The wedding pro survival guide for building a sustainable business without burning yourself out...or trying like hell. Christina kicks us off with words that hit home, "Let’s be real — running a creative business is hard enough. Add homeschooling two kids, working with your spouse, and trying not to burn it all down? That’s a whole different game." Then Kathy coming in with the corporate to "side hustle" shift...."I'm no longer able to just focus on the craft of what I love, now we have...

You may have seen this social media trend going around….”Things We Would Tell You if We Weren’t Afraid of Hurting Your Feelings”, we're going to share our take on the trend. While we've got a LOT of things we could share, we've narrowed down our Top 10. This episode is unfiltered for sure, and has language so if you're listening without headphones or around the kiddos, be advised they may need to "ear muff". We'll give you the list here (in no specific order) but you'll have to tune in ...

Before the cake is cut and the dance floor opens, there are five conversations that every couple should have — and they might be a little uncomfortable. In Episode 46, Kathy and Christina get honest and real about the top 5 things you should talk about before your wedding day: 1. Children 2. Finances 3. Goals 4. Religion 5. Sex These are the topics that can make or break your long-term connection, and yet they’re often the hardest to bring up. That’s why this episode is all about getting the ...

In this eye-opening episode of Lifting the Veil, Christina and Kathy dive deep into the concept of wedding dysmorphia—that overwhelming feeling couples experience when Pinterest boards and social media dreams collide with real-world wedding budgets and timelines. Our wedding pros offer advice on approaching planning with clarity, communication, and priorities. They break down what a realistic wedding budget in Dallas looks like (spoiler: a stunning day with nothing over the top averages aroun...

Ever been dazzled by a vendor’s “award-winning” status and thought, “Wow, they must be the best!”? Hold up, gorgeous. Before you get swept away by the glitter, let’s talk truth. In this episode, we’re peeling back the sparkly curtain on wedding industry awards. Spoiler alert: many of these accolades are more about paying than earning. That’s right—some vendors are just buying their bragging rights. 💸 We’ll dive into: The reality behind those shiny badges—are they truly earned or just purc...

If you are a "thick glowing goddess", or pretty much anyone with a pulse, this episode is for YOU. In this episode, our two thick glowing goddesses tackle the "I need to lose weight to fit into my dress pandemic. Common problems among brides, bridesmaids, moms, grandmoms, etc are : Waiting for alterations so you can lose as much weight so your dress will be perfect. Unless you're going wicked hard-core, or jumping on the weight loss shot bandwagon, it's just not a practical task.....

What are the top 10 most common wedding planning mistakes most couples make? Everyone has an opinion about this but together we have pulled together the most common mistakes we hear about from couples. And you know the drill, these are in no specific order...that's not how our brains work. Hiring your vendors too soon or without proper research.Hiring vendors outside your budget point. And you need to know how much is allocated PER vendor and/or category for your wedding or event....

Are you planning a destination wedding? Thinking it'll be easier, save you money, be fun for all involved...maybe think again. While destination weddings are magical and amazing, there is just as much work involved, if not more. Being outside the country there are often elements that can affect literally everything you do. Island time and mountain time are real...everything takes a bit longer that it does in the states. Weather is often an issue. You have to deal with extreme heat, cold...

Weddings are exciting, but they can also be financially overwhelming—especially if you fall into the trap of being “venue poor.” In this episode, we break down what it means to spend too much on your venue and how it can throw your entire wedding budget off track. We’ll walk through the numbers, common budgeting mistakes, and what you really need to consider before signing that venue contract. Plus, we’ll share expert tips on how to prioritize your spending, avoid financial regrets, and plan ...

Today's episode dives into the art of healthy arguing and playful banter with your spouse after the wedding day. We're talking about how to navigate disagreements, communicate effectively, fight fair, and be accountable, without letting the little things build up. Whether you're the person that can't seem to get their clothes into the laundry basket, or the one that loads the dishwasher like a psychopath, or even the one that buries everything because you think you're suppose to...we all have...

In the busy world of being engaged and wedding planning, it can sometimes be hard to "stay connected" during the planning process. Even as vendors (especially as vendors) we often let work take over our daily lives and forget the important things...including those closest to us. It's important to set aside time to be with your partner, your supporter, your loved ones. After all, that's why we are all here. We fell in love with our soulmate and that relationship needs to be nurture now and alw...

Oh how weddings have turned into their own living breathing organism over the years. Long gone are the days of the church wedding with the nut, mint, punch fountain reception. Today weddings are intentional curated events. But have they gone too far? Possibly! In this episode Kathy and Christina discuss the "forgotten intent of the wedding". Rarely are couples focused on "getting married" and more about the "production" of the event. And while that's wonderful to celebrate on such a large s...

Bridal shows can be overwhelming...especially prior to Covid, they tended to be overly large. Post-Covid, they are a bit smaller but can still be a tad much to navigate through as a bride...even sometimes for a vendor too. Join Kathy & Christina as they discuss the origination of the Dallas Bridal Show with President, Naomi Butler. Together, we are addressing: How are shows different post-Covid? What shifts did you have to make to ensure the show's ongoing success? How d...

We are officially in the middle of engagement season and you likely know someone – or maybe you – got engaged recently. If so, you’re in good company. Did you know that The Knot “Real Weddings” Survey shows that 45% of couples get engaged during engagement season? That sweet spot of the year between Thanksgiving and Valentines Day. If you got engaged, or proposed over the holidays, what should you do next? Enjoy the momentNarrow your wedding prioritiesStart thinking about your budgetHir...

Every year vendors and leaders throughout the industry come forward with their projections on upcoming wedding trends. This year, we’ve created a comprehensive list of those trends and narrowed down to our top 25. These top 25 trends to note for 2025 include the most common and easy to utilize trends for couples. In no particular order, here are a few to get you going; otherwise, tune in for the full list! Serpentine and Caterpillar Tables: What's the difference? How do they work? What do I n...

Where did 2024 go? It flew by! Let's do an end-of-the-year recap of our first 11 months of Lifting the Veil. Looking back, we loved sharing our podcast with you, and we are so thankful for everything that the year brought to our businesses, to our families....and to each other. Specifically speaking our recap words of the year are community and relationships. These are the things that make us stand out in the industry. We truly care about our clients and their whole process. Now, looking in...

Regardless of what time of year you decide to host your event, every good planner will tell you that you need a contingency plan...especially if you plan to host any part of your event outside. Texas is notorious for it's fickle weather patterns and since there are only about 2-4 months out of the year that are reliable enough to even be outside for an extended amount of time, it's imperative to make sure there are back-up plans for your plan A. In this episode, we'll talk about...

Whether you’re attending your first wedding, hosting a formal dinner, or just trying to figure out which fork to use, etiquette isn’t just about rules—it’s about creating an atmosphere of respect and grace. And let’s face it, we’ve all had those moments where we wonder, ‘Am I doing this right?’ In this episode, we’ll unpack some of the most common, misunderstood, and often unknown etiquette tips, and general manners for attending a hosted or hosting an event. What's a charger? And why d...

What to wear and what NOT to wear at upcoming weddings. While Kathy & Christina tend to agree on guest attire, they have varying opinions about what is appropriate for vendors. This topic has made its' way around the internet so it's time they lend their two cents. Just to give you a little taste, here are some quick take-a-ways: Know the event style/dress code: Casual, Cocktail, Formal Black TieGuys iron your shirts, pull up your pants, put on a belt, and wear dark colored socks wh...

Hey there cutie pies! We're back this week to talk about our Top 24 Tips for 2024. In this episode we're chatting about all things helpful. Things you might have thought about, things we're pretty sure you never thought you'd care about and so much more. So what might these things include? Well here are a few but you'll have to tune in for the entire list. And these are in no specific order, just our most helpful advice, tips and tricks cause well you know, we love you and want you to have a ...