The Planner's Edit with Desirée Adams: A Podcast for Wedding Planners and Pros (FKA Ask the Planner)

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Regardless of when or where you’re taking your honeymoon,  you’ve probably started dreaming about where to go. But before you make any more honeymoon plans - or even wedding plans - make sure you listen to today’s episode to hear a true jet setter’s tips on how to maximize your wedding planning to have the most amazing getaway possible. 

And if you’re a wedding pro, you definitely still want to listen to today’s episode. We’re sharing tips that you’re going to want to incorporate in your every day life - from dining out to buying gas.

Here's a summary of our interview:

• Meet Zach Griff  [02:45]
• How do you recommend they think about earning points during wedding planning? [05:39]
• Are there specific cards you recommend couples use when making wedding purchases? [09:04]
• Do you have any couple-focused tips for maximizing loyalty programs? [12:28]
• Can you tell us more about The Points Guy app? [19:13]
• Can you tell us how you used points to plan your honeymoon? [21:28]
• What tips do you have for couples as they plan their honeymoon? [24:19]
• Do you think it’s better that couples pick 1 or 2 main loyalty programs, like 1 hotel and 1 airline and try to earn as many points as they can on each? Or should they try to spread it out among a few in case a certain location doesn’t have a property with the program that you’re a member of - like Marriott Bonvoy versus Hilton? [26:20]
• How far out should couples book their flight? [29:43]
• This or that? [30:55]

Link to blog

• From the Serengeti to the Seychelles: Honeymooning at 2 stunning Four Seasons resorts

Connect with Zach Griff

• Instagram: @_ZachGriff
• Online: https://thepointsguy.com/
• TPG App

For the episode show notes, make sure you visit verveeventco.com/76

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If you're planning a wedding, you've probably already searched for a wedding budget template. Because, let's be honest, no one wants to make that up on their own! If you're looking for help on your wedding budget, you've probably wondered:

• What is the ideal budget for a wedding?
• How do I make a wedding budget checklist?
• What categories should be in my wedding budget?
• How do I organize my wedding budget?

On today's episode, I'm giving you a step-by-step wedding budget tutorial as I fill out our own wedding budget template from our Wedding Planning Template Shop.

Here's a summary of our interview:

• Buy the Wedding Budget Bundle I use in today's episode [03:15]
• Wedding budget template categories and sub-categories [04:35] 
  • Attire [05:27]
  • Ceremony Venue [05:54]
  • Wedding Venue [04:35]
  • Hair and Makeup [07:21]
  • Photo & Video [08:35]
  • Paper Goods [09:10]
  • Reception Food & Beverage [13:35]
  • Florals [15:27]
  • Decor & Lighting [17:47]
  • Gifts & Favors [18:27]
  • Music & Entertainment [19:40]
  • Rentals [20:28]
  • Wedding Transportation [21:22]
  • Accommodations [22:23]
  • Wedding Tipping [22:39]

Links Mentioned in Today's Episode

• Buy the Wedding Budget Bundle from today's episode (Use code PODCAST10 for 10% off!)
• The Ultimate Wedding Welcome Bag Checklist (with shoppable links!)
• Minted. Enjoy 35% OFF save the dates + 25% OFF all wedding and event stationery with the code WEDPLVERVE
• The Do's and Dont's of Wedding Gifting

For the episode show notes, make sure you visit verveeventco.com/75

Text the Wedding Planning Hotline

Today we’re talking about the magic and beauty of custom suiting.

I confess, I didn’t know much about custom tailored suits until I became a wedding planner. But now that I’ve discovered them, I’m obsessed and want to share it with all of you.

Today we’re diving into the details of custom tailored suits - who is it good for, why you might want to consider having a custom suit, and other important questions to consider.

And let’s just say, a custom suit isn’t just for the guys. Women also wear suits to their wedding day, too. 

We’re joined by an expert on the topic,  unpacking everything you need to know for the perfect wedding suit with Peter Roberti of Adrian Jules. 

Here's a summary of our interview:

• Meet Peter Roberti  [02:38]
• What's the difference between a custom suit and a rental or one from a department store? [05:12]
• Who would benefit from getting a custom suit? [06:20]
• Would you say there people that aren't a good fit for a custom suit? [08:27]
• What is the custom suit process like? What is the timeline of having a custom suit made? [09:18]
• What kind of questions should couples ask their custom tailor if they're trying to decide on who to choose? [10:55]
• How much a custom suit could start at? [14:00]
• What are the trends in the custom suiting and apparel that you are loving? [16:00]
• Any ‘getting dressed’ tips for people on their wedding day? [17:28]
• This or That? [19:35]

Connect with Adrian Jules Custom Clothier

• Instagram: @ajcustomsuits
• Online: https://adrianjulescustomclothier.com

Links Mentioned in the Episode

• Proven Skincare. Get $20 off my daily skincare routine! Enter the code DESIREE to get $20 off your first order.

For the episode show notes, make sure you visit verveeventco.com/74

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Have you invited your family and friends to be members of your wedding party yet? If not, today’s episode is for you. In this episode, I wanted to make a case for a smaller wedding party. As a luxury wedding planner in Upstate NY, I always love to see trends unfold in real-time and of course, have an opinion on them. Over the last two years, couples have naturally been drawn toward smaller wedding parties and smaller guest counts. However, as guest counts increase again, wedding party sizes seem to increase right along with them! 

While I love a big wedding and jam-packed dance floor, today I’m going to make a case for a smaller wedding party. If you are newly engaged and haven’t chosen your wedding party yet, today I’m sharing 6 things you might not have considered yet.

To fast-forward to a specific part of the podcast episode, check out the timestamps below:

• You’ll save money on stuff that doesn’t matter so that you can splurge on the stuff that does [3:20]
• It enhances your wedding day experience by making it feel more intimate and less chaotic trying to do all the things with all the people [7:00]
• It makes your getting-ready suite feel a lot roomier and more comfortable [8:15]
• You can start getting ready at a more leisurely time later in the day and worry less about having half a dozen hair and makeup artists in your schedule [10:05]
• You don’t feel like you’re herding cats on your wedding day. From photos to getting from one location to the next, a smaller group always seems to know exactly where they’re supposed to be. [12:20]
• Lastly, you can spend extra time loving on the people you care about the most. [13:42]

LINKS MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE

• Leave a voicemail on our wedding planning hotline! (585) 210-3467
• @AskthePlannerPodcast on Instagram
• Book a 90-minute Clarity Call to get wedding planning help specific to your unique situation
• Wedding budget bundle in our Wedding Planning Template Shop

THANK YOU TO OUR PODCAST SPONSORS!

• Proven Skincare. Get $20 off my daily skincare routine! Enter the code DESIREE to get $20 off your first order.

For the episode show notes, make sure you visit verveeventco.com/73

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In this episode, we’re unpacking everything you need to know about wedding budgeting with my guest Renee Sabo of Urban Soiree.

HIGHLIGHTS FOR EPISODE 72: 

• Meet Renee Sabo [04:07]
• How do couples build a realistic budget for their wedding? [07:56]
• What should a well-rounded wedding budget include? [10:30]
• What items should couples wait to book? [18:04]
• Advice for when family members contribute to wedding expenses. [20:05]
• How can couples get accurate estimates for wedding expenses? [26:25]
• How often should a couple update their budget? [28:45]
• Best practices tracking vendor payments. [30:17]
• This or That! [37:48]

Connect with Renée Sabo of Urban Soirée

• Instagram: @urban_soiree
• Online: https://www.urbansoireeboston.com

Links Mentioned in the Episode

• Wedding Budget Bundle - Use code PODCAST10 at checkout for 10% OFF your entire purchase

For the episode show notes, make sure you visit verveeventco.com/72

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Happy Halloween! Today’s episode is a special Halloween edition. I’m sharing wedding HORROR stories - from real weddings. Not only are they going to make you cringe and be happy you weren’t there, but we’re also going to give you some tips to make sure you avoid this at your wedding.

EPISODE [71] HIGHLIGHTS: 

• The candles that almost caused a fire. (Horror Story #1) [3:40]
• The bus that never came. (Horror Story #2)  [11:15]
• The Flood. (Horror Story #1) [19:02]
• Review of the day! [28:27]

LINKS MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE

• Leave a voicemail on our wedding planning hotline! (585) 210-3467
• ASK THE PLANNER Wedding Planning Templates Shop 
• @AskthePlannerPodcast on Instagram
• Book a 90-minute Clarity Call to get wedding planning help specific to your unique situation

THANK YOU TO OUR PODCAST SPONSORS!

• Proven Skincare  and enter the code DESIREE to get $20 off your first order!

For the episode show notes, make sure you visit verveeventco.com/71

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Now that Season 3 is here, I know we may have some new listeners, so I wanted to revisit a topic that is arguably one of the most important elements when planning your wedding - Picking your wedding Venue.

In this episode,  I’m joined by Courtney and Dana of Anthem House, a team of planners with a combined experience of 50+ years based in North Carolina. They have partnered together to give their clients an all- inclusive, luxury planning experience. Their passions lie in the intentional details of their clients' day, seamless logistics, and meaningful connections. Their team approach allows them to be uniquely creative, efficient, and harmonious throughout all aspects of the planning process.

HIGHLIGHTS FOR EPISODE 70:

• Meet Courtney and Dana [03:08]
• What our listeners need to know as they search for their dream wedding venue. [07:30]
• What’s your opinion on when should couples select the venue versus the wedding planner? [10:12]
• What advice would you give to our listeners who are venue shopping right now? [11:47]
• Do you think there are any red flags couples should look out for selecting their venues? [14:30]
• When considering budget, how should they balance cost versus aesthetics? [18:44]
• Are there additional fees that you always ask about or think about when reviewing a contract that may not be listed in the contract that couples should be aware of? [22:30]
• Is there anything else that you wanted to add that we haven’t touched on when it comes to wedding venue search before we start to wrap up? [26:27]
• If you could give our listeners one piece of advice or surprising detail that they’re probably not thinking about, what would it be? [28:38]
• This or That! [31:10]

Thank you to our podcast sponsors! 

• Visit the Ask the Planner Wedding Planning Template Shop
• Planner's Playbook - Use my unique link so you can skip the waitlist and join ANY TIME!

For the episode show notes, make sure you visit verveeventco.com/70

Text the Wedding Planning Hotline

In today’s episode, I’m covering 6 must-have details for your wedding website - including tips from what I often see missed. Your wedding invitations, and by extension your wedding website, is one of your guests’ first impressions into your heirloom occasion - your wedding day - so it’s worth a little extra effort to get just right. At least, that’s my opinion as a wedding planner!

Whether you are newly engaged or near the end getting ready to mail your invitations, I’m going to break down everything you need to include on your wedding website to ensure a flawless experience for your guests from the second they type your URL into their browser.

EPISODE [69] HIGHLIGHTS: 

• The logistics - wedding date, time and location [05:10]
• Travel information to get to your destination and/or wedding venue [06:28]
• Itinerary for the weekend[08:25]
• Contact info for any follow-up questions [09:30]
• Clear guidelines as to whether it’s a kid friendly affair or not [10:38]
• Any insider information helpful for first-timers to the venue or destination. [12:28]
• Episode recap [14:56]
• Review of the day! [17:05]

Thank you to our podcast sponsors! 

• Visit the ASK THE PLANNER Wedding Planning Templates Shop 
• Planner's Playbook - Use my unique link so you can skip the waitlist and join ANY TIME! 

For the episode show notes, make sure you visit verveeventco.com/69

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I am tackling the question: Should you plan your wedding for 2023 or 2024? If you are feeling panicked and that you have to book your wedding vendors right away OR you feel like you want to just wait until 2024 to make sure you don’t have to stress, this post is for you.

Whether you’re newly engaged or have been engaged a while, I’m going to share with you exactly which vendors you should book first, and what a realistic timeline looks like for weddings in 2023. There has been a lot of uncertainty and a LOT of noise over the past couple of years so hopefully, I can set the record straight and make jumping into the post-COVID world of weddings a little more exciting and less intimidating.

EPISODE [68] HIGHLIGHTS: 

To fast-forward to a specific part of the podcast episode, check out the timestamps below: 

• The podcast got a facelift! Let us know what you think of the changes in your Apple Podcast review. [05:30]
• Waiting for 2024 will lead to greater planning anxiety and procrastination [10:10]
• Vendors may not be available for a date in 2024 until much later [12:45]
• Increased pricing or fees for 2024 [14:50]
• What should your planning timeline look like if you pick a date in 2023 or 2024 [18:30]
• You have time to plan but not too much time to plan if you pick a 2023 date [19:40]
• Make a budget and put together your guest list / guest count! [20:10]
• Hire a wedding planner! [20:45]
• 2024 couples will be lower on the priority list for vendors [22:10]
• What order should you book vendors [22:35]
• Episode recap [25:11]
• Review of the day! [26:40]

Thank you to our podcast sponsors! 

• Visit the ASK THE PLANNER Wedding Planning Templates Shop 
• Planner's Playbook - Use my unique link so you can skip the waitlist and join ANY TIME! 

For the episode show notes, make sure you visit verveeventco.com/68

Text the Wedding Planning Hotline

Be sure to tune in this October for the ✨ new and improved ✨ season of Ask the Planner Podcast!