unBRIDEled

Wedding bells are ringing! Our girl Nina jumped the broom, and we couldn't be happier for her! Now, she's back from her honeymoon and ready to spill all the details about her whirlwind wedding weekend. But first, Sasha gives us the rundown on what went down at the bachelorette party. Issa recap episode, y'all. 

Things we mentioned this episode:

• Check out Nashville Craft Distillery for a great bourbon tasting experience.
• Our pole dancing muse Queen Nicole Byer
• Wrangle your bachelorettes with the BACH app 
• Studio Goddess Nashville (Pole Dancing, not "Pole Goddess" as mentioned in the show!)
• Checkout the WKND Hang Suite for hookah and dancing in Nashville

unBRIDEled is a NiteLite Production, hosted by Nina McCullough (@msninamac) and Sasha Kai Parker (@infamouskai), who also edits the show. Additional production support provided by Alexus Parker (@a.rae.ofsunshine_). Our music is from Sarah the Illstrumentalist (@sarah2ill).  Make sure to like and subscribe everywhere you get your pods so you never miss an episode. And if you're feeling generous, don't forget to rate us and drop a review!

Where do you draw the line in your relationship? This week, we're looking at ultimatums, Kevin Samuels and when consulting the culture for dating advice goes wrong. 

 Ultimatums -- relationship suicide or a victimless crime? Either way, Nina isn't here for it, but Sasha reminisces for the good old days when she threw out ultimatums like rice at a wedding. We're just happy that you've grown, sis! 

And speaking of...is anybody watching "The Ultimatum" on Netflix? We are and you know there's no shortage of opinions. TL;DL? Reality TV is ruining dating for the culture. We're looking at you, Nick & Vanessa Lachey. 

And later in the show, we're discussing the late Kevin Samuels and his "contributions" to male dating expectations. Is it just us or are the algorithms promoting "relationship gurus" that aren't here for Black women?  They can keep that. 

For this week’s Bouquet Toss,  we want to know... Do you consider yourself high value? Are you looking for a high value counterpart? Do you think consulting outside sources is necessary to have a successful relationship?

Show Credits:

unBRIDEled is a NiteLite Production, hosted by Nina McCullough (@msninamac) and Sasha Kai Parker (@infamouskai), who also edits the show. Additional production support provided by Alexus Parker (@a.rae.ofsunshine_). Our music is from Sarah the Illstrumentalist (@sarah2ill).  Make sure to like and subscribe everywhere you get your pods so you never miss an episode. And if you're feeling generous, don't forget to rate us and drop a review!

Sasha's having stress dreams about planning the perfect bachelorette party. Being the MOH is a lot of pressure! But luckily, J.Lo's catalog of rom-coms has prepared us for every thing that could go wrong. Somebody check on the FOB!

Managing expectations and costs is always a challenge, especially when the average bachelorette party costs $1000 to attend. Baby girl, we can't make it!  

Nina & Sasha also share their criteria for selecting their bridal parties. Sasha's planning to keep hers small & low stress, but in true Leo fashion, Nina's going big!  No matter what you choose, just make sure you surround yourself with people who are there to celebrate and support you. Set them boundaries and block the BS!

So now we're tossing it to you: LISTENERS! What matters most to you when picking your bridal party?  Slide in our DMs at @unbrideledpod or drop us a voice note or e-mail. You never know, you might hear it in the show.

In this week's Bridezilla or Preference, we're talking about last names, and the existential crisis of taking on a new one. Nina's decided she's definitely changing hers, while Sasha's all about that hyphenation, and Lex is planning to hold on to her last name come hell or high water. 

Show Credits:

unBRIDEled is a NiteLite Production, hosted by Nina McCullough (@msninamac) and Sasha Kai Parker (@infamouskai), who also edits the show. Additional production support provided by Alexus Parker (@a.rae.ofsunshine_). Our music is from Sarah the Illstrumentalist (@sarah2ill).  Make sure to like and subscribe everywhere you get your pods so you never miss an episode. And if you're feeling generous, don't forget to rate us and drop a review!

With just four weeks until her big day, Nina's pressing pause on the wedding planning stress and binging "Love is Blind" instead.  Her procrastination leads the Ladies to discover which one of them is most likely to become a reality TV star. 

Then, in "Bridezilla or Preference," we're tearing apart Lex's "List". She's got a bevy of boys in rotation, so Sasha & Nina are helping her figure out who meets the criteria. Just remember to leave some room for the Lawd!

And later, we'll hear from one listener who had to trade her dream destination wedding for a hometown celebration, AND do it all in a FEW WEEKS! We can already feel our stress level rising. 

Have a wedding story you want to share?  Slide in our DMs at @unbrideledpod or drop us a voice note or e-mail. You never know, you might hear it in the show.

Show Credits:

unBRIDEled is a NiteLite Production, hosted by Nina McCullough (@msninamac) and Sasha Kai Parker (@infamouskai), who also edits the show. Additional production support provided by Alexus Parker (@a.rae.ofsunshine_). Our music is from Sarah the Illstrumentalist (@sarah2ill).  Make sure to like and subscribe everywhere you get your pods so you never miss an episode. And if you're feeling generous, don't forget to rate us and drop a review!

Nina thought she had found the perfect out-of-town venue for her destination wedding, but with 40 days to go, she's starting to feel the stress . Luckily Sasha & Lex are here to help her sort through these vendors messy mess. 

Caterer gone MIA? That beautiful construction project the venue promised you never broke ground? The wedding planner trying to tax you? Thinking about calling in reinforcements? Or even worse, just throwing in the towel? Don't worry, Sis. We got you.

We need the accountability to be high, and the drama to be zero. So we're talking through some scenarios & sharing some tips to help you keep your sanity & your wallet in tact. 

Some links + resources

• Pros & Cons of a Destination Wedding
• The Templet House
• Here Comes the Guide
• Read this before hiring a Wedding Planner 
• How to Read a Wedding Services Contract

unBRIDEled is a NiteLite Production, hosted by Nina McCullough (@msninamac) and Sasha Kai Parker (@infamouskai), who also edits the show. Additional production support provided by Alexus Parker (@a.rae.ofsunshine_). Our music is by Sarah the Illstrumentalist (@sarah2ill).  

Have a destination wedding story of your own?  Slide in our DMs at @unbrideledpod or drop us an e-mail or voice note . Make sure to follow the show so you never miss an episode, and if you're feeling generous, rate us & drop a review!

It's our FIRST official episode & with less than 70 days until her wedding, Nina is in execution mode trying to finalize the fine details of her destination ceremony, but stress and other people's expectations are working her last nerve. 

Lex tries to sell Sasha & Nina on Bridal Expos. Hard pass. And Sasha navigates her anxiety and familial guilt while trying to plan the non-traditional Redwood wedding of her dreams. Her advice? Unsubscribe from all the wedding planning e-mails. This checklist madness must stop, Zola!  

Later in the show, Sasha & Nina recount how they met during their boy-crazy teen years (aka the OG Hot Girl Summer), and how a water balloon fight turned into a decades-long friendship. Nina also shares her Dominic Toretto-esque  approach to cultivating life-long friendships. HINT: It's all about family!

Some helpful resources:

• Wedding Planning during COVID
• Out-of-the-Box Wedding Venues
• Dealing with Family Stress during Wedding Planning
• "Thanks, but no thanks" Copy & Paste conflict responses 

unBRIDEled is a NiteLite Production, hosted by Nina McCullough (@msninamac) and Sasha Kai Parker (@infamouskai), who also edits the show. Additional production support provided by Alexus Parker (@a.rae.ofsunshine_). Our music is by Sarah the Illstrumentalist (@sarah2ill).  

Got a wedding story or just want to say hello? Slide in our DMs at @unbrideledpod or drop us an e-mail or voice note at unbrideled@nitelte.fm . 

Welcome to unBRIDEled! A podcast where we’re undressing love and marriage for the modern couple. It's Valentine’s Day and officially a wrap on “proposal season” (who knew that was a thing), and hosts Sasha Kai Parker and Nina McCullough are happy to send that bitch off!

But romance is still in the air. Unfortunately for Nina's fiancé, she hates Valentine's Day.

Sasha & her fiancé take in a little fine dining at Red Lobster, because Cheddar Bay Biscuits are good for the soul and for your relationship. Then, we enter Lex’s Test Kitchen as she breaks down the key to get the perfect Cheddar Bay Biscuit at home. 

08:21: Sasha shares her outrage over the Netflix doc “The Tinder Swindler,” while Nina goes full Carmen San Diego with an international escape plan. Then Sasha recounts the worst Tinder date she ever had, and it was the night before she met her fiancé . It’s always darkest before the dawn, y’all.

25:47: In Bridezilla or Preference, Nina shares her thoughts on her gargantuan wedding band, while Sasha tries to save the planet with her eco-friendly engagement ring from Point No Point Studios (@pointnopointstudio_)

38:32: It’s time for the Bouquet Toss and the pressure’s on! We’re talking about social media proposals, and when proposing in public goes wrong. Don’t worry, Lex is ready to air it all the way out.

Nina shares her engagement story and how she almost missed it. And fellas, remember before you propose, run your plan by ya girl’s family or friends. Don’t get caught out there!

Now we're tossing it to y'all. Did you share your proposal on social media? Let us know! Slide into our DMs @unbrideledpod or email us at unbrideled@nitelite.fm and share your thoughts. You never know, you might hear them in the show!

54:55: Here's to us! We made through our first episode and gave y’all a little taste of what you can expect from season 1 of unBRIDELed. Nina’s celebrating with a little Belaire. Sasha’s got that sparkling cider on deck, and in honor of her Toxic King of Choice, Lex is drinking that Dirty Sprite.  Regardless of if you’re single, coupled, or throupled, make sure to take some time to celebrate yourself today and every day. Until next time, cheers!

Show Credits: unBRIDEled is a NiteLite Production, hosted by Nina McCullough (@msninamac) and Sasha Kai Parker (@infamouskai), who also edits the show. Additional production support provided by Alexus Parker (@a.rae.ofsunshine_). Our music is by Sarah the Illstrumentalist (@sarah2ill). Don’t forget to like and subscribe! And SAVE THE DATE, we’ll see y’all back here March 15th!