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

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In this episode I brought on Kim from Curated by Kim Weddings and Events to talk all about FUSION weddings. If you are in the middle of planning a fusion wedding (or are about to be!), she shares all about the challenges she faces planning them, which I'm sure you can relate to, and the additional events she helps her couples plan too.

Whether you're planning a South Asian wedding, African wedding, Filipino wedding, or any other fusion wedding, there is something in this episode for you. If you want to infuse some more personality and traditions from your backgrounds, make sure you listen to today's episode. I absolutely love Kim's work and passion for fusion weddings, and I can't wait for you to hear today's episode!

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

• Defining what a fusion wedding is [4:15]
• Why Kim decided to specialize in fusion weddings [5:27]
• Adding cultural elements to your wedding [8:30]
• What makes fusion wedding planning different [9:41]
• How to budget for fusion weddings [13:45]
• Tips for choosing vendors for your fusion wedding [16:10]
• Logistical challenges you can expect with a fusion wedding [21:08]
• What you should consider before entering the fusion wedding market [25:18]
• Advice for couples who are marrying someone with different cultural traditions [28:54]
• This or That with Kim DeBose [32:58]
• Never Have I Ever with Kim DeBose [33:50]

Links Mentioned in the Episode

• Find the Full Shownotes Here
• Learn more about Kim at Curated by Kim Weddings and Events
• Follow Kim on Instagram
• Book a 90-minute Clarity Call to get wedding planning help specific to your unique situation
• The Ultimate Wedding Planning checklist
• Visit the ASK THE PLANNER Wedding Planning Templates Shop 

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When you sit down to start your wedding planning, you’re probably not dying to dive into the logistics first. Maybe you’re daydreaming about flower arrangements or a crisp fall color palette. Maybe you know one of the first decisions you need to make is the venue, so you’ve started researching and requesting information from some of the top wedding venues in your area. 

While none of this is “bad”, today we’re diving into what you ACTUALLY need to do first - which is decide who you want to invite (and what that number means for your wedding venue's maximum capacity)! As a wedding planner, this is NOT something I can do for you. And while your guest list may not sound like the sexiest thing, honestly, it’s one of the tasks couples hate doing, you do want to know your number before you start going on venue tours (or even finalizing your budget). I can't wait to share some tips with you today!

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

• Why the number of guests you choose to invite is so important [04:20]
• The first thing you need to do to get started [05:20]
• Having an A list and B list guest list [05:41]
• What your wedding venue's maximum capacity really means [7:01]
• The BIGGEST mistake couples make regarding their guest list and venue [08:17]
• Navigating awkward guest list convos that might come up [11:10]

Links Mentioned in the Episode

• Find the Full Shownotes Here
• When to Send Your Wedding Invitations (Episode 95!)
• 5 Questions You Need to Ask During Your Wedding Venue Tour (Episode 84)
• Who should you even invite to your wedding (Episode 40)
• 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
• The Ultimate Wedding Planning checklist
• Visit the ASK THE PLANNER Wedding Planning Templates Shop 

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In this interview, we asked Stephanie Thomas, creator of Bridal Body Fitness (a signature wedding workout program) and author of The Little Book of Rest exactly what couples who are looking to get in better shape before their wedding should do.  She shares her top bridal fitness tips for all of our 2024 (and 2025!) brides tuning in today.

Please know: there is NOTHING wrong if you don't want to hit up the gym before your wedding. It's definitely not required, but Stephanie shares great advice for fitting workouts into a hectic wedding planning schedule and prioritizing the mental health benefits of working out too! I think you're going to LOVE today's episode!

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

• How your wedding workout differs from regular fitness [5:05]
• The biggest challenges brides face when trying to hit their fitness goals [5:43]
• Practical tips for getting wedding dress ready [8:05]
• Advice on maintaining a healthy diet leading up to the wedding [11:45]
• How can couples manage their stress levels beyond a wedding workout [14:29]
• Specific things you can incorporate into your wedding workout [16:22]
• The best time of day to have a wedding workout [17:18]
• How to feel better energized on your wedding day [17:59]
• What you need to prioritize over intensity (and when to start) [19:30]
• Never Have I Ever with Wedding Workout Expert Stephanie Thomas Fitness [22:01]

Links Mentioned:
 
Your FREE Bridal Arms Mini Guide (+ Other Free Resources from Stephanie): https://stephaniethomasfitness.com/resources
Connect with Stephanie: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniethomasfitness/
Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist: https://shop.verveeventco.com/wedding-planning-checklist
Wedding Day Master Organizer: https://shop.verveeventco.com/wedding-day-master-organizer-day-of-spreadsheet 

For the full show notes, visit  verveeventco.com/126

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Hello! If you’re listening to this episode on its re-cast date, Happy Boxing Day! Yesterday was Christmas here in the United States and today’s episode is a recast of a previous episode from Season 2. We’re re-casting today’s episode because it’s still very relevant - Hi, it’s a wedding planning podcast and today’s episode talks about what to do when you get engaged, which happens to EVERYONE planning a wedding.

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

• Enjoy your engagement! Drink that champagne and have fun. [02:50]
• Pick 3 words to describe your dream wedding to guide you through the decision-making process. [04:11]
• Pick 3 words to describe how you want to feel during the wedding planning process. These will also help you gain focus when you start to feel overwhelmed. [06:09]
• Pick 3 goals you want to focus on for the wedding [7:42]
• Discuss your guest list and budget with your partner [09:07]
• Seriously consider hiring a wedding planner! [10:35]

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
• The Ultimate Wedding Planning checklist
• Visit the ASK THE PLANNER Wedding Planning Templates Shop 
• Episode 36: 6 Things to Do Before You Get Engaged
• Episode 21 The 5 Main Factors that Drive Your Wedding Budget.

If you want the episode show notes, make sure you visit verveeventco.com/125.

Text the Wedding Planning Hotline

Welcome to another exciting episode of Ask the Planner Podcast! I'm your host, Desiree Adams, and today I'm sharing five things I WISH more online wedding planning checklists included. Believe me, using a generic checklist as a starting point won't cut it when planning your special heirloom occasion. As a professional wedding planners, I've seen many couples miss out on CRUCIAL details that make their day truly unique and memorable. In this episode, we'll chat about five things that you won't find in an online wedding planning checklist, but we believe are super important when it comes to planning your big day!

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

• Create a Vendor Contact List  (and what to do with it!) [3:28]
• Create a Floor Plan for Your Reception [5:14]
• Mistakes People Make When Planning Their Floorplan [6:06]
• What you NEED to do After Guests RSVP [6:52]
• Review Your Vendor Contracts [10:01]
• Assign Someone to Collect Valuables on Your Wedding Night [11:38]
• What Most Online Wedding Planning Checklists Get WRONG [12:55]

THANK YOU TO OUR PODCAST SPONSOR!

Visit the ASK THE PLANNER Wedding Planning Templates Shop –  Use code PODCAST10 for 10% off!

Are you a fellow wedding planner? Learn more about our coaching program here! For the full show notes, visit  verveeventco.com/124

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Welcome to another exciting episode of Ask the Planner Podcast! I'm your host, Desiree Adams, and today I'm spilling ALL the tea on why I hate the Knot (and where I think you should find your wedding vendors instead!). We had a reel go viral about this very topic last year, and it was so interesting to see  how many people had no idea how the Knot operated on the vendor side of things! If you're recently engaged and trying to find your wedding vendors, this is a must-listen episode. Plus, don't forget to stay tuned until the end for my top tips on finding vendors who are the best of the best and share your values. Let's jump in! 

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

• Why I HATE the Knot 
  • Lack of Vendor Vetted Process [04:15]
  • Inaccurate Pricing Information [07:48]
  • The Knot's Business Practices [11:04]
  • They REFUSE TO TAKE ME OFF THEIR PLATFORM [13:10]
• Better ways to find vendors 
  • Your Wedding Planner or Other Trusted Vendors [15:15]
  • Social media [16:09]
  • Local and regional wedding blogs [17:05]
  • Bridal shows and expos [17:55]

THANK YOU TO OUR PODCAST SPONSOR! 

• Visit the ASK THE PLANNER Wedding Planning Templates Shop –  Use code PODCAST10 for 10% off!
• Are you a fellow wedding planner? Learn more about our coaching program here!

For the full show notes, visit  verveeventco.com/123

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 Today we’re diving into the custom wedding dress and alterations process. Whether you’re newly engaged and on the hunt for the perfect gown or you’ve already said Yes to the dress and now need to start the alterations process, you’re going to want to listen to today’s episode with my very sweet and special guest, Sarah Kolis.

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

• Meet Sarah Kolis [01:57]
• When to search for a wedding dress? [3:16]
• How do you recommend brides look for a wedding dress or a wedding dress designer? [4:55]
• Where do you get your inspiration for your wedding dresses? [7:33]
• What is the process with your couture wedding dress process? [8:47]
• How long is the couture wedding dress process from start to finish? [11:04]
• What is the dress alterations process? [13:31]
• What tips do you have for bridal gown care? [19:02]
• What tips do you have for wedding dress emergency? [22:05]
• Never have I ever [26:55]
• This or That [28:39]

Connect with Sarah Kolis 

• Sarah Kolis Couture Gown
• Instagram @sarahkolisdesigns
• Dressing Up with Sarah Kolis

Links Mentioned in the Show

• Wedding Planning template shop Use code PODCAST10 for 10% off!
• Wedding Day Master Organizer and Day-of Spreadsheet
• 1-on-1 Wedding Planner Coaching

THANK YOU TO OUR PODCAST SPONSOR! 

• Proven Skincare. Enter the code DESIREE during checkout to save 20% off your first order.

For the full show notes, visit  verveeventco.com/122.

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Want your wedding to feel luxurious? Then you need to incorporate all FIVE senses into your wedding design. Today, loverves, we are talking all about the sense that is almost never taken into account, even though it can make such a difference in your wedding day (and how people remember your wedding day).

Today we are talking about the sense of smell. And more specifically, how you can incorporate smells and fragrances into your wedding day in a meaningful and impactful way. How can you avoid going overboard? While most couples planning a wedding have likely thought about choosing a wedding day perfume or cologne, as your favorite wedding planner up here in Upstate New York, I’m here to tell you that we can go so much deeper than that. 

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

• Wedding Invitations [05:00]
• Wedding Day Perfume [07:16]
• Custom Fragrance Bar [10:10]
• Custom Scented Candles [11:45]
• Choose a Diffuser or Candle for Bathrooms [15:01]

Links Mentioned in the Episode

• Noteworthy Scents - Enter the code DESIREE30 at checkout and receive 30% off of your entire cart for orders over $25. If your order is under $25, you can use the code DESIREE20 to get 20% off your scent discovery kit or the signature samplers. 
• Episode 120: Your Insider’s Guide to Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals for Your Wedding and Wedding Business
• Episode 117: Wedding Disasters and How to Avoid Them (Vol.2)
• Episode 71: Wedding Horror Stories You Don’t Want To Repeat

Thank you to our podcast sponsors! 

• Visit the ASK THE PLANNER Wedding Planning Templates Shop –  Use code HOLIDAY23,  November 20th through December 8th for 30% off your entire cart!

For the full show notes, visit  verveeventco.com/121.

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Today’s episode is going to be short and sweet as I give you my insider’s view of all the upcoming Holiday / Black Friday / Cyber Monday deals to watch out for. I love a good sale, so I scouted out my favorite retailers, made some calls and emails, and today I’m going to help you map out your holiday shopping strategy.

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

1. Clutch Chargers [6:49]
2. Proven Skincare [9:21]
3. Noteworthy Scents [14:22]
4. Honeylove [19:08]
5. Tonic Websites [21:20]
6. Dubsado [23:05]
7. Ask the Planner [29:50]
8. Things to Add To Your Emergency Kit [30:85]
9. Wedding Day Supplies [32:18]

For the full show notes, visit  verveeventco.com/120.

Text the Wedding Planning Hotline

Welcome to another exciting episode of Ask the Planner Podcast! I'm your host, Desiree Adams, and today we're diving into a topic that's at the heart of wedding planning: which wedding planner is right for you? It can be overwhelming when you first get engaged, and it might feel like you have only two options - going all-in with a full-service planner or tackling everything yourself. But the truth is, there's a whole range of wedding planning services out there, and today, we're here to empower you to make the best choice for your special day.

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

1. Full-Service Wedding Planning [7:52]
2. Wedding Design [13:25]
3. Partial Wedding Planning [19:35]
4. Wedding Management (Wedding Coordination) [22:52]

LINKS MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE

• Planners Playbook
• Wedding Planner Coaching

THANK YOU TO OUR PODCAST SPONSOR! 

• Visit the ASK THE PLANNER Wedding Planning Templates Shop –  Use code PODCAST10 for 10% off!

For the full show notes, visit  verveeventco.com/119.