Wendy Rivera is back for part two of our discussion on sacred shopping.It’s not about the dress, it’s about the feeling you have when wearing the dress. Wendy goes into how she and her stylist help the bride pick the right dress so she can fee

Episode 143: Sacred Shopping Part 1

9 days ago 28m 10s

Today on the podcast, we have a special guest. Wendy Rivera is the owner of Ava Laurenne Bride and also has a consulting business called Do You Speak Bride?Your wedding is so much more than a numbers thing. It’s about people and love. Wendy re

Episode 142: Beautifully Sensitive

16 days ago 9m 34s

Today I’m diving into the concept of being "beautifully sensitive" during your time of wedding planning and becoming a bride. A lot of brides are faced with heightened emotions and sensitivity during this significant life phase.Rather than bei

Episode 141: What are you trying to do?

23 days ago 16m 16s

Today we dive into the concept of constantly questioning one's safety and worthiness, which can lead to emotional baggage and materialistic pursuits in an attempt to fulfill these needs artificially.We explore how societal pressures and cultur

Episode 140: Dresses and Moms

Apr 17th, 2024 13m 18s

In today's episode, we delved into a listener's email regarding wedding dress regret and the influence of their mother during the dress shopping process.The listener expressed feeling immense anxiety over their choice of wedding dress and regr

Episode 139: Grace and Space

Apr 10th, 2024 13m 52s

Today we are talking about the importance of granting oneself grace and creating space for personal reflection and decision-making amidst the chaos of wedding planning.The concept of space and grace is a valuable tool for navigating relationsh

Episode 138: The Power of Now

Apr 3rd, 2024 15m 28s

In today’s episode, I discuss Eckhart Tolle's book, "The Power of Now," and its potential impact on managing anxiety and stress associated with wedding planning and life in general.This book serves as a valuable tool for navigating the overwhe

Episode 137: Marriage is Work?

Mar 27th, 2024 12m 55s

Throughout history, the notion that marriage is hard work often placed a disproportionate burden on women, who were expected to manage household responsibilities and emotional labor. This unequal distribution of labor continues to be a common i

Episode 136: Fulfillment Curve

Mar 20th, 2024 13m 33s

In today's episode, we delve into the concept of consumption, weddings, and capitalism, exploring the idea of 'enough'.Drawing parallels to weddings, we discuss the escalating trend of excess in ceremonies, from multiple dress changes to intri

Episode 135: Center of Attention

Mar 13th, 2024 20m 46s

In this episode, we delve into the concept of being the center of attention in the context of wedding planning.I want to normalize the fear and anxiety associated with being the center of attention, especially during a wedding, where intention

Episode 134: Do I Need a New Dress?

Mar 6th, 2024 15m 7s

In this episode, we delve into the emotional complexities surrounding wedding dresses. The bride's self-image can be deeply intertwined with the dress, leading to feelings of self-consciousness and anxiety, especially as the wedding day approac

Episode 133: Proposal Whiplash

Feb 28th, 2024 17m 7s

In this episode, we delve into the common phenomenon of feeling proposal whiplash, which many individuals experience after their engagement. WWe explore the discrepancy between the perceived fairy-tale proposal, often portrayed on social media

Episode 132: My Sister

Feb 21st, 2024 18m 27s

In this episode, we explore the intricate role of being a sister to the bride.We are discussing how to manage expectations and how to deal with difficult family dynamics, emphasizing empathy, communication, and respect.I also share my persona

Episode 131: Disappointment & Delight

Feb 14th, 2024 15m 11s

In today’s episode, I share a story from a TikTok video about a couple who reconsidered their expensive wedding plans for a more intimate and financially sensible celebration.Wedding planning can be a profound journey of learning and growth wi

Episode 130: Essentialism

Feb 7th, 2024 20m 37s

In this episode, we dive into the concept of essentialism and its relevance to the world of weddings.Inspired by the book "Essentialism" by Craig McCowan, we explore how this framework can help brides focus on what truly matters amidst the ove

Episode 129: What vs. Why

Jan 31st, 2024 14m 7s

Sometimes it's healthier to concentrate on actionable steps rather than getting stuck on the reasons behind your choices.As a bridal coach, I advocate for simplicity in wedding planning, using the "why" as a foundation but not letting it overs

Episode 128: Art of Gathering

Jan 24th, 2024 14m 47s

In this episode, we delve into the book "The Art of Gathering" by Priya Parker, which explores the importance of purposeful and thoughtful gatherings.In a post-COVID world where authentic human connections are sought after, we discuss the advi

Episode 128: Art of Gathering

Jan 24th, 2024 14m 47s

Episode 127: Papercuts

Jan 17th, 2024 10m 59s

I’m diving into the concept of "papercuts" in relationships. Papercuts are those small, negative interactions or disappointments that can occur in relationships.While they may seem insignificant in the moment, these incidents can add up and ha

Episode 126: I Hate My Ring

Jan 10th, 2024 12m 50s

In this episode, we delve into the sensitive topic of not liking an engagement ring.We explore the disappointment that can arise when receiving a gift that doesn't align with our preferences, especially given the expectations surrounding engag

Episode 125: Readings I Love

Jan 3rd, 2024 11m 15s

Today we are doing something a little different. If you didn’t know I am a wedding officiant.Before the wedding I go through a lot of readings trying to help my couples decide what readings they want to use for their wedding.So I thought it w

Bonus

Rebroadcast: The Dress

Dec 27th, 2023 14m 39s

Happy Holidays! Today I am rebroadcasting one of my favorite episodes.Shopping for your wedding dress is one of the major moments where all of the pressures that are unique to a bride come together.It's one of those moments that you think abo

Episode 124: Bailing as a Bridesmaid

Dec 20th, 2023 18m 4s

What do you do when you are asked to be a bridesmaid and you said yes but as the wedding approaches you start to realize that you can’t do it?Today I explore the strategies for having uncomfortable conversations and highlight the importance of

Episode 123: Dress Shopping: A Case Study

Dec 13th, 2023 21m 39s

There are so many challenges with setting boundaries with family members during wedding planning.Today we discuss a recent client call I had where we tackled the issue of navigating relationships during wedding planning. The bride in question

Episode 122: Final Days Freak Out

Dec 6th, 2023 20m

I have been receiving inquiries from brides who are feeling overwhelmed and anxious just days before their wedding, expressing various feelings of disappointment, anxiety, and sadness about different aspects of their big day.One of the reasons