Wedding Reality Check With Sandy Malone

  There’s a certain etiquette to wedding gown shopping at a bridal salon, but every store is a little bit different and has different procedures. Sandy says you need to call a bridal shop and ask some very specific questions BEFORE you make an appointment there.   Sandy Malone Weddings & Events www.SandyMaloneWeddings.com Weddings in Vieques www.WeddingsinVieques.com Podcast: http://www.iheart.com/show/27505307/ Twitter: @SandyMalone_ Facebook Sandy Malone and Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Instagram: SandyMaloneWeddings  

  Many venues charge more for weddings than other kinds of events because weddings require more labor, and cause extra wear and tear. Sandy says it may seem unfair until you consider what goes into a wedding reception.   Sandy Malone Weddings & Events www.SandyMaloneWeddings.com  Weddings in Vieques www.WeddingsinVieques.com Podcast: http://www.iheart.com/show/27505307/  Twitter: @SandyMalone_ Facebook Sandy Malone and Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Instagram: SandyMaloneWeddings      

After being inundated with social media marketing about LipSense, Sandy decided to try it. She put her favorite Maybelline 24 Hour Super Stay long wearing lip color up against LipSense to see which would hold out better, for longer. This is Sandy’s unsponsored, unbiased comparison between the two products – both have pluses and minuses.     Sandy Malone Sandy Malone Weddings & Events www.SandyMaloneWeddings.com Weddings in Vieques www.WeddingsinVieques.com Podcast: http://www.iheart.com/show/27505307/ Twitter: @SandyMalone_ Facebook Sandy Malone and Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Instagram: SandyMaloneWeddings

  For many brides, their wedding is the first time they’ve hosted a party of any size, and it’s a fantastic learning opportunity. In a day and age where most of us don’t go to finishing school to learn proper manners, the wedding is frequently the first time couples encounter many of these etiquette challenges. However, some brides feel that all wedding etiquette is outdated, and say it doesn’t apply to them. Sandy says brides may not realize that wedding etiquette goes both ways, and if you’re not going to be bothered with the niceties and effort that basic wedding etiquette requires, you should expect your guests to return the favor.   Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Weddings in Vieques www.WeddingsinVieques.com Listen via iHeart Twitter: @SandyMalone_ Facebook Sandy Malone and Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Instagram: SandyMaloneWeddings

Last week’s Alfred Angelo Bridal closure left thousands of brides and bridesmaids in the lurch. But one luxury dress design company has stepped up to gift 50 sample wedding gowns to brides who have a receipt proving they paid for dresses they bought but did not receive from Alfred Angelo. While many bridal vendors are offering deep discounts to dress-less-brides, this is by far one of the most generous opportunities out there for brides who are in a pinch. Check out Sandy’s blog (http://sandymalone.com/luxury-bridal-designer-is-gifting-50-wedding-gowns-to-alfred-angelo-victims/) with the details on how to sign up, and listen for more details!   Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Weddings in Vieques www.WeddingsinVieques.com Listen via iHeart Twitter: @SandyMalone_ Facebook Sandy Malone and Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Instagram: SandyMaloneWeddings

  A major bridal designer devastated thousands of women by closing its doors with no notice last week. Hundreds of women rushed to their local Alfred Angelo Bridal in the slightest hope they could actually pick up their already paid-for gowns, altered or not. Some brides were lucky, but more were not. And hundreds were left with wedding party orders partially fulfilled, or gone altogether. Other businesses and brides are stepping up to the plate in the wake of what easily be called the biggest wedding dress disaster this industry has ever seen.   Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Weddings in Vieques www.WeddingsinVieques.com Listen via iHeart Twitter: @SandyMalone_ Facebook Sandy Malone and Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Instagram: SandyMaloneWeddings

  Sandy will be dispensing wedding planning wisdom, and giving away $1500 in DIY wedding planning consulting services, as a well as copy of her book, “How to Plan Your Own Destination Wedding: Do It Yourself Tips from an Experienced Professional,” in the popular Facebook bridal chat group “I’m Engaged, Now What?” tonight, for #WeddingWednesday, July 12th at 9 pm Eastern time. The topic is How to Plan for and Prevent Wedding Nightmares – and Sandy will share some true life stories, and take Q&A. And she’ll be giving away valuable free stuff! You have to register to win ahead of the broadcast and be in the LIVE chat to win. Sign up now!   Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Weddings in Vieques www.WeddingsinVieques.com Listen via iHeart Twitter: @SandyMalone_ Facebook Sandy Malone and Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Instagram: SandyMaloneWeddings  

  St. Croix is one of Sandy’s favorite places to visit because it’s only a short hop from Puerto Rico, and it has some beautiful places to stay. The Marriott Renaissance Carambola Beach Resort has long been a favorite spot for Sandy and her husband, so she decided to review it for couples looking for the perfect honeymoon spot.    Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Weddings in Vieques www.WeddingsinVieques.com Listen via iHeart Twitter: @SandyMalone_ Facebook Sandy Malone and Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Instagram: SandyMaloneWeddings Contact:   info@flatlandsavenueproductions.com  

  If you’re visiting San Juan, Puerto Rico, you MUST visit the El Convento Hotel in Old San Juan. It’s the only hotel in San Juan that made the book of "1,000 Places to Visit Before You Die," and in Sandy’s opinion, it belongs on every traveler’s bucket list. The historic property is luxuriously appointed, and the perfect romantic place to stay on a stopover for a honeymoon cruise, or when you’re heading off to yet another island. It’s walking distance from everything that matters in Old San Juan.   Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Weddings in Vieques www.WeddingsinVieques.com Listen via iHeart Twitter: @SandyMalone_ Facebook Sandy Malone and Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Instagram: SandyMaloneWeddings Contact:   Call (855) 747-9602 for more information about this podcast and how it was produced.

  Most brides and grooms probably consider a wedding on a private Caribbean island above their budget. But that's not always true. Palomino Island at the El Conquistador Resort in Puerto Rico is a private tropical paradise where brides and grooms can say I do with their closest friends and family or just the local horses that live there. No request is too over the top - if you can afford it. Hear what Sandy thinks of El Conquistador as a wedding venue and honeymoon destination.   Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Weddings in Vieques www.WeddingsinVieques.com Listen via iHeart Twitter: @SandyMalone_ Facebook Sandy Malone and Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Instagram: SandyMaloneWeddings    

So what exactly is a wedding planner supposed to do when a wedding guest locks themselves in the restroom with a whole bunch of drugs and refuses to come out? Sandy tells the story of a wasted wedding guest and the tricky situation she encountered as a wedding planner.   Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Weddings in Vieques www.WeddingsinVieques.com Listen via iHeart Twitter: @SandyMalone_ Facebook Sandy Malone and Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Instagram: SandyMaloneWeddings  

If you're the kind of person who always buys travel insurance, Sandy says you're probably a good candidate for wedding insurance. Wedding insurance can protect you from natural disasters, and bad vendors, but it can also save you if your venue goes out of business before your wedding. She tells a true story of a winery near Baltimore that ruined a whole bunch of weddings in 2016. Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Weddings in Vieques www.WeddingsinVieques.com Listen via iHeart Twitter: @SandyMalone_ Facebook Sandy Malone and Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Instagram: SandyMaloneWeddings Contact:rita@flatlandsavellc.com for more information about this podcast and how it was produced.  

Sandy preaches a list of six things the bride and groom should not do at their wedding unless they want to kill their party and make all of the wedding guests uncomfortable. Check out her tips, and advice for handling the tricky situations. #weddingwednesday     Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Weddings in Vieques www.WeddingsinVieques.com Listen via iHeart Twitter: @SandyMalone_ Facebook Sandy Malone and Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Instagram: SandyMaloneWeddings    

  Sandy warns brides to be careful about publicly venting about their wedding party, even when you THINK you're venting in a private bridal chat group. You never know who is listening. Sometimes members of the wedding party will also be participating in the same wedding groups as the bride. Don't be a nasty entitled bride - consider everybody else's feelings!     Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Weddings in Vieques www.WeddingsinVieques.com Listen via iHeart Twitter: @SandyMalone_ Facebook Sandy Malone and Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Instagram: SandyMaloneWeddings Contact: rita@flatlandsavellc.com for more information about this podcast and how it was produced

More brides go Bridezilla on their mothers than you would believe. Why do we do it? Unconditional love. Mom will still speak to us if we have a total meltdown in the bridal shop. Sandy talks about what she did wrong, and cautions other brides not to repeat her mistakes.   Sandy Malone Weddings & Events www.SandyMalone.com Weddings in Vieques www.WeddingsinVieques.com FInd Sandy's Podcast on iHeart Twitter: @SandyMalone_ Facebook Sandy Malone and Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Instagram: SandyMaloneWeddings

It’s rude rude rude to plan your wedding on a wedding date you know belongs to a friend or family member. It’s akin to setting up a popularity contest if the guest lists have some of the same people on them. Sandy tells you what you should do if this happens to you on this Wedding Reality Check.   Sandy Malone Weddings & Events www.SandyMaloneWeddings.com Weddings in Vieques www.WeddingsinVieques.com Wedding Reality Check is on iHeart! Twitter: @SandyMalone_ Facebook Sandy Malone and Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Instagram: SandyMaloneWeddings Also available on iTunes, Podbean and via other podcast directories. debra@Flatlandsavellc.com for more information about supporting our efforts to produce fine podcasts.

  Bridal chat groups on social media can be an excellent resource for wedding planning but don’t give up all the real details of your wedding to a bunch of strangers. Sandy says to use your head, and keep important details to yourself so you don’t encounter some nasty problems.   Sandy Malone Weddings & Events www.SandyMaloneWeddings.com Weddings in Vieques www.WeddingsinVieques.com Wedding Reality Check is on iHeart! Twitter: @SandyMalone_ Facebook Sandy Malone and Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Instagram: SandyMaloneWeddings Also available on iTunes, Podbean and via other podcast directories.  

No matter how bitter you may be if your engagement ends, the simple fact is that you have to return the engagement ring to your fiancé. Whether you’re legally obligated to return it depends on the laws in your state, but most of the time, you cannot keep an engagement ring unless you actually do the deed and say “I do.” Sandy says to take the high road and return the ring without having to be asked.   Sandy Malone Weddings & Events www.SandyMaloneWeddings.com Weddings in Vieques www.WeddingsinVieques.com Wedding Reality Check is on iHeart! Twitter: @SandyMalone_ Facebook Sandy Malone and Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Instagram: SandyMaloneWeddings Also available on iTunes, Podbean and via other podcast directories. debra@Flatlandsavellc.com for more information about supporting our efforts to produce fine podcasts.

  Lots of brides and grooms ask their littlest loved ones to be members of the wedding party, but it’s important to have a plan to manage the kids during the ceremony and reception. Sure, those viral videos of ring bearers with their pants around their ankles are hilarious. But draws attention away from the bride and groom and makes the ceremony less serious. Maybe that’s what you want, but if not, there’s a way to plan ahead so that you little ones are a part of things but not the center of attention all day.   Sandy Malone Weddings & Events www.SandyMaloneWeddings.com Weddings in Vieques www.WeddingsinVieques.com Wedding Reality Check is on iHeart! Twitter: @SandyMalone_ Facebook Sandy Malone and Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Instagram: SandyMaloneWeddings Also available on iTunes, Podbean and via other podcast directories. debra@Flatlandsavellc.com for more information about supporting our efforts to produce fine podcasts.

    A double wedding is a magical thing, but both brides and grooms have to be on the same page for the planning and execution to go well. Sandy tells the story of a real wedding she planned for sisters that went great until the after-hour party. That's when one sister forgot she wasn't the only bride. Sandy Malone Weddings & Events www.SandyMaloneWeddings.com Weddings in Vieques www.WeddingsinVieques.com Podcast: http://www.iheart.com/show/27505307/ Twitter: @SandyMalone_ Facebook Sandy Malone and Sandy Malone Weddings & Events Instagram: SandyMaloneWeddings Subscribe via ITunes Here debra@Flatlandsavellc.com for more information about supporting our efforts to produce fine podcasts.