The Itty Bitty Wedding Committee Podcast
By Itty Bitty Wedding Committee
The Itty Bitty Wedding Committee PodcastSep 30, 2020
Season Two Finale w/ Special Guest Megan!
We can't believe we're wrapping up our second season! This week, we wrap season two with a very special guest, one of our long time listeners Megan! Megan shares her experiences of planning her upcoming 2022 wedding, her planning process, things she's learned throughout the process, and more!
When she's not planning her wedding, Megan is an Interior Designer and lover of antiques! Check out her Etsy shop, Walking Antique!
www.etsy.com/shop/walkingantiqueshop
Follow us on Instagram at and continue to chat with us at @ibwc_podcast
Email us at ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Event Rentals 101
This week's episode is all about rentals. How we've gone an entire TWO seasons and not talked about rentals is a questions we're still trying to figure out, but we're happy to finally get into it! We talk about the basics of event rentals ranging from:
-most common event rentals items
-who is responsible for renting what items
-streamlining rentals by choosing vendors that provide rentals for multiple areas of your event
-what to expect with delivery and pick-up
-timing and logistics
and more!
Join us on Zoom for the recording of our season 2 finale on July 7th 2021 at 530pm CST https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89326209359
Follow us on Instagram at @ibwc_podcast
Email us at ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Sustainable Weddings 101
This week's episode is all about the many ways that you can make your wedding more sustainable and environmentally friendly. You don't have to be an environmentalist or recycling expert for you to have a greener wedding. We cover everything from:
-How to choose green vendors
-Questions to ask vendors about their sustainability practices
-Sustainable Catering and Bar
-Sustainable decor
-Sustainable Paper Goods
-And more
This episode also includes a listener letter from one of our listeners about honoring loved ones that are no longer with us at your wedding.
If you would like to check out some of the sustainable practices that we mentioned in this episode, check out the Green Wedding Guide on the Green Wedding Alliance website at https://www.greenweddingalliance.com
You can follow us on Instagram at @ibwc_podcast
Email us at ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Vendor Communication 101
This week on the podcast, we get deep into communication, specifically with your vendors! We understand that sometimes navigating vendor communication can a bit frustrating. We get into:
-How to gauge your vendors' communication styles from the get-go
-How to manage your expectations
-The best times, and the not so great times to reach out to your vendors
-How to gauge urgency
-How to approach your vendors when communication is not where you want it to be, or where you feel it should be
-When and how to escalate
And more!
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Send us an email at ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Don't forget Listener Letters! If you have a questions, would like to share a story, or need advice, send in a listener letter either via Instagram or via email. Be sure to mention in your message that this is a listener letter, and please let us know how you'd like to be addressed (first name, anonymous, etc.) and your preferred pronouns.
Flowers, and Florists, and Blooms- Oh My!
This week, we are getting into the basics of florals! We talk about:
-How to choose a florist
-How to effectively use Instagram as a resource
-Levels of service that florists can provide
-Common misconceptions about floral work
-The behind the scenes work florists do that most couples don't see
And more!
Follow us on Instagram at @ibwc_podcast
Send us an email at ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
If you would like to send us a listener letter with a questions, comment, or story you'd like to share, feel free to email us or send us a message on Instagram. Be sure to put "Listener Letter" in the subject or the beginning of your message, and please include how you'd like to be addressed, if you'd like to be anonymous, as well as your preferred pronouns.
Eloping 101
This week, we're talking about...ELOPING! We're seeing more couples elope these days, especially as a result of the pandemic. In the episode we get into:
-What's does it mean to elope
-Traditional and non-traditional elopements
-The importance of communication
-Certain Considerartions
And More
This episode we read our first listener letter!
Follow us on Instagram at @ibwc_podcast
Send us an email with questions, comments or topic suggestions at ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Don't forget to send us your listener letters with questions, or comments about your wedding or weddings in general. Send us your listener letters via email or via instagram and don't forget to tell us how you'd like to be addressed, or anonymous and your preferred pronouns!
Hotel Guest Blocks 101
This week, we're talking about how to navigate setting up guest room blocks for your wedding weekend! We get into:
-What is a hotel block
-How many hotels to select
-How to determine which hotels to select
-The number of guest rooms per night to request
-Courtesy Block versus a block with attrition (also what the heck is attrition)
-Hotel amenities
-Gift Bags
And more!
Follow us on Instagram at @ibwc_podcast
Email us questions, comments, and topic suggestions to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Winter Weddings 101
This week, we cover another listener topic suggestion! Whether you've had to postpone your wedding to winter due to the pandemic or whether you've always wanted the winter wedding of your dreams, this episode is all about winter weddings! We cover some of the perks of having wedding in the winter time, how your planning process may look different, pitfalls you should be aware of, and how to overcome them.
Follow us on Instagram at @ibwc_podcast
Send us an email at ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Kids and Weddings
This week, we're talking about how to navigate the age old question of whether or not you want to allow kids at your wedding. We covering everything from how to indicate whether kids are invited or not, how to communicate with your guests if kids are not allowed, to how to incorporate kids into your big day, how to appropriately plan if kids are included in your wedding, how to navigate childcare for the big day, wedding logistics to consider and more!
Follow us on Instagram at @ibwc_podcast
Send us questions, comments, and topic suggestions to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Intro To Destination Weddings
This week's episode is all about.....destination weddings! Many people love the idea of a destination wedding...until it comes to actually planning one. This episode, we get into some of the main things you should consider when thinking of a destination wedding from booking a planner that has destination wedding expertise, sourcing vendors, the best ways to communicate with guests when planning a destination wedding, and more!
Follow us on Instagram at @ibwc_podcast
Email us your questions, comments, and topic suggestions to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
IBWC: Pandemic Check-In
On this week's episode, we check in on the state of things with the current pandemic: the latest local event regulation updates, how weddings and events are still being impacted by the pandemic, what we envision for the future of weddings, and advice for couples that are currently in the process of planning their weddings.
You can follow us on Instagram at @ibwc_podcast
Feel free to email us with questions, comments, and topic suggestion at ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Alyson and Kate’s Favorite Wedding Movies/Cinematic Wedding Moments
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Email us questions, comments, and topic suggestions to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Spring and Summer 2021 Wedding Dress Trends
This week, we're talking all about some of our favorite wedding dress trends that we are seeing for this Spring and Summer! We cover everything from tulle and floral, to sleeves, sleek silhouettes. And we're not just talking dresses and attire! We get into what trends we're seeing with shoes, and accessories!
Follow us on Instagram at @ibwc_podcast
Send us an email with questions, comments, and topic suggestions to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Vendor Contracts 101
This weeks episode is all about.....contracts! As you go through the process of planning your wedding, you'll be receiving and reviewing multiple agreements as you book vendors for the big day. In this episode, we get into the common things to look for when reviewing contracts, from event details, payment schedules, value-adds, cancellation terms, and more.
Please keep in mind that this is in no way meant to be professional legal advice. For any specific legal questions you may have, we highly suggest consulting a licensed attorney.
You can find us on Instagram at @ibwc_podcast
Feel free to email us questions, comments, topic suggestions, or just say hello at ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Wedding Cakes with Special Guest Bria Helgerson of Flourish Cake Design!
This week, we have the pleasure of having special guest Bria Helgerson, the cake queen behind Flourish Cake Design! Bria shares her story of how she got started in the wedding cake business, where she draws her inspiration from, and what her cake consultation and design process looks like. Bria also gives the inside scoop on some common wedding cake elements i.e layers vs. tiers, buttercream vs, fondant, sugar flowers, cake servings, and more. We had so much fun having Bria on the show and we can't wait for everyone to hear it!
If you're interested in learning more about Flourish Cake Design, you can find out more at https://www.flourishcakedesign.com/
You can also keep up to date on Bria's amazing cake work on Instagram at @flourishcakedesign and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/flourishcakedesign/
Follow the Itty Bitty Wedding Committee on Instagram at @ibwc_podcast
Email us questions, comments, and topic suggestions to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
How To Have A Flawless Wedding Day- Part 2: The Day Before and Day Of
*We hope you enjoy the gentle snores in the background courtesy of our unofficial guest, Kate's dog Hoagie :)
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Send us an email with questions, comments, and topic suggestions to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
How To Have A Flawless Wedding Day- Part 1: Advanced Prep
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Email us questions, comments, topics suggestions to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Wedding Stationery and Paper Goods w/ Special Guest Samantha Meyer
You can find Samantha's work and services at samanthameyerstudio.com/
You can find Samantha Meyer Studio on Instagram at @samanthameyerstudio
Keep up with us on Instagram at @ibwc_podcast
Send us your questions, comments, and topic suggestions to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
How To Join The Wedding Industry: Do's and Don'ts
There are so many people from all walks of life that are part of the wedding industry, and it's not uncommon for people to get inspired to become a service provider within the industry. This week, we're talking about how to navigate the the world of weddings as a new service provider, important factors to consider when thinking about joining the industry, how (and when) to make connections with established vendors, how to get your foot in the door, and more!
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Send us questions, comments, and topic suggestions to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Details and Decor - What's Worth the Expense and What Can You Do Without?
This week, we talking about decor and design, but more specifically, answering the question of what decor/design elements are worth the money vs things that your wedding can do without. We discuss how to establish your top priorities for your big day, how to determine which design/decor elements make the most sense for your wedding, different ways you can compromise to get some of the design elements that you want, how to consider cost and value of different design elements and more!
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Send us your questions, comments, and topic suggestions to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
The Custom Catering Experience with Special Guests Anna and Lorena of Food For Thought
You can learn more about Food For Thought online at www.foodforthoughtchicago.com and follow them on Instagram at @fftchicago
You can keep up with Anna and Lorena's catering and event adventures on Instagram: Anna @annaditton and Lorena @lorenarosa23 If you'd like to follow Lorena's journey on bread-making you can follow @_history_in_the_baking_
Keep up with the Itty Bitty Wedding Committee on Instagram @ibwc_podcast
Send us questions, comments, and topic suggestions to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
How We Planned and Executed Our Wedding During Covid with Special Guests Mr. and Mrs. Larry and Bella Whitley
There have been so many couples whose weddings have been affected by the Coronavirus Pandemic. This week, we are excited have the opportunity to speak with a real couple who was not only affected by the pandemic, but survived the planning, and was able to still have a special day. Newly weds Larry and Bella Whitley join us who talk about their experience of navigating their wedding planning during the Pandemic. They share insight on having to postponing, being flexible with their wedding vision, working with vendors, and advice for couples that are currently also navigating the wedding planning process in the midst of Covid.
Follow us on Instagram at @ibwc_podcast
Email us your questions, comments, and topic suggestions to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Wedding Photography with Special Guest Ed & Aileen Photography
This week, we have special guests and dear friends Ed and Aileen Ciesielski, the dynamic duo behind Ed & Aileen Photography. Ed & Aileen talk about their passion for photographing weddings, and give insight on how to go about choosing the right photographer, what the photography process is like, and more!
You can find Ed & Aileen Photography on:
Instagram at @edandaileenphotography
Online at https://edandaileen.com
You can follow us on instagram @ibwc_podcast
Email us questions, comments, and topic suggestions to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Four-Legged Loved Ones and Your Big Day!
For pet-owners, your four-legged friends are part of your family, and it's not surprise that some pet owners want to include their pets on their big day! This week, we talk about the different ways you can incorporate your fluffy friend into your wedding, and the steps to take to make sure the runs smoothly for you and your pet.
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Send us questions, comments, and topic suggestions to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Wedding Websites 101
This week, we talk all about wedding websites! We're covering everything from the benefits of a having a wedding website, some of the various wedding website platforms to choose from, what information to include, design, do's and don'ts, and more!
Follow us on Instagram @ibwc_podcast
Contact us with questions, comments and topic suggestions at ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Live Music and Your Wedding Day!
This week's episode is all about incorporating live music into your big day! We discuss setting a budget, determining what style of live music you're interested in, how to research bands/live musicians, contracting live musicians, and important things to keep in mind when working with live music vendors.
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Send us a note with questions, comments and topic ideas to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Season 2 Premiere: The New Year and Looking Ahead
*Sound quality was affected due to internet at the time of recording. We promise it will be back to normal next week!*
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Contact us with questions, comments, and topic suggestions at ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Season One Finale - Just Alyson and Kate
Welcome to the Itty Bitty Wedding Committee Season One Finale! We're so excited to round out the end of our season and the end of this (dumpster fire) year with a fun, light hearted two-way interview. For our final episode of the year, we decide to interview each other, asking some fun and interesting questions that we've been dying to ask. Grab your beverage of choice, and get to know a little bit about us, not just the hosts of IBWC, but just Kate and Alyson. We hope you enjoy it, and have a wonderful end to 2020! We'll see you next year!
Keep up with us on instagram at @ibwc_podcast
Send us questions, comments, feedback and topic recommendations to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Wedding Party Etiquette
Happy Thanksgiving week! This week, Kate and Alyson are giving you a light, and fun episode about the do's and don't of being a member (or prospective member) of a wedding party. The episode covers the proper etiquette when being asked, when you don't get asked, things you should definitely do as a wedding party member, and certain things to avoid. Basically, how to be a chill, hassle free wedding party member.
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Send us an email with questions, comments, feedback and topic suggestions to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Wedding Budgeting 101
This week, Alyson and Kate are talking about the most exciting part of wedding planning (or not).....wedding budgeting. It may not be the most exciting part of the planning process, but it's a necessary step the planning process. Kate and Alyson discuss: setting your budget expectations, how to effectively do your research, the right way to go about getting information from reliable sources, wedding budgeting tools, and "cutting corners" or re-prioritizing certain aspects of your wedding to fit within your budget.
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Send us an email with you questions, comments, and topic suggestions to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
How To Get Your Wedding Published!
Do you want to see your wedding or engagement photos featured in your favorite wedding blog or publication? This week, Kate and Alyson discuss how to properly plan and navigate the planning process when you intend to submit your wedding for publishing, and dig deeper into what the publishing process looks like, how to choose the right publications to submit to, how to communicate with vendors, and more!
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Email us with questions, comments, etc. at ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
DIY: Do's, Don'ts and When To Quit
This week, Kate and Alyson tackle a listener-requested topic: Do-It-Yourself! They dive into what you should think about when considering doing certain aspects of your wedding yourself i.e. florals, hair + makeup, stationary, etc.; the actual cost of DIY (it's not always a cost-saver), the time commitment, how and whom to (and not to) ask for help, how to realistically set your expectations, things you should avoid doing DIY, and when and how to know when it's time to call it quits and hire a pro.
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Email us questions, comments, and feedback to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Wedding Industry Myths and Misconceptions
This week, Kate and Alyson dive deep into some of the myths and misconceptions that surround the wedding industry: the "wedding industrial complex", the "wedding price tag", the "typical couple" stereotype, diversity within the industry, and more!
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Send us your questions, comments, feedback, and topic ideas to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Hey Mr. D.J.
This week, Kate and Alyson talk about how to make the best decisions on choosing and booking a DJ for your big day: establishing your musical approach, how to know who to chose, DJ styles, what a DJ really does, and DJ do's and don'ts.
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Send us a note, questions, comments, and topic suggestions to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Hair and Makeup - Part 2
This Week, Alyson and Kate continue the conversation about hair and makeup services: contracting services, service adjustments, vendor exclusivity, services for the bridal party and more!
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Send us questions, comments, and topic suggestions to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Hair and Makeup - Part 1
This week, Kate and Alyson talk about the do's and don'ts of hair and makeup for the big day, from researching inspiration, booking vendors, navigating consultations and trails, and more!
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Send us questions, comments, and topic ideas to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
How to: Create and Manage Your Guest List
Alyson and Kate dive deep into all things guest list from how to put one together and who to invite; navigating kids, plus ones, and more!
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Send us questions, comments, feedback and topic suggestions to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Brunch + Wedding = Fabulous!
This week, Kate and Alyson talk all about Brunch-themed weddings: The Do's, the Don'ts and all the little ways that a Brunch wedding can truly be a fabulous affair!
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Send a note to our inbox at ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Wedding Gowns 101
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Send us a note with questions, comments, and feedback at ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Your Wedding: The Sequel
Sometimes people forget that when people get married, it isn't always the first time for one or both parties involved. This week, Kate and Alyson discuss second (or more) weddings! From how to announce the engagement, to navigating the planning process, and dispelling other misconceptions surrounding 2nd (and more) weddings!
Send us a note at ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Follow the podcast on Instagram @ibwc_podcast
Do You Need A Wedding Planner?
There comes a time in every couple's planning process when they reach a crossroad: Do we hire a wedding planner or not? This week, Alyson and Kate talk about how to determine whether or not you need a wedding planner, and things to consider when deciding on which planner will be the best fit for you!
*The first part of the episode is Kate and Alyson catching up (and ranting about the pandemic). If you'd like to skip to the wedding planning content, it begins at the 20 minute mark of the episode*
For Questions, Comments, Feedback and Topic Ideas, send a note to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com.
Follow us on Instagram @ibwc_podcast
Available on Most Streaming Platforms (Apple, Google, Anchor, Spotify, Stitcher, and more!)
The Wedding Industry and the Coronavirus - Part 2
This week, Alyson and Kate continue talking about the impact of the Coronavirus on the wedding industry right now, focusing specifically on what's happening presently, what weddings will look like in the future, and some of the creative ways we've seen couples host their weddings recently!
For questions, comments, and feedback, send us a note at ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
You can find us on Instagram @ibwc_podcast!
Now streaming all most platforms (Apple Podcast, Google Podcasts, Anchor, Spotify, Stitcher, and more)!
The Wedding Industry and the Coronavirus - Part 1
This week, Kate and Alyson kick off their two-part series on the current Coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the wedding and event industry. Tune in as they discuss what their experiences were at the beginning of the pandemic, and initial insights for couples on how to navigate postponement, communicating with guests and more!
For questions, comments, feedback, and topic submissions, send a note to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
In this episode Kate and Alyson are excited to plug the It Takes Three Podcast Network, three awesome ladies behind the Tree Hill Talks, Let's Talk O.C., and Three Gossip Girls podcasts!
Clarifying Your Wedding Aesthetic
This week, Kate and Alyson talk in-depth about how to figure out your own wedding style, stick to that vision, and bring it to life without busting your budget!
Email questions, comments and concerns to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com.
Wedding Guest Etiquette
For questions, comments, feedback, and topic suggestions, send a note to ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Wedding Venues 101
Choosing a venue is one of the BIGGEST decisions couples make during the planning process, and no one tells you that selecting a venue is more than just choosing a pretty space. Kate and Alyson give you a rundown of how to choose your perfect wedding venue, and all of the factors that that couples should take into consideration before signing on that dotted line!
Have questions, comments, feedback, or topic ideas? Send a note to Kate and Alyson at ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Kate and Alyson's Wedding Trends - Part 2
Join Kate and Alyson as they continue their conversation from last week on the some of the latest wedding trends! This week's trends: nontraditional wedding parties, neon signage, suspended installations, and sustainability/giving back.
For questions, feedback, and topic suggestions, email us at ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Kate and Alyson's Wedding Trends - Part 1
Welcome to the very first episode of the Itty Bitty Wedding Committee! Get to know a bit about Kate and Alyson, inspiration for the podcast, and some wedding trends. This week, Alyson and Kate cover: cocktail-format weddings, intimate weddings (under 100 guests), airy installations, the Bohemian aesthetic, and our love/hate relationship with baby's breath.
For comments, questions, topic suggestions and feedback reach us at ittybittyweddingcommittee@gmail.com
Itty Bitty Wedding Committee Podcast Official Trailer!
Welcome to the Itty Bitty Wedding Committee Podcast! Brought to you by longtime friends and industry professionals Kate Reavey (wedding planner) and Alyson Thompson (senior catering manager), this insightful, lighthearted look at the wedding industry is everything you need to stay sane as you plan your own wedding, or just learn more about the industry. Tune in each week as they pull pack the curtain to give listeners the inside scoop on all things "wedding" with humor and heart. Serving up planning advice, tips, and trends with a hearty dose of realness, you'll feel like you're sitting down for a chat with old friends. It's the NSFW wedding planning podcast you didn't know you needed.
Submit topics, questions and feedback to ittybittywedingcommittee@gmail.com.