Stay ConnectedGet ready to experience the ALL NEW WAY to thrive throughout your engagement by embracing who you are, prioritizing what you value, and ultimately designing an unforgettable wedding celebration of your dreams!
Welcome to the WEDDING PLANNING PODCAST, where we say “NO” to the $72 billion dollar wedding industry, and we say “YES” to a more joyful engagement season where your mindset, values & wedding strategy are all in perfect alignment with YOU.
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Copyright: © All show audio & written transcript materials are copyrighted by KVW, Inc.
Happy Friday, and welcome to a BONUS Q&A follow up show to this week's feature episode, "Is This a Crazy Idea?" that aired on Wednesday Oct 30.
I'm running a follow up Q&A each Friday in November, and if you’re loving it, I’ll keep going - but to do so I do need YOUR questions, thoughts, and ideas about that week’s episode!
Here’s how it works - follow the WPP wherever you listen, and I’ll send a free weekly episode to your device each Wednesday. After you enjoy the show, send me your thoughts, questions and ideas either in an email or a voicemail, and I’ll share those on Friday. It's a quick turnaround, I know, so you'll have to act fast!
Be in touch on our website, weddingplanningpodcast.co/contact OR you can send a DM on Instagram to @weddingplanningpodcast.
Enjoy the show!
These listener scenarios that may seem a bit crazy on the surface … but in reality offer a great chance to maximize the quality AND the value of your wedding celebration!
As you’re putting together plans for your wedding, there are endless creative opportunities for you to deploy a unique, offbeat solution to what may seem like a standard wedding checklist item.
So many couples subconsciously equate a higher price tag with a higher-quality end product or service, and that’s simply not always true. Worse, that mentality can add up to spending tens of thousands of dollars more than necessary to host a memorable and meaningful wedding celebration.
The $10,000 dollar question is how can we develop an instinct for when it makes sense to invest more money for a higher quality experience, and when taking a less expensive route will be just fine?
That’s what we’re going to highlight today with a few listener scenarios that may seem a little crazy on the surface … but in reality offer a great chance to maximize the quality AND the value of the end-result.
Tune in for inspiration from other Wedding Planning Podcast listeners who had a kinda-crazy sounding idea ... and hear what worked, and what didn't!
PS - A special THANK YOU to this week's show sponsors, who made this free weekly episode possible:
This week on the Wedding Planning Podcast, tune in for my thoughts on some high-stakes wedding planning situations, including:
Submit your wedding questions anytime by visiting our website >>> weddingplanningpodcast.co/contact
Book a 1-on-1 Wedding Strategy Call to get all of your questions answered AND a written recap of actionable next-steps - in just 30 minutes!
PS - A special THANK YOU to this week's show sponsors, who made this free weekly episode possible:
Access a curated collection of second-hand designer gowns & expert stylists at a fraction of the designer price tag!
Loved Twice Bridal was created to take the guesswork out of shopping online for a second hand, designer wedding dress. You’ll have access to an experienced team of stylists who are available to answer all of your questions, so that you can buy a once-worn designer dress with confidence.
Unlike peer-to-peer marketplaces, Loved Twice Bridal gives you access to a curated collection of designer gowns that have all been thoroughly evaluated and pre-screened for quality, with clear and reliable disclosures on measurements and alterations. This is a really unique opportunity to wear a designer gown at a fraction of the price tag, and today I've invited founder Sarah Gabbour to share the Loved Twice Bridal experience with you!
In this week's episode of the Wedding Planning Podcast, you'll gain:
To shop Loved Twice Bridal gowns and learn more about consignment options, visit www.lovedtwicebridal.com/weddingplanningpodcast
And as a reminder for my Los Angeles / Southern California brides, Loved Twice Bridal does have a showroom in Beverly Hills. You can book an appointment for dress shopping OR for designer dress consignment by visiting their "Book an Appointment" page at the website linked above.
PS - A special THANK YOU to this week's show sponsors, who made this free weekly episode possible:
Looking for easy & affordable alternatives to hiring a professional florist ($$$$$) to decorate your wedding reception, table centerpieces, and bouquets?
You're in the right place! In today's show, we’re going to discuss a creative variety of affordable wedding table decoration ideas.
We're also going to review some actionable tips for doing your own wedding day flower bouquets & boutonnieres.
It’ll take a little extra work on your part, and you may need to simplify things a bit ... but if you’re looking for a spot to save a ton of money, creating table centerpieces & bouquets on your own is a great place to start!
Enjoy my top tips for incorporating flowers into your table decor, and we also cover beautiful centerpiece ideas that incorporate creative materials OTHER than flowers.
We wrap up with some specific examples of complete table set up’s that you can do for less than $10 per table.
Full blog post for today's show:
www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/centerpiece
A very special thank you to today's show sponsors:
Today’s convo is a wedding planning strategy GEM! We’re going to cover every single last little thing that should be included within your wedding venue contract.
If you’ve already booked a venue and signed a contract, I’d suggest pulling out your actual document & sticking around for today's convo to be sure that all the key items are addressed.
Your wedding venue is literally the centerpiece of your dream wedding celebration. It’s also likely the most expensive decision you’ll make throughout the course of your engagement, so we need to be extra cautious in getting the details cemented just right.
A special THANK YOU for supporting today's show sponsors:
We all know that having a detailed WEDDING DAY TIMELINE is critical to keeping the day organized, and flowing stress-free.
The problem is that lots of us get incredibly overwhelmed by the process because, well, it’s really damn overwhelming!
Today I’m going to highlight some of the top mistakes I see couples make as they’re building out their wedding day timeline, so that you can sidestep these major pitfalls and rest easy knowing that you’ve covered all the bases.
I’ve been on six wedding strategy calls this week, and 5 of them were focused primarily on wedding day timeline issues.
Today’s free show is a great starting point, but if you need more personalized help ironing out the details of your specific wedding day timeline, that’s an option -
Simply visit this link to book a 30-minute Wedding Strategy call with me.
I release just 12 calls each month, and they book very quickly, so reserve your October call today!
Our goal this week on the Wedding Planning Podcast? To save YOU $3,650 on your final wedding bill!
We could literally talk for hours about all the pretty things you see on Pinterest & Instagram that do not HAVE to be a part of your wedding celebration.
In the interest of time, I’ve chosen EIGHT wedding elements that I would suggest skipping - or scaling waaaaaaaaay back on. I think you'll be shocked at how easy it is for us to save over $3,000 over the course of a 20 minute conversation!
If your goal is a simple, beautiful, and affordable wedding - then the sky is the limit on the millions of wedding details you can leave out.
A special thank you to Susan's Travel Services for sponsoring today's episode. Take advantage of expert honeymoon planning services for your all-inclusive, cruise, or exotic honeymoon AND get $50 off when you book! Simply email susan@susanstravelservices.com to get started.
Other partner links mentioned in today's show:
Wedding shoes on Amazon? Why not! Check out these beauties & more for a fraction of the price at a "wedding" retailer.
Support a small business AND shop high quality, low priced wedding accessories on Etsy.
An entire show dedicated to planning, shopping for & setting up your own APPETIZER SPREAD can be found in your podcast feed dated June 1, 2022.
Last word! A CLASSIC way to save? Purchase once-used decor & other wedding items from another couple on a resale site like Craigslist, Ebay, or Facebook Marketplace. 🙌🏼
Are you drowning in wedding "etiquette guidelines"?
Everyone has an opinion on invitation wording, cash bars, inviting kids, wedding day transportation, and what traditions absolutely SHOULD be included in the wedding day. There’s nothing like planning a wedding to suddenly have everyone you’ve ever known come out of the woodwork with their opinions, right?
Where wedding planning gets overwhelming is when ideas of what a wedding “should” look like are in conflict with our budget, our wants, and our personalities.
And of course, an added layer of stress arises when you and your partner come from different backgrounds, and one of you thinks paying $10,000 for a photographer is completely reasonable, and the other wants to spend $10,000 total on the entire wedding.
But no matter where you’re from, I’m a firm believer in your wedding day being an expression and celebration of you & your partner. At the end of the day, you’re making a really special commitment to one another, and looking to celebrate the occasion with your loved ones. That’s it!
With that said, let’s look at some common “wedding etiquette rules” with a fresh set of eyes.
Spoiler alert, I don’t necessarily have a right / wrong, ok / not ok answer for every single piece of wedding etiquette, because look, there is just so much gray area here. I could sit here all day and say, it’s never ok to do that, it’s always better to do that, but that’s not actuality, that’s not the world we live in.
I thought it would be helpful to take a list of common etiquette and rules that are flying around out there, and have a critical conversation about each one so that you can decide what’s right for YOU. Which leads me perfectly into,
Please trust that you ALWAYS have the support from me to ditch what everyone else is doing, and craft your day, your way.
No this doesn’t mean being blatantly rude or disagreeable to your family, or sneaking behind your partner to sabotage something that you know they really want, or failing to honor your guests who are committing significant time & resources to participate in your wedding and support you. Obviously use common sense, compromise and understanding throughout your engagement.
But these commonly held wedding etiquette rules & beliefs can by all means be adjusted and updated to serve you and your unique priorities.
LINKS & RESOURCES mentioned in today's show:
Setting up a Facebook Group for your wedding guests
Some Couples Are Charging Their Wedding Guests to Attend
PS - A special THANK YOU to this week's show sponsors, who made this free weekly episode possible:
Believe it or not, there is a specific formula to experiencing a streamlined, stress-free wedding planning journey - and it has just 3 KEY INGREDIENTS.
Today in Part One of the Wedding Planning Podcast Engagement Starter Kit, you’re going to discover the FIRST KEY to streamlined, stress-free wedding planning.
And what we’re talking about today can still apply to you ... even if you’ve been engaged for months (or years!), you've already started booking stuff, or maybe even finalized most of the big decisions.
It’s never too late for a heart-to-heart refresh + refocus on the core reasons why you’re planning this wedding in the first place!
FREE GIFT TIME!
>>> I have ALL four parts of this magical series packaged up and ready for you to binge listen to after today’s show, along with lots of additional bonus resources and free gifts.
To access the full Engagement Starter Kit planning package right now, for FREE, simply CLICK HERE,
Or visit wedpodcast.com when you have a hands-free moment.
Yes signing up requires your email address, no I will not spam email you a hundred times a week, and no it does NOT require a credit card or any payment whatsoever.
Enjoy!
xo Kara
PS - Thank you for supporting this week's show sponsor, Susan's Travel Services.
Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your honeymoon OR $200 off your destination wedding!
Your wedding gift registry is the perfect opportunity to upgrade your home & your lifestyle with practical gifts that you need and will use in the years to come.
Tune in for an essential guide to creating a killer wedding gift registry including:
Deciding what items to include and ...
Items NOT to include on your registry,
Various lifestyle "categories" to consider as you build your registry,
Tips for creating cash gift funds,
Your top wedding registry "wish list" items,
And so much more!
For a complete written recap of today's show, visit weddingplanningpodcast.co/registry
PS - A special THANK YOU to this week's show sponsors, who made this free weekly episode possible:
A top-notch Wedding Planner / Day-Of-Coordinator is essential for any smooth and seamless wedding celebration.
Today on the Wedding Planning Podcast, we’re reviewing 10 KEY POINTS to discuss with your planner so that you’re both on the same page and ready to tackle any planning, logistic, or execution challenges that may arise.
A sampling of these key discussion points:
PS - A special THANK YOU to this week's show sponsors, who made this free weekly episode possible:
Lucky for us, there are literally endless creative ways to treat your guests to a unique food & drink experience on your wedding day.
In today’s BONUS WORKSHOP, we’re going to explore exactly how to:
Just a few of my favorite offbeat, wedding day food options:
PS - A special THANK YOU to this week's show sponsors, who made this free weekly episode possible:
Today on the Wedding Planning Podcast, we’re doing a thorough review of wedding dress alterations, styling & accessories, & post-wedding preservation ideas, and so much more.
Our conversation covers the dress alterations process in detail, including pricing, money-saving tips, a timeline for when to get started, and alternative options for having your dress altered.
We also cover:
I hope you love it, and congratulations on that beautiful dress!
Cheers, Kara
PS - A special THANK YOU to this week's show sponsors, who made this free weekly episode possible:
This week's featured wedding planning meeting is an overview of how to formulate a detailed wedding vision - and equally as important, learning how to articulate and advocate for that vision with those who are helping you plan.
Here's an overview of the specific scenario we'll be discussing:
"How can we reign in our wedding planner? Our venue includes a coordinator for the rehearsal and wedding day, and initially I was pleasantly surprised by how accommodating and informative she is. Since the initial relief and excitement of finding and booking the perfect venue, we’re starting to realize the huge task ahead of us in terms of booking EVERYTHING (the venue comes with nothing set up, so we need to choose tables, chairs, place settings, dance floor, bar, basically everything.)
At this point, I feel completely overwhelmed by her ideas & suggestions, and I’m starting to worry that the wedding she has envisioned for us does not line up with our vision OR our budget. How do I reign in our wedding planner and rest easy knowing that we are on the same page?"
In my years of experience, it’s not just the wedding planners who need to reigned in ... often times it's also the moms, bridesmaids, aunts, cousins ... feeling familiar?
We’re going to cover all these scenarios in today’s episode.
You'll also enjoy a sneak peek inside my digital wedding planning package with release of exclusive audio, "Creating Your Wedding Vision". This exercise alone is one of the most valuable wedding planning tools I have to helping you create a celebration that truly honors your priorities & values.
Tune in for so much more!
PS - A special THANK YOU to this week's show sponsors, who made this free weekly episode possible:
Today I’m sharing AN ULTIMATE ENGAGEMENT CHECKLIST, including 10 key "to-do's" to launch your wedding planning journey into action.
CONGRATULATIONS! The days & weeks after saying "YES!" are a whirlwind of fun & excitement ...
From sharing the news with your loved ones, flashing that ring every chance you get, and dreaming of cakes and dresses, you're definitely at the start of an unforgettable time in your lives.
I’ve worked with thousands of engaged couples over the past 7 years of producing this podcast, and most of them are in autopilot mode already at this point in the planning process.
And unfortunately, those couples miss a much larger opportunity.
An opportunity to wait patiently for their ideal wedding vision to unfold BEFORE going out and making big, irreversible decisions that end up really limiting what’s possible for them ... and I don’t want that for you.
SO MUCH MORE inside today's free audio meeting!
Links & resources:
Is Engagement Ring insurance for you?
PS - A special THANK YOU to this week's show sponsors, who made this free weekly episode possible:
"When the initial excitement settled, we felt like planning an entire wedding seemed really expensive, overwhelming, and exhausting."
Let me back up ...
My now-husband John proposed in the summer of 2009, at the end of a 3-week trip we took through Europe.
We were in Paris - our last stop - and we waited for hours to get to the lower platform of the Eiffel Tower, where he dropped to his knee with the sparking lights of the tower above us, and lit up city buildings & river boats in the distance.
We never even had dinner that night because it got so late, but you know how it is with the crazy excitement you felt on your engagement day - dinner didn’t even matter. We had just lived an incredibly powerful moment that was about to change our lives forever.
Within weeks, my ring was resized and fit perfectly. We had shared the news with literally everyone we knew, and we started discussions about potential venues and dates, and of course, the elephant in the room - how we would pay for everything.
Tune in for so much more!
PS - A special THANK YOU to this week's show sponsors, who made this free weekly episode possible:
A universal truth? Your wedding day will FLY BY.
Having a well-thought out, well-planned WEDDING DAY TIMELINE is critical to keeping the day organized, and flowing stress free.
In this featured episode of the Wedding Planning Podcast, we’re actually reviewing & creating two separate timelines:
We’re going to focus on the DAY-OF timeline first, and you’ll find specifics on creating your reception timeline in the second half of this meeting.
Here’s a link to the Pinterest Wedding Timeline examples that I mentioned in the show.
PS - A special THANK YOU to this week's show sponsors, who made this free weekly episode possible:
If you’re looking for some CREATIVE + AFFORDABLE wedding reception entertainment options that go way beyond dinner, drinks & dancing, then this wedding planning workshop is perfect for you!
Today’s wedding receptions feature creative entertainment ideas that are increasingly more personalized, more interactive, and more representative of your values, personal style and tastes.
There are endless ways to reimagine classic wedding reception entertainment & activities, and create a memorable, shared WEDDING EXPERIENCE based on your values & priorities.
In this meeting, we’re covering an overview of creative wedding entertainment ideas, and highlighting some fun twists on tradition that you can plan to treat your guests to an unforgettable experience.
GATHERING INSPIRATION FROM PINTEREST
I know podcasts don’t always lend well to visual examples, and I don't like simply rattling off long lists during the show ... so here’s a list of search terms that you can simply copy / paste into Pinterest for instant wedding entertainment ideas & inspiration:
For easy tips on getting a private Facebook group up and running, you can visit this link.
PS - A special THANK YOU to this week's show sponsors, who made this free weekly episode possible:
Today on the Wedding Planning Podcast, we’re joined by a very special guest and friend of the show, Susan from Susan’s Travel Services.
Tune in for Susan's detailed process for planning the honeymoon of your dreams, including insider travel advice about flights, destinations, travel upgrades, and even her list of top travel mistakes to avoid.
We cover:
Travel and new experiences are incredibly special to me, and I hope you and your soon-to-be husband or wife enjoy the trip of a lifetime to celebrate your honeymoon!
To schedule a completely free honeymoon consultation with Susan, simply click here or visit www.susanstravelservices.com.
Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your final booking.
Cheers to you & the trip of a lifetime!
Great news - you don’t need to be a professional designer or natural-born artist to select a beautiful & cohesive color palette for your wedding celebration.
Today on the Wedding Planning Podcast, we’re running through 5 easy steps for choosing the colors to incorporate into your rehearsal, ceremony & reception.
I also have a bonus rundown of the top Wedding Color Palette MISTAKES that I see couples make, so be sure to stick around until the end!
A lightening speed recap:
1. Start w/ your venue to guide your color selection,
2. Get color inspiration for your Save the Dates & wedding website - the first design elements your guests will actually see! I've linked 78 Save the Date options with beautiful sample color palettes here.
3. Tips for using Pinterest to your advantage,
4. Consider your potential colors actually being worn by your wedding party,
5. And of course, KEEP IT SIMPLE!
Enjoy the show!
PS - A special THANK YOU to this week's show sponsors, who made this free weekly episode possible:
The theme of this week's show is COMPROMISE.
We're exploring the importance of being on the same page with respect to finances, how you spend your free time, and of course, the ability to COMPROMISE - whether it's about your honeymoon or your wedding guest list. Tune in for so much more!
I’m looking for new stories from you about your engagement, wedding planning milestones, questions, anxieties, and anything else you’d like to share.
I’d love to feature your voice on the podcast, so please get in touch with your stories and questions by heading to weddingplanningpodcast.co/contact.
I can’t wait to hear from you!
PS - A special THANK YOU to this week's show sponsors, who made this free weekly episode possible:
Meet special guest Emma, who’s here to share the highlights, unique elements, and planning challenges from their beautiful wedding celebration at Hilton Lake Las Vegas.
In this special episode, you'll hear lots more from Emma on:
For a complete written recap and to see their absolutely gorgeous wedding photos, here's a complete article that features Emma and Drew’s incredible wedding celebration.
And to wrap up this week, I would LOVE to hear from you! Whether it’s about a planning challenge or question you’re facing, a post-wedding day recap that you’d like to share, or simply requests for upcoming show topics, you can send in a voicemail to the show by visiting weddingplanningpodcast.co/contact
In your message, please be sure to leave your name and email address so we can reach you for follow up. I would love to share more stories like Emma’s, but I need your participation, so please make it a priority to be in touch!
A special thank you to this week's show sponsor:
A LOT of our energy during the wedding planning process is centered around the fear that things will go wrong, and how we can avoid and prevent minor mistakes - and major disasters - on our wedding day.
I’ve been deeply involved with weddings for over a decade, and candidly, it’s a universal truth - no matter how much you plan and prep and delegate and assign, something will go wrong and / or not according to plan at some point during your wedding celebration.
The good news is that big or small, I have some solid practices that you can use right now to be able to adapt, improvise, and mentally overcome any unforeseen issues & challenges that are bound to arise.
Tune in for so much more!
If you’re newly engaged and wondering where to even begin with with your wedding plans, then you’ll definitely want to grab a FREE Wedding Planning Podcast Engagement Starter Kit. I’ve packaged up a 4-part bonus audio series that reveals 3 essential keys to a stress-free and FUN wedding planning experience. Better yet, you’ll have instant access to EIGHT additional bonus planning resources, each carefully designed to make your engagement season full of joy, and free from overwhelm. This is a completely FREE gift from me to you, and I hope you love it!
PS - A special THANK YOU to this week's show sponsors, who made this free weekly episode possible:
There are countless unique ways to celebrate your wedding / bridal shower (that don't involve sitting around and playing awkward games with your female friends & relatives!).
In this week's episode of the Wedding Planning Podcast, we're giving the "traditional" wedding shower some much-needed updates. Listen in for creative + modern twists that you're sure to fall in love with.
In many cases you don’t plan your own shower, so please feel free to forward this episode along to anyone who's helping you with your wedding plans!
For a complete written version of today's show, including lots of listener Q&A's, visit the blog post linked here.
PS - A special THANK YOU to this week's show sponsors, who made this free weekly episode possible:
Today on the Wedding Planning Podcast, we’re joined by a very special guest, Tanya Pushkine from The Vow Whisperer.
Tanya offers professional vow writing support, officiant services, and even wedding ceremony production support, including public speaking coaching. Tanya will guide you through exactly how to put your heart into words, resulting in crafted wedding vows that are truly meaningful to you & you partner.
Tune in for a behind-the-scenes tour of her process, best practices for creating your wedding vows and ceremony flow, and so much more.
To learn more about working with Tanya, please visit The Vow Whisperer website linked here, and follow her on social media @thevowwhisperer.
A special thank you to today's show sponsor, Susan's Travel Services! Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking!
Would you volunteer to host a party for 40 people and then rush out to the store with no menu planned & no shopping list?
No way!
You’d sit down and plan out what everyone was going to bring, make a menu of app's & drinks, look up some recipes, and then make a detailed list of exactly what you need to buy.
So why on earth would you head out to a WEDDING FAIR / BRIDAL EXPO with absolutely no plan, and just "see what happens"?
Today on the Wedding Planning Podcast we’re going to take inventory of your priorities, and make a list of your top goals for your day spent at the wedding fair.
This way you can MAXIMIZE your time spent with vendors and gathering inspiration, and minimize the stress & overwhelm factor of wandering through hundreds of booths full of noisy commotion.
After our time together today, when the 15th DJ asks you if you want to dance, and the 22nd wedding planner asks you to spin their "wheel o' fun" ...
... you can confidently smile, say no thanks, and keep walking.
To submit questions for an upcoming show, simply visit our website and leave me a voicemail!
PS - A special THANK YOU to this week's show sponsors, who made this free weekly episode possible:
STREAMLINE + SIMPLIFY has been a tagline for the WPP literally since I created the show way back in 2015. (Look closely, it's even on our old logo!)
Not only are these two of my favorite words in the English language - that I try and live by in ALL aspects of my life - more specifically, they perfectly summarize my approach to wedding planning.
Every situation you’ll encounter throughout your engagement can be examined through the lens of simplicity and potentially scaled back or streamlined in some way that will make your life easier, more affordable, more relaxing, and overall, more enjoyable.
Often we find ourselves in the midst of a planning roadblock and the first instinct is to explore your options.
In the first example we’re going to talk about today - a couple who has family in 2 different places, many of whom don’t want to travel, you might consider … getting married in each place, what would that look like? Getting married where we live? Getting married on an island with just us?
In all the feelings and family dynamics and charged emotions that fly around throughout your engagement season, it’s sometimes easy to get lost in a million far-fetched options ... when the simplest, most streamlined option is left by the wayside.
On that note, today we’re going to explore some common wedding planning scenarios where things can escalate and become verrrrrrrrrry complicated, very quickly.
I’m going to do my best to point out some straightforward, simple solutions that I hope will make your engaged life EASIER, MORE AFFORDABLE, and put a stop to waking up in the middle of the night with your mind racing over how many passed appetizers there should be, how many people should be in your wedding party, and how much ice to buy for your welcome party.
Ready to get started? Tune into the full show for so much more!
Thank you for supporting this week's show sponsor, Susan's Travel Services!
Creating your wedding reception seating chart can QUICKLY become one of wedding planning’s biggest pains.
Between crazy family members, divorces, step-parents, hook-up’s gone wrong, introverts, extroverts and lots of alcohol - your seating chart can quickly begin to feel like a jigsaw puzzle from hell.
This week on the Wedding Planning Podcast, we’re going to review some easy tips & tactics for designing your reception seating chart. Simple stuff that will ease the pain, and take this task from dreaded to done!
Resources & links from today’s show:
Find helpful online seating chart tool recommendations here,
Search “wedding seating chart” on Etsy for lots of custom options,
Browse KVW custom place card holders here,
And enjoy tons of creative seating chart ideas on this Pinterest board.
A special THANK YOU to this week's show sponsors:
Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your honeymoon OR $200 off your destination wedding!
Today we're doing a detailed review of critical LAST MINUTE wedding details that you’ll want to stay on top of in the 1-2 weeks leading up to your wedding day.
Even if your wedding is still months away, this show is perfect for you to proactively make notes about some of the things you can anticipate in those final weeks before the big day!
A detailed blog post / show recap of everything we reviewed can be found here.
Links to the Pinterest boards mentioned in today’s show:
A huge thank you to today’s show sponsors!
If you’re newly engaged and wondering where to even begin with with your wedding plans, then you’ll definitely want to grab a FREE Wedding Planning Podcast Engagement Starter Kit. I’ve packaged up a 4-part bonus audio series that reveals 3 essential keys to a stress-free and FUN wedding planning experience. Better yet, you’ll have instant access to EIGHT additional bonus planning resources, each carefully designed to make your engagement season full of joy, and free from overwhelm.
This is a completely FREE gift from me to you, and I hope you love it!
Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking!
Save yourself piles of unwanted stress when you proactively anticipate these 8 wedding planning "blind spots"!
Over the past 8 years of producing the Wedding Planning Podcast, one of my favorite pieces of feedback from you is some variation of, “WOW, we never would have even thought of that!”
I love sharing wedding planning ideas and strategies that go beyond what you might find if you simply google something, or browse through a quick article on a wedding website.
Don’t get me wrong, we cover the basics here too - but I LOVE digging down deeper to find the solutions and options that aren’t quite so obvious, and that might offer a really creative way to put a unique spin on your day, make your guests’ experience that much more incredible, or save you a ton of money by simply making a little adjustment or swap.
Today we’re going to cover EIGHT wedding planning “blind spots” - areas that past couples and listeners of the podcast have pointed out as things they wouldn’t necessarily have thought about during their planning, but that became clear after listening to an episode, or in some cases, after their actual wedding was over and done with (and it was too late …)
If you’re in the early stages of planning, hopefully we can catch a few things now, so that you don’t find yourself a year or two from now saying, "if only we knew then what we know now!"
I know you have literally millions of options in terms of wedding websites, blogs, magazines, and other podcasts, and I thank you from my whole heart for spending this time with me, and for including me in your wedding planning journey. It’s a huge honor, and a huge responsibility that I hold with endless respect and gratitude, thank you.
I’ll meet you here again next week, same time, same place!
Cheers,
xo Kara
Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking!
Creating a simple, info-packed WEDDING WEBSITE is the easiest, most hassle free way to easily share information with your wedding guests. Join me today for a detailed wedding planning workshop on exactly how to create an amazing wedding website - zero technical skills required!
To get started, choose your wedding website design from an incredible community of independent artists & designers when you visit Minted Weddings.
FREE Minted wedding websites include all the tools you need to get started, and you’ll even receive a $50 credit towards your wedding stationery when you visit www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/website.
In today's show, we're covering what to include on your website, what not to include, and lots of priceless details on how to leverage this incredible tool to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER over the coming months.
I also have a really fun & interactive extension of your website that will make connecting with your guests a breeze between now & wedding day.
Even if you’ve already got a wedding website up & running, I hope you’ll stick around for today’s conversation -
I have lots of important website elements to share that many couples miss, and I want you to be able to leverage your wedding website to your FULL ADVANTAGE over the next few months ... making your life easier, and of course, your guests’ lives easier as well!
A quick outline of what we're going to cover in today's meeting:
Home Page
Events
Travel & Accommodations
FAQ Page
Your Story
Wedding Party
RSVP Details
Links to your registry
& don't miss my BONUS TIP for keeping in close contact with your wedding guests throughout the coming months via a private Facebook Group! Here's a link that explains exactly how to set one up.
PS - A special thank you to today's show sponsor, Susan's Travel Services! Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com .
Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your honeymoon OR $200 off your destination wedding!
Affordable & beautiful Save the Date announcements and wedding invitations - how hard can that be??
Well, if you’ve spent 3 hours on a Saturday getting lost down the rabbit hole of 9 different wedding invitation websites, then you know that finding a practical solution that fits your style and your budget is much easier said than done.
Today I’m sharing a complete guide to wedding stationery, from Save the Dates to invitations. We'll even review all of those mysterious extras like fancy paper type, additional enclosures, wax seals, envelope liners, and more.
And if you’re on a budget and looking to keep your invites as minimal and affordable as possible, I’ve got some exclusive listener savings to share totaling over $300! See below for links & resources.
LINKS + SPECIAL OFFERS MENTIONED IN TODAY'S SHOW:
25% off Save the Date announcements >>> weddingplanningpodcast.co/minted
830+ Wedding Invitations w/ matching website, Save the Dates, QR code & extras >>> weddingplanningpodcast.co/invite
$50 stationery credit to use towards your save the dates and / or invitations when you create a wedding website >>> weddingplanningpodcast.co/website
BONUSES!
Get a FREE Wedding Planning Journal from our friends at Minted when you click here
Redeem your FREE Wedding Invitation Sample Kit here
And of course, an extra special thank you to Susan's Travel Services:
Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your honeymoon OR $200 off your destination wedding!
This week, I have an inbox full of your wedding flower questions to share!
I also put together a list of the top wedding flower mistakes that I see couples make, to further help guide you to "DIY wedding flower SUCCESS".
Today we're reviewing:
Additional resources mentioned in today's episode:
A special THANK YOU to Susan's Travel Services for making today's episode possible!
Wedding flowers are high on the list of things that couples rate "not very" to "not at all" important to them. So why spend thousands of dollars on elaborate, professional floral centerpieces and bouquets? There are so many simple, beautiful & affordable alternatives -
Today I have an 5-part formula for you to follow so that you can have beautiful, top quality flowers ... for an affordable price tag.
And the tips I’m sharing today don’t have to be just for your wedding - you can use the same guidelines for any event, including engagement party, bridal shower, baby shower, birthday party, or any special event you’ll host between now & your wedding, and even beyond.
Tune in and explore exactly how you can maximize the QUALITY AND VALUE of your wedding flowers using 5 simple guidelines.
RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY'S SHOW:
Bulk Florals & Arrangements from Costco
Find a flower warehouse / wholesaler near you! Simply search, "floral wholesaler near me"
In San Diego? Here's my favorite flower / decor wholesaler
A special thank you to Susan's Travel Services for making today's episode possible!
Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking!
Today on the Wedding Planning Podcast, we're joined by Susan from Susan's Travel Services to talk about the endless benefits and of hosting a Destination Wedding.
Tune in for the full scoop on this ever-popular wedding hosting trend, including:
The huge TIME, STRESS & MONEY-saving opportunities that this wedding format presents,
The importance of having a TRUSTED ADVOCATE when planning such a high-stakes, international event,
INSIDER INFO you simply must know about your overall planning timeline, finding vendors, and making your guest list,
And so much more!
Susan has personally helped me plan TWO unforgettable vacations, and I can guarantee there will be many more! Her genuine love of travel and new experiences - and wanting to SHARE that with her clients - is evident in every single step of working with her & her team.
For a FREE viritual consultation with Susan, visit her calendar linked here.
And don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast during your initial consultation for $200 off your destination wedding booking, or $50 off your honeymoon.
Cheers to you & the trip of a lifetime!
A note from Susan:
I am so excited to work with you and talk about a Destination Wedding! With over 28 years in the business and over 350 destination weddings planned, I have lots of insight and experience. It's a huge love for me!
Some things to know before we meet:
Where are you thinking on getting married?
When are you thinking on getting married?
Will there be kids at your wedding (under 18)?
What do you think your wedding budget is?
We will talk all about this, but just to get things started!
Thank you again!
Susan
You’ve done months (maybe even YEARS) of wedding planning & preparation, and the big day is finally almost here!
Last stop? Rehearsal dinner.
This week we’re reviewing everything you need to know for planning & hosting this extra special night with your family & friends.
We cover everything from the ceremony rehearsal itself to practical tips for hosting your loved ones afterwards.
DETAILED BLOG POST HERE --> www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/rehearsal
Naturally, I have a ton of creative alternatives to taking 50 of your closest friends & family out to eat at a nice restaurant ($$$). Beyond just saving money, we’ll also cover:
This topic is so dear to me - I remember our rehearsal dinner as one of the most special nights of my life. We grilled chicken, steak & veggies with our friends & family on the property where we got married, had all the fave drinks flowing, and a curated list of our favorite songs turned way up. We laughed, talked & celebrated long past sunset, and it was an absolutely magical night.
I wish all the same for you!
xo, Kara
PS - A special thank you to today's show sponsors:
If you’re newly engaged and wondering where to even begin with with your wedding plans, then you’ll definitely want to grab a FREE Wedding Planning Podcast Engagement Starter Kit.
I’ve packaged up a 4-part bonus audio series that reveals 3 essential keys to a stress-free and FUN wedding planning experience. Better yet, you’ll have instant access to EIGHT additional bonus planning resources, each carefully designed to make your engagement season full of joy, and free from overwhelm.
This is a completely FREE gift from me to you, and I hope you love it!Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking!
FREE Wedding Websites designed by independent artists? Yes please! Get started building your wedding website today with www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/minted
and take advantage of exclusive listener perks on save the dates, invitations & more.
Tune in for answers to your wedding questions in a brand new episode of the Wedding Planning Podcast:
>>> As always, you can submit your wedding questions here, or send me an email: k a r a {at} weddingplanningpodcast.co
>>> Keep in touch on Instagram! Follow @weddingplanningpodcast
If you’re newly engaged and wondering where to even begin with with your wedding plans, then you’ll definitely want to grab a FREE Wedding Planning Podcast Engagement Starter Kit. I’ve packaged up a 4-part bonus audio series that reveals 3 essential keys to a stress-free and FUN wedding planning experience. Better yet, you’ll have instant access to EIGHT additional bonus planning resources, each carefully designed to make your engagement season full of joy, and free from overwhelm.
This is a completely FREE gift from me to you, and I hope you love it!
Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking!
Get ready for a jam-packed Wedding Q&A show, full of your planning questions & concerns! Here's a sampling of what's on the menu this week:
SUBMIT YOUR WEDDING QUESTIONS HERE.
YES, it's totally annonymous, YES I really want to hear from you, and no - I won't use your name or voice on the show!
Thanks for being here, and we'll meet again next week!
Cheers, Kara
PS - An EXTRA special thank you for supporting today's show sponsors!
It's time to forget overpriced, unhealthy, and time-consuming takeout! Head to factormeals.com/wedding50 and use code wedding50 to get 50% off your first box and 2 free wellness shots per box while subscription is active.
Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your honeymoon OR $200 off your destination wedding!
Join thousands of INTENTIONAL + JOYFUL engaged couples who know that the wedding celebration of their dreams is possible ... even if right now, planning an entire wedding feels a *little bit* overwhelming!
Be sure to hit FOLLOW wherever you listen, and each Wednesday you'll enjoy a FREE, down-to-earth + straight-to-the-point wedding planning "meeting" where we explore everything from:
I have an open door and love to hear your wedding questions, stories, thoughts & suggestions for upcoming episodes! You can be in touch anytime by visiting weddingplanningpodcast.co/contact
And speaking of our website, it’s a great place to find past episode recaps, and special offers from our tight-knit community of incredible show sponsors. They literally make these free shows possible, and by supporting them, you are supporting your favorite wedding planning podcast, for which I am incredibly grateful.
If you’d like to go beyond the free weekly episodes and book a personalized 1-on-1 call, you can explore lots of flexible and affordable options by clicking here.
I know that you have literally millions of choices when it comes to online wedding planning content, and it’s a huge honor to be a part of such a special time in your lives.
A huge congratulations on your engagement, and I can’t wait to get started in the next episode!
Waaaayyyy too many engaged couples fail to plan for these ten sneaky little expenses that appear in the final months before the wedding!
Today we’re going to cover TEN unexpected budget busters, so that you're not caught off-guard - stuck making impulsive last minute decisions out of stress or lack of information.
Be sure to stick around until the end of the show for a quick "BLACK FRIDAY / CYBER WEEK" segment on how to save big on all things wedding on Etsy!
To view my favorites, visit: weddingplanningpodcast.co/etsy
Thank you for supporting this week's valued show sponsors:
My husband John is already loving the look & feel of his skin after just a couple of weeks of using "The Regimen" from men's skincare line, Caldera Lab. Use code "WEDDING" for 20% off!
Visit Generation Tux, where you can build your suit & tuxedo looks from home, get free color swatches, a free Home Try-On, AND manage your entire wedding party online.
Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your honeymoon OR $200 off your destination wedding!
Submit your wedding questions & stories on our website! www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/contact
In today's episode, I have an inbox full of your wedding planning questions, including:
A special thank you to today's show sponsors:
It's not just videography - it's cinematic artistry. Get in touch with Shutter & Sound Films at shutterandsound.com, and let your wedding day be a cinematic masterpiece you'll revisit time and again.
Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your honeymoon OR $200 off your destination wedding!
Today on the Wedding Planning Podcast, we're exploring your top wedding questions, including:
Please consider our valued show partners when selecting services for your special day!
My husband John is already loving the look & feel of his skin after just a couple of weeks of using "The Regimen" from men's skincare line, Caldera Lab. Use code "WEDDING" for 20% off!
Visit Generation Tux, where you can build your suit & tuxedo looks from home, get free color swatches, a free Home Try-On, AND manage your entire wedding party online.
Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your honeymoon OR $200 off your destination wedding!
On the fence about hiring a WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHER? You’re certainly not alone.
In my experience, videography is probably the number one item that engaged couples are undecided about. It’s no doubt a big investment, and a huge topic to unpack - so today I have an expert special guest to help us do just that.
Today we're joined by Ken Foster, who is a lead shooter for Shutter and Sound.
Shutter and Sound is a very small group of filmmakers dedicated to turning your big day into a work of art. They help you relive the tremble in your partner's voice, the joyous applause, or that unexpected dance move during the reception. It's all there, woven into a high-end film that's uniquely yours.
Tune in to the full show for an Ultimate Guide to Wedding Videography, and learn why 98% of married couples recommend having a video of your wedding day:
And for those wondering about locations: Shutter & Sound has 14 major U.S. cities covered, including spots like Boston, New York, L.A. and D.C. Plus, they're all about adventure, and are more than willing to travel for your big day.
Simply visit shutterandsound.com, explore their beautiful website including detailed pricing information and sample videos, and be in touch via email with the “Contact Us” link.
Cheers to you & a beautiful wedding celebration!
There’s a really common misunderstanding in "wedding planning world" that doing things yourself is always a good way to save money.
I get it - in some situations, you might have more time than money, and a cheap & easy DIY project makes perfect sense.
I bet if you think back, you can remember a time when "doing it yourself" was NOT the answer. We have to be careful in drawing the line between a few manageable, simple wedding projects that make perfect sense, and biting off more than you can chew.
Otherwise, you risk finding yourself in a spot of pure overwhelm and chaos months into wedding planning, and I don't wish that upon anyone!
On today’s show, we’re going to explore 8 important considerations and red flags to carefully consider when hosting your wedding at a residential property like a backyard or a rental home.
Our conversation today is a perfect lesson in creating boundaries as you plan between what you can realistically handle yourself, what should be left to a paid professional, and how to rearrange your priorities if you're stuck feeling like the cheapest possible DIY route is your only option. (spoiler alert - it's not!!!)
A special thank you to today's show sponsors:
Today's BONUS WEDDING Q&A show is designed to show you exactly how to have all the wedding things that are most important to you, regardless of how much money you actually have in the bank.
Sounds pretty amazing, right???
Let's face it, you’re overwhelmed & struggling with your wedding budget if any one, two, or maybe even three of these sound familiar:
... then you my friend are a walking case of budget stress and overwhelm, and we can’t have you going through life these next few months shouldering all of that!
This level of anxiety not only creates toxic stress in your daily life that’s bad for your physical health, but it’s also going to suck the fun out of your engagement - and it doesn’t have to be that way.
Yes, weddings cost money, but by ignoring your financial situation you’re setting yourselves up to be that couple a year from now who went waaaayyyy over budget, who had to use wedding gift money to pay off credit cards, and who - although they might not admit it to anyone out loud - looks back and realizes that in hindsight, there’s a whole laundry list of things that were completely unnecessary. (I have a story about this to share, coming up in one of our questions for today.)
Living in a place of overwhelm and judging yourself & your wedding decisions against staged photos and strangers on the internet isn’t serving anyone.
There are some very powerful shifts that I can offer to lift you up to a place where you confront your wedding budget head on - that’s the convo we had last week on Wednesday, in our Wedding Budget Workshop. You have the hard conversations, you’ve seen in black and white how much money you’re working with, you commit to your priorities, and then it’s DONE.
And that’s the point where you can move on to a more joyful place where choosing a photographer and a venue and a dress is FUN because you’re not constantly worried about how much it’s gonna cost. You KNOW you have enough money to cover your top priorities, it doesn’t matter if it’s going to look like the wedding you saw on tik tok this morning.
This is where you can confidently invest in your priorities, tune out and say NO to the stuff that’s not important to you, and you’re not even gonna recognize that girl who was alone and crying with her dog because everything is just too expensive and too overwhelming.
It’s time for a NEW WAY to create your dream wedding celebration, where YOU, your values, and your priorities are at the center of every single decision you make from now until your wedding day, & beyond.
So let’s say goodbye to unrealistic, staged images on Pinterest of weddings in the forest that cost $32,000 - in decorations alone.
It’s time to tune out overhyped social media accounts that are pushing the $72 billion dollar wedding industry’s agenda.
Here on the Wedding Planning Podcast, we say NO to the wedding industry’s priorities, and we say yes to a more fulfilled engagement season that starts with YOU.
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS!
What's on your mind? Get your specific questions answered when you sign up for a FREE 3-DAY TRIAL of my revolutionary digital wedding planning package, The VAULT. Details at www.wedpodcast.com
FREE ENGAGEMENT STARTER KIT BONUS SERIES
Redeem at allnew.wedding
There's an ALL NEW WAY to plan your dream wedding ...
... and you won't find it on any free wedding checklist or generic planning timeline.
In the FREE Engagement Starter Kit BONUS SERIES, we unlock exactly how to align your WEDDING PRIORITIES with your PLANNING STRATEGY, so that you can confidently design an unforgettable wedding celebration - minus the crushing stress & overwhelm felt by so many engaged couples.
SIGN UP TODAY for this incredibly valuable (totally free!) 4-day wedding planning workshop by visiting allnew.wedding
This week's episode of the Wedding Planning Podcast is a collection of wedding questions & situations submitted by members of my digital wedding planning package, The VAULT.
Membership includes the priceless benefit of submitting your wedding questions for feature on these monthly "Ask Me Anything" shows, and this week we're discussing in detail:
Monthly membership to The VAULT also includes a weekly bonus “off the record” chat where we can connect behind-the-scenes, and go deeper into select wedding topics covered in the free weekly shows.
Enjoy TWO featured OFF THE RECORD bonus shows when you sign up for a free 3-day trial of The VAULT.
There are zero contracts, no pre-payments or obligation, and you're free to cancel anytime ... although I certainly hope you'll recognize the value in this revolutionary, ALL NEW WAY to plan your dream wedding, and that we can continue the journey together!
Cheers to you & your dream wedding celebration,
Kara
PS - Thank you for supporting today's show sponsors:
Take advantage of FREE honeymoon planning services for your all-inclusive, cruise, or exotic honeymoon AND get $50 off when you book! Simply email susan@susanstravelservices.com to get started.
Check these guys out at Generation Tux and use promo code within today's episode for 10% off the entire groom’s party AND a free groom's tux w/ 5 paid party members.
This week's episode of the Wedding Planning Podcast is a collection of wedding questions & situations submitted by members of my digital wedding planning package, The VAULT.
Membership includes the priceless benefit of submitting your wedding questions for feature on these monthly Q&A shows, and this week we're discussing in detail:
Monthly membership to The VAULT also includes a weekly bonus “off the record” chat where we can connect behind-the-scenes, and go deeper into select wedding topics covered in the free weekly shows.
Enjoy TWO featured OFF THE RECORD bonus shows when you sign up for a free 3-day trial of The VAULT.
There are zero contracts, no pre-payments or obligation, and you're free to cancel anytime ... although I certainly hope you'll recognize the value in this revolutionary, ALL NEW WAY to plan your dream wedding, and that we can continue the journey together!
Cheers to you & your dream wedding celebration,
Kara
This week's episode of the Wedding Planning Podcast is a collection of wedding questions & situations submitted by members of my digital wedding planning package, The VAULT.
Membership includes the priceless benefit of submitting your wedding questions for feature on these monthly Q&A shows, and this week we're discussing in detail:
Monthly membership to The VAULT also includes a weekly bonus “off the record” chat where we can connect behind-the-scenes, and go deeper into select wedding topics covered in the free weekly shows.
The latest TWO featured OFF THE RECORD bonus shows are available to you for a sneak peek when you sign up for a free 3-day trial of The VAULT.
There are zero contracts, no pre-payments or obligation, and you're free to cancel anytime ... although I certainly hope you'll recognize the value in this revolutionary, ALL NEW WAY to plan your dream wedding, and that we can continue the journey together!
Cheers to you & your dream wedding celebration,
Kara
PS - Thank you for supporting this week's show sponsors:
Is your happiness suffering in these insanely stressful times? Connect with your Better Help professional counselor today and save 10% off your first month.
Take advantage of FREE honeymoon planning services for your all-inclusive, cruise, or exotic honeymoon AND get $50 off when you book! Simply email susan@susanstravelservices.com to get started.
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