Wedding Planning Podcast

Wedding fairs, wedding expos and/or bridal shows can be a recipe for instant OVERWHELM. 

Tune in to today's all new episode of the Wedding Planning Podcast for ways to maximize your experience at a wedding expo / bridal show.  Together we'll make a master game plan for getting the most out of your day, gathering exactly what you need, and tuning out the rest.

VAULT members, your weekly bonus is a detailed outline of questions to ask potential vendors that you might not even have thought of - all designed to save you TIME AND MONEY!

Members also have on-demand access to a full line up of shows dedicated to hiring specific vendors like your florist, caterer, wedding planner, photographer, and more.  To learn more & sign up for access to those shows, visit www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/vault

Getting started with your wedding plans and not sure where to start?  Claim your FREE Engagement Starter Kit here

A special thank you to today's show sponsors:

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

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!

Connect with your Better Help professional counselor and save 10% off your first month with discount code “WEDDING".

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 ...

Less is more with Native.  For 20% off your first purchase, use promo code WEDDING during checkout. 

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

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!

There’s a really common misunderstanding in "wedding planning world" that doing things yourself is always a good way to save money. 

I get it - in some situations, you might have more time than money, and a cheap & easy DIY project makes perfect sense. 

I bet if you think back, you can remember a time when "doing it yourself" was NOT the answer.  We have to be careful in drawing the line between a few manageable, simple wedding projects that make perfect sense, and biting off more than you can chew. 

Otherwise, you risk finding yourself in a spot of pure overwhelm and chaos months into wedding planning, and I don't wish that upon anyone!!!

On today’s show, we’re going to explore 8 red flags to carefully consider when hosting your wedding at a residential property like a backyard or a rental home. 

Our conversation today is a perfect lesson in creating boundaries as you plan between what you can realistically handle yourself, what should be left to a paid professional, and how to rearrange your priorities if you're stuck feeling like the cheapest possible DIY route is your only option.  (spoiler alert - it's not!!!)

You deserve to enjoy a STRESS-FREE engagement, and to make informed decisions about your wedding with confidence and ease.  Stop spinning your wheels looking for answers on a million blogs, websites, magazines, and in noisy, online chat rooms. 

Become a VAULT member today and enjoy complete peace of mind knowing that you’ve got my professional wedding planning support throughout your engagement.

*affiliate link* A top-notch handheld steamer like I mentioned in today's show can be found here.

Today's show is brought to you by ...

• Connect with your Better Help professional counselor and save 10% off your first month with discount code “WEDDING".
• 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!
• 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

This week's episode is dedicated to YOU!  Your thoughts, your feedback, and your wedding questions answered. 

We're covering everything from challenging family situations, long distance vendor shopping, destination wedding etiquette, venue contract issues & more!

Wedding planning can feel really overwhelming.  If you're anything like me, then coordinating, making decisions, and putting together a million different pieces seems impossible on some days. 

That's why I designed The VAULT, a revolutionary digital wedding planning package designed to STREAMLINE & SIMPLIFY the wedding planning process.

To sign up for a FREE 3-day trial of The VAULT, simply click here. 

Signing up is completely risk free.  If you don’t feel like your membership can pay itself back 10x over the course of your engagement, then I would absolutely insist on giving you back your money. Lots more details here ;)

Thank you so much for being here, thank you for inviting me to be a part of your engagement, and we’ll talk again next week, same time, same place! 

Cheers,
xo Kara

Today we’re going to walk through a really FUN exercise - identifying what wedding stuff you want to SPLURGE on, giving you the clarity to put your money where it matters most.  

I mean, who doesn’t love a great SPLURGE? 

We're also going to discuss "wedding budget shaming", and the notion that what I choose to invest in my wedding experience is none of your business & not for the world of budget wedding planning blogs, social media personalities + thrifty websites to decide.  

This is the 4th year I’ve run this show topic and we keep coming back to it because of the wonderful feedback from couples like you about how helpful it is to approach your wedding budget in terms of your top priorities - and also what you value least, and can therefore scale way back on, or maybe even leave out entirely.  So much more to come on that later in the show!

We’re talking a lot today about money + priorities, and I open today’s show with a candid conversation about weddings, money, and mindset.  I shared a post from Ramit Sethi a couple of weeks back on IG, and it started a really passionate conversation about the ways in which we discuss spending money on weddings. 

Ramit is a New York Times bestselling author & founder of iwillteachyoutoberich.com  and in his original Instagram post he shared this quote:

“If you write money and wedding in the same paragraph, somewhere a wedding bat signal gets activated.  Within minutes 11,000 people arrive & tell you they only spent $6 on their wedding at a barn and loved it and weddings are a waste of money and they’d rather spend $ to buy a home.  @ramit on Twitter

No matter what, the internet wants to tell you that spending money on your wedding is a waste of money.  To them it doesn’t matter how much money you have saved.  Nope, it doesn’t matter what culture you’re a part of.  Nope, it doesn’t matter what your goals are.  To them it’s simple - spending money on a wedding is BAD.  Even worse, in our puritanical society, it’s a - gasp - WASTE OF MONEY.

I HAVE ZERO TOLERANCE FOR THIS BS.  If you want to throw a very small wedding, awesome!  On the other hand, if you want to invite hundreds of people and spend a lot on it - great!  As long as you can afford it, do it.  (No you shouldn’t go into debt.  And no, you shouldn’t ignore future costs, such as building your joint savings.  But this nuance seems to be missed by people shouting about the waste of weddings.) @ramit on Instagram

I was really intrigued by how much Ramit's words stood out, and felt compelled to share (which I did immediately) and got a ton of responses from couples who have felt the burn of being wedding budget shamed, either directly or indirectly, from family, friends, and various blogs and websites that want to encourage couples to be thrifty (which is also totally fine, much more to come …)

Needless to say, I spend a ton of time in “wedding world” throughout the course of researching new shows, interacting with you through emails and messages and comments and such, and the message of SAVING MONEY, SPENDING AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE is everywhere - including, quite a bit, on this very podcast. 

I followed a bit of a rabbit hole, and found a great article on Ramit’s blog titled “How to Save For Your Wedding”.  He summarizes a point that I keep close to heart as I record these shows to share with you, and I’ll quote Ramit here again from the article:

"Despite what society tells you, there’s no right or wrong price for your wedding. You might have a wedding in the high six figures, or you might just have a wedding that ends up costing a couple thousand. Both are perfectly fine. What matters most is that you’re realistic about what you’re going to spend so you know what to save."

Tune in for so much more on setting an intentional wedding budget that highlights YOUR priorities through identifying your "splurge" items!

A detailed & thorough wedding day timeline can literally make or break your wedding day.  Whether you’re working with a professional coordinator or piecing together the plans on your own, today we’re going to walk through a foolproof formula for creating an airtight timeline to ensure a seamless wedding day, from start to finish!

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.  A killer timeline can make or break your wedding day - not to be dramatic, but in wedding planning world, this is really serious stuff. 

Please trust me when I share that your wedding day is NOT the time to “wing it”.

Your wedding day timeline needs to be detailed, accurate & thorough to avoid delays, meltdowns, and loads of stress.

In today's show, we're reviewing 5 very specific tips and a step-by-step formula for creating an effective wedding day timeline that leaves you worry + stress-free to enjoy your special day!

The following timeline-themed shows are AVAILABLE NOW to members of the Wedding Planning Podcast VAULT:

• Creating Your Reception Timeline
• Master Wedding Planning Timeline (*avail. 2/5/2020)
• Training a Loved One to be Your DOC 

For details on how to enjoy immediate, on-demand access to 80+ AD-FREE shows, a *VIP* pass to Q&A sessions, access to private Facebook Group & more, simply visit www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/vault

Blog post & recap of today's show, including sample wedding planning timelines, can be found at www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/timeline

A very special thank you to 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!
• 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
• Check these guys out at Generation Tux and use promo code "WEDPLANNING" for 10% off the entire groom’s party AND a free groom's tux w/ 5 paid party members when you visit www.generationtux.com/wedplanning

Today we're reviewing a complete overview of shopping for your wedding venue and some key money saving secrets to know as you start touring various properties.

Don't forget your FREE Wedding Venue Shopping Checklist!

www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/wv

Last week on Instagram (@weddingplanningpodcast) we did a fun poll on what wedding venue stuff you’re most curious about.  There were two overwhelming winners - “Wedding Venue 101 - A complete overview” came in first place, with “Money Saving Venue Secrets” in close second.

Not to worry, I’m not going to leave anyone hanging - today we’re going to cover it all in a jam packed show!

In Part I of today's show, we're walking through a complete wedding venue overview.  This conversation is perfect for you if you’re literally at square one and want all the tips on getting ready to shop for the perfect venue space.

In Part II, we’ll cover some key money saving tips and ways to maximize your venue budget so you get the most bang for your buck.  What's not to love? ;)

Links mentioned in today's show:

When Trying to Save Money on the Wedding Backfires, show dated Oct. 2, 2019

Wedding Venue Q&A, show dated 

I also created an epic blog post with TONS of extras, including a totally free “Wedding Venue Shopping Checklist” that you won’t want to miss!  For a full recap and to get a copy of that checklist delivered right to you via email, simply visit www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/wv

Ready to get started with your wedding plans, but have no clue where to begin?  Click here to claim your totally free Engagement Starter Kit and I'll send you 3 bonus episodes of the Wedding Planning Podcast that walk you through the first steps.

Connect with your Better Help professional counselor and save 10% off your first month with discount code “WEDDING".

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!

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

Run a search for "2020 wedding trends", and you’ll get a bunch of results that honestly, sound pretty ridiculous to the average couple. 

Tarot card readers at the restrooms, $20,000+ liquor & cigar bar, over-the-top neon lighting installations, 30 foot-long bridal veils that take 6 people to manage.  For most of us?  Not so much.

I’ve combed over the top wedding trends for 2020, and chosen SIX to share with you today - including a couple of my own!

Also be sure to stay tuned for the second half of the show, where I'm sharing your wedding questions from the past week ;)

Some links & past episodes mentioned in today's show:

1. papermart.com for affordable lanterns & tissue paper
2. https://www.theknot.com/content/new-wedding-trends
3. https://www.harpersbazaar.com/wedding/planning/g30247361/wedding-trends-2020/
4. Hosting an Earth Friendly Wedding (show dated 9.26.18)
5. Cocktail Wedding Reception (show dated 9.11.19 & 11.20.19)
6. Bridal Shower (show dated 4.3.19)
7. Last Minute Wedding Details (show dated 6.26.19)
8. WOMEN'S TUXEDO / SUIT INFO:

• https://www.stitchandtie.com/womens-black-shawl-lapel-tuxedo
• https://www.hertuxedo.com/
• https://www.renttherunway.com/shop/designers/badgley_mischka/gold_sequin_pants
• https://www.renttherunway.com/shop/designers/greylin/reagan_tuxedo_jumpsuit

Follow on Instagram @weddingplanningpodcast for weekly polls, Q&A's, behind-the-scenes fun!

Want a VIP seat to ad-free shows each week, priority access to Q&A’s, AND a private Facebook group where we circle back on past shows, guest experts, & more?  To learn more about becoming a VAULT member, visit: www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/vault

A special thank you to today's show sponsors:

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

Go to www.zola.com/wpp today & use promo code "SAVE50" to get fifty-percent off your save the dates.

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!

I want you to sidestep these TEN wedding planning blind spots!

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

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

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

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!

Connect with your Better Help professional counselor and save 10% off your first month with discount code “WEDDING".

It's been an amazing year, and to celebrate I'm re-playing two of the most downloaded episodes of the Wedding Planning Podcast from 2019!

"Hey there, it's Kara, and I believe that every engaged couple deserves the expertise of a down-to-earth, honest, and professional wedding planner.  Join me each week on the Wedding Planning Podcast for straightforward advice designed to streamline & simplify your wedding plans!"

Today we're reviewing five MORE wedding money savers that are sure to trim some $$$-signs from your wedding budget.  (Be sure to go back in your podcast feed to the 12.25.19 show where we featured the first five money-saving tips)

- Newly engaged, and just joining us?  Congratulations, and WELCOME!  Dodge wedding planning overwhelm with our totally free Engagement Starter Kit - I'll walk you through the first steps to take after getting engaged in three bonus episodes of the show.  Sign up (yes, it's totally free!) at www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/learnmore

- Save money, time and loads wedding stress when you join The Wedding Planning Podcast VAULT! Become a member today and enjoy these ALL NEW benefits:

• Get answers FAST to your wedding questions in weekly members-only wedding Q&A's,
• Share vaulable wedding ideas & tips in a private community group of like-minded couples,
• You'll be first in line for behind-the-scenes access to industry experts,
• And enjoy valuable resources that will save you thousands of dollars + hours of time throughout your wedding plans!

What's not to love??? Sign up today at www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/vault.

- 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