Weddings Unscripted

Tired of drowning in email chains with your wedding planner? Or buried in a 51-tab spreadsheet just trying to keep your wedding straight? Keep reading — there's a new tool built to fix that, for couples and planners alike.

In this episode of Weddings Unscripted, Alex and Ali sit down with Hannah Roze, founder and CEO of Plannerd, a wedding planning platform born out of her own frustrating wedding planning journey. Hannah walks through how Plannerd blends structure with flexibility for both couples and wedding professionals, why she built it, and the differences between Gen Z & Millennial couples in researching and booking vendors. They also touched on where AI genuinely helps in the planning process, what's coming next on her app, and why building wedding tech "in the open" alongside real planners matters.

Whether you're a couple planning a wedding, an aspiring wedding planner, or a vendor trying to connect with a new generation of clients, this episode is full of practical wedding planning tips and an honest look at how the industry is changing.

Key Takeaways

1. Gen Z couples research for months before ever reaching out — so vendors have to lead with transparency.
2. Hidden costs are what blow up a wedding budget.
3. AI is a helpful assistant for wedding admin, but a risky source for budget advice.

Chapter

00:00 — Welcome to Weddings Unscripted

01:03 — Meet guest Hannah Roze, founder & CEO of Plannerd

01:36 — From dream wedding to elopement: Hannah's own planning chaos

04:08 — Why she built Plannerd: from spreadsheet overload to structure

08:10 — Building with experts: how wedding planners shaped the platform

10:54 — Where AI actually helps (and where it doesn't) in wedding planning

12:33 — The budget conversation every planner dreads — and how to get it right

16:29 — Inside the Plannerd toolkit: budget, timeline & to-do features

21:00 — Favorite features and why flexibility beats a rigid template

26:06 — What's next: turning static planning into a conversational experience

30:50 — Gen Z vs. Millennial couples: how research and booking have changed

37:35 — What vendors are getting wrong (and right) with today's couples

51:29 — Advice for planning teams & what's coming next for Plannerd

Connect with Hannah Roze:

Website: https://www.plannerd.com/

Instagram: @plannerdinc

Hannah's Instagram/TikTok: @itshannahroze

Plannerd offers a free 14-day trial**

Connect with us:

Visit our website: www.weddingsunscripted.com

Cherry Blossom Weddings & Events: www.cherryblossomwe.com

Follow us on our socials:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572429101755

Instagram: @weddings_unscripted

TikTok: @weddings_unscripted

30 years of flowers, one wild career pivot, and the real math behind why your florist isn't overcharging you.

This week on Weddings Unscripted, Alex flies solo and sits down with longtime friend and florist Shelley O'Neill, owner of Oyster Flower Company in Annapolis. Shelley walks through her unlikely start doing church arrangements for $60 a week, a decade running an event planning company, and the recent leap into opening her own retail flower and gift shop.

They also get into Naval Academy wedding restrictions, what actually goes into flower pricing, and why the wedding design world has opened up in ways it never used to. If you've ever wondered what it takes to build a floral business — or just want to know why your centerpieces cost what they cost — this one's for you.

Key Takeaways

1. Specializing isn't quitting — you don't have to do everything to build something sustainable.
2. Smaller budgets aren't smaller work — an 11-person wedding or a 3-week turnaround event can demand just as much (or more) problem-solving as a 300-person affair.
3. Flower pricing isn't arbitrary — global supply issues, contract timing, and the fact that florists (unlike grocery stores) can't treat flowers as a loss leader all factor into the final cost.

Chapters

00:00 — Introduction

02:52 — Shelley's origin story: $60-a-week church arrangements

04:10 — How "we'll never do weddings" turned into a full floral business

09:04 — Learning the ropes on Naval Academy weddings and stretching small budgets

14:30 — Behind the florals at Alex's color-drenched 50th birthday party

20:27 — Opening a retail flower and gift shop

24:19 — What makes the cut on *Oyster Flower Co's* shelves

26:12 — Juggling a new retail shop during peak wedding season

30:00 — The real reasons flowers cost what they cost

36:23 — Why it's an experience, not just an event

Connect with Shelley O'Neill

Website: https://www.oysterflower.com/ ** (new site launching soon)

Instagram: @oysterflowerco

Connect with us:

Visit our website: www.weddingsunscripted.com

Cherry Blossom Weddings & Events: www.cherryblossomwe.com

Follow us on our socials:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572429101755

Instagram: @weddings_unscripted

TikTok: @weddings_unscripted

In this candid summer check-in, Alex & Ali unpacks about Alex's birthday party, the heat wave, and a shoutout to the DC-area vendors who saved the day — before diving into the wedding industry's biggest talking point of the season: the rumored details of the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce wedding at Madison Square Garden.

Working entirely from rumors, leaked photos, and speculation (no official details have been confirmed), they discuss why celebrity wedding photos typically take weeks to release, what the venue choice might say about security and design flexibility, and why a leaked toss-bouquet photo sparked a florist panic over delicate blooms like Queen Anne's lace. The conversation turns into a broader look at fading wedding traditions and whether a star power could bring them back — plus practical takeaways on catering quality, vendor trust, and staying current on trends that shape client conversations.

Key Takeaways

1. Catering quality shouldn't be a gamble. Working with trusted, creative caterers prevents the all-too-common late dinner problems at weddings.
2. Delicate flowers need real talk with clients. Blooms like Queen Anne's lace, sweet pea, and Dusty Miller wilt fast in heat, so setting expectations early avoids disappointment in photos and toss moments.
3. Staying current on trends (even celebrity ones) is part of the job. Whether or not a bouquet or garter toss is "in," planners need to track what's resurfacing so they can guide clients confidently.

Chapters & Timestamps

00:00 – Intro & Summer Chaos

02:38 – Behind the Scenes: Alex's Birthday Party

04:02 – Vendor Shoutout: Ken's Creative Kitchen & DC Rental

05:22 – Busting the "Catering Food Isn't Good" Stereotype

09:56 – Introducing the Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Wedding

13:07 – Why Celebrity Wedding Photos Take So Long

17:56 – Speculating on Why They Chose Madison Square Garden

23:39 – Rumored Custom Branding Details

25:18 – The Toss Bouquet Controversy: Queen Anne's Lace & Delicate Florals

30:09 – A Real Bouquet Toss Save: Behind-the-Scenes Planning

31:14 – Are Bouquet Tosses & Garter Tosses Making a Comeback?

38:54 – Looking Ahead: August Break & Fall Wedding Season

Connect with us:

Visit our website: www.weddingsunscripted.com

Cherry Blossom Weddings & Events: www.cherryblossomwe.com

Follow us on our socials:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572429101755

Instagram: @weddings_unscripted

TikTok: @weddings_unscripted

What happens when a seasoned event planner throws her own party — and finally gets to do it exactly how she wants?

In this episode, Alex is joined by longtime industry friend and mitzvah planning expert Danielle Couick of Magnolia Bluebird and Ghost Host — a lifestyle brand dedicated to the art of home entertaining. With Alex's 50th birthday party on the horizon, the two planners get into what it's really like to plan an event for yourself: the freedom, the overthinking, and the challenge of actually letting go long enough to enjoy it.

From curating a guest list with intention to trusting your vendor team to execute without micromanaging, this episode is packed with honest insight on why hosting matters — for event professionals and everyday hosts alike. This is an episode you don't want to miss!

Key Takeaways:

1. Your party doesn't have to be over the top — it just has to bring people together.
2. Planning your own event is harder than planning one for a client. When you know all the options, narrowing them down is the hardest part.
3. Trust your team and actually be a guest at your own party.

Chapter :

00:00 — Welcome & Introducing Danielle Cowik

01:03 — Magnolia Bluebird, Ghost Host & 20 Years in the Event Industry

03:24 — How Danielle Turned Her Birthday Into a Marketing Moment

04:35 — Swan House DC & Designing with Intention

06:12 — The Tablescape Process: Mood Boards, Partners & Trusting the Team

08:24 — Alex's 50th Birthday Party: Color, Chaos & Flowers in the Pool

11:44 — Building the Party Lineup: Live Music, DJ & Dancing on the Grass

13:19 — Why Everyone Deserves Professional Photos of Themselves

14:02 — The Real "Why" Behind Every Event We Produce

17:15 — "Have the Damn Party": Danielle's Philosophy on Hosting

20:41 — The Self-Imposed Pressure of Planning Your Own Event

22:24 — How to Let Go and Actually Enjoy the Night You Planned

Connect with Danielle:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magnolia_bluebird/

Website: magnoliabluebird.com/links Ghost Host: https://ghosthostbymb.com/

Connect with us:

Visit our website: www.cherryblossomwe.com/podcast

Cherry Blossom Weddings & Events: www.cherryblossomwe.com

Follow us on our socials:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572429101755

Instagram: @weddings_unscripted

TikTok: @weddings_unscripted

11 guests. 160 guests. Same weekend. Wildly different chaos. What happens when your entire team is on-site at two completely different weddings at the same time? You get a masterclass in everything nobody tells you about micro weddings — and a reality check on why "small" doesn't mean "simple."

In this milestone 50th episode, Alexandra and Alison pull back the curtain on a real behind-the-scenes weekend: Alex coordinating an intimate 11-person micro wedding at a private Airbnb estate in Middleburg, Virginia, and Alison managing a 160-guest celebration at the National Cathedral in DC — all on the same day.

From last-minute rain calls and flipping tables outside under approaching storm clouds, to vendor minimums that caught them off guard, harp logistics, and the myth that small weddings are easier to plan, this episode is packed with honest, unfiltered insight for couples weighing their wedding size, vendors navigating micro event pricing, and planners who've ever had to build a fire in a fireplace because the venue person never showed up. Real stories, real lessons, and a lot of laughs.

Key Takeaways

1. Micro weddings are not micro in effort.
2. Your rain plan needs a rain plan.
3. Build a team of yes-people.

Chapter

[00:00:00] - Introduction

[00:01:07] - The Two Weddings: Setting the Scene

[00:01:43] - The Micro Wedding Myth

[00:04:37] - Vendor Minimums & the Micro Wedding Struggle

[00:07:44] - Meet the Vendors: Rosie Posie & the Private Chef

[00:14:40] - Team Players Save Weddings

[00:22:24] - Harp Logistics: What No One Plans For

[00:28:20] - Outdoor Bands, Rooftop Risks & Rental Companies

[00:33:26] - The Big Wedding: National Cathedral with 160 Guests

[00:42:57] - The Real Difference: Big vs. Small

Connect with us:

Visit our website: www.cherryblossomwe.com/podcast

Cherry Blossom Weddings & Events: www.cherryblossomwe.com

Follow us on our socials:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572429101755

Instagram: @weddings_unscripted

TikTok: @weddings_unscripted

What happens when a DC-based wedding planner takes her 20-year expertise to a brand-new city — and pulls it off flawlessly?

In today's episode, Alex recaps MacRae and Austin's stunning Charleston wedding at Lowndes Grove, and she and Ali spill everything: the vendor trust-building, the color hunt that took months, the beauty concierge game-changer, and why your breakdown documents might be saving (or costing) you thousands.

Together, we dish on destination wedding planning tips, vetting out-of-market vendors, why final walkthroughs matter (even if local teams think they don't), and the one planner document that will completely change how your caterer breaks down a reception. Whether you're a couple planning a destination wedding, a wedding vendor curious about how DC-area planners operate, or an aspiring wedding planner learning the ropes, this episode is packed with real, unfiltered insight from two planners who've seen it all.

Key Takeaways:

1. Vetting out-of-market vendors is non-negotiable — even if they know the venue better than you do.
2. A beauty concierge isn't a luxury — it's a timeline saver.
3. Your caterer needs a visual breakdown document — full stop.

Chapters:

• [00:01:02] Why Cherry Blossom Events Said Yes to a Destination Wedding
• [00:03:10] Lowndes Grove Venue Breakdown (Ashley River views, Outer Banks filming location, all-day setup access)
• [00:09:05] Vetting Vendors You've Never Worked With Before (Trust-building, Instagram-stalking, and why your name is always on the line)
• [00:18:17] The Beauty Concierge: Worth Every Penny (On-site hair and makeup, timeline coordination, and the bun that almost caused a meltdown)
• [00:22:03] Bar Placement & Spatial Strategy
• [00:25:10] Linen Logistics & The Breakdown Document (Four rental companies, a mis-sorted fork, and the photo doc that changes everything)
• [00:31:20] Vendor Shoutouts & The Band That Didn't Take a Break (A-Town A-List, Palmetto Strings, Nebo Films, and more)
• [00:34:36] Transportation Trends: Trolleys, Vintage Buses & the DC Market Gap (What Charleston does that DC doesn't — and a business idea for someone brave enough)

Follow Our Vendor Teams on Instagram: Planning & Design: @cherryblossomeventsdc Photography: @aaronandjillian Videography @nebofilms_ Bars / Lighting / Drape: @litcharleston Florals: @tupelohoneyfloralshop Beauty: @lashesandlacechs Cake: @sweetrhi_ Venue+ Catering Lowndes Grove: @pphgevents Ceremony Music: @palmettostrings Stationary: @studio.ack Linens: @curatedeventscharleston @stradleydavidson @reverie_social Rentals: @snyderevents @cheers.chs @pphgevents Entertainment: @samhillentertainment Band: @atownalist Escort Wall: @swirlsandscriptcalligraphy Transportation: @lowcountrytrolley @compasschs Dress: @leahdagloria Bar Signs: @coppiceandcrafts

Connect with us:

Visit our website: http://www.cherryblossomwe.com/podcast

Cherry Blossom Weddings & Events: www.cherryblossomwe.com

Follow us on our socials:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572429101755

Instagram: @weddings_unscripted

TikTok: @weddings_unscripted

What if your guitarist didn't just play at your wedding — what if they walked through it with you?

This week Ali goes solo and sits down with Dylan Galvin, a wireless roaming acoustic guitarist and DJ who's bringing a whole new energy to DC-area weddings and events.

In this episode, Ali chats with Dylan Galvin — Berkley-trained guitarist, solo entrepreneur, and one of the most unique live performers in the DMV wedding market. Dylan breaks down his wireless roaming performance concept, how he became a one-stop-shop for live music and DJ services, and why reading the room is just as important as knowing your set list. From mentorships with Paul Simon, John Mayer, and Joe Satriani, to a cross-country solo tour that taught him what not to do, Dylan's story is packed with hard-won lessons in music, business, and the art of creating unforgettable wedding experiences. If you've ever wondered what live wedding entertainment can look like beyond the traditional string quartet or seated guitarist, this episode is your answer.

Key Takeaways

• Wireless roaming live music is a game-changer for wedding cocktail hours and receptions — it delivers the energy of a full performance without tethering the artist to one corner of the room.
• Being a successful wedding musician isn't just about talent — it's about mastering sales, marketing, and branding as a small business owner, and knowing when to outsource the rest.
• The best wedding entertainment starts long before the event: the planning calls, the vendor communication, and the ability to improvise on-site are what separate a good performance from a truly timeless occasion.

Chapters

01:17 – Meet Dylan Galvin: Wireless Roaming Guitarist & Event Performer

2:09 – What Is a Wireless Roaming Performance? (And Why It Changes Everything)

5:35 – The DC Wedding Market Needs This — Roaming vs. Traditional Live Music

7:37 – Dylan's Origin Story: Berklee College of Music & Famous Mentors (John Mayer, Paul Simon, Joe Satriani)

14:26 – From School to Stage: Solo Touring and Why It's Not a Business Plan

17:40 – The Pivot to Private Events

18:40 – Sales, Marketing & Branding: The Three Things That Actually Differentiate You

23:10 – How Long Has Dylan Been Roaming? The Origin of the Wireless Rig

36:55 – Breaking Into the DC Market After 10 Years in LA

41:50 – Advice for Solo Entrepreneurs — Humility, Outsourcing & Staying Hungry

45:46 – The Unseen Work Behind Every Wedding Vendor — And Why It Matters

Connect with Dylan:

Website: www.dylangalvin.com

Instagram: @dylangalvinevents

Connect with us:

Visit our website: https://www.cherryblossomwe.com/podcast

Cherry Blossom Weddings & Events: www.cherryblossomwe.com

Follow us on our socials:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572429101755

Instagram: @weddings_unscripted

TikTok: @weddings_unscripted

If this episode helped you, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it truly means the world to us and helps other couples and planners find the show.

Are you posting constantly but still hearing crickets? The rules of wedding vendor marketing have changed — and social media alone won't save you.

In this episode, we sit down with social media strategist Heidi Schmidt of Heidi Schmidt Creative to unpack what's actually working in 2026: from building authentic content and nurturing leads, to understanding Gen Z couples and knowing exactly where your clients are coming from.

Heidi breaks down the full lead lifecycle, from follower to signed contract, and shares actionable frameworks for multi-channel marketing, smart follow-up sequences, and understanding your ideal client avatar. Whether you're a wedding photographer, planner, or florist trying to figure out TikTok — this episode is your social media strategy session.

Key Takeaways:

1. Stop Using Social Media Like a Billboard. Audiences want to be brought into your world, not sold at. Scarcity tactics and "slots available" posts belong in Stories, not your feed.
2. You Cannot Rely on Social Media Alone — Know Where Your Leads Actually Come From. If Instagram went down tomorrow, would your business survive? Multi-channel marketing — email lists, referrals, Google, networking, vendor relationships — is non-negotiable.
3. Gen Z Converts Through Trust, Transparency & Speed. They want pricing transparency, fast responses, authentic brand voice, and value alignment.

Chapters:

00:00:55 Meet Heidi Schmidt of Heidi Schmidt Creative

00:05:07 Quality Over Quantity: Why Follower Count Is the Wrong Metric

00:05:31 Stop Using Social Media Like a Billboard

00:07:00 Behind-the-Scenes Content: What Wedding Photographers & Vendors Should Be Posting

00:08:34 The Truth About Scarcity Tactics — When They Work & When to Ditch Them

00:10:19 Why You Can't Rely Solely on Social Media for Your Wedding Business

00:13:56 Auditing Your Lead Sources — Where Are Your Clients Really Coming From?

00:17:12 Marketing to Two Generations: Reaching Both Millennials & Gen Z Couples

00:22:37 Making Behind-the-Scenes Content Without Overwhelm — Practical Tips

00:25:18 Lead Conversion 101: Turning Inquiries into Signed Contracts

00:29:54 Engagement Begets Engagement: The 10-Minute Daily Social Media Habit

00:41:38 Modern Couples Are Intentional, Not Uninformed — A New Wedding World

00:47:51 Modern Weddings & Breaking Traditions — What Today's Couples Actually Want

00:49:20 How to Research & Define Your Ideal Client — Heidi's Strategy Session Exercise

00:53:34 The Customer Experience Starts Before They Sign a Contract

Resources & Links

• Heidi Schmidt Creative — Social Media Strategy & Management
• Tools mentioned: HoneyBook, Dubsado (CRM & lead tracking for wedding vendors)
• Platform mentioned: Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Google Ads
• Get our FREE Wedding Planning Checklist: https://www.cherryblossomwe.com/wedding-planning-checklist

Connect with Heidi Schmidt

Website: https://www.heidijschmidt.com/

Instagram: @heidischmidtcreative

Facebook: Heidi Schmidt Creative

Services: Social media management, 90-minute strategy sessions, consulting packages, email marketing

Connect with us:

Visit our website: http://www.cherryblossomwe.com/podcast

Cherry Blossom Weddings & Events: www.cherryblossomwe.com

Follow us on our socials:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572429101755

Instagram: @weddings_unscripted

TikTok: @weddings_unscripted

What happens when a wedding florist with 25+ years of experience starts noticing that her whole industry feels disconnected? She builds something about it.

In this episode, we sit down with Kate Denman of Floret and Vine — and repeat podcast guest — to dig into the origin story of the DMV Wedding Collective, the DC-area's fastest-growing wedding vendor networking and education organization. From intimate coffee dates and planner-florist roundtables to a viral 175-person holiday launch party at the Line Hotel, Kate shares how she spotted a post-COVID gap in the wedding industry community and decided to fill it herself. If you're a wedding vendor, planner, florist, photographer, or officiant in the DC, Maryland, or Virginia area — or if you've ever felt like a solopreneur on an island — this episode is your invitation to find your tribe.

Key Takeaways

• Community-driven education beats one-size-fits-all conferences
• Relationships ARE your marketing strategy
• Every vendor at the wedding — even the 30-minute ones — deserves a seat at the table

Chapters

01:00 - Introduction: Kate of Floret & Vine

01:45 - What Is the DMV Wedding Collective?

02:47 - The Post-COVID Networking Void

05:31 - Kate's Coffee Date Marketing Strategy

08:07 - Disconnection Across the Industry

13:00 - Accessibility Gap in Wedding Education

21:07 - Giving Every Vendor a Voice

30:04 - The No-Recording Rule That Changed Everything

34:38 - Officially Launching the DMV Wedding Collective

41:21 - Listening to Members: Polls, Surveys & Real Feedback

48:30 - Why Continuous Community Check-ins Matter

49:25 - How to Join or Connect with the DMV Wedding Collective

Resources:

Plan your wedding with confidence. Grab our FREE Wedding Planning Checklist: https://www.cherryblossomwe.com/wedding-planning-checklist

Connect with Kate & DMV Wedding Collective:

DMV Wedding Collective: https://dmvweddingcollective.com/

Instagram: @dmvweddingcollective

Website: https://floretandvine.com/

Connect with us:

Visit our website: www.cherryblossomwe.com/podcast

Cherry Blossom Weddings & Events: www.cherryblossomwe.com

Follow us on our socials:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572429101755

Instagram: @weddings_unscripted

TikTok: @weddings_unscripted

You just got engaged — now what? Before you book a single vendor, there's a conversation you need to have (and most couples skip it).

In this episode of Weddings Unscripted, we are breaking down exactly how to kick off your wedding planning the right way — from that first budget conversation to knowing which vendors to book first. With 19+ years of combined experience, we walk through the biggest rookie mistakes couples make (hello, "venue poor"), why you should never assume anything is included, and what happens when nothing is in writing.

Whether you're newly engaged or already deep in the planning trenches, this episode is packed with wedding planning tips, vendor booking strategies, and real-talk budget advice to help you stay organized and sane.

Download your free planning checklist at www.cherryblossomwe.com/wedding-planning-checklist to follow along!

Key Takeaways

1. Don't skip the budget conversation. About 50% of your wedding budget should cover venue, food, and beverage — knowing that number early helps you avoid becoming "venue poor" and informs every other decision.
2. Book limited-availability vendors first. Photographers, hair & makeup teams, and bands only have one of them — prioritize locking those in before chasing decor details or lighting.
3. Get everything in writing, always. Verbal promises mean nothing. If a venue or vendor commits to something — hours, exceptions to rules, special setups — ask for it in writing. One family learned this the hard way when their party was shut down two hours early with zero documentation to fight back.

Chapter

00:00 — Welcome & What We're Covering Today

01:07 — When Should You Actually Start Planning?

06:33 — The 50% Budget Rule for Venue & Catering

08:05 — How Venues Book vs. How Planners Book

13:21 — Staying Organized Without a Planner

16:39 — Using AI & Wedding Websites: What They Can and Can't Do

17:41 — Which Vendors to Book First (And Why Hair & Makeup Books Fastest)

21:00 — Transportation, Citywide Events & the Justin Bieber Problem

25:57 — Food Tastings, Menu Decisions & Proofing Everything

29:49 — Mocktails, Bar Assumptions & Glassware Surprises

34:28 — The No-Contract Horror Story (A Real Family Wedding)

38:24 — Protect Yourself: Contracts, Invoices & Written Confirmations

41:20 — "Will My Venue Actually Coordinate?" — Questions You Must Ask

Resources & Links:

🎁 Free Wedding Planning Checklist → www.cherryblossomwe.com/wedding-planning-checklist

Connect with us:

Visit our website: https://www.cherryblossomwe.com/podcast

Cherry Blossom Weddings & Events: www.cherryblossomwe.com

Follow us on our socials:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572429101755

Instagram: @weddings_unscripted

TikTok: @weddings_unscripted