Totally Absolutely Engaged

TAEPodcast
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Totally Absolutely Engaged is your behind-the-scenes look at the modern wedding industry - packed with expert insights, hilarious stories, and honest advice for couples planning their big day. Hosted by Isla and Paul, CEO of one of the UK’s top event rental suppliers, each episode features candid conversations with wedding professionals - from planners and florists to photographers and venue stylists. Together, they share their biggest wedding tips, industry secrets, and even their ultimate wedding icks. Listeners also get to hear real wedding dilemmas sent in by brides and grooms - from seating chart dramas to last-minute vendor chaos - as Isla and Paul unpack the best (and funniest) ways to handle them. Whether you’re planning your own wedding, working in the wedding industry, or just love hearing about love, Totally Absolutely Engaged brings valuable wedding planning advice, insider knowledge, and a healthy dose of humour to help you plan smarter and laugh harder. 🎙️ Tune in weekly for expert wedding tips, relatable stories, and entertaining discussions that make wedding planning a little easier and a lot more fun!

  1. 17h ago

    Wedding Dress Shopping: The Mistakes Brides Make & How to Avoid Them

    Send us Fan Mail Wedding dress shopping is meant to be exciting… but between budgets, family opinions, social media, alterations and suddenly questioning every decision you make, it can also feel VERY overwhelming. In this episode of Totally Absolutely Engaged, Paul and Rhian are joined by Jez and Jacob, the directors of SayOui, a bridal boutique in Sandbach, Cheshire, to get the honest truth about what actually happens when you go wedding dress shopping. From why around 70% of brides arrive with a completely different dress in mind to the one they eventually choose, to whether you really should bring six people to your first appointment, Jez and Jacob share plenty of advice for brides who don't know where to start. We chat about: 👰 How to know which wedding dress style actually suits you 💷 What you should realistically budget for a wedding dress ✂️ Why wedding dress alterations can cost more than you expect 👠 When you actually need to choose your wedding shoes 🤍 What underwear you should wear to your bridal appointment 👯 How many people you should take wedding dress shopping 📱 Why social media can cause serious wedding dress FOMO ✨ What to do if you suddenly think you've chosen the wrong dress 💡 How bridal boutiques can help you stay within your budget 🎀 Customising and bespoke wedding dresses 🥂 Why smaller bridal appointments might actually be better 🚨 And some very relatable Wedding WTF moments from the bridal shop! Plus, we tackle listener dilemmas including falling in love with a dress that's £900 over budget, worrying you've chosen the wrong dress after seeing other gowns online, and bringing a whole crowd of opinions to your first bridal appointment. If you're wedding dress shopping or about to start this is one to save. Find SayOui at @sayoui.uk and online at sayoui.co.uk And don't forget to send us your wedding dilemmas and stories, we might answer yours on a future episode! Support the show Get social and follow us on Instagram where you can get in touch with any questions https://www.instagram.com/totallyabsolutelyengaged/ Or check out our website https://www.totallyabsolutelyengaged.co.uk for blogs, contact information and more! Check out theaddedextra.co.uk or follow here https://www.instagram.com/theaddedextra?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&stkn=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Follow Rhian here https://www.instagram.com/bake_a_licious_cheshire?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&stkn=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

  2. Sep 28

    Wedding Singer Secrets: Pricing, Song Requests & What Couples Don't See

    Send us Fan Mail What does it REALLY take to be a wedding singer? This week, Paul and Rhian are joined by Tasha Bennett, a wedding singer, songwriter and former successful photographer who has built a huge following online and now has a diary that stretches years into the future. But being a wedding singer isn't just turning up, singing a few songs and going home. Tasha talks honestly about everything couples don't necessarily see, learning songs, preparing tracks, protecting her voice, travelling to weddings, dealing with song requests, managing enquiries and why booking a wedding singer isn't simply about the number of hours they spend performing. With over 850 songs in her repertoire, Tasha explains what she will and won't learn for couples, why she has had to put boundaries around new song requests, and why the songs that sound easy can sometimes be the hardest ones for a singer to perform. We also get into her journey from chasing a record deal and working in the music industry, to building a successful photography business, before eventually returning to singing, something she originally thought she'd never be able to make a living from. Plus: 🎤 How many songs does a wedding singer actually know? 🎶 Can you request ANY song for your wedding? 💷 Why wedding singers cost what they do 🫖 How singers actually look after their voices 📱 Why Tasha prefers WhatsApp voice notes to phone calls 👗 Why she doesn't want to look like every other wedding singer 💍 How far in advance should you book? 🎧 Why being yourself matters when choosing a wedding supplier 😂 The reality of performing when your voice is exhausted 🎵 Jazz, Spice Girls, 90s R&B and some very questionable song requests And, as always, we get the honest, unfiltered version of what it's really like working in the wedding industry. Follow her on Instagram/TikTok and Spotify @tashabennett Support the show Get social and follow us on Instagram where you can get in touch with any questions https://www.instagram.com/totallyabsolutelyengaged/ Or check out our website https://www.totallyabsolutelyengaged.co.uk for blogs, contact information and more! Check out theaddedextra.co.uk or follow here https://www.instagram.com/theaddedextra?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&stkn=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Follow Rhian here https://www.instagram.com/bake_a_licious_cheshire?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&stkn=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

  3. Sep 24

    What Actually Happens at a Wedding Fair? | The Hub Show Explained

    Send us Fan Mail Thinking about coming to The Hub Show? Here’s exactly what you can expect. In this special episode of Totally Absolutely Engaged, Paul and Rhian go behind the scenes and talk through everything happening at the next Hub Show on Saturday 4th October, 12–3pm. With 27+ trusted wedding suppliers, free entry, free parking, food, drinks, entertainment, demonstrations, samples and plenty of advice, this isn’t your typical wedding fair. Paul and Rhian explain: 💍 Who will actually be there: From venues, photographers and florists to cake makers, makeup artists, hair stylists, DJs, singers, celebrants, bridal wear, jewellery and more. 🎁 What’s in the luxury gift bags: Including samples, exclusive supplier offers, an emergency kit, treats and even the chance to win a prize. 🥂 What happens when you arrive: Including prosecco, orange, registration and how the whole show is laid out. 💬 Why The Hub Show is different: There’s no pressure to hand over your details or be dragged around supplier stands. Come in, ask questions, take your time and get honest advice. 🎧 The live podcast: We will be recording at the show, with a post-show debrief coming too. 🍰 Food, cake samples and entertainment: Including coffee, noodles, sweets, cake samples, a singer, DJ and more. ✨ What you can actually get sorted in one afternoon and how to make the most of your time if you're seriously planning your wedding. Paul and Rhian also chat about how The Hub Show has grown from just six suppliers to more than 27, why they wanted to create a relaxed, non-pushy wedding event, and what couples can expect when they walk into the warehouse. Whether you're newly engaged, halfway through planning or just want to meet some genuinely helpful wedding suppliers, this episode gives you the full lowdown before you arrive. 📍 The Hub Show 📅 4th October ⏰ 12pm–3pm 🎟️ Free entry + free parking Register in advance for the chance to get one of the luxury gift bags or just turn up on the day! Support the show Get social and follow us on Instagram where you can get in touch with any questions https://www.instagram.com/totallyabsolutelyengaged/ Or check out our website https://www.totallyabsolutelyengaged.co.uk for blogs, contact information and more! Check out theaddedextra.co.uk or follow here https://www.instagram.com/theaddedextra?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&stkn=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Follow Rhian here https://www.instagram.com/bake_a_licious_cheshire?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&stkn=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

  4. Sep 21

    How Much Should You Spend on a Wedding Photographer? | Maddie Farris Photography

    Send us Fan Mail Wedding photography is about so much more than simply showing up for eight hours and taking a few pictures. In this episode of Totally Absolutely Engaged, Paul and Rhian are joined by Maddie Farris Photography, a Manchester-based wedding photographer known for her relaxed, natural approach and alternative wedding style. Maddie chats honestly about finding your people, why she doesn’t follow wedding trends too closely, and how couples can make sure their wedding day reflects who they actually are, rather than what they think a wedding should look like. We get into the questions couples really want to ask, including: 📸 Candid vs posed wedding photos, can you have both without spending the whole day taking pictures? 💍 Do you really need an engagement shoot? Who benefits from one, and when might it actually be worth doing? 🌧️ What happens if it rains on your wedding day? Why embracing the weather can sometimes create the best photos. 👰 How to handle a groom who hates having their photo taken, including Maddie's very honest approach! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family group photos, how to stop them taking 45 minutes because nobody knows where anyone is. 💷 Why wedding photographers cost what they do and why you’re paying for much more than the time they spend taking photos on the day. 🌅 First looks, sunset portraits and wedding-day timelines, what couples should consider before deciding how they want their photos captured. 🐶 Plus, we chat about dogs at weddings, content creators, twilight weddings, working alongside videographers and why finding a photographer whose personality matches yours can make such a difference. Maddy also shares why being upfront about who she is, from her interests to her alternative style, has helped her attract couples who genuinely feel like her people. Expect honest advice, a few controversial opinions, plenty of wedding dilemmas and a reminder that your wedding photos should feel like you. 🎧 Listen now and follow Totally Absolutely Engaged for more honest wedding advice, real supplier conversations and absolutely none of the wedding planning fluff. Support the show Get social and follow us on Instagram where you can get in touch with any questions https://www.instagram.com/totallyabsolutelyengaged/ Or check out our website https://www.totallyabsolutelyengaged.co.uk for blogs, contact information and more! Check out theaddedextra.co.uk or follow here https://www.instagram.com/theaddedextra?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&stkn=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Follow Rhian here https://www.instagram.com/bake_a_licious_cheshire?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&stkn=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

  5. Sep 14

    Wedding Advice We Actually Agree On (And A Few We REALLY Don’t!)

    Send us Fan Mail Season 3 is officially here! And we're kicking things off with a proper catch-up with Paul and Rhian as we get to know our new co-host, settle into the brand-new set and dive straight into some very honest wedding opinions. In this episode, we're asking the questions engaged couples are actually thinking about: - Do you really need to invite everyone who invited you to their wedding? - Do you need a £30,000 wedding to have an amazing day? - Can Pinterest actually make wedding planning more stressful and more expensive? - Is your photographer one of the suppliers worth spending more money on? - Are wedding favours a waste of money? - Would you rather lose your first dance or your vows? - Should you have an unplugged ceremony? - And how do you stop your guest list spiralling out of control? Plus, we're introducing our brand-new Listener Dilemmas, Planning Panic and Wedding WTF segments, where we're tackling real wedding questions, planning problems and the things that have left recently married couples thinking... WTF?! We'll also reveal the first five things we'd tell a friend who got engaged tomorrow, including the one thing we think couples should sort BEFORE they start booking everything. Expect honest opinions, plenty of disagreements, questionable wedding traditions and advice from people who have actually been there. Real suppliers. Honest advice. No wedding planning fluff. This is Totally Absolutely Engaged. Support the show Get social and follow us on Instagram where you can get in touch with any questions https://www.instagram.com/totallyabsolutelyengaged/ Or check out our website https://www.totallyabsolutelyengaged.co.uk for blogs, contact information and more! Check out theaddedextra.co.uk or follow here https://www.instagram.com/theaddedextra?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&stkn=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Follow Rhian here https://www.instagram.com/bake_a_licious_cheshire?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&stkn=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

  6. Season 3 Trailer

    Welcome to Totally Absolutely Engaged!

    Send us Fan Mail Planning a wedding and wondering what you actually need, what’s worth spending your money on, and which wedding rules you can completely ignore? Welcome to Totally Absolutely Engaged! The wedding podcast for couples who want honest answers, real advice and none of the wedding planning fluff. From wedding insurance and budgets to bridesmaids, wedding guests, suppliers, traditions and everything in between, Paul & Rhian are here to tackle the questions couples are actually asking. Should you really get wedding insurance? How do you tell a bridesmaid she can’t bring her boyfriend? What happens if you hate your wedding photos? And who decided weddings had to cost this much?! Each episode, we chat to people who actually work in the wedding industry, including wedding photographers, florists, entertainers, venues, cake makers and other trusted wedding suppliers, to find out what couples really need to know before their big day. Expect honest opinions, behind-the-scenes stories, wedding planning tips, money-saving advice, wedding myths and plenty of laughs along the way. Because planning a wedding should be exciting, not overwhelming. Real suppliers. Honest advice. No wedding planning fluff. Your wedding. Your way. Listen to Totally Absolutely Engaged wherever you get your podcasts. Support the show Get social and follow us on Instagram where you can get in touch with any questions https://www.instagram.com/totallyabsolutelyengaged/ Or check out our website https://www.totallyabsolutelyengaged.co.uk for blogs, contact information and more! Check out theaddedextra.co.uk or follow here https://www.instagram.com/theaddedextra?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&stkn=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Follow Rhian here https://www.instagram.com/bake_a_licious_cheshire?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&stkn=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

  7. Aug 3

    Wedding Cake Secrets Every Couple Should Know | Budget, Flavours, Trends & Mistakes to Avoid

    Send us Fan Mail Does anyone actually eat the wedding cake? How much should you budget? And is fruitcake finally dead? 🍰 We are looking back on one of our favourite episodes of season 2, and we're joined by Cheshire wedding cake designer Rhian, who shares everything couples should know before booking their wedding cake. From choosing flavours your guests will actually eat to avoiding expensive mistakes, this episode is packed with honest advice, behind-the-scenes secrets and practical wedding planning tips. We discuss: Why couples should stop under-ordering wedding cakeWedding cake trends for 2026 & 2027Buttercream vs fondantThe biggest mistakes couples makeHow far in advance to book your cakeWedding cake budgets explainedWhy your wedding cake probably won't melt in summerWhether supermarket wedding cakes are worth itWhy nobody wants fruitcake anymoreThe truth about saving your top tierIf you're currently planning your wedding, this episode is full of useful advice that could save you money while helping you choose a cake your guests will actually remember. Subscribe to Totally Absolutely Engaged for weekly conversations with trusted wedding experts, honest supplier advice and practical planning tips. Support the show Get social and follow us on Instagram where you can get in touch with any questions https://www.instagram.com/totallyabsolutelyengaged/ Or check out our website https://www.totallyabsolutelyengaged.co.uk for blogs, contact information and more! Check out theaddedextra.co.uk or follow here https://www.instagram.com/theaddedextra?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&stkn=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Follow Rhian here https://www.instagram.com/bake_a_licious_cheshire?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&stkn=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

  8. Jul 27

    I Do or I Don’t? Part 3 | Coloured Wedding Dresses, Weekday Weddings, Champagne Towers & Wedding Trends Debated

    Send us Fan Mail It's time for the final I Do or I Don't? episode, where the Totally Absolutely Engaged team give their brutally honest opinions on some of the biggest wedding planning debates. Would you wear a black wedding dress? Are weekday weddings actually worth it? Should children leave the dancefloor after 9pm? Is a champagne tower a must-have or a complete waste of money? This episode covers some of the most talked-about wedding trends of 2026, with plenty of laughs, disagreements and controversial takes along the way. In this episode we discuss: Black and coloured wedding dressesWeekday weddings vs weekend weddingsChampagne towersSpending more on your dress than your honeymoonDogs and pets as ring bearersAdults-only dancefloors after 9pmAsking guests not to wear certain coloursOutfit changes during the receptionDrone photographyPrivate vows before the ceremonySparkler exitsSplitting wedding costs between familiesEloping vs having a big weddingWhether you're newly engaged, halfway through planning your wedding, or simply love hearing different opinions from wedding professionals, this episode is packed with ideas that might just change your mind. 🎧 Subscribe for weekly wedding planning advice, real supplier insight and honest conversations from inside the UK wedding industry. Support the show Get social and follow us on Instagram where you can get in touch with any questions https://www.instagram.com/totallyabsolutelyengaged/ Or check out our website https://www.totallyabsolutelyengaged.co.uk for blogs, contact information and more! Check out theaddedextra.co.uk or follow here https://www.instagram.com/theaddedextra?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&stkn=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Follow Rhian here https://www.instagram.com/bake_a_licious_cheshire?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&stkn=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

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Trailer

About

Totally Absolutely Engaged is your behind-the-scenes look at the modern wedding industry - packed with expert insights, hilarious stories, and honest advice for couples planning their big day. Hosted by Isla and Paul, CEO of one of the UK’s top event rental suppliers, each episode features candid conversations with wedding professionals - from planners and florists to photographers and venue stylists. Together, they share their biggest wedding tips, industry secrets, and even their ultimate wedding icks. Listeners also get to hear real wedding dilemmas sent in by brides and grooms - from seating chart dramas to last-minute vendor chaos - as Isla and Paul unpack the best (and funniest) ways to handle them. Whether you’re planning your own wedding, working in the wedding industry, or just love hearing about love, Totally Absolutely Engaged brings valuable wedding planning advice, insider knowledge, and a healthy dose of humour to help you plan smarter and laugh harder. 🎙️ Tune in weekly for expert wedding tips, relatable stories, and entertaining discussions that make wedding planning a little easier and a lot more fun!

Information

  • Creator
    TAEPodcast
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    69
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Totally Absolutely Engaged
  • Show Website
    Totally Absolutely Engaged

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