Grace and Kelsey answer a listener question about whether to rent or buy wedding décor items, sharing their personal experiences and differing opinions on what's worth the investment. They discuss practical considerations to help couples make these decisions based on their specific wedding priorities and post-event plans.

• Rental items that make sense: tables, chairs, arches, linens, lighting, tableware, and specialty glassware
• Consider logistics of rentals - some require self pickup and dropoff
• Differing opinions on lounge furniture rental - Grace is against them, while Kelsey sees their value
• Items better to buy: custom signage, table numbers, candles, photo booth props, guest books, DIY centerpieces
• Final decision factors: time constraints (rent if limited time), budget considerations (buy if crafty), destination weddings (always rent locally)
• Consider post-wedding use - many purchased items end up unused in storage

Follow the Wedding Hive Podcast on all social media and podcast platforms!

Kelsey and Grace share everything you need to know about planning the perfect bachelorette party, from budget-friendly options to gift bag essentials, while sipping Four Carats Vodka in their pajamas during their "PJs and Prosecco" recording session.

• Joint bachelor-bachelorette parties can be a great option for helping wedding party members get to know each other
• Nashville tops the list of popular bachelorette destinations, followed by Austin, Napa Valley, Scottsdale, and Amsterdam
• Gift bags from the bride are a thoughtful way to thank bridesmaids who invest significant time and money in the wedding
• The ideal bachelorette party length is Thursday through Sunday to allow enough time for activities without exhaustion
• Even those eloping should still have a bachelorette celebration to mark this special life event
• Budget-friendly options include local Airbnbs with specialty mocktail/cocktail services
• Using a dedicated Venmo account for the bachelorette party can help offset costs for the bride's expenses
• Horror stories serve as reminders to keep everything focused on celebrating the bride

Congratulations to our $2,500 cruise gift card winner! Remember to follow us on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for chances to win future giveaways.

Follow the Wedding Hive Podcast on all social media and podcast platforms!

Body image pressures can overwhelm brides preparing for their wedding day, but your dress size doesn't define your special day. Your partner loves you completely for who you are, not what size you wear.

• Society places unrealistic expectations on brides to look a certain way
• Personal struggles with body image can intensify during wedding planning
• Focus on feeling beautiful and confident rather than achieving a specific size
• Your soon-to-be spouse loves you for who you are completely
• It's okay to want to look your best if approached in a healthy, safe way
• Choose hair and makeup vendors who enhance your natural style, not transform you
• Always schedule trials with hair and makeup artists before the big day
• Make choices based on what you want, not what others expect
• Prioritize comfort and authenticity over meeting others' expectations
• Remember this day is about you and your partner, not others' opinions

This is your most special day and you need to do what's going to make you feel most confident and most beautiful.

Follow the Wedding Hive Podcast on all social media and podcast platforms!

We break down recommended tipping percentages for wedding vendors and share real experience from Grace's recent wedding to help you navigate gratuities for your big day.

• Catering and serving: 15-20% on food/beverage bill or $20-50 per server
• Bartending: 10-20% on bar bill or $100-150 per bartender
• Photo/video: $50-200 each or 5-10% of total bill (less expected for business owners)
• Musicians: $25-50 per musician
• DJs: $100-200
• Hair and makeup: 15-25% of service cost
• Wedding planner/coordinator: $100-500 depending on event size
• Florists: typically not expected, but $50-100 appreciated for exceptional service
• Floral setup staff: $10-15 per person based on complexity
• Consider preparing labeled cash envelopes in advance for easy distribution
• Include gratuities in your wedding budget from the beginning

Remember that tipping is a way to show appreciation for quality service, especially for those who don't own their businesses.

Follow the Wedding Hive Podcast on all social media and podcast platforms!

We dive into Jeff Bezos' upcoming extravagant wedding in Venice, Italy, scheduled for June 26-29, which is projected to cost between $9.5-11 million for just 200-250 guests. The astonishing $50,000 per-guest price tag has us questioning what kind of luxury experiences attendees can expect at this three-day celebration.

• Star-studded guest list including Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey, Katy Perry, and Leonardo DiCaprio
• Multiple celebration events across three different venues in Venice
• Potential ceremony location on Bezos' $500 million super yacht
• Rumored performances by Elton John and Lady Gaga
• Venice mayor's questionable claim that the wedding won't disrupt the city's normal functioning
• Comparison between average wedding expenses and billionaire celebrations

Follow the Wedding Hive Podcast on all social media and podcast platforms!

We dive into the exciting yet overwhelming process of getting engaged and the first steps in wedding planning, keeping it real about what matters and what doesn't.

• Create a dedicated wedding email for all vendor communications
• Proposals don't need to be elaborate Instagram moments to be meaningful
• Discuss vision, values, and priorities with your partner before diving into planning
• Have budget conversations early and establish clear expectations with anyone contributing financially
• Draft your guest list thoughtfully - consider who actively participates in your life
• Choose wedding party members based on meaningful relationships, not obligation
• Book your venue first as it determines your date and affects all other planning aspects
• Consider hiring a wedding planner if you're feeling overwhelmed by the process

For all our newly engaged couples – remember what matters most is celebrating your relationship. The planning should be fun, not stressful!

Follow the Wedding Hive Podcast on all social media and podcast platforms!

Your comprehensive wedding week checklist covers everything from confirming vendors to day-before preparation tips for a smooth, stress-free experience. I'm wrapping up my spring wedding season by sharing crucial tips to help you enjoy your big day rather than stressing through it.

• Confirm all vendors and timelines at the beginning of wedding week
• Create a detailed timeline for your bridal party so everyone knows where to be
• Break in your wedding shoes before the big day
• Prepare an emergency kit with safety pins, sewing supplies, pain relievers, and other essentials
• Organize vendor tips and payments in labeled envelopes
• Double-check your seating chart and create a "who's bringing what" list for décor items
• Practice your vows and ensure speech-givers write their remarks down
• Get a good night's sleep the night before your wedding
• Eat well and stay hydrated during rehearsal day
• Charge your phone and pack portable chargers
• Front-load your preparation so you can enjoy time with loved ones

Make sure to plan ahead so you can truly enjoy your rehearsal and wedding day with the people who matter most!

Follow the Wedding Hive Podcast on all social media and podcast platforms!

Wedding stationery requires careful timeline planning to ensure guests receive proper notice for your big day. Timing varies significantly between local and destination weddings, with the latter requiring much earlier communication for travel planning.

• Start collecting addresses and finalizing guest lists 12-14 months before wedding
• Send save-the-dates 6-8 months before local weddings, 8-12 months for destination weddings
• Include wedding website link on save-the-dates for travel and accommodation information
• Order invitations 6-9 months before wedding, allowing time for proofing and delivery
• Confirm ceremony and reception times before printing invitations
• Send invitations 3-4 months before local weddings, 6+ months for destination weddings
• Consider local events and holiday weekends that might affect travel and accommodation
• Set RSVP deadline based on venue and vendor requirements (typically 30 days before wedding)
• Zola offers a free, user-friendly website for handling online RSVPs

Follow the Wedding Hive Podcast on all social media and podcast platforms!