The Planner’s Passport - Wedding Planners, Travel Agents, Decades of Stories

Catching Up with Jen and Megan: Proposals, Poop, and Travel Plans

This week, we talk about… well, everything and nothing at all, which is basically our specialty.
We catch up on Megan’s time up north Wisconsin, one of Jen’s former make-out sessions, and why you should always walk up the hill when your boyfriend tells you to. (Spoiler: proposals happen on hills.) We get into upcoming travel plans, pooping on vacation, Groupon purchases, Mexican food cravings, and of course, JAMAICA! Come travel with us.
SPECIAL ALERT: If you’ve been thinking about advertising with us, now’s your moment. Get in at the basement level and grow with us because this elevator is going up.
So no, it’s not nothing. It’s everything. It's hilarious. And it’s very us. Press play.
 

Decoding Your Wedding Dreams with Jesse Lyon

This week, we’re joined by Jesse Lyon of Lyon Mental Health—a therapist, dream interpreter, and hilarious human who somehow made talking about the subconscious feel like a party.We get into the weird and wonderful world of wedding dreams (yes, those anxious ones with missing dresses and runaway grooms), including Megan’s cake dream that—spoiler alert—wasn't really about cake at all.Jesse breaks down what our dreams are trying to tell us during high-stress seasons like wedding planning, how therapy can help us navigate the chaos, and why he thinks your mental health team deserves a seat at the vendor table.It’s insightful, entertaining, and one of our favorite convos yet.
 
Lyon Mental Health
@lyonmentalhealth

Short or Long? The Engagement Showdown

This week on The Planner’s Passport, we’re talking timelines—specifically, how much time you really need to plan a wedding. Whether you're stretching things out over 18 months or sprinting toward an 'I do' in six weeks, there are perks and pitfalls on both sides.
Longer planning timelines might sound like a dream (hello, options), but with time comes the temptation to overthink everything. Shorter timelines force quick decisions, streamline the process, and reduce waffling—but they also come with logistical curveballs and fewer available vendors.
We break it all down: from decision fatigue to vendor availability, budget impact to emotional whiplash. And in true fashion, we absolutely go off the rails at least once, possibly more. You already know.
Whether you're a type-A planner or a last-minute lover, this one’s for you.
 

Behind the Lens with Heather Cook Elliott Photography

This week on the pod, we’re joined by one of our OG listeners —  Heather Cook Elliott! To say that Megan and Jen are as mutually obsessed with her as she is with us? A massive understatement.
Heather is a Milwaukee-based wedding and portrait photographer whose work is rooted in real connection, thoughtful storytelling, and capturing people as they truly are. She’s the kind of person who shows up fully behind the camera and in life, and we absolutely adore her.
In this episode, we dive into Heather’s origin story, what it’s like building a creative business with soul, and why we all can’t stop giggling through this whole conversation. Spoiler: Heather’s coming with us to Jamaica. Are you??
 
 Tune in for major bestie energy, industry insight, and a whole lot of love.
 

Live Wedding Art with a Side of Booty

This week, we’re joined by the wildly talented and hilariously cheeky Rachal A. Duggan, the creative genius behind Rad Illustrates. Known for her signature butt drawings (yes, you read that right), Rachal is an illustrator, author, and workshop leader who brings her one-of-a-kind style to everything from comics to custom wedding art.
We dive into how Rachal started drawing butts, what it’s like being a creative vendor on a wedding day, and the unexpected chaos of live event sketching.
From editorial and branding illustrations to teaching private drawing workshops, Rachal does it all and somehow makes it all hilarious. Tune in for puns, laughter, and an honest peek behind the (butt) curtain of wedding day artistry.
Follow her work on Instagram and TikTok @radillustrates.

Who’s Really Winning? Inside the Business of Wedding Awards

Last week, Jen popped off about moms (and no, Megan still does not agree with her).
This week? Megan’s the one telling it like it is. And honestly? We're. Here. For. It.
She’s in her villain era, y’all. We’re talking wedding industry awards and how (surprise!) a lot of them are paid for. Not saying the people winning don’t deserve the spotlight, but it’s worth knowing there’s usually money behind that shiny badge. Transparency matters, and Megan’s not holding back.
Tune in! Why? Because it’s so fun when Megan spills the dirt.

From Jen, With Love: A PSA for All Wedding Moms

This week’s episode is all about moms.
 
To be clear, Megan does not sign off on any of this. This is 100% Jen’s story arc... from superhero to supervillain wedding planner.
Now, Jen actually loves most moms. But in her experience, a few bad apples spoiled the bunch so much that she no longer works with parents unless they’ve been fully vetted.
But this episode isn’t just about mom drama (although yes, a few wild stories are shared). It’s really meant to help moms navigate the modern wedding planning journey. A lot has changed since their own wedding days... and let’s just say, some of them struggle with that. So this one’s for you, moms. We’re here to help so that you don't become a Momzilla.
Oh! We also spend a solid 15 minutes talking about “John Smith” (name changed to protect the extremely attractive but not-so-innocent boy everyone had a crush on in high school).
You don’t want to miss it.

The Man Behind the Vintage Recipes: Marco Braun of Marco's Funhouse

We’re fangirling a little harder than usual this week, because our guest isn’t just TikTok-famous—he’s also one of Jen’s former grooms… twice. (Ah, the joys of COVID-era weddings.)
Marco Braun—aka @marcosfunhouse—joins us to share the story of his two celebrations, what it was like planning during a pandemic, and how he accidentally became the internet’s vintage recipe king. Oh, and did we mention that Hilary Duff bought him and his husband their registered china after he went viral for being the world’s biggest Lizzie McGuire fan?
We talk about love, weddings, internet fame, and yes… a very passionate discussion about mayonnaise. It’s hilarious, heartwarming, and everything you didn’t know you needed today.

Tropic Like It’s Hot: We're Going to The Bahamas!

🎙️ This Week on the Podcast: We're Going Tropical, Baby! 🌴
Pack your sunscreen and questionable swimwear—we're taking this podcast to The Bahamas and want YOU to come with us! In this episode, we spill the (piña colada-flavored) tea on our upcoming getaway to Sandals Royal Bahamian. Think snorkeling with sea turtles (or at least aggressively friendly fish), late-night karaoke that may cause permanent secondhand embarrassment, and tropical drinks with umbrellas that are fancier than our actual wardrobes.
We're giving you the inside scoop on what it's like to party podcast-style in paradise, how to snag your spot on this sandy adventure, and why your mom, best friend, or mildly chaotic partner absolutely needs to come too. It’s happening November 30–December 3, and it’s going to be legendary… or at least mildly sunburned and extremely fun. 🌞🎤🌊
 
Want more info or to get your room on hold?
Reach out to Megan at megan@daretodreamtravelwi.com or check out our trip page at http://www.daretodreamtravelwi.com/join-us-bahamas.html
 
See you on the beach! 
Megan & Jen

Sonoma Shenanigans: Wasted in Wine Country

This week, Jen’s in Sonoma County to facilitate a bachelorette party , but let’s be real, she also used the trip to scout the region for future travelers (because of course she did). 
 
From sipping sparkling wine at Iron Horse Vineyards to inhaling the best vegan quiche of her life at Little Saint in Healdsburg, this episode is packed with wine country magic and mild chaos. She stopped in Bodega Bay for oysters, explored Calistoga for those cute Northern California vibes, wandered around The Barlow in Sebastopol, and managed to fit in a date—because you know how Jen rolls. This one happened with a sommelier who lives in a van (Megan would like you to know it’s technically a camper). Oh, and there was vomiting in the bathroom (not Jen, chill). 
 
Tune in for travel inspo, planning tips, wine recs, and everything you should (and definitely shouldn’t) do on your next Sonoma County trip.