PODCAST · society
The Bridal Breakdown
by Ashley Akin and Chris Cerna
Wedding Photographers and self-proclaimed Mental Health Aficionados, Ashley Akin and Chris Cerna dive into conversations surrounding the silent struggles of the modern engaged couple. They break down practical methods for dealing with the comparison trap, handling conflict while planning a wedding, exploring tools to up-level communication while regularly utilizing the enneagram to improve your mental health and relationships. The wedding industry has unintentionally perpetuated a culture of chasing perfection at the cost of couple’s relationships and mental peace. Together, they work to empower engaged couples to pop the perfection bubble, embark on the journey of self-awareness, forge their own wedding planning path, and ultimately cultivate a healthy and thriving marriage.
Episodes
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Cut Your Bridesmaids Some Slack!
We are bringing some tough love to the table today for all of you planning brides out there! Being a bridesmaid in 2022 is no small commitment! There are TONS of expectations that brides have for their gal pals and sometimes it can feel impossible to live up to all of those (usually) unspoken...
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Remixing Wedding Traditions
BIG NEWS! Chris & Lara have officially launched their podcast Filter Free! They will be talking about all things marriage/relationships, business, and parenting on their show. Be sure to subscribe and leave a review! Filter Free On ITunes: https://apple.co/3MsRZAJ Filter Free On Spotify:...
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Wedding Videos Are More Memorable Than Wedding Photos + Using Disposable Cameras At Your Wedding
In today's episode, Ashley and Chris shoot the shit at the beginning of the episode and talk about how Ashley is a farmer now! The rest of the episode is spent chatting about how important hiring a videographer is, pro tips on having disposable cameras at your wedding, and a new idea Chris has…
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Getting Ghosted By Vendors & Bridal Detail Photos
In today's episode, Ashley talks about one of her favorite parts of the wedding she photographed last week. This convo leads us down a rabbit trail of talking about photographing bridal details. Chris shares about an experience one of his brides is having with a vendor not getting back to her for…
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Ashley's LA Wedding & The Future of The Podcast
This episode has 2 parts to it! In the intro, we have a conversation about the future of the podcast (we almost called it quits this week yall) and some format changes that are coming. The second part of the episode is us two catching up since we haven't really chatted in a few weeks! We talk…
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Why Being Honest About Your Budget Matters W/ Ashley Labus & Aharon Hoopes of The Collective
Brides. It's time for a heart-to-heart about being honest about your budget. Today we are joined by Ashley Labus & Aharon Hoopes of The Collective! These two wedding planners are wedding pros who we are honored to have on the show today. Ashley and Aharon are passionate about couples focusing on...
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Your Budget BFF - Caitlin Earle
Today we are joined by financial coach Caitlin Earle to talk about all things budgeting! We don't know about you guys, but talking about budgeting has always felt like a buzzkill. That is 100% NOT the case in this episode! Caitlin is passionate about helping people create simple and FUN budgets...
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The Type A Bride & Tik-Tok Sensation Meghan Miles
We are SO excited to welcome Meghan Miles to the show! Meghan creates highly entertaining AND relatable content on Tik-Tok for planning brides! This episode is both entertaining and insightful as Meghan talks about her journey as a planning bride in today's wedding industry climate. She also…
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Wedding Stationery Is Romantic AF w/Kate Oxler Eilert of Ox Ink
Did you know that your wedding invites +stationary can be full of intention and actually help support your wedding why? We are joined by Kate Oxler Eilert of Ox Ink to chat all things stationery! Y'all. This episode is full of SO MUCH HEART! Kate left us inspired and finding a more profound love...
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I Wish Someone Would Have Told Me That...
On today's episode we are joined by Ashley's business partner Ashley Knolla! We are bringing you 13 pieces of advice for your wedding day that you most likely have never heard. These pieces of advice were inspired by real conversations that we have had with brides and will serve you well to...
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How Long Do I Need A Wedding Photographer On My Wedding Day?
We are bringing you ALLLLLLLL of the wedding photographer insider knowledge with today's topic! We will be doing an in-depth breakdown on how to know what amount of wedding day coverage is best for you when you are picking a package with your photographer. Many people often jump at the cheapest...
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Leveling Up Your Wedding Day Mindset
It can be SO hard to keep your mindset in a healthy space during wedding planning and on your wedding day. After all, there are THOUSANDS of what ifs that are pin-balling around in your head! In today's episode we are going to talk about leveling up your mindset by implementing affirmations into...
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Reacting To Tik-Tok Wedding Trends
We've all seen the wedding tik tok trends that get shared around on social media. Sometimes we are inspired by them, other times we are annoyed with them. Either way, we see them ALL the time! In today's episode we are live reacting to 4 popular tik tok trend videos. There aresome serious GEMS…
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DIY Bridal Makeup W/ Emily Edgar
On today's show, we talk all things bridal beauty with makeup pro, Emily Edgar! Emily has spent 11 years working in the industry and is on a mission to help brides personify their beauty and look their very best on their wedding day and beyond. Break out your notepads for this one because it is...
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Trust Your Vendors + Save Money on Wedding Florals + Sparkler Exit Alternative W/ Micha Larson
On today's episode we are doing a wedding breakdown with long time Bridal Breakdown listener Micha Larson! Micha started listening to the podcast before she was engaged shortly after hiring Chris and Lara to photograph her wedding! Micha talks about the importance of trusting your vendors, highs...
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How Long Do You Want To Take Photos On Your Wedding Day?
Today I (Chris) am joined by my wife Lara! Have you ever thought about how long you want to spend taking posed photos throughout your wedding day? Have you ever considered that you DO have a say in how long you spend taking pictures and are away from your family and friends? You totally do…
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Live Like The 90's
We made it to episode 100! In this episode, we have a conversation around Ashley's new mantra "Live like the 90's". This episode emphasizes social media/technology and how our lives have become so heavily influenced by these things. What if we lived like we did back in the 90's; we existed with...
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Hot Takes - Wedding Party Edition
In today's episode, we are getting spicy and sharing some hot takes about wedding parties! What financial responsibilities should wedding party members expect to cover? Should Bachelor/Bachelorette parties be separate or combined? Is the stress of having even-numbered wedding parties worth it?…
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No But Really, My Fiancé's Family Is Crazy!
We are revisiting one of our very first episodes today that someone got lost in the excitement of the show launching! In this episode, Chris talked about what Family of Origin is and how it's helped him understand and improve his relationship with his wife, Lara. SO much conflict could be…
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3 Must Have Photos To Take On Your Wedding Day
Ok ya'll, we are bringing you some INSIDER photographer deets! In today's episode, we are bringing you 3 must photo to take on your wedding day! These aren't your typical shot list ideas either, these are moments that you are going to make sure you chat with your photographer about. And as you've...
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Reimagining Your Wedding Day Spaces & Places
When you choose a wedding venue. Chances are you were shown a few layout options you could use in the space you are renting. But what if there was a better way to intentionally and creatively layout the spaces you and your guests will be in. What if there was a way you could layout the spaces and...
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Popping The Perfection Bubble
Let's be honest, most people go into their wedding day expecting P E R F E C T I O N. With the rise of social media and the constant b bombardment of presenting "perfect" weddings, how could you not expect that? We are here to tell you that it doesn't have to be that way! You CAN pop that...
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Show and Tell With Ashley and Chris
In today's episode, Ashley and Chris are playing the podcast version of show and tell! Each of them is bringing wedding inspo or wedding trends to the table to get a blind reaction out of the other person! Today's episode features nighttime photos with direct flash as a trend, Musical chairs with...
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Awkward Transitions Are The WORST!
We've all experienced an awkward transition at a wedding and let's be honest, they can feel so cringey! On a typical wedding day, the DJ handles most of the transitions and if you got a good emcee, you won't have to deal with the awkward silence that can sometimes happen. BUT! What if there was a...
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Mental Health Monster: Unresolved Conflict
Unresolved conflict is the silent killer! This is conflict that happens but is never talked about and often swept under the rug. Feelings of resentment still exist and grow inside of us until an explosive outburst happens. Yikes! Feelings are further hurt and neither party is taking a step…
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Family Freakouts & Emotion Overload
Having a wedding isn't just a significant event for the people who are getting married, it's also a big deal for those closest to them. In today's episode, Ashley and Chris have a candid conversation about the wide range of emotions that come out from others when wedding planning starts. Newly...
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Intentional Guest Mingling
Most people think that their wedding day will be spent hanging out with their favorite people. The reality is that if you don't intentionally carve out time to mingle with your guests, it might not happen in the meaningful way that you were hoping it would (which could lead to regrets about your...
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Creating A Memorable Cocktail Hour
If you have attended a cocktail hour where the couple getting married was present vs attending a cocktail hour where they weren't present...you know there is HUGE difference in the atmosphere. The heart your cocktail hour should be rooted in connection, not babysitting your guests while you are...
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The Final Stretch- 30 Days Till Your Wedding!
You are entering the final stretch! You are so close to your wedding day that you can TASTE THE CAKE and hear the DJ blasting your favorite songs! As excited as you are for your big day, chances...you are also exhausted from all of the months of wedding planning! You can't shake this feeling that...
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Patreon Exclusive Episode!- Men Basically Have Periods & The Enneagram
Surprise! We wanted to give all of our listeners a taste of what our Patreon exclusive episodes are like and this episode felt the perfect one to release to the public. In this episode, we discuss the period-like emotional rollercoaster that (some) men find themselves on every month and the...
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Make Wedding Planning Fun Again
When you first get engaged, excitement is in no shortage! Every decision is exciting and the whole wedding planning process is actually fun! Somewhere along the way, the fun fades and dread begins to set in. BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THIS WAY! Wedding planning can and should be fun! In today's...
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Decision Fatigue During Wedding Planning
If you have ever found yourself exhausted and unable to make 1 more decision.....you probably have a case of decision fatigue going on. When you find yourself in this state, it's almost impossible to continue to move forward and plan for a day that you were so excited about at the beginning of…
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Anxiety Proof Your Guest List
No one tells you just how anxiety-filled the process of creating your guest list can be when you first get engaged! There is so much to consider. Are we inviting co-workers? How about aunt carol and uncle joe? (we don't even like them). Are we giving people plus ones? What about our new friends…
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Breaking Tradition: Wedding Parties
Most couples choose to have a wedding party made up of their family members and closest friends. But just because most people do it...doesn't mean its the best choice for everyone. Is this the best choice for you? What if your wedding day would actually be way more enjoyable if you didn't have a...
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We Are Back!!!
The podcast is OFFICIALLY back for season 2!!! This season is full of new changes! One of the biggest changes is that there is now Patreon that is full of perks for listeners who want to support the show! The link to join is below. Patreon: www.patreon.com/thebridalbreakdown In this episode…
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Shake It Off; Wedding Day Joy Stealers
On your wedding day, there are likely going to be little things that come up and attempt to steal your joy! In this episode, we are going to talk about very common situations that we see play out in most weddings. You likely can't do anything to change what's happening, all you can do is shake it...
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Wedding Trends To Jump On In 2022
We are back at it bringing you 7 wedding trends that are expected to be BIG in 2022! Our hope is that you will be inspired by the trends and put your own spin on some of them for your big day. Feedback Form: https://7fefttp6hpl.typeform.com/to/foTTvXZo Articles Referenced...
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Backyard + Desination Wedding Combo Ft. Emily Holtmeyer
On today's episode, Chris and Ashley do a wedding breakdown with long time listener Emily Holtmeyer! Emily planned a backyard wedding reception 2 weeks before they said I do at their destination wedding in Mexico. She shares how they pulled off a wedding reception that felt like a BBQ with…
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Body Transformations And Mindset Makeovers w/ Lena Marti
On Today's Episode, Ashley and Chris interview Lena Marti of Fitbride, a company dedicated to helping brides look & feel their best on their wedding day! Lena helps women transform their mindset & bodies through behavioral coaching. In today's episode, Chris, Ashley and Lena talk about the...
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*BONUS* RL Horror Stories Ft. Vendors
Surprise! Another bonus episode this week! Our last horror stories episode ran long so we decided to cut it into 2 episodes. This episode features RL horror stories from wedding vendors! Join our Facebook Community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/3847323122011999 Tik-Tok...
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RL Wedding Horror Stories: I Shit My Wedding Dress
Happy spooky season! What better way to celebrate this time of year than with real-life wedding horror stories! Ashley and Chris bring the drama and jaw drops in this episode, from a best man stripping naked to doing cocaine in the limo...here are your RL wedding horror stories! Join our Facebook...
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*BONUS* ASHLEYS BACK
Ashley's back and we are doing a quick bonus episode with some life updates from Ashley. Join our Facebook Community! https://www.facebook.com/groups/3847323122011999 Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@thebridalbreakdown Instagram: 🎙 https://www.instagram.com/thebridalbreakdown 📸...
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Mental Health Monster: People Pleasing
People-pleasing is a place that some people can find themselves in while they are on their wedding planning journey and it is so draining! It can be hard for couples who wrestle with people-pleasing to put their thoughts and desires first. In today's episode Chris and Lara breakdown what...
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How To Avoid Becoming A Wedding Horror Story
We've all heard wedding horror stories that have left us crossing our fingers and praying that we do not become one. Is hoping that we do not fall victim to becoming a horror story the best we can do though? In Toay's show, Chris and Alex Bowman ( of alexbo.photo) talk about 4 ways that you can...
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Date Night Volume ll With The Philgreens
On todays episode we welcome back Dani and Cam Philgreen to the podcast to talk about an AMAZING resource they have created for couples, Date Night Volume ll! Dani and Cam share the importance of date nights and breakdown why this resource can be a game changer for couple.This magazine has a mix…
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Motivational Monday: Life After The Wedding
Chris is flying solo in today's episode! Have you ever thought about what your life is going to look like after your wedding day. Couples spend so much time in planning mode that they often neglect their health, friendships, goals and so much more! In today's episode Chris is going to motivate…
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Is Hiring A Second Shooter Worth It?
Have you found yourself wondeinf if you need to hire a second shooter? Are they really neccessary? Is it over kill to have 2 photographers? In today's episode Chris and Lara will be talking about second shooters and if hiring one for your wedding is worth it. Spoiler alert.... THEY ARE! You can...
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Chris & Lara's Wedding Breakdown
On today's episode, Chris and Lara do a wedding breakdown on their wedding that happened back in September of 2013. While so much has changed in the wedding industry since then, the theme of doing what is expected for a wedding was still strong back then as well. Join our Facebook Community!...
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Intentional Grand Entrance Ideas
Has anyone ever thought about why we do a grand entrance? It's an oppurtunity to give the people who are attending your wedding a chance to get to know the people that are standing at your side....BUT does a silly dance move really help people get to know your best riends? Let's be honest, most…
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Wedding Day Timelines That Allow for Your Emotions Ft. Ashley Knolla
Your wedding day will fly by in the blink of an eye. If your timeline doesnt give you down time, you might be in danger of not even being able to expierence your emotions. This episode is a GAME CHANGER for the wedding industry and every person planning a wedding should consider implementing what...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Wedding Photographers and self-proclaimed Mental Health Aficionados, Ashley Akin and Chris Cerna dive into conversations surrounding the silent struggles of the modern engaged couple. They break down practical methods for dealing with the comparison trap, handling conflict while planning a wedding, exploring tools to up-level communication while regularly utilizing the enneagram to improve your mental health and relationships. The wedding industry has unintentionally perpetuated a culture of chasing perfection at the cost of couple’s relationships and mental peace. Together, they work to empower engaged couples to pop the perfection bubble, embark on the journey of self-awareness, forge their own wedding planning path, and ultimately cultivate a healthy and thriving marriage.
HOSTED BY
Ashley Akin and Chris Cerna
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Bridal Breakdown have?
The Bridal Breakdown currently has 116 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Bridal Breakdown about?
Wedding Photographers and self-proclaimed Mental Health Aficionados, Ashley Akin and Chris Cerna dive into conversations surrounding the silent struggles of the modern engaged couple. They break down practical methods for dealing with the comparison trap, handling conflict while planning a wedding,...
How often does The Bridal Breakdown release new episodes?
The Bridal Breakdown publishes regularly with 116 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Bridal Breakdown?
You can listen to The Bridal Breakdown on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Bridal Breakdown?
The Bridal Breakdown is created and hosted by Ashley Akin and Chris Cerna.
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