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Bridechilla Podcast

The Bridechilla Wedding Podcast back catalogue- audio wedding planner. Catch up on all of the past episodes of the podcast, find wedding inspiration and more.

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411- Keeping Chilla During Times of Crisis

by Aleisha
written by Aleisha

We find ourselves globally in a time of crisis, economically, health-wise and dealing with anxiety and the unknowingness of what is around the corner. In this special episode of Bridechilla, I welcome wedding planner, Leah Weinberg from Color Pop Events to talk about what to do if your wedding plans have been affected by COVID-19 and how to emotionally and logistically plan ahead. We keep it light and informative and hope that is a helpful episode for all.

Listen to Bridechilla Podcast episode 411

Meditation Apps

I have found meditation hugely helpful during times of overwhelm and personal crisis. I use the Headspace app (Get 14 days of Headspace Plus free) and Leah is a fan of Calm. There are also a bunch of free guided meditations on youtube that are a great introduction to visualisation, breathing and finding a moment of stillness both physically and in your mind. 

Feeling anxious or worried? Make sure you share

This situation isn't something that any of us have lived through before and it is normal to have feelings of worry and anxiousness when it comes to COVID-19 and how it impacts your life (and wedding plans). Like Leah explains in the podcast, it's ok to feel disappointed or angry that your plans have possibly been disrupted or that you may have to cancel or reschedule your wedding celebrations.
It's important to be able to speak about how you feel. I know it helps me clear some of the symptoms of anxiety when I call a friend, someone that I feel comfortable being open and honest about how I am feeling.
I have also been speaking to my lovely counsellor Cindi via Betterhelp.com, where we meet via video chat once per week and check-in using their text service almost daily. If you are new to counselling or are looking for someone to speak to during this time, I would highly recommend exploring your options using betterhelp.com/bridechilla (they are a sponsor of the Bridechilla Podcast but I have not been compensated for this recommendation...I truly just dig what they do! However if you use the Bridechilla link, you will receive 10% off your first month.

Coronavirus II: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

Meet Leah Weinberg, Color Pop Events

Leah Weinberg is the Owner & Creative Director of Color Pop Events -- a New York City-based wedding planning company that lives in the logistics, providing an unmatched focus on event details for clients.  

Celebrating six years of business, Leah continues to leverage the organization skills, calm communication style, and ability to multi-task she initially developed as a commercial real estate lawyer in her previous career. Her colorful work and party planning tips have been published online and in print with Vogue, the New York Times, Bravo, Martha Stewart, and The Knot, among others. More recently, Leah was named a 20 on the Rise winner by Honeybook and the Rising Tide Society. Special Events Magazine also recognized Leah as one of the 25 Young Event Pros to Watch in the event industry.

A 2020 WeddingPro Educator with The Knot + WeddingWire, Leah travels through North America sharing insight with her peers regionally, as well as at national conferences such as ALT Summit, NACE Experience, and The Special Event.

With thanks to our Bridechilla Partners

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409- How to be More ‘Chilla Q&A

by Aleisha
written by Aleisha

This episode of the Bridechilla podcast is a Q&A episode dedicated to helping you learn how to be more ‘chilla while planning your wedding. You shouldn’t have to deal with wedstress when you are getting married. You are planning a love party. It should be enjoyable. On this podcast, Aleisha answers questions from the Bridechilla community so that you can be more confident, experience less stress, and have more fun during the wedding planning process. She addresses questions about the wedding video, what to do with children at a wedding, and how to make the most of your honeymoon.

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How to get the best wedding video

It is important to consider how you will capture your wedding day so that you can revisit the experience years later. Many couples not only hire photographers, but also videographers to take and edit video of their wedding day. There are many options for video at varying price points. Bridcehilla Nina is using a service that allows you to use their cameras to create your own home videos. Aleisha discusses the pros and cons of different service levels, and reminds Bridechillas that video is a valuable investment that requires skill. 

Photo by Jakob Owens

Looking at kids, I think you need to think about the comfort of other guests as well as the children. Separating kids from their parents and letting them go feral at a kids table can be great, but they are going to need some sort of parental responsibility

What to do with children at your wedding

Depending on your feelings, children can either be a great addition or an unwelcome nuisance at a wedding. It is important to consider your expectations for children at your wedding and then plan and communicate accordingly. Bridechilla Amy and her fiance have a large family with lots of children that will be attending their wedding. She asks whether she should have the children at her wedding sit at their own table, or should they stay with their parents. 

Sometimes it is good to talk to a third party, for them to listen to the pros and cons, and go ‘Oh, well this feels obvious to me.

Photo by Mikael Kristenson

Confidently communicate your expectations

Bridechilla Liz and her fiancé are having a disagreement about getting a puppy. After listening to a prior episode of the podcast, Liz feels more empowered to be assertive and communicate her wishes. Aleisha reiterates the importance of utilizing the phrase, “That’s not going to work for me.” Being confident and making your expectations known isn’t a bad thing. It is a key to being happy in wedding planning and in life. 

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Have a more ‘Chilla honeymoon

Part of the wedding planning process includes planning a honeymoon. How can you be more ‘Chilla when planning a big trip following your wedding celebration? Air travel, hotel reservations, and destination planning can be an added stress. Following the wedding, you want to be sure to enjoy quality time with your partner. Aleisha discusses how to balance time during the honeymoon so that is enjoyable and stress free. 

Show Highlights

  • [1:32] Aleisha talks about the pros and cons of having a third party speak into problems and issues in life

  • [4:18] Bridechilla Nina is getting married in a year and asks about how to handle shooting a home video at their wedding

  • [6:59]  Aleisha explains the value of wedding videography relative to the desired product and how to assign responsibilities to your family and friends

  • [11:57] Consider how you will handle the editing of your wedding video

  • [14:23] Bridechilla Amy asks for advice about how to handle children at her wedding

  • [16:54] Aleisha discusses whether you should leave kids with their parents or have a separate space just for kids

  • [20:18] Aleisha shares three steps for being more ‘chilla

  • [22:23] Liz called with feedback about being assertive with her fiance

  • [24:22] How “That’s not gonna work for me.” is a great phrase to use in wedding planning and in life

  • [27:23] How to balance alone time while visiting family in another country on your honeymoon

  • [28:40] Remember to plan days off to have quality time alone on your honeymoon as well as booking excursions or time to visit family

With thanks to our Bridechilla Partners

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408- Wedding Planning Q&A

by Aleisha
written by Aleisha

You can enjoy your wedding planning. And the Bridechilla podcast is here to help. Rather than being worried or stressed out, you can find support and encouragement from brides and couples who have many of the same questions as you. On this episode, Bridechilla Podcast host, Aleisha shares voicemails from other Bridechillas and Groomchillas who are planning their weddings and need some extra help with logistics, dealing with family and also managing the dreaded wedding budget!

Listen to episode 408 of Bridechilla

With thanks to our Bridechilla Partners

Show image by Scott Broome​

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407- Top Tips for Planning a Meaningful Honeymoon

by Aleisha
written by Aleisha

Travel Planner Irina Vishnevskaya returns to share more helpful honeymoon planning and travel tips. Irina is the founder of Allé Travel, a travel planning business that specializes in creating one-of-kind experiences for adventurers. During this episode she shares ways to save time and money when booking your honeymoon, how to decide where to holiday and make sure that you have all of the correct documentation in place prior to jetting off on your honeymoon adventure.

Listen to the episode

Never let anyone tell you that what you want, you can’t afford that. They are the wrong person.

Meet This Episode’s Guest

Irina Vishnevskaya is the founder of Allé Travel, a travel planning company based in Brooklyn, New York. Allé specializes in planning one-of-a-kind adventures for travelers. Their goal is to make it easier for people to travel and experience something exciting and unique. Allé pairs customers with a travel planner that handles every detail of the trip which allows them to relax and enjoy without the stress of planning. Irina join today’s show to answer Bridechilla community questions about planning their honeymoon and/or vacations. 

With thanks to our Bridechilla Partners


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406- Enjoy Your Wedding Planning: Q&A Episode

by Aleisha
written by Aleisha

You can enjoy your wedding planning. And the Bridechilla podcast is here to help. Rather than being worried or stressed out, you can find support and encouragement from brides and couples who have many of the same questions as you. On this episode, Aleisha shares voicemails from other Bridechillas planning their weddings. She addresses how to handle an unwanted tradition, giving your wedding guests guidance about their attire, and how to maintain the joy of planning even when you are around a bunch of Debbie-downers. 

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Know your tradition’s history

Many wedding traditions have specific histories behind them. Though many couples continue to implement these traditions, they don’t often have the same significance in modern culture. One tradition that Bridechilla Mel is not comfortable with is the father giving away the bride. However, Mel’s Father is really excited about giving his daughter away. How can she compromise so that her father is happy without her feeling like a piece of property being exchanged in a business transaction? Hear Aleisha encourage Bridechillas to research the history of traditions and then decide if it is something they want to include in their ceremony.  

Photo by Alvin Mahmudov

Give your guests some guidance

Bliss and her partner have worked together to determine the kind of wedding they both want. Though they have different personalities and backgrounds, they decided to have a small destination wedding. Bliss is particularly excited about her color palette. She wants to know how she can tell her wedding guests so they can match the color pallette. Aleisha shares ways to tactfully give your wedding guests guidance so that everyone’s expectations are aligned. 

As a guest, for me, I really appreciate some guidance of the tone and theme of what to wear

How to connect your friends at the wedding

Through the different phases of life, you meet people who have an impact. When planning your wedding, you want to include those people in your special day. However, not all of the people that you know may have met each other. How can you help your wedding party get to know each other quickly so that the wedding weekend isn’t awkward? By taking a few strategic steps, you can ease the discomfort and break the ice so that everyone has a great time and you have a special wedding with all of your friends. 

If you are considering the use of traditions in your wedding, I think it is very important to learn a little bit about the history and what they represent.

Photo by Banter Snaps 

I truly believe that if these people are important in your life, and you in theirs, that when they come together they will be interested in learning about the other people in your life

Don’t feel bad about enjoying your wedding planning

Bridechilla Cami has started planning her wedding with her partner even though they aren’t officially engaged. They are looking forward to a multi-day wedding that will celebrate their families diverse cultures. However, because the engagement has been delayed, Cami feels like people judge her when she tries to discuss her wedding plans. How can she still feel excited about her wedding when everyone else doesn’t seem to be? Aleisha gives great advice for enjoying your wedding planning even when others want to rain on your parade. 

Show Highlights

  • [0:40] Aleisha introduces the podcast which is a Q&A episode all about wedding planning

  • [2:53] Bridechilla Mel asks about the tradition of the Father giving away the bride and how to compromise with her Father

  • [5:48] Aleisha addresses Mel’s question and talks about the history of that specific tradition

  • [9:18] Bliss and her partner are having a small intimate wedding with an understated color pallette and wants to know if she can provide a dress code for her guests?

  • [12:13] How to tactfully give your attendees some direction for your wedding

  • [15:59] Visit the bridechillastore.com to get the wedding planning guides published by Aleisha and Rich

  • [16:33] How to help the bridal party get to know each other since none of them have already met

  • [19:03] Plan strategic ways to help your bridesmaids get to know each other

  • [22:57] Bridechilla Cami wants to know how to be excited about planning her wedding without feeling bad about not being officially engaged. 

  • [25:55] If you feel unsupported in your planning, join the bridechilla community and receive encouragement and support.

  • [28:49] How to get in touch with Aliesha via social media

Listen to the episode

With thanks to our Bridechilla Partners

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404- Surviving the Holidays

by Aleisha
written by Aleisha

The holidays are right around the corner. You may be looking forward with excitement and anticipation. Or you may be just trying to survive the holidays. On this podcast, Aleisha shares some of the Bridechilla communities concerns and comments about the holidays and gives her take on how to survive them. Whether you are trying to create your own traditions, dealing with divorced parents, or concerned about someone bringing up politics at the dinner table, rest assured you are not alone. The Bridechilla podcast is here to help you survive the holidays. 

How to create your own holiday traditions

Every family has their own holiday traditions. But how did those traditions get started? And how can you start new traditions with your partner and family? Parents and extended family can unknowingly place their own expectations for how the holidays should go. However, creating your own special customs is important. Aleisha discusses the difficulty of instituting new holiday traditions while being respectful of the ones already in place. 

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Don’t be too flexible

Accommodating parents can turn into a juggling act during the holidays. When you each have a set of parents who want to spend time with you, it can be difficult to manage your time. If either partner has divorced parents, the scheduling can become exponentially harder. While it is good to be flexible and try to honor everyone’s plans, being too flexible can ruin the holiday. Aleisha recommends having open communication with your families before the holidays so that you don’t overextend or exhaust yourselves. 

Tackling taboo topics at the holiday table

Imagine the spread of food on the holiday table. Ham or turkey with all of the sides. The family is all gathered together, smiling and laughing while enjoying each other’s company. Then imagine that, all of a sudden, someone decides to bring up politics. Now imagine that lovely dinner table atmosphere taking a drastically different turn. Inevitably, each family has that one member that wants to discuss taboo topics during the holidays. How can you handle it without losing your cool? Hear what Aleisha has to say about that and other ways to survive the holidays on this podcast. 

It’s time to start creating your own traditions!

There is more than one day

One way to survive the holidays is to remember that you don’t have to do everything in one day. Trying to go to all of the family gatherings, traveling here and there can be exhausting and could cause you to miss out on a relaxing and enjoyable day. If the day of the holiday isn’t good for you, you can celebrate anytime. The specific day isn’t as important as just finding time to be together. Use the weekend before and after to spend time with the ones you love. With the help of the Bridechilla community and the Bridechilla podcast, you can survive the holidays. 

Show Highlights

  • [0:25] Aleisha introduces the episode which is about making it through the holidays which are drastically different than what songs and commercials portray

  • [3:29] This episode is a companion for while you are traveling and going to family events so that you remember you aren’t the only ones struggling

  • [5:51] Bridechilla Steph posts that she’d like to discuss splitting time between families over the holidays. Aleisha share Bridechilla Kristen’s response

  • [7:36] Corina shares about her inconsiderate family who they try to accomodate

  • [11:34] How to manage parents expectations and why they bristle at the thought of change

  • [12:29] The additional challenge of having divorced parents during holidays

  • [13:40] Bridechilla Ariana comments on how they try to visit all of their families during the holidays

  • [15:31] How to deal with politics and other taboo topics that might come up around the dinner table

  • [18:14] Aleisha explains that she is an introverted extrovert and she handles that during the holidays or time with extended family

  • [21:36] Dealing with unwelcome questions about your wedding from well meaning family members

  • [22:37] Even though it’s difficult, everyone should be willing to compromise

  • [25:02] Start having conversations about the Christmas traditions you want to have before you have kids

  • [26:18] You don’t have cram all of the celebration into one day. Find a weekend close to the holiday and celebrate then

  • [28:58] When in doubt, remember, you can always say “That’s not going to work for me.”

It’s like a weird obligation time of year that we all go through the motions when I think a lot of us would rather be doing our own thing.

Listen to the episode

Why do we cram it all into one day when you can take the weekend before, let’s do a family event the weekend before. Or if you are in America and you celebrate Thanksgiving, maybe you can celebrate Thanksgiving with your family and Christmas with my family

With thanks to our Bridechilla Partners, Better Help

Show image by  freestocks.org

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403- Honeymoon Planning and Travel Q&A with Irina Vishnevskaya

by Aleisha
written by Aleisha

What’s more exciting that planning a wedding? Planning a honeymoon! But just like wedding planning, deciding where to go and what to do on your honeymoon can be challenging. On this week’s Bridechilla podcast, guest Irina Vishnevskaya joins Aleisha for a honeymoon planning and travel Q&A episode. Irina is the founder of Allé Travel, a travel planning business that specializes in creating one-of-kind experiences for adventurers. During this episode she answers questions about booking excursions on a honeymoon, traveling during the winter, and the importance of travel insurance. 

Listen to the episode

It takes a really, really shit situation to stress me out honestly at this point. It’s like ‘We can fix that’. Where that’s really stressful if it’s your first time dealing with that and it’s your honeymoon.

How to avoid over-planning your honeymoon

When planning a trip, it is important for you and your partner to consider the type of experience you want. Do you want to see and do as much as possible and make the trip an adventure, or are you looking for a more relaxing and restful getaway? Knowing the goal of the experience will help you decide what type of excursions you might plan at your destination. Irina encourages couples not to over-plan their honeymoon. She gives alternatives for making your trip special even if you aren’t looking to be on the go the entire time.

Even if you are delaying, try to do it within a year of your wedding. To me a year, you are still in that post-wedding vibe.

Delay the honeymoon, not the romance

Honeymoons can be expensive and often require time away from work and other responsibilities. Many couples choose to delay their honeymoon for weeks or months after the wedding. If you are delaying your honeymoon, how can you still make your trip feel as special as a traditional honeymoon? There are several tips that Irina shares during the podcast that can help you create a memorable experience regardless of timing. Listen to this episode to hear those ideas and much more on the Bridechilla podcast. 

Photo by Jeremy Banks

When should you purchase travel insurance?

Once you’ve decided on a honeymoon destination and you’re ready to book, it’s time to consider travel insurance. Should you always get travel insurance? What circumstances might you not need it? What kind and how much insurance should you purchase? The different options available can be confusing. However, during this episode, Irina clarifies the different types of travel insurance and what kind of coverage you should be prepared to buy so that you have full confidence while on your trip. 

Don’t force yourself to do something just because it’s your honeymoon and that’s what people say you should be doing.

Travel planners v. travel agents

A common misconception is that travel agents and travel planners are the same. As a travel planner Irina understands the differences between to two. The type of trip and the needs of the person or couple will determine which of the two they should use. Irina explains the differences in the training they have and the services they offer and explains how to decide which you might need. Aleisha and Irina also discuss several other Bridechilla community questions on this honeymoon planning and travel Q&A episode of the Bridechilla podcast. 

Photo by Chen Mizrach

Listen to the episode

Show Highlights

  • [0:41] Aleisha introduces this week’s show, which is all about answering Honeymoon and holiday/vacation questions

  • [1:15] Guest Irina Vishnevskaya, founder of Allé, shares how she got into the travel business

  • [4:23] How Irina separates professional planning for other from her own vacations and travels

  • [7:28] Is it better to book excursions before you go or when you get to your destination? 

  • [11:19] How do you make a trip feel like a honeymoon when you are taking it several months (or longer) after the wedding?

  • [14:48] How talking about your wedding can make your honeymoon trip even more special, even if it is delayed

  • [16:10] What are some winter destination options for a honeymoon?

  • [20:29] Aleisha and Irina discuss their experiences in Iceland and the opportunity for travel Iceland offers

  • [23:06] Is travel insurance worth it? Is it something you really need to purchase?

  • [29:50] Bridechilla Mia mentions that, with certain airlines recently going under, travlers should be aware of what your travel insurance covers

  • [42:56] What are the benefits of using a travel planner when booking a honeymoon? Irinia also explains the difference between travel agents and travel planners

  • [51:30] A travel planner can remove the stress from planning so that you can enjoy and have peace of mind 

  • [54:34] What is the best way to book a trip where you can experience different customs and cultures

  • [57:04] How to connect with Irinia Vishnevskaya and Allé travel

Meet This Episode’s Guest

Irina Vishnevskaya is the founder of Allé travel, a travel planning company based in Brooklyn, New York. Allé specializes in planning one-of-a-kind adventures for travelers. Their goal is to make it easier for people to travel and experience something exciting and unique. Allé pairs customers with a travel planner that handles every detail of the trip which allows them to relax and enjoy without the stress of planning. Irina join today’s show to answer Bridechilla Community questions about planning their honeymoon and/or vacations. 

With thanks to our Bridechilla Partners

Show image by Wayan Parmana

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402- Things Everyone Forgets to Plan for On Their Wedding Day

by Aleisha
written by Aleisha

Are you afraid there might be something you are forgetting while planning your wedding? This episode of the Bridechilla podcast is for you. Even if you think you have everything taken care of, be sure to listen as Renee Dalo, CEO and Lead Planner of Moxie Bright Events, joins the show to talk about things everyone forgets to plan. Renee has been planning weddings professionally for over twelve years. She has seen a lot over that time and has not only great advice but also some funny stories that will help you consider things you may not have thought of while planning your wedding.

Listen to the episode

Make the most of the morning

The morning of the wedding can either be crazy and stressful or it can be peaceful and relaxing. The difference is all in how you plan the morning. Renee says that many couples fail to consider the rhythm of the morning, leaving too much opportunity for things to go haywire. She shares her own wedding morning experience that didn’t go as she had hoped. If you want to make the most of the morning of your wedding, be sure to listen to this podcast to get some ideas for how you can plan and ensure you enjoy your day. 

If you are taking some sort of public transportation, which is what I consider Uber or Lift, maybe don’t wear your wedding gown if you can help it. Maybe put that bad boy in a garment bag and carry it.

Communicate clearly to the wedding party

One of the things that everyone forgets to plan is where their wedding party will be getting ready for the ceremony. Often, couples fail to communicate clearly to the wedding party. Renee encourages couples to visit the place where their bridesmaids or groomsmen will prepare for the wedding to make sure it has adequate space and lighting. She also suggests that clear instructions be given to everyone prior to the wedding day so that the wedding party arrives and gets ready on time. 

Photo by Samantha Gades

Whatever you normally need to make your day successful, make sure you are still doing that on your wedding day. You are not a different person on your wedding day.

Do you need a ride?

Transportation is not something you want to have to worry about on the day of your wedding. You may need a ride from the hotel to the wedding venue, or from the wedding venue to the reception location. And at the end of the night, how are you getting back to your hotel? Planning transportation is another thing everyone forgets to plan that Renee highlights during this episode. Listen as she shares helpful tips for using public transportation and ways to save money when planning transportation.

End of the night planning with your partner

During this episode, Renee discusses several other things everyone forgets to plan for their wedding day. She talks about the risk of drinking too much before the wedding, what to do with your purse or wallet, and making sure every vendor is paid before the end of the night. She and Aleisha also talk about planning what will happen after the wedding with your partner. Setting appropriate expectations for the end of the night will help avoid any hurt feelings or frustration. Listen to this episode of the Bridechilla Podcast to hear all about this and much more.

Photo by @neonbrand

I think not only just knowing logistically how you are getting somewhere but what your intention for the end of the night is and communicating that is important.

Listen to the episode

Show Highlights

  • [0:40] Aleisha introduces Renee Dalo, CEO and Lead Planner of Moxie Bright Events and host of two podcasts 
  • [2:17] Aleisha and Renee talk about the two podcasts that Renee produces
  • [5:45] The focus of today’s episode are the things that people forget to think about when planning their wedding
  • [7:22] How are you going to intentionally create the morning you want to have on your wedding day?
  • [8:52] Renee shares about how her wedding morning started off in an unexpected way
  • [11:08] Know where everyone is going to get ready and that it is communicated to your wedding party
  • [13:07] What are some things that you should look for when considering where you will be getting ready? 
  • [14:21] What are you going to eat for breakfast?
  • [16:58] Renee tells the story of her experience with calming lozenges on her wedding day
  • [21:51] How are you getting to your ceremony or reception?
  • [27:02] What do you do with your purse or wallet on the wedding day? 
  • [28:45] Who still needs to be paid on the day, if anyone?
  • [32:34] At the end of the evening or wedding, how do you handle the items that need to be taken from the venue?
  • [35:20] How are you planning on getting home?
  • [38:46] The truth about wedding night sex and communicating expectations of how the wedding night will end
  • [44:47] How Bridechillas can get in touch with Renee

Meet This Episode’s Guest

Renee Dalo is the CEO and Lead Planner of Moxie Bright Events, a boutique wedding planning company based in Los Angeles. Renee turned her background of professional theater and fine dinning into a career of planning fun and elegant events that focus on personalization and intention. Renee is also the producer of two podcasts, Rock Your Wedding Biz and Talk with Renee Dalo. On this episode Renee uses her experiences as a wedding planner and a bride to talk about the things that everyone forgets to plan for their wedding day.  

With thanks to our Bridechilla Partners

Show image by  by Honey Yanibel Minaya Cruz​

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401- Wedding Planning Q&A

by Aleisha
written by Aleisha

Planning a wedding is an exciting and joyous occasion. Anticipation of the big celebration with your friends and family can be exhilarating. However, the planning process can also be daunting and confusing. The Bridechilla Community is here to support and encourage you during this special and potentially overwhelming time. On this episode of the podcast, Aleisha addresses listener questions including how to find the right vendors, helping family understand and respect your wedding day wishes, and managing the demands of preparing your new home while planning the wedding. 

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Should you hire a wedding planner?

Establishing your budget is the first step to planning your wedding. Many couples try to save money by doing much of the planning themselves instead of hiring a wedding planner or coordinator. Aleisha discusses the value of hiring a wedding planner and what to expect from a budget standpoint. She also gives ideas for how to avoid extra stress when not hiring a wedding planner. The key is finding the right vendors that can best help accomplish the vision you have for your wedding. 

Photo by Amanda Vick

Think about where you are getting married and don’t just assume that ‘wedding season’ is just summer

How can an off-season wedding save you money?

There are several options that can help Bridechilla’s save money that are discussed during this episode. One way is to have an “off-season” wedding. Depending on what area you live in, there might be certain peak times during the year where wedding venues and vendors charge more for their services. Looking for values in a time other than peak season can be a cost-saver. Some couples also choose to use artificial flowers instead of real flowers to save cost and have flowers that may not be in season. Listen to this podcast to hear other advice and tips from Aleisha. 

As long as there is a balance and there is teamwork and as long as you are enjoying yourself and you don’t feel obligated to do it, great! It doesn’t make you any less of a feminist or any less in support of equality if you like to clean a bathroom.

Photo by bruce mars on

Communicating well with family and friends

Often the actions of family and friends during a wedding are well-meaning, but can be unintentionally stressful or off-putting. They may have desires or requests that could come as an unwelcome surprise to the couple. What is the best way to deal with overbearing family members? And how do you catch up with old friends who want to celebrate but who may not be invited to the wedding? How can you communicate effectively without being rude? Aleisha discusses this and much more on this episode of the Bridechilla podcast. 

I do think part of wedding planning for a lot of people is also preparing the nest, preparing the home

Preparing a home while planning a wedding

Bridechilla Ronnie’s fiancé has been very involved in the planning, which has lightened the load for her. However, Ronnie is having trouble knowing what to do with the extra time she has and has found herself doing more ordinary tasks around the house. This question leads into great encouragement for couples who are  not only planning their wedding, but also creating a new home and life together. It is perfectly natural to begin the process of preparing the home and dividing up tasks among each other. Part of the difficulty and fun of marriage is learning how to work together and that can start even in the wedding planning stage. 

Photo by Volha Flaxeco 

Show Highlights

  • [0:53] Aleisha talks about her move back to Australia from London and how it reminds her of the amount of stuff we accumulate 

  • [3:25] Whether it be wedding items or just general stuff, you can buy and sell on online marketplaces and reduce waste

  • [4:34] Is it worth it to hire a wedding planner and if so, how much can you expect to spend?

  • [9:04] How to search for a vendor using trusted recommendations and without getting overwhelmed

  • [10:39] The benefits of understanding your location and what time of year is considered wedding season

  • [12:16] What is the best way to go about using artificial flowers at your wedding?

  • [15:48] Bridechilla Hannah asks how to avoid obligation guests popping in on the wedding day while the bride and wedding party are getting ready.

  • [18:40] Hannah also asks how to catch up with friends that she might not be inviting to her wedding

  • [25:51] Ronnie asks how to handle the fact that her fiance is being very helpful in the wedding planning

  • [30:00] Part of wedding planning is also preparing the home for your marriage

  • [33:17] What do you do if you change venues and have to reduce your guest list?

  • [39:32] Aleisha talks about her honeymoon experience in Bali

  • [41:50] How to get in touch and have your wedding planning answered by Aleisha

Listen to the episode

With thanks to our Bridechilla Partners

Show image by  Alvin Mahmudov

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Bridechilla BlogBridechilla Podcast

399- Bring Your Wedding Venue to Life with Kevin Dennis

by Aleisha
written by Aleisha

After you’ve made the important decision of where your wedding will be held, then it is time to decide how you can bring your wedding venue to life. What are some ways you can transform your wedding venue? Start by listening to this episode of the Bridechilla podcast with guest Kevin Dennis, owner of Fantasy Sound Event Services in Livermore, California. Kevin has been in the wedding industry for 25 years and has a wealth of experience using sound, video, lighting, and decor to turn boring venues into beautiful and memorable spaces. 

Listen to the episode

The more you know up front, the easier the planning process is going to be

Know the rules of your venue

Every venue is unique. Some venues are new and neutral. They provide a blank canvass that you can decorate to create the space of your dreams. Other venues are storied, historic places that don’t need or allow any additions. Every venue has their own set of rules and regulations for how the space can and cannot be used. It is important to know the limitations of the venue before you make decorating and lighting plans. Kevin Dennis shares some of his experiences and gives insight on how to plan for different types of venues.

The other thing that people forget to ask is, how much time do we have for set up?

Photo by Sweet Ice Cream Photography

Transformation takes time

With the amount of information and images available online, couples could make huge plans for the way they want to decorate their venue. The options are endless with hanging draperies, chandeliers, and other venue-transforming decor. In order to bring your wedding venue to life in the way that you’ve dreamed, it takes time. Knowing how much time you will have to work in the venue prior to the wedding will help keep the choices and plans realistic. Kevin explains that time is one of the greatest limitations for accomplishing the vision. 

People should be mindful of asking the venue this questions before you sign contracts if you have expectations that you want to make changes or hang things up or do anything that might require extra work.

Spruce up your space without spoiling your budget 

Bringing your wedding venue to life doesn’t always require a huge budget. While it can be tempting to go overboard with tons of decorations, there are some cheap, easy, and effective options. One way to spruce up your space on a shoestring budget is through the use of lighting. Kevin explains that many times couples will see an image of a wedding that they like that can be accomplished simply with colored lights. He also discusses the trend of using Edison bulbs in venues. Hear more about how you can use lighting at your wedding venue during this podcast.

Photo by Patrick Tomasso 

How to find the right vendors to bring your wedding venue to life

Having been in the wedding industry for so long, Kevin Dennis offers his unique advice and experience of not only transforming venues, but also dealing with other vendors. A typical wedding has several vendors, including sound and lighting, florists, food service, and a wedding coordinator as well as a host of others. How can you ensure that vendors are working well with each other to accomplish your vision? And how can you coordinate with each vendor to establish a timeline? Kevin discusses the importance of working with quality vendors and relying on recommendations to hire the right vendors. If you want to bring your wedding venue to life, then be sure to listen to this episode of the Bridechilla podcast. 

If your venue is doing any kind of open house, showcase, vendor fair, any of that kind of stuff that happens in the evening, go. Because you want to see what your venue looks like in the evening, with nothing

Photo by Oleg Ivanov 

Listen to the episode

Show Highlights

  • [0:29] Aleisha introduces this episode’s guest, Kevin Dennis, owner of Fantasy Sound Event Services in Livermore, California

  • [3:53] Kevin talks about how he started his business and some of the fun things he sees when doing an event

  • [6:00] How to start thinking about using lighting and decorations to transform your venue

  • [10:07] The importance of knowing how long you have for set up in the venue where your wedding will be held

  • [13:25] Some venues have limitations on what you can or cannot do. Couples should find out those rules beforehand

  • [19:53] How Kevin works with wedding coordinators and couples to establish the wedding timeline

  • [23:12] Lighting can be a great, inexpensive way to change the look of your venue

  • [25:50] Edison bulbs are a trendy lighting solution that offer a varied, antique look in a wedding venue

  • [29:11] The difference having a quality sound system at your event can make

  • [35:14] If you are using a band, be sure to get the rider so you know their requirements

  • [36:37] Testimonial and recommendations are a great way to connect with quality vendors

  • [38:17] Some venues have requirements for vendors that should be considered when booking a venue

Kevin Dennis- Fantasy Sound Event Services

Kevin Dennis is the editor of WeddingIQ and the owner of Fantasy Sound Event Services, a full-service event company based in Livermore, California. Dennis is the past president for Silicon Valley NACE, and current international president for WIPA.

Connect with Fantasy Sound:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fantasysound
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fsesevents
Twitter: https://twitter.com/fantasysound

With thanks to our Bridechilla Partners

Show image by ​

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