Let's talk about it.
LET'S TALK ABOUT IT.
We share real wedding stories and advice, from hilarious to horrific, straight from those who've lived it.
planning a wedding is hard
Join the Membership
Yeah, planning a wedding does that to you.
We believe there is no single right way to have a wedding.
Planning a wedding is anything but perfect—it's challenging, it's complicated and it can be downright overwhelming at times.
We interview a mix of engaged couples, newlyweds and wedding pros who share their insights, advice and real wedding stories.
you are not alone
Feeling overwhelmed and
confused?
Robin digs deep asking engaged couples and newlyweds to share their wedding planning challenges, experiences and advice.
Wedding Expert Interviews
No fluff here. Our experts are opinionated and tell it like it is.
They don't always agree.
We think that is a good thing.
NEWlywed interviews
You are not alone. Our community talks about overwhelm, family drama, money, wedding diets (or not) and everything else that’s keeping you up at night.
Private community
With the help of a little liquid courage, we dive into taboo subjects from money to mother-in-laws.
We drink. we swear. we tell it like it is.
WITH THE HELP OF A LITTLE LIQUID COURAGE, WE DIVE INTO TABOO SUBJECTS FROM MONEY TO MOTHER-IN-LAWS.
I never planned on being in front of the camera.
But after 15 years behind the lens
as a wedding
I never planned on being in front of the camera.
But after 15 years behind the lens as a wedding photographer (@Riverbend Studio), I noticed a problem in the wedding world. Everything fell into two categories: planning the perfect wedding or showing the perfect wedding. It killed me to see the disconnect between what the wedding industry shows and what real brides & grooms experience while planning.
I wanted to start a new conversation and let couples know they are not alone. It's normal to have doubts, confusion, family drama, money issues and expectations about looking or feeling a certain way.
photographer (@Riverbend Studio), I noticed a problem in the wedding world. Everything fell into two categories: planning the perfect wedding or showing the perfect wedding. It killed me to see the disconnect between what the wedding industry shows and what real brides & grooms experience while planning.
I wanted to start a new conversation and let couples know they are not alone. It's normal to have doubts, confusion, family drama, money issues and expectations about looking or feeling a certain way.
I had
an
idea...
What if I asked Chicago's best wedding pros and freshly married couples to come into the studio, open up and share their wedding stories and knowledge?
Hence, The Uncorked Project was born — a chance to drink wine and divulge helpful, hilarious knowledge for brides (and grooms) everywhere.
"it's like mixing Oprah &
Masterclass...
for weddings!"
it's like mixing
Oprah & Masterclass...
for weddings!
- Sarah, engaged bride
"
"
A private membership of the juiciest, funniest, and best-kept wedding secrets.
Where we take the conversation to the next level.
the uncorked project
introducing...
insider secrets
insider secrets
We can’t give you a bigger budget, but we can give you insiders secrets from the best wedding pros in the biz... planners, photographers, beauty and more. Their advice will help you save time, money and your sanity.
Get ready, they tell it to you straight.
drowning in
Decision Fatigue?
drowning in
Decision Fatigue?
Should you have a first look?
Plated dinner or buffet?
Is having an outdoor wedding crazy?
There are so many decisions to make. A photographer may have a different opinion than a wedding planner. We ask wedding experts from every industry to weigh the pros and cons so you can be confident making your own decision.
deep dive
into
Taboo Topics
deep dive
into
Taboo Topics
People love to talk about wedding dresses, colors, flowers... but you know what nobody wants to talk about? How to handle recently divorced parents, overbearing MIL's or difficult wedding conversations that keep you up at night.
Don't worry, we go there. Our wedding industry experts have been there and done that many times, they give actionable tips for your wedding day to make life better for everyone.
“The biggest mistake I see couples make is trying to do everything. Don't over plan the wedding day. Each thing you add to the timeline takes you away from something else. Pick what is most important and forget the rest.”
Susan cordogan, founder & CEO
Nationally recognized Wedding Planner
big city bride
"You think an outdoor wedding is cheaper and easier? Think again. Rain plan, parking,
noise ordinances...where does everyone go
to the bathroom?!”
anthony navarro, creative director
Award Winning Event Producer, Author & Podcast Host
liven it up events
“A huge waste of money for wedding photography is a bad timeline. Coverage is consecutive hours, so if there is a lot of travel or downtime for the photo team, that's just
burning cash.”
amanda sudimak, Founder, Principal Photographer
named on of the top 20 wedding photographers in the U.S.
Artisan events
“If you want a packed dance floor, you need to think about what your guests enjoy - not just your personal tastes. Hard for G'ma to dance to Coldplay.”
dj gem & dj sye
The Knot Best of Weddings Hall of Fame
the dj firm
"The first thing we do when we see a photo of ourselves is look at all the things we want to change. I want you to stop. Take a step back. I challenge you to look in the mirror and instead of picking apart all the things you dislike...pick three things you like. It's incredible what it will do for your frame of mind if you practice this."
cara garbarino, photographer
Photographed numerous celebrities including Barack Obama, Paul McCartney, Chelsea Handler, and Michael Jordan
the atelier
"The number one mistake I see couples make when planning a destination wedding is not going to the location beforehand. You want to make sure the space feels like you and pictures on the internet won't give you that confirmation."
ali phillips, president & lead planner
a-list destination planner by destination wedding & honeymoons magazine
engaging events by ali, Inc.
"Expectations are the joy killers of wedding planning. Here are three tools to help you manage..."
Kara Maureen, bridal coach
founder of the Bridal prep academy where she teaches how to manage the drama, stress, and anxiety of wedding planning
"Tell your beauty team & bridesmaids you need to leave an HOUR before you really do. If one things goes wrong - your entire timeline is late."
Brittany Crinson, bridal hair stylist
2020 salons of the year - salon today
solo salon
"Your wedding day will fly by, here is a tip to slow it down - carve out 5 minutes as a couple to step away and be present. Take a deep breath together to connect and really
be present in the moment."
Tara, mindfulness expert
insight timer meditation teacher
Tara B.
"Want to save money? Cut guests. Your guest list drives your budget. You cut 5 couples out, thats 10 people, one whole table. Chairs, linens, booze, food, napkins, and centerpieces...
that all adds up!"
chrissy magliano, senior event planner
nationally recognized Wedding Planner - The Knot, Modern Luxury Weddings,
Martha Stewart, party slate
big city bride
"Invitations are so much more than just paper and envelopes. It's the first thing your guest will see when it comes to your wedding. It sets the tone and gives your guests a glimpse into what your wedding day is all about."
Jackie murawski & Deanna Rojas,co-owners
Custom Stationers
XOXO Invites
"Receiving line?! No, no, unless you want to miss your cocktail hour! This will take 30+ minutes and cause a bottleneck of guests. You'll also miss out on precious photo time."
Arin, Senior Event Planner
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED WEDDING PLANNER - THE KNOT, MODERN LUXURY WEDDINGS, MARTHA STEWART, PARTY SLATE
Big City Bride
"Show your photographer your Pinterest board for inspiration and posing preferences but don't ask them to replicate a specific photo. It's not realistic, your wedding photos are
uniquely yours."
Maggie Russo, Photographer
Nationally recognized photographer for weddings & lifestyle portraits
Maggie Russo Photography
"Sure, you can have a friend marry you. But you need to approve the ceremony so there are no surprises. The ceremony should be done a month before the wedding so there is no stress involved."
Reverend Denise Tracy
The Knot Best of officiants
Why is nobody talking about this?
give us a cheers if you can relate
WHY IS
NOBODY TALKING ABOUT
THIS?
let's talk about it
#truth
Newlyweds share their stories
Advice from those who've done it
it doesn't always need to be serious
Let's laugh
real stories
Expectations can be the joy killers of wedding planning. The expectation of the wedding diet or looking a certain way takes toll on so many couples. We dive into this subject with couples to see how they are handling it.
real advice
Wedding was getting too big, too complicated, too... not them. So they cancelled it (and lost a lot of deposits) and had a smaller destination wedding on their own terms. We talk about how their family felt, the money lost, uninviting guests and if it was all worth it. Hear this story straight from a couple that lived it.
Advice from those who've done it
Okay, enough of the serious topics. This is an amazing time in your life - ENJOY it! We play silly games like "What's Worse?", "True or False", "Should Couples" and of course, a drinking game or two.
Time to laugh and enjoy this time!
our videos pair
well with wine
our videos pair well with wine
If you thought TikTok was addictive, wait until you open our video library. Our topics are organized by categories like Family Drama, Regrets, Funny Stories, Photography, Beauty, Divorced Parents...oh, and we have a Real Wedding Confessional for brides just like you to get that thing that has been weighing you down off your chest.
our videos pair
well with wine
our videos pair well with wine
If you thought TikTok was addictive, wait until you open our video library. Our topics are organized by categories like Family Drama, Regrets, Funny Stories, Photography, Beauty, Divorced Parents...oh, and we have a Real Wedding Confessional for brides just like you to get that thing that has been weighing you down off your chest.
Free access as a beta-tester for our private membership site with exclusive access to our video library of interviews and expert advice.
hurry while its free!
First to be considered as guests on our show!
Have your questions answered by wedding planners, photographers, beauty specialists, florists and other wedding industry professionals.
Email newsletter including our freshly edited video interviews (not available anywhere else!).
become a founding member
JOIN THE WAITLIST
FOUNDING MEMBERSHIP
Exclusive Perks
Exclusive Perks
Is the membership site live?
Not yet! We are busy interviewing couples and wedding pros, filming DIY tutorials from pros and editing the mountains of footage creating amazing content for you. The full membership site will launch late 2022.
What exactly am I signing up for?
Our VIP wait list. This will give you early access to be a founding member before we launch to the public.
OK, I signed up for the wait list ... now what?
Thanks friend, super happy you are into us as much as we are into you. We are so excited to share the full interviews and best videos with you! We will email you exclusive access before we launch.
How much is this going to cost me?
Nothing. Nada. Zero (for now). There will be a monthly membership fee once we are live.
How can I be a guest on the show?
We are always looking for engaged couples, newlyweds, and wedding experts to interview!
Engaged Couples: Apply Here.
Newlyweds (up to 3 years married): Apply Here.
Wedding professionals: Apply Here.
Do you partner with brands and influencers?
Absolutely! We love to make friends and partner to create great content. Reach out to robin@uncorkedproject.com and maryellen@uncorkedproject.com for more info.
Frequently Asked Questions
deep dive
into
Taboo Topics
LET'S DO THIS THING
join the party
This is a wonderful time of life, let's enjoy it. We laugh a lot in the community, we laugh at ourselves, at our families and give a dose of much needed reality to overinflated wedding drama.
Wedding planning never killed anyone, it feels damn good to laugh through the tough times with friends and wine.
LET'S DO THIS THING
This is a wonderful time of life, let's enjoy it. We laugh a lot in the community, we laugh at ourselves, at our families and give a dose of much needed reality to overinflated wedding drama.
Wedding planning never killed anyone, it feels damn good to laugh through the tough times with friends and wine.
join the party
Who runs The Uncorked Project?
We are a small but mighty team based in Chicago. Robin is the Founder & Host, Jessica (you see her pretty smile behind the cameras) runs the video production & photography, Mary Ellen heads up everything on social media (if you DM us, you are talking to Mary Ellen!) and our amazing video editors are Kyle and Tricia.
What is a "Real Wedding Confessional"?
Planning a wedding is hard. Sometimes you just need to bitch about your future mother-in-law or your own mother…we are here for you. Submit your anonymous confession here - it feels so good to get it off your chest. We publish the most common themes so all couples can see that they are not alone.
My wedding is over, can I get off the list?
You can always unsubscribe from the list. No hard feelings. But remember we are not just for those couples before the wedding -- we love to talk to couples AFTER their wedding to hear their stories, advice, hindsight and turn from the student to the teacher.
More questions?
Email us! DM us! Sign up and reply to our emails...we love to chat.