Mind Over Matrimony

This fall, so many of our couples have been asking the same question: how do we honor the people we love who can’t be with us on our wedding day? In this episode, I share the beautiful ways we’re seeing families do just that, from a memory wall paired with escort cards written on grandma’s plates, to heirlooms carried quietly down the aisle, to a grandmother’s recipe served at a family-style feast. I also talk about why recording the ceremony matters so much for loved ones who can’t travel, and why food and beverage teams should be asking about grandpa’s favorite nightcap instead of just “what’s your signature cocktail?” Honoring someone doesn’t have to stop at a line in the ceremony program. It can flow through the entire experience.If you’re planning a wedding and want to bring a loved one’s memory into your celebration, or you’re a wedding pro looking for fresh, meaningful ideas to offer your couples, this episode is for you!This is a Media Socialites production.

This week we're answering the etiquette questions we at JLE get asked on repeat:- Child-free weddings - The plus-one dilemma- Who should give a speech (and where)- Who pays - How to handle divorced parents or tricky family dynamicsThe common thread: have the hard conversations early, bring everyone into the room together, and write everything down before decisions pile up. Practical, real-talk advice for anyone deep in the wedding planning trenches. Drop any additional questions you have for the next one!This is a Media Socialites Production.

Corporate events might be the most whispered-about side of the wedding industry. So many of us do them, but hardly anyone talks about them openly. In this quick "snack" episode, why I see corporate work as an incubator for creativity, a space where I can test new ideas before bringing them to someone's once-in-a-lifetime day. I also get into how different brands handle the mix, from keeping it quietly in-house to building a separate brand within the brand, and why I think it's time we break the stigma around talking about it. Plus, I've got some exciting news coming soon from Julian Leaver Events. Stay tuned!This is a Media Socialites Production.

In this episode, we dig into the delicate art of communication with wedding vendors, the fine line between friendship and professional partnership. We break down the difference between vendors you're "married" to (trusted, tested, go-to partners) versus ones you're still "dating" (newer relationships still being built), and why direct conversation, even the hard kind, is the key to keeping both working. Plus, why picking up the phone (or sending a voice memo) beats a text or email every time when things don't go as planned.This is a Media Socialites Production.

Friends we couldn't jump from two heavy mind episodes to talking about the latest in 2027 wedding trends, so consider this your bridge episode. We've been pulling back the curtain and today, it all comes to a head. This episode is different. It's raw, it's messy, and it's the one I've been building up to for a year. I talk about what it feels like to let go of a story I've held onto my entire life the shame, the fear, the anticipation of finally saying it out loud in front of hundreds of people instead of behind closed doors in therapy.We get into the difference between what looks effortless and what actually is the years of therapy, sobriety, and hard work that happen off-camera so everything else can look easy. I talk about alcoholism, about the thinking patterns that never fully go away, and about the moment last week that reminded me why I still call myself an alcoholic. And I talk about the other piece the one that has nothing to do with anything I did and why staying silent about it only gives it more power.If this helps even one person feel less alone in it that's the whole reason we're here.This is a Media Socialites production.

Every year around my sobriety anniversary, the feelings show up right on schedule and this year hit harder than ever. We're talking about what happens when you numb feelings for years and then have to learn how to actually sit with them: the self-loathing, the grief for roads not taken, the gratitude that comes anyway. This is a conversation about therapy, sponsorship, ten years of sobriety alongside ten years of building a business, and the truth that just like you can't plan your way out of wedding-day emotions, you can't plan your way out of your own feelings. You just have to feel them.This is a Media Socialites Production.

In this milestone episode, we reflect on 10 remarkable years of building Julian Leaver Events. We talk about how a journey that began as a destination wedding business grew into a company that's produced over 550 events to date.This anniversary also marks 10 years of my own sobriety, and the two milestones are deeply intertwined. I share what it feels like to evolve, growth with my team, mistakes and hard-won lessons.... one day at a time.This is a Media Socialites Production.

We are BACK from my first true vacation in 10 years and of course it's right in time to provide you with ample commentary on our Royal Wedding - the wedding of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. Today's episode is like a two-part episode - my comments pre-wedding and an episode recorded right after we saw the first sprinkling of details from the guests. This episode goes all over, but the real question is this. What did you think of it?Share with me in the comments below. This is a Media Socialites Production.

We will be back with fresh episodes next week, but until then... This one is for our lovely couples. On today's episode, we define the following terms that you will hear throughout the planning process and their respective roles:- What is a planner's role ?- What's a designer's role ?- What's a florist responsible for vs a production house?Most importantly, we talk through how we do things at ⁠Julian Leaver Events⁠ and how we approach our vendor partnerships dependent on the scope and desires of your event. Feel free to ask me any questions in the comments. This is a ⁠Media Socialites ⁠Production.

We are on a break so in case you missed it..... Surrender to winThis episode is absolutely the most vulnerable to date. Mind over Matrimony, right? This one is all mind. On this episode, I share how I am processing when you lose an event - even if it was one that didn't make sense to have - and how to do so gracefully, but also honestly. Mid-episode, you will hear what sounds like the end, but the candid discussions I was having with my producer after we wrapped felt like the truth that I wanted to share with you. Welcome to my live therapy session on today's episode - hope it resonates. Please follow and share this with someone, who will connect with it. This is a ⁠Media Socialites ⁠production.

This is a non-tied-up-with-a-bow episode, okay friends? We cover the constant adaptation in communication and planning style when working with our clients. We chat about the importance of couples being open and transparent about how they learn, process information, and make decisions. Here's your biggest takeaway: wedding planning is a two-way dialogue, and honesty from our couples makes the entire experience better for everyone - and frankly - a hell of a whole lot of fun.This is a Media Socialites production.

2026 is a weird year for most of us. With busy season in full swing during a routine sales check-in, I found myself down a spiral. In this episode, we break down why looking at numbers without context is a trap and how analyzing the data can save you a ton of mental gymnastics. Most importantly, I share what to do if the numbers aren't in your favor. Deep breaths, friends. The sky is probably not falling.This is a Media Socialites production.

What do AA and therapy have in common with running a successful events business? More than you'd think. In this deeply personal episode, I opens up about my nearly 10-year journey in sobriety and how the marriage of AA's 12-step principles and therapy has shaped the way I lead my team, serve our clients, and show up for myself and loved ones. For more information on AA, please find it here and if you have questions, I am here.This is a Media Socialites Production.