Wedding venue contracts can be overwhelming, confusing, and full of hidden costs that quietly inflate your budget. In this episode, I break down exactly how to read and understand your wedding venue contract before you sign.

You’ll learn what common contract terms really mean, including food and beverage minimums, service charges versus gratuity, overtime fees, taxes, corkage fees, cake-cutting fees, outside vendor fees, and more. I explain where couples most often get caught off guard and how these fees can add thousands of dollars to your final total if you’re not prepared.

This episode also walks you through smart questions to ask your venue, red flags to watch for in the fine print, and practical steps to protect yourself, like requesting a sample invoice, clarifying setup and breakdown times, and getting verbal promises in writing.

If you want to avoid surprise charges, stay in control of your wedding budget, and feel confident reviewing venue contracts, this episode is a must-listen before booking your space.

If you’re dreaming of a honeymoon filled with exotic cities, golden desert dunes, romantic riads, and once-in-a-lifetime cultural experiences, Morocco might be the perfect destination. In this episode, I sit down with Azdean Elmoustaquim, founder of Destination Morocco, to explore what makes Morocco one of the most talked-about honeymoon spots in the world.

You’ll learn why Morocco is gaining so much attention, how couples can blend adventure with relaxation, and what a truly immersive honeymoon looks like. We cover must-see regions like Marrakech, Chefchaouen, Fes, and the Sahara desert, the best time of year to visit, safety and dress code tips, realistic budget expectations, and how customized itineraries help couples experience Morocco like a local. Azdean also breaks down unique romantic experiences, from private desert dinners to hammam spa rituals, cooking classes, hot air balloon rides, and more.

Whether you're just starting to plan or looking for insider expertise to elevate your trip, this episode will help you design a Moroccan honeymoon that’s unforgettable, meaningful, and perfectly tailored to you.

Planning your wedding day timeline can feel overwhelming. When should hair and makeup start? How long do photos take? Is there a right time for dinner? In this episode of Weddings 101, I walk you through what a real wedding day looks like from start to finish.

You will hear four example hour by hour timelines, including classic, early, brunch, and evening weddings. I also share realistic time ranges for every major part of the day, including hair and makeup, getting ready, first look, portraits, ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, toasts, dancing, cake cutting, and your send off.

I also walk you through how to build your own timeline, what causes delays, what is considered normal, and how to avoid feeling rushed. Whether you are planning a 4 PM ceremony or a brunch celebration, this episode will help you create a smooth and stress free wedding day.

This episode is perfect for brides, grooms, bridal party members, planners, and anyone currently mapping out their wedding day flow.

Wedding desserts don’t have to stop at the classic white tiered cake. In this episode, I walk you through creative wedding cake ideas, unique dessert alternatives, and regional traditions that can make your celebration feel even more personal.

You’ll learn how to elevate a traditional cake with textured buttercream, hand-painted details, metallic accents, floral designs, and modern flavor combinations. I also break down single-serve dessert trends like cupcakes, mini cheesecakes, cake pops, and macaron towers, along with non-traditional options such as donut walls, pie bars, churro stations, waffle bars, and ice cream trucks.

I also share dessert traditions from across the U.S., including Pittsburgh cookie tables, New England cider donuts, Southern groom’s cakes, tropical Hawaiian treats, tres leches, gelato carts, kringle, and more.

Finally, I give you practical tips to help you choose the right dessert based on your budget, guest count, venue rules, and personal style, so you can create a sweet ending that feels meaningful and memorable.

Planning your wedding budget doesn’t have to be stressful. In this episode of Weddings 101, I walk you step by step through how to create, organize, and manage your wedding budget, from setting your total amount and allocating expenses to choosing the best tools, spreadsheets, and apps to stay on track.

Learn how to handle deposits, payment schedules, and hidden costs, plus pro wedding planner tips to avoid overspending and stay stress free. Whether you’re planning a $5,000 or $50,000 wedding, this episode will help you spend intentionally and confidently.

Hiring a wedding planner versus doing it yourself is one of the biggest decisions couples face early in the planning process. The choice affects your time, budget, and stress level, and knowing what’s truly worth it can make all the difference.

This episode covers what a wedding planner really does, from vendor management to design and day-of coordination, and breaks down how their expertise can save time, reduce stress, and prevent costly mistakes. It also looks at the realities of DIY wedding planning, the creative control it offers, the time it demands, and the common pitfalls couples encounter when handling everything themselves.

Find out when hiring a planner makes sense, how to make the most of a smaller budget with partial or month-of coordination, and how to find the balance between cost, control, and peace of mind. By the end, you’ll have the clarity to choose the approach that fits your budget, personality, and wedding vision.

Planning your wedding and worried about breaking an etiquette rule you didn’t even know existed? In this episode of Weddings 101, I cover 18 surprising wedding etiquette rules every couple should know, from invitation wording and plus-one policies to vendor tipping and post-wedding thank-you notes.

Learn how to avoid awkward moments, keep guests happy, and create a celebration that feels effortless and gracious. Whether you are the bride, groom, or maid of honor, these etiquette insights will help you navigate modern wedding planning with confidence, kindness, and clarity.

You will learn how to word invitations based on who is paying, the right way to handle plus-ones, RSVPs, and registry links, when and how to feed and thank your vendors, what to know about guest etiquette for unplugged ceremonies and reception timing, and modern takes on classic wedding traditions.

Tune in to feel fully prepared, avoid etiquette mishaps, and host your wedding like a pro.

In Part 2 of Jamie Krantz’s wedding story, she opens up about the emotional journey of finding a wedding dress that truly felt like her. She also talks candidly about her alterations challenges, how she handled the unexpected stress, and why she encourages every bride to find a dress that fits them, not the other way around.

When Hurricane Helene forced her to postpone her Asheville Arboretum wedding, Jamie found herself planning a second celebration in Charlotte with just days to spare. She walks us through how she stayed calm, worked with her vendors to make both events meaningful, and created two unforgettable wedding days filled with love and gratitude.

If you’re in the middle of dress shopping or navigating last-minute wedding changes, this episode will remind you that even when plans shift, your wedding can still reflect who you are and be every bit as beautiful as you dreamed.

Charlotte vendors:

Venue: Whitehead Manor

Photography: Amanda Somerville

Hair/Makeup: beauty by Brittany Mills

Florals: Lori Glynn Wolno (@florallori)

Dinner: Red Rocks Cafe

Asheville vendors:

Venue: NC Arboretum

Planner: Keystone Event Coordinating

Photo/Video: Darrell & Kaitlyn Cassell

Florals: Designed by Dee Florals

DJ: DJ Lev Events

Rentals: Professional Party Rentals Asheville

Transportation: Asheville Premier Transportation

Hotel: The Renaissance Asheville downtown

Hair/Makeup: Pop of Color

Favors: The Chocolate Fetish

Cake: Publix (Pinnacle Point - Hendersonville)

String trio: Carolina music planner

Dress: Gilded Bridal

When Jamie Krantz began planning her dream fall wedding at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, she had everything perfectly in place, from the venue and color palette to the meaningful traditions she wanted to include. But just weeks before her big day, Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina and forced her to completely rethink her plans.

In this episode, Jamie walks us through her wedding planning journey from finding her dream venue after months of searching to creating a “Fall Garden” aesthetic that perfectly matched the setting. She shares how she incorporated personal cultural traditions, built her budget and vendor list with her planner’s help, and leaned on her family’s support when she had to change course at the last minute.

If you are planning your wedding and want to feel prepared for anything, this conversation offers both practical advice and encouragement that even when plans change, your day can still be beautiful, meaningful, and entirely yours.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where Jamie shares her wedding dress journey, lessons learned from alterations, and how she found joy in celebrating twice.

Charlotte vendors:

Venue: Whitehead Manor

Photography: Amanda Somerville

Hair/Makeup: beauty by Brittany Mills

Florals: Lori Glynn Wolno (@florallori)

Dinner: Red Rocks Cafe

Asheville vendors:

Venue: NC Arboretum

Planner: Keystone Event Coordinating

Photo/Video: Darrell & Kaitlyn Cassell

Florals: Designed by Dee Florals

DJ: DJ Lev Events

Rentals: Professional Party Rentals Asheville

Transportation: Asheville Premier Transportation

Hotel: The Renaissance Asheville downtown

Hair/Makeup: Pop of Color

Favors: The Chocolate Fetish

Cake: Publix (Pinnacle Point - Hendersonville)

String trio: Carolina music planner

Dress: Gilded Bridal

Talking about money during wedding planning can feel overwhelming, especially when parents, in-laws, and different expectations are involved.

In this episode of Weddings 101, I walk you through how to split wedding costs fairly, approach family with confidence, and avoid the awkwardness that often comes with financial conversations.

You’ll hear about the traditional rules versus today’s reality, strategies for starting money discussions without tension, ways to handle contributions that come with strings attached, and practical methods couples and families can use to divide expenses.

I also share real conversation scripts that make these talks smoother and less stressful. By the end, you’ll feel equipped to handle this sensitive part of planning with clarity and compassion, setting the stage for a celebration that feels joyful for everyone involved.