Party buses offer fun alternatives for including your bridal party
• Consider your personal style and practical needs when choosing exit transportation

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We explore the connection between pre-wedding beauty services and brides' mental health with professional spray tanner Leah from Bronze Alchemy. The conversation reveals how investing in professional services like spray tans, hair, and makeup significantly impacts confidence and reduces stress on the wedding day.

• Investing in beauty services provides necessary self-care during the stressful wedding planning process
• Professional services help brides feel like "the most beautiful version" of themselves
• Wedding photos last forever, making professional beauty treatments a worthwhile investment
• Leah shares her disastrous experience self-tanning before her own wedding
• DIY beauty treatments add unnecessary stress when professional services can take that responsibility away
• Budgeting for professional beauty services is recommended despite the expense

Take the stress off your shoulders for your wedding day by investing in professional beauty services rather than attempting DIY solutions.

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Grace shares her excitement about celebrating her one-year wedding anniversary with a dream European honeymoon to Barcelona, Sorrento, and London after eight years with her husband.

• Discusses the benefits of waiting a year after the wedding for a big honeymoon rather than trying to plan it immediately after
• Explains how they'll celebrate their actual anniversary at a European football (soccer) game in Barcelona
• Details the financial challenge of planning such a significant trip but emphasizes its worthiness
• Touches on fall wedding season preparations with 45 days until the first ceremony
• Discusses the excitement for fall wedding colors and "dark and moody" aesthetics
• Mentions the potential for Halloween weddings, especially in 2026 when it falls on a Saturday
• Shares past couple's Halloween costume experiences and asks listeners for costume ideas

Send us your Halloween costume ideas, especially if you have great couples costume suggestions!

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We tackle a listener's wedding dilemma about whether to invite a close friend's toxic on-and-off boyfriend to a small 40-person wedding. Our unanimous advice: don't invite him.

• Small, intimate weddings require careful guest selection
• Your wedding day is your day - invite only who you want there
• Don't invite people who might cause drama or problems
• Toxic relationships can lead to potential fights during your celebration
• No need to pay for meals and alcohol for someone who may ruin your day
• If your friend chooses not to come because their plus-one wasn't invited, that's their choice
• Surround yourself with people who truly love and support you
• Stand your ground on your guest list decisions

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Wedding horror stories range from shocking betrayals to toxic family dynamics, all providing valuable insights about relationships and boundaries.

• The groom's pregnant side piece showing up at the reception, raising questions about when the cheating occurred
• A toxic mother-in-law crying during the ceremony and asking her son if he was "sure" about getting married
• Another mother-in-law screaming "She stole my son!" during the mother-son dance at the reception
• A sister fainting at her father's second wedding just as rings were exchanged (the marriage lasted only three years)
• A bride catching her groom texting his ex during the reception and leaving to Beyoncé's "Single Ladies"
• A wedding with only appetizers but a full bar, leading to "wasted and hangry" guests
• Two groomsmen ending up in bed with the groom's sister (who they had both previously dated) on the wedding night, eventually becoming a "thropple"

Send us your wedding horror stories for our next episode!

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Grace and Kelsey debate the controversial topic of sex before marriage, sharing their personal experiences and how their views have evolved over time. They explore the balance between testing compatibility and keeping intimacy sacred.

• Grace advocates for "test driving" before marriage, believing intimacy is crucial for relationship compatibility
• Kelsey reflects on how her religious beliefs have shaped her current perspective that waiting has special value
• Discussion about how multiple sexual partners can potentially bring "baggage" into marriages
• Conversation about the unique bond of having only one lifetime sexual partner
• Advice for younger listeners about not using sex to win someone's affection
• Both hosts agree on the importance of making wise decisions about intimacy
• Emphasis that marriage should be based on character and heart, not bedroom compatibility

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