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Real-Deal Brides Podcast

Alessandra Macaluso: Author, Blogger, Wedding Planning Specialist

Wedding planning is fun, but brides and grooms need to know the "real-deal" in order to help them plan the best wedding possible. This podcast, hosted by Alessandra Macaluso, author of The Real-Deal Bridal Bible, gives you useful tips for wedding planning and everything you need to know to plan the ultimate wedding that's best for YOU. She and her guests speak about everything: how to get in shape for your wedding, how to communicate with your in-laws and navigate tricky family situations, how to negotiate with vendors, how to plan your wedding budget, what to look for when choosing a reception hall, the best places to honeymoon, what's new in the wedding industry, discounts on bridal and wedding items, how to save money while planning your wedding, relationship advice, how to select your bridal party, and much, much more.

  • 23 minutes 57 seconds
    Wedding Day Style with Pro Stylist Rayne Parvis

    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:

    13 February 2018, 3:36 pm
  • 35 minutes 40 seconds
    Bare Naked Bravery with Emily Ann Peterson

    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:

    16 January 2018, 2:26 am
  • 23 minutes 22 seconds
    Elopements and Tiny Weddings with Charity Parrish

    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:

    elopements and tiny weddings with Charity Parrish

    elopements and tiny weddings with Charity Parrish

    28 August 2017, 6:07 pm
  • 40 minutes 11 seconds
    Getting Dressed for a Wedding with Bernadette Maulion

    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: [email protected]

    1 August 2017, 6:17 pm
  • 38 minutes 35 seconds
    RDB012: Thrifty Weddings with Pros Kacie and Sara Kay of CLT Wedding Flea

    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:

    4 June 2017, 2:44 pm
  • 38 minutes 59 seconds
    RDB011: Entertainment Talk with Andy Kushner

    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

    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: [email protected]. I love hearing from you!

    23 May 2017, 1:56 pm
  • 48 minutes 39 seconds
    RDB010: Celebrity Fitness Trainer Vinnie Tortorich

    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

    17 February 2017, 2:49 am
  • 46 minutes 13 seconds
    RDB009: A Quirky Wedding with Quirky Chrissy

    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:

    12 January 2017, 7:34 pm
  • 34 minutes 38 seconds
    RDB008: Always a Bridesmaid (For Hire) With Jen Glantz

    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:

    always-a-bridesmaid-1

    3 January 2017, 5:36 pm
  • 31 minutes 2 seconds
    RDB007: Makeup Talk with Glory Eke and How to Look Your Best

    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

    28 September 2016, 8:51 pm
  • 56 minutes 50 seconds
    RDB006: Real-Deal Wedding Talk with Amy Hunter, Writer and Comedian

    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.

    Real-Deal Brides Podcast Episode 6: Real-Deal Wedding Talk with Amy Hunter, Writer and Comedian

    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

    And some photos of Amy’s wedding:

    amy_wedding1 amy_wedding2 amy_wedding3

    19 September 2016, 2:39 pm
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