Wedding Planning Podcast

Wedding expenses adding up?  Today we’re going to explore FIVE wedding "side hustles".  Tune in and learn how to earn some extra cash to cover those mounting wedding costs ... and keep your credit cards in your wallet!

A couple weeks back on Instagram stories, I asked if you would be willing to take on a side hustle to earn more money to invest in your wedding, and an overwhelming 83% of you said YES. 

As someone who has done the "side hustle" multiple times in my entrepreneurial journey, this topic is very near & dear to my heart.  Today's show is inspired by my own experiences, and also by my friend Nick Loper, creator of the Side Hustle Nation blog and podcast.

Nick has 3 side hustle “business models” to share, and I’m going to elaborate on each one, and offer a few more ideas that I love.  For a full blog post & recap of today's show, AND a special video message from Nick, visit www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/hustle.

VAULT members, your weekly bonus is a detailed checklist to follow if you’re interested in getting a “wedding side hustle” up & running, and generating you some CASH!

Today's show is brought to you by these valued partners ...

Enjoy all the fun & memories of a photo booth for a fraction of the price!  Details at Booth by Mail, & save 10% with promo code “WPP".

Would you LOVE to 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 audio episode for 10% off the entire groom’s party AND a free groom's tux w/ 5 paid party members.

Today I'm thrilled to share a totally FREE resource designed to deliver unique wedding music & song ideas for your wedding day playlists right to your inbox!

Matt is the creator of myweddingsongs.com, and he’s joining us to share his priceless advice to couples for crafting their perfect wedding day playlists - no professional DJ required.

Even if you do decide to hire a professional to help with the songs and announcements, crafting your own unique playlists for other events like you engagement party or rehearsal dinner is always a really nice, personalized touch.

To sign up for exclusive song ideas delivered right to your inbox for free, visit myweddingsongs.com and look for the red subscribe button at the top of the page.  

And as always, a special thank you to these additional 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.

Would you LOVE to 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!

Enjoy all the fun & memories of a photo booth for a fraction of the price!  Details at Booth by Mail, & save 10% with promo code “WPP".  

Please, save yourself the stress & avoid these TEN wedding planning blind spots at all costs!

FULL BLOG POST & links from today's episode available here:

www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/blindspot

Over the past 4 years of producing the Wedding Planning Podcast, one of my favorite pieces of feedback from you is some variation of, “WOW, I never would have even thought of that!”

I love sharing wedding planning ideas and strategies that go beyond what you might find if you simply google something, or browse through a quick article on a wedding website. 

Don’t get me wrong, we cover the basics here too - but I LOVE digging down deeper to find the solutions and options that aren’t quite so obvious, and that might offer a really creative way to put a unique spin on your day, make your guests’ experience that much more incredible, or save you a ton of money by simply making a little adjustment or swap.

Today we’re going to cover TEN wedding planning “blind spots” - areas that past couples and listeners of the podcast have pointed out as things they wouldn’t necessarily have thought about during their planning, but that became clear after listening to an episode, or in some cases, after their actual wedding was over and done with (and it was too late …)

If you’re in the early stages of planning, hopefully we can catch a few things now, so that you don’t find yourself a year or two from now saying, if only we knew then what we know now …

Some of the tips from today’s show are very minor, simple pieces of advice while others are a pretty big deal - I’m going to point to a lot of full length episodes that are available to you to download for much more information - I made a blog post with all the show notes so you don’t miss a thing, and you don’t have to be frantically writing down notes while you listen.  You can visit that post at www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/blindspot

You have literally millions of options in terms of wedding websites, blogs, magazines, and other podcasts, and I thank you from my whole heart for spending this time with me, and for including me in your wedding planning journey.  It’s a huge honor, and a huge responsibility that I hold with endless respect and gratitude, thank you. 

I’ll meet you here again next week, same time, same place! 

Cheers,

xo Kara

@weddingplanningpodcast

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 ;)

Please enjoy these special offers from today's show sponsors:

Would you LOVE to 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!

Enjoy all the fun & memories of a photo booth for a fraction of the price!  Details at Booth by Mail, & save 10% with promo code “WPP". 

Couple.co offers you an ethical, sustainable, and 100% conflict-free way to own a BRILLIANT DIAMOND without compromising on quality.  Visit www.couple.co to get started with your personalized ring buying experience.

Welcome to PART II of a very special series of the Wedding Planning Podcast, where you can listen to this couples’ dream wedding celebration come to life - in real time!

In this week's episode of the Wedding Planning Podcast, real life bride (& my sweet sister!) Kate dishes on:

• A very surprising method for discovering what you truly want,
• Exactly how to start planning a completely outside-the-box wedding celebration.
• Planning ahead in the midst of massive uncertainty {yes, we're STILL talking about this

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:

Grab your ticket to The Big Fake Wedding in a city near you!  Visit www.thebigfakewedding.com and use promo code "WEDDING" for $10 off your ticket.

Save your sanity w/ tuxedo rentals from www.generationtux.com/wedplanning.  Use promo code "WEDPLANNING" for 10% off the entire groom's party & FREE grooms rental with 5 paid party members!

Is there something that's interfering with your happiness or preventing you from achieving your goals?  Get 10% off your first month of professional counseling from Better Help.  Visit www.betterhelp.com/wedding & use discount code "WEDDING".

Welcome to this week's all new Wedding Q&A episode, featuring your questions on ...

• What should we wear for our engagement photo shoot?
• Mixed feelings about accepting a wedding vendor freebie,
• Sidestepping hurt feelings,
• Is this a "slap in the face" to my bridesmaids?
• Skipping the cake and opting for a dessert bar,
• Affordable catering alternatives,
• & so much more!

As a fun bonus, you can make today's show a "face-to-face" meeting by signing up for a FREE 3-day trial of my digital wedding planning package, The VAULT!

You'll find the video version of today's meeting at the very top of the "Wedding Q&A" section.

* A special thank you to our valued show sponsors who helped make this FREE episode possible! *

• 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.
• Do you ever feel like your happiness suffering in these insanely stressful times?  Connect with your Better Help professional counselor today and save 10% off your first month.
• Would you LOVE to 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!

>>> Let’s be real ....

>>> weddings have changed …..

>>> shouldn’t your wedding planner? 

To learn more about my next-level digital wedding planning package, visit wedpodcast.com/vault.  You’ll enjoy a free 3-day trial, no promo code required, and I can’t wait to see you there!

I think it's safe to say that running away to a beautiful beach in the tropics is on all of our minds right now!

Today I have a very special guest joining us, friend of the show SUSAN GREEN from Susan’s Travel Services.  Susan packs 26 years of travel planning experience, and today you’re invited to soak up Susan’s expertise on everything from:

• Honeymoon planning logistics,
• destination wedding tips,
• choosing your perfect destination,
• some common honeymoon planning pitfalls,
• sample trips across a variety of budgets,
• the PRICE TAG of stress,

& so much more!

The best part? 

Susan’s travel planning services are TOTALLY FREE to you as a listener of the podcast!  

Yes, you heard me right, and no, there’s not a catch! 

To learn how Susan can help YOU plan your dream honeymoon to Mexico, Hawaii, the Caribbean & beyond, simply shoot her an email - [email protected] and let her know that the WPP sent you for $50 off your final booking. 

In addition, tune in to LIVE travel updates from Susan on Facebook & Instagram!

And with that, grab your daiquiri, imagine yourself on a beautiful beach, and enjoy today’s show ;)

A special THANK YOU to today's valued show sponsors:

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

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.

Hey there!  It’s Kara, Producer & Host of the Wedding Planning Podcast, and I have an ALL NEW WAY to plan your dream wedding celebration that I can’t wait to share with you.  

Here we say NO to the $72 billion dollar wedding industry, and we say YES to a more joyful engagement season that puts YOU & your priorities at the center of your wedding planning journey.

Be sure to hit FOLLOW wherever you listen, and join me each Wednesday for an in depth, down-to-earth, straight-to-the-point wedding planning "meeting" where we explore everything from:

• Aligning your top priorities with a smart planning STRATEGY, 
• Hidden TIME / MONEY / STRESS savers,
• Fine-tuning your wedding MINDSET,
• Identifying + incorporating your top VALUES into your celebration,
• & so much MORE!

There's no chit chat, no co-hosts, no gabby guests, and no sponsors selling their services.  Just me, you, and your dream wedding celebration coming to life in the coming months!

FREE ENGAGEMENT STARTER KIT BONUS SERIES

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

... and you won't find it on any free wedding checklist or 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!) 3-day "wedding planning workshop" by visiting weddingplanningpodcast.co/learnmore

REVOLUTIONARY DIGITAL WEDDING PLANNING PACKAGE

There's an ALL NEW WAY to plan your dream wedding that puts YOU, your priorities & your values in the center of every single wedding decision you make. 

To sign up now for a FREE 3-day trial, visit wedpodcast.com. 

There are absolutely no contracts, zero obligation, and you're free to cancel anytime - no questions asked.  I can't wait to see you there!  

SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS FOR "ASK ME ANYTHING" SHOW SEGMENTS

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

*VAULT Members have priority access to all "ASK ME ANYTHING" segments & bonus show materials.

Due to the sheer volume of your love and support, we regretfully cannot personally reply to all messages, but every submission is carefully logged & tracked for consideration in upcoming episodes & bonus shows.

EMAIL RECAPS, IMPORTANT UPDATES & SPECIAL OFFERS

Sign up to receive weekly email recaps, important updates, and special offers from our partners by visiting www.weddingplanningpodcast.co

Today I’m addressing your FAQ's about COVID and your 2021 wedding.  Tune in for a candid & heartfelt convo on when weddings will be "normal" again, rescheduling etiquette, guest list juggling, post-wedding celebrations, and so much more!

This show is obviously designed to address COVID from a wedding industry perspective, but I do want to say a heartfelt thank you to all of our frontline healthcare workers, scientists and essential workers who have selflessly continued in their trades for the good of all of us.

And equally as important, my condolences to you and your loved ones who have been affected by this tragedy in terms of battling with your health, the death of someone close to you, loss of your job, house, livelihood.  

It does not go without saying - the scope of this pandemic has hurt so many lives in so many ways, and I approach the topic of COVID and weddings with the perspective and respect it deserves.  I wholly acknowledge that in the grand scheme of things, a rescheduled wedding reception is not the worst thing that can happen - but it’s also a huge disappointment, potentially financially devastating, unspeakably frustrating, and a million other terrible adjectives that we don’t have the time to list.

Hence, today’s show, where I hope we can find some silver linings and together create a positive way to move forward.

The first question that’s been posed in a variety of ways over the past months is, “When do I think weddings will be normal again?”

We're also going to address invitation & save the date etiquette, postponement and rescheduling, getting money back from a vendor, post-wedding celebrations, and a handful of silver linings. 

Find me on Instagram @weddingplanningpodcast

A special thank you to our valued show sponsors:

• Gorgeous wedding stationary, affordable prices!  Check out beautiful invitation designs by independent artists from Minted.com
• Do you ever feel like your happiness suffering in these insanely stressful times?  Connect with your Better Help professional counselor today and save 10% off your first month.
• Would you LOVE to 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!
• 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.

Today’s show is Part One of an exciting new bonus series from the Wedding Planning Podcast! 

I'm sharing a true "behind-the-scenes" look + listen at ongoing, live wedding planning strategy sessions with my engaged sister, Kate.

This special series is unlike any project I’ve ever done in 5 years of producing & hosting the Wedding Planning Podcast, and I'm so excited to share it with you!

A little background before we get started:

On Christmas Day, 2020, Kate got engaged to her partner of 10 years, John.  You’ll hear LOTS more about this, but the proposal was a total surprise to everyone ... including Kate!

You see, she’s definitely NOT the girl who’s been planning her wedding since her teenage years.  In fact, John & Kate were both 100% comfortable with a lifelong commitment that didn’t center around legally being declared “married”. 

For years Kate & john grew their relationship with one another based on all the classics - love, trust, shared ambitions and dreams.  They built a business together, traveled the world, lived in 3 different cities, contributed selflessly to their community & beyond, made priceless memories with family & friends, and just last year, adopted an adorable Goldendoodle named Gus.  

And here we are today … the very beginning of a brand new chapter for Kate & John that I can’t wait to share with you!  

ACCESS BONUS VIDEOS, CHECKLISTS & MORE!

To view the full, uncut video footage of our meetings and access valuable extras like planning outlines & checklists, visit wedpodcast.com/vault. 

What exactly is "The VAULT"? 

>>> The VAULT is my comprehensive digital wedding planning package, AND there’s even a free 3-day trial so you can come in and take a look around!  No contracts, zero obligation, cancel anytime. 

Tap here to sign up for your FREE 3-day trial of The VAULT

I can't wait to see you there!

A special THANK YOU to today's show sponsors:

Couple.co offers you an ethical, sustainable, and 100% conflict free way to own a BRILLIANT DIAMOND without compromising on quality.  Click here to learn more!

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.

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!

Train your loved one to deliver your ceremony like a pro with the Unboring Officiant training package!  Listeners enjoy 50% off when you visit: www.unboringofficiant.com/weddingplanningpodcast