Have you ever wondered how planning a wedding might be different the second time around? And why does it feel like such a touchy topic? As if the couple and their guests need to pretend like the first marriage didn’t even happen. What unique challenges do couples face, and how can they create a day that they’re really happy with? Today, I’ll talk about why second marriage weddings feel, to me at least, like they’re more common than ever, what makes them so unique, and how you can approach pla...
Just the other day, I was chatting with three seasoned wedding vendors about how, lately, they’ve been hearing from engaged couples asking tons of questions about details that, honestly, aren’t likely to be problems at all. They were frustrated by how they’ve been micromanaged or not fully trusted. So I asked them: “How can an engaged couple really tell who’s a legit, experienced vendor who won’t let them down?” They all agreed that it’s tough for couples to know, especially when so much of t...
Have you ever wondered what happens when a wedding feels too good to end, but you’re not quite ready for the party to be over? Maybe you’ve noticed how after-parties are suddenly cropping up in everyone’s wedding plans, or you’re curious why couples are making space in their budget for this bonus round of celebrating. On today’s episode, we’ll dig into the real reasons after-parties are getting so much love lately, plus some surprisingly creative ways to throw one: whether you want a rooftop ...
Are you a games person, or does the very mention of the word cause you to start dreaming up excuses to opt out? I’ve never been big on games myself, especially at weddings; sometimes they feel awkward or a bit forced, in my opinion. But in this interview, Matthew Vercoe, an experienced MC and now celebrant, really changed my perspective. Through our conversation, I saw how thoughtfully designed wedding reception games connect guests, ease any tension, and make the night more memorable f...
Have you heard about the growing trend of co-piloting wedding ceremonies? What does it really mean to have the responsibility of the mic shared on one of the most important days of your life, and how can both engaged couples and celebrants team up to make the experience something truly out of the box? Today I’m chatting with Annie Moz of Celebrant Lady Love about the rise of co-piloting ceremonies, which is when a professional authorised celebrant partners with a friend or family ...
If there’s one question I’ve been getting a lot from couples lately, it’s how to handle all the emotions that come up on your wedding day. Between the joy, the nerves, the deep sense of meaning and connection, it’s a day that’s bound to move you.. sometimes to happy tears. With so many of you asking how to stay present without completely breaking down into an ugly cry, I thought it was the perfect time to revisit one of the most-loved episodes from the Unbridely Podcast. Originally recorded b...
Have you seen any TikToks about how wedding vendors have ripped off unsuspecting and innocent engaged couples by taking their deposit and then ghosting them, never to be seen again? While some of those stories are true, in my experience in hospitality, events and weddings, they are super, SUPER rare. What many couples are most surprised about is the payment of the booking fee, deposit or retainer payment in the first place: What does a deposit payment actually cover? How much of a ...
Why does it always seem like our skin chooses the most inappropriate moment to “act out” with pimples, acne or redness? And how can you respond with self-compassion and solutions that will actually work instead of harsh steroids and endless TikTok scrolling for let’s face it, questionable remedies? I am proud to have met and interviewed experienced Australian skin therapist, Amelia Goff, from Fresh Face Skin. In our personal chat, she unpacks why stress and hormonal shifts can cause these fru...
Any chef will tell you that we eat with our eyes; that the way a plate of food is presented and appears will affect the taste of the meal. So then surely, when we first enter a wedding reception space, the visual impact of the room is like the opening scene of a movie and the precursor for everything that comes after. And for those engaged couples who are not booking a stylist, or who have locked in a dry hire venue, one of the most overlooked aspects of wedding planning has to be the lightin...
The truth often hurts. And in an industry that exists to make dreams come true, no matter the cost, it’s no wonder that it’s commonplace for many vendors to blur the lines a little and to tell engaged couples what they want to hear. However, this is unequivocally NOT the case with my guest today. I first learned that Laura existed through a Reel that was recommended in my Instagram feed titled: “Advice I’d Give You As A Wedding Planner If I Weren’t Afraid of Hurting Your Feelings”. I’m sure y...
What if the wedding you thought would take years to plan could actually come together in just 6 months? And what if your stress levels and your bank account were better for it too? In this episode, I sit down with Daisy, Venue Director at The Post Barn in the UK, to unpack the rise of short-leadtime weddings and what that really means for couples today. You’ll learn why more people are ditching two-year planning timelines, how to avoid the overwhelm of decision fatigue, and the smart ways to ...
Welcome back to Part 2 of my interview with Peter and Chelsea from Him and Her Music, where we continue our deep dive into how you can collaborate and work with your wedding musicians to get the very best experience in the lead-up and on the day for yourself, for you, your fiancé and your future memories too. If you joined us for Part 1, you’ve already heard how Chelsea and Pete’s expertise, transparency, and heartfelt advice make them more than just performers; they’re planners, curators and...
You know, I’ve not realised until recently that, for most engaged couples, they’ve never booked and worked with musicians before. In fact, your wedding day might just be the only time you need to discuss an event run sheet, set list, and power requirements with musicians. There are some things that they need from an engaged couple to work and perform to the best of their ability. And the thing is, you probably don’t know what those things are. So in today’s episode, you’ll meet the dynamic hu...
When was the last time you truly listened to the sound of a loved one’s voice? Have you ever noticed how it evokes certain memories and super-charged emotions for you? What if the most meaningful memory of your wedding day wasn't captured in a photo because we chose to think a little differently about, and expanded on, the way we document weddings? My guest, Kate Mishkin, is the founder of Spirit and Sound, a company that creates one-of-a-kind audio documentaries of couples’ wedding days. Kat...
Have you ever had to endure a painful wedding speech by an overconfident best man or a terrified bridesmaid and thought, “There must be a better way than: a) listing off story after inappropriate story, b) relying on tired, sexist or clichéd jokes, or c) just winging it?” You’re absolutely spot on. We can do better. Today, I’m joined by Sydney Shannahan, wedding writer, editor and founder of Altar & Toast, who reveals why pushing past the first draft, using speech cards and re...
Have you ever pictured yourself gliding barefoot down a sandy aisle, ocean glistening in the distance, a soft sea breeze gently tousling your hair, feeling content and chilled while surrounded by your favourite people? It sounds perfect… right up until someone forgets the sunscreen, your nan gets heat stroke, and that gentle breeze turns into a storm-force gale that rips your floral display clean off your ceremony arch. There’s nothing wrong with having a beach wedding. But what you nee...
Have you ever noticed how weddings seem to be geared exclusively towards people who are rampant extroverts? But what if your dad’s superpower is more ‘building the ceremony arbour’ than ‘walking towards it with 100 sets of eyes trained on him’? Today, I want to help you figure out how your delightfully introverted dad can still fulfil an important role on your wedding day, without ever setting his foot into the dreaded spotlight. We’re going to kick off with some reframing of expectations, th...
Ever wondered why bathing in milk, wearing pearls, or popping a silver sixpence in your shoe affects the success of your wedding and/or your marriage? No, neither have I. But as fate would have it (see what I did there), they are not one of the 10 wacky wedding superstitions that I’m going to share with you today. We’re going to travel to Greece, Ireland, the Netherlands and the Philippines to uncover some of the truly out-there wedding superstitions and traditions that people believed in man...
Family; you can’t live with them and you can’t live with them. But they’re everything, right? And you still love them MOST of the time. Today I want to chat about the different (read: crazy/difficult/upsetting) family dynamics that you may be concerned about in the lead-up to your wedding. The step parents, half siblings, divorced parents and uncle who’s not really your uncle that your Dad can’t stand. You’ll learn about: Why you can (and should) let go of the idea of a perfect wedding (or a ...
Stop me if you’ve heard this one.. A bride-to-be excitedly plans an elaborate proposal to her bridesmaids, self-care products in ribbon-secured boxes or personalised tote bags topped off with a card that reads: “Will you be my bridesmaid?” Within a few short months, there are at least a couple of chat groups to communicate the colour palette the dress code, important dates, and to discuss the bridesmaids’ responsibilities. If you haven’t said stop yet, let me save you from wondering. This is ...