Behind "I Do"

Planning a wedding comes with big decisions… and one of the trickiest? Deciding whether to hire your friends as your vendors.In this episode of Behind “I Do,” we’re diving into the real pros, cons, and hidden risks of mixing friendship with business on your wedding day. From DJs who double as weekend club performers to photographers who are also guests, we’ve seen it all—and we’re breaking it down so you can make the best decision for your day.We cover: Why couples choose to hire friends (and when it actually works) The biggest red flags to watch for 🚩 How blurred boundaries can create stress (and how to avoid it) Contracts, communication, and setting expectations early When it’s better to have your friend as a guest instead of a vendor Real stories from weddings where things went right… and very wrongHiring a friend can be amazing—but only if it’s handled the right way. This episode gives you the tools to protect your wedding, your investment, and your relationships.🎧 Whether you're a bride, groom, vendor, or just love weddings—this is your backstage pass to what really happens behind “I Do.”

Planning a wedding? There’s one mistake couples make all the time that no one really talks about… ghosting your vendors.  In this episode, we break down:  What “vendor ghosting” actually is (and why it happens) Why it’s frustrating for vendors (and can hurt your planning process) The “3 vendor rule” that will save you time, stress, and overwhelm How to compare quotes without getting confused or making panic decisions Why booking too slowly can actually cost you your dream vendors Simple ways to communicate respectfully (that take less than 30 seconds)  If you’ve ever mass-inquired, felt overwhelmed, or didn’t know how to say “no” to a vendor… you’re not alone. But there’s a better way to plan your wedding that keeps things organized, respectful, and way less stressful.  ✨ Key takeaway: Take it slow, be intentional, and always respond—even if it’s just a quick “thank you.”  💡 Whether you're newly engaged or deep in wedding planning, this episode will help you:  Avoid common planning mistakes Protect your time (and your vendors’ time) Build a dream team of vendors you actually love  📩 Pro Tip: Vendors get excited about your wedding the moment you inquire—don’t leave them hanging!  🎥 More wedding planning tips coming soon—subscribe so you don’t miss them!  #WeddingPlanning #WeddingTips #BrideToBe #WeddingVendors #Engaged #WeddingAdvice #WeddingPlanningTips #VendorEtiquette

Family dynamics can be one of the hardest parts of wedding planning—especially when money, guest lists, and strong opinions get involved. In Episode 10 of Behind I Do, two seasoned wedding planners talk through wedding boundaries, parent involvement, and how to navigate the “guest list war” without losing your mind (or your relationships).  We cover what changes when parents are paying, how to set expectations early, how to handle plus-ones and kids, and practical, kind scripts for saying “no” while staying a united front. We also talk about the emotional side—grief, control dynamics, divorce/step-parent logistics—and why looping in your planner early can save a ton of stress.  Grab your coffee, your planning binder, and your confetti—let’s go Behind I Do.

Wedding planning can feel overwhelming right after the excitement of getting engaged. In this episode of Behind I Do, two experienced wedding planners break down the first 60 days of wedding planning—what couples should focus on first and the common mistakes to avoid.From setting a realistic wedding budget and building your guest list to choosing the right venue, date, and planner, we’re sharing insider advice to help you start planning with confidence. If you’re newly engaged, a wedding vendor, or just love the world of weddings, this episode gives you a candid behind-the-scenes look at what really happens before the big day.Grab your coffee, your planning binder, and your confetti—and come Behind I Do with us.

In this episode, we’re diving into a planner Q&A, answering some of the most common questions we’ve received. From behind-the-scenes insight to general curiosities about the planning process, this conversation offers a candid look at what really goes into creating a seamless event. If you’ve ever wondered how planners think, this one’s for you.

In this episode, we’re talking about wedding budgets from a planner’s perspective. The financial side of planning can feel overwhelming, but when approached intentionally, it brings clarity and confidence to the entire process. This conversation is all about understanding the bigger picture and setting a strong foundation for your day.

Building the perfect vendor team is one of the most important parts of creating a seamless, unforgettable wedding day. As a planner, I always say it’s not just about hiring talented professionals—it’s about curating a team that communicates well, shares a similar work ethic, and truly understands the couple’s vision. When your photographer, florist, caterer, DJ, and planner are aligned and collaborative, the energy is smoother, timelines stay on track, and the couple can actually relax and enjoy their day. The right vendor team doesn’t just deliver services—they create an experience together.

In Episode 5 of Behind I Do, wedding planners Jaden and Allie pull back the curtain on what planners actually do and why the term “day-of coordination” needs to go. This episode dives into the real scope of wedding planning, how the industry got here, and why that label often misrepresents the work happening long before the wedding day ever arrives.From early planning decisions and vendor coordination to behind-the-scenes problem solving, Jaden and Allie share candid insight from their combined years of experience—including how their own services and understanding have evolved over time. This is an honest, no-fluff conversation about expectations, education, and advocating for couples to truly understand the value of professional planning support.Whether you’re a bride, groom, vendor, or just obsessed with weddings, this episode is your backstage pass to what really happens behind “I do.”☕ Grab your coffee, your planning binder, or your confetti—and join us.Episode Topics:• Why “day-of coordination” is misleading• What wedding planners actually do (before, during, and after)• How industry terminology affects couples’ expectations• Lessons learned from years in the wedding world🎧 New episodes weekly📍 Real weddings. Real timelines. Real talk.

Planning a wedding comes with timelines, trends, expectations… and a whole lot couples never see coming. In Episode 4 of Behind I Do, we’re doing a full Q&A: Ask Us Anything—with honest answers, behind-the-scenes stories, and a few hot takes we could talk about for hours. 😅In this episode, we cover: How we got started in wedding planning (and the wild way it all began) The early-day mistakes that make us laugh now (8-hour packages… for $800 😳) Why we stopped doing “everything ourselves” and hired a logistics manager (aka: saving our backs) The behind-the-scenes stuff couples never realize planners handle—trash, food, florals, teardown, and getting everything home How we take care of your parents + grandparents so they’re not standing in bar lines or missing key moments Dream celebrity weddings (yes… Taylor Swift comes up) Our biggest hot takes: why a venue coordinator isn’t a wedding coordinator, and why “day-of coordinator” is not a real thing 👀If you’re engaged, planning, in the wedding industry, or just love hearing what really happens behind “I Do,” this one’s for you.💬 Got a question you want us to answer next month? DM us on Instagram—we’ll be candid (and gracious) as always.☕ Grab your coffee, your planning binder, and your confetti… and come behind “I Do.”#WeddingPodcast #WeddingPlanning #Engaged #WeddingPlanner #BehindIDo #WeddingTips #WeddingIndustry #WeddingHotTakes

Wedding trends are everywhere—but not all of them are meant to last.In this episode of Behind I Do, we’re breaking down 2026 wedding trends we love and the ones we’re ready to see quietly retired. As seasoned wedding planners, we’re pulling back the curtain on what actually works in real weddings—not just styled shoots or Pinterest-perfect moments.We talk candidly about: Ceiling installs, drapery, and how to make big trends feel personal Animals at weddings (from dogs to Highland cows 🐮) Dance floor trends: checkered floors, custom vinyls, and when to skip them Editorial, blurry, and film-style photography—timeless or short-lived? Private vows, live music, DJs vs bands, and guest experience Color making a comeback (and why all-white weddings aren’t the only “timeless” option) Interactive elements guests actually enjoy (photo booths, mini golf, hat bars) Trends we’re seeing fade—Polaroid guest books, audio guest phones, serpentine tables How styled shoots sometimes set unrealistic expectations for real couplesMore than anything, this episode is about intentional weddings—choosing trends that fit you, skipping what doesn’t, and designing a day that feels authentic, functional, and memorable long after the photos are taken.Whether you’re newly engaged, deep in planning, or a wedding vendor yourself, this episode is your reminder that trends are optional—but personality is not.🎙️ New episodes weekly☕ Grab your coffee, your planning binder, and join us Behind “I Do”💬 Tell us in the comments: which wedding trend do you love—and which one are you over?#WeddingTrends2026 #BehindIDoPodcast #WeddingPlanning #WeddingTrends #ModernWeddings #WeddingIndustry #EngagedLife #WeddingAdvice

In Episode 2, Jaden and Allie tackle one of the most searched wedding topics of all time: the wedding day timeline—and why it’s way more than “ceremony at 4, dinner at 6.” They break down what couples get wrong when building timelines (especially missing buffer time), why “just put an earlier start time so guests show up” is a terrible idea, and how one timeline change can domino into dinner service, bar timing, photo schedules, and guest experience.They also get into the real-world decisions planners make; how long ceremonies actually run, when to schedule cocktail hour (and when you need food), the truth about 3–5 hours of open dancing, and why hair and makeup start times can get brutal with a big wedding party. Along the way, they share practical tips like accounting for bustles, sunset timing, load-in/load-out logistics, and having a Plan B for weather—because they’ve seen it all: late vendors, road closures, and wind that destroys an entire tablescape.The takeaway is clear: timelines aren’t just a schedule—they’re the backbone of a smooth wedding day. And if you’re building your own, these two are giving you the exact mindset (and mistakes to avoid) that planners use to keep weddings calm, coordinated, and actually enjoyable.

Planning a wedding looks effortless from the guest side… until you’re the one living it. In the very first episode of Behind I Do, Boise, Idaho wedding planners Jaden Fago (founder/CEO of Capital Occasions) and Allie Skinner (owner/lead planner) introduce themselves, their planning styles (Type-A meets “chill and calm”), and why they finally launched this podcast after years of tossing around wild podcast ideas.  They pull back the curtain on the stuff couples don’t realize they’re signing up for—like who’s emptying trash, packing gifts, paying vendors, fixing last-minute chaos, and keeping family members from missing the fun because they’re stuck working. With real talk, laughs, and a few “did we really just say that?” moments, Jaden and Ally explain what planners actually do, why weddings go sideways without someone running the show, and what listeners can expect each week: timelines, trends, disasters, and the behind-the-scenes decisions that turn wedding days into smooth (and sanity-saving) celebrations.