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Welcome to a special episode of The Wedding Reporter Podcast, where host Alyssa DiCicco takes you behind the scenes of a live wedding coaching session! This week, we’re joined by engaged Nashville couple Lauren Cicerchia and Dylan Clark as they navigate the exciting, and sometimes overwhelming, world of wedding planning. If you’re tying the knot in Nashville or just starting your wedding journey, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable advice.
Nashville Love Story: Lauren & Dylan’s Journey to “I Do”
Lauren and Dylan’s love story is a true Nashville romance. Having both moved to Music City in recent years (Lauren from Atlanta, Dylan from Kentucky), they met in the fall of 2021 and quickly fell in love while exploring everything Nashville has to offer. Now, with plans to marry in Nashville in August 2026, they’re diving headfirst into wedding preparations.
Their decision to host their wedding in Nashville makes perfect sense. As Lauren explains, “Nashville has become home for us.” It’s also a convenient and desirable destination for their families, who are spread across Georgia and Kentucky. Many guests are eager to make it a full weekend trip, enjoying the city while celebrating the couple’s big day.
Early Wins & What’s Next: Tackling the Wedding Planning Checklist
Just one month after their engagement, Lauren and Dylan have already secured their wedding date: August 29, 2026. They’ve also chosen a stunning venue: Clementine in Nashville. This historical church, now a modernized and “dark and moody” event space, is perfect for their larger guest list of around 160.
With the major tasks of date and venue settled, the couple found themselves wondering, “What do we do next?” This is a common question for many newly engaged couples, especially with so many opinions on planning timelines circulating online.
Alyssa, drawing on her extensive experience, offered immediate next steps:
- Secure your wedding photographer: This is crucial, and it’s best to book them early, especially if you have a specific style in mind.
- Start wedding dress shopping: Traditional boutique orders can take up to a year, plus time for alterations.
Navigating Photography for a “Dark & Moody” Venue like Clementine
Choosing the right photographer for a unique venue like Clementine requires careful consideration. Clementine’s beautiful stained glass windows and rich, “dark and moody” ambiance mean that natural light may be limited.
Alyssa advises couples to seek photographers who:
- Have prior experience working at Clementine. Their familiarity with the space is invaluable.
- Are accustomed to working in dark and moody settings. They’ll know how to utilize artificial lighting effectively to capture your day beautifully.
When interviewing photographers, don’t be afraid to ask about their equipment and approach to lighting in challenging environments.
Avoiding Wedding Planning Burnout: What to Prioritize (and What to Postpone!)
Wedding planning can quickly become all-consuming. To prevent burnout, Alyssa shared excellent strategies for couples to manage their time and focus:
- Create a Vision Board: Start with a broad vision board on Pinterest to explore themes, colors, and aesthetics that resonate with you. This visual exercise helps solidify your overall wedding style.
- Identify Your Top 3 Priorities: This is perhaps the most crucial advice. Discuss with your partner your absolute top three must-have elements for the wedding (e.g., photography, food, guest experience, music). These are the areas where you should allocate the majority of your budget and attention. Don’t be afraid to DIY smaller details that aren’t as high on your priority list.
- Inject Your Personalities: Think about what makes you, as a couple, unique. Do you love Taco Tuesday? Incorporate it! Are you music fanatics? Name your tables after your favorite bands. Small, meaningful details create a truly memorable experience for your guests.
Crafting a Memorable Guest Experience: Food, Rentals & More
The discussion naturally shifted to crafting an unforgettable guest experience, a top priority for Lauren and Dylan.
Food & Catering: Beyond the Traditional Plated Meal
Food is a significant component of any wedding. The couple emphasized the importance of good, filling food, hoping guests will at least not dislike it. They’re weighing options like plated, buffet, and family-style service, which Alyssa noted could be a fantastic choice, especially with Lauren’s Italian family background. Family-style dining fosters connection and allows guests to serve themselves, potentially reducing waste.
Key considerations for food and catering:
- Hidden Costs: Always ask caterers about potential hidden costs, like charges for extra guests or extended service hours.
- Alternative Desserts: Don’t feel obligated to have a traditional wedding cake if you don’t love it! This is your day. Consider pies, popsicles, ice cream, or even a brownie à la mode. You can always get a small cake for the traditional cutting photos if that’s important to you.
Rentals: Making Informed Decisions
When it comes to rentals like tables and chairs, it can be overwhelming. Alyssa, who has worked in rental companies, offers practical advice:
- Visit the Showroom: Go to the rental company’s showroom and physically sit on the chairs, feel the linens, and see the plates. This helps you visualize your choices and ensures comfort and aesthetic alignment.
- Mock Table Settings: Many rental companies will set up a mock table with your chosen items, allowing you to take pictures and get a better sense of the overall look.
- Rent vs. Buy/DIY: While some brides attempt to buy and resell linens, it’s often a significant undertaking. Respecting vendors’ pricing for their talent and time is crucial. Renting often ensures quality and reduces stress.
The Clementine Room Flip: Planning for a Smooth Transition
Clementine often requires a “room flip” – transforming the ceremony space into the reception area. Lauren expressed concern about this transition. Alyssa reassured her that rental companies are skilled in this, and it’s a topic to discuss with your venue and caterer for seamless execution.
The Big Picture: Prioritizing Your Relationship
Ultimately, Alyssa emphasized that the most important aspect of wedding planning is your relationship. It’s easy to get caught up in details and vendor quotes, but taking time to just be together, without discussing wedding plans, is vital.
“This is the only time in your life that you’re gonna get to do this,” Alyssa reminds couples. Focus on the purpose of the wedding – celebrating your commitment to each other – and savor the process with a relaxed and intentional mindset.
Show Notes
Alyssa sits down with engaged couple Lauren Cicerchia and Dylan Clark for a real-time wedding coaching session as they plan their big day in Nashville for 2026! From venue vibes and vendor must-haves to dessert debates and rental flips, nothing is off the table. 🍰💡 Tune in as they talk through guest experience ideas, budgeting tips, and how to actually enjoy the wedding planning process (yes, it’s possible!). Alyssa dishes out honest advice, creative solutions, and a whole lot of encouragement to help Lauren and Dylan turn their vision into a celebration to remember. 💫 If you’re knee-deep in wedding plans or just love a good behind-the-scenes moment, this one’s for you! 💬✨
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See more on this episode here: https://www.nashvillebrideguide.com/live-wedding-coaching-session-with-lauren-amp-dylan
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