Wedding Planning Collective Podcast

Amazon Prime Day is back, and as we gear up for the sales, I wanted to revisit this past episode about the items you can/should be looking for during the sales. In this episode, I’ll walk you through what to shop for, what to skip, and how to make the most of the deals without blowing your budget.

Keep in mind that many other stores like Target are jumping in with their "Circle Week" deals. The lists discussed here are generic, so make sure you're comparing the different outlets to get the best deal!

Get my full checklist at PlanningCollective.com/primeday and browse my curated Amazon Storefront linked in the show notes.

Planning a wedding can feel like a full-time job — and keeping your budget under control? Even harder. In this episode of the Wedding Planning Collective Podcast, we’re doing a quick budget reality check to make sure your spending is aligned before engagement season ramps up.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Why most wedding budgets go off track (and how to spot it early)
• The 5-step process to review your plan vs. actual spending
• How to re-prioritize and reallocate funds without starting over
• When to book your remaining vendors to avoid price increases
• How to build a contingency buffer so you’re ready for last-minute costs

If you’re starting to feel like your wedding budget is slipping through your fingers, this is your sign to pause, reset, and get back on track.

And for more wedding planning resources, check out planningcollective.com/membership

One of the most confusing parts of wedding planning comes down to three little words: food and beverage. Between minimums, hidden fees, and confusing proposals, catering can easily become one of the biggest budget surprises for couples.

In this episode, I’m breaking down everything you need to know about wedding catering costs, including:

• The difference between onsite and offsite catering
• What food and beverage minimums really mean (with real examples)
• Hidden fees to watch for, like service charges, taxes, and staffing
• When a “discounted” minimum is actually a good deal
• How to compare catering proposals without getting tricked

I’ll also share stories from past weddings where catering budgets nearly went off the rails, and how we solvedthe problem before it was too late.

Whether you’re considering a hotel ballroom, a banquet hall, a backyard, or a unique venue, this episode will help you understand the true cost of wedding catering and how to budget smarter.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Free Backyard Wedding Guide
• Join thePlanning Collective Membership

Hiring wedding vendors can feel a lot like dating — there’s the excitement of the first meeting, the butterflies when you see their portfolio… and then, sometimes, the slow realization that this might not be the right fit.

In this episode of the Wedding Planning Collective Podcast, Kate walks you through 10 wedding vendor red flags you should never ignore, plus the “beige flags” that aren’t deal-breakers but still worth noting. From vague contracts to pushy upselling, bad reviews, and those gut feelings you can’t shake, you’ll learn how to protect yourself (and your budget) before you sign anything.

🎧 Tune in if you want to:

• Avoid hiring vendors who cause stress or disappointments
• Learn what to look for in contracts, reviews, and pricing
• Spot when a vendor isn’t listening to your vision
• Protect your wedding day from messy “vendor breakups”

Instagram: @PlanningCollectively

Planning Collective Membership: PlanningCollective.com/membership

Weddings come with a lot of so-called “rules,” but here’s the truth — you can skip any tradition that doesn’t feel like you. In this episode, I’m walking you through 10 wedding rules I’d personally break without hesitation and giving you ideas for what to do instead.

We’re talking about:

-Why you don’t have to wait until the ceremony to see each other

-Uneven wedding parties (and how to make it work)

-Dessert ideas that aren’t cake

-The surprising history of the white wedding dress

-Guest list drama — and how to avoid it

-Skipping awkward traditions like bouquet tosses and garter removals

-Why most wedding favors end up in the trash

If a tradition makes you cringe, stresses you out, or just doesn’t feel right for your wedding — it’s time to break it and make your own rules.

🎧 Listen to more planning tips here: https://open.spotify.com/show/0GnKs9rT5wKmeo2KE1jubc

📸 Let’s connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/planningcollectively

💌 Grab my free wedding checklists & templates:

https://www.planningcollective.com/freeguides

Feeling overwhelmed by all the wedding planning to-dos? What if I told you that a stack of Post-It Notes could be the secret weapon you didn’t know you needed?

In this episode of the Wedding Planning Collective Podcast, we’re going back to basics (in the best way) with a low-tech, budget-friendly, ADHD-friendly planning method that’s equal parts visual, satisfying, and wildly effective: the Post-It Note Wedding Planning System.

You’ll learn:

• Why sticky notes actually work (hello, visual learners and dopamine seekers 👋)
• What supplies you need to get started
• Four layout styles for organizing your tasks (timeline, category, energy, and delegation)
• How to take this method online using tools like Asana or Slack
• How to keep your system going as wedding planning gets real

Whether you’re spreadsheet-averse, drowning in digital tools, or just want to see your tasks in full color, this method is for you.

🎁 Bonus: Want printable versions of all 4 layout styles? Grab them (plus planning templates + support) inside the Planning Collective Membership!

👀 Tag me @planningcollectively on Instagram to show off your Post-It wall—I will hype you up.

Tired of feeling like everyone has an opinion about your wedding?

In this episode of the Wedding Planning Collective Podcast, we’re talking about one of the most common stressors couples face while planning—unsolicited advice and overbearing input, especially from those footing the bill.

Here’s what we’re covering:

• Why wedding planning seems to attract opinions from everyone
• The different types of opinion-offenders (yes, we see you Pinterest Planners and Tradition Keepers)
• How constant advice can cause second-guessing, stress, and even resentment
• Boundaries that actually work—without causing drama
• What to say when someone is contributing financially and thinks that gives them creative control
• Scripts and strategies to protect your peace (and your vision!)

Whether you're navigating mother-in-law mayhem, budget-based power struggles, or just need a few polite ways to say “thanks but no thanks,” this episode will help you reclaim your wedding planning confidence.

• My free "What Am I Forgetting?" Wedding Checklist
• More support + stress-free planning tools inside the Planning Collective Membership

• How to deal with family drama during wedding planning
• Setting boundaries with parents during wedding planning
• Scripts for handling unsolicited wedding advice
• What to do when someone else is paying for your wedding
• How to stick to your wedding vision without offending loved ones

Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe! It helps more couples find the support they need to plan their wedding—without losing their sanity.

The Knot Just Removed Their Budget Tracker… Here’s What You Can Use Instead

If you’ve been relying on The Knot’s wedding budget tracker… we need to talk. The Knot is officially retiring its Budget Tracker tool and replacing it with a Budget Advisor—meaning you’ll no longer be able to track your actual wedding spending.

In this episode, I’m breaking down:

✔️ What The Knot’s new Budget Advisor tool really is (and what it doesn’t do)

✔️ The risks of planning your wedding budget with just “average costs”

✔️ Why tracking your real numbers is crucial for avoiding surprise expenses

✔️ Easy alternatives and tools to stay in control of your wedding budget

🎉 Inside the Planning Collective Membership, I offer couples resources to make budget planning simple and stress-free—including:

✅ The Wedding Planning Blueprint Course

✅ Editable Budget Tracker Template

✅ Venue Pricing Estimator

✅ Vendor Payment Tracker

✅ Weekly Q&A Calls for personalized help

📌 Links Mentioned:

👉 Membership Details + Budget Tools: https://www.planningcollective.com/membership

💬 Did this episode help you? I’d love if you could rate, review, and subscribe to the Wedding Planning Collective Podcast—it helps more couples find the planning support they need!

Are you feeling overwhelmed by wedding planning advice and wondering what’s actually true? In this episode of the Wedding Planning Collective Podcast, we’re busting 13 of the most common wedding planning myths that leave couples stressed, confused, and wasting time on things that don’t matter.

From the myth that wedding planning should take over your life, to outdated family payment expectations, we’ll cover what you really need to know to plan a wedding that feels right for you—without getting stuck in the “wedding rulebook.”

✅ In this episode, you’ll learn:

The truth about the so-called “wedding tax” (and when it’s actually fair)

-Why DIY wedding projects often cost more time and money than you expect

-How to set realistic expectations with your wedding party

-The biggest money mistakes couples make with backyard weddings

-Why it’s OK to skip traditions like bouquet tosses and cake cuttings

-The myth of “perfect weddings” and how to actually enjoy your day

…and so much more!

If you want to stop second-guessing every decision and plan your wedding with confidence, this episode is for you.

Resources & Podcast Episodes Mentioned:

🎧 Episode 114: Wedding Planning Blueprint - Budget

🎧 Episode 88: First Looks - Yes of No?

🎧 Episode 106: Is the Wedding Industry a Scam

🎧 Episode 113: Wedding Planning Blueprint - Priorities

📄 Free Backyard Wedding Guide

🎉 Planning Collective Membership – Planning tools, Q&A sessions, and sanity-saving resources

❤️ Subscribe & Review:

Love this podcast? Make sure to rate & review to continue to get free weekly wedding planning resources!

Feeling stuck on the logistics of your wedding day? In this Q&A-style episode, I’m answering real questions from brides & grooms about everything from timelines and vendor tips to sparkler send-offs and outdoor wedding logistics.

We’ll cover:

✔️ When to start building your timeline

✔️ What your rain plan really needs to include

✔️ Tips for managing vendor arrival times

✔️ What to do if your sparkler send-off doesn’t align with your timeline

✔️ And more!

Even if you didn’t send in a question, these are the details every couple should know to keep things stress-free and on track.

🎧 Mentioned in the episode:

→ Free wedding planning resources

→ Join the Membership for even more support

Episode 128 - How to Plan a Backyard Wedding without Losing your Mind

Episode 126 - 4 Must Have Wedding Day Worksheets (photo list episode)

Episode 125 - The Ultimate Guide to Vendor Tipping

✨ Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast — it helps more couples find the planning help they need!