In this episode, we explore the powerful concept of neutrality in relation to weddings, a topic that resonates deeply whether you're in the throes of planning your big day or reflecting on the aftermath of the celebrations.

As we delve into the often overwhelming nature of weddings—the intense emotions, high expectations, and societal pressures—we uncover how embracing neutrality can serve as a grounding force. This perspective allows for a more balanced view, helping individuals to navigate anxiety both before and after the wedding day.

Neutrality not only serves as an emotional anchor but also permits individuals to honor the various truths, emotions, and reflections that a wedding elicits.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

Neutrality in wedding planning

Embracing the messy middle

The power of neutral thoughts

Featured on the show:

Follow me on Instagram to learn more about navigating your wedding with grace and ease: https://www.instagram.com/karaghassabeh/

Check out **The Bridal Prep Academy:** https://karamaureen.com

Let’s connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaraMaureenBridalCoaching

Get your copy of the book, **Whispers to a Bride:**

https://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Bride-handle-stress-drama/dp/B0BCRXBQFN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1UXWJVJOF3MNI&keywords=whispers+to+a+bride&qid=1662643892&sprefix=whispers+to+a+bride%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-1

It’s normal to be overwhelmed by waves of sorrow and regret about your wedding day. The heaviness of reflecting on what went wrong, from vendor issues to choices made that later seemed questionable, amplifies the sense of loss and frustration. This palpable grief is something that many don’t anticipate.

In this episode, I explore the innermost thoughts of those who grapple with why certain moments didn’t meet their expectations and how this gap between fantasy and reality creates a deep emotional fallout.

This emotional journey, while challenging, can also be a time of growth and learning, paving the way for future resilience. The lessons learned in processing post-wedding feelings can empower brides to support others in similar situations, fostering a sense of solidarity among women who have navigated the complexities of wedding planning and transitions into married life.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

Understanding the post-wedding blues

Moving toward neutrality

Finding self-compassions

Embracing the complexity of weddings

Featured on the show:

Follow me on Instagram to learn more about navigating your wedding with grace and ease: https://www.instagram.com/karaghassabeh/

Check out **The Bridal Prep Academy:** https://karamaureen.com

Let’s connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaraMaureenBridalCoaching

Get your copy of the book, **Whispers to a Bride:**

https://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Bride-handle-stress-drama/dp/B0BCRXBQFN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1UXWJVJOF3MNI&keywords=whispers+to+a+bride&qid=1662643892&sprefix=whispers+to+a+bride%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-1

In this episode, we dive into the poignant question that brides grapples with post-wedding: Why did I make decisions that didn’t align with my needs?

This feeling of regret is not uncommon in the wedding experience. Often, weddings serve as a collision of past friendships and present realities, merging various aspects of life that can evoke bittersweet emotions.

I encourage brides to embrace the wedding as a goodbye party. Weddings symbolize a shift not only in relationships but also in personal identities and friendship dynamics. By accepting the multifaceted layers of a wedding—both as an exciting beginning and a poignant farewell—one can unlock the potential for a fuller and more authentic experience moving forward.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

The importance in having a shift in perspective

Moving on after a good-bye

Embracing the future

Featured on the show:

Follow me on Instagram to learn more about navigating your wedding with grace and ease: https://www.instagram.com/karaghassabeh/

Check out **The Bridal Prep Academy:** https://karamaureen.com

Let’s connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaraMaureenBridalCoaching

Get your copy of the book, **Whispers to a Bride:**

https://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Bride-handle-stress-drama/dp/B0BCRXBQFN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1UXWJVJOF3MNI&keywords=whispers+to+a+bride&qid=1662643892&sprefix=whispers+to+a+bride%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-1

A lot of my work as a bridal coach is to help you deal with the emotional experience of being a bride, and it's often a lot harder than we thought it was gonna be. 

It has a lot to do with the friendship stuff that goes on, especially female friendships around weddings.

In this episode, I’m discussing figuring out why you want them in your wedding, how to be on the same page with expectations, and taking the stress off you and your bridesmaids.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

Featured on the show:

Follow me on⁠ Instagram⁠ to learn more about navigating your wedding with grace and ease: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/karaghassabeh/⁠

Check out ⁠The Bridal Prep Academy⁠: ⁠https://karamaureen.com⁠

Let’s connect on ⁠Facebook⁠: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/KaraMaureenBridalCoaching⁠

Get your copy of the book,  ⁠Whispers to a Bride⁠: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Bride-handle-stress-drama/dp/B0BCRXBQFN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1UXWJVJOF3MNI&keywords=whispers+to+a+bride&qid=1662643892&sprefix=whispers+to+a+bride%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-1⁠

In this episode, I dive into the emotional landscape surrounding the experiences of brides who feel let down by their social circles leading up to their weddings.

Inspired by conversations with several brides who have shared their stories with me, I focus on the feelings of devastation and disappointment that arise when friends and family fail to show up for significant events like bridal showers and bachelorette parties. These moments are supposed to be filled with celebration, yet for some, they illuminate the stark reality of not receiving the support they had hoped for, making their social circle—or lack thereof—feel more pronoun.

By flipping this thought, we can consider the possibility that perhaps we are not showing up for ourselves. I emphasize how important it is to recognize instances in our lives when we prioritize others at the expense of our needs. Through self-reflection, many find that their overextension often stems from an expectation of similar energy and care in return, creating a cycle of disappointment. It’s crucial to evaluate whether these expectations are both realistic and helpful.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

Flipping the Narrative

Prioritizing Yourself

Celebrating Those Who Show Up

Featured on the show:

Follow me on Instagram to learn more about navigating your wedding with grace and ease: https://www.instagram.com/karaghassabeh/

Check out **The Bridal Prep Academy:** https://karamaureen.com

Let’s connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaraMaureenBridalCoaching

Get your copy of the book, **Whispers to a Bride:**

https://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Bride-handle-stress-drama/dp/B0BCRXBQFN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1UXWJVJOF3MNI&keywords=whispers+to+a+bride&qid=1662643892&sprefix=whispers+to+a+bride%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-1

In this episode, I reflect on the topic of curiosity and its importance in our lives. Curiosity is not just an emotion but a perspective and a framework that we often lose as we grow older.

I share how curiosity plays a significant role in my work as a therapist, especially in couples counseling where understanding each partner's perspective can lead to breakthroughs in communication and understanding.

By cultivating a curious mindset, we can unlock new possibilities, gain fresh perspectives, and approach challenges with creativity and empathy. So, the next time you encounter conflict, remember to lean into curiosity and witness the positive impact it can have on your interactions and relationships.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

Rediscovering curiosity

Embracing curiosity in relationships

How curiosity can solve conflicts

Featured on the show:

Follow me on Instagram to learn more about navigating your wedding with grace and ease: https://www.instagram.com/karaghassabeh/

Check out **The Bridal Prep Academy:** https://karamaureen.com

Let’s connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaraMaureenBridalCoaching

Get your copy of the book, **Whispers to a Bride:**

https://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Bride-handle-stress-drama/dp/B0BCRXBQFN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1UXWJVJOF3MNI&keywords=whispers+to+a+bride&qid=1662643892&sprefix=whispers+to+a+bride%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-1

In this episode, I share a compelling story about a bride I've been working with through multiple sessions. This particular bride found herself stuck between two beautiful venue options, grappling with conflicting values of aesthetics and guest experience.

Through our discussions, we delved into the importance of clarifying personal values and navigating the emotional process of making tough decisions.

This story serves as a poignant reminder of the fluidity of wedding planning and the importance of staying true to oneself amidst societal pressures and expectations. It showcases the transformative potential of embracing unexpected twists and allowing one's true essence to guide decisions, leading to profound self-discovery and a wedding celebration that truly reflects one's core values and aspirations.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

Letting Go of Expectations

Embracing the Unexpected

Reflecting on the Future

Featured on the show:

Follow me on Instagram to learn more about navigating your wedding with grace and ease: https://www.instagram.com/karaghassabeh/

Check out **The Bridal Prep Academy:** https://karamaureen.com

Let’s connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaraMaureenBridalCoaching

Get your copy of the book, **Whispers to a Bride:**

https://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Bride-handle-stress-drama/dp/B0BCRXBQFN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1UXWJVJOF3MNI&keywords=whispers+to+a+bride&qid=1662643892&sprefix=whispers+to+a+bride%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-1

Today we are talking about the importance of continuously reaffirming one's choices by adopting the mantra, "Choose your choice." After making a decision, many brides start doubting themselves, second-guessing, and trying to talk themselves out of their initial choice.

I want to encourage brides to be intentional, grounded, and peaceful by continuously re-choosing their choices, whether it's related to their dress, venue, partner, or career.

In this this episode, I want to help you be aligned with your deeper self, directing thoughts, and practicing mindfulness to combat doubts and uncertainties.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

Choosing Your Choice

The Challenge of Re-Choosing Your Choice

Integrating Mindfulness

Featured on the show:

Follow me on Instagram to learn more about navigating your wedding with grace and ease: https://www.instagram.com/karaghassabeh/

Check out **The Bridal Prep Academy:** https://karamaureen.com

Let’s connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaraMaureenBridalCoaching

Get your copy of the book, **Whispers to a Bride:**

https://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Bride-handle-stress-drama/dp/B0BCRXBQFN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1UXWJVJOF3MNI&keywords=whispers+to+a+bride&qid=1662643892&sprefix=whispers+to+a+bride%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-1

In this episode, I delve into the world of wedding PR with a focus on how brides perceive their weddings through the lens of others.

Brides need to embrace the importance of owning one's story and crafting a narrative that aligns with personal values and intentions. By embracing your inner PR persona, you can confidently present your decisions and choices, thereby reducing the impact of external opinions.

Rather than striving to please everyone and control perceptions, I advocate for a shift towards authenticity and self-approval.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

How to own your story

Standing by Your Story

Crafting Your Narrative

Featured on the show:

Follow me on Instagram to learn more about navigating your wedding with grace and ease: https://www.instagram.com/karaghassabeh/

Check out **The Bridal Prep Academy:** https://karamaureen.com

Let’s connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaraMaureenBridalCoaching

Get your copy of the book, **Whispers to a Bride:**

https://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Bride-handle-stress-drama/dp/B0BCRXBQFN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1UXWJVJOF3MNI&keywords=whispers+to+a+bride&qid=1662643892&sprefix=whispers+to+a+bride%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-1

In this episode, we dive into the complex relationship between happiness and marriage, particularly focusing on the societal expectations and realities that many individuals encounter during wedding planning and beyond.

We explore the dual nature of happiness, distinguishing between momentary joy and overall contentment, and the importance of recognizing and appreciating both forms.

By fostering open dialogue, self-awareness, and a commitment to personal growth within your marriage, you can navigate the intricate journey of marriage with resilience, agency, and a steadfast focus on sustaining your own happiness and fulfillment.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

Navigating Happiness in Wedding Planning

Gender Dynamics in Marriage

Managing Expectations in Marriage

Staying Mindful in the Happiness Trap

Featured on the show:

Follow me on Instagram to learn more about navigating your wedding with grace and ease: https://www.instagram.com/karaghassabeh/

Check out **The Bridal Prep Academy:** https://karamaureen.com

Let’s connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaraMaureenBridalCoaching

Get your copy of the book, **Whispers to a Bride:**

https://www.amazon.com/Whispers-Bride-handle-stress-drama/dp/B0BCRXBQFN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1UXWJVJOF3MNI&keywords=whispers+to+a+bride&qid=1662643892&sprefix=whispers+to+a+bride%2Caps%2C141&sr=8-1