Weddings 101

Weddings 101

By Kyleigh KhourySociety & CultureEducationHow To
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Weddings 101 episodes

  • Alternative Wedding Cake Ideas: Unique Desserts, Creative Displays, and Budget-Friendly Options | Ep. 034
    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.
    6 min
  • How to Set & Track Your Wedding Budget: Tools, Spreadsheets, & Apps | Ep. 033
    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.
    11 min
  • Wedding Planner vs. DIY: How to Decide What’s Worth It for Your Budget and Stress Level | Ep. 032
    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.
    8 min
  • 18 Wedding Etiquette Rules Every Couple Should Know Before the Big Day | Ep. 031
    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.
    10 min
  • Finding a Wedding Dress That Feels Like You and Turning a Rescheduled Wedding into Two Celebrations | Bride Highlight Ep. 030

    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

    54 min
  • Jamie’s Asheville Arboretum Wedding Story: Planning, Pivoting, and Staying Positive | Bride Highlight Ep. 029

    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

    50 min
  • Splitting Wedding Costs With Family: How to Navigate Awkward Money Conversations | Ep. 028
    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.
    9 min
  • How to Choose the Right People for Your Wedding Party | Ep. 027
    Choosing your wedding party doesn’t have to be stressful. This episode breaks down everything you need to know about picking bridesmaids, groomsmen, and other attendants while making thoughtful decisions that honor your closest friends and family.
    Learn how to assign roles based on strengths and availability, balance family and friend dynamics, and set clear expectations to ensure everyone feels confident and included.
    I also cover practical strategies for managing responsibilities, keeping communication smooth, and creating a wedding party that supports a seamless and enjoyable celebration for everyone involved.
    7 min
  • Planning a Wedding at a Victorian Mansion for 100 Guests Under $15K | Bride Highlight Ep. 026

    Think a victorian mansion wedding is out of reach on a tight budget? Sydney hosted 100 guests at a victorian mansion for less than $15,000, showing it can be done. In this episode of Weddings 101, she walks through the smart choices and cost-saving strategies that made her dream day both elegant and affordable. From negotiating contracts to skipping a bridal party and leaning on her venue’s multi-day rental, Sydney’s story is full of tips any couple can use to plan a wedding that feels big without the big price tag.

    Photo by: Amelia Charleen Photography | https://www.ameliacharleen.com/

    Venue: The Renwick Mansion | https://renwickmansion.net/

    Catering: Bridges Catering | https://www.bridgescatering.com/

    1 hr 19 min
  • Hidden Wedding Costs No One Tells You About (and Ways to Avoid Them) | Ep. 025
    Where does all the money really go when you plan a wedding? In this episode, I uncover the hidden wedding costs couples often miss and explain how to prepare for them before they derail your plans.
    From venue service fees and catering surprises to alterations, décor, photography add-ons, and even permits, these extra expenses can add thousands of dollars to your big day.
    I share why these costs exist, what makes them higher or lower, and the smart questions you can ask vendors to avoid being caught off guard. You will also learn how contracts and service charges really work and how to build a buffer into your budget so you stay in control without sacrificing your vision.
    If you are planning a wedding and want to avoid stress and financial surprises, this episode is filled with practical advice to help you feel confident, informed, and prepared.
    11 min

About Weddings 101

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Weddings 101 features interviews with brides, bridal party members, venue owners, and wedding vendors, offering real-life insights and practical tips from every corner of the wedding world. We know…