This Takes The Cake

In this episode of our March Guest Experience series, we’re pulling back the curtain on the things we don’t do — and why that actually makes your wedding better. Yes, we care deeply about your guests and the overall experience, but we’re not babysitters, security guards, chauffeurs, therapists, or miracle workers. From hiding exes to flipping entire receptions mid-event (true story), we’re sharing some of the wildest requests we’ve ever received and explaining how strong professional boundaries protect your timeline, your vendors, and your guests’ comfort. Because the best weddings don’t happen when one person tries to do everything — they happen when everyone knows their role.

Wedding weekends are officially having their moment — and honestly, one day just isn’t enough anymore. In this episode, Sara and Madison break down why full wedding weekend celebrations are becoming the new must-have, especially for destination weddings and couples with lots of out-of-town guests. From welcome parties and after-parties to farewell brunches and “take the cake” experiences they’ve seen firsthand, they share why extending the celebration creates better guest experiences, less stress, and way more meaningful memories. If you’re dreaming of a wedding that feels like a full-on experience (not just a timeline), this episode is for you.

Join Alyssa, our Charleston owner, as she sits down at the Moxy Hotel Charleston with Deme from our S&B Charleston team to talk all things room blocks, bachelorettes, and creating an elevated guest hotel experience for your wedding weekend. From choosing the right property for your crew to maximizing amenities, planning seamless welcome vibes, and turning your hotel into part of the celebration, they’re sharing insider tips on how to make your guests feel taken care of from check-in to after-party. If you’re planning a Charleston wedding weekend and want it to feel intentional, elevated, and anything but basic, this one’s for you.Follow us on all the things!⁠https://www.stunningandbrilliantevents.com/⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stunningandbrilliantevents/ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thistakesthecakepodcast/⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@sandbevents⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@stunningandbrilliantevents⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thistakesthecakepodcast⁠ 

Photographer Paula and videographer David join Sara on this episode of our Love Stories series to share how their separate journeys into the wedding industry eventually became a shared creative career. They talk about what drew them to weddings, how they navigate working side by side as a married photo + video duo, and the challenges and joys of building a business together. Along the way, they get candid about what wedding days are really like behind the scenes, the moments that make it all worth it, and how their partnership has shaped both their work and their relationship. And of course, no episode would be complete without a “this takes the cake” story. Full of heart, humor, and insider perspective, this episode is a must-listen for couples, creatives, and anyone who loves a behind-the-scenes look at wedding life.

On this Love Stories episode, Madison chats with The Davey Duo — the DJ + photographer husband-and-wife team who met and got married at Wedding MBA. They share how a vendor conference turned into a wedding venue, what it’s like working weddings as a couple, and the moments that make it all worth it. If you love unique meet-cutes and insider wedding stories, don’t skip this one. Follow us on all the things!⁠https://www.stunningandbrilliantevents.com/⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stunningandbrilliantevents/ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thistakesthecakepodcast/⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@sandbevents⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@stunningandbrilliantevents⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thistakesthecakepodcast⁠ 

As part of our February Love Stories series, we’re sitting down with Alyssa, our Charleston owner, and her husband Ben to talk about love, family, and building businesses side-by-side. They’re sharing how they met in college while Alyssa was launching her wedding planning career, how Ben ended up owning our sister mobile bar company Leon or Lime CHS, and what life looks like now with their one-year-old son, Liam. From supporting each other through busy seasons to navigating parenthood and entrepreneurship at the same time, Alyssa and Ben open up about what works, what’s messy, and their unforgettable “this takes the cake” moment—giving us a sweet, funny, and real look at love in the wedding world.Follow us on all the things!⁠https://www.stunningandbrilliantevents.com/⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stunningandbrilliantevents/⁠https://www.instagram.com/thistakesthecakepodcast/⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@sandbevents⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@stunningandbrilliantevents⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thistakesthecakepodcast⁠

This episode is part of our Love Stories Series for February, where we’re celebrating love in all its forms — including building a life and business side by side. 💍📸 Host Jacque (Palm Beach) sits down with Kristy & Vic, a husband-and-wife wedding photography duo known for capturing joyful, timeless love stories while being the ultimate calm-meets-hype team on wedding days. From working together as creatives and spouses to collaborating with planners across markets (including our Charlotte owner Ashley!), they’re sharing real-life lessons, behind-the-scenes moments, and stories that truly take the cake.Follow us on all the things!⁠https://www.stunningandbrilliantevents.com/⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stunningandbrilliantevents/ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thistakesthecakepodcast/⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@sandbevents⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@stunningandbrilliantevents⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thistakesthecakepodcast⁠ 

In the final episode of our All Things New series, Jacque chats with Thomas Thorogood, a wedding special effects expert, about the latest innovations that can make your wedding unforgettable. From CO2 blasts to confetti and other modern “take the cake” moments, Thomas shares how couples can incorporate new trends to wow their guests and create Instagram-worthy experiences.Follow us on all the things!⁠https://www.stunningandbrilliantevents.com/⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stunningandbrilliantevents/ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thistakesthecakepodcast/⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@sandbevents⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@stunningandbrilliantevents⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thistakesthecakepodcast⁠ 

What’s next in weddings? We’re talking all things new for 2026. ✨Ashley P from our Charlotte office and Caroline from Tampa are sharing the trends they’re seeing emerge—from fresh design details to shifts in how couples are planning and celebrating. If you love being ahead of the curve (or just want to know what’s about to be everywhere), this episode is for you.Caroline Green & Ashley Pirigyi Follow us on all the things!⁠https://www.stunningandbrilliantevents.com/⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stunningandbrilliantevents/ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thistakesthecakepodcast/⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@sandbevents⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@stunningandbrilliantevents⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thistakesthecakepodcast⁠ 

Nina and Alex break down how S&B is evolving with the times — staying on trend for our clients, using AI to save major planning hours, and still keeping every detail personal and intentional. From onboarding calls to new systems shaping how we work, this is your roadmap to planning smarter in 2026 without losing the magic.Nina Lerman & Alex Bradshaw Follow us on all the things!⁠https://www.stunningandbrilliantevents.com/⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stunningandbrilliantevents/⁠https://www.instagram.com/thistakesthecakepodcast/⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@sandbevents⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@stunningandbrilliantevents⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thistakesthecakepodcast⁠

In our first episode of 2026, Sara and Michelle are kicking off the year with all things NEW – starting with destination weddings! Michelle shares her wild Cabo wedding experience, from tricky weather and airport adventures to an unforgettable “this takes the cake” fire moment. Hear how she navigated planning a wedding somewhere she’d never been, the surprises along the way, and tips for planners taking on destination events. Whether you’re dreaming of your own getaway wedding or just love a behind-the-scenes story, this episode is full of laughs, lessons, and a little bit of chaos!Follow us on all the things!⁠https://www.stunningandbrilliantevents.com/⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stunningandbrilliantevents/ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thistakesthecakepodcast/⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@sandbevents⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@stunningandbrilliantevents⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thistakesthecakepodcast⁠ 

We’re back for round two, and Producer Payton is not letting the office girls off the hook just yet. Part 2 dives even deeper into the moments that defined our year—the surprises, the shenanigans, and the stories that somehow didn’t make it into Part 1. If you thought the first half was good… buckle up. Part 2 brings the drama, the laughter, and the chaos we live for.

We’re kicking off our year-end recap by putting our office girls in the hot seat. Producer Payton is taking us back through the moments of 2025 that truly took the cake— the wins, the chaos, the “did that really happen?” and everything in between. Grab a snack, settle in, and get ready for the stories we absolutely had to share first. Part 1 starts now.

Eliza and Shelli sit down to spill the tea on one of their wildest weddings yet — where the bride and her mom wouldn’t even speak to each other (yep, everything went through the planner). From being the fourth planning team brought in to navigating family drama with grace (and maybe a little wine), this episode dives into what it’s really like to pull off a stunning event when emotions run high and communication runs... through us

In this episode, Jacque and Taylor answer the question every newly engaged couple asks: Where do you even start? They break down the wedding planning timeline step-by-step—from setting a realistic budget, guest count, and vibe, to which vendors you should book first (and why they matter the most), to the personalization phase with florals, entertainment, glam, and décor, all the way to month-of logistics and why the bride should not be the day-of contact. Plus, a little planner-vs-DIY honesty: do you want to relax with champagne or be the one texting your DJ in your robe? If you need a clear roadmap instead of a Google rabbit hole, this is your starting point. All matching checklists, vendor order guides, and templates are inside Stunning Secrets.Follow us on all the things!⁠https://www.stunningandbrilliantevents.com/⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stunningandbrilliantevents/ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thistakesthecakepodcast/⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@sandbevents⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@stunningandbrilliantevents⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thistakesthecakepodcast⁠ 

In this heartfelt episode, Palm Beach owner Jacque and Atlanta owner Madison open up about the tender side of wedding planning: celebrating a day of joy while missing someone you love. They discuss how grief can show up in unexpected moments, the balance of honoring someone without making the day feel heavy, and the deeply personal ways couples can keep their people close. Madison shares the meaningful tribute she included in her own wedding, and Jacque offers thoughtful ideas planners can use to support couples walking through loss. This one is warm, real, and a reminder that love has a way of being present — even when the people we wish were there physically can’t be.Jacque Basile & Madison Smith

Dallas and Caroline are back with a Halloween twist! In this episode, they dive into holiday weddings, share terrifyingly funny wedding moments, and spill behind-the-scenes stories you won’t believe. Hear about a bride who owed tens of thousands to a vendor just days before saying ‘I do,’ and the chaos of traveling to states they’ve never been to to cover a wedding. Of course, they do all of this while doing what they do best… YAP!Follow us on all the things!⁠https://www.stunningandbrilliantevents.com/⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stunningandbrilliantevents/ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thistakesthecakepodcast/⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@sandbevents⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@stunningandbrilliantevents⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thistakesthecakepodcast⁠ 

From scroll-stopping reels to romantic wedding vibes, content creator Kenzie (@foreverafterinstantly) joins Bianca to talk all things viral, visual, and very dreamy. In this episode, they dive into how Kenzie built her aesthetic, the behind-the-scenes of creating wedding magic online, and the unexpected moments that truly took the cake. Expect inspo, real talk, creator tips, and one wild story that’ll make you gasp and laugh at the same time. If you’ve ever saved one of Kenzie’s videos (or 12), this one’s for you.Bianca Finucane & Kenzie Sikes Follow us on all the things!⁠https://www.stunningandbrilliantevents.com/⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stunningandbrilliantevents/ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thistakesthecakepodcast/⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@sandbevents⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@stunningandbrilliantevents⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thistakesthecakepodcast⁠ 

Planning a wedding for someone you love—or someone who already knows the industry—is a whole different ballgame. Alyssa and Caroline sit down to share what it’s like to plan weddings for friends and fellow planners, how communication shifts when there’s history involved, and the unique challenges (and joys) of mixing business with personal relationships. They’ll spill on honesty, boundaries, emotional moments, and even share advice for any vendor who finds themselves working a friend’s big day.Caroline Green & Alyssa Etheredge Follow us on all the things!⁠https://www.stunningandbrilliantevents.com/⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stunningandbrilliantevents/ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thistakesthecakepodcast/⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@sandbevents⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@stunningandbrilliantevents⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thistakesthecakepodcast⁠ 

Ever wonder what it’s like to take over a thriving wedding planning business and make it your own? In this episode, Jacque chats with Ashley P, the fearless owner of Stunning & Brilliant’s Charlotte location. From her start in Charleston to leading an established market, Ashley shares the highs, the challenges, and a few unforgettable “This Takes the Cake” moments from behind the scenes. Tune in for stories, tips, and laughs from one of the most dynamic planners in the industry!Follow us on all the things!⁠https://www.stunningandbrilliantevents.com/⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stunningandbrilliantevents/ ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thistakesthecakepodcast/⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@sandbevents⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@stunningandbrilliantevents⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@thistakesthecakepodcast⁠