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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We tackle the controversial topic of marriage ultimatums and whether the "marry me or it's over" approach is romantic or toxic in relationships.

• Personal experiences with setting marriage expectations after five years in a relationship
• The significance of marriage as a next step versus just being in a committed relationship
• Comparison of title progressions from dating to exclusive to engaged to married
• Marriage expectations influenced by seeing parents in long-lasting marriages
• The potential toxicity of ultimatums in already unhealthy relationships
• How ultimatums can lead to reluctant proposals and unchanged problematic behaviors
• The distinction between harsh ultimatums and setting healthy boundaries
• Alternative approaches to timeline discussions without using the word "ultimatum"
• Valid reasons for delaying marriage including career goals and financial considerations
• The importance of communication and compromise regarding relationship progression

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We dive deep into the world of wedding spray tans with expert Leah from Bronze Alchemy, who shares everything from proper timing and preparation to maintaining your glow throughout your honeymoon. Having recently experienced Leah's magic firsthand, we can attest that the confidence boost from a professional spray tan is real and game-changing for your wedding day.

• Leah was inspired to become a spray tan artist after experiencing her first spray tan for her own wedding
• The "spray tan effect" instantly boosts confidence and transforms how you feel in your skin
• Trial tans are essential for brides to nail down color preferences and proper skin prep
• Exfoliation is crucial for a flawless application and longer-lasting results
• All other beauty services (waxing, facials, lashes, hair) should be completed 24-48 hours before your spray tan
• Spray tans should ideally be scheduled 48 hours before your wedding day
• Solutions for preventing tan transfer onto wedding dresses include clear solutions or proper rinsing techniques
• Post-tan care requires twice-daily moisturizing and careful management of pool/ocean exposure
• Grooms are increasingly getting spray tans too, with special accommodation options available
• Proper timing and preparation can help avoid common spray tan mishaps like streaking or patchy fading

Follow Leah on Instagram @bronzealchemy_ or visit her website at bronzealchemy.com to book your bridal spray tan consultation.

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We tackle the controversial question of whether couples with different political views should get married, exploring the challenges these fundamental differences create in long-term relationships.

• Different political views create challenges when tough conversations arise
• Political and religious differences are foundational elements that rarely change
• Having children complicates mixed-belief marriages even further
• Modern political divisions (post-2020) have made these differences more significant
• Couples in previous generations may have managed political differences differently
• Conversations about politics and religion should happen before marriage
• The "honeymoon phase" can blind couples to important compatibility issues

Make sure to have those difficult conversations about politics and religion before getting married—don't let the blinders of love stop you from addressing these crucial topics.

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