The Wedding Dish

We are getting down to the most nerve-wracking part of the reception: the wedding speeches!
We're sitting down with Holly, a professional speechwriter who transitioned from the world of PR to helping couples and their loved ones craft genuinely meaningful and memorable toasts. She's spilling the tea on how to make your speech a heartfelt moment instead of a painful one.
Grab your notebook as we dish on:
The must-have ingredients for a truly effective wedding speech (hint: it's all about authenticity and structure).
Holly’s golden rule for timing: Why 2-3 minutes is the sweet spot and how to keep it concise and engaging.
Advice for brides and grooms on setting clear expectations and time limits for all speakers.
Guest: Holly Blum, A Speech to Remember
Need your dish fix? Visit theweddingdishpodcast.com!
This episode is brought to you by...
Photos from the Harty, a small but mighty team of wedding and event photographers in Washington, D.C. We believe our couples need to love their photographers as much as their photos, and bring their personalities to each and every shoot.
District Bliss, a community of business owners; get the support you need to skyrocket your business with ease!
17hats. Business just got easier. At The Wedding Dish, we use 17hats for scheduling guests, questionnaires, to develop our show notes, and for our all of guest management. It’s the CRM that makes it easy to run two businesses and two podcasts seamlessly.
Chill Paws, human-grade CBD for your furry pals (use CLOU15 for a discount)
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

This week, we're swapping out the usual centerpiece talk for a dose of personalized fun with Shannon McAllister of Happy Dance Hat Bar! Shannon brings her interactive, mobile hat-making experience to weddings and events, transforming a simple favor into a memorable activity.
Grab a seat as we dish on:
Why a customized Hat Bar is the ultimate, unique, and personalized alternative to traditional wedding favors.
How Shannon’s background in corporate event planning inspired this creative wedding concept.
Ideas for incorporating the hat bar into every part of your wedding weekend—from the engagement party and bachelorette/bachelor party to the rehearsal dinner or even the post-wedding brunch.
Tips for using custom patches and designs to align the hats with your wedding theme, colors, and unique personalities.
How hands-on, personalized activities ensure your guests feel included, engaged, and leave with a truly unforgettable keepsake!
This episode is packed with joyful inspiration for couples looking to add a playful and interactive element to their celebration. Listen now and get ready to do the "happy dance!"
Guest: Shannon McAllister, Happy Dance Hat Bar
Need your dish fix? Visit theweddingdishpodcast.com!
This episode is brought to you by...
Photos from the Harty, a small but mighty team of wedding and event photographers in Washington, D.C. We believe our couples need to love their photographers as much as their photos, and bring their personalities to each and every shoot.
District Bliss, a community of business owners; get the support you need to skyrocket your business with ease!
17hats. Business just got easier. At The Wedding Dish, we use 17hats for scheduling guests, questionnaires, to develop our show notes, and for our all of guest management. It’s the CRM that makes it easy to run two businesses and two podcasts seamlessly.
Chill Paws, human-grade CBD for your furry pals (use CLOU15 for a discount)
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
 

Understanding your strengths and weaknesses plays a bigger part in wedding planning than most of us realize. Me? I'm not great at planning in general. And, Victoria isn't either.
Pushing ourselves to do something we're not the best at can often lead to unnecessary stress, disappointment, and frustration. So, play to your strengths and hire a professional or ask for help for the other stuff.
We're on break, so we're airing one of our top episodes this week!
Guest: Victoria Cooper, The Little Decisions Podcast
Need your dish fix? Visit theweddingdishpodcast.com!
This episode is brought to you by...
Photos from the Harty, a small but mighty team of wedding and event photographers in Washington, D.C. We believe our couples need to love their photographers as much as their photos, and bring their personalities to each and every shoot.
District Bliss, a community of business owners; get the support you need to skyrocket your business with ease!
17hats. Business just got easier. At The Wedding Dish, we use 17hats for scheduling guests, questionnaires, to develop our show notes, and for our all of guest management. It’s the CRM that makes it easy to run two businesses and two podcasts seamlessly.
Chill Paws, human-grade CBD for your furry pals (use CLOU15 for a discount)
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

What’s the difference between a wedding and an elopement? And, what the heck is adventure elopement? Everyone should have the celebration that’s the right fit for them. We’re dishing about the differences between having a traditional wedding and eloping. 
Guest: Brianna, Brianna Parks Photography
Need your dish fix? Visit theweddingdishpodcast.com to check out our upcoming events, apply to be a guest, and check out show notes.
Grab the wedding planning zine here!
 
This episode is brought to you by...
Photos from the Harty, a small but mighty team of wedding and event photographers in Washington, D.C. We believe our couples need to love their photographers as much as their photos, and bring their personalities to each and every shoot.
District Bliss, a community of business owners; get the support you need to skyrocket your business with ease!
17hats. Business just got easier. At The Wedding Dish, we use 17hats for scheduling guests, questionnaires, to develop our show notes, and for our all of guest management. It’s the CRM that makes it easy to run two businesses and two podcasts seamlessly.
Chill Paws, human-grade CBD for your furry pals (use CLOU15 for a discount!)
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Tips so your ceremony pictures look perfect, even if your ceremony is super short!
We're on break, and airing one of our top hits! No guest this week, just me, sharing photography expertise. 
Need your dish fix? Visit theweddingdishpodcast.com to check out our upcoming events, apply to be a guest, and check out show notes.
Grab the wedding planning zine here!
This episode is brought to you by...
Photos from the Harty, a small but mighty team of wedding and event photographers in Washington, D.C. We believe our couples need to love their photographers as much as their photos, and bring their personalities to each and every shoot.
District Bliss, a community of business owners; get the support you need to skyrocket your business with ease!
17hats. Business just got easier. At The Wedding Dish, we use 17hats for scheduling guests, questionnaires, to develop our show notes, and for our all of guest management. It’s the CRM that makes it easy to run two businesses and two podcasts seamlessly.
Chill Paws, human-grade CBD for your furry pals (use CLOU15 for a discount!)
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Just because you have an outdoor venue doesn't mean you should have to compromise on the bathroom. This week, we're dishing about luxury portable restrooms. These climate-controlled, aesthetically pleasing portable bathrooms can expand venue options, enhance the overall event experience, and so much more!
Guest: David Sauers, Royal Restrooms
Need your dish fix? Visit theweddingdishpodcast.com to check out our upcoming events, apply to be a guest, and check out show notes.
Grab the wedding planning zine here!
This episode is brought to you by...
Photos from the Harty, a small but mighty team of wedding and event photographers in Washington, D.C. We believe our couples need to love their photographers as much as their photos, and bring their personalities to each and every shoot.
District Bliss, a community of business owners; get the support you need to skyrocket your business with ease!
Sprout Creative, marketing for heart-centered businesses; grow your potential through smart marketing.
17hats. Business (and podcasting) just got easier. At The Wedding Dish, we use 17hats for scheduling guests, questionnaires, to develop our show notes, and for our all of guest management. It’s the CRM that makes it easy to run two businesses and two podcasts seamlessly.
Chill Paws, human-grade CBD for your furry pals (use CLOU15 for a discount!)
This may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

We're dishing about personal style coaching for couples, and for wedding guest attire this week. We cover considering a theme, dress code, venue, and weather when choosing an outfit for a wedding, and the significance of dressing appropriately as a wedding guest (and some mistakes Sara has made in the past as a wedding guest).
Guest: Jia, Simply Jia
Need your dish fix? Visit theweddingdishpodcast.com to check out our upcoming events, apply to be a guest, and check out show notes.
Grab the wedding planning zine here!
This episode is brought to you by...
Photos from the Harty, a small but mighty team of wedding and event photographers in Washington, D.C. We believe our couples need to love their photographers as much as their photos, and bring their personalities to each and every shoot.
District Bliss, a community of business owners; get the support you need to skyrocket your business with ease!
Sprout Creative, marketing for heart-centered businesses; grow your potential through smart marketing.
17hats. Business (and podcasting) just got easier. At The Wedding Dish, we use 17hats for scheduling guests, questionnaires, to develop our show notes, and for our all of guest management. It’s the CRM that makes it easy to run two businesses and two podcasts seamlessly.
Chill Paws, human-grade CBD for your furry pals (use CLOU15 for a discount!)
This may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

We're diving deep into relationships this week! We're discussing the importance of prioritizing peace and your needs as a couple - and as an independent human - during the wedding planning process, managing difficult conversations with your partner as well as your families, and the role of self-love and understanding in a successful marriage.
Guest: Chaya, Author of Epic Love Habit
Need your dish fix? Visit theweddingdishpodcast.com to check out our upcoming events, apply to be a guest, and check out show notes.
Grab the wedding planning zine here!
This episode is brought to you by...
Photos from the Harty, a small but mighty team of wedding and event photographers in Washington, D.C. We believe our couples need to love their photographers as much as their photos, and bring their personalities to each and every shoot.
District Bliss, a community of business owners; get the support you need to skyrocket your business with ease!
Sprout Creative, marketing for heart-centered businesses; grow your potential through smart marketing.
17hats. Business (and podcasting) just got easier. At The Wedding Dish, we use 17hats for scheduling guests, questionnaires, to develop our show notes, and for our all of guest management. It’s the CRM that makes it easy to run two businesses and two podcasts seamlessly.
Chill Paws, human-grade CBD for your furry pals (use CLOU15 for a discount!)
This may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.