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 180 Episodes.
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#147 From Boston to LA - Christy & Michelle Live!
June 12th, 2019 | 1 hr 13 mins
apple podcasts, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
Michelle and Christy record together from LA - to frame the narrative for their Boston visit earlier this year to emcee at WED 2019. We were also lucky enough to meet many of our Boston listeners at our first ever Meetup and it was so fun!!
We had a wonderful time at WED - an interactive, educational experience as the emcees. We also got to record live with attendees (and some of their moms!) at the event and we loved it! We hope you enjoy this special, bi-coastal episode. -
#146 "Marriage Means Family" A Transgender Wedding
June 5th, 2019 | 1 hr 3 mins
apple podcasts, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
Brenda and Mason have been through a lot to get to where they are now: newlyweds celebrating each day they have together as a married couple. In this episode, a couple shares their individual stories of transitions that led them to each other, and explain what marriage means to them.
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#145 You Ask, We Answer - 18
May 29th, 2019 | 56 mins 52 secs
apple podcasts, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
Today’s episode is a You Ask, We Answer, as is our end-of-month tradition.
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#144 Spotlight Series: Birdy Grey Bridesmaid Dresses
May 28th, 2019 | 34 mins 16 secs
apple podcasts, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
Birdy Grey has revolutionized the hunt for the perfect bridesmaid dress. After realizing the accessibility, and quality of bridesmaid dresses didn’t reflect the price, two best friends, Grace Lee (formerly of InStyle Magazine and Kate Spade New York) and Monica Ashauer (of McKinsey and Co, and Ralph Lauren) started this company offering beautiful, well-made dresses for under $100.
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#143 Wedding Aesthetic. Where to begin?
May 22nd, 2019 | 57 mins 21 secs
apple podcasts, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
The idea of designing a wedding is stressful! We’ve all been down a Pinterest hole or two, consumed with ideas and inspiration that just lead to more confusion and anxiety. Thankfully, there’s Kasey Kyprianou, a wedding designer, to help bring your significant other and your authentic selves into your big day. Through getting to know you on a more personal level, Kasey is able to transform your wishes into beautiful designs for everything from invitations to signage and more.
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#142 Don't Forget The Honeymoon!
May 15th, 2019 | 58 mins 43 secs
apple podcasts, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
No matter where you are in the wedding planning process, the idea of also planning a honeymoon is exhausting. Of course, after the big day, you want nothing more than to celebrate with your partner. And thankfully, there are people who can help! Our guest, Irina Vishnevskaya works tirelessly to help plan the perfect honeymoon. Irina is part of Alle Travel, a spruced up version of a travel agency. They make it easier for newlyweds, and others, to plan the perfect getaway.
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#141 Wedding Body Positivity
May 8th, 2019 | 53 mins 46 secs
apple podcasts, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
We have both had our share of clients who have big plans to lose weight or tighten up in the months before their wedding. You know, the time when you are busy working, and planning a wedding, and dealing with family AND celebrating being engaged...all in a short, pressure-cooker timeline...not the most optimal time of your life to successfully change your diet and workout routine. But nevertheless, sometimes new habits are formed during wedding planning, in a GOOD way, and these changes can set you on the path to a happy, healthy life with your partner, as a married couple.
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#140 Plan Your Wedding In 90 Days
May 1st, 2019 | 57 mins 9 secs
apple podcasts, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
It’s possible! Some people prefer to plan their wedding in a short amount of time rather than musing over all of the details for a year or more. Who are these people? How do they do it? What makes them successful? Our guest today is David DiVincenzo - event director at Planterra Events in Detroit, and he is very experienced working with couples that opt for a short timeline - for various reasons. He’s breaking down all of the tips, tricks and best practices for us.
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#139 You Ask, We Answer - 17
April 24th, 2019 | 57 mins 23 secs
apple podcasts, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
Welcome to Spring! Today’s episode is a You Ask, We Answer, as is our end-of-month tradition.
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#138 Wedding Resale
April 17th, 2019 | 54 mins 53 secs
apple podcasts, more labs, morning recovery drink, sage bridal experience, wedding, wedding advice, wedding flea market, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, wedding resale, weddings
If you’re wondering how to buy some of the DIY elements at your wedding for cheap, or what the heck to do with all of the chargers, linens and vases that you bought for your wedding, this is the episode for you!
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#137 Rethinking Videography with StopGoLove
April 10th, 2019 | 1 hr 6 mins
apple podcasts, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
Meet the guests! The team behind StopGoLove:
Jared Haskell founded StopGoLove with Jason after moving back to New England from a production company in Texas. Both his curiosity and competitive nature drove him to tackle weddings after success in shooting music videos, live television, and documentary work in multiple countries around the world. Professional excellence and seeing couples thrilled with their StopGoLove experience is of the utmost importance to Jared. -
#136 Rituals and Traditions with Author Eleni Gage
April 3rd, 2019 | 1 hr 2 mins
apple podcasts, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
There are SO many cool examples of lucky symbols, tradition, and rituals in this episode, and Eleni’s book goes into detail about all of them...from burying a bottle of bourbon one month before the wedding, to tucking a penny in your shoe...there are plenty of ways to cross your fingers and wish on a star about your wedding day and DURING your wedding day. Fun stuff!
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#135 You Ask, We Answer - 16
March 27th, 2019 | 57 mins 35 secs
apple podcasts, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
1 voicemail and 3 emails will get you through this month’s YAWA! You Ask, We Answer. Also, we both suck at Irish accents, but at least Michelle gave it a whirl!
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#134 Write The Best Toast Ever with Beth Sherman
March 20th, 2019 | 55 mins 20 secs
apple podcasts, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
Writing a toast or a wedding speech - or your VOWS can be daunting. You want to be personal yet universal. You want to be yourself, and also write something profound and relatable. You want to be honest and funny and touching, but you don’t want to cry all over yourself when you say your vows, or give your toast. The pressure is on! This episode is all about the toasts/vows/speeches. It’s about how to put pen to paper, to edit and curate, and to stand up and proudly speak your words to a room full of people.
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#133 White Ink Calligraphy
March 18th, 2019 | 57 mins 36 secs
apple podcasts, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
All about Calligraphy, not just invitations, but signage, ceremony backdrops, seating assignments, outer envelopes, love letters...the possibilities are endless!
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#132 Credit Card Hacking Your Wedding
March 13th, 2019 | 59 mins 53 secs
apple podcasts, wedding, wedding advice, wedding inspiration, wedding planning, wedding podcast, weddings
Is it possible to pay for your honeymoon (or at least the flight and hotel accomodations) using points you earned when you spent money on your wedding? Yes! This episode breaks down how. We’re happy to have Keith King on the podcast because we too need to learn about our credit cards! Miles, points, travel hacking - woohoo!