How to Break Up with Tradition and Plan a Wedding 100% You with Jenny Mac
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In this episode of Now That I’m Engaged, How Do I Get Married?, Kevin and August sit down with Jenny MacFarlane, owner of Eloping is Fun in New York City. With 15 years of experience crafting elopements and micro-weddings, Jenny has helped over a thousand couples throw out the rulebook and design days that feel authentically them—from private vows and first-look moments to donut-shop ceremonies and Dance Dance Revolution detours.
Drawing on real client stories and NYC know-how, Jenny breaks down why “breaking tradition” isn’t anti-tradition—it’s pro-you. She shares how to reframe pressure, communicate with loved ones, and swap performative “shoulds” for meaningful choices. You’ll learn simple ways to personalize your ceremony, what to do when the guest list feels complicated, and why some couples elope now and party later for a calmer, more joyful experience.
Highlights:
- Start with how you want the day to feel, then let that guide every choice.
- “Tradition” vs. meaning: keep what resonates, toss what doesn’t.
- Guest-list freedom: micro-weddings and elopements can preserve intimacy without losing celebration.
- Eloping now, party later: reducing perfection pressure by separating the marriage from the reception.
- Real-world inspiration: a shelter-dog walk in wedding attire, a DDR arcade morning, and a cozy donut-shop ceremony.
- NYC backdrops with personality: DUMBO’s bridges, the New York Public Library, Grand Central, and Coney Island.
- Stress you won’t miss: RSVP drama, seating charts, and expectation overload.
No matter what kind of celebration you’re planning, Jenny’s presence-first, permission-forward approach will help you design a day that’s 100% you—so you can skip the pressure, savor the moments, and start married life on your terms.
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43 episodes