It's the final countdown! We are officially one week away from the wedding. And amidst all the last minute planning and honeymoon details,
Nichole shares what she's been learning about mindfulness. It's important to stop and soak up this season to the fullest!
"But how do you really feel?" Nichole talks through what to expect from premarital counseling and the best marriage advice she's gotten so far. Plus, what really makes a strong marriage and how to know if your love is "true love."
Money, money, money! We’d be lying if we didn’t say this is the number one thing on everyone’s mind when it comes to wedding planning. And it can be quite the tricky topic. In this episode, Nichole breaks down how much you can expect to spend on each part of your wedding budget, etiquette and traditions on who pays for what, and tips on how to make the money talk with your parents less awkward!
Okay, okay, but what will it look like? The moment of truth, will all the design concepts come together? From rentals to flora design to DIY projects that have cut Nichole‘s budget drastically, she finally feels ready to make this dream come to life!
Amazon wedding must-haves: nicholelaurenphotography.com/blog
Nichole’s florist: Johanna from Simple Stems
Bouquets, and bridals, and boudoir, oh my! Another *spicy* episode this week as Nichole talks all about her boudoir session as well as her bridal portraits. Both are a great idea but for different reasons. Listen to the episode, and then head to our instagram for all the behind-the-scenes on what was mentioned this week: instagram.com/smartgirlsguidepodcast.
Yee-haw! Things are getting WILD this week as Nichole spices things up with a recap of her amazing bachelorette weekend in Nashville, TN. She discusses Nash's must-see's and some important tips for those of you planning your own bachelorette. On the itinerary:
Pure Sweat Sauna Studio: https://puresweatsaunastudio.com/
Bartaco: https://bartaco.com/
Amelia's Flower Truck: https://ameliasflowertruck.com/
White Limozeen Nash: https://www.graduatehotels.com/nashville/restaurant/white-limozeen/
Virgin Hotels Rooftop Pool: https://virginhotels.com/nashville/dine-and-drink/rooftop/
The Parthenon: https://www.nashville.gov/Parks-and-Recreation/Parthenon.aspx
Opryland Hotel: https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/bnago-gaylord-opryland-resort-and-convention-center/
Hampton Social: https://www.thehamptonsocial.com/nashville
Liberty Common: http://www.liberty-common.com/
Printer's Alley: https://www.nashvilledowntown.com/go/printers-alley
Jason Aldean's: https://jasonaldeansnashville.com/
Biscuit Love: https://www.biscuitlove.com/
Nashville Murals: https://blushandcamo.com/2018/12/19/the-most-instagram-worthy-spots-in-nashville/
Amazon Wedding Finds: nicholelaurenphotography.com/blog
Mixers and blenders and poppers, oh my! What could we be talking about this week other than wedding registries! Nichole breaks down the top items on her list plus why she chose to create a wedding website and some wedding updates like getting her dress in, more wedding nightmares, and much more!
Nichole wedding registry: tgt.gifts/nicholeandhunter
Nichole takes you through the most recent developments in her wedding planning process including their new wedding venue, wedding nightmares, groom’s attire, wedding rings, and much more! Tune in this week to get up to date, and stay smart girls.
Our new wedding venue: Green Valley Country Club
Groomsmen Attire: https://tuxedo.menswearhouse.com/notch-lapel-tuxedo-black-vera-wang-id-5242?tof=1
Our Wedding Planner: Christiane Design
Our Florist: Simple Stems
Dolly Parton Restaurant: https://www.graduatehotels.com/nashville/restaurant/white-limozeen/
Gold Foil Invites: https://www.minted.com/product/foil-stamped-wedding-invitations/MIN-ZQ7-IFS/fields?color=A&shape=default
Custom Wax Stamping Set: Artisaire
Nichole started out expecting to spend at least $1k on her wedding invites. Listen this week to find out how she got her grand total to less than $200. Plus, she spills the tea all about how she is changing wedding venues and the stresses of DIY envelope printing.
Our new wedding venue: Green Valley Country Club
This week we’re talking all about how to prepare for an engagement session and everything you need to consider for it to run smoothly. Plus, in this episode, Nichole reacts to her engagement photos after seeing them for the first time!
You can see more of the engagement session on our Instagram page @smartgirlsguidepodcast.
View our engagement session on my blog: nicholelaurenphotography.com/blog
Nichole engagement session outfits:
Blue Deep-V Maxi: https://www.lulus.com/products/heavenly-hues-navy-blue-maxi-dress/370612.html
Cream and blush Floral Maxi: https://www.lulus.com/products/elegantly-inclined-cream-floral-print-wrap-maxi-dress/398382.html
Off the shoulder caramel Sweater: https://www.lulus.com/products/carmichael-light-brown-off-the-shoulder-knit-sweater/675622.html
This week is all about the ladies!! One of the most exciting parts of this process so far was Nichole deciding on her bride crew. Proposing to them, picking out their dresses, and starting their wedding group chat are all things she discusses in this week's episode. The people who will stand by you on your wedding day are some of the most important decisions you'll make, so choose wisely. She also gives some practical advice on how to choose dresses amidst a lot of opinions and tips on ultimately listening to yourself!
The original bridesmaids dress Nichole loved from the beginning, and the one she ULTIMATELY picked in the end from Show Me Your MuMu: https://showmeyourmumu.com/products/faith-maxi-dress-champagne-luxe-satin
The second bridesmaid dress she considered for a more "t-shirt" style: https://showmeyourmumu.com/products/rome-twist-gown-champagne-luxe-satin
The dress from Revelry she initially decided on (when it came time to choose) but ULTIMATELY decided against in the end: https://shoprevelry.com/skye-satin-dress/
Items from Nichole's Bridesmaid Proposal Boxes!
Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ModParty
Gold foil gift boxes: https://amzn.to/3sPrg60
Similar gold glitter frame: https://amzn.to/3c5ADrM
Bridesmaid Ruffle Robes: https://www.etsy.com/listing/901499259/ruffled-bridesmaid-robes-for-bridal
Yes way, Rose! mini bottle: https://www.target.com/p/yes-way-ros-233-wine-187ml-bottle/-/A-78136076
Flower Girl Robe: https://amzn.to/30fY38l
Being a wedding photographer herself, picking her own wedding photo and video team was a big deal! She absolutely loves the people she chose, and she talks this week about why it's so important to choose this vendor EXTRA wisely.
Nichole engagement session outfits:
Blue Deep-V Maxi: https://www.lulus.com/products/heavenly-hues-navy-blue-maxi-dress/370612.html
Cream and blush Floral Maxi: https://www.lulus.com/products/elegantly-inclined-cream-floral-print-wrap-maxi-dress/398382.html
Off the shoulder caramel Sweater: https://www.lulus.com/products/carmichael-light-brown-off-the-shoulder-knit-sweater/675622.html
Nichole's amazing photo and video vendors:
Jacqueline & Laura Photography
True Foundation Videography
It's the Smart Girl's Guide to planning your wedding! Nichole takes you along on her wedding planning process. Next up, venue picking! This was a tough decision, but Nichole thinks they've found the one. She talks all about her every venue they considered, what her deal-breakers were, and some tips to make sure you have the best experience while venue shopping!
Nichole takes you along on her wedding planning process. First stop, dress shopping! This is the first thing checked off on her list! She talks all about her expectations going into the process vs. what it was actually like plus all the tea on what her dress might look like.... WOO!
Nichole is engaged!!! She shares her sweet proposal story as well as a little update on the future of The Smart Girl's Guide.
No one likes change. It usually brings along discomfort and a lot of unknowns. But as Nichole heads into this next chapter of her life, she wanted to have an honest convo with you about how moving on doesn't have to be such a scary thing. Join us for our season finale and the end of The Smart Girls Guide podcast for now. Thank you so much for your support and love this year.
The book is actually called "Just Do Something," and you can purchase is here: https://amzn.to/35Fmpuw.
Stay smart, girls! <3
You asked, we delivered! A couple months ago we did the girls questions episode. Today, we have the GUYS! They were actually really insightful and deep. We talk about what exactly a man card is, how much PDA is too much, and the biggest misconceptions girls have about guys. This is an episode you don't want to miss for sure!
"Will you marry me?" is the one phrase most girls dream about! We are reading your submissions this week of these special moments for you. Nichole also shares a reddit rabbit hole she goes down with some of the WORST proposal stories on the internet currently! Listen this week for some laughs and some sweet moments. Stay smart, girls!
A few months ago, brides were postponing their weddings left and right in hopes of a better situation in the Fall. Here we are, months later and still facing postponement and downsizing possibilities. It can be disheartening to go through such drastic changes to a day you want to be most special. Join in this week's talk as Nichole gives some encouragement to COVID brides from a vendor's perspective and also some ideas on how you can make your wedding more COVID-friendly while also making it the day you've always dreamt of!
Our inner narrative of negative self talk is a learned phenomenon that invades our everyday lives. That's why negative thinking so easily goes undetected while proves to be such a hard habit to break. This week, Nichole discusses why we gravitate more toward negative thoughts and lies we readily believe about ourselves. She also dives into why it's so important to take hold of our thoughts and purposely change them for the better. This week, let's take an inventory of the kind of things we're thinking and consciously turning our thoughts toward focusing on the good.