This episode is brought to you by Skinny Pop Popcorn.Perfectly popped, endlessly delicious.Oh, so light and crunchy.Skinny Pop Original Popcorn is the snack you've been searching for.
Made with just three simple ingredients, popcorn kernels, sunflower oil, and salt.Snacking never felt or tasted so good.Perfectly popped, endlessly delicious.Give yourself permission to snack and pick up Skinny Pop Original Popcorn today.
This episode is brought to you by Netflix.
From the co-director of Shrek and the visionary behind Toy Story comes Spellbound, a magical new animated adventure starring Rachel Zegler, John Lithgow, Jennifer Lewis, Nathan Lane, and Titus Burgess, with Javier Bardem and Nicole Kidman.
When a powerful spell turns her parents into monsters, Princess Elyon must journey into the wild to reverse the curse before it's too late.Watch Spellbound only on Netflix November 22nd.
Well, hello and how do you do?It's been a while.Welcome to the BrideChiller podcast.I'm Alicia McCormack and I have a very special guest on the show today.A little new host.I don't say little, I say a big welcome to Leah Hazalich.How are you?
Hello Alicia, I am so excited.Oh my gosh.
Thank you, thank you so much for the warm welcome.
Oh, well, thank you, thank you so much for passing the baton, accepting the baton of BrideChiller.
Girl, this is big shoes to fill, but I'm really excited because we're fellow nerds in the wedding world, and I'm honored to be a part of this with you.
Oh, well, thank you.Look, this has been a really surprising sort of six months of my life, just to bring it back to me, that, you know, in the pandemic, sort of in March, early 2020, I sort of put Bridechiller to rest.
I put it on a little bed rest and just said, sleep tight, my princess.We'll see what happens. after this whatever the hell we're about to go through.
And I really didn't know what was going to happen with weddings, what was going to happen with my life, what was going to happen with the podcast, so I just sort of let it be.
And then a very pleasant email hit my inbox, and it was your wonderful crew saying, hey, how do you feel about bringing Bride Chiller back?And I was very excited.
Well, I was going to say, how long had you been doing Bride Chill at that point?Because you had like 400 million episodes and they were all amazing and so helpful.
And I mean, those last few in the pandemic, you really were helping guide couples when they didn't know what the hell was going on.
Well, that's kind of you to say. Because I was, I mean, I felt equally as lost with what was going to happen.Obviously, it was hugely unclear internationally what was going to go down with if we could continue to have events.
Obviously, we didn't for a while.And then it was the mystery of, would people go back to the way it was?Would we change everything?How would we adapt to this new, we say, lifestyle?
So yeah, it was one of those things that it was nice to be able to guide people.But then I was like, I don't really know if I can help people anymore.And then, of course, We all just stayed at home for a long time.
So I did, yeah, I made over 400 episodes of the show, which was not my intention when I started at all.I thought it'd be a 10 episode situation.I'd just get all this stuff off my chest and I'd move on with my life.
But it turned out there was a lot more to get off my chest and everyone else had things to say too, so I just kept going.
Well, what made you decide to start that?To start Brachilla to begin with?
Wedding planning was on my, you know, we were planning our wedding and I planned the wedding, we'd gotten married and I just felt really attached to the idea of how shocked I was with how things ran, the wedding industry.You sort of hear about
Like, you know, the obvious things about budget and the planning of it can be stressful, blah, blah, blah.But for me, it was more about, oh, all of the emotional stuff.Trying to appease everyone, it seemed, in my whole life.
The obligation that was attached to things.And then also feeling immense pressure to stick to traditions that I had no interest in sort of redoing.But then I was like, oh, I probably should do this.
You mean you don't want to see your uncle try to bite someone's girder off their leg at the reception?What?
So exactly with that viewpoint, I was just like, I feel like I need to share some things.
So really at the time I was wanting to, you know, I'm a comedian, I'm a performer, and I thought I didn't want to do a comedy podcast because I just thought we've got 4 million of those with far more qualified people.
But, you know, I bought a little microphone, plugged it in and thought I'll just create this podcast in layman's terms, say this is what I did, and hopefully someone will listen and go from there.So that's where it took off. Really?
And it was called the Save the Date podcast.If you hear the early episodes, it's like you're listening to the Save the Date wedding podcast.I was like, oh, so much to say.
But it was like that for the first, I want to say like 50, 60 episodes, maybe I could be wrong.And then someone said, you make me feel really chill.You make me feel really like a bride chiller.And I'm like, ding, ding, ding.
This is what you, this is what I'm trying to do.
And it goes with your attitude of like,
Yeah, just chill the fuck out.It doesn't have to be that serious.
No, and it's like, yes, the commitment is something that you should be looking forward to with optimism and maybe some seriousness of going, I'm going to make a commitment to my partner.But it's a party.It's a party.And ultimately,
It's about two people making that commitment, and all the other stuff is extra.
So that's really, if you break down BrideChiller, it's basically just saying, strip away all of the shit and all of the extra stuff that's raining down upon you as soon as you start, and wipe all that away, and then go, what is this day about?
And then build up on there.That was BrideChiller.
Well, here's what we parallel so much, and I feel like we're soul sisters.I'm actually wearing my soul sister necklace today in spirit of this.Oh, beautiful.Thank you.
You created it out of your wedding planning and you ended the podcast during COVID in 2020.Yes.I was a newlywed and created my podcast Weddings Unveiled with Leah in 2020 during COVID.
So I kind of like was already getting into it as you were getting out, I guess.And we both have backgrounds as television producers and live entertainment.
yeah like i feel like so much of what you've said on the show and how you have gone through your trajectory matches is parallel to what i've gone through so this is um nice getting to do this with you because i really feel a kindred spirit and obviously how our marriages kind of
Went since then?Yeah.Kind of awesome.
Um, sure.Well, we should, we should address that.So, uh, I am no longer married to Richard who I did speak to a lot and talked about a lot during the podcast.
And, uh, you know, it's one of those things that life takes you on a different path, sometimes an unexpected path.And that certainly was unexpected to me at the time.
And you have moments of reflection of going, gee, what a journey as a couple and also as a business partnership, because Richard was quite big. part of Bridechiller as well.
So, you know, that was also a fact in winding things down because I really went through the stage of going, gosh, can I be talking about weddings when I sort of presented this relationship?
It was genuine throughout the whole Bride podcast, but then you sort of go through the process of going, oh, we're no longer in this couple and all this stuff that was created, where do you, what do you do with that?
And that's not just about business and, you know, that's in any sort of relationship breaking down, whether it be a romantic relationship or a friendship, you've got to go through that process of grieving, I suppose.
What is beautiful, there's just so much of, you know, you think about relationships and the people that I met through Brian Schiller, I just have so many amazing friendships that I've still got now, you know.
It went all over the world to wedding conferences, and I've picked up people all over the place, Leah.So Bridechiller to me is just such a huge part of my life.
And when I say to people, I made this podcast and it was listened to by millions of people, and I've sold all these books, I think people don't expect that from me when I'm just at work making my TV shows and stuff.I've got this whole other life.
It's like a little secret world, which you forget sometimes that I made.
And you did, and it's been so helpful.I mean, you are the OG of wedding podcasts.You help really start the movement.
Well, that's really flattering.And I mean, there are lots of wonderful people that create really helpful content across a bunch of platforms. funny dipping into the world, because I sort of stepped out of it, obviously, during pandemic times.
And when I thought Bride Chiller wasn't ever coming back, I was like, all right, that's done now.And it's been so good sort of delving back into the world of weddings and seeing how things have changed.
And also, I think the pandemic actually helped people lose a bit of that stiffness, perhaps, with weddings.Because I think for a lot of us, we came out of that era going, I'm going to change.I'm going to be different.Did we?I don't know.Grace.
I think with some people with weddings, got some people went, we don't need the big weddings anymore.We'll have a smaller intimate wedding.We don't need to go this huge things.And other people went, we really want to celebrate our love.
We want a huge wedding.So it's sort of interesting seeing the contrast.
And I want to talk about how weddings changed over the last few years in particular in a second, but just kind of bringing it back for a minute, um, for those that aren't familiar with me, and then maybe we've got newbies listening that don't
know you.So when Evergreen contacted you and we wanted to bring BrideChilla back, tell us about that transition and then me coming into the fold with the baton being tossed.
The baton was tossed.Here's the weird thing.I got the call and this is just how my life is going at the moment.I was working on Australian Survivor.I was producing on Australian Survivor in Samoa when I got the call to say, hey,
Would you like to speak to this wonderful company?They might have an interest in buying Broadchiller."And I was like, hell yes.So I had this strange call.
The call was great, but I'm in another, you know, in the middle of the Pacific and had a chat to the Evergreen team who were really very warm and lovely about reviving BrideChiller with a new host, you, Leah, which was very exciting to me.
And they wanted to purchase the brand and bring it back into the fold, which to me just gave me such warm, fuzzy heart feels because I just feel like BrideChiller had a lot more to give, but I didn't know if I was the person to be giving it, basically.
Well, I mean, you're still going to be here giving it.
But for those not familiar, Evergreen Podcasts, we are a podcast company out of Cleveland, Ohio, in the United States, and we are on track to become the leading independent podcast company in the country.
We have over 300 podcasts on our network, which includes a couple of wedding podcasts you can check out.And we are so excited to add BrideChilla to the mix.
You've created such an amazing program and again, so helpful, a great resource and I'm excited to be a part of it.And so with that, like just a little brief background about me.
I have been in media and entertainment for 20 years now, reporting for news and live entertainment with the Cleveland Cavaliers and all of our local sports teams in Ohio.
And then I've been with Evergreen podcasting for almost five years and have been the producer of 11 different shows and the host of Weddings Unveiled with Leah.And then on top of having the wedding podcast, I've been in multiple weddings.
I've gone to a thousand weddings and I planned my own.So I have firsthand knowledge of this stuff as well.
And tell me, did you feel bride chiller when you were planning your wedding?I actually didn't listen to any wedding podcast because I didn't think to.Oh, did you feel like a chiller though?How did your wedding planning go?
So I went into it.I'm glad you asked this.So I went into it thinking, I got this.I've been to so many weddings.I've been in weddings.I have studied weddings for so long.I was a bridesmaids consultant.Oh.I literally live for say yes to the dress.
And I get all the bridal magazines even before being engaged.Pinterest is my best friend.I got this. I'm a producer.That's what I do, right?Oh, you got it.
Six months into planning, I had a breakdown with my now ex-husband and I go, I cannot produce my own wedding on top of my other job.And he's like, ah, I don't have to do with this.
And I'm like, I need to hire somebody, just like a month out, just like a month out person. And I did.
I hired a month out day of coordinator and they saved my life because I was like, I don't know how I'm supposed to like coordinate all the components, the photographer, the venue.Like I got enough shit on my plate.Like I cannot do this.
I literally had a breakdown.And so, yeah, I was not as chill at that moment as I thought I would be.But once I had Oak and Honey, they were amazing.That helped. chill me out and they were worth every penny.
Hey, the first, I think the biggest thing is like asking for help is the hardest thing, especially for professional people.You're like, I can do everything.And I do that in my normal life now where I'm just like, yeah, I'll take another task on.
Come on, bring it on.Let's go back at him.And then you're just like, oh my gosh, I've got 17 tasks going right now when I could have probably just allocated or distributed those tasks to other people who were probably willing to do it.
Yet I'm a hero and I take on everything.I see you.It's not worth it.
I know. They will all come together, but it is helpful, I think.This is a big tip I do give people.
Whether you can afford to pay a day of coordinator at the minimum, or have a family member or friend help out, have someone take on the task of coordinating the team, because you need to be able to enjoy your day with your partner, period.
Oh, absolutely.Absolutely.You don't need to be running around queuing different vendors to do things at certain times.
You want to be present and enjoying the day because that's what the whole process of planning is about, reaching that day and also the lead up as well.I don't want to put it on just one day.
I think it's also just the journey, enjoying that sort of process without, as you said, going into that spiral of like, oh my God, this is an overwhelming experience.That's never fun.
No, and it can get really overwhelming, whether you're choosing your dress or suit, or you're picking the venue, or the guest list, which to me is like hell on earth.So that's all overwhelming, you know?Yeah, it's just different grades.
You reach different stages as to what you're going to freak out about totally.
Which is why Bride Chiller's here.Exactly.We're here to guide you so you don't have those freak out moments.And if you're having that freak out moment, we can tell you, one, it's normal. Two, you'll get through it.And three, ask for help.
Definitely.Oh, very good.Top three.Yeah.
So what was the biggest change you've seen in the wedding industry over the years of doing BrideChilla and even since then?
Well, I suppose, you know, it was interesting.
Bride Chiller came at the sort of cusp of, you know, diversity and equality and gender equality and gay marriage and all these sort of different components of equality sort of came to head just when I was making the show, which was great.
And also a long time coming for many countries that were sort of going through that process of legalization and also going into all the politics of weddings as well.It really changed.And not just talking about gender politics, just about
I think there was a shift in people really saying, we don't want to necessarily live by the traditional.We don't have to necessarily go through all of the things that our parents went through when it came to weddings.
So I feel like in that sort of mid-2000s stage, when I first started the podcast, it was when things were really starting to come to a head.
Also, that's when your Pinterest was really like the number one website to go to now to plan your wedding was Pinterest.And I think that's obviously other platforms have emerged.Pinterest is still very relevant.
But it's the technology attached to weddings really also started to escalate really quickly during the period of me making the show.
So all of these really handy bits of tech and inclusions that can make life easier were also things that were included in the industry.Just basic stuff like planning where people are sitting.
People were coming out with all these sort of great little apps going, oh, we can do a seating planner.And that sounds like basic bitch stuff now, but like eight years ago, it was like pretty, pretty, pretty significant.
And then also it's just the idea that the attachment to traditions and also the way things look, I think the look of weddings have really evolved and that excites me because
To me, it's about presenting who you are as individuals and then who you are as a couple.And that should be, your wedding should reflect that.
So it doesn't mean you have to look like a cookie cutter version of everyone else, wearing a white dress if you don't want to wear a white dress.If you do, great.And wearing a suit, vice versa.And I'm talking about all genders here.
So I think there's a freedom now, I think, more to express who you are.And then to put that into your wedding and go, hey, we like baseball.So this is our wedding and this is how it's going to be.
We're the baseball couple, fine.Or, you know, we don't put all this obligation to sort of follow the pathway of getting married in specific places that are for weddings.You know, who cares?Get married somewhere else.
Not everything has to be a hotel ballroom.No!Oh, God, no.I mean, if you want that, but like, you don't have to.Yeah, you don't have to.But there was a long time where people thought that you had to do like... There's plenty of other options.
Like you said, cookie cutter, right?Like it's this is this.And you have to have this tiered cake and yada yada.It's like, if I don't want cake, I don't want cake.
Like, you don't have to have cake.No, or just have a big ice cream cake if you like.That sounds fantastic.Yeah.Actually, that sounds marvelous.I really want that right now.
We'll be right back after a quick break. One of my favorite sounds is the sound of champagne popping.Because when you hear it, you just know it's a celebration.
And one of the best ways to celebrate is when you have champagne and sparkling wine from Last Bubbles.It's so great getting to have a variety of delicious sparkling wine and champagne sent conveniently right to my door.
Today's episode is brought to you by Last Bubbles, the sparkling sister brand to Last Bottle Wines.And trust me, you're going to be hooked. If you're a fan of champagne or sparkling wines, this is your new go-to.
Every day they offer just one bottle of premium bubbly at an insane discount, sometimes up to 70% off.They handpick their selection from fabulous wineries around the globe to bring you the creme de la creme.
There's no subscriptions, no fees, and no minimum purchase.Just a daily offer of bubbly that you will love. And it gets better.For BrideChilla listeners, you can get 10% off your next order with the code BrideChilla.Head over to LastBubbles.com.
That's L-A-S-T-B-U-B-B-L-E-S dot com.
So you want to be a marketer.It's easy.You just have to score a ton of leads and figure out a way to turn them all into customers.Plus, manage a dozen channels, write a million blogs, and launch 100 campaigns all at once.
When that's done, simply make your socials go viral and bring in record profits.No sweat.OK, fine.It's a lot of sweat.But with HubSpot's AI-powered marketing tools, launching benchmark-breaking campaigns is easier than ever.
Get started at hubspot.com slash marketers.
So with trends, what trend do you hope stays around forever?And what trend do you hope goes away forever?Like you never want to see or hear it again.
Yeah.Oh, that's such a good question.I mean, for me, trend, like, yeah, the sort of fads or trends that come and go over the years have been so interesting to me.
I mean, look, I welcome things like, you know, if you want to trash your dress, trash your dress.But then I'm also like, maybe you could make something else out of the dress.
Or you don't have to wear the traditional wedding dress and then buy a dress that you want to wear in your real life.I say real life, you know what I mean?Outside of the wedding.
Outside of the wedding, yeah.
And wear it again or dye it or something.So I think there are things where I noticed over the years, there were lots of little fads that came and went.
that sometimes people really, really jumped on board, and other times people were very like, this is a one-trick pony, we're done.
I think the good things for me are the trend, and this is probably not the sexiest answer, but it's like renting stuff, renting wedding clothes, and not feeling obliged to have to keep spending money on things that you will literally only use once, possibly.
People go, oh, definitely reuse all of these 400 tablecloths that I've bought for the wedding. you were never going to, they're going to sit in your garage and you'll forget about them.
And then when you move house, you'll go, what's the fuck are these boxes?Oh, it's the 400 tablecloths we purchased when we should have hired them.So I think it's looking at what's of value to you and then what you can spend money on.
And I think otherwise for me, yeah, one of the biggest trends I loved was renting everything, including so, so many people now rent their attire.And I just think that's a very interesting sort of thing to do.
And I probably would have done it if it was back in the day when I got married.I really struggled with finding a dress that I really liked.
And in the end, I went for an off-the-rack dress after I'd bought a traditional wedding dress, because I'm like, this traditional wedding dress is not me.And then I ended up buying a lovely dress.
But if I could have hired that, I would have done it in a jiff.
Did you feel pressure with the formal traditional dress?
Yeah, I think the pressure came from me more than anyone.No one told me I should be wearing an off-the-shoulder dress.And when I bought it, I thought it was beautiful.
But, you know, I wear New Balance and jeans most days and, you know, I love a bit of makeup and looking sexy and fun.But I'm like, I'm not a strapless ball gown bitch.That's not who I am.
So, you know, I think the pressure was me going, all right, you're a bride.This is how you should look.And I went crazy.And I did talk about this in earlier podcasts when I would go at this like, I need accessories, this will fix everything.
And I bought every bolero, and shiny cardigan, and belt, and I got leather.I got leather belts, I'll be rustic, and then I got like 10 different leather belts.I'm calling my dad going, have you said belts?And I'm like, fuck, this is not the solution.
You can't just add more shit on to make you look better when you just like get, so yeah, I think the pressure totally came from in my own head, but that came.
from, you know, all of the stuff we're told over and over again that this is how you should look.So it was an awakening for me.And that was also sort of the beginning of that thought process of going, oh, fuck this.I'm going to do what I want.
Yeah, it's a week before the wedding.I'll buy another dress.And it made me feel so much better.It was freeing.
And that is a great tip and reminder.Stay true to you.It's so easy to get sucked into, like, what your family's done, what society tells you.You get obsessed with that image on Pinterest or Instagram.
Instagram's a big one, you know, with weddings and the FOMO that you might get of not having that, like, million-dollar look.But, like, if you want to wear sneakers down the damn aisle, do it.Who cares?Like, you can do it.It's you.
It's authentically you, right?A sensible shoe you will not regret, I have to say. But yeah, I absolutely agree.Staying true to yourself.
Also, you want to look back at the photos and think, I still look back at my wedding photos now, not that I'm looking at them often, but I'm saying if I look at the way it was done, it was definitely reflected who we were as people at the time.
And I would feel regret, I think, looking back and thinking, I wore that other dress, I'm sure I would have felt fabulous and wonderful, but it wasn't really who I was and who I am now.
So I think you just need to think, hey, we don't want to look back and go, this is not who we were.And of course, you will change as people as time goes on.People that say, well, the wedding reflects who you are now and into the future.
That's probably absolute rubbish.But I do think you should represent who you are at this time of getting married.
I agree.And like, you can look at some weddings as a time capsule, right?Especially the 1980s, for example.Oh, yeah.It's not classic.It's very of that moment.So, like, if you just say you, it's going to be timeless anyways, right?But.Absolutely.
Your renting, your renting tip.I really agree with that.And it really wasn't a thing when I was getting married either.I mean, maybe it was, but I wasn't hip to it.But I would have done my bridesmaids dresses that way or like rent or go buy.
But I was like, oh, no, like. not match, match, but like, let's all just go to David's Bridal.You're all over the U.S.like.Yeah.Yeah.Now it'd just be like, here's the color.Just find what you like.Yeah.
Pick a color.Go for it.Exactly.Yeah.Yeah.There are lots of good rental companies out there.You can get great deals.And then just also know you can send it back and it's not going to take up the wardrobe space.The precious space in the wardrobe.
Well, space, as you were saying about all the linens and the thing, I was up in my attic.I bought a house months ago, and I was up there.I'm like, I have all the stuff from the wedding that I'm not going to use.
And so I have a friend getting married next year, and I took photos.And I was like, hey, do you need six boxes of gold votives?Because they're yours.
I will save you all the money.Here's the sign.Here's this thing.And it's like, yeah.If I can pass it to a couple that will lovingly use it, That's great.
Yeah, you know, that's wonderful.Yeah, I do.I do think I think that's wonderful to do that.And also, yeah, don't cling on to things.I think that's the other thing you will never use.Well, that's that's probably a bit strong.
It's highly unlikely like the stuff in Leah's attic.Move it quickly after.
Yeah.Four years, five years later, like you're not.No.Yeah.It's time to go. So with the show, with Bridechiller, do you have favorite moments from guests that you want to highlight?
Oh, look, I mean, I had so many wonderful wedding vendors on who just really were honest and open and shared really, I think, really helpful tips.So, I mean, over the years, my guests became like the regulars we had.
built this great rapport and also, you know, for me, the most important part of the show were my listeners.And the Q&A episodes for me were always surprising.I'm just like, man, all these people are leaving me voice messages asking for my advice.
And there was pressure there, because sometimes I would give the wrong advice, or they would let me know, I don't agree with you, which I loved.Because I'm like, great, this is advice.This is not a Bible.This is not fact.
But the idea that people took the time, but also shared quite intimate, vulnerable things with me, and therefore the audience, this huge audience, which was great.But it just shocked me that people really cared about what I had to think.
But also, I really enjoyed giving the advice. And connecting and also then making people realize, oh, this person's having this issue.
And then so many people would write to me going, I'm so glad you played that voice message because I've had this issue and I was just too scared to ask, or I didn't think anyone else was having this problem.
It's a really common life situation where you hear someone else complain about their life and you're like, oh, thank fuck, I'm having the same thing and it's not just me.
So for me, you know, when you talk about favourite moments in the show, I'd have to say, not even getting specific, it's just this idea.
And going back through now in the process of handing the reins over to Evergreen Podcast, it's been really nice to sort of listen to a little bit and also go back through the website and read some of the questions and really think, gosh, it made an impact.
But also, oh, it was really fun just giving advice to people. I realized how much I enjoy it and going, it made me feel very self-important.But also, I just, it was just lovely to be able to share.
But you went into the trenches.So like you have the wisdom to dispense onto others.So it's nice to share with what you've been through.
Well, that's nice.I just sort of saw myself as an honest friend, really.And maybe just saying the stuff that your friends at home are a bit scared to say.
I often think people would ask me questions, and I'm sure you're going to experience the same thing, Leah, because I know you'll be taking Q&A questions.
And hopefully I'll be a part of that a little bit as well.It's really nice that we can do that.
The idea that I think a lot of people would just record and go, I haven't asked or told anyone this before, but I'll tell it to a podcast, but also I'll share it and maybe it will give me some sort of relief and help other people.
So sometimes people would write to me going, I haven't told anyone else about this fear or this problem, but can you just, can you solve this for me?And let's just get it out and get it done.It's like ripping the Band-Aid off.
And I would say that was really bold that people did that and chose to share that with me.I was really grateful.
Well, it's like we're therapists.You can tell your therapist anything, but you can't tell your mama, you know?
But I think that's because sometimes you're afraid of what your family or friends might say or think, even though they might come from a loving place and not judge you whatsoever.But it's still a vulnerability.
And you're in a very vulnerable state planning a wedding.You don't think you're going to be until you're in it.But I think that's why.
You and people like us that are doing this to be a resource and to help others, it's kind of like being a therapist.You are there to be the ears and the tough love and dispense what we know, our wisdom with what we've been through.Without judging.
You can also go home and not feel like you're the bee.Yeah.You can turn us off.You can't turn off your family and friends all the time.
Absolutely.Absolutely.You know, I think with the Bride Chiller audience as well, I would just come up with these things or say these things and they would be repeated back.And I think it was really interesting.
Like the fuck it bucket became a big thing, which was just something I didn't invent the fuck it bucket.It was something I'd read about people had said in a Reddit post or something.I remember crediting the same that this is just like,
a huge light bulb moment for me of just then taking it and running with it and using it for most of the, like it became the ethos really of the show later on.
Was the fuck it bucket kind of like the new am I the asshole?What's the fuck it bucket?
No, no, the fuck it bucket was, so someone just said, oh, it was, it wasn't even in context of wedding.Someone is like, ah, I'm worried about this thing.And someone's like, just put in the fuck it bucket. And I read it going, ah, mm-hmm.
And so when someone had to ask me a question, I think, I'd have to go back and listen to the specifics, but we were talking about chair covers.And they were worried about, do I need to invest in all these extra things?And I'm like, you know what?
If they're not meaningful for you, just put them in the fucker bucket and watch them burn.And then it really took off with the idea of, really the fucker bucket was just a place where insignificant things go and also worry and obligation.
So it just became this almost like a weird umbrella term for what Bridechiller stands for.But that episode, I would always refer people back.So like, what episode do you listen to first?And I was like, ah, fucker bucket, go to the fucker bucket.
That just explains everything.And then go back and start it all.Cause then that'll get you in the frame of mind.And if you don't like the fucker bucket, Bridechiller might not be for you.That was the thing.
No, but I love that though. And it is so true, and let me tell you, chair covers can go in the bucket.Oh god, yeah.You do not need to spend the extra money.Unless you are that into detail and have that much of a budget, it's not worth it.
Yeah, I don't think... Yeah, I mean, chair covers and all, we have a long history of me just really hating on it.But 286, The Fuck It Bucket was the first one.Oh, 286.And I did actually remember there was a good one.Will Lincoln.Yeah, Lincoln, do it.
And then 322, I remember The Fuck It Bucket was, I did a vendor edition, which was good.I did a two-part vendor edition, which was really fun because I had a bunch of people on
I cut it like a little documentary, but we went through all of the things vendors would put in the fucker bucket, which is powerful because it's like they're talking about their own business, but then go, by the way, you don't need this.
Put it in the fucker bucket, don't tell anyone.It was great.
I love that.We need that honesty in our lives.Yeah, we do. Okay, speaking of honesty, a question that I've already prepped you, like you know this is coming, but I have to know because I'm such a celebrity pop culture wedding freak, like live for it.
I really want to know what your favorite celebrity wedding and least favorite celebrity wedding is.You remember that Kim Kardashian wedding to that basketball player?Oh, the big one that was on E? Chris Humphries.
Is that one of your favorites or least favorites?I don't know.I think about that wedding quite often.I think Mindy Weiss was the wedding planner for that one.Yes.I think it was Mindy Weiss.I don't want to diss all... Or was it Sharon Sachs?
I have no idea.It's one of those two.I know that for sure.Celebrity weddings have never been my jam.As in, I don't know.See, here's what I think about celebrity weddings.They're just really rich people who have every opportunity in life.
Some people have earned the fame and celebrity through productivity and skill.Some people are just famous and that's fine, but that's the world we live in.
I don't know, when I look at celebrity weddings and when I read, you know, and now this is why I'm struggling with this question because it's like aesthetically I could name five weddings that I think are beautiful, but it's also like what are the things that really float your boat?
Recently, the wedding that I really loved was Naomi Watts. And if you Google her, so she just, I mean, why should she tell us?Because we're just people who don't know her, but I follow her on Instagram.I'm into her Metapause stuff.
So she had this great little town hall wedding.Oh my gosh, what's her husband's name?I've forgotten his name.He's on The Morning Show.Billy Kudrow.Oh, thank you. They've been together for 15 years or something.
They're not a new couple, but they just had this little pop-up wedding.They're a quiet couple.Oh, I love a quiet couple.I forgot they were together until they got married.Yes.So when that popped up, I'm like, oh, you look amazing.
You are doing your own thing. beautiful wedding photos, but then also just very casual in a very stylish way.Casual style.That's my look.I think I want to look where it's like, I just put this look together.
And then you might, you might've spent six hours putting the look together, but I like the casual look.I mentioned the Kim Kardashian, Chris Humphries wedding.Cause that was the first wedding celebrity wedding I watched.And I'm like, well,
regardless of their relationship, this is not like this is a wedding for television, you know, and it was a turn off to me, but also I couldn't look away.
It was like, obviously that whole experience, you know, she's been through some things, but, um, that wedding was weird.And I think about it often.I also just think about this SNL sketch that went around it.And, um, please link to that.
I'm going to send you the link.So yeah, it's ridiculous.Um, anyway. Kristen Wiig as the matriarch Kardashian, as Kris, is one of the best moments that always, if I need a pick up, I watch that episode of SNL and it makes me really giggle.
What do you think of celebrity weddings influencing our weddings in our culture?
Well, I mean, Celebrities and people of high stature, I mean, throughout history have influenced us.So I suppose that's just how it goes.I think it's fine.It's fine to get inspiration from wherever you get inspiration from.
Go to an art gallery, look at that sort of stuff.You know, you could find inspiration everywhere.
I think it's just feeling pressure to replicate something that understandably 99% of the population couldn't afford or have the time and energy to replicate.We don't have the Mindy Weisses on our team to do that, nor do we have
celebrity contacts and the effort and energy that probably goes into making these huge events.And also, a lot of these events, they've got 500 guests.Who the fuck knows 500 people that you want to celebrate a day like that?It's a spectacle.
And that's the choice of the couple.But I also think It's probably the expectations of looking up to something like that.
It's probably not unrealistic, but also be inspired by what you're inspired by, but don't feel the obligation to then replicate and get into debt or feel pressure, basically.
Agreed.Especially the debt. There's no reason for it.And it's easy to add up, which we'll get into on the show, but it's easy to add up fast.
Absolutely it is.And I think pressure to spend, get things done, but I think it's just really being mindful of what you want to achieve and how you're going to achieve it is really the basics of wedding planning.
And not getting out of your head and panicking and adding extra things on or feeling like It needs to be something bigger than it is.
It's just coming back to that Zen place, taking a deep breath, figuring out what you want, do a bit of, you know, car screaming if you need to get it out and you'll be fine.
Well, Alicia, as we're wrapping up here, what are you hoping for the future of Braidchilla now that we're revamped and restarted?
It literally gives me a little ping in my heart every time I think of you making the show, me popping in occasionally, and then also just the idea that it's going to be launching to a whole new generation of chillas.It really thrills me.
I feel full trust and love for you, Leah, that you will take Bridechiller in your path now.This is the other thing.I have my Bridechiller, big professional loudmouth here.You're a new professional loudmouth, so I'm passing on to you.
I love it.And I love that you'll be teaming up with me and you can pop in and hang out.I love the pop in.Yeah, you can pop in and bullshit with me and we'll just do what we can to help others.
And the idea that I can still be a part of it in this way or just watch you and yeah, it's thrilling to me.So thank you.And thanks for involving me like this because this didn't have to happen.So it's a really nice little thing.
way for me to still be a part of it and transition you into the main seat, which is just so exciting.
I'm excited.I'm excited to get to know all the chillers out there.
The newbies and the OGs all are welcome.
It's a killer community.I'm so grateful.And that's the thing.The chiller community is one of those places.Even, you know, I noticed for years of our Facebook groups and
Even just sort of looking on the blog, I remember people were just hanging out there after they got married.And that was a testament to the community more than anything, that they would still stay.
Because a lot of time you get married and you're like, all right, I'm deleting all those pages, I'm leaving the groups, I'm getting out, I'm moving on to the next thing in my life.
But to see people hanging in those spaces and still contributing and providing advice That, to me, is just a testament to the people that BrideChiller attracted.So hats off to the chillers out there for being wonderful people and a great community.
You're going to love them more.
Yeah, cheers to that.And hopefully they still stay on board after they get married because, like you just said, once you've been through it, you can dispense what you've just learned. hey, this worked for me, this didn't work for me.
I shouldn't have spent my money on this or I'm so glad I bought this or did this or yeah, keep sharing it.Let's keep helping each other because that's the only way you grow and get better and save money.Absolutely.And then make some friends.Yes.
That's the best part, right?Yeah.It's really great.And I'm glad I have your friendship now too.
Likewise, Leah.This is just lovely.I've got a new friend.Bridechill is continuing.Hurrah.Yes.
Well, until next time, chillas.
Happy days.It's been awesome.
Thanks for joining us today.Be sure to subscribe wherever you get podcasts so you never miss an episode.Give us a follow on social media and visit TheBrideChilla.com.
To leave a question you'd like to hear answered on the show, head to SpeakPipe.com forward slash BrideChillaPodcast.Also linked in the description. BrideChilla is a production of Evergreen Podcasts.
Thanks to our producer and engineer, Grace Deanna Longfellow, and our executive producers, Bridget Coyne and Gerardo Orlando.And of course, a special thanks to Alicia, our OG BrideChilla, and Megan Ely of OFD Consulting.I'm your host, Leah Hasledge.
Until next time, chillas.
There is no hood like parenthood.When you meet a fellow parent, you just kind of get each other on a whole nother level.Hi, I'm Kanika Chanda Gupta.
I'm a former CNN journalist, mom of three, including twins and host of That's Total Momsense, the podcast. I interview changemakers on their life lessons, legacy, and superpower of intuition, aka their mom sense and dad sense.
I've had some pretty amazing parents on my show.Hey, what's up?I'm Kelly Rowland.Hi, this is Chelsea Clinton.It's me, Bobbi Brown.
Can't wait to share my story.
Episodes release every Thursday.Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and on YouTube.Join my tribe at That's Total Momsense.com and follow me on Instagram at Kanika Chadha Gupta.I'm thrilled to be on this journey with you.
Hi, I'm Daniela Clark.I'm Barbara Ann Wild.And we are The Honest AF Show.Our podcast is real, honest conversation with our celebrity friends and pros.Covering our anything but average rock and roll lifestyle.
All while tackling the hell that is aging and the battle of beauty.Oh yeah, nothing is off the table.The Honest AF Show is available wherever you get your podcasts.
Sign in
