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

Text the Wedding Planning Hotline

In the era of virtual communication, sending out paper wedding invites can be wasteful, expensive, and an inefficient way to communicate with guests. So while technology can seem daunting and complicated, creating your wedding websites - or - WedSite can be an easy way to dazzle your guests with a modern spin on classic wedding communication.  If you're reading this, you may feel lost on where to start creating a website. You may be wondering: 

• What information should be on my wedding website? 
• How much does a wedding website cost?
• Where should I do my wedding website?
• What's the most popular wedding website?
• Can I pay someone to make my wedding website for me?

Some couples are very excited to make their wedding website. Others drag their feet and aren’t so enthused. Whether you’re in the first camp or the latter, this interview with Ksenia Snegireva from West Avenue Wedding is going to give you a lot of ideas to make your wedding website amazing

Here's a summary of our interview:

• Meet Ksenia Snegireva of West Ave. Agency [7:03]
• How  to start making your perfect website[14:07]
• What information do couples NEED to include on their website? [16:26]
• How tech savvy do you need to be to build a wedding website?  [18:17]
• What are the domain fees and website costs? [22:15]  
• How do wedding websites replace invitations? [27:21]
• In what ways can a website be utilized to handle changes in the wedding, and communicate with guests?   [34:39]
• How to keep from automated emails from going to spam? [40:44]
• What moments give you the most joy and are the most meaningful to you? [45:26]

Links Mentioned in the Episode: 

• West Avenue Agency - Use code ASK15 during checkout for 15% off your custom wedding design!
• Wedding Vendor Email Templates and Interview Questions Guide

Connect with West Avenue Agency

• Instagram: @west_avenue_wedding
• Online: www.westavenuepaper.com
• Facebook: @westavenuewedding

Thank you to our podcast sponsors! 

• Visit the Ask the Planner Wedding Planning Template Shop
• LoveStream - Get 10% off your virtual wedding package with my code Ask10!

For the episode show notes, make sure you visit verveeventco.com/49

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Text the Wedding Planning Hotline

It is no secret. After the past two years of pivoting and rescheduling, downsizing, canceling, and social distancing, couples are excited and anxious to finally get married.  There are a ton of couples who got engaged years ago, and are only now getting married.  Consequently, everyone is itching to have their special moment with families and friends.  So today, I am sharing my 2022 wedding trend predictions. 

Vendors are included in this too. Some of us have couples that have been waiting to get married for 2 years, which means they’ve been planning for three!

Suffice it to say, 2022 is going to be an explosive year for weddings. It’s also going to be a reflection of what’s currently happening in society. So, I’m excited to share with you our predictions for trends in 2022. 

These predictions are based on a little research and a lot of observations from what I’m seeing and experiencing in the industry. 

Full disclosure, these are still opinions, and nothing is guaranteed. I’m going to start out by looking at what I predicted in 2021 really quickly and seeing if I think any of those trends will apply in 2022, and then move on to new trends for 2022. 

But I have to make sure I say that you should plan a wedding that YOU want. If you feel pressured to do something because other people are doing it, let them have it. Your wedding is an expression of you and your partner at this moment in time. 

 Links Mentioned in the Episode

• The Ultimate Wedding Planning checklist
• Visit the 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! 

• LoveStream - Get 10% off ANY virtual wedding package with my code Ask10!
• Visit the ASK THE PLANNER Wedding Planning Templates Shop 

For the episode show notes, make sure you visit verveeventco.com/48

Text the Wedding Planning Hotline

Whether it’s for the wedding party, engagement presents, or even just finding the right present for family and friends, there can be a lot of pressure to gift gifting. There’s the tricky balance of finding something useful and sentimental, and that of course won’t break the bank.  When it comes to gifting for weddings, people may ask themselves:   

• What are practical items for Wedding Party presents?
• Should I have wedding welcome gift bags?
• Can I DIY wedding party presents? 
• How much should I spend on wedding favors?

Today we’re tackling the Do's and Don'ts of Wedding Gifting.  From Wedding Party Proposals, to Welcome Gifts, to Wedding Gifts for Guests, to Wedding Party Gifts, to DIYing presents, we’re talking about it all.  The holiday season just ended, so I am sure people can resonate with  how stressful it can be getting gifts for everyone on your list. Rightfully so! No one wants a to give OR receive an in-genuine  or impractical present, especially when it comes to weddings.  From wedding party proposals, to wedding welcome bags, to even party favors, there is a lot too unpack.   Of course, you want everyone to be happy with what they receive, without it costing you a fortune! 

Links Mentioned in the Episode: The Do's and Don'ts of Wedding Gifting

• Lavender & Pine Gifting
• Verve's Ultimate Wedding Welcome Bag Checklist
• Wedding Vendor Email Templates and Interview Questions Guide

Connect with Lavender & Pine Gifting 

• Instagram: @lavenderandpinegifting
• Online: www.lavenderandpinegifting.com
• Facebook: @lavenderpinegifting

Thank you to our podcast sponsors! 

• Visit the Ask the Planner Wedding Planning Template Shop
• LoveStream - Get 10% off your virtual wedding package with my code Ask10!

 For the episode show notes, make sure you visit verveeventco.com/47

Text the Wedding Planning Hotline

Your wedding officiant is one of the most important people at your wedding ceremony after you! But like many couples, you might feel lost when starting to put together your wedding ceremony and will need to rely heavily on your wedding officiant.

We read about celebrity engagements, and hear about their weddings on social media. But, rarely do we think about what we can learn from these over-the-top weddings.

So, today we're interviewing a very special personality in the wedding and entertainment industry to get the inside scoop on one of the most recent celebrity weddings, the union of Hollywood socialite Paris Hilton to her longterm boyfriend, Carter Reum.

Rev. Clint Hufft is the officiant to the stars.  Consequently, the ceremony was a social media phenomenon - reporters producing news articles, paparazzi publishing photos, and Peacock TV network broadcasting "Paris in Love," the newest TV production. Furthermore, he performed the wedding ceremony of the first Bachelorette couple Trista ad Ryan Sutter.  So, people planning their own wedding may also ask themselves: 

• Do celebrities have special wedding officiants?
• How expensive is a celebrity wedding?
• What is the difference between a celeb and non-celeb wedding? 
• How much planning goes into the production of an A-lister ceremony? 

Thank you to our podcast sponsors! 

• Visit the Ask the Planner Wedding Planning Template Shop
• LoveStream - Get 10% off your virtual wedding package with my code Ask10!

Links Mentioned in the Episode: They Get Married Just Like Us 

• Meet Rev. Clint Hufft
• Wedding Vendor Email Templates and Interview Questions Guide

Connect with Celebrity Wedding Officiant Clint Hufft

• Instagram: @hufftclint
• Online: reverendclint.weebly.com
• Facebook: @ReverendClintHufft

For the episode show notes, make sure you visit verveeventco.com/46

 Finally, don't forget to leave the podcast a 5 Start review on Apple Podcasts and leave your Instagram handle so we can follow you back and enter you into some giveaways this season!

Text the Wedding Planning Hotline

Let’s talk about how to get what you really want from your wedding vendors. As I’m going to talk about in today’s episode, the past 2 years have been just a little bit stressful both for wedding vendors and for couples. People are experiencing burnout on both sides. 

In today’s episode, we’re talking about how to avoid feeling burned out and how to be the favorite client all your wedding vendors love, and how that will in turn get you the best results for your wedding.

• How do I pick the right wedding vendor? 
• What's the best time to meet with my vendor?
• How do I communicate my wedding expectations? 
• Why is flexibility important for my wedding vendor? 

Today’s episode show notes can be found at verveeventco.com/45.

Lauren O'Brien joined me today to share her experience being a wedding vendor in the industry.  Through her knowledge and expertise, we are here to help you and your wedding vendor work together to create the best ceremony possible :) 

Thank you to our podcast sponsors! 

• Visit the Ask the Planner Wedding Planning Template Shop
• LoveStream - Get 10% off your virtual wedding package with my code Ask10!

Links Mentioned in the Episode: 5 Hacks To Get What You Want From Your Wedding Vendors

• Wedding Vendor Email Templates and Interview Questions Guide

Connect with Lauren O'Brien

• Online: laurenoandco.com
• Facebook: @laurenoandco

 Finally, don't forget to leave the podcast a 5 Start review on Apple Podcasts and leave your Instagram handle so we can follow you back and enter you into some giveaways this season!

Text the Wedding Planning Hotline

Whether you’re getting married in the spring, summer, fall, or winter, there will likely be some elements of your day that will be outside. Whether it’s the whole ceremony and reception, or if you just want to take photos in a variety of locations, some part of it will be outside.

Today I’m sharing with you seven tips on how to have the best outdoor wedding, from what to wear to what to plan for, we’re covering it all.

1)     Plan for the worst and hope for the best
2)     Talk through your photo locations and think about back-up locations and permits
3)     Prepare for extended exposure outside – hot or cold.
4)     Order umbrellas
5)     Provide a beverage station with either flavored waters, sparkling waters, champagne or warmed drinks liked mulled cider, hot cocoa, etc.
6)     Incorporate coordinating scarves, wraps, blankets, or jackets
7)     Bring Hot Hands hand warmers for your fall or winter wedding to stay warm – this is also a great tip for engagement photoshoots!

Regardless of where you are in your wedding planning journey, this episode will be helpful for you as you think through how the elements will affect your plans.

If you’re listening to the episode in the car while driving or working out or cleaning the kitchen, the episode show notes can be found at verveeventco.com/44. 

Thank you to our podcast sponsors! 

• LoveStream - Get 10% off ANY virtual wedding package with my code Ask10!
• Visit the ASK THE PLANNER Wedding Planning Templates Shop 

 Finally, don't forget to leave the podcast a 5 Start review on Apple Podcasts and leave your Instagram handle so we can follow you back! 

Text the Wedding Planning Hotline

There are high stakes when it comes to choosing the entertainment at your wedding. From sentimental ballads to upbeat 2000's jams, couples want entertainment that will not only cause the audience to shed a tear at the slow song but get out on the dance floor to the Macarena. Many might be lost on where to begin when looking for a DJ or band for their wedding. You might be asking yourself:   

• Should I pick a band or a DJ for my wedding?
• How big should my wedding venue be for a band?
• How big should my entertainment budget be?
• What do I do if the entertainment backs out last minute?

The episode show notes can be found at verveeventco.com/43.

About Rick Stowe, Managing Director, Dream Fulfiller, and the general Band Guy at East Coast Entertainment.

Rick has had a long and storied career in the entertainment business. 

Over the years Rick has produced entertainment all over the United States, Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, and Bermuda. A few career highlights include entertainment producer for the Allstate BCS Championship Gala, The Sugar Bowl, major motion picture premiers, numerous corporate events, festivals, college/university concerts, and many other events. He works with some of the biggest names in entertainment like Pit Bull, Usher, Luke Combs, Toby Keith, Zac Brown Band, KISS, Earth, Wind & Fire, Fergie, Train, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bently and the list literally goes on. Many events take place in unusual locations, and Rick has seen it all! Whether the event is at a dude ranch in Montana, Puerto Rican rain forest, a three-story arena show production in a ballroom, private residences, on top of swimming pools, rooftops, cruise ships and even a golf course, Rick can make it happen with the right team!

Thank you to our podcast sponsors! 

• Visit the Ask the Planner Wedding Planning Template Shop
• LoveStream - Get 10% off your virtual wedding package with my code Ask10!

 Links Mentioned in the Episode: 

• East Coast Entertainment 
• Wedding Vendor Email Templates and Interview Questions Guide

Connect with East Coast Entertainment.

• Instagram: @eastcoastentertainemnt
• Online: www.bookcece.com
• Facebook: @EastCoastEntertainment

 Finally, don't forget to leave the podcast a 5 Start review on Apple Podcasts and leave your Instagram handle so we can follow you back and enter you into some giveaways this season!

Text the Wedding Planning Hotline

Hi guys! Today’s episode is another solo episode where I dive deep into the wedding party. A brief overview of the roles, and answering common questions about wedding party roles, especially for couples that are having a mixed gender wedding party. 

• Basic roles
• When should you invite them
• What are wedding party proposal gifts?
• Is it okay to have a mix of genders on each side?
• Do you need the same number on each side?
• How many should you have?
• What if you have mixed genders on each side?
• When should we pick out their attire?
• What about gifts?

I’m toying with the idea of having some kind of Black Friday / Cyber Monday sale in the Wedding Planning Template Shop. If you think this is a good idea, leave the podcast a review and let me know what you think. I always love a good sale BUT I do know lots of people will be vying for your attention at this time. So if you think it would be better to do a New Year’s sale, let me know!

Finally, if you’re driving or working out and want the show notes for this episode, you can find them at  verveeventco.com/42

PLEASE don’t forget to leave a 5-star review for the podcast in Apple Podcasts if you liked today’s episode. Reviews are so helpful to us podcasters because it helps other listeners find the show.

In Episode 43, I’m interviewing Rick Stowe from East Coast Entertainment and y’all, let me tell you. This interview ran a little long but Rick and I got very much into the weeds on how to work with your entertainment. I couldn’t help myself. It’s such a good episode, so make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast so you don’t miss that interview with Rick from East Coast Entertainment.

Text the Wedding Planning Hotline

Questions about your engagement photo shoot? How do you choose the right photographer to capture one of the most special occasions of your life? From venues, to outfits, to the time of day, all the factors that go into creating those lifelong photos can be intimidating to approach, and leave couples confused on where to begin. 

In this  episode, we will discuss, among other topics: 

• How do we find a wedding photographer?
• What do I wear in my engagement photos?
• Where should I have my engagement photo shoot?
• Should I have the same photographer for my engagement photos and wedding? 

 The episode show notes can be found at verveeventco.com/41.
 
About Dana Arnold of Dana Arnold Photography

Dana started her business while stationed in Hawaii for her husband's deployment. She is now a full-time wedding photographer and Navy wife currently based out of Monterey, California. She is a travel enthusiast who moves all over the country and loves that she gets to take her business with her. Her brand is all about a people-based business and focuses on serving all couples by providing them a personable experience that is just for them!

Thank you to our podcast sponsors! 

• Visit the Ask the Planner Wedding Planning Template Shop
• LoveStream - Get 10% off your virtual wedding package with my code Ask10!

 Links Mentioned in the Episode: 

• Dana Arnold Photography
• Wedding Vendor Email Templates and Interview Questions Guide

Connect with Dana Arnold Photography 

• Instagram: @danaarnoldphotography/
• Online: https://danaarnoldphoto.com
• Facebook: @danaarnoldphoto

 Finally, don't forget to leave the podcast a 5 Start review on Apple Podcasts and leave your Instagram handle so we can follow you back and enter you into some giveaways this season!

Text the Wedding Planning Hotline

On today’s episode, I’m giving you my honest opinion on who you should and SHOULD NOT invite.

As a warning, this episode might annoy or irritate some people, and you could strongly disagree. And that’s totally fine.

But I want to make this a safe space where you know I’m going to be candid with you, and not just tell you what you want to hear, even if it’s an unpopular opinion. 

This is another short but super-packed episode, so let’s get to it. 

If you’re listening to the episode in the car while driving or working out or cleaning the kitchen, the episode show notes can be found at verveeventco.com/40. 

I want to remind you that your wedding is a very important day. 

I want to make sure you spend it with the people you care for and want to connect with. If you were on the fence about inviting someone, I hope this gives you clarity and takes away the guilt from enjoying your wedding, whatever size it is.

Make some rules about who you invite and don’t invite and stick to them. Be consistent with who receives a plus-one, or which kids may attend. 

If you need help organizing your guest list, get a free copy of my Guest List Template at verveeventco.com/guestlist. 

In Episode 41, I’m interviewing Dana Arnold of Dana Arnold Photography on all things related to your engagement photo session, so make sure you catch that episode. She shares a lot of great tips, from where to have your shoot, what to wear, where to shop, and so much more.