Wedding speech fails

What happens when a wedding planner is asked to walk Great Grandma down the aisle… only to be handed a Tupperware container?!

In this episode, Christa sits down with wedding expert Cassie Horrell to unpack the wildest wedding stories, biggest etiquette debates, and the jaw-dropping family drama that comes with saying “I do.” From setting boundaries with toxic in-laws to why open seating is a terrible idea, no topic is off-limits. Plus, they tackle unpopular wedding opinions and the ultimate white dress dilemma.

Get ready to laugh, gasp, and take notes for your own wedding day!

Episode Chapter Markers

00:00 Introduction

06:43 The Wedding Planner Who Walked Great Grandma (Sort Of)

08:53 Wearing White to a Wedding: A Hard No?

11:38 First Looks vs. Traditional Aisle Moments

14:13 Why Open Seating at a Wedding is a Nightmare

17:53 The Worst Mother-in-Law Story You’ll Ever Hear

22:38 Bridesmaid Budget Drama & Bachelorette Expectations

27:08 Unpopular Wedding Opinions: Toss Traditions or Keep Them?

31:46 Wedding Confessions: The Most Awkward Guest Bets Ever

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Great Grandma’s Final Wedding Appearance – When a groom’s family insists their beloved great-grandmother must be part of the wedding, Cassie prepares for an emotional moment—until she’s handed a Tupperware container.
• Wearing White to a Wedding: A Crime? – Cassie and Christa debate the biggest wedding guest faux pas and share real-life stories of guests who should’ve known better.
• First Look vs. Traditional Aisle Moment – The pros, cons, and the real reason so many wedding planners swear by first looks.
• The Worst Mother-in-Law Ever? – This mother-in-law sabotaged dress shopping, criticized the bride’s body, and demanded her son’s ex be reinstated as a bridesmaid.
• Why Open Seating is a Disaster – Cassie explains why letting guests pick their own seats sounds nice in theory—but causes absolute chaos in reality.
• Wedding Confessions: The Awkward Guest Bets – What happens when wedding guests start betting on how long the marriage will last? Christa and Cassie react to the ultimate cringe moment.

Words of Wisdom: Standout Quotes from This Episode

“PSA: If you have to ask, ‘Is this too white for a wedding?’—the answer is YES.” – Christa Innis

“I could not imagine having to walk on eggshells around my in-laws. That’s terrifying.” – Christa Innis

“Why do people feel the need to comment on a bride’s body on her wedding day?” – Christa Innis

“Nothing is mandatory at a wedding. If a tradition doesn’t serve you, toss it.” – Cassie Horrell

“If your wedding planner asks if your guest list is finalized, don’t surprise them with last-minute ‘add-ons’ like great-grandma’s ashes.” – Cassie Horrell

“You don’t need to invite people just because they’re family. It’s your day.” – Cassie Horrell

About Cassie

Cassie Horrell is a seasoned wedding planner and event coordinator known for her ability to handle even the most unpredictable wedding day chaos with humor and grace. With years of experience in the industry, Cassie has seen it all—from heartwarming moments to jaw-dropping disasters—and she’s not afraid to spill the tea. She’s passionate about helping couples navigate the stress of wedding planning, set boundaries with overbearing family members, and create a day that feels authentically theirs. Whether it’s dodging last-minute guest list surprises or dealing with wedding etiquette debates, Cassie brings expertise, real talk, and a whole lot of laughs.

Follow Cassie Horrell:

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• Facebook

Join the Drama with Christa Innis:

• Website
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• Youtube
• Facebook

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A Team Dklutr Production

Blog Transcript:

Note: We use AI transcription so there may be some inaccuracies

Christa Innis: Hi, Cassie. Thank you so much for coming on.

Cassie Horrell: Of course. Thank you so much for having me.

Christa Innis: Yes. I’m so excited, especially because you have like firsthand experience in wedding drama. You do so much when it comes to weddings and you have some amazing content that I’ve loved, like seeing more recently. Cause when I started talking about the podcast, people kept tagging you.

And I was like, this is so cool. And you have like so many stories. So I was like, we have to talk and like, see what we can, come up with here. But before we get started, can you just tell us a little bit about you and what you do and then we’ll kind of jump into it.

Cassie Horrell: Yeah, my name is Cassie.

A lot of people on tiktok know me as wedding pro cast. I’ve been in the industry for about 12 years now. Always working venue based usually from properties like clubs, resorts. And now I work at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. so that’s kind of my main job. I help and lead a team that does about 60 weddings a year.

So we see a ton come in and out of our building. and I own a mobile bar, Clink 92, that services weddings and all kinds of events in Pittsburgh and Ohio. And then just this year, because of TikTok, I have started taking on personal clients, very small, anywhere between two to five a year, just because I’m so busy, where I actually do full service planning and partial planning for couples, so.

Christa Innis: That is amazing. Having fun. Yeah. So you’re like a planner by nature. You love getting it all together.

Cassie Horrell: Yes. I feel like since I’ve been young, that’s how I am. And I am just a very creative person. So any type of outlet where I can be connecting with people and sharing ideas and building something from the ground up, I absolutely love.

Christa Innis: Yeah, that’s amazing. And 60 weddings a year. Wow. That is, how do you keep everything like straight? Like, do you ever like mix up like, Oh, this couple here, wait, that was that couple. Like, I don’t, how do you, you have to be a really like very organized person.

Cassie Horrell: So I have to say, like, a lot of the reason we’re so successful is because of the amazing people that work on my team. I oversee several planners, events operations managers, and a full crew that really help the magic kind of come together on a wedding day. So that helps me not have to take on the brunt of everything, which helps a lot. I usually just at the History Center have anywhere between 8 to 12 couples that are specifically mine. Um, So that makes it a little bit easier to manage.

Christa Innis: Yeah, yeah, definitely. Wow, that sounds awesome. So I bet like, which we’re going to talk about today, I bet you have a lot of wedding horror stories. I’m sure you have good and bad stories. Yes. we always talk about, I always make sure, and I’m sure you have to say this with your People on your channel as well as like there are so many amazing wedding stories. I get some comments Sometimes it’ll be like, oh, thank god Like I saw this because I never want to get married and i’m just like no I don’t want my channel to like make you not want to get married or have a wedding because there’s like so many drama free Weddings, but the drama ones just really heighten when they’re so crazy,

Cassie Horrell: right?

And I feel like i’m the same way I go on my channel like every so Often, and I’m like, hey, just a reminder. A lot of the stories are dramatized and bad things do not happen at every wedding. Every single wedding has the happy moments. It has these beautiful moments, and none of the stories I tell, I never want them to veer somebody from getting married. Like, obviously, I’m in the wedding industry, as you are. Like, we love weddings. we like to see the big weddings. And I see a lot of people like, I’m eloping because of this. And I’m like, please don’t jump to that conclusion. These stories just like, I feel like our audience thrives on them and it gives them a little bit of drama in their day. So that’s why it’s fun to post and connect with people.

Christa Innis: Yeah, absolutely. And I think the other side of it too is like, teaching people like, boundaries to have. Like, some of the conversations that you post is like, it’s helping someone on whether they’re like, quote unquote villain of the story or quote unquote like, protagonist.

Like, seeing these like, conversations take place can help. I’m know what to say in certain situations or how to set boundaries with someone that maybe is overbearing.

Cassie Horrell: Exactly. And I get a lot of people, I know your channel does too, where people will say, oh my gosh, I’m the mom in this situation. Or I need to say this to my mom, I need to say this to my sister, because it puts into perspective that other people are going through a similar situation or something that’s pretty applicable.

And how we are responding shows them how they could respond.

Christa Innis: Yeah, absolutely. So jumping into kind of crazy stories and wedding hot takes, what is like one of the craziest stories that comes to mind when you’re asked about it?

The Wedding Planner Who Walked Great Grandma… Or Did She?

Cassie Horrell: so this one, it’s one of the funnier ones, but it’s a little bit heartfelt.

And I have shared it on my page two different times. but I had a couple that was just, Like elite vibes, you know when you like bond with a couple everybody in the family is like so fun There was zero drama. So I go into the wedding weekend and we run rehearsal. Everything’s great The next day I check in on the couples we had where I was working at the time. There was like two Villas so one for the ladies one for the gentleman check it with the ladies. Everything’s good I check in with the gentleman and they all the sudden are like, oh my gosh We forgot to tell you our great grandma Has to be in the wedding ceremony and I’m like, oh my goodness, like, I can’t believe we didn’t go over this.

So I logistically go into planner mode, like, what song does she want to walk to? Does she need an escort? Is there a walker or a wheelchair? Where are we reserving her a spot? And they’re like, yeah, we’d love if you would walk her down the aisle and as long as she has a seat in the front row, that’s all good. So me, I’m like, great. Just let me know when grandma gets here and I’m looking around like no grandma in sight. And one of the groomsmen, who was the brother, is like, Hey, Grandma’s already here. I already have her. And I’m like, Oh, well, do you need me to go get a wheelchair to, like, pick her up? And he’s like, No, let me go grab her.

And brings out a Tupperware container of her remains. And, like, they have, they have drawn, like, this little smiley face on it. And me, like, I was just surprised, like, whatever, if that’s what your family does, and like, this is how you bring great grandma to things. And they just hand her over to me, like, yeah, here she is, like, if you don’t mind, like, before it starts, walking her down and, like, putting her on the chair so her face is facing us. And I’m like, her face? A joke? So, I literally have this little Tupperware container that I’m, like, walking down before the real processional starts. I place her on the chair, like, make sure the little Sharpie face that they drew on there is, like, facing front. And to me, I found it, like, hilarious, but also, like, a little sentimental and special, like, this is how their family’s, like, including their great grandma, and they told me after that their great grandma has been to, like, all the cousins weddings, she comes to the holidays, and it’s, like, kind of a joke, but also not, and to me, that was, like, One of those crazy stories that you like go into a wedding day and you don’t Expect for that to happen and you just kind of got to go with it and keep everything light hearted So yeah, that’s one that I share quite frequently because it’s not too drama filled but just a little surprising.

Christa Innis: Yeah. Oh my gosh Because it’s like one of those things where I think They probably got so used to in their own family, just saying, Oh, great grandma, bring great grandma, but forgot to mention to you, like, great grandma’s ashes. Like, you know, so you’re expecting this, like, person and they just were like, let’s see what she, how she reacts to that.

Cassie Horrell: Yeah. And like, luckily I’m very, like, go with the flow. So I was just like, okay, great grandma’s going to hang out with me for the next hour. I’ll make sure she gets down the aisle.

Christa Innis: Oh, my gosh. Okay. So kind of going into that, but I want to talk about wedding hot takes and I kind of want to angle it a little bit differently since you’re so involved in the wedding industry.

Cassie Horrell: Okay.

Christa Innis: This first one’s about a guest or someone wearing white to the wedding. How would you handle that? And like, what are your own takes on when someone tries to wear white to a wedding?

Wearing White to a Wedding: Just Don’t

Cassie Horrell: Okay. My own personal take is absolutely not. We are not wearing white to a wedding. Only reason you should be wearing white to a wedding is if the couple, like, specifies, hey, the dress code is all white. Because there are weddings that do that. And I think in that case, of course. But if it has not been specified to wear white, it is reserved for the bride, typically. I have had brides get married in blue. I’ve had brides get married in black, but typically, if you’re going to take a bet on something, most likely the bride is wearing a shade of white.

So, personally, that is my take. I have only had this happen twice, where I’ve had people arrive to a wedding and they are wearing white. one time it was a child that was like a guest, maybe like middle aged school age. So I didn’t really think that was an issue. It didn’t become an issue. But there was another time where a girl was literally wearing a white dress. It had like very teeny weenie tints of like blush flowers, like very light, looked white. And in this case, I basically went to one of the bridesmaids. And I said, how do you think the bride is going to react to her wearing white?

And the bridesmaid was like, she needs to change. So I approached the guest, and I’ve actually done a, I did a story on this on my page. Approached the guest and I just let her know, Somebody in the wedding party has noticed the white dress. Do you have any change of clothes? Are you coming from out of town? Luckily, she was like, I thought people might think this was too white. Which I’m like, did you look in the mirror? She was staying at the hotel that was like a mile away. She had arrived at least 20 minutes before the ceremony. So she’s like, I will go back now. I’ll change. She actually ended up not making it back for the ceremony.

And she was there at cocktail hour in a purple dress. So to me, if. Someone wears white and I’m not sure how the couple would respond. Maybe we haven’t chatted about it. I will approach somebody that’s close to the bride. mom, sister, I typically don’t like to bother the bride with it. and if they think they need to change, I have no problem. Approaching somebody letting them know.

Christa Innis: Yeah. Oh my gosh. That was handled so well, because it’s like, you never know how that person’s gonna react either. but yeah, like, PSA is like, if you think it’s too white, or when you’re looking in the mirror getting ready, and you’re like, mm, no people think it, then it probably is too white.

Cassie Horrell: Yes. If it crosses your mind, is this too white, or you’re texting a group chat, do we think this is too, has too much white in it, then like, just put it back on, in your closet and wear it another day.

Christa Innis: Yeah, yeah. Oh, my gosh. Okay. What are your thoughts on the bride and groom seeing each other before walking down the ceremony, like doing a first look as opposed to at the end of the altar?

First Look vs. Aisle Moment: The Ultimate Wedding Debate

Cassie Horrell: So, as a professional, I’m a huge fan of the first look. Just logistically, it makes your couple’s day, I think, a little bit more relaxed, not as rushed. obviously, you can get all those pictures before. And if I know my couples are super emotional, I sometimes recommend that because it takes the pressure off of, like, having that moment when you walk down the aisle.

So, personally, as a or as a professional, I would 100 percent say first look. Now, personally, I am a sucker for, like, the traditional, see each other when you walk down the aisle. That is what I did with my husband, but I do have to say we were both like happy crying the whole wedding because it was so overwhelming. And that is one of the reasons that I’m like, man, if I went back in time, I might have done a first look.

Christa Innis: but

Cassie Horrell: that was like eight years ago. So I’m like, first looks were not as popular then.

Christa Innis: Right, right. That’s so funny. That’s like such a, that’s like the very common thing I hear. It’s like, Logistically, when people are like planners or they work behind the scenes, they’re like, yes, do a first look.

But for brides themselves, a lot of times they’re like, no, I love that, like, moment because I was the same way. Like, I loved having that first moment down the aisle. But I’ve been a part of so many weddings where they did a first look, so. It’s kind of interesting to see, um, do you have any wedding hot takes or unpopular opinions that you can think of far off the bat?

Otherwise, we’ll jump into a section called unpopular opinions from other people.

Why Open Seating at a Formal Wedding is a Nightmare

Cassie Horrell: Okay, well, one opinion that I always share very frequently on my page and it always is like I get so many like comments is I do not believe a formal wedding. has, should have open seating. Like, absolutely not. It should be organized seating.

I don’t care if you’re doing seating assignments or table assignments. Open seating at a formal wedding is just not it. And I always talk about like the repercussions of choosing that and people in the comments are like Oh, I did open seating for my 300 person wedding. It was no problem. And I was like, you probably just didn’t see it cause it was your wedding day. But when I tell you there’s repercussions to that choice, there totally is. So that is like my number one opinion that I have on seating.

Christa Innis: Yes. No, I love that. I, I’m such a planner myself, type a, I love a good seating chart. Like nothing makes me happier than being as a guest and on the other side of things.

I love being told where to sat, where to sit because, It kind of brings back like, Oh, we have enough room or, Oh, I don’t know anybody at this wedding. So where are my husband and I, or where am I going to squeeze in and it’s just makes things less awkward if you’re like, you know what, that’s my seat. Don’t need to think about it.

Cassie Horrell: Yeah, literally from like a timeline standpoint. Guest comfortability and then even the host comfortability, knowing everybody will be taken care of. It’s the best route to go.

Christa Innis: Yes. And I loved, I don’t know about you at your own wedding, but I loved putting together the seating chart of like, Oh, this person would get along with that person, but I’m going to put them here.

And like, my husband would laugh at me because I had so much fun. Like every night I’d be like, okay, I think I need to move these people. He’s like, it looks good. I’m like, well, how about this and this? And like, I loved like. The final, like, I don’t know. It was so much fun for me to put together.

Cassie Horrell: Yeah. Me and my husband got married.

We were 23, 24. So like pretty young. So I felt a little bit like matchmaker. Cause like we were invited a lot of our single friends after college. Oh, we could sit these people together and these people together. Uh, but no, that’s definitely a fun part of it.

Christa Innis: Oh my gosh. I love that. Okay. So here’s some unpopular opinions that people sent me on Instagram.

So let’s kind of see what they had to say. Um, this person says. Take. Okay. Take wedding parties, individual budget into consideration when planning wedding events. What are your thoughts on that?

Cassie Horrell: Make wedding parties, individual budgets. Okay. So when I, if you’re in the wedding party, I am on board. I do have to agree.

I am on board with like getting a general sense of like where people are at monetarily. Usually in a wedding party, like people are all over in their life. Like some people may have kids. Some people may be in eight weddings that year. So I do think it’s important to kind of get a general sense of what people can spend when it comes to like bachelorette.

And those types of things. I think when it comes to the actual wedding, no, um, that should be up to the couple. Um, when it comes to attire, you 100 percent should keep in mind people’s budget, especially if they’re buying all of their own things. If the bride or groom are paying for wedding party things, then I don’t think it truly matters.

Um, but yeah, I am on board on that for the most part.

Christa Innis: Yeah. And I think too, an important thing to say is like, It should never be a requirement. Like, if someone wants to be in your wedding, like, but they’re like, I can’t make it to the bachelorette party, it’s out of my budget, it’s okay to say no to those things.

Because I see so many times in comments like, oh, the bride’s selfish for wanting to do a bachelorette party trip to Florida or wherever it is. And it’s like, but as a bridesmaid, you have the free will to say No, like, I will be in your wedding, but I can’t afford this. Um, so it definitely goes both ways for sure.

Yes. Um, this person says, Her unpopular opinion is doing something for tradition’s sake is unnecessary, i. e. the bouquet toss and garter toss.

Cassie Horrell: I agree with that one as well. Um, I feel regardless of the tradition, the couple should always be choosing things that make the most sense for them and their partner and, like, are going to enhance their day.

And if you are getting forced to do a cake cutting, the guard, or the bouquet, and you don’t want to do it, like, it’s the worst thing. Like, nobody should be forcing you to do anything on your day just because it’s tradition or mom did it, dad did it. Um, and I always tell people that there is no Nothing is mandatory at a wedding when it comes to the formalities.

Christa Innis: Yeah, I love that. Yeah, I feel like so many times people fall into the trap of like, well, they did it so I have to do it too. Or this is like what’s expected of me. And I feel like when you start going that way, then you either have regrets about your wedding or you’re uncomfortable on your own wedding day.

Right? Yeah, I totally agree. Okay, I want to jump into this week’s wedding submission because it’s a little. A little long. Um, so here we go. I’ve not read this, so we’ll see how this, how this one goes. Um, and feel free to stop me anytime if you want to add something or react to it. We’ll just kind of react as it goes.

The Monster-in-Law Who Tried to Take Over the Wedding

Cassie Horrell: Let me pull up on my screen here and make sure I can see it all. Okay. When my husband and I met online, or sorry, when my husband and I met, it was online. I knew before I ever met him, it was. He, in person, he was the man I was going to marry. We talked for a long time via messages and FaceTime before ever meeting.

We met and it wasn’t long before he had hinted that he was going to propose to me. It finally happened a week before one of my closest friends was to be married. So I kept the news to myself until we got through that and then I announced it, which props to her. That’s very nice.

Cassie Horrell: Yeah.

Christa Innis: Um, my, my parents had already knew it was going to happen.

As he sat down and spoke with them, my older brother also knew it was coming as well. I guess he had covered all the bases with my family about asking me to marry him, but he hadn’t said anything to his family at all. Which What? Interesting. Excuse me? Yeah. When we announced that we were engaged on Facebook, oh gosh, everyone seemed very happy about it.

Then I started to see angry faces and a lot of negative comments. My mother in law commented saying, how effing, the actual word, effing dare you announce this without asking my permission first? Oh, not on a public face.

Cassie Horrell: This is terrible.

Christa Innis: So bad. Uh, then it only got worse from there. She proceeded to call me names and tell me that I wasn’t good enough to marry her son.

Oh my gosh. Uh, all while she was commenting, my sister in law was commenting and yelling, Oh, calling and yelling at him about how they should have had a family meeting about allowing a woman with kids into the family.

Cassie Horrell: What?

Christa Innis: I felt sick and unwanted. That is terrible. Family meeting.

Cassie Horrell: No.

Christa Innis: Oh, my gosh.

Eventually we get to planning the wedding and his mom had made it very clear that she did not want any part of helping plan the wedding. We tried to include her many times, but she would just keep saying rude things about how my wedding didn’t need to be the center of every conversation. So my husband is from a really small town and we went there for the Fourth of July.

This was the first time I would be meeting his dad and step mom, his brother and sister. Yes, the same sister that was calling and yelling at him. It was a good time, and they were very interested in all the things that we had planned for the wedding. Okay, so it seems like some family member was like,

Cassie Horrell: this is turning around.

Christa Innis: Yeah.

Cassie Horrell: Maybe.

Christa Innis: Maybe. His dad told us that we had an allotted amount of money to use, and that if he needed anything beyond that, um, his mom would have to help us. So his ex, the dad’s ex wife. Um, so it was the day we went dress shopping and because we had so many bridesmaids, the place was a full house.

Everyone was having the best time. Then we felt a shift in the energy and my mother in law walked in just the gray clouds.

Cassie Horrell: Here we go.

Christa Innis: She was extremely upset that no one picked her. Picked her up to bring her to the bridal shop. She sat down and shouted, Let’s get this thing over with. I don’t want to be here all effing day.

Cassie Horrell: She seems nasty.

Christa Innis: Yeah, why even invite her? Like, I would be like, No, you’re not coming. Cause I wouldn’t even want someone’s opinions like that. My mom looked over at her and asked her to leave then if she didn’t want to be there. Yeah. Then she said, She’s been married before, so I don’t know why she even needs to buy a dress.

Cassie Horrell: That is terrible.

Christa Innis: I hate that. She could have gotten one at Goodwill.

Cassie Horrell: No.

Christa Innis: Okay, that is terrible.

Cassie Horrell: This lady’s a witch.

Christa Innis: Yeah. I ignored the comments and started trying on dresses. There wasn’t a dress I tried on that she didn’t have a rude comment about. I would be telling her to leave at that point. That is, yeah, that’s so like unenjoyable.

I finally found the one and loved it and it made me happy. Later that evening at dinner, she tells my husband. I found the dress that hides my arm flab the best.

Cassie Horrell: No, this is bad. I don’t know who this woman is, but this is bad.

Christa Innis: This is bad. This is like one of the worst stories I’ve read. Oh my gosh. The night of my rehearsal, my mother in law sat there complaining the whole time how she had to sit at the same table as my father in law.

She kept saying he better not talk to me. Then finally my brother in law shows up late and my mother in law demanded that I allow my brother in law’s wife in the wedding as a bridesmaid.

Cassie Horrell: Excuse me?

Christa Innis: At the rehearsal dinner? Okay. She was supposed to be my bridesmaid and then they broke up and I guess they got back together the week of the wedding.

Surprise. Okay. They called me many times that week and never said anything about it so I was a little taken aback by this. My mother in law told me that she was told to bring the dress and that she would make me let her be in the wedding again.

Cassie Horrell: This is the mother in law said that again said that the

Christa Innis: oh told me to bring her dress with and she and to make her bring.

Okay. Wait, I need to say that again. Sorry.

Cassie Horrell: I’m like, wait,

Christa Innis: my mother in law told me that she told her to bring the dress with her and that she would make me let her be in the wedding again.

Cassie Horrell: Okay. So force this girl into the wedding.

Christa Innis: Yeah. And make her and make my other bridesmaids sit out. Wait, so that’s even worse. Like, we’re just going to swap you right in there.

Cassie Horrell: This is terrible.

Christa Innis: Oh my gosh. I told her I wouldn’t allow my other bridesmaid who paid money for the dress to sit out and they would both have to walk down the aisle together. That didn’t make her happy and she told me to just tell my bridesmaid that we would reimburse her for the dress and she could sit down and enjoy herself. I again told her absolutely not. She got upset and called me a spoiled witch. I

Cassie Horrell: I’m a little taken back by this woman.

Christa Innis: Yeah, it’s hard because it’s like I’m not in that position, so it’s always different when you’re in it, but I’m just like, I could not stand to be around someone like that that’s constantly mean like that and just like trying to control everything.

Cassie Horrell: Also, I’m a little confused. Like, why isn’t the partner standing up to his mom or like being a little bit more supportive here? Because it wasn’t like one instance. This is like 20 instances.

Christa Innis: Yes. Like he needs to be like. Like, guarded security at this point, like, blocking her, because yeah, that’s, that’s too much.

We finally get to the rehearsal, we finally get the rehearsal done and everyone left to go to my brother’s house where we were gonna have pizza. My sister in law made rude comments about how we could only afford pizza and not a real meal.

Cassie Horrell: Oh

Christa Innis: no. Let me tell you, we had pizza at our rehearsal dinner and it was still expensive.

Everyone loves pizza. There’s no problem with pizza. Exactly. No one complained. At least not to our face. Um, My parents shelled out over a thousand dollars for this meal. It’s what we chose as it feeds the most. And it was easy as my husband was having his bachelor party the night before the wedding.

Cassie Horrell: Yikes. Sewing

Christa Innis: scrims, man. Yeah. No, I don’t know if people still did that. Yeah, no, no,

Cassie Horrell: no.

Christa Innis: Oh my gosh. Um, uh, yeah, so he had his bachelor party. It was a terrible idea, by the way. But that’s a story for another day. So we all had pizza and us girls all left. We told my mother in law three times before we left what time our hair and makeup appointment was the next morning. And we were almost done when she and my brother in law’s wife showed up to get ready. She said, how dare I get ready before the mother of The groom. What? I cannot believe the audacity here.

Cassie Horrell: Yeah, she’s out of line. Yeah.

Christa Innis: When everyone was ready to go to the ballroom and get ready for pictures, she was mad that we were leaving her. Well, you should have been there on time.

Cassie Horrell: Yeah.

Christa Innis: We were on a strict time frame. We told her that my sister in law needed to be there by a certain time for pictures. She never got there in time for pictures and it snowballed from there. My mother in law ruined our first look, not surprised, by accidentally getting mud all over the bottom of my dress. Oh. Accidentally. Yeah, how did that happen? She wouldn’t smile in any pictures. Oh my gosh. Um, so later that night I heard someone say that my mother in law was telling everyone that my wedding was unclassy and tacky. And that clearly we didn’t have any money to buy real things. Why do people feel the need to make comments like that?

Cassie Horrell: Right, keep it to yourself.

Christa Innis: Yeah, like, come on. Oh, and yes, then the arm, arm flab comet came up again that night. I’d slap her. I’d slap her. Oh my gosh, that is terrible. Like, never, never comment on someone’s body, but especially not a bride on her wedding day. Exactly. Like, that is not okay. And that night she walked by and pinched my arm and said, You should really work on that. It’s gross.

Cassie Horrell: No. This could be like a whole series. This is like the series of Unfortunate Mother in Law. I don’t know what this is.

Christa Innis: Literally, I’m like picturing like, uh, I don’t even know, like, what’s that movie? Like, Monster in Law? It’s like literally something like that. Like, if someone did that to me, I would literally be like, you can leave right now. But I would’ve, I feel like I would’ve said that so many times. I don’t know. Same. Um, I wish I could have made that up, but I didn’t. My mother in law to this day is still not a nice woman, doesn’t speak to me, my brother in law is not married to that woman anymore, and my father in law is still the coolest. Well, at least the father in law is cool. Here’s to 10 years and crazy in laws.

Cassie Horrell: Wow. I can’t believe she put up with that on her wedding day.

Christa Innis: I, yeah, I feel like once I saw those like rude Facebook comments, I would be like, okay, we need to fix this now or you’re not invited to anything because like the wedding dress thing, I would not want to put on and try wedding dresses in front of someone like that.

Cassie Horrell: No, I mean, I did dress shopping with just me and my mom and it was like perfect because it was like little opinion and like I could really try it on. I can’t imagine like having my whole wedding party, my mom, mother in law, especially somebody that like, You get the vibes. They don’t like you. It’s like they’re trying to sabotage your whole experience, which is what this woman did.

Christa Innis: Exactly. Yeah. And like kind of going back to when people are like, Oh, these stories make me never want to get married or something. It’s like someone like this. You have red flags ahead of time. Like you’re not going to just also have a you. Um, wedding dress shop and the person that’s been so nice to you is always going to be like, Oh, that looks terrible, you know, like, so I think a lot of times you’ll have those red flags about people. And if you don’t, I don’t think it’s going to automatically just change.

Cassie Horrell: Right. I think the thing that just like surprises me about the story is that the husband was seeing this happen and like she doesn’t share the husband might have had conversations with his mom like she didn’t share that part of it but I’m like, that truly shocks me that like he would allow.

His mom to speak to his wife like that and I’m like, I just I can’t imagine that happened Like you said like we’re not in that in the situation. You’re reading it from a one sided story But like that’s what shocks me. The most is that like they let her get away with it

Christa Innis: Right. Well, yeah, and it’s and I find it interesting She says and she doesn’t speak to me which makes me think she still speaks to the Sun which And I, again, don’t want to make assumptions, but if I was being treated that way, and my husband was still talking to his mom, I would be like, no.

Like, you need to back up your wife. Right. So, it sounds like she’s, like, still talking to The son, but just not the wife and the wife, like the brother’s like wife so much and she was like trying to pull her in. I’m like, what’s the difference? Like, wow,

Cassie Horrell: and they’re not even married anymore. So it looks like the son picked a very great partner. We’re like, the other son didn’t have as great of a match. So that’s a little weird too.

Christa Innis: Yeah. Yeah. I feel like when I hear these stories, it has to do with like some kind of like jealousy or like appearances or like, like she wants to look a certain way. I don’t know. Yeah.

Cassie Horrell: That’s it always surprises me because like I have the world’s best mother in law that she’s just like an angel and like Our families get along, and there’s just like never really issues, and in the planning process it was like so easy, so when I hear these stories, I’m like, I can’t believe someone would act like that, or like, treat somebody like that, especially in like, the era of being engaged and planning your wedding, like it’s such a sentimental time, and something that you think about like for the rest of your life, and like for somebody to ruin it, because of their poor attitude, I’m like, how unfortunate, Is that that happens to people.

Christa Innis: I know. I know. It’s so funny because when I post these stories, people always assume it’s because, I have a terrible mother in law too. And I’m like, no, my mother in law is amazing. Like, like I could call her up any time of the day. She’s so sweet. Like we get along great. Our family’s going on great. And so then when I hear these stories, I’m like, I could not imagine having to, like, feel like you have to, like, walk on tiptoes, or get super anxious when you have to go see his family or something, like, That’s terrifying.

Cassie Horrell: Yeah. And like, I’m sure you get this in your comments as well, but I am also sometimes surprised by how many people are like, I have this, like, this is the situation I’m in with in laws. And I’m like, hundreds and hundreds of people that like can relate to that. I’m like, that is shocking to me.

Christa Innis: Yeah.

And even when I dramatize things, like, and I’m like, Oh, this is like a really crazy character. I’ll do this. And someone will comment and they’re like, That’s almost word for word how my mother in law talks to me. And I’m like, girl, I’m so sorry. Yeah. Because I’m also someone like I hate confrontation. I’m so bad with stuff like that. So when I hear this stuff, I’m like, my stomach drops. I’m like, how do you deal with that? I would not be able to.

Cassie Horrell: No, no.

Christa Innis: Oh my gosh. Well, that was a good story. Bad story, but a good, great,

Cassie Horrell: great story. A great story with a lot of drama.

Christa Innis: Yes. I’m very sorry for this, Bri, but thank you for sharing your story with us and I’m glad you, sounds like you’ve set up some boundaries. Where you don’t talk to her, but let’s get that husband on side. Yeah. Okay, so to end, I’m just gonna read a couple of confessions that people sent to me. People are sending me confessions on Instagram as well. I love

Cassie Horrell: this.

The Nine-Hour Road Trip Request: Mother-in-Law Madness

Christa Innis: And then we’ll just share, our takes on them. Okay. I was having some guests before kind of rate them as like mild tea or chaos, but it’s kind of more fun just to kind of react to them. okay. So this one says. My mother in law wanted us to travel nine and a half hours to her while I’m 36 weeks pregnant.

Cassie Horrell: No, absolutely not. I have two kids. No. Nope, nope, nope.

Christa Innis: Same. Yeah, I’d be like, no, thank you. I barely wanted to travel, like, to the store when I was 36 weeks pregnant,

Cassie Horrell: so. Yeah, and you can’t, like, you would have to drive. You can’t even get on a plane at that time. Exactly. Like, you would have to drive there, and like, how uncomfortable, and what if something happens, and you’re nine and a half hours from home, like, that’s where you have to go to have your baby. Those aren’t your doctors. Crazy. That’s crazy. Yeah.

Christa Innis: Like, you can come to me if you really want to.

Cassie Horrell: Exactly.

Christa Innis: This person says the bride and groom shouldn’t set invites to family members who they don’t have a relationship with.

Cassie Horrell: Now, I’m like, I’m pro that. Like, I kind of support that. I’m always like, and I see it from the other side, like, just because your family doesn’t entitle you to an invitation, I do.

I think that if you are curating a guest list that is like, you want to be surrounded by people that are supportive of you, involved in your life, then like, why are you sending invitations to your fourth cousins that you’ve never met?

Christa Innis: It can look

Cassie Horrell: a little bit like a money grab, but then I also see it on the other side, where I’m like, people just have big families, they’re not close with everybody.

that doesn’t mean they don’t want to come and support the couple.

Christa Innis: So.

Cassie Horrell: I see it both ways.

Christa Innis: I know. I know. It’s hard. It’s like, I feel like traditionally it was like, invite everybody that like, your parents, friends, your parents, second cousins and stuff. But now I feel like people are getting better about, okay, well, what can we fit in our budget? or do we want to be surrounded by people that we personally know? And I think it just goes down to like, as the bride and groom, what do you two want and go from there? I guess that was more of like a. Opinion, Alyssa Confession. Okay, this last one, at my oldest brother’s wedding, my cousins and I secretly bet on how long it would last.

Betting on the Marriage: Wedding Guests Gone Too Far

Cassie Horrell: I think that’s a little bit funny, but also I’m like, hopefully your cousin’s picking like a good imagine you would wish for a lifetime of happiness. But I’ve had friends in this situation where like I go to the wedding and I’m like, I don’t know if this is it for them. In the back of my mind, I don’t say it out loud, right.

It’s in the back of my mind.

Christa Innis: I know, that is a little bit of a hot take there of like going, but I mean I’m sure like it’s, you kind of think about it because you’re at a wedding and you’re like okay, here’s to like forever. I’ve definitely been to a wedding and Spoiler alert, they did get in a divorce, and I’m not friends with the girl, not because of that, but it’s a whole other thing, but at the wedding I was like, this is doomed, and I hate to say that, because never thought that other than this wedding, I was like, this is, or no, I’m sorry, there’s been two, and they both I have

Cassie Horrell: two.

And so did mine. They ended in a divorce or separation. So I’m like

Christa Innis: Well, and they both, both of them had red flags before. Like, literally, the bride was crying to us at her bachelorette party. And we were like, if you need to get out, like, tell us what you need. Like, we’ll help you. No, no, no. It’s fine. Day before the wedding, after the rehearsal dinner, sobbing in the car. I don’t want to do this. We already spent so much money.

Cassie Horrell: And that happens, like, there is people that that happens to, like, they go through with it because they feel like their parents or themselves or whoever’s contributing have already paid all of this money and it’s like, we don’t want to cancel it, like, but at the end of the day, it’s like, it’s canceling your wedding because you know, it’s not the right match better than a divorce one year later.

Christa Innis: Exactly. And that’s going to be costly too, so, just turn it into a big party. Everyone’s traveling in. Have a big party. Exactly. Exactly. I mean, I know it’s easier said than done, but right, definitely. all right. Well, that was the last one. Well, thank you so much for coming on. This was, yeah, this was a blast. can you tell everyone where they can follow you? Any other projects you’re working on and all that good stuff?

Cassie Horrell: Yes. So, you could follow me. Wedding podcasts. I am mainly on TikTok, but I’m starting to branch out. Instagram, I am getting a couple things in the works for YouTube. I do not have it in me to do a podcast, but I love being a guest on the podcast.

So this is amazing . a couple projects I’m working on. So I have created. And a lot of people find me in for this is I’ve created planning courses that are very cost effective for people that are self planning and cannot afford a wedding planner. So I have always offered these to my wedding my way and three to four months till I do, which are specific to like certain timeframes of your wedding.

 I am currently working on a membership, which will be like an alternative way of planning where you basically have like a video vault and constant courses and things being uploaded. And I just wrote two children’s books that are specific to, like, Flower Girl and Ring Bear, and about the ABCs of weddings. So, I am in the phase of illustrating those, and hopefully those will come out sometime early 2025.

Christa Innis: Oh, that’s so cool! How awesome. You, like, you do it all. You’ve got a lot of projects. My brain doesn’t stop.

Cassie Horrell: It’s like I have an idea and I’m like, yeah, I’m just going to go for it. have no clue what I’m doing out here.

I’m just having fun and going with the flow.

Christa Innis: I love it. It’s that like planner mindset where you’re just like, okay, let’s just do it. Let’s get busy and find something. I love that. well, when those are available, definitely send me links and stuff and we can get it in the show notes. Well, thank you so much for coming on.

That was so fun having you react. Like I said, had some people tag you in like comments and stuff and now I follow your stuff and I like I love your content because you’re so involved in the wedding stuff that you’ve got stories for days so yeah

Cassie Horrell: but I feel like we have a very similar audience because we’re storytellers and like my whole page isn’t storytelling but Usually one a day, I try to tell stories and I get the same, like, people will be like, Did you see her story? And they’ll tag me, and I’m like, Oh, I saw it. That’s a juicy one. Yes.

Christa Innis: Yeah, it’s so good. I, can’t stop watching the, drama stories. They just, those ones just get me. Like, I love it.

Cassie Horrell: I feel like they’re like, a little bit of, like, reprieve from people’s everyday life.

Like, they come and they watch our stories, and it’s like, a minute and a half of like, totally Drama that they’re not in.

Christa Innis: Yes. And they get

Cassie Horrell: their little fix for the day, and then they’re like, Okay, I’ll come back tomorrow, like, see the next part, or whatever’s going on.

Christa Innis: Yes, yeah, it’s a good little, little break from reality, I think.

Yes. Awesome. Well, thank you so much again for coming on. It was awesome chatting with you. Thank you so much.

All right, guys, that was my interview with Cassie. I love chatting with her. It’s so fun to hear from someone that is so involved in the wedding industry. She’s got a lot of hot takes and she has. Honestly seen it all. So, thank you, Cassie, for coming on. Just a reminder, guys, if you love this episode or loving this podcast, please leave a review on Apple podcast.

It really helps more people hear the podcast. And helps me create more amazing content for you. so I really appreciate all the support that this podcast has gotten so far, and I can’t wait for more people to hear it and to create some more content. If you also have suggestions of who you want to see next on the podcast, feel free to send me an email, send me some submissions.

 I cannot wait to share more stories with more people. All right, guys, thanks so much for tuning in and I will see you next time.