We talk about our giveaway!! A $2,500 gift card to any cruise line of your choice. This incredible prize is perfect for honeymoons, which often get pushed aside due to wedding expenses and planning.

• Partnering with an amazing sponsor to offer this generous prize to our listeners
• Cruises offer exceptional value with all-inclusive dining, entertainment, and multiple destinations
• Modern cruise ships feature exciting amenities like pools, shows, zip lines, and silent discos
• Cruise destinations span from Alaska's whale watching to European cities to Asian adventures
• Winner will be announced on June 4th during our bachelorette party episode
• Upcoming bachelorette episode will cover timelines, realistic costs, and handling financial conversations
• Send us your bachelorette stories (anonymous) to potentially feature in our upcoming episode

The winner will be announced during our bachelorette party episode dropping on June 4th, 8am on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music. You will not want to miss it!

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Navigating wedding florals requires understanding your style preferences and budget constraints while selecting the right professional partner. Finding the perfect florist involves careful research, asking the right questions, and ensuring clear communication throughout the planning process.

• Determine your floral style by exploring Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration
• Save 3-5 photos to show potential florists
• Distinguish between must-haves and nice-to-haves to align with your budget
• Most couples spend 8-10% of their total wedding budget on flowers
• Ask florists about repurposing florals between ceremony and reception
• Research florists thoroughly by checking reviews on Google, The Knot, and WeddingWire
• Verify consistency in their work and responsiveness in communication
• Ask if they've worked at your venue before and can work within your budget
• Discuss what happens to flowers post-event, including donation possibilities
• Book 6-12 months in advance, especially during peak season
• Confirm how many other weddings they're handling on your date
• Get everything in writing, including arrangements, setup, breakdown, and payment schedule
• Schedule a final consultation two weeks before the wedding

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Wedding venues come with hefty price tags for good reason - covering essential services like climate control, landscaping, and maintenance that benefit your big day. We tackle a listener's question about finding affordable venue options while explaining why DIY alternatives often end up being more expensive and stressful than couples anticipate.

• Set your venue budget before touring to avoid falling in love with spaces you can't afford
• Look for hidden costs like required vendor lists, outside vendor fees, and setup charges
• Consider flexible dates - weekdays and off-peak seasons offer significant savings
• Limit your venue search to 5-7 options maximum to avoid decision paralysis
• Ask about discounts for military, teachers, first responders, or off-peak dates
• Don't be afraid to negotiate pricing or payment schedules with potential venues
• Consider guest convenience factors like travel and accommodation when selecting locations

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Haley Carter shares her raw and emotional journey through marriage, divorce, and finding herself again while navigating the challenges of co-parenting two young children. 

• Haley married her high school sweetheart in 2019 and had two children before separating in 2023
• Despite thinking they had a happy marriage, her husband suddenly announced he no longer wanted to be together
• Looking back, she recognizes red flags including feeling like she wasn't a priority in his life
• Transitioning from being a stay-at-home mom to 50-50 custody arrangement required significant adjustment
• Finding her identity outside of being a wife and mother became a crucial part of her healing journey
• Reconnecting with her LDS faith provided community, support, and framework for healing
• Returned to school and is now working toward nursing school while continuing her lash business
• Communication is key to successful co-parenting, with focus on doing what's best for the children
• Being honest with trusted friends and family about relationship concerns is important
• Now in a promising new relationship with someone who shares her faith and understands divorce
• The unexpected end of her marriage ultimately led to personal growth and happiness

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We tackle a listener question about wedding decor decisions, sharing practical tips for creating a cohesive and budget-friendly wedding aesthetic without sacrificing style.

• Start with your venue selection to determine what type of decor will work best
• Choose a theme and color palette early, then delete other Pinterest ideas to avoid second-guessing
• Splurge selectively on pieces you can keep (welcome signs, mirrors) while DIYing others
• Source affordable decor through Facebook Marketplace or from recently married friends
• Remember that sometimes "less is more" – don't overfill your space with unnecessary items
• Allocate your decor budget across different wedding segments (ceremony, reception, etc.)
• Consider the venue's natural beauty and avoid redundant decorations
• Look for decor items that can transition to your home after the wedding

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Hiring your perfect wedding planner or coordinator requires asking the right questions to ensure they align with your vision and can execute flawlessly. We share listener-inspired tips for interviewing and selecting the wedding planning professionals who will be your biggest advocates on your special day.

• Share your vision and goals to ensure they're interested and can see what you're imagining
• For day-of coordinators, ask about arrival time, timeline management, and handling unexpected issues
• Confirm if coordinators handle setup/teardown or work hourly to avoid surprises at the end of your reception
• Ask potential planners about their experience, number of weddings completed, and venue familiarity
• Request references and client testimonials to gauge past performance
• Determine what planning packages they offer (full planning, partial planning) and what's included
• Verify who will actually be with you on wedding day if they work with a team
• Understand their fee structure, cancellation policies, and any potential additional charges
• Discuss communication style and availability during your planning process
• Check if they help with budgeting, vendor coordination, and design elements
• Confirm whether they include rehearsal dinner and post-wedding brunch coordination

Good luck finding your perfect wedding planning partner!

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Navigating wedding guest counts requires balancing budget constraints with meaningful relationships. Creating an intimate celebration allows genuine connections with every guest while avoiding the overwhelm of a massive wedding.

• Budget is the primary factor in determining guest count, with approximately $20 per person just for meals
• Venue capacity restrictions may limit how many guests you can invite
• Categorize potential guests into "must-have" and "would be nice" lists
• Consider only offering plus-ones for married couples or those in long-term relationships
• Evaluate whether to include children, as they can significantly increase your guest count
• Ask yourself if you've spoken to or spent time with potential guests within the past year
• Question whether you're inviting someone out of genuine desire or mere obligation
• Assess if each person's presence will bring joy or stress to your wedding day
• Prioritize having meaningful connections with everyone attending your celebration

Don't feel pressured to invite people just because you feel obligated. Your wedding day should be filled with people who bring you joy and support your relationship.

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We tackle a challenging question from a bride dealing with a difficult future mother-in-law who's threatening not to attend the wedding. Through sharing personal experiences and practical advice, we explore how to protect your joy during wedding planning while navigating complex family dynamics.

• Don't take difficult mother-in-law behavior personally – it's often about her fear of change or loss of control
• Protect your joy during wedding planning and let go of trying to please everyone
• Let your partner take the lead in difficult conversations with their own family
• Ensure your fiancé has your back – this sets the tone for your future marriage
• Set healthy boundaries early with statements like "this day isn't about control or ultimatums"
• Remember that your wedding day belongs to you as a couple, not extended family

We wish you the absolute best of luck with your wedding planning and family dynamics.

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We're talking all about creating the perfect wedding day timeline that allows your dream day to run on autopilot. Building around two key factors – sunset time and whether you're doing a first look – helps establish the foundation for an ideal schedule that keeps everyone on track.

• Start with your ceremony time as the anchor point and work backwards
• Plan to be hidden 30 minutes before ceremony start as guests typically arrive early
• Keep cocktail hour between 60-75 minutes to maintain guest energy
• Consider whether to place special moments (first dance, parent dances) before or after dinner
• Allow your DJ to determine timing for bouquet/garter toss based on reception energy
• Include buffer time between events as safeguards against inevitable delays
• Consider adding a private last dance before your grand exit for an intimate final moment

Remember that your wedding day timeline should include plenty of buffer time – it's your best friend when creating a schedule that flows smoothly without stress or rushing.

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Kelsey and Grace celebrate Cinco de Mayo with margaritas and a game of "Drink If" while tackling controversial wedding hot takes and planning questions from followers.

Episode Highlights:

• Firmly against guests who RSVP yes and then don't show up to weddings without legitimate emergencies 
• Mixed feelings about prenups – understand their purpose for wealthy couples but question if they contradict marriage commitment
• Both hosts experienced family drama around wedding guest lists – importance of standing your ground
• Strong opinions against cash bars at weddings – "the least you can do is provide free alcohol"
• Personal wedding planning experiences including breaking out in hives from stress
• Shocking story about wedding guests breaking into a resort's liquor cabinet and stealing $7,000 worth of alcohol
• Advice on seating charts when guests don't get along – be strategic but accept you can't control every interaction
• Both recommend against bringing puppies to weddings unless you hire a professional handler
• Discussion about honeymoon funds versus traditional registries – supporting couples' preferences

If you loved this episode, follow us on Instagram @weddinghivepodcast and send us your wildest wedding stories – especially any bride drama, since we're desperate to hear that tea!

Follow the Wedding Hive Podcast on all social media and podcast platforms!

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