The Wedding Duo: A Wedding Planning Podcast

Hey friends. It’s Dominic (wedding DJ) and Serena (wedding planner), and today we’re getting real about something no one wants to think about, but everyone should understand. 
Sometimes weddings get a little chaotic. And the difference between panic and problem solved is usually experience, professionalism, and staying calm under pressure. 
In Episode 82, we kick off with a wild Reddit story (yes, a physical fight at a wedding 😳), and then we share real moments from our own weddings and events where things started going sideways and we helped bring it back to smooth. 
What we cover in this episode 
The “chaos spectrum”: from rare, crazy moments (like fights) to common hiccups (like timeline delays)
Cake disasters (tilting, melting, falling, transport fails) and what to do before it’s a disaster
Catering issues (missing meals) and how to pivot the timeline without guests even realizing
Key people disappearing right when it’s time for dances and toasts (beer run, diaper changes, bathroom breaks, yep)
Last-minute first dance song changes (and why a pro won’t get rattled)
Wardrobe malfunctions and the “vendor shield” move you didn’t know you needed
Bouquet toss vs. chandelier and ceiling fan (how to throw it out, not up)
Why we say: your timeline is really an order of events, not a rigid minute-by-minute schedule
The big takeaway: at some point, you have to let go and trust your team

The Wedding Duo Reminder
 
Most weddings go beautifully. But even the best days can have curveballs, and your vendors’ job is to handle them so you can stay present.
 
 
Links & Resources
 
Website + show notes: theweddingduo.co
Membership (weekly live Q&A, downloads, playlists): theweddingduo.co/membership
 
Follow us here:
 Instagram: instagram.com/the.weddingduo
 TikTok: tiktok.com/@weddingduo
 YouTube: youtube.com/@the.weddingduo
 
If this episode helps you, screenshot it and tag @theweddingduo. We’ll share the love back.
 
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What if your guests could literally help choose the next song, find their seat with a scan, and upload all their candid photos into one place... all without downloading an app?

In this episode, we’re joined by Mark Laurent, founder of Funktion, the new all-in-one digital experience platform that’s changing how couples engage guests at weddings and events.

We chat about:

✨ The inspiration behind Funktion and how Mark built it for his own wedding
✨ Fun interactive features like song requests, live polls, photo sharing, and crowdfunding
✨ How Funktion lets guests find their seat and see announcements in real time
✨ DJ Dominic’s take on how crowd voting can level up your dance party
✨ Ways to simplify planning and cut down on paper programs with digital tools

If you’ve ever wished your guests could be more connected and have more fun, this is the episode to listen to. We also share stories from a recent 20-year vow renewal, complete with CrossFit vows, “Up” music, and a Central Perk lounge moment straight from Friends.

💡 Funktion Exclusive Offer

Try Funktion for your wedding or event at usefunktion.com

Use code DUOFUNK_2025 for exclusive savings on your first event setup!

Links & Resources

👉 Explore more resources + show notes: theweddingduo.co

👉 Join our membership for playlists, planning tools & weekly live Q + A: Sign up here

👉 Follow us on Instagram: @the.weddingduo

👉 Follow us on TikTok: @weddingduo

👉 Subscribe on YouTube

💌 If you found this episode helpful, screenshot it and tag us @the.weddingduo — we’ll share the love back!

🎶 Remember: it’s your day. Don’t let someone talk you into something you don’t want (or out of something you love). Just do you — and make it funk(tion) while you’re at it. 🪩 
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It’s episode 80, friends! We’re celebrating with a brand-new segment called “Dread It,” where we dive into wild Reddit wedding posts and give our unfiltered planner-and-DJ take. First up: a spicy thread claiming “you’re getting scammed by wedding DJs.” (Spoiler alert: we have thoughts.) Then we switch gears and chat about something real—how to plan a wedding while also graduating, buying a home, or having a baby. Big life moments are exciting, but doing them all at once? Let’s just say… it’s a lot.

We’ll share some laughs, personal stories, and practical tips to help you keep your sanity, your budget, and your joy intact while juggling it all.

What You’ll Hear

✨ The truth about that “DJ scam” post — and what actually makes a DJ worth it
💡 Real-time chaos: why a good MC is your secret weapon on wedding day
🏡 How to plan your wedding and buy a house without losing sleep
💰 Budget tips to keep wedding funds and home funds from blending into one big “uh oh”
🎓 Couples who planned weddings while graduating (yes, it happens!)
👶 When life events collide—how to breathe, delegate, and enjoy the ride

Quick Tips

💍 Know your deadlines — don’t let vendor deposits collide with mortgage closings
💸 Separate your budgets — wedding fund here, house fund there
👯‍♀️ Delegate — planners, friends, and family are your secret sauce
🫶 Remember: it doesn’t all have to happen at once (seriously!)

Resources

🏡 Grab our First-Time Homebuyer Guide: refluenceco.com/the-wedding-duo

💻 Visit our site: theweddingduo.co

Let’s Connect

📸 Instagram – instagram.com/the.weddingduo

🎵 TikTok – tiktok.com/@weddingduo

📘 Facebook – facebook.com/thewedduo

▶️ YouTube – youtube.com/@the.weddingduo

Loved the episode? Screenshot it, tag @weddingduo, and tell us if we should keep the “Dread It” segment going! Don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen and watch on YouTube—because, as always, it’s your day, your way.
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Planning a wedding comes with a lot of moving parts — and sometimes, a mashup (literally!) can make it all more fun. In this episode, Dominic (wedding DJ) and Serena (wedding planner) dive into: 
✨ How to use music mashups to create unforgettable ceremony and reception moments
✨ The pros and cons of one-track mashups vs. DJ-timed transitions
✨ Creative ways couples are adding voiceovers (from the bride, kids, or even grandparents!) to ceremony songs
✨ Tips for making parent dances, first dances, and even intros stand out — without taking away from the moment
✨ Funny and heartwarming real-life stories from weddings we’ve worked 
From gym floors transformed into elegant spaces, to grooms dipping their brides for “judged” kisses, this episode is packed with ideas and laughs. Whether you love the idea of mashups or prefer to keep it simple, we’ll help you make it fit your personality as a couple.  
Links & Resources 
👉 Explore more resources + show notes: theweddingduo.co

 👉 Join our membership for playlists, planning tools & mashup services: Sign up here

 👉 Follow us on Instagram: @the.weddingduo

👉 Follow us on TikTok: @weddingduo

👉 Subscribe on YouTube: The Wedding Duo Channel
 
💌 If you found this episode helpful, screenshot it, share it on Instagram, and tag us @the.weddingduo — we’ll share the love back! 
🎶 Happy wedding planning, friends. And remember: it’s YOUR day. Do what feels right for you. 
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The Wedding Duo, Serena and Dom, return from their 10-year anniversary trip to the Dominican Republic and dive headfirst into one of the most common wedding planning stressors: guest count. Blending real talk with personal stories and seasoned advice, they explore why less can truly mean more...especially when it comes to your budget, your stress level, and your dance floor time. From spa day mishaps to money-saving guest list tips, this episode is both heartfelt and hilariously helpful.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why Serena and Dom are big fans of small guest lists (with real math to back it up)
How your guest count directly impacts your wedding budget
What to say when family pushes for more invites (plus script tips!)
Pros and cons of adult-only weddings
How a “B list” can help you manage RSVPs with less stress
Which vendors are most affected by headcount increases
How to set boundaries with plus-ones—and still be kind
The emotional payoff of smaller weddings, from better conversation to more dancing
Creative options for planning two celebrations (without double the stress)
CLICK HERE to sign up for The Wedding Duo Membership

For extended show notes visit us at theweddingduo.co/podcast

Watch our show on YouTube at The Wedding Duo

For all your wedding planning resources, check out our website: theweddingduo.co

Connect with us on social!
TikTok: @weddingduo
Instagram: @the.weddingduo
Facebook: @thewedduo

Podcast Editor & Strategist: Pamela Krista
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