Real-Deal Brides Podcast

What are some great ways to showcase your style as a couple? How can you put your own unique spin on the traditional elements of a wedding day? What types of fun elements can you literally bring to your tables? Listen in as I talk to LA-based Professional Stylist Rayne Parvis about all of this and more, as well as her personal wedding story. Links Mentioned: Rayne's website, with her personal wedding journey, tips, and more: www.StyleByRayne.com Rayne's Instagram Rayne's Facebook page Etsy Cake toppers My book, The Real-Deal Bridal Bible, on Amazon

What does it take to be brave? What does it take to be courageous? Join me as I chat with Emily Ann Peterson, author of Bare Naked Bravery, about why these things are so important, and how they can take our relationships to the next level. Links: Emily's book, Bare Naked Bravery Emily's website (sign up for a free copy): www.emilyannpeterson.com

Brides and grooms who crave an intimate wedding, listen up! In this episode, I chat with Charity Parrish, founder of The Elopement Co. Charity specializes in elopements, courthouse weddings, and tiny weddings. She handles the photography, the officiant, and even the cupcakes, along with any other details that would make your day special to you. She was even recently featured on Good Morning America sharing how you can plan an intimate, "tiny wedding." Even if your big wedding is already booked and you are happy with that style, there are still lots of tips Charity shares for making the most of those wedding day moments. Hear what inspired Charity to launch the Elopement Co., tips you can take for your own big day (whether you are local or far away), and how to deal with family members who may have different visions of what your wedding should be. Links: Website: The Elopement Co. Charity and the Elopement Co. featured on Good Morning America My book, The Real-Deal Bridal Bible: on Amazon Podcast episode: Getting Dressed for a Wedding with Bernadette Moulion The Elopement Co. on Facebook The Elopement Co. on Instagram Email Charity: info@theelopementco.com

When we think of weddings we often think about "the dress." But what about all of those other dresses? I'm referring to the dresses you'll need for the rehearsal dinner, the engagement photos, the bridal shower, the bachelorette party, and maybe even the "little white dress." Of course, you'll need a dress for these occasions. And of course, you didn't budget for them. In this episode, I sit down with Bernadette Maulion, owner of Dressed CLT. Bernadette shares tons of wisdom on getting dressed for all the events surrounding your big day, as well as the REAL-DEAL stuff that goes down during wedding planning and how to stay true to what you and your spouse really want. Bernadette specializes in renting out dresses for all occasions and just launched a referral program for brides. For every three guests that come in, the bride-to-be gets a free dress rental. Think of the Mother-of-the-bride, Mother-in-law, bridesmaids, guests...the list goes on! As an added bonus, Bernadette tracks what dresses are being rented for what event to be sure that no one will show up wearing the same dress. Enjoy! Links Dressed Instagram Dressed facebook Dressed Website Email Bernadette at: Bernadette@dressedclt.com

Thrifty brides and grooms, listen up! You won't want to miss this episode with Kacie and Sara Kay from CLT Wedding Flea, the pro thrifters who organize a flea market geared specifically toward wedding planning. These girls give the industry a run for their money by organizing events that allow post-brides to sell their gently used wedding-related items to brides and grooms-to-be, because why should you have to pay retail for fifty-two votive candles you'll use for four hours?! Listen in as we talk wedding planning within strict budgets, tips for saving money, tapping your personal network, and more. Links Mentioned: CLT_Wedding_Flea on Instagram, Facebook (follow them for future events!) CLT Wedding Flea Website Alessandra's book, The Real-Deal Bridal Bible Episode 9: A Quirky Wedding with Quirky Chrissy Project 658, the location where CLT Wedding Flea Market was held How to get in touch with Kacie and Sara Kay of CLT Wedding Flea: email them at cltweddingflea@gmail.com

This episode kicks ass because I talk to Andy Kushner, a well-known Entertainment Designer who truly gives an experience like no other. I liked him right away the very first time we connected and once you listen in you'll understand why. Seriously, he makes me want to plan a wedding again, which if you know me says a LOT. His passion for making entertainment truly POP is contagious and his experience is mind-blowing. Her understands that each couple, family, event, is unique. He gets it, guys. He GETS it. Brides and Grooms, listen up! He's got a lot to share! Links Mentioned www.TheWeddingBiz.com www.andykushner.com For Andy's interview with the industry's "Queen of Cakes," Sylvia Weinstock, click here Instagram: @weddingbizshow Twitter: https://twitter.com/WeddingBizShow Email Andy: andy@theweddingbiz.com Did you like this episode? Do you have a topic you want me to discuss on a future show? Tell me in the comments, or email me at: amacaluso29@gmail.com. I love hearing from you!

This week I talk to Vinnie Tortorich, a celebrity fitness trainer who follows the NSNG (No Sugar No Grains) diet. Listen in as we discuss: Why diet is so important, and how to make it work for you Vinnie's book, Fitness Confidential, and what it meant for me when I read it How you can lose weight by simply changing the way you eat How to incorporate healthy choices into your lifestyle so you can keep the weight off His thoughts on marriage Hidden names for sugar How to decode food labels Links mentioned Vinnie's website and podcast: http://www.vinnietortorich.com Vinnie's book: Fitness Confidential The SNL episode with the "mom cut" Jenna Marbles, YouTube star Pure Vitamin Club, a subscription vitamin service My book, The Real-Deal Bridal Bible

There is nothing I love more than talking with a bride who has recently gotten married. Fresh off the aisle, she is excited, elated, and more importantly, experienced - and ready to share that experience with future brides-to-be. Whether you are getting married or just are simply a sucker for love stories and happy endings, you won't want to miss her story. Guys, girls, anyone who is planning a wedding, listen up: there are SO MANY IDEAS to borrow from Chrissy! SERIOUSLY.  Listen in as I talk with Chrissy Woj of the blog Quirky Chrissy. We'll talk about: Why she didn't want a traditional engagement ring, and what they ultimately decided to do about it How to get around what others want you to do vs. what YOU as a couple want to do The BEST (best!) cake idea that you should steal rightnow One of the COOLEST engagement proposals Why it pays to think outside-the-box in terms of vendors, and how you can do the same How she managed to pay ahead THE ENTIRE WEDDING. Imagine being debt-free as you enter your marriage?! Chrissy's BEST TIPS for anyone about to get married What to do when your partner isn't showing interest in wedding planning Why it's so important to kick off your wedding day on a positive, relaxed note with the people you love (it IS possible!) My personal experience and warning about hair and makeup Find out what is a "something blue crew" and how you can make this work for you Links Mentioned: Chrissy's website: www.quirkychrissy.com Chrissy's engagement post Podcast Episode 6 with Amy from The Outnumbered Mother Whole Foods (seriously, consider them as a cake vendor! They are great to work with.) The "Box Car Drive-In" birthday party we gave for our daughter's third birthday Chrissy's essay in the anthology I Just Want to Be Perfect, by Jen Mann (of the blog People I Want to Punch in the Throat My book, The Real-Deal Bridal Bible, for tons of wedding planning tips and more, on Amazon

Jen Glantz is the first professional "Bridesmaid for Hire" and after connecting via email I just had to know more. I admit I was skeptical of the idea going in and had a bunch of questions for Jen (who I found out quickly is absolutely awesome). The conversation was very enlightening for me! Being a bridesmaid is a huge job - so big, in fact, that you can now hire a pro. Enjoy this podcast episode of my talk with Jen, where she tells us all about: Why every bride could use her services (whether its being an actual bridesmaid or using her for consulting) What got her into the biz Why she's been peed on by many strangers Why it pays to have someone like her acting as a neutral party when it comes to families and big decisions How usually the bride is the only one who knows who Jen really is; sometimes even the grooms are led to believe she is an actual friend or family member of the bride and NOT a professional Why "people management" is essential What really goes down in the bathroom at weddings What she learned being a part of so many weddings What it's like having your own love life when you're surrounding by everyone else's love life all the time Why she thinks we do weddings wrong (and what we can do better) Doing things simply while still getting the most out of your wedding day Her goal of spending no more than $1,000 on her own wedding How to drill-down and figure out what matters to you, and how much you can spend on it How she can help you start your own business and share with you her own mistakes Why none of us really know what we are doing, and how to use failure to your advantage Links mentioned: Jen's book: Always a Bridesmaid for Hire, Available for pre-order on Amazon Jen's website: www.JenGlantz.com Jen's blog: www.thethingsilearnedfrom.com My book: The Real-Deal Bridal Bible, on Amazon

In this episode I talk to Glory Eke, a Texas-based makeup artist who gives me the lowdown on how to look your best. Here are our talking points: How her love for makeup was sparked in a dorm room Why doing makeup for brides is her favorite Her favorite tool to apply makeup (it's inexpensive - only $7 at Ulta! - and a trick even beginners like me can do) To airbrush or not to airbrush? And what to do if you're a "crier" What she'll feature on her blog (coming soon) Her 4-Step Process on how to pick a GREAT makeup artist (what questions to ask, and what to watch out for) *Industry note: "MUA" = "makeup artist" Time frame: ideally how much time you want to have in between getting hair and makeup done and the start of your ceremony How to trust your gut when hiring vendors What to ask and look out for during a makeup trial  What a professional makeup artist should never ask you to bring Questions they should ask you to determine your best look (or what you should tell them, if they don't ask) What is "the Selfie Fix" (one of Glory's web services, and how you can try it at home) What kind of products you can find at Ulta, and what kind you can find at Sephora How Glory can help you jump-start your freelancing career in beauty with her new course for freelancers A few of her best makeup tips we can use on the everyday  Links Mentioned Glory's website: www.globyglory.com Glory on Instagram: instagram.com/globyglory Glory's YouTube channel: youtube.com/makeupglory The local makeup artist I used for my headshot photo (oh heyyyy, that's me in the 3rd pic): Makeup by Jenny Le Real Techniques Complexion Sponge (also available at Target and Ulta) Beauty Blender Sponge (also available at Sephora) Makeup Forever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation (on Amazon) Benefits POREfessional Primer for large pores and fine lines (on Amazon) Makeup Forever Step 1 Skin Equalizer also for large pores and fine lines (on Amazon) The Real-Deal Bridal Bible (my book/wedding planner, on Amazon) What a Good Eater! (my recent book launch with recipes for babies, toddlers, and the whole family)

Fellow brides that need a good laugh - yes, I'm talking to you - come listen in as I talk to writer and comedian Amy Hunter of the Outnumbered Mother about ALL THINGS WEDDING. In this episode you'll hear: The romantic way Amy's husband proposed (hint: "Shut up and marry me" may or may not have been uttered) How she wound up wearing a ring with no diamond in it Why "fiance time" is the absolute greatest time The marriage equivalent to the middle finger How to make your wedding exactly what YOU and YOUR SPOUSE want it to be Her experience with the great "PLUS ONE" war Regional wedding trends What it REALLY means to be a bridesmaid Watch the video of her singing and playing guitar at her friend's wedding What to stick to your guns about, and when to let things go The most ridiculously AWESOME CAKE IDEA I've ever heard of Some tips on getting fit before the big day What to do when you are your spouse are of different backgrounds And guys, there is SO. MUCH. MORE. You will laugh, you will love, and you will walk away with some great tips here. Link at the top of this post. Thanks Amy! OH, and here's her official bio: Amy grew up in the suburbs of Long Island singing Barbara Streisand hits into her hairbrush. When she's not writing her hilarity fueled parenting memoir as The Outnumbered Mother, she's a Florida living, butt wiping, soccer team carting, gourmet chef attempting, tennis skirt wearing, non-tennis playing, self-proclaimed bad mamma jamma to 3 sons and a very understanding husband. Links Mentioned Amy's blog, The Outnumbered Mother Amy on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram "The Road to Bridesmaidsville is Paved with Seafoam Green" Amy singing at her friend's wedding The interview with Wedding Officiant Lauren Snead The interview with Dr. Psych Mom a.k.a. Dr. Samantha Rodman Quirky Chrissy (writer and bride with the genius cake idea) And some photos of Amy's wedding:

In this episode I talk to Dr. Samantha Rodman, aka “Dr. Psych Mom". I love her approach to relationships, her tone in her articles, and her overall honest appeal, and I think you will too. Dr. Rodman is a clinical psychologist originally from Brooklyn, NY and now practices in Maryland. She attended Columbia University for her BA and UMD College Park for her PhD. Her first book, How to Talk to Kids About Your Divorce, is available at all major bookstores. Her second book, 52 Emails To Transform Your Marriage, will be published by New Harbinger in Fall 2016. Listen in as we talk about: steps you can take to divorce-proof your marriage before you get married how to handle difficult in-laws or family members on either side how to use technology to effectively communicate with family and others who are a part of your wedding, when emotions are running high things you can do to keep your relationship healthy from NOW why couples counseling is a great choice during wedding planning (even when there are no "issues" in your relationship!) "empathic ruptures" in your relationship: what they are, how to recognize them, and what to do about them how to empathize with difficult people during the wedding planning process ways to alleviate pressure of wedding planning Dr. Rodman lives with her family (husband, two daughters, one son, and a nine year old deaf rescue dog) in Maryland.  She enjoys reading, running, decorating, and cooking. LISTEN NOW: Divorce-Proof Your Marriage with Dr. Psych Mom Links Mentioned: www.DrPsychMom.com www.drsamantharodman.com Dr. Rodman's book, How to Talk to Your Kids About Divorce Her Huffington Post Weddings article, "My Husband Says I'm Not His Mom So He Doesn't Have to Do Anything for Me On Mother's Day" Follow Dr. Psych Mom on Twitter @DrPsychMom and on Facebook. The book, The Real-Deal Bridal Bible

In this episode I talk to Lauren Snead from Rhythm and Light Ceremonies - she is a giant force of positive energy! And I'm proud to say that we had a GREAT conversation about the most important part of your wedding day: your ceremony. Listen to us discuss: How to make your ceremony beautiful and unique (every couple has a story!) Tips for ALL types of couples on how to make the ceremony special (LOVE WINS!) How to incorporate many different elements into your ceremony to celebrate your love and bring family together 3 major tips for couples planning their ceremony How the process you go through when planning your ceremony can set the tone for the big day How your ceremony can be intimate and inclusive - no matter how large or small your wedding will be, and no matter if you are a naturally introverted person Tips on how you can keep the focus on the POSITIVE and the LOVE, even if others bring their drama How to balance the love and the logistics involved with wedding planning Examples of rituals you can incorporate into your ceremony How Lauren can help you, even if you don't live near her!   Links: Lauren's website: www.rhythmandlightceremonies.com Find her (Rhythm & Light Ceremonies) on Facebook & Instagram Read other couple's experiences via her reviews on Wedding Wire   

This week I welcomed back the talented and charming Esme Krahn of BodaMaestra wedding planning. I love chatting with her! Esme is relatable, approachable, and down-to-earth, and has excellent methods of getting the most out of your wedding planning. Among other things, we talked about: How to keep your guests happy How ANY budget can still get you an open bar How to keep your wedding classy The main things to spend your money on The RIGHT way to do a slideshow (and a few examples of wrong ways!) How to get the most out of your budget How to navigate a bridal show Links mentioned: Find Esme Krahn: www.Bodamaestra.com Bodamaestra on Instagram: www.instagram.com/bodamaestra Download her free e-book, 7 Ways to Keep Your Sanity While Planning Your Wedding: http://wp.me/P6M3xi-iJ Where you can purchase The Real-Deal Bridal Bible: The Real-Deal Bridal Bible on Amazon Subscription links to subscribe to more Listen in, below!

Listen in as I chat with Esme Krahn of BodaMaestra wedding planning. Among other things, we talked about: Her favorite tips she tells her brides (#1 was amazing and I wish I knew this when I was getting married!!) What she learned from her conference with David Tutera and Preston Bailey The first steps you should take right after getting engaged and BEFORE signing any contracts The things you need to do to help you deal with family who may have other ideas about how you should plan your wedding Tips on how to select your bridal party Where you can download Esme's FREE e-book: 7 Ways to Keep Your Sanity While Planning Your Wedding All of the reasons why you need a wedding planner (SO many more than you might think!!!) How to get your guy involved (and the non-traditional thing MY husband did to add his own personal touch on our big day) Reminders for parents who are divorced on how to keep the focus on their son or daughter's wedding Preparing yourself and your wedding planner for family dynamics The IMPORTANT differences between an "on-site coordinator" and a Wedding Coordinator An excellent, location-specific budgeting tool for couples Links mentioned: Find Esme Krahn: www.Bodamaestra.com Bodamaestra on Instagram: www.instagram.com/bodamaestra Download her free e-book, 7 Ways to Keep Your Sanity While Planning Your Wedding: http://wp.me/P6M3xi-iJ Where you can purchase The Real-Deal Bridal Bible: The Real-Deal Bridal Bible on Amazon

Welcome to Episode 1 of the Real Deal Brides Podcast! In this first episode I introduce to you the show, tell you what you can expect from future episodes, and read to you an excerpt from my book The Real-Deal Bridal Bible. Links mentioned: The Real-Deal Bridal Bible on Amazon (Subscription links to subscribe to more)