Wedding Planning Collective Podcast

Planning a backyard wedding or getting married at a unique venue that doesn’t come fully set up? This episode is for you! I’m walking you through the 8 most important steps to pulling it off without the stress — from budget breakdowns and rental must-haves to power access and what your neighbors need to know.

Grab the free checklist-packed guide at PlanningCollective.com/freeguides so you’re not stuck trying to take notes!

Amazon Prime Day is here—and it’s the perfect time to save on your wedding must-haves! 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.

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

Feeling a little stressed about how your wedding day is going to run? Don’t worry — this episode is just for you! I’m breaking down the four essential worksheets every couple should review with their vendors before the big day.

From awkward family photo chaos to music mix-ups, these worksheets will help keep your wedding smooth, organized, and drama-free. Plus, they’re all available as free downloads at PlanningCollective.com!

• The four worksheets that streamline communication with your vendor team
• Tips for avoiding common wedding day mishaps
• What to include in your Family Photo List
• How to build a complete Wedding Song List beyond just your first dance\
• Why the Processional Order is more flexible than you think
• How to decode your Banquet Event Order (BEO) like a pro

Head over to PlanningCollective.com/freeguides to download all four worksheets mentioned in this episode — no guesswork required!

Enjoying the podcast? A quick rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify helps other couples find the show and plan smarter (and with less stress!)

1. How Much Should You Really Tip Your Wedding Vendors?
2. Wedding Vendor Tipping Guide: Who, How Much, and When
3. Budget-Friendly Ways to Thank Your Wedding Vendors
4. Don’t Forget to Tip! Wedding Gratuity Etiquette Explained
5. The Ultimate Guide to Tipping Your Wedding Vendors

Episode Description:

Tipping your wedding vendors can feel awkward and confusing — but it doesn’t have to be!

In this episode of the Wedding Planning Collective Podcast, I’m answering one of the most common questions couples have: Do we really need to tip our wedding vendors? We’ll cover:

• Who typically gets tipped (and who doesn’t)
• How much to tip each vendor (based on industry standards)
• What to do if your budget is already stretched
• Creative, meaningful alternatives to cash tips
• Tips for prepping your gratuities ahead of time

Plus, I’ll share how to avoid double-tipping, and what “service charges” in contracts actually mean.

If vendor gratuities have been stressing you out, this episode will give you peace of mind — and practical steps you can follow today.

👉 Join the Wedding Planning Collective Facebook group for support and advice from other engaged couples!

👉 Don’t forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast so other couples can find it too 💕

In this episode, I talk about four real wedding day disasters—from broken dresses to tornado warnings—and the lessons you can learn from each. Tune in for practical, sanity-saving advice on how to roll with the punches and keep your wedding day joyful, no matter what comes your way.

You’ll Learn:

-The biggest curveballs I’ve experienced as a wedding planner

-Why clear top tents might not be your best summer option

-How to prepare for a dress emergency

-Why comfort matters more than you think

-The power of having a Plan B (and C)

Resources Mentioned:

Join the Wedding Planning Collective Facebook Group

Learn more at PlanningCollective.com

Are engagement photos really necessary, or are they just for your save-the-dates? In this episode of the Wedding Planning Collective Podcast, I’m breaking down the real reason why every couple should consider doing an engagement session—plus all the creative ways you can use your photos. Whether you're on the fence or already booked, this episode will help you get the most out of your session!

What You’ll Learn:

• What engagement sessions are and when to schedule them
• The top ways couples use their engagement photos
• Why engagement sessions are like a hair & makeup trial for your photos
• How to personalize your session with locations, pets, and outfit changes

Links & Resources:

• Join the Wedding Planning Collective Facebook Group
• Learn more at planningcollective.com
• Follow on Instagram & TikTok @PlanningCollective

Talking about money can be uncomfortable—but it doesn’t have to be! If you’re wondering how to ask your family about contributing to your wedding budget, this episode will walk you through exactly what to say (and what to avoid!).

In this episode, we cover:

✔️ How to approach your family about financial contributions 💵

✔️ What to say if they give vague promises like "Don’t worry, we’ll help!"

✔️ Why setting clear expectations now can prevent wedding planning stress later

✔️ The potential trade-offs when accepting money from family 👀

✔️ How to avoid planning your wedding backwards (before knowing your real budget!)

✨ Plus, I’ll share tips on how to handle differences in financial expectations and how to structure the conversation so everyone feels comfortable.

🔹 Episode 2 – Stop Planning Your Wedding Backwards! 🛑

🔹 Episode 6 – Breaking Down Your Wedding Budget 💰

🔹 Episode 32 – Avoiding Expensive Wedding Planning Mistakes ❌

📩 Grab your FREE guide: “Expensive Wedding Planning Mistakes” → PlanningCollective.com/freeguides

💬 Have you had the wedding budget talk yet? Drop a comment below with your experience, or let me know if you have any questions!

Planning your wedding budget? Don’t miss these 15 hidden wedding expenses that couples always forget! From alterations to vendor meals, I'll break down the most overlooked costs and how to prepare for them. Whether you’re DIY-ing your big day or working with a planner, this episode will save you from budget surprises.

In This Episode:

✔️ 15 wedding expenses couples often forget

✔️ Why you need a ‘just-in-case’ fund in your budget

✔️ Tips to avoid budget busters like setup fees, beauty appointments, and more

✔️ Real talk on day-of coordination and why it’s a lifesaver

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction & Episode Preview

02:15 – Budgeting 101: Why You Need a Miscellaneous Fund

05:30 – Commonly Missed Costs: Alterations, Taxes, and Vendor Meals

15:20 – DIY Wedding Pitfalls: Setup, Teardown, and Weather Plans

20:45 – Day-of Coordination: Worth Every Penny

25:00 – Recap & Final Tips

Join the Conversation:

👰 Join the Wedding Planning Collective Facebook Group for more tips & support: https://www.facebook.com/groups/weddingplanningcollective

Subscribe for More:

💍 Don’t miss future episodes! Subscribe to the Wedding Planning Collective Podcast for weekly wedding tips.

📲 Follow on Instagram & TikTok for wedding planning hacks: https://www.instagram.com/planningcollectively/

https://www.tiktok.com/@planningcollectively

Wondering when to send your wedding invitations and save the dates? You’re not alone! One of the biggest mistakes couples make in wedding planning is sending invitations too early, which can actually cause more stress down the road.

In this episode of the Wedding Planning Collective Podcast, I’m breaking down:

✅ When to send your save the dates (so guests have enough notice, but not too much!)

✅ The ideal wedding invitation timeline to avoid RSVP nightmares

✅ Why sending invites too early can backfire (and what to do instead!)

✅ How to handle last-minute guest changes without losing your mind

✅ The truth about guest count deadlines and what vendors really need

💡 By the end of this episode, you’ll have a foolproof plan to send your invitations with confidence!

If you found this episode helpful, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review—it helps other couples find the wedding planning tips they need!

📩 Want my step-by-step invitation timeline guide? Drop "podcast" in the comments, and I’ll send it right to you!

📲 JOIN THE COMMUNITY

💬 Wedding Planning Collective Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/weddingplanningcollective

Get the graphic discussed at:

planningcollective.com/invite

📸 Follow me on Instagram: @PlanningCollectively

Once you’ve booked your venue, the next big step in wedding planning is hiring your vendor team—but figuring out where to start can feel completely overwhelming. In this episode of The Wedding Planning Collective Podcast, we’re walking through exactly how to approach this process so you can book the right vendors at the right time—without unnecessary stress.

We’ll cover:

✔️ Which vendors you actually need (because not every wedding requires the same team)

✔️ The best order to book your vendors so you don’t miss out on your top choices

✔️ How to find and vet vendors that are the right fit for your wedding

✔️ What to expect from vendor meetings (and red flags to watch for)

✔️ How a wedding planner fits into the process—whether you’re considering full-service planning or just need coordination on the big day

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear, step-by-step approach to booking your wedding vendors with confidence.

📌 Watch the Wedding Planning Blueprint Series (Episodes 112-116) + grab the free workbook → planningcollective.com/blueprint

📌 Download my must-ask vendor questions → planningcollective.com/vendorquestions

📌 Learn more about how a wedding planner can support your big day → planningcollective.com/membership

If you found this episode helpful, I’d love for you to leave a review—it really helps more couples find the podcast.

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe for more practical, no-fluff wedding planning advice!