Reagan Prechter

Podcast Episodes
Written By Reagan Prechter

When news broke that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce were engaged, the entire wedding industry lost its collective mind. My phone was buzzing, my feed was flooded, and like everyone else, I couldn’t look away. But once I got past the frenzy, it reminded me how quickly people start imagining, planning, speculating. And that made me want to pick up the mic and share a few truths I am often tempted to keep to myself.

I recently posted about “things I would tell you if I wasn’t afraid to hurt your feelings,” and the response was overwhelming. So here they are, expanded—my unfiltered take as a wedding planner who has seen it all.

Listen to the full episode via Spotify or Apple.

Stop Over-Entertaining Your Guests

Here’s the truth: your guests don’t need a carnival at cocktail hour. If you’ve given them a beautiful setting, a drink in hand, good food, and thoughtful entertainment, they’re already having an incredible experience. Less really is more. Overstuffing an hour with “the next big thing” can feel contrived and distracting. Show restraint. It reads as confidence—and class.

Florists Can’t Be Quoted Like 1-800-Flowers

This one always ruffles feathers: florists can’t hand out cookie-cutter estimates. True floral design is bespoke. Style, seasonality, formality, linens, even your venue all impact the scope. If someone rattles off a price without asking questions, that’s a red flag. What matters most is finding a florist whose work resonates with you and leaning on your planner to help you choose the right partner.

Invest in Lighting—Always

Lighting is the quiet powerhouse of ambiance. You can spend six figures on florals, but if they’re not lit well, they fall flat. Think about the restaurants where the mood is unforgettable—nine times out of ten, it’s the lighting. A well-lit room makes people feel beautiful, and when guests feel beautiful, the energy soars. Never skip it.

Welcome Gifts Should Mean Something

I might upset some gifting companies here, but I stand by it: generic welcome bags are overrated. No one needs a hangover kit stuffed with Advil and water bottles they could easily get from the hotel lobby. Instead, focus on intentionality—like a bottle of wine from the vineyard where you got engaged or a local snack and drink guests can enjoy right away. Small, thoughtful choices always outshine clutter.

Complaining Doesn’t Lower Prices

Would Chanel give you a discount for whining? No. The same applies to high-end vendors. Yes, pricing can feel outrageous, but complaining won’t change the reality—especially in markets where demand is sky-high. Accountability matters: adjust your choices or shift your priorities, but understand that quality comes with a cost.

Trust Your Planner to Do Their Job

You hired a planner for a reason. Collaboration is vital, but micromanaging and second-guessing erode the relationship. If trust isn’t there, it may be time to part ways. Otherwise, let us do the work you brought us on to do.

Enough with the Signage

A champagne wall doesn’t need instructions. Neither does a guest book or a bar menu. Too much signage cheapens the atmosphere—it starts to feel like HomeGoods slogans plastered everywhere. If you’re going to use signage, do it with restraint and purpose. Quality over quantity, always.

These aren’t meant to ruffle feathers—they’re observations from years of planning events at the highest level. Sometimes the truths couples need to hear aren’t the easiest, but they always lead to better celebrations.

And Taylor and Travis—if you’re reading this—I’d be honored to help.

If you would like to talk with us about planning your next event, CLICK HERE.

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