Wedding Planning Podcast

"When the initial excitement settled, we felt like planning an entire wedding seemed really expensive, overwhelming, and exhausting."

Let me back up ...

My now-husband John proposed in the summer of 2009, at the end of a 3-week trip we took through Europe.

We were in Paris - our last stop - and we waited for hours to get to the lower platform of the Eiffel Tower, where he dropped to his knee with the sparking lights of the tower above us, and lit up city buildings & river boats in the distance.

We never even had dinner that night because it got so late, but you know how it is with the crazy excitement you felt on your engagement day - dinner didn’t even matter. We had just lived an incredibly powerful moment that was about to change our lives forever.

Within weeks, my ring was resized and fit perfectly. We had shared the news with literally everyone we knew, and we started discussions about potential venues and dates, and of course, the elephant in the room - how we would pay for everything.

* SPOILER ALERT * These conversations weren’t very productive, and we didn’t have any breakthrough revelations other than feeling like planning an entire wedding seemed really expensive, overwhelming, and exhausting.

My mom, sister & best friends were incredibly excited, and couldn’t wait to start planning showers, parties, dress shopping trips, and fun wedding projects.

But underneath all the buzz and excitement? There was this nagging discomfort / doubt / anxiety that I just couldn't shake ...

It had started as a passing thought, but was starting to grow bigger and harder to ignore.

This is when I started to realize that John and I had never even discussed our actual wedding ideas before getting engaged, and the logistics and finances of planning and hosting everything were already incredibly overwhelming -

And we really HADN'T EVEN GOTTEN STARTED, which multiplied that feeling by 10x.

The cost of living in San Diego was sky high (as it still is, everywhere). We were working really hard to advance in our careers so that we could do and have ALL the fun things.

We had some money saved, but not a ton … and we definitely didn't "plan" to spill over onto credit cards to pay for our wedding (trust me, no one "plans" to).

So what did we do?

PIVOT.

We shifted into a completely different mindset. We STOPPED looking at our wedding through the lens of tradition and "what everyone else is doing", and we started thinking outside the box about ways we could create a truly unique experience for our loved ones that didn’t look like every wedding we had already been to. A wedding that wouldn’t be over in a matter of hours, and wouldn’t require tens of thousands of dollars or credit card debt to pay for.

Great, so we had made some progress, and we were SO EXCITED about the glimmer of a vision that was starting to come together ... but all of the actual logistics were still hanging over us, like a heavy cloud.

Having a vision is one thing, but we had no idea what to focus on first ....

• A venue?
• Food & drinks?
• How do you know if you can afford one thing if you have no idea how much everything else costs?
• How do you make one decision knowing that it hinges on 27 other things that you can't pin down right this moment?

Obviously I needed to find a wedding planner to help us sort out the next steps, because basic, you have to hire a wedding planner, right?

I met with a handful of planners who all walked confidently into the Starbucks or bistro bar, high heels clicking, portfolio ready to share - FFWD thru 3 days + 3 meetings, and none of them were LISTENING TO ME.

I talked about creative visions of fondue pots on small, intimate 4-top tables, renting a giant mansion for a long wedding weekend, hosting 3-4 separate parties & events, and having someone who could be there to organize and direct independently hired bartenders and servers and coordinate the weekend-of logistics for us.

And I was met with blank stare after blank stare.

Politely told that it wouldn’t work because of A, B, C reason, and had we considered cookie cutter venue D, E, and F which works with preferred vendors X, Y and Z?

The thought of paying someone thousands of dollars who clearly had no interest whatsoever in our wedding vision was clearly out of the question.

I came home literally crying after interviewing the third planner on my list - she cut me off repeatedly, actually laughed at my fondue idea saying it would be impossible, left me with a list of her preferred vendors and a deadline to decide by Friday or else she was booking another client.

Wow.

And the bow on top is that she came highly recommended to me by a friend, which made the entire experience even more disappointing.

If you’ve ever met with a pushy vendor who’s so obviously just trying to book up their calendar as fast as possible, you know exactly what it feels like to have your ideas dismissed and to be completely unheard.

In that moment, John and I were left with a choice.

We could have eventually found an affordable enough venue, chosen the cheapest meal option, and gone broke paying for a top shelf open-bar (which incidentally, was one of John’s "wedding non-negotiables").

We could have scrapped and saved and charged a few things on credit cards to bring it all together in a wedding that wouldn’t be the best of the best, and definitely wouldn’t be featured in any wedding magazines or blogs ... but hopefully our friends & family wouldn’t be too judge-y and would understand the financial constraints of treating 100 of your closest loved ones to a nice dinner, bottomless drinks, and dancing.

We’d check off all the boxes, run through all the traditions, and at the end of the day, we’d be married. After all, wasn’t that the whole point?

And in that critical moment, thank goodness we woke up and saw that NO -

That’s not ANYWHERE NEAR THE POINT.

And I’m here today sharing this all with you because it scares the hell out of me to think of how close we were to NOT following our vision, and to just going through the motions, and I don’t want that for you.

And at the same time, it breaks my heart to think of how many engaged couples every single day are in the same position that we were, but who DON’T find the right resources and support and encouragement to follow their dream vision, and who aren't lucky enough to go on to design the wedding that they truly want.

So back to the story - in this pivotal moment, John & I took a giant leap of faith, and committed to planning our wedding OUR WAY - to hell with narcissist wedding planners, cookie cutter checklists, outdated traditions, expectations, or worrying about what anyone else thought of our decisions.

We got on the same page with this mindset, and we had deep discussions about the things that were most important to us.

In the end, we rented a 7,000 square foot mansion, did our own catering - yes, we planned out, shopped for, and brought to life that giant fondue party that was so important to us - we spent 4 solid days hanging out with our 75 closest friends and family, eating, drinking, dancing, talking, staying up late, laughing, and we did it ALL for around $12,000 - for transparency sake, that was in 2010 so someone good at math and economics can adjust for inflation - or, you could trust the "inflation calculator" I found online and use the number $17,000 in today's world. EITHER WAY, for the overall value and priceless experience for everyone involved, I’m going to stand firm in saying that’s pretty damn good!!!

The couples who give up on the new approach to planning that we focus on here on the Wedding Planning Podcast will likely stay stuck exactly where I was in the story I just told, after meeting with the awful 3rd wedding planner.

They’ll do exactly what most couples do, and freak out over how much there is to do, how much things cost, and how complicated it feels to go off the beaten path …

They'll cave when someone is critical of a fun idea, and pull back when they feel judged for something that they did or didn't do. John and I faced skeptical, judge-y eyes too many times to count throughout our entire planning process - but that's another story, for another time.

And they’ll fall back to the status quo wedding planners, the big corporate websites, and the free checklists to plan a cookie cutter wedding for them, without ever even knowing the priceless opportunity that has slipped away.

The opportunity to design the wedding that YOU actually want, and to share a once-in-a-lifetime experience with your loved ones that leaves a lasting sense of love & connection for decades to come.

And to miss out on that, is quite simply, heartbreaking.

But here's the final, most important part of this very long email:

Unforgettable, life-changing weddings don't just "happen".

They don't just magically arise from the mountain of printouts and free checklists, and magazines, budget calculators and Pinterest boards and reels that you consume on loop.

And just having a wedding vision isn't enough, without continued support, encouragement, and ongoing direction.

The most meaningful & unforgettable wedding celebrations are planned carefully, ONE STEP AT A TIME using a 3-part framework that I've spent the past 12 years perfecting.

And the best part is that it's all available for you to enjoy inside my signature planning package,  The VAULT  .

  The VAULT  isn't like working with a traditional wedding planner, with contracts, deposits, balances due, and a set number of meetings and phone calls.

  Membership unlocks   access to a down-to-earth, easy to follow wedding master plan that gets to the heart of what truly makes a wedding UNFORGETTABLE and LIFE-CHANGING, for everyone involved.

And when you sign up today,  you'll even enjoy a 1-on-1, 30-Minute Wedding Strategy call each month that you're a member. 

I have literally NEVER offered this before, and I'm so excited to connect.

I can't wait to see you there, and to learn more about you & your wedding!

Cheers, Kara

Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email [email protected] . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your honeymoon OR $200 off your destination wedding!

A universal truth?  Your wedding day will FLY BY. 

Having a well-thought out, well-planned WEDDING DAY TIMELINE is critical to keeping the day organized, and flowing stress free. 

In this featured episode of the Wedding Planning Podcast, we’re actually reviewing & creating two separate timelines:

• The DAY-OF TIMELINE, including all the events between waking up, and the wedding reception beginning,  
• The RECEPTION TIMELINE, including the events that will happen within the reception itself.

We’re going to focus on the DAY-OF timeline first, and you’ll find specifics on creating your reception timeline in the second half of this meeting.  

Here’s a link to the Pinterest Wedding Timeline examples that I mentioned in the show.

A special thank you to today's show sponsors for making this episode possible:

Shop Etsy for one-of-a-kind wedding day details, personalized just for you! 

FREE Wedding Websites designed by independent artists?  Yes please!  Get started building your wedding website today with Minted Weddings & take advantage of exclusive listener perks on save the dates, invitations & more.

SUSAN'S TRAVEL SERVICES | Would you LOVE to take advantage of honeymoon planning services for your all-inclusive, cruise, or exotic honeymoon AND get $50 off when you book?  Simply email [email protected] to get started!

Your WEDDING CEREMONY is undoubtedly the most important part of your wedding day celebration - it's literally the WHY of every single thing we touch on here on the Wedding Planning Podcast!

Sadly most couples push the ceremony logistics to the very bottom of their wedding planning to-do list, and as a result, this critical piece of your wedding day misses getting the full attention & creativity that it deserves. 

Tune in to the full show for a start-to-finish guide for infusing your ceremony with deep meaning and your personalities. 

We’re also going to cover:

• Ceremony flow of events,
• Finding an officiant, 
• Your wedding vows, 
• And finally some additional ways to incorporate meaning and personality.

A well-crafted wedding ceremony will perfectly express your relationship as a couple.  It should make your guests understand exactly why they are at the wedding, and may address the couples past, present and future. 

We can be serious, lighthearted, traditional or a mix of all three - your ceremony doesn’t have to follow any script, and you’re free to personalize this portion of your day in any way you like!

ADDITIONAL LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE:

Claim your FREE Engagement Starter Kit here!

LEAVE A VOICEMAIL with your questions, wedding stories, or planning concerns >>> www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/contact

Sample Wedding Vows & Guide / Examples 

Creative unity ceremony ideas 

Take the guesswork & stress out of choosing the music for your special day!  Visit MyWeddingSongs.com today to prepare your wedding music for FREE and enjoy over 600 custom wedding playlists.

For unique ceremony signage, wedding program inspiration & more, visit Pinterest.

Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email [email protected] . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking!

FREE Wedding Websites designed by independent artists?  Yes please!  Get started building your wedding website today with Minted Weddings & take advantage of exclusive listener perks on save the dates, invitations & more.

If you’re looking for some CREATIVE, EASY + AFFORDABLE wedding reception entertainment options that go way beyond dinner, drinks & dancing, then this wedding planning workshop is perfect for you!

Today’s wedding receptions feature creative entertainment ideas that are increasingly more personalized, more interactive, and more representative of your values, personal style and tastes.  

There are endless ways to reimagine classic wedding reception entertainment & activities, and create a memorable, shared WEDDING EXPERIENCE based on your values & priorities.

In this meeting, we’re covering an overview of creative wedding entertainment ideas, and highlighting some fun twists on tradition that you can plan to treat your guests to an unforgettable experience.  

GATHERING INSPIRATION FROM PINTEREST

I know podcasts don’t always lend well to visual examples, and I don't like simply rattling off long lists during the show ... so here’s a list of search terms that you can simply copy / paste into Pinterest for instant wedding entertainment ideas & inspiration!

• creative wedding guest book ideas

• wedding seating chart ideas

• wedding place card table ideas

• DIY selfie station 

• DIY wedding photo backdrop,

• Bouquet toss ideas

• Garder toss ideas

• Money dance ideas

• Creative wedding toast

• Dessert bar ideas,

• Unique first dance ideas

For easy tips on getting a private Facebook group up and running, you can visit this link.

FREE ENGAGEMENT STARTER KIT BONUS SERIES

Redeem at allnew.wedding

If you’re newly engaged and / or looking to kick off the new year with a fresh start on your wedding plans, then you’ll definitely want to check out my totally free Engagement Starter Kit.

I’ve packaged up a 4-part bonus audio series that’s designed to unlock the essential keys to a down-to-earth, stress-free and JOYFUL wedding planning experience.

In the FREE Engagement Starter Kit BONUS SERIES, we unlock exactly how to align your WEDDING PRIORITIES with your PLANNING STRATEGY, so that you can confidently design an unforgettable wedding celebration - minus the crushing stress & overwhelm felt by so many engaged couples.

SIGN UP TODAY for this incredibly valuable (and totally free!) 4-day wedding planning workshop by visiting allnew.wedding

A very special thank you to today’s show sponsors:

• Meet The Financial Gym, where Certified Financial Trainers™ work with clients like you to teach financial literacy, how to be accountable for their money, and how to make smarter, more strategic decisions about their finances. Visit financialgym.com/wedding for more info and use code wedding to get 20% off your first year of membership
• Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email [email protected] . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking!

A LOT of our energy during the wedding planning process is centered around the fear that things will go wrong, and how we can avoid and prevent minor mistakes - and major disasters - on our wedding day.  

I’ve been deeply involved with weddings for over a decade, and candidly, it’s a universal truth - no matter how much you plan and prep and delegate and assign, something will go wrong and / or not according to plan at some point during your wedding celebration.  

The good news is that big or small, I have some solid practices that you can use right now to be able to adapt, improvise, and mentally overcome any unforeseen issues & challenges that are bound to arise.

Tune in to today's brand new episode for so much more!

FREE ENGAGEMENT STARTER KIT

Redeem at allnew.wedding

If you’re newly engaged and / or looking to kick off the new year with a fresh start on your wedding plans, then you’ll definitely want to check out my totally free Engagement Starter Kit.

I’ve packaged up a 4-part bonus audio series that’s designed to unlock the essential keys to a down-to-earth, stress-free and JOYFUL wedding planning experience.

In the FREE Engagement Starter Kit BONUS SERIES, we unlock exactly how to align your WEDDING PRIORITIES with your PLANNING STRATEGY, so that you can confidently design an unforgettable wedding celebration - minus the crushing stress & overwhelm felt by so many engaged couples.

SIGN UP TODAY for this incredibly valuable (and totally free!) 4-day wedding planning workshop by visiting allnew.wedding

Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email [email protected] . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking!

Meet The Financial Gym, where Certified Financial Trainers™ work with clients like you to teach financial literacy, how to be accountable for their money, and how to make smarter, more strategic decisions about their finances.Visit financialgym.com/wedding for more info and use code wedding to get 20% off your first year of membership!

Visit Generation Tux, where you can build your suit & tuxedo looks from home, get free color swatches, a free Home Try-On, AND manage your entire wedding party online.

There are a million directions we could take a conversation on wedding reception & ceremony decor, but for the sake of keeping it simple … let’s keep it simple!

Tune in for some extra-simplified TIME, STRESS, AND MONEY-SAVING OPPORTUNITIES in today's featured wedding planning workshop, all about decorating your special day.

FREE ENGAGEMENT STARTER KIT BONUS SERIES

Redeem at allnew.wedding

If you’re newly engaged and looking to kick off the new year with a fresh start on your wedding plans, then you’ll definitely want to check out my totally free Engagement Starter Kit!  

I’ve packaged up a 3-part bonus audio series that’s designed to unlock the essential keys to a down-to-earth, stress-free and JOYFUL wedding planning experience.

In the FREE Engagement Starter Kit BONUS SERIES, we unlock exactly how to align your WEDDING PRIORITIES with your PLANNING STRATEGY, so that you can confidently design an unforgettable wedding celebration - minus the crushing stress & overwhelm felt by so many engaged couples.

SIGN UP TODAY for this incredibly valuable (totally free!) 4-day wedding planning workshop by visiting allnew.wedding

• Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email [email protected] . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking!

• Meet The Financial Gym, where Certified Financial Trainers™ work with clients like you to teach financial literacy, how to be accountable for their money, and how to make smarter, more strategic decisions about their finances. Visit financialgym.com/wedding for more info and use code wedding to get 20% off your first year of membership

Lucky for us, there are literally endless creative ways to treat your guests to a unique food & drink experience on your wedding day. 

In today’s BONUS WORKSHOP, we’re going to explore exactly how to:

• Conceptualize & research what to serve,
• Smart money-saving tips that many couples miss,
• And even some "do it yourself" options if you’re looking to get hands on - literally!

FREE ENGAGEMENT STARTER KIT BONUS SERIES

Redeem at allnew.wedding

There's an ALL NEW WAY to plan your dream wedding ...

... and you won't find it on any free wedding checklist or generic planning timeline.

In the FREE Engagement Starter Kit BONUS SERIES, we unlock exactly how to align your WEDDING PRIORITIES with your PLANNING STRATEGY, so that you can confidently design an unforgettable wedding celebration - minus the crushing stress & overwhelm felt by so many engaged couples.

SIGN UP TODAY for this incredibly valuable (totally free!) 4-day wedding planning workshop by visiting allnew.wedding

• FREE Wedding Websites designed by independent artists?  Yes please!  Get started building your wedding website today with Minted Weddings & take advantage of exclusive listener perks on save the dates, invitations & more.
• Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email [email protected] . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking!
• Shop Etsy for one-of-a-kind wedding day details, personalized just for you >>> www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/etsy

Shopping for your wedding dress can come with lots of mixed emotions - both good AND not-so-good - and that’s 100% normal.  It’s OK to go into wedding dress shopping feeling some confusion and doubt! 

In pop wedding culture, saying “YES TO THE DRESS” is a once-in-a-lifetime milestone full of princess moments, fancy dress boutiques, and champagne.

In REALITY, dress shopping might come along with feelings of ...

• self-consciousness,

• pressing overwhelm,

• conflicting thoughts about who should come along,

• discomfort over being the center of attention,

• feeling lost in a totally uncomfortable situation,

... just to name a few.

In the first half of today's show, we run through some quick guidelines that will help demystify the wedding dress shopping process, and put you in full control of the way your experience unfolds.

In the second half of the show, we're heading inside David's Bridal to try on dresses.  You'll hear live snippets of conversation on the pro's, the con's, the do's and the don'ts of finding your dream wedding dress.  

You can find a full recap of today’s show in a blog post that’s at www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/dress.

FREE ENGAGEMENT STARTER KIT BONUS SERIES

Redeem at allnew.wedding

There's an ALL NEW WAY to plan your dream wedding ...

... and you won't find it on any free wedding checklist or generic planning timeline.

In the FREE Engagement Starter Kit BONUS SERIES, we unlock exactly how to align your WEDDING PRIORITIES with your PLANNING STRATEGY, so that you can confidently design an unforgettable wedding celebration - minus the crushing stress & overwhelm felt by so many engaged couples.

SIGN UP TODAY for this incredibly valuable (totally free!) 4-day wedding planning workshop by visiting allnew.wedding

• FREE Wedding Websites designed by independent artists?  Yes please!  Get started building your wedding website today with Minted Weddings & take advantage of exclusive listener perks on save the dates, invitations & more.

• Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email [email protected] . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking!

• Shop Etsy for one-of-a-kind wedding day details, personalized just for you >>> www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/etsy

You’ve done months (maybe even YEARS) of wedding planning & preparation, and the big day is finally almost here!

Last stop?  Rehearsal dinner.

This week we’re reviewing everything you need to know for planning & hosting this extra special night with your family & friends.

We cover everything from the ceremony rehearsal itself to practical tips for hosting your loved ones afterwards.

DETAILED BLOG POST HERE --> www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/rehearsal

Naturally, I have a ton of creative alternatives to taking 50 of your closest friends & family out to eat at a nice restaurant ($$$).  Beyond just saving money, we’ll also cover:

• When to start planning (hint - it might be earlier than you think!)
• Personality-packed options for location and food selection
• Tips for keeping the night on pace and organized
• And meaningful touches that will be remembered beyond the wedding day.

This topic is so dear to me - I remember our rehearsal dinner as one of the most special nights of my life.  We grilled chicken, steak & veggies with our friends & family on the property where we got married, had all the fave drinks flowing, and a curated list of our favorite songs turned way up.  We laughed, talked & celebrated long past sunset, and it was a magical night. 

I wish all the same for you!

xo, Kara

PS - A special thank you to today's show sponsors:

• Don't miss the Wedding Planning Podcast Photography & Videography mini-planning package! Get instant access AND save 75% when you visit wedpodcast.com.

• Design the perfect cheese board, every single time!  Go to cheeselovershop.com and use code wedding to get a FREE mystery cheese at checkout.

• Meet The Financial Gym, where Certified Financial Trainers™ work with clients like you to teach financial literacy, how to be accountable for their money, and how to make smarter, more strategic decisions about their finances. Visit financialgym.com/wedding for more info and use code wedding to get 20% off your first year of membership

• Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email [email protected] . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking!

Today we’re exploring the TOP MISTAKES that couples make as they start to formulate options for wedding flowers, including centerpieces, bouquets & boutonnieres, garlands & ceremony decor.

ADDITIONAL LINKS & RESOURCES mentioned in today's show:

• A detailed guide on Wedding Flowers By Season
• Access 6 bonus meetings dedicated to DIY flowers & decor within my digital planning package, The Vault - lots more information here.
• I'm collecting your wedding questions & topic requests for new shows in 2023.  Leave a voicemail with your questions here.
• Don't miss the Wedding Planning Podcast Photography & Videography mini-planning package.  Get instant access AND save 75% when you visit wedpodcast.com. 

A special thank you to today's show sponsors:

• Meet The Financial Gym, where Certified Financial Trainers™ work with clients like you to teach financial literacy, how to be accountable for their money, and how to make smarter, more strategic decisions about their finances. Visit financialgym.com/wedding for more info and use code wedding to get 20% off your first year of membership
• I'm going to Cancun for Christmas this year, and I have Susan's Travel Services to thank for managing ALL of the research, booking & details of our trip!  Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email [email protected] . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking.

• Enjoy a FREE SUIT OR TUXEDO RENTAL for the wedding couple with 5 paid wedding party members at www.generationtux.com