Wedding Planning Podcast

Today we’re going to review your Ultimate Engagement Checklist, packed with 12 super fun “must do’s” to launch into your wedding planning journey!

I mention lots of links to more info and past show titles / dates in today’s convo, and I put together a complete wrap up of everything in this jam-packed post on our website.

Want to automatically receive these recaps via email each week so you have everything on-demand, at your fingertips?  Simply enter your name & email address in the box at the top of today’s post:  www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/engaged

The days & weeks after saying "YES!" are a whirlwind of fun & excitement.  From sharing the news with your loved ones, flashing that ring every chance you get, and dreaming of cakes and dresses, you're definitely at the start of an unforgettable time in your lives.

In this brand new episode of the Wedding Planning Podcast, you'll learn 12 key "to-do's" to launch your wedding planning journey into action.  Tune in for a detailed ENGAGEMENT CHECKLIST to guide you along the way!

FREE Engagement Starter Kit!

Newly engaged & wondering where to begin with your wedding plans?  Reveal the first THREE STEPS to simplifying the planning process, and ditch the paralyzing overwhelm felt by so many engaged couples!  Visit: www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/learnmore to claim your FREE Engagement Starter Kit  >>> my gift to you ;)

Today's show is just the beginning of dozens of strategic recorded meetings that walk you through the ALL NEW WAY to plan your dream wedding!  Sign up for a totally free 3-day trial of my revolutionary digital wedding planning package by visiting www.wedpodcast.com

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

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.

Take advantage of FREE 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!

Check these guys out at Generation Tux and use promo code within today's audio episode for 10% off the entire groom’s party AND a free groom's tux w/ 5 paid party members. 

Delicious & beautiful wedding favors for just $0.50 each???  Yes, please!

Today we're hitting the road for a quick shopping trip and meeting in my kitchen for a really fun, affordable & easy wedding DIY project.

At the end of today's show, you'll know exactly how to make professional-quality, hand dipped gourmet pretzel sticks to share with your wedding guests, at your bridal shower, or to tuck into thank you gift boxes.

Not a "DIY"-type?  Forward this episode to your friends & family who are helping you with the wedding - it's the PERFECT project to delegate!

For a detailed shopping list, step-by-step instructions, and lots of "how-to" videos, visit www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/pretzel

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

Today's show is just the beginning of dozens of strategic recorded meetings that walk you through the ALL NEW WAY to plan your dream wedding!  Sign up for a totally free 3-day trial of my revolutionary digital wedding planning package by visiting www.wedpodcast.com

Take advantage of FREE 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.

Is your happiness suffering in these insanely stressful times?  Connect with your Better Help professional counselor today and save 10% off your first month.

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!

Today's show is just the beginning of dozens of strategic recorded meetings that walk you through exactly how to plan your dream wedding!  Learn more and sign up for a totally free 3-day trial by visiting www.wedpodcast.com

xo, Kara

PS - A $50 FREE GIFT for you!

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

Would you volunteer to host a holiday party for 40 people and then rush out to the store with no menu planned & no shopping list?

No! 

You’d sit down and plan out a menu of app's & drinks, look up some recipes, and then make a detailed list of exactly what you need to buy.

So why on earth would you head out to a wedding show / bridal fair with absolutely no plan, and just "see what happens"?

Today on the Wedding Planning Podcast we’re going to take inventory of your priorities, and make a list of your top goals for your day spent at the wedding fair. 

This way you can MAXIMIZE your time spent with vendors and gathering inspiration, and minimize the stress & overwhelm factor of wandering through hundreds of booths full of noisy commotion. 

After our time together today, when the 15th DJ asks you if you want to dance, and the 22nd wedding planner asks you to spin their "wheel o' fun" ...

... you can confidently smile, say no thanks, and keep walking. 

To submit questions for an upcoming show, simply FOLLOW @weddingplanningpodcast on Instagram, and send a DM (direct message) on the platform. 

Due to the sheer volume of your love and support, we regretfully cannot personally reply to each submission ... you'll receive a DM if your submission is queued for an upcoming episode.

Today's show is just the beginning of dozens of strategic recorded meetings that walk you through exactly how to identify your top priorities & plan your dream wedding!  Learn more and sign up for a totally free 3-day trial of my revolutionary digital wedding planning package by visiting www.wedpodcast.com

Cheers to you!

Kara

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

Is your happiness suffering in these insanely stressful times?  Connect with your Better Help professional counselor today and save 10% off your first month.

Evite is helping make my celebrations feel extra special and they can help you too!  Head over to evite.com/wpp to choose from thousands of design options to create & send invitations for free.

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

This week's episode of the Wedding Planning Podcast is a collection of wedding questions & situations submitted by members of my digital wedding planning package​, The VAULT.​

Membership includes the priceless benefit of submitting your wedding questions for feature on these monthly "Ask Me Anything" shows, and this week we're discussing in detail:

• The particulars of ELOPING
• Shopping seasonal sales for great deals on wedding stuff (Etsy sales are EVERYWHERE right now!)
• To airbrush, or not to airbrush?
• Addressing STD's and invitations,
• Pricing within a vendor contract,
• Should we DIY the music?
• How did you decide when to have children?
• And, more!

Monthly membership to The VAULT also includes a weekly bonus "off the record" chat where we can connect behind-the-scenes, and go deeper into select wedding topics covered in the free weekly shows.

Enjoy TWO featured OFF THE RECORD bonus shows when you sign up for a free 3-day trial​ of The VAULT.

There are zero contracts, no pre-payments or obligation, and you're free to cancel anytime ... although I certainly hope you'll recognize the value in this revolutionary, ALL NEW WAY to plan your dream wedding, and that we can continue the journey together!

Cheers to you & your dream wedding celebration,

Kara

PS - Thank you for supporting today's show sponsors:

Take advantage of FREE 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.

Check these guys out at Generation Tux and use promo code within today's episode for 10% off the entire groom's party AND a free groom's tux w/ 5 paid party members.

Creating your wedding reception seating chart can QUICKLY become one of wedding planning’s biggest pains. 

Between crazy family members, divorces, step-parents, hook-up’s gone wrong, introverts, extroverts and lots of alcohol - your seating chart can quickly begin to feel like a jigsaw puzzle from hell.

This week on the Wedding Planning Podcast, we’re going to review some easy tips & tactics for designing your reception seating chart.  Simple stuff that will ease the pain, and take this task from dreaded to done!

For members of my revolutionary digital wedding planning package, The VAULT, I have an in-depth "off-the-record" personal story to share about why wedding SEATING CHARTS (of all things) are so near & dear to my heart, and how this topic has literally changed my life in the years since I got married.

​ACCESS THIS WEEK'S "Off the Record" bonus show intro here!​

It all started with a second-hand used set of wine cork place card holders, and the rest is history 🥰

Resources & links from today’s show:

• Find helpful online seating chart tool recommendations here,
• Search “wedding seating chart” on Etsy for lots of custom options,
• “Do It Yourself” seating chart signs here,
• Browse KVW custom place card holders here,
• And enjoy tons of creative seating chart ideas on this Pinterest board.

To submit questions for an upcoming show, simply FOLLOW @weddingplanningpodcast on Instagram, and send a DM (direct message) on the platform. 

Due to the sheer volume of your love and support, we regretfully cannot personally reply to each submission ... you'll receive a DM if your submission is queued for an upcoming episode.

And last but certainly not least, please enjoy these special gifts from this week’s show sponsors:

There's an ALL NEW WAY to plan your wedding that puts YOU, your values & priorities at the center of every single decision you confidently make.  Sign up for my revolutionary digital wedding planning package here, and enjoy a FREE 3-day trial to be sure it's the perfect fit.  Zero contracts, no obligation, cancel anytime >>> www.wedpodcast.com

Is your happiness suffering in these insanely stressful times?  Connect with your Better Help professional counselor today and save 10% off your first month.

Email susan@susanstravelservices for FREE help planning the exotic honeymoon of your dreams, AND get $50 off your booking when you mention the WPP!

“I’m struggling with imaging how all of my wedding reception decorations will look together - flowers, signs, decorations, tables, etc.  Any tips for making sure all my little decisions fit together in the end?”

If you’re like most of us, you're not a full service wedding or event designer (and hiring one isn't in the budget!).

So how can we trust that the dozens of small wedding decor decisions we make along the way will ultimately work together as a whole?  

Today we’re going to explore 4 ways that you can use professional design skills to create the cohesive, show-stopper look that you’re going for on your wedding day. 

These design tips are suitable for all budgets, and no - you don’t need an advanced art or design degree to pull them off! 

Tune in for easy tips on choosing your table linens, centerpiece flowers, favors, cocktail napkins, confetti, wedding party outfits, table settings, and so much more.

Links mentioned in today's show:

• We're also going to review 3 affordable reception decor ideas pulled straight from Pinterest to get your inspiration flowing.
• Beautiful bolts of tulle
• Fun paper lanterns in various sizes & colors
• Claim your FREE Engagement Starter Kit here!

A special thank you to today's show sponsors!

There's an ALL NEW WAY to plan your wedding inside my revolutionary digital wedding planning package, The VAULT.  To get started with a FREE 3-day trial, and the flexibility to cancel anytime, visit www.wedpodcast.com

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

Have you ever been to a small wedding reception with magical ambiance and thought, "wow, this is great but it would be so much more meaningful if there were 300 additional people here?" 

I’m guessing the answer is NO.  So why do feel so much pressure to host a huge wedding, invite everyone we know, spend all the money on all the things, and stress ourselves out every step along the way?

Small, intimate weddings have been on the Wedding Planning Podcast "trend report" for 4 years in a row, and for good reason!  I’ve always been a huge fan of a simple, scaled back celebration ... and in today’s climate, that’s never been more appropriate.

Tune in to today's brand new episode for a complete "micro wedding" blueprint, designed to make planning a breeze.  We'll cover everything you need to know to make your small celebration extra special. 

From your tiny guest list, to invitations, splurge vs. save items, planning a larger reception to follow, and your TOP micro wedding questions - we'll cover it all in this encouraging & lighthearted overview. 

To submit questions for an upcoming show, simply FOLLOW @weddingplanningpodcast on Instagram, and send a DM (direct message) on the platform. 

Due to the sheer volume of your love and support, we regretfully cannot personally reply to each submission ... you will receive a message when your submission is queued for an upcoming episode.

There's an ALL NEW WAY to plan your wedding that puts YOU, your values & priorities at the center of every single decision you confidently make.  Sign up for my revolutionary digital wedding planning package here, and enjoy a FREE 3-day trial to be sure it's the perfect fit.  Zero contracts, no obligation, cancel anytime >>> www.wedpodcast.com

Thank you for supporting today's show sponsors:

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

Is your happiness suffering in these insanely stressful times?  Connect with your Better Help professional counselor today and save 10% off your first month.

This week's episode of the Wedding Planning Podcast is a collection of wedding questions & situations submitted by members of my digital wedding planning package​, The VAULT.​

Membership includes the priceless benefit of submitting your wedding questions for feature on these monthly Q&A shows, and this week we're discussing in detail:

• Should we bother creating a seating chart?
• How much alcohol should we buy for 100 guests?
• Are "drink tickets" rude?
• Budgeting for dress alterations
• Details on FREE 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.)
• Pros to an unplugged ceremony & tips for communicating your expectations to guests
• And so much more!

Monthly membership to The VAULT also includes a weekly bonus "off the record" chat where we can connect behind-the-scenes, and go deeper into select wedding topics covered in the free weekly shows.

Enjoy TWO featured OFF THE RECORD bonus shows when you sign up for a free 3-day trial​ of The VAULT.

There are zero contracts, no pre-payments or obligation, and you're free to cancel anytime ... although I certainly hope you'll recognize the value in this revolutionary, ALL NEW WAY to plan your dream wedding, and that we can continue the journey together!

Cheers to you & your dream wedding celebration,

Kara

Today we’re going to chat about a handful of ways when trying to save money on your wedding can totally BACKFIRE. 

BONUS >>> Come behind the scenes with me in a bonus episode, "Taking a Chance on a Rookie Wedding Vendor", when you sign up for a FREE 3-DAY TRIAL of my revolutionary digital wedding planning package, The VAULT.

Aside of college educations, new homes and new cars, your wedding likely has one of the biggest price tags you’ve ever paid. You’re spending tens of thousands of dollars - of course you’re trying to save money when possible!

You’re not out there researching the most expensive venue in your area, or trying to find ways to spend more money on your invitations.

When a potential photographer or caterer gives you a quote for services, you probably don’t say “well that sounds OK, but do you have anything that costs more?”

If you've been listening to the Wedding Planning Podcast for a while, I hope you know me well enough now to know that I’m NOT the wedding professional who’s going to tell you NEVER to try to cut this corner, or don’t DARE hire a friend to do x, y, z.

I see this type of messaging a lot. If you do your own wedding day hair and makeup it will totally fail, and you should hire a professional to do it for you. If you skimp on a photographer, you will regret it for the rest of your life.

If you have your cousin make your cake, it will probably be a complete disaster, you should really hire a professional for that. If you take your dress to a neighborhood tailor instead of the big box bridal store where you bought it, it’s going to end up in shreds and you’ll have no dress to wear.

The trouble is, professional service providers in pretty much any industry have an agenda - to sell their product or service.

And whether you hear from a wedding professional on a podcast, read their articles on a blog, or see their posts on Instagram, their position is probably that hiring a professional is THE BEST way to go. "After all", they say, "this is your wedding - you can’t afford to cut corners on the best day of your life."

Well, for lots of this, I call BS. Sure, if you have a wedding budget in the 6-figures, then “hire a professional” is a great option for everything I just listed.

But most of us DON’T have $100,000 to spend on our wedding, so making swaps and saves here and there is a necessary part of planning so that we don’t go thousands of dollars into debt - NEVER a good idea.

Here’s a doozy for you - we hired our wedding photographer off craigslist for $500. True story.

And I’m NOT here to tell you that it was a horrible idea that backfired and you should never trust any wedding photographer who hasn’t shot 500 weddings and costs less than $5000. That’s not me, not my style.

BUT, I’m also not here to tell you that YOU should definitely hire a photographer off craigslist, and it will work out perfectly and there’s no risk involved and you can live happy ever after and sleep soundly knowing that you saved a couple thousand dollars!

To be clear - there’s no right or wrong, one-size-fits all solution to the myriad of wedding decisions you have to make over the next few months.

I’ll always encourage you to use your intuition, and use our weekly time together to review all the options you have available, and select what feels best for you and your unique situation.

I feel so strongly about what we’re talking about today, and I really want to set things up right.

The truth is, sometimes no matter how much research you do, or how many great reviews someone has, or how confident you feel that you’re making the right decision, things can just go wrong. You’ll probably have a wedding backfire, or two, or three over the course of getting everything lined up.

This is part of life, and definitely a part of wedding planning. I wish I could wave a magical wand that would shield you against anything bad happening, but of course - that’s not realistic.

Sooooo, the next best thing to that …

In today's show, let’s explore some common areas of wedding planning where couples to try to cut a corner, save some money, leave something out, and then sadly have it backfire in terms of lost money, lost time, lost sanity - and sometimes all three.

If you find yourselves at a cost-saving opportunity crossroads and you don’t know which way to turn, I have some smart questions to ask yourselves, and potential vendors, that I hope will guide you towards making the best decisions for you and your wedding day.

So when you find yourself wondering, hmmmmm ... should we cut that corner? What are the potential outcomes or pitfalls that might come of it? Hopefully after today’s show, you’ll have some solid answers to some of the most common situations, so that you can make the best decision for you.

For one wedding, that might mean hiring a photographer off craigslist for $500. For another couple, that will NEVER be an option that’s on the table. And you know what? Both sides are totally fine ;)

Full blog post available at www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/wedding-pitfall

A special thank you to today's show sponsors:

Is your happiness suffering in these insanely stressful times?  Connect with your Better Help professional counselor today and save 10% off your first month.

Take advantage of FREE 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!