Michelle Martinez
Co-Host of The Big Wedding Planning Podcast
Michelle is a Certified Wedding Consultant with more than 20 years in the Wedding & Events Industry. Michelle's company is Allure Wedding Consulting & Event Planning serving the San Francisco Bay Area, Napa Valley, Boston & Cape Cod.
What are the first 5 thing you do when you get up in the morning?
Kiss my husband
Meditate
Yoga
drink 22 oz of water
drink coffee
What is your favorite movie quote?
"Enough about me, let's talk about you. What do you think of me?"
-Bette Midler's character (C.C. Bloom) in Beaches
What is your favorite joke?
I have a terrible memory. I know I've heard better ones, but the one I remember is. "Where did the General hide his army? In his sleevies"
What is YOUR karaoke song?
Love Shack, by the B52's.
What was your most embarrassing hair style?
My mom decided I should get the "Mary Lou Retton Cut" in the 80's. I think I was in 2nd or 3rd grade. To top it off, whenever my bangs would grow out, she would cut them herself and they would always be very crooked.
What word do you love the sound of?
Savannah. Referring to the city in Georgia. But I only like it when someone from there says it with that accent.
What food reminds you of your birthday?
Ice Cream. I definitely eat ice cream on my birthday.
What food makes you think of Christmas?
Candied Sweet Potatoes with brown sugar and marshmallows. Also reminds me of Thanksgiving. Reminds me of my mom and grandmother.
What movie can you watch over and over again?
Terms of Endearment
What is the best invention during your lifetime?
The Internet
How old where you when you got your first computer?
I was 22. My husband and I financed the first ever iMac. It was blue.
What was your first car?
1979 Convertible VW Bug. I was 16.
What do you have an irrational fear of?
Bees!! I've never been stung. I'm so freaked out by them.
Who taught you to swim?
Uncle Ernie
Who taught you to ride a bike?
My Dad on a pink Huffy.
What music are you embarrassed that you like listening to?
Light Rock, Easy Listening from the 70's & 80's. Not sure why, but sometimes, I'm in the mood to blast that shit in my car and sing loud.
What do you hate the sound of?
The sound of someone cleaning under their finger nails with a paper napkin. Eeeek!!
What was the last Concert you went to?
Kanye West and it was awesome.
If you could see any deceased musician perform who would you choose?
Michael Jackson. I was/am a HUGE fan and I never got to see him live.
Michelle Martinez has hosted 129 Episodes.
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#97 You Ask, We Answer - 8
July 25th, 2018 | 49 mins 39 secs
apple podcasts, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
YAWA time! You ask, we answer. We’re tackling an extra few questions this week! Keep ‘em coming, yall! And don’t forget to leave us a review on iTunes as well. We appreciate you!
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#96 Bridechilla + TBWPP = LOVE
July 18th, 2018 | 40 mins 43 secs
apple podcasts, bridechilla, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
The Big Wedding Planning Podcast is our baby. We are following in the footsteps of awesome podcasters all over the world...namely the wedding podcast “Bridechilla” - the illustrious, premier wedding podcast. Host and producer Aleisha McCormack is gracious and knowledgeable and hilarious and we are so happy to have her on! Listen to her podcast and check out her wedding planning guides online. Links below!
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#95 At-Home Weddings. How To
July 11th, 2018 | 48 mins 21 secs
apple podcasts, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
Planning your wedding in your childhood home? Your grandparents’ farm? A private estate owned by your elusive, rich aunt who loves gazebos? Great! As wedding planners, we love the ‘built in sentimentality’ of a venue that means something to our clients. But the logistics can be nightmarish. And hosting a wedding at your house may not save you money-- contrary to popular belief. You may even be shocked to learn that you may end up spending more! It’s a game of hidden costs, y’all.
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#94 10(ish) Things Wedding Planners Want Clients To Know
July 4th, 2018 | 58 mins 40 secs
apple podcasts, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
We’re getting personal on this one! We’re wedding planners. You know that, right? But what do we WEDDING PLANNERS really think about our clients? What do we wish you knew? What drives us crazy?! We’re gonna tell you. Buckle up.
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#93 You Ask, We Answer - 7
June 27th, 2018 | 38 mins 24 secs
apple podcasts, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
The end of the month...time to pay your rent, bitches! And also, time for another monthly installation of our ever-popular YOU ASK WE ANSWER! This month we are dealing with an MOB that doesn’t want to sign contracts, BIG ol’ Jewish weddings, and wedding hashtags. You kids these days, always up to something!
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#92 What Straight Couples Can Learn From Gay Weddings
June 20th, 2018 | 55 mins 48 secs
apple podcasts, lgbtq wedding; pride month, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
It’s PRIDE month and we’re so stoked to talk more about gay weddings in this episode!
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#91 Print Materials & Miss Design Berry
June 13th, 2018 | 57 mins 44 secs
apple podcasts, invitations, miss design berry, print materials, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
We’re talking about the necessities, the ‘extras’, and the ways that paper products can elevate the design of your wedding with personal, custom touches across the board. In the second half of this episode, Michelle interviews Kristin Berry Mastoras - Miss Design Berry (link below) all about her business - custom art and printing for weddings and so much more. (Hit up her Instagram...it’s full of awesome stuff!)
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#90 Wedding Adventures with The Hearnes
June 6th, 2018 | 1 hr 6 mins
apple podcasts, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
Michelle interviews adventure wedding photographers Abbi and Callen Hearnes. They live in their van full time and they shoot everywhere - most often at Yosemite and Moab. Their photos are OFF THE HOOK. And yes, we still think that saying is relevant.
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#89 You Ask, We Answer - 6
May 30th, 2018 | 48 mins 14 secs
apple podcasts, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
YAWA time! You ask, we answer. We’re talking about the importance of a month-of planner, the difference between a day-of coordinator and a venue manager, and what to do when one partner’s family is complicated and small, and the other partner’s family is wonderful and big. Guest list creation brings out emotions sometimes, and we’ve heard from many couples about how stressful it can be. Let us help you!
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#88 Anomalie Starts A Custom Dress Revolution
May 23rd, 2018 | 55 mins 18 secs
apple podcasts, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
Anomalie brings more transparency, customization and value to wedding dress shopping by partnering with the world's top factories and selling direct to brides. You can create your own wedding dress with a designer that walks you through the process...and you’ll be shocked by the price.
Silk materials, top quality craftsmanship, a revolutionary online interface and dedicated stylists who treat each dress as if it was their own. We’re talking to Leslie Voorhees, the founder of Dress Anomalie in this episode - if you are looking for your wedding dress - stop what you are doing and LISTEN! -
#87 The Royal Wedding BONUS EPISODE!!!
May 21st, 2018 | 29 mins 15 secs
allure consulting, apple podcasts, christy mathews events, royal wedding, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
We've recorded a BONUS episode this week because Prince Harry and American actress Meghan Markle just got married! If you haven’t been living under a rock, this is something you’ve heard a little about! The wedding was on Saturday, May 19, 2018, and we are sharing our thoughts.
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#86 Feminism & Weddings - Questioning Traditions
May 16th, 2018 | 1 hr 5 mins
apple podcasts, feminist, katrina majkut, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
We are STOKED to have feminist artist, author and former Bride, Katrina Majkut on the podcast. She wrote the book ‘The Adventures and Discoveries of a Feminist Bride’ and it is awesome. Eye opening! Christy devoured it and Michelle has some ‘aha moments’ during the podcast recording. This episode is not to be missed - you’ll laugh, you’ll learn, and you might even change some things up for your own wedding after listening to this episode. Enjoy!
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#85 Live At The Pony Bridal Hair Event
May 9th, 2018 | 58 mins 21 secs
apple podcasts, bridal hair, hair stylist, pony education, wedding, wedding advice, wedding hair, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
This week, it’s all about HAIR and we went to the professionals for this one. Have you thought about your wedding day hairstyle? Listen in as Michelle attends a Higher Education Event for Hair Stylists called “First Looks and The Business of Bridal” put on by Pony Education and featuring Master Stylists and Educators Corinna Hernandez and Dre Donoghue.
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#84 Sexy Engagement Sessions with Ashley Paige
May 2nd, 2018 | 56 mins 34 secs
apple podcasts, ashley paige, sexy engagement photos, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
You know those gorgeous, magazine-cover-worthy, sexy, cinematic engagement photos you see online - the ones with the beautiful couple frolicking in the ocean as the sun sets behind them casting a golden glow over their gorgeous, entangled bodies? Yeah....That's what we're talking about on this one.
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#83 You Ask, We Answer - 5
April 25th, 2018 | 1 hr 3 mins
apple podcasts, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
This week we're answering questions about wedding day timelines, photographer’s plan B’s, ‘friends’ you don’t want to invite anymore, how to schedule formal photos for a morning wedding ceremony, bridal shower hostess drama, ceremony-to-reception-commutes, and confetti exits! So many things to discuss. Let’s go!
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#82 Financial Planning And Your Wedding
April 18th, 2018 | 58 mins 48 secs
apple podcasts, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
In this episode, we are talking to a Financial Coach and taking a broader look at planning, both wedding and future. If you have listened to the podcast for a while, you know we talk about money, A LOT. We do NOT think it’s a wise idea, or a worthwhile venture, to go into massive debt for your wedding. We try to remind you all to stay connected to your partner throughout the planning process and to strengthen your communication skills. All of this is to lay a foundation for a successful MARRIAGE - not just an awesome party. It’s stressful. It’s expensive. We get it! We’re here to help.