Weddings Unscripted

Alexandra Pare
  • 5.0 (12)
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With over 18 years of planning and designing weddings, we have seen it all! Join us for a fun and insightful journey as we laugh, cry, and learn together on Weddings Unscripted – because planning a wedding is just as unforgettable as the big day itself! Subscribe today and be the first to listen! Launching January 10, 2025.

  1. 6d ago

    Ep 55 • How a Wedding Magazine Editor Picks Which Weddings Get Published (with Alexandria Taylor Craig of What's Up Weddings)

    Ever wonder why a gorgeous wedding didn't make the magazine? It's rarely about the wedding.  Alex Pare and Alison Golt sit down with Alexandria Taylor Craig, editor of What's Up Weddings, the magazine covering Annapolis, the Eastern Shore, and Central Maryland. Alexandria walks through how she builds each issue, from sorting submissions and storyboarding in a spreadsheet to six months of chasing photographers and couples for details. She explains why a great wedding can still get passed over: venue and vendor balance, similar dress styles, and issue variety all play a part. The trio also dig into what's trending (more color, lace, drapery, vintage touches), why print is holding strong in a digital world, and why expert-sourced planning articles beat the content-mill blog posts couples often stumble on. Along the way, they talk Polaroids, wedding albums making a comeback, AI-generated florals, and how to make a wedding feel like the two people at the center of it.   Key Takeaways Not getting published isn't a verdict on your wedding. Editors balance venues, vendors, dress styles, colors, and regions across an issue, so a beautiful wedding can lose out to one that fills a gap. Make trends your own. Alexandria says the weddings that stand out take a trending color or idea and adjust it to fit them, rather than copying what's on social media. Personal details beat perfect ones. Cocktails named after pets, a family car, a tradition from your culture, or a convertible gown with three looks are what make a wedding memorable and feature-worthy.   Chapters (00:00) Welcome and meet Alexandria Taylor Craig (01:42) From rom-coms and Pinterest boards to editing a wedding magazine (03:11) What gets younger people into weddings now (hint: social media) (05:10) What Annapolis and Eastern Shore weddings look like: coastal blues, greens, and sailboats (07:08) How a twice-yearly issue comes together (08:20) 30 to 40 submissions for 18 spots, and couples who submit before the wedding (11:09) Why great weddings don't always make the cut (14:16) Storyboarding an issue and getting team sign-off (17:40) Trends: more color, lace, drapery, and vintage touches (20:25) Trends vs. making them your own (21:38) Why print still matters: trust and keepsakes (26:01) Polaroids, albums, and craving something physical (29:04) Feature articles, expert advice, and why they beat generic blogs (37:23) Permissions, photo rights, and couples who say no (43:50) Why the magazine avoids quoting prices, plus AI bouquets and Pinterest (47:42) Beyond real weddings: Get the Look and Obsessions (49:23) Personal touches and permission to skip tradition (53:37) Where to find What's Up Weddings     Connect with Alexandria Taylor Craig, Editor, What's Up Weddings: Subscribe to the magazine: whatsupmag.com/subscribe Submit your wedding (Annapolis, Eastern Shore, Central Maryland): whatsupmag.com/weddings/submit Instagram: @whatsupweddings Find print copies at wedding boutiques around Annapolis, the Eastern Shore, and Central Maryland   Connect with us: Visit our website: www.weddingsunscripted.com Cherry Blossom Weddings & Events: www.cherryblossomwe.com Follow us on our socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572429101755 Instagram: @weddings_unscripted TikTok: @weddings_unscripted

  2. Sep 29

    Ep 54 • The Wedding Planning App You Need to Know: How Plannerd Helps Couples & Planners Stay Organized with Hannah Roze

    Tired of drowning in email chains with your wedding planner? Or buried in a 51-tab spreadsheet just trying to keep your wedding straight? Keep reading — there's a new tool built to fix that, for couples and planners alike. In this episode of Weddings Unscripted, Alex and Ali sit down with Hannah Roze, founder and CEO of Plannerd, a wedding planning platform born out of her own frustrating wedding planning journey. Hannah walks through how Plannerd blends structure with flexibility for both couples and wedding professionals, why she built it, and the differences between Gen Z & Millennial couples in researching and booking vendors. They also touched on where AI genuinely helps in the planning process, what's coming next on her app, and why building wedding tech "in the open" alongside real planners matters. Whether you're a couple planning a wedding, an aspiring wedding planner, or a vendor trying to connect with a new generation of clients, this episode is full of practical wedding planning tips and an honest look at how the industry is changing.   Key Takeaways Gen Z couples research for months before ever reaching out — so vendors have to lead with transparency. Hidden costs are what blow up a wedding budget. AI is a helpful assistant for wedding admin, but a risky source for budget advice.   Chapter 00:00 — Welcome to Weddings Unscripted 01:03 — Meet guest Hannah Roze, founder & CEO of Plannerd 01:36 — From dream wedding to elopement: Hannah's own planning chaos 04:08 — Why she built Plannerd: from spreadsheet overload to structure 08:10 — Building with experts: how wedding planners shaped the platform 10:54 — Where AI actually helps (and where it doesn't) in wedding planning 12:33 — The budget conversation every planner dreads — and how to get it right 16:29 — Inside the Plannerd toolkit: budget, timeline & to-do features 21:00 — Favorite features and why flexibility beats a rigid template 26:06 — What's next: turning static planning into a conversational experience 30:50 — Gen Z vs. Millennial couples: how research and booking have changed 37:35 — What vendors are getting wrong (and right) with today's couples 51:29 — Advice for planning teams & what's coming next for Plannerd   Connect with Hannah Roze: Website: https://www.plannerd.com/ Instagram: @plannerdinc Hannah's Instagram/TikTok: @itshannahroze Plannerd offers a free 14-day trial**   Connect with us: Visit our website: www.weddingsunscripted.com Cherry Blossom Weddings & Events: www.cherryblossomwe.com   Follow us on our socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572429101755 Instagram: @weddings_unscripted TikTok: @weddings_unscripted

  3. Sep 15

    Ep 53 • From Church Basement to Retail Shop: Shelley O'Neill on Building a Florist Brand That Lasts

    30 years of flowers, one wild career pivot, and the real math behind why your florist isn't overcharging you. This week on Weddings Unscripted, Alex flies solo and sits down with longtime friend and florist Shelley O'Neill, owner of Oyster Flower Company in Annapolis. Shelley walks through her unlikely start doing church arrangements for $60 a week, a decade running an event planning company, and the recent leap into opening her own retail flower and gift shop. They also get into Naval Academy wedding restrictions, what actually goes into flower pricing, and why the wedding design world has opened up in ways it never used to. If you've ever wondered what it takes to build a floral business — or just want to know why your centerpieces cost what they cost — this one's for you. Key Takeaways Specializing isn't quitting — you don't have to do everything to build something sustainable. Smaller budgets aren't smaller work — an 11-person wedding or a 3-week turnaround event can demand just as much (or more) problem-solving as a 300-person affair. Flower pricing isn't arbitrary — global supply issues, contract timing, and the fact that florists (unlike grocery stores) can't treat flowers as a loss leader all factor into the final cost. Chapters 00:00 — Introduction 02:52 — Shelley's origin story: $60-a-week church arrangements 04:10 — How "we'll never do weddings" turned into a full floral business 09:04 — Learning the ropes on Naval Academy weddings and stretching small budgets 14:30 — Behind the florals at Alex's color-drenched 50th birthday party 20:27 — Opening a retail flower and gift shop 24:19 — What makes the cut on *Oyster Flower Co's* shelves 26:12 — Juggling a new retail shop during peak wedding season 30:00 — The real reasons flowers cost what they cost 36:23 — Why it's an experience, not just an event   Connect with Shelley O'Neill Website: https://www.oysterflower.com/ ** (new site launching soon) Instagram: @oysterflowerco   Connect with us: Visit our website: www.weddingsunscripted.com Cherry Blossom Weddings & Events: www.cherryblossomwe.com Follow us on our socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572429101755 Instagram: @weddings_unscripted TikTok: @weddings_unscripted

    Ep 53 • From Church Basement to Retail Shop: Shelley O'Neill on Building a Florist Brand That Lasts

  4. Jul 21

    Ep 52 • What We Think We Know About the Taylor Swift Wedding (And What It Means for You)

    In this candid summer check-in, Alex & Ali unpacks about Alex's birthday party, the heat wave, and a shoutout to the DC-area vendors who saved the day — before diving into the wedding industry's biggest talking point of the season: the rumored details of the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce wedding at Madison Square Garden. Working entirely from rumors, leaked photos, and speculation (no official details have been confirmed), they discuss why celebrity wedding photos typically take weeks to release, what the venue choice might say about security and design flexibility, and why a leaked toss-bouquet photo sparked a florist panic over delicate blooms like Queen Anne's lace. The conversation turns into a broader look at fading wedding traditions and whether a star power could bring them back — plus practical takeaways on catering quality, vendor trust, and staying current on trends that shape client conversations. Key Takeaways Catering quality shouldn't be a gamble. Working with trusted, creative caterers prevents the all-too-common late dinner problems at weddings. Delicate flowers need real talk with clients. Blooms like Queen Anne's lace, sweet pea, and Dusty Miller wilt fast in heat, so setting expectations early avoids disappointment in photos and toss moments. Staying current on trends (even celebrity ones) is part of the job. Whether or not a bouquet or garter toss is "in," planners need to track what's resurfacing so they can guide clients confidently. Chapters & Timestamps 00:00 – Intro & Summer Chaos 02:38 – Behind the Scenes: Alex's Birthday Party 04:02 – Vendor Shoutout: Ken's Creative Kitchen & DC Rental 05:22 – Busting the "Catering Food Isn't Good" Stereotype 09:56 – Introducing the Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Wedding 13:07 – Why Celebrity Wedding Photos Take So Long 17:56 – Speculating on Why They Chose Madison Square Garden 23:39 – Rumored Custom Branding Details 25:18 – The Toss Bouquet Controversy: Queen Anne's Lace & Delicate Florals 30:09 – A Real Bouquet Toss Save: Behind-the-Scenes Planning 31:14 – Are Bouquet Tosses & Garter Tosses Making a Comeback? 38:54 – Looking Ahead: August Break & Fall Wedding Season Connect with us: Visit our website: www.weddingsunscripted.com Cherry Blossom Weddings & Events: www.cherryblossomwe.com Follow us on our socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572429101755 Instagram: @weddings_unscripted TikTok: @weddings_unscripted

    Ep 52 • What We Think We Know About the Taylor Swift Wedding (And What It Means for You)

  5. Jun 30

    Ep 51 • How Event Planners Party: Hosting Tips, Tablescapes & the Art of Being Present with Danielle Couick

    What happens when a seasoned event planner throws her own party — and finally gets to do it exactly how she wants? In this episode, Alex is joined by longtime industry friend and mitzvah planning expert Danielle Couick of Magnolia Bluebird and Ghost Host — a lifestyle brand dedicated to the art of home entertaining. With Alex's 50th birthday party on the horizon, the two planners get into what it's really like to plan an event for yourself: the freedom, the overthinking, and the challenge of actually letting go long enough to enjoy it. From curating a guest list with intention to trusting your vendor team to execute without micromanaging, this episode is packed with honest insight on why hosting matters — for event professionals and everyday hosts alike. This is an episode you don't want to miss!   Key Takeaways: Your party doesn't have to be over the top — it just has to bring people together. Planning your own event is harder than planning one for a client. When you know all the options, narrowing them down is the hardest part. Trust your team and actually be a guest at your own party.   Chapter : 00:00 — Welcome & Introducing Danielle Cowik 01:03 — Magnolia Bluebird, Ghost Host & 20 Years in the Event Industry 03:24 — How Danielle Turned Her Birthday Into a Marketing Moment 04:35 — Swan House DC & Designing with Intention 06:12 — The Tablescape Process: Mood Boards, Partners & Trusting the Team 08:24 — Alex's 50th Birthday Party: Color, Chaos & Flowers in the Pool 11:44 — Building the Party Lineup: Live Music, DJ & Dancing on the Grass 13:19 — Why Everyone Deserves Professional Photos of Themselves 14:02 — The Real "Why" Behind Every Event We Produce 17:15 — "Have the Damn Party": Danielle's Philosophy on Hosting 20:41 — The Self-Imposed Pressure of Planning Your Own Event 22:24 — How to Let Go and Actually Enjoy the Night You Planned   Connect with Danielle: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magnolia_bluebird/ Website: magnoliabluebird.com/links   Ghost Host: https://ghosthostbymb.com/   Connect with us: Visit our website: www.cherryblossomwe.com/podcast Cherry Blossom Weddings & Events: www.cherryblossomwe.com   Follow us on our socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572429101755 Instagram: @weddings_unscripted TikTok: @weddings_unscripted

    Ep 51 • How Event Planners Party: Hosting Tips, Tablescapes & the Art of Being Present with Danielle Couick

  6. Jun 3

    Ep 50 • Big vs. Small: What a Micro Wedding and a 160-Person Wedding Taught Us About Planning Anything

    11 guests. 160 guests. Same weekend. Wildly different chaos. What happens when your entire team is on-site at two completely different weddings at the same time? You get a masterclass in everything nobody tells you about micro weddings — and a reality check on why "small" doesn't mean "simple." In this milestone 50th episode, Alexandra and Alison pull back the curtain on a real behind-the-scenes weekend: Alex coordinating an intimate 11-person micro wedding at a private Airbnb estate in Middleburg, Virginia, and Alison managing a 160-guest celebration at the National Cathedral in DC — all on the same day. From last-minute rain calls and flipping tables outside under approaching storm clouds, to vendor minimums that caught them off guard, harp logistics, and the myth that small weddings are easier to plan, this episode is packed with honest, unfiltered insight for couples weighing their wedding size, vendors navigating micro event pricing, and planners who've ever had to build a fire in a fireplace because the venue person never showed up. Real stories, real lessons, and a lot of laughs.   Key Takeaways Micro weddings are not micro in effort. Your rain plan needs a rain plan. Build a team of yes-people.   Chapter [00:00:00] - Introduction [00:01:07] - The Two Weddings: Setting the Scene [00:01:43] - The Micro Wedding Myth [00:04:37] - Vendor Minimums & the Micro Wedding Struggle [00:07:44] - Meet the Vendors: Rosie Posie & the Private Chef [00:14:40] - Team Players Save Weddings [00:22:24] - Harp Logistics: What No One Plans For [00:28:20] - Outdoor Bands, Rooftop Risks & Rental Companies [00:33:26] - The Big Wedding: National Cathedral with 160 Guests [00:42:57] - The Real Difference: Big vs. Small   Connect with us: Visit our website: www.cherryblossomwe.com/podcast Cherry Blossom Weddings & Events: www.cherryblossomwe.com Follow us on our socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572429101755 Instagram: @weddings_unscripted TikTok: @weddings_unscripted

    Ep 50 • Big vs. Small: What a Micro Wedding and a 160-Person Wedding Taught Us About Planning Anything

  7. May 13

    Ep 49 • The Design, Hospitality, and Details That Made Charleston Stand Out

    What happens when a DC-based wedding planner takes her 20-year expertise to a brand-new city — and pulls it off flawlessly? In today's episode, Alex recaps MacRae and Austin's stunning Charleston wedding at Lowndes Grove, and she and Ali spill everything: the vendor trust-building, the color hunt that took months, the beauty concierge game-changer, and why your breakdown documents might be saving (or costing) you thousands. Together, we dish on destination wedding planning tips, vetting out-of-market vendors, why final walkthroughs matter (even if local teams think they don't), and the one planner document that will completely change how your caterer breaks down a reception. Whether you're a couple planning a destination wedding, a wedding vendor curious about how DC-area planners operate, or an aspiring wedding planner learning the ropes, this episode is packed with real, unfiltered insight from two planners who've seen it all.   Key Takeaways: Vetting out-of-market vendors is non-negotiable — even if they know the venue better than you do. A beauty concierge isn't a luxury — it's a timeline saver. Your caterer needs a visual breakdown document — full stop.   Chapters: [00:01:02] Why Cherry Blossom Events Said Yes to a Destination Wedding [00:03:10] Lowndes Grove Venue Breakdown (Ashley River views, Outer Banks filming location, all-day setup access) [00:09:05] Vetting Vendors You've Never Worked With Before (Trust-building, Instagram-stalking, and why your name is always on the line) [00:18:17] The Beauty Concierge: Worth Every Penny (On-site hair and makeup, timeline coordination, and the bun that almost caused a meltdown) [00:22:03] Bar Placement & Spatial Strategy [00:25:10] Linen Logistics & The Breakdown Document (Four rental companies, a mis-sorted fork, and the photo doc that changes everything) [00:31:20] Vendor Shoutouts & The Band That Didn't Take a Break (A-Town A-List, Palmetto Strings, Nebo Films, and more) [00:34:36] Transportation Trends: Trolleys, Vintage Buses & the DC Market Gap (What Charleston does that DC doesn't — and a business idea for someone brave enough)   Follow Our Vendor Teams on  Instagram:  Planning & Design: @cherryblossomeventsdc Photography: @aaronandjillian Videography @nebofilms_ Bars / Lighting / Drape: @litcharleston Florals: @tupelohoneyfloralshop Beauty: @lashesandlacechs Cake: @sweetrhi_ Venue+ Catering Lowndes Grove: @pphgevents Ceremony Music: @palmettostrings Stationary: @studio.ack Linens: @curatedeventscharleston @stradleydavidson @reverie_social Rentals: @snyderevents @cheers.chs @pphgevents Entertainment: @samhillentertainment  Band: @atownalist Escort Wall: @swirlsandscriptcalligraphy Transportation: @lowcountrytrolley @compasschs Dress: @leahdagloria Bar Signs: @coppiceandcrafts   Connect with us: Visit our website: http://www.cherryblossomwe.com/podcast Cherry Blossom Weddings & Events: www.cherryblossomwe.com Follow us on our socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572429101755 Instagram: @weddings_unscripted TikTok: @weddings_unscripted

    Ep 49 • The Design, Hospitality, and Details That Made Charleston Stand Out

  8. Apr 28

    Ep 48 • Music Without a Stage: Inside an Artist-Led Experience with Dylan Galvin

    What if your guitarist didn't just play at your wedding — what if they walked through it with you?   This week Ali goes solo and sits down with Dylan Galvin, a wireless roaming acoustic guitarist and DJ who's bringing a whole new energy to DC-area weddings and events.   In this episode, Ali chats with Dylan Galvin — Berkley-trained guitarist, solo entrepreneur, and one of the most unique live performers in the DMV wedding market. Dylan breaks down his wireless roaming performance concept, how he became a one-stop-shop for live music and DJ services, and why reading the room is just as important as knowing your set list. From mentorships with Paul Simon, John Mayer, and Joe Satriani, to a cross-country solo tour that taught him what not to do, Dylan's story is packed with hard-won lessons in music, business, and the art of creating unforgettable wedding experiences. If you've ever wondered what live wedding entertainment can look like beyond the traditional string quartet or seated guitarist, this episode is your answer.     Key Takeaways Wireless roaming live music is a game-changer for wedding cocktail hours and receptions — it delivers the energy of a full performance without tethering the artist to one corner of the room. Being a successful wedding musician isn't just about talent — it's about mastering sales, marketing, and branding as a small business owner, and knowing when to outsource the rest. The best wedding entertainment starts long before the event: the planning calls, the vendor communication, and the ability to improvise on-site are what separate a good performance from a truly timeless occasion.   Chapters 01:17 – Meet Dylan Galvin: Wireless Roaming Guitarist & Event Performer 2:09 – What Is a Wireless Roaming Performance? (And Why It Changes Everything) 5:35 – The DC Wedding Market Needs This — Roaming vs. Traditional Live Music 7:37 – Dylan's Origin Story: Berklee College of Music & Famous Mentors (John Mayer, Paul Simon, Joe Satriani) 14:26 – From School to Stage: Solo Touring and Why It's Not a Business Plan 17:40 – The Pivot to Private Events  18:40 – Sales, Marketing & Branding: The Three Things That Actually Differentiate You 23:10 – How Long Has Dylan Been Roaming? The Origin of the Wireless Rig 36:55 – Breaking Into the DC Market After 10 Years in LA 41:50 – Advice for Solo Entrepreneurs — Humility, Outsourcing & Staying Hungry 45:46 – The Unseen Work Behind Every Wedding Vendor — And Why It Matters     Connect with Dylan: Website: www.dylangalvin.com Instagram: @dylangalvinevents     Connect with us: Visit our website: https://www.cherryblossomwe.com/podcast Cherry Blossom Weddings & Events: www.cherryblossomwe.com Follow us on our socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572429101755 Instagram: @weddings_unscripted TikTok: @weddings_unscripted   If this episode helped you, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify — it truly means the world to us and helps other couples and planners find the show.

    Ep 48 • Music Without a Stage: Inside an Artist-Led Experience with Dylan Galvin
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About

With over 18 years of planning and designing weddings, we have seen it all! Join us for a fun and insightful journey as we laugh, cry, and learn together on Weddings Unscripted – because planning a wedding is just as unforgettable as the big day itself! Subscribe today and be the first to listen! Launching January 10, 2025.

Information

  • Creator
    Alexandra Pare
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    56
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    Weddings Unscripted

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