The Venue Underground

The Venue Underground
  • 4.2 (5)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The Venue Underground: wedding planning from people who run the room. We see what works every weekend and give you the steps. Host Kate Dear (1M followers) with Rachel and Gemma; 1,000+ events of proof. Recorded in a nuclear fallout shelter beneath one of our venues in a 120-year-old bank. The perspective and experience you need. We’ve saved a seat for you.

Episodes

  1. 11/25/2025

    The Wedding That Almost Became a Crime Scene

    A family feud. A bomb threat. A missing ring bearer.Welcome to the wedding that almost became a crime scene. In this episode, Kate, Gemma, and Rachel share their wildest real-life venue stories. Plus the couples who restored their faith in humanity. They also unpack vendor dynamics, walkthrough “therapy sessions,” and the tiny moments that make this industry worth it. If you want the unfiltered, behind-the-scenes reality of weddings… you’re in the right place.

    42 min

  2. 11/18/2025

    Why We Broke Up With Open Houses

    This week, we’re talking about the moment we finally ditched open houses and how switching to one-on-one tours completely changed our booking season. But this episode goes way beyond that. Inside the fallout shelter, we unpack: Why “off-season” doesn’t exist for wedding vendors Saying yes too often and why it backfires When client expectations cross the line Plated vs. buffet and the catering math no one tells couples Vendor boundaries that protect your wedding Wedding trends we’d personally send straight to jail Real stories from the weddings that still haunt us If you’ve ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes of a wedding venue, this episode is your front-row seat. Follow for more candid, unfiltered conversations from inside the industry.

    53 min

  3. 11/11/2025

    We Need to Talk About Wedding Expectations

    From selling tickets to weddings to getting brand sponsorships, couples are getting creative — and sometimes desperate — to afford the day they've imagined. But where do these expectations even come from? This week, we talk about: Why some weddings feel like a performance instead of a celebration How venue and vendor policies quietly shape your entire budget Why your photographer might not post your wedding photos And what happens when you try to host 150 guests on a $5,000 budget If you're planning a wedding and the numbers aren’t matching the vision — you're not alone. Let’s talk about it.

    51 min

  4. 11/04/2025

    When Family Drama Meets The Fine Print

    Weddings are emotional. Boundaries are business. Weddings run on emotion, but contracts don’t. In this episode of The Venue Underground, Kate, Gemma, and Rachel unpack what happens when love and family crash head-on into business reality. From a groom’s mom secretly trying to reschedule her son’s wedding to guests melting at destination ceremonies, they reveal why clear boundaries aren’t cold-hearted, they’re essential. It’s a candid look at compassion, control, and the fine print that keeps creative businesses running (and sane). Whether you’re a vendor learning to say “no,” a bride trying to understand why policies exist, or just someone who loves good behind-the-scenes wedding drama, this episode hits the sweet spot between empathy and accountability. Topics: When family emotions collide with vendor boundariesThe difference between compassion and complianceRefunds, cancellations, and tough calls that test your humanityWhy every “quick favor” comes with fine printHow to protect your business and your peace

    36 min

  5. 10/27/2025

    Where to Cut Wedding Costs Without It Looking Cheap

    You can cut wedding costs without making your wedding look cheap.... but most people are cutting in the wrong places. We break down guest count math, when you actually need a planner, and why the most underrated vendor might be the person who takes out the trash at the end of the night. Plus: the bridesmaid who was expected to fund the wedding, and the wedding crasher who accidentally became part of the party.

    42 min

  6. 10/07/2025

    This Isn’t My Wedding Vendor!? What To Do When the Wrong Person Shows Up to Your Wedding

    What happens when your dream vendor doesn’t show up and they send someone else in their place? In this episode of The Venue Underground, Kate, Gemma, and Rachel share candid stories about dress alterations gone wrong, family members who overstep, and the rising trend of vendors double-booking wedding days. From a bridesmaid dress disaster that cost hundreds, to a sister-in-law secretly livestreaming a wedding, to advice on handling vendor substitutions, this episode is equal parts funny, frustrating, and full of real-world wisdom.

    45 min

  7. 09/19/2025

    Wedding DJ Walked OUT?! Real Steps To Save Your Reception

    A baby crashes a child-free ceremony, a DJ walks out, and a $12K venue vanishes! Here’s how we’d actually save the night. Three venue pros, a fallout shelter, and the internet’s messiest wedding clips. In this episode of The Venue Underground, Kate, Rachel, and Gemma tackle child-free ceremonies that get ignored, DJs storming out mid-reception, and parents who think paying means picking. From a $12K ghost-venue horror story to floor-plan fights with DJs, we break down the chaos, explain why it happens, and give you the fixes that actually work on wedding day. You’ll walk away knowing the red flags to watch for, containment scripts to save your night, and how to keep boundaries with family “gifts” that come with strings. Not just a reaction. An investigation, from the people who’ve seen it all.

    57 min

  8. 09/09/2025

    Was Taylor Right? The Girl Math of Entrepreneurship

    Taylor said it best: sometimes the math isn’t mathing. In this episode of The Venue Underground, Kate, Gemma, and Rachel break down the girl math of entrepreneurship: the sleepless nights, the bad reviews that stick longer than they should, and the mental gymnastics we do to convince ourselves we’re “making it.” We talk about: The girl math of lost sleep vs. revenue Why saying “no” is sometimes the smartest yes Pricing your energy and sanity like money Burnout seasons vs. balance seasons Pivoting without losing your “why” If you’ve ever felt like running a business was its own era, this one’s for you. Swifties, entrepreneurs, and dreamers alike, Taylor was right.

    35 min

  9. 08/26/2025

    Trust For Sale? Inside The Wedding Industry's Hidden Economy

    🚨 Review hostage is real.Threatening bad reviews to get freebies. Fake five-stars. Kickbacks to make vendor lists. In today’s episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on why trust is for sale in the wedding industry. Couples think “preferred vendors” are vetted. Vendors assume reviews are honest. But behind the scenes? Money, leverage, and quiet deals are running the show. 🎧 What you’ll hear inside:– What kickbacks really look like (and why they matter)– Shocking examples of “review hostage” in action– How to tell if a vendor list is bought or earned– What couples & creatives must ask to protect themselves Whether you’re planning your wedding or running your business, this episode is your survival guide to the trust economy. 👉 What’s the WORST review or shady vendor story you’ve seen? Drop it in the comments — we might feature it in a future episode. 💌 Share this with someone planning a wedding — it could save them thousands (and their sanity).📲 Follow @thevenueunderground on IG for the unfiltered truth.

    43 min

  10. 08/12/2025

    We Turned Your TikTok Comments Into Real Wedding Businesses

    Your Weird Hobby Could Be Someone’s Dream Wedding Upgrade When Kate posted a TikTok claiming she could turn any hobby into a wedding business, she didn’t expect it to explode. But the comments section became a goldmine of creative business ideas and some listeners are already turning them into real income. In this episode of The Venue Underground, Kate, Gemma, and Rachel break down the most-liked suggestions and share step-by-step launch plans for each, including: Becoming a Wedding Hype Guest to keep the dance floor packed Starting a Wedding Day Content Creator service for couples and vendors Monetizing niche passions like bugs, houseplants, and sword choreography “Rent-a-Grandma,” the unexpectedly heartwarming wedding service Choreographing surprise fights, spooky wedding activities, and more Whether you’re a wedding vendor, creative entrepreneur, or just looking for a profitable side hustle, this episode will spark ideas you can start in 30 days or less. 🎧 Listen now and learn how to: Turn your skills or hobbies into a profitable wedding industry service Price, market, and book your first clients Use social media to grow a wedding business fast

    50 min

  11. 07/29/2025

    From $10K To Million Dollar Empire In 5 Steps

    Kate Dear started her venue brand with a $10K bet, a crumbling marriage, and zero room for mistakes. In this episode, she shares the first five strategic moves that turned her startup into a multimillion-dollar business. Recorded from a Cold War fallout shelter beneath one of her venues, this one is packed with unfiltered strategy, startup grit, and stories from the early days. If you're dreaming of leaving your day job and building something that actually works—start here.

    47 min
  12. From Mom Mode to 7-Figure CEO

    07/14/2025

    From Mom Mode to 7-Figure CEO

    Kate Dear didn’t plan on building a wedding venue empire. She was a newly divorced stay at home mom who wanted to work for herself on a bigger scale than an Etsy shop. Recorded in a Cold War fallout shelter underneath one of her business locations, this premiere episode of The Venue Underground introduces Kate and her all-woman leadership team: former teacher Gemma and bar manager turned venue director Rachel. Together, they share how they went from survival mode to a seven figure business and a national franchise. From burnout and babies to building a brand from the basement up, this is where the real story starts for anyone dreaming of something more.

    23 min
  • 12 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

4.2
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

The Venue Underground: wedding planning from people who run the room. We see what works every weekend and give you the steps. Host Kate Dear (1M followers) with Rachel and Gemma; 1,000+ events of proof. Recorded in a nuclear fallout shelter beneath one of our venues in a 120-year-old bank. The perspective and experience you need. We’ve saved a seat for you.

Information

  • Creator
    The Venue Underground
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Venue Underground
  • Show Website
    The Venue Underground