Ah, wedding speeches. That sacred moment when everyone gathers in their finest attire, clutching a glass of champagne, waiting with bated breath to hear the heartfelt, emotional words that will surely bring everyone to tears (in the good way). But what happens when things go wrong? What happens when Aunt Karen gets up and, rather than delivering a touching tribute to the couple, she suddenly starts recounting that one time the groom got really drunk at a family reunion and did a questionable karaoke rendition of “I Will Survive”? Spoiler alert: the cringe level will be at DEFCON 1.

But fear not, friends! You can avoid becoming the next Aunt Karen (unless you are Aunt Karen, in which case, keep reading) with this handy guide to giving a wedding speech that won’t make everyone wish they could time travel to a parallel universe where speeches never exist.

Ah, wedding vendors. The unsung heroes who make magic happen behind the scenes—well, most of the time. Except for that one unforgettable moment when someone's Instagram story turns into a full-blown public vendetta. We've all witnessed it: Someone posts a passive-aggressive tweet about “some vendors” not being on time, and BAM, the entire industry is now grabbing popcorn and waiting for the next episode of “Who’s Gonna Catch These Hands?”

The best part? No receipts. Just vague comments like “Some vendors really just don’t care about quality,” and suddenly, everyone’s on high alert, trying to figure out who the mystery vendor is. It's like we're all cast in a wedding-themed reality show, but instead of romance, it’s just shady text threads and cryptic captions. Honestly, some days it feels more like Keeping Up With the Wedding Industry than Say Yes to the Dress.

Let’s just all agree on one thing: No one wants to be the villain in this wedding industry fairy tale. We’re not trying to be the “Bridezilla” of our profession or the DJ who only plays “Macarena” at every wedding (yes, we’ve all been there, and yes, it's a crime). We’re in this to create dream weddings, not soap operas. So, how do we avoid the drama and keep it all about the love, the florals, and the fabulous dance floor? It’s easy—work together as one united team and resist the urge to air dirty laundry on Instagram, no matter how tempting it might be.

Now, before you fire off that passive-aggressive Instagram story about how “some vendors really need to check their egos,” remember: the goal is harmony, not a public roast session. The only drama we need is the one happening during your best friend’s impromptu speech about your “adventures in love.” Let’s leave the reality TV drama to the Kardashians, and keep the wedding industry vibe more “teamwork makes the dream work” and less “who can throw the best shade.”

Here’s the deal—become the ultimate wedding vendor squad, and let's save the drama for the dance floor (where we can all pretend we’re Beyoncé, of course). Zero drama. Maximum magic. Let’s do this!

Let’s be real: Your ex’s wedding was a vibe, but not the good kind. Picture this: beige décor, the kind that screams “I’ve had enough Pinterest, thanks,” and a DJ who thinks “Shout” is the pinnacle of musical sophistication, and by the time it hits the chorus, everyone’s too exhausted to even care. It’s like the wedding was one big awkward, slow-motion train wreck where you keep thinking, Is this actually happening? Am I trapped in a wedding-themed episode of The Office? Meanwhile, your Uncle Bob is definitely the only one attempting to “get down” on the dance floor with moves that look like he’s auditioning for Dancing with the Stars... but, you know, if that show was held in the basement of a bowling alley.

But you? Oh, honey, you’re not here to repeat those cringey, “What was that?” moments. You’re going to make sure your reception is unforgettable—in the best way possible. No awkward, forced speeches or dance-floor disasters. No stale canapés that taste like cardboard. No more guest-list meltdowns. You’re going to throw a wedding so fun, your guests will forget your ex’s wedding even existed (and probably thank the universe they’re at yours).

Ready to make sure your reception is a banger, not a bore? Get your dance shoes on and your taco truck booked—here’s how to throw the ultimate wedding reception that’ll make your ex’s look like a sad, beige buffet table in comparison.

Planning a wedding is like juggling flaming swords—one wrong move and you're in a pile of confetti and tears, desperately trying to put out the fire with a bottle of champagne (which, let's be real, might actually work better than you think). It's a high-stakes circus act, and you're the star of the show. But fear not! In the middle of all that chaos, there's one thing that can make or break your entire wedding experience: the vendors you hire. Get it right, and they’re your backstage crew, making sure everything runs smoothly while you’re busy trying to keep it together in your wedding dress. But get it wrong, and you’ll find yourself tangled in a mess of awkward phone calls, last-minute cancellations, and one very disappointed dance floor when the DJ busts out "Macarena" for the fourth time.

Trust me, if you accidentally hire a DJ who still thinks “Macarena” is a banger and hasn't heard of TikTok, you’re in for some seriously awkward moves. It’s the kind of moment that’ll leave your guests whispering, "Is this a wedding or a 90s throwback party?" So, let's skip those cringeworthy moments and set you up with a dream team that actually gets your vibe. Your wedding should be fun, personal, and magical—not a collection of mismatched people who have no idea what you're about.

To help you avoid making your wedding vendors the villains of your big day, I've compiled a list of 10 mistakes that, when avoided, will have you feeling like you’re on top of the world (or at least not locked in a back-and-forth email exchange with a caterer who definitely doesn't understand the concept of "appetizer stations"). So, buckle up, because you’re about to meet your new best friends—the ones who will help turn your wedding from a "what was I thinking?" disaster into the event of the year.

Let’s be real: wedding planning is like a roller coaster, except you're strapped in and surrounded by your entire family. It’s an emotional ride that can go from joyful to heart-stopping in the blink of an eye. One minute, you're picturing the fairy-tale wedding of your dreams with the perfect dress, the next minute you're arguing with your uncle over whether or not he’s allowed to wear cargo shorts to the ceremony (spoiler: he’s not). It’s exciting, it’s overwhelming, and there are more loops, twists, and turns than you’d ever think possible. Every time you think you've caught your breath, there’s another curveball—like the “totally unnecessary” family drama that seems to find its way into every corner of wedding planning.

You’ve got the seating charts that make you feel like you’re negotiating world peace, the dress fittings where Aunt Susan insists on giving unsolicited opinions about your figure (despite her own questionable fashion choices), and cake tastings that quickly turn into an all-out food fight over the flavor. And, of course, there’s the delicate art of managing your divorced parents. One moment, they're giving you the cold shoulder, and the next, they’re competing over who gets to walk you down the aisle. All of this, mind you, while you’re trying to stay calm and collect yourself enough to enjoy what’s supposed to be the happiest time of your life.

If you're knee-deep in seating arrangements, menu options, flower colors, and flower girl drama while also trying to dodge the unsolicited advice from cousins you’ve seen twice in the last decade—don’t worry, you are so not alone. Every bride and groom goes through it, and yes, even I’ve been there. The stress, the squabbles, the long conversations where you think, “Why did I think planning a wedding would be easy?” I get it. And after years of surviving this madness, I can tell you one thing: family drama is basically inevitable—but you can absolutely control how you handle it.

So buckle up, my friend. Because you’re about to learn how to navigate the twists and turns of wedding planning with humor, grace, and a few well-placed deep breaths. Whether it's handling impossible guest lists or dealing with Aunt Margaret's very strong opinion about your choice of wedding cake, I'm here to give you some tips to help you laugh through the chaos and emerge with your wedding vision (and sanity) still intact. Let’s dive in.

Let’s get one thing straight: being a wedding photographer is no walk in the park. Sure, everyone loves the beautiful photos, but no one truly understands the chaos and behind-the-scenes madness that go into capturing the perfect moments. You might think your photographer is just there to snap a few pretty pictures, but let’s be real, they’re doing way more than that.

From the early morning prep to the late-night reception shots, your photographer is working overtime—and that’s before they even get to the hundreds of hours of editing after the wedding. If you’ve ever wondered what it's like to be a wedding photographer, grab a comfy chair, because we’re about to take you behind the lens. And trust me, you might just rethink sending that email about how “one more shot of the cake” would be really nice.

Let’s get real for a second, future brides. Wedding planning is stressful. Like, “can’t sleep, can’t eat, ‘did I just yell at a flower girl?’” stressful. You’ve got 347 little decisions to make, and every detail feels like life or death. From choosing the exact shade of ivory napkins to stressing over whether your bridesmaid dresses clash with your flower arrangements, it can be enough to make anyone want to throw in the towel.

Let’s face it—every wedding has that one guest who everyone loves but also slightly dreads. You know who I’m talking about. It’s Aunt Karen. The one who’s fun, loud, and slightly inappropriate, but for some reason, your parents are adamant that she must be at the wedding. You can’t have a wedding without Aunt Karen, they say. She’s a character, they say.

But the truth is, Aunt Karen’s like a walking sitcom. She’ll probably make a scene on the dance floor, share a few too many “funny” stories, and sneak a couple of cocktails in before the ceremony even starts. You know it’s coming. So, how do you navigate the “Karen situation” when your parents are footing the bill and insisting on inviting all of their extra relatives? And what about Uncle Bob, who’s definitely going to be behind the DJ booth, trying to “bring the energy”? Let’s dive in.

Let’s talk about one of the most important (and often most fun) elements of your wedding—music! Your wedding soundtrack sets the vibe for your entire day, from the moment your guests arrive to when the last song plays and everyone’s showing off their best dance moves. But let’s be real: sometimes couples think they can save a little money by cutting corners on the DJ. They think, “Hey, we’ve got a great playlist, and how hard can it be to just plug it into the sound system?” Well, that’s where things can get... interesting.

Sure, the idea of “plugging in a playlist” sounds easy enough. You just pick your favorite songs, hit shuffle, and call it a day, right? Well, not so fast. While this might seem like a great way to save a few bucks, it can leave your wedding feeling more like a house party than the magical, once-in-a-lifetime celebration you’ve dreamed about.

Here’s why choosing the right DJ (and not letting Uncle Bob take over) is a game-changer.

Let’s talk wedding trends. You’ve probably seen them all over Instagram, Pinterest, or that one aunt who just loves to forward you the latest wedding hashtag ideas. One minute, it’s velvet everything, and the next, it’s custom neon signs and personalized cheese boards. The pressure to have a totally on-trend wedding is real—trust me, I know. But as a wedding planner, I’m here to tell you: trends are fun to explore, but they’re not the rulebook for your wedding day!

Ah, the Maid of Honor. The best friend, the sister, the ride-or-die, the ultimate hype woman. She’s there to help with everything—until, of course, she’s not. If you're a bride, chances are you’ve encountered (or will encounter) the overbearing Maid of Honor, who’s just so happy to be involved in every single detail of your wedding… but secretly wishes she were the one running the show.

Now, I know what you're thinking—"Wait, what? How can that be?" Oh, it’s a tale as old as time. A little drama mixed with a dash of good intentions, all wrapped up in a perfectly planned Pinterest board. Here’s the thing: while the Maid of Honor is supposed to be your right-hand woman, occasionally, she might slip into "boss mode" and feel a little salty about not being crowned the official “leader” of your wedding day.

Alright, couples-to-be, gather ‘round. It’s time to talk about a crucial part of your wedding that doesn’t get nearly enough attention: the officiant. You know, the person who will marry you and your partner, make it all official, and probably make a few jokes to lighten the mood (because, let’s face it, we all need a good laugh during the vows).

You might think, “Hey, what’s the big deal? I’ll just have my best friend officiate, it’ll be fun!” And while I love the enthusiasm and spirit of friendship, let's pump the brakes for a second before you hand over the responsibility of uniting you and your partner for life to someone who still can’t remember where they put their car keys. 😅

Here’s the thing: Choosing the right officiant is kind of a big deal. You’re entrusting this person with one of the most important moments of your life—so it’s not exactly the time to ask someone who thinks "I now pronounce you husband and wife" is a good excuse to do an impromptu stand-up comedy set.

You know what I'm talking about. It's the reception, everyone’s sipping champagne, and there's Uncle Bob—lurking near the open bar, ready to pounce. “You know,” he says, slinging an arm around your shoulder like you’re best friends, “back in my day, we didn’t have all these fancy wedding planners. We just did it ourselves.”

Uncle Bob, no one asked you. You definitely didn’t ask him for advice on the seating chart, the cake design, or your choice of wedding colors, but there he is—offering his pearls of wisdom whether you like it or not.

I get it. You want your wedding to be personal, unique, and totally YOU. Pinterest is overflowing with ideas — from hand-painted signs to DIY centerpieces to that ridiculously intricate photo booth backdrop. You're thinking, "Why hire a professional when I can do it all myself and save some cash?" Well, as a wedding planner, let me break it to you gently: DIY’ing everything for your wedding is like thinking you can build a house with a glue gun. It sounds fun in theory, but the reality? Well, it’s not exactly Pinterest-perfect. 😅

Sure, I love a good craft session (who doesn’t love a glittery mason jar?) but trust me when I say that DIY-ing every little detail can lead to a whole lot more stress than savings. Let’s chat about why trying to do it all yourself might just be the fastest way to ruin your dream wedding, both in terms of your time and your budget.

As a wedding planner, I’ve seen it all. From dreamy venues to jaw-dropping florals to the perfect slice of wedding cake (I may or may not have had a few tastings). But today, I want to talk about something that goes beyond just making your wedding look good — it’s about making it feel right, impactful, and meaningful. It’s about choosing minority-owned vendors for your wedding.

I know what you’re thinking — “But, wait, don’t we just hire the best for the job?” Absolutely! But the key here is that supporting diverse vendors isn’t just a trend; it’s an opportunity to amplify voices that deserve recognition, to honor the richness of our global community, and to make your wedding day one of purpose as well as perfection.

Let’s break down why working with minority vendors is a powerful, game-changing decision for your wedding (while still keeping it light, fun, and totally on point — because that's how we do things around here).

Hey there, future bride or groom! I’m a wedding planner, and I’m here to tell you that hiring the right wedding planner is not just a good idea — it’s the best decision you’ll make for your wedding. Seriously. I’m not just saying that because I am a wedding planner (although, I will admit, I’m slightly biased). I’m saying it because I’ve seen it all. The stressed-out couples, the bride in tears over an ill-timed cake catastrophe, and the groom who suddenly remembers he’s allergic to gluten the day before the wedding — and trust me, you do not want to be that couple.

Let me break it down for you in my wedding-planner wisdom. Grab a cup of coffee (or wine, I’m not judging) and let’s chat about why hiring the right planner isn’t just a luxury — it’s an investment in your happiness, sanity, and overall ability to enjoy the biggest day of your life.

Let’s talk about food. No, not the “last-minute pizza delivery” kind of food (although, shout-out to that savior of many a late-night), but the kind of food that will grace your wedding tables, keep your guests happy, and keep your stomach from growling through your vows. Yes, I’m talking about choosing your wedding caterer. It’s one of the most crucial decisions of your big day — because, let’s face it, what’s a wedding without a fantastic meal?

Planning a wedding is like creating a masterpiece — only your paintbrush is covered in glitter, your canvas is on fire, and everyone around you has very strong opinions about where the sparkles should go. You know what I’m talking about: your parents, your best friend, your second cousin twice removed… they all have ideas about your big day. Some of these ideas are awesome (you definitely want to serve cupcakes) and some are not so much (no, Aunt Carol, we are NOT having a live animal as the ring bearer).

“Your wedding day is one of the most significant moments of your life, so naturally, you want everything to go smoothly. But here's a little secret—it's not just about the dress, the flowers, or the cake. It's about the people you choose to stand by your side. Yup, we’re talking about your bridesmaids and groomsmen. They’re not just there for the group photos or the dance party—they’re your support system, your emotional rockstars, and your ultimate cheerleaders. So, how do you choose the right ones?”