With football season officially kicking off, Alex has been getting into the spirit by doing some fantasy drafts. That got us thinking... what if we did the same for weddings? Welcome to the Fantasy Wedding Draft! In this episode, we’re bringing the excitement of football season to wedding planning.

Here’s how it works: There are 11 key categories to make up your “wedding” or “team.” You’ll have to fill all 11 slots, but there’s no budget! Each category has three options — some great, some not so much.

Let’s see how you’d build your ultimate wedding. Grab your fiancé and a notebook, and sit down for a fun date night to see how you each would draft your fantasy wedding!

Fantasy Wedding Draft Categories:

1. Venue
   • Historic Estate: Elegant and timeless
   • Luxury Hotel: Scenic and tropical
   • Backyard Wedding: Cozy and intimate
2. Catering
   • Full-Service Catering: A customizable menu with endless options
   • Food Trucks: A casual option with a variety of cuisines
   • Farm-to-Table: Fresh, local ingredients for a wholesome experience
3. Entertainment
   • Live Band: Dynamic music for every part of your wedding
   • DJ Service: Personalized playlists and high-energy
   • Photo Booth: An interactive way for guests to capture memories
4. Decor/Floral Arrangements
   • Luxury Floral Designer: Gorgeous and breathtaking
   • Themed Decor: Unique, cohesive decor based on your theme
   • DIY Decor: Handcrafted, personalized decorations
5. Photography/Videography
   • Professional Photographer: High-quality photos
   • Cinematic Wedding Video: A storytelling video to relive the big day
   • Both: Why choose? Get both photography and videography
6. Attire
   • Mismatched Bridal Party: Everyone wears something different—bold and fun
   • Black Tie: Elegant tuxedos and gowns for a formal look
   • Matching Suits & Dresses: A color-coordinated wedding party
7. Cake/Desserts
   • Show-Stopping Wedding Cake: A multi-tier masterpiece
   • Dessert Bar: A selection of more sweet treats
   • Gourmet Ice Cream Truck: Custom flavors and toppings for a cool dessert option
8. Transportation
   • Vintage Rolls-Royce: A classic car to add a touch of luxury
   • Luxury Limousine: Elegant transport for the wedding party
   • Shuttle Service: Practical transport for guests
9. Guest Experience
   • Welcome Gifts: Personalized gifts like monogrammed robes
   • On-Site Spa Treatments: Relaxing treatments to pamper your guests
   • Interactive Entertainment: Fun activities like a DIY cocktail bar
10. Cliché Traditions
    • Wedding Cake Face Smash: Dramatic, messy, and unforgettable
    • Bouquet and Garter Toss: The traditional toss to all the single guests
    • Sparkler Send-Off: A magical, glowing exit for the newlyweds
11. Bad Guests
    • The Uninvited Guest: They bring an extra person who wasn’t invited
    • The Drama Maker: Causes a scene and tension
    • The Overindulger: Drinks too much and becomes that guest

Tune in to the episode to hear how we’d draft our fantasy wedding, and let us know how you’d build yours! Would you play it safe, or take some risks? Be sure to tag us on socials so we can all play along!

Love what you heard? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review!

Reach out to us on social media or drop a comment on our website.

thebeforeidopodcast@gmail.com

@beforeidopodcast

@jacksonandjuneevents

And check out our website for all your wedding planning needs: www.jacksonandjuneevents.com

In this episode, we're diving into the stress of wedding planning and offering strategies to help you actually enjoy the process. Sure, you’ve seen the Pinterest tips about planning a date night where you don’t talk about the wedding—but we’re going deeper. How can you minimize the overall stress of planning instead of just pausing it for a few hours? From breaking things down into phases to focusing on what really matters, we’ve got you covered.

Episode Highlights:

• Wedding Planning Stress: Why “ignoring the stress” for a night isn’t the answer, and what you can do instead.
• What Stresses Couples Out the Most: Common stressors and sneaky things that add pressure.
• Project Management Approach: Planning a wedding is a lot like managing a big project—learn how to use that to your advantage.
• Pro Tip: Hire a planner or coordinator to reduce decision fatigue and avoid analysis paralysis.
• Budgeting Advice: Set your budget before you book your venue and focus on what’s most important to you.
• Phased Planning Approach: Break down the planning process into four key phases—Foundation, Pretties, Details, and Finale—to stay organized and on track.
• Decision-Making Tips: Trust your gut, stay confident, and make decisions based on facts and numbers.
• Stress Management: Learn how to identify what’s stressing you out, whether you can control it, and how to refocus on what matters most—marrying your best friend!

Final Thought: Wedding planning should be fun! Remember, some of the things you're stressing about now won’t even cross your mind on the big day.

Love what you heard? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review!

Reach out to us on social media or drop a comment on our website.

thebeforeidopodcast@gmail.com

@beforeidopodcast

@jacksonandjuneevents

And check out our website for all your wedding planning needs: www.jacksonandjuneevents.com

Sending out Save the Dates is a significant milestone in your wedding planning journey—it's the moment your plans become public! In this episode, Sammy and Alex guide you through the essential planning steps you should aim to complete before your Save the Dates hit your guests' mailboxes. We’ll explore common questions, share expert tips, and discuss how couples typically navigate this part of the process.

Episode Highlights:

1. Understanding Timelines:

• Save the Dates should ideally be sent out 6-8 months before your wedding day.
• Consider sending them out 8 months in advance for destination weddings or when most guests will need to travel or take time off work.
• For more local weddings, 6 months is a good timeframe.
• What if your wedding is more than a year away? We’ll discuss the best approach.

2. Pre-Save the Date Planning Checklist:

• Wedding Dream Session: Get inspired and envision your big day.
• Planner: Consider hiring a wedding planner early in the process.
• Budget: Establish a budget to guide your decisions.
• Venue & Date: Secure your venue and set your wedding date.

3. Next-Level Pre-Save the Date Steps:

• Photographer: Book your photographer early so you can schedule engagement photos, especially if you want to include one on your Save the Dates.
• Wedding Website: Create a wedding website to share essential details with your guests.
• Guest List & Addresses: Finalize your guest list and start collecting addresses. Tools like Postable can help streamline this process.
• Hotel Blocks: If you’re arranging hotel blocks or discount codes for your guests, secure these before sending out your Save the Dates, particularly for out-of-town guests.
• Ceremony & Reception Times: Consult with your planner or photographer to decide on your ceremony and reception start times. While these times won’t be on your Save the Dates, it’s helpful to include them on your website for planning purposes.
• Weekend Festivities: Consider any additional events (like a welcome party or farewell brunch) that may require guests to adjust their travel plans.

4. Wedding Registry:

• Your registry doesn’t need to be complete before sending out Save the Dates, but it’s a good idea to have it started. For a deeper dive into registry planning, check out Episode 20.

Tune in to ensure your Save the Dates go out smoothly, with all the essential details in place. We'll help you avoid common pitfalls and set the stage for a well-organized and memorable wedding celebration.

Love what you heard? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review!

Reach out to us on social media or drop a comment on our website.

thebeforeidopodcast@gmail.com

@beforeidopodcast

@jacksonandjuneevents

And check out our website for all your wedding planning needs: www.jacksonandjuneevents.com