Shows
Wedding Planning PodcastShould We Do a "First Look"? Delegating Tasks, Weekday Wedding Cost & More | Wedding Q&AToday on the Wedding Planning Podcast, we're exploring your top wedding questions, including: Ideal number of wedding party members / pro’s & con’s of larger vs. smaller group? What are your thoughts on doing a first look vs. waiting for the more traditional moment when I walk down the aisle? Inviting kids to the wedding - does it have to be “all or nothing?” Babysitting options? OK to assign seats for the ceremony? Divorced parents on my side and want to keep them separated. Including family & friends who want to help, b...2025-06-2528 min
Wedding Planning PodcastOur Top Wedding Spending REGRETSThey say hindsight is 20/20, and today on the Wedding Planning Podcast I'm sharing the top money spending regrets that married couples have. It's really easy to get swept up in dozens of "must-have's" during your engagement - but after today's episode, you'll think twice about these wedding expenses. Questions or topics you'd like to hear more on? Please be in touch! weddingplanningpodcast.co/contact Talk soon, Kara2025-06-1816 min
Wedding Planning PodcastYour Questions, Answered! Wedding Planning Q&AMy inbox is full of your wedding planning questions, including: Are wedding fairs worth the time? How to pick a DJ? No idea where to start! My dress is very heavy, with a dramatic long train. Should I consider a separate reception dress for dancing? >>> My fave site for reception party dresses >>> Lulus.com What are your thoughts on a NYE wedding? We love the symbolism of beginning our lives together at the start of a new year, but the logistics of actually planning for NYE seems hard. Struggling with...2025-06-1124 min
Wedding Planning PodcastMaximizing Your Wedding WebsiteCreating a simple, info-packed WEDDING WEBSITE is the easiest, most hassle free way to easily share information with your wedding guests. Join me today for a detailed wedding planning workshop on exactly how to create an amazing wedding website - zero technical skills required! To get started, choose your wedding website design from an incredible community of independent artists & designers when you visit Minted Weddings. FREE Minted wedding websites include all the tools you need to get started, and you’ll even receive a $50 credit towards your wedding stationery when you visit www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/website...2025-06-0427 min
Wedding Planning PodcastRehearsal Dinner Planning TipsYou’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...2025-05-2926 min
Wedding Planning PodcastUltimate Guide to Save the Dates & Wedding InvitationsAffordable & beautiful Save the Date announcements and wedding invitations - how hard can that be?? Well, if you’ve spent 3 hours on a Saturday getting lost down the rabbit hole of 9 different wedding invitation websites, then you know that finding a practical solution that fits your style and your budget is much easier said than done. Today I’m sharing a complete guide to wedding stationery, from Save the Dates to invitations. We'll even review all of those mysterious extras like fancy paper type, additional enclosures, wax seals, envelope liners, and more. And if you’re...2025-05-2825 min
Wedding Planning PodcastSetting A Realistic Wedding Budget That Works For YouSetting a realistic wedding budget that works for you is one of the first steps you’ll take after getting engaged - and ideally before making any big wedding decisions. So if you’re newly engaged (or maybe just need a wedding budget reset!), you’re in the right place. To streamline the process, today's show is a step-by-step guide on exactly how to create a realistic wedding budget that gives you plenty of space for all the things that you value the most. Let’s face it, a wedding planning experience without ANY financ...2025-05-2324 min
Wedding Planning PodcastAvoid These Common Wedding Flower MistakesThis week, I have an inbox full of your wedding flower questions to share! I also put together a list of the top wedding flower mistakes that I see couples make, to further help guide you to "DIY wedding flower SUCCESS". Today we're reviewing: How much should 5 relatively simple bouquets cost? I’m being quoted over $1200, which feels so ridiculous. Visiting a flower farm to pick stems w/ my bridal party - how early should we pick & arrange them so that they are still fresh? How much time should we allocate to making the bouquet...2025-05-2123 min
Wedding Planning Podcast16 Hidden Wedding Expenses That Will Bust Your BudgetThe little dollar bill emoji with flapping wings is a great one-tap summary of planning a wedding. Budgeting for expected expenses is hard enough, let alone all of the little unexpected stuff that sneaks in along the way! Today we’re going to shine a light on 16 annoying + unexpected expenses that couples don’t plan for, so that you can adjust your budget early on and not be taken by surprise in the coming months. Full blog post for today's show can be found here. Thank you for sharing the show with someone who is helping you pla...2025-05-1525 min
Wedding Planning PodcastSimple & Affordable Wedding Flower OptionsWedding flowers are high on the list of things that couples rate "not very" to "not at all" important to them. So why spend thousands of dollars on elaborate, professional floral centerpieces and bouquets? There are so many simple, beautiful & affordable alternatives - Today I have an 5-part formula for you to follow so that you can have beautiful, top quality flowers ... for an affordable price tag. And the tips I’m sharing today don’t have to be just for your wedding - you can use the same guidelines for any event, including engagement party, br...2025-05-1422 min
Wedding Planning PodcastReal Wedding Recap from Rochester, MI + Wedding Q&AGet ready for a fun show today! Here’s a road map of where we’re going: I have a recap of my brother-in-law's 3/30/25 wedding in Rochester, MI. I'll share what was amazing, a detailed rundown of the venue / flow of events, how they took advantage of cost-saving opportunities, their solution to kids at the wedding, and lots more valueble takeaways! I also have an inbox full of your questions on everything from: How to blend "nostalgic elements" into our wedding celebration? Responding to requests to invite more people (ew) Managing pre-wedding stress Proactively planni...2025-05-1233 min
Wedding Planning PodcastSolving the Wedding Reception Seating Chart PuzzleCreating 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! Resources & links from today’s show: Find helpful on...2025-05-0735 min
Wedding Planning PodcastUltimate Guide to Wedding Cake & DessertsGet answers to all of your wedding cake + dessert questions in today’s show! From everything to researching bakeries, booking cake tastings, hidden fees to be aware of, unique dessert alternatives, and budget-friendly cost saving tips, we're covering it all in today's sugar-coated show. Links mentioned in our convo: The complete blog post for today's show is linked here >>> weddingplanningpodcast.co/cake TLC rounded up a group of experts to share the most popular wedding cake flavor combos for last year, and here’s a complete "sampling" of their list. CAKE TOPPERS on Etsy that ar...2025-05-0126 min
Wedding Planning PodcastPost-Wedding Checklist: 15+ Things To Do After Your WeddingWhen you’re in the thick of wedding planning, it can feel like this phase of life will go on forever. But believe it or not, at some point you WILL actually be married, and wedding planning will come to an end (insert cheering emoji / crying emoji here - take your pick!). I see a pretty split reaction to this, with half of us feeling thank universe, the wedding can’t come soon enough ... having all that extra brain space back from planning and organizing a million tiny details will be amazing. On the other hand...2025-04-3034 min
Wedding Planning PodcastOnline Bridesmaid Dress Shopping w/ Lulus WeddingsGet ready to explore hassle-free online bridesmaid dress shopping with featured brand, Lulus Weddings! Tune in & discover how you can enjoy a successful online bridesmaid dress shopping experience, including: Professional bridesmaid styling ideas, Struggling with piecing together colors or patterns in a mismatch dress situation? No worries! Lulus free bridal concierge service makes the process 100% stress-free. The 5 KEYS to creating a cohesive visual palette with mismatched dresses, The biggest benefits to mismatched bridesmaid dresses, And 3 HOT WEDDING TRENDS to be on the lookout for as we enter 2025. Shop the 2025 Lulus Bridesmaid Collection here Get...2025-04-2425 min
Wedding Planning PodcastChoosing Your Wedding Color PaletteGreat news - you don’t need to be a professional designer or natural-born artist to select a beautiful & cohesive color palette for your wedding celebration. Today on the Wedding Planning Podcast, we’re running through 5 easy steps for choosing the colors to incorporate into your rehearsal, ceremony & reception. I also have a bonus rundown of the top Wedding Color Palette MISTAKES that I see couples make, so be sure to stick around until the end! A lightening speed recap: 1. Start w/ your venue to guide your color selection, 2. Get color...2025-04-2317 min
Wedding Planning PodcastYour Complete Guide to Wedding & Jewelry Insurance with BriteCoYou deserve wedding insurance that's fast and affordable, and protecting your investment in your wedding celebration literally couldn't be easier than a quick online visit to Brite.co/wedpod. Today we’re joined by a very special guest, Dustin Lemick. Dustin is the CEO and founder of BriteCo. BriteCo is a modern insurance company built for the digital age, and their goal is to simplify the process of securing jewelry and wedding insurance. Well, mission complete, because streamline and simplify is exactly what BriteCo has done - with plans starting below $80, no hidden fees and up to 1...2025-04-0925 min
Wedding Planning PodcastCost-Cutting Chaos: When Trying to Save Money Can BACKFIREToday we’re going to chat about a handful of ways when trying to "save" money on your wedding can totally BACKFIRE. 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...2025-03-2640 min
Wedding Planning PodcastBachelorette Party Planning Guide + Sample ItinerariesYour bachelorette party is a really fun engagement milestone AND it'll be a breeze to plan with these easy planning guidelines + sample itineraries! Today's show also includes lots of your questions on party etiquette, gift giving, who plans what, and even a "tale of two parties" ... two very different bachelorette formats, each with their own pro's, and each guaranteed to result in an unforgettable night(s). Who plans the bachelorette party? Who should get invited? When should we start planning & schedule it? Honoring & accomodating everyone's financial circumstances, TWO sample bachelorette party itineraries, What are some creative b...2025-03-1924 min
Wedding Planning PodcastHow To Design an Unforgettable Wedding CeremonyYour 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! Unfortunately, many 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 c...2025-03-1227 min
Wedding Planning PodcastPreparing For Unexpected Wedding Day Mishaps + Wedding Q&A"What’s really bothering me lately is I’m in a stress cycle over anticipating what might go wrong during our wedding weekend and wanting to proactively jump in and plan for those things. What are some unexpected stress-points that we can be prepared for as much as possible?" Do yourselves a favor - plan to be caught off guard by something on your wedding day! Next step, mentally prepare to brush it off in the moment so that you can be fully present and enjoy your wedding day. Survey 100 couples in the week aft...2025-03-0527 min
Wedding Planning PodcastAsk Me Anything | Wedding Planning Q&AEnjoy a jam-packed show full of your wedding planning questions, including: What’s an ideal wedding planning timeline? How can we include family members who want to “help” with the wedding? Managing wedding planning stress, Inviting kids to the wedding? Cost-effective dessert options, Helping a younger bridesmaid feel included w/ the older girls, Are Bridal Expos worth it? Should we go to one? How to chose our wedding theme? And soooo many more! To submit questions for an upcoming show, visit weddingplanningpodcast.com Enjoy! 2025-02-2645 min
Wedding Planning PodcastTips for a Smooth Engagement Photo ShootEngagement photos are an incredible opportunity to capture you & your fiancé in your happiest moments, and to share those images across your save the dates, your wedding website, holiday cards, and as decorations throughout your wedding celebration. The thing is, choosing the perfect outfits, getting hair & make up just right so that you look incredible but still natural, and posing effortlessly can be much easier said than done! Choosing what you’re going to wear and struggling through a last minute hair and makeup session an hour before you meet your photographer is not a grea...2025-02-1216 min
Wedding Planning PodcastCrafting Your Wedding Guest List: A Step-By-Step Guide + Q&AToday we’re going to break down the complicated, sometimes messy process of crafting your wedding guest list. BONUS, I have lots of your guest list questions to share along the way! Tune in for a Wedding Guest List Step-By-Step guide that includes: An outline for getting started with your wedding guest list process, Smart Tips and benefits to running an "A List / B List" invitation tier system, How to manage non-invited Plus One's, Effective ways to trim your guest list, Managing family requests (demands) when it comes to who is invited, And so much more! A...2025-02-0535 min
Wedding Planning PodcastCalculating Your Risk: Cheap Wedding Venue or Money Pit?In today's bonus episode, we explore the risks of judging a wedding venue by the initial price tag. Lots of budget savvy couples see their venue selection as a great opportunity to control costs and set the stage for major savings down the road. This CAN be a great strategy … when approached the right way. The problem is that as we’re doing the research and gathering venue quotes, IMPULSE can take over. What seems like a great deal on the surface can quickly spiral into a total money pit if you’re not careful. Fa...2025-01-3126 min
Wedding Planning PodcastFinding Your Perfect Wedding VenueChoosing your wedding venue is the most important decision you'll make throughout your wedding planning. No pressure! Not only is your wedding venue the centerpiece of your celebration, it's also likely the budget category where you'll invest the most money. So it's ultra-important to make a careful, well-informed decision. Tune in to today's show for a detailed conversation that covers: The key wedding checklist items that are directly related to your venue, How to set yourselves up for a successful venue search, Important questions to ask potential wedding venues, And finally, a smart guide to r...2025-01-2928 min
Wedding Planning PodcastEngagement Starter Kit BONUS: 40 Uplifting Wedding Planning AffirmationsTrust me, I know that wedding planning can be stressful, overwhelming, and a complete PITA at times. That's why I compiled a list of 40 uplifting wedding planning affirmations for you to tune in to any time you need a mental wedding refresh: Our wedding celebration will be a perfect reflection of us. I commit my attention to our top priorities & tune out the rest. We cannot control the actions or inactions of others. A meaningful wedding is within reach. I chose love over anger. I le...2025-01-1104 min
Wedding Planning PodcastEngagement Starter Kit BONUS: Your Ultimate Engagement ChecklistTune in to this bonus episode for a list of "10 Things To Do After Getting 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 ... And I couldn't be more honored to be a part of it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for including me in your engagement journey. I LOVE sharing free re...2025-01-1021 min
Wedding Planning PodcastEngagement Starter Kit BONUS: Clarifying Your Wedding VisionIn this bonus workshop, we'll explore exactly how to get started defining - and refining - your wedding vision. This is a valuable exercise that I would love for you & your partner to do separately, then come together to compare what each of you saw. I don't expect that anyone will have all the answers the first time, or see every single last detail in crystal clear focus. The point isn't to get it "right" on the first try, but rather to begin to clear your mental slate and give your imagination the spa...2025-01-0911 min
Wedding Planning PodcastEngagement Starter Kit BONUS: Nightmare Wedding Planners, Renting A Mansion & DIY-ManiaFrom nightmare meetings with wedding planners, to renting a mansion & our "DIY" heavy approach, in this bonus episode you'll hear the full details of my own wedding planning journey. 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'm sharing today, 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 ho...2025-01-0823 min
Wedding Planning PodcastEngagement Starter Kit, PART 4: "Bringing It All Together"Here inside the Engagement Starter Kit, you'll find everything you need to plan a simple, meaningful, and affordable wedding. The four episodes released this week - that's just the beginning! Coming up next week (available now to Apple Premium Subscribers), you'll enjoy four more "Engagement Starter Kit" Bonus Resources, carefully crafted to help you going forward: Bonus Workshop: Clarifying Your Wedding Vision A detailed version of my engagement story, including ALL the ups & downs we experienced, An "Ultimate Engagement Checklist" with 10 steps to getting started with your plans And an audio version of 40 uplifting wedding affirmations / mant...2025-01-0410 min
Wedding Planning PodcastEngagement Starter Kit, PART 3: "Your Wedding Planning Strategy"You’re a couple who values informed choices, intentional decisions, and ACTIONS that are in complete alignment with who you are and what you value most. And at this point in the Engagement Starter Kit series, you know the importance of a well-defined wedding vision that honors your personal priorities and values. But how do you tie it all together within a carefully designed wedding planning strategy when it comes down to actually making important wedding decisions like hiring vendors, choosing entertainment, and selecting your guests? In this episode, uncover how to: C...2025-01-0321 min
Wedding Planning PodcastEngagement Starter Kit, PART 2: "Identifying Your Values & Priorities"There's a very powerful shift that happens when your engagement season AND your wedding celebration centers around your values & priorities … and nothing else. Welcome to Part Two of the Engagement Starter Kit Bonus Series from the Wedding Planning Podcast! In this episode, discover exactly how to: CREATE A VIVID, SHARED VISION of your wedding celebration. INTENTIONALLY DISCUSS YOUR VALUES + PRIORITIES with your partner. TRANSLATE YOUR VALUES INTO ACTION for every single strategical decision you make throughout your engagement. PRIORITIZE CONNECTION AND SHARED EXPERIENCE over the never ending list...2025-01-0214 min
Wedding Planning PodcastThings You Need to Know Before Hiring a Wedding Planner / Day Of Coordinator"The more thought & intention you put into your wedding plans throughout your engagement, the richer your wedding celebration will be." Should we hire a WEDDING PLANNER / Day of Coodinator? In today's workshop-style meeting, we’re going to review a list of critical guidelines to keep in mind as you tackle this super important part of your engagement journey. A full show recap (AND a sneak peek into next week's episode!) can be found in this blog post >>> weddingplanningpodcast.co/hiring-a-wedding-planner A special thank you for supporting this week's show sponso...2025-01-0119 min
Wedding Planning PodcastMoney Saving "Opportunities" That Can Totally BACKFIREToday we’re going to chat about a handful of ways when trying to "save" money on your wedding can totally BACKFIRE. 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! FULL BLOG POST HERE >>> www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/wedding-pitfall In today's show, let’s explore some common areas of wedding planning where couples to try to cut a corner, save some money...2025-01-0144 min
Wedding Planning PodcastMisconceptions & FAQ's RE: Hiring a Wedding Planner / DOCThis week on the Wedding Planning Podcast, we're going to sort out some common misconceptions and FAQ's about wedding planners and day of coordinators. Today's show is a de facto "Part II" from last week's conversation, where we ran through a general overview of hiring a planner and / or DOC. When I got married, I wasted a lot of time researching and interviewing planners before I realized that A.) I didn’t HAVE to hire anyone, and B.) John and I had all the tools we needed to plan OUR perfect wedding day. And...2025-01-0122 min
Wedding Planning PodcastEngagement Starter Kit, PART 1: "Defining A Clear Wedding Vision"Welcome to Part One of the Engagement Starter Kit Bonus Series from the Wedding Planning Podcast! There are 3 KEYS to a stress-free, joyful wedding planning experience ... ... and you won't find them anywhere on Google, TikTok, or Pinterest. The first key? DEFINING A CLEAR WEDDING VISION. Embracing a positive and empowering wedding mindset can magically free you from the endless cycle of stress, overwhelm & expense that so many couples are trapped in. In this episode, explore exactly how to: IDENTIFY YOUR TOP WEDDING PRIORITIES, and commit to standing up f...2025-01-0123 min
Wedding Planning PodcastThe Vendor that 98% of Married Couples Regret NOT Hiring.On the fence about hiring a wedding videographer? You’re certainly not alone! In my experience, hiring a videographer is the number one vendor that engaged couples are undecided about. It’s an important decision, and a really big investment. So you might be surprised to learn that in a post-wedding survey, 98% of couples asked reported that they regretted NOT having a video made of their wedding day. Because videography is such a huge topic to unpack, today I have an expert special guest joining us >>> Meet Ken Foster, who is a lead shooter for...2024-12-2534 min
Wedding Planning PodcastMaximizing Quality & Value of Your Wedding CelebrationThis week, we’re highlighting some clever ways to not only save money, but also to increase the QUALITY + VALUE on everything from decor, rental items, invitations, food & drinks, and even your venue. So many couples equate a higher price tag with a higher-quality end product or service, and that’s simply not always true. Worse, that mentality can add up to spending tens of thousands of dollars more than necessary to host a memorable and meaningful wedding celebration. The million dollar question is how can we develop an instinct for when it makes se...2024-12-1821 min
Wedding Planning PodcastKeeping it Small? Here's Your Micro-Wedding BlueprintHave 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 b...2024-12-1122 min
Wedding Planning PodcastDesign Your Wedding Reception Decor Like a Pro“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 professio...2024-12-0429 min
Wedding Planning PodcastFollow Up Wedding Q&A | The Value in Thinking Outside the BoxHappy Friday, and welcome to another BONUS Q&A follow up show to this week's feature episode, "How To: DIY Appetizers & Charcuterie Board" show that aired on Wednesday Nov 20. Today is a mix of behind-the-scenes insight from me, your reception-related questions, and also a couple of hindsight wedding experiences to share from listeners who were recently married. There's a ton of value packed into this 20 minute bonus show, and I hope you love it! I'm running a follow up Q&A each Friday in November, and if you’re loving it, I’ll keep g...2024-11-2220 min
Wedding Planning PodcastHow To: DIY Wedding Reception Appetizers & Charcuterie BoardThe cost of food & drinks can be a huge source of frustration when planning your wedding. I can’t tell you how many messages I get from couples who are utterly horrified by the per person fee for dinner & drinks - and rightfully so! Today we’re going to explore setting up your own appetizer spread, and I think you’ll be blown away by the savings ... yes, up to 85% off the cost of a traditional wedding caterer. Tune in for my detailed roadmap to appetizer / happy hour menu planning, shopping, and setting it all up....2024-11-2034 min
Wedding Planning PodcastFollow Up Wedding Q&A | 4-6 Week Wedding CountdownHappy Friday, and welcome to another BONUS Q&A follow up show to this week's feature episode, "4-6 Week Wedding Countdown" show that aired on Wednesday Nov 13. Today we're finding answers to everything on your mind, including: Dis-inviting moms to final venue walk through? Last-minute doubts about decor and signage, do we need more? Do we have to tell our guests that we're already technically married? How to design a clean & crisp tablescape {link to Wedding Q&A Pinterest board here!} Wedding stuff to be on the lookout for during Black Friday / Cyber Monday holiday sales...2024-11-1523 min
Wedding Planning Podcast4-6 Week Wedding Countdown: Your Final Month To-Do ListToday we’re going to run through a 10-item wedding to-do list for when you reach the final 4-6 week countdown before your wedding day. While some of the items in today’s show are pretty standard, others are much less obvious - and sadly are not commonly discussed. Overlooking just one of these important action-items can tip the scales towards a stressful, frantic celebration - and I don't want that for you! For a complete recap of today's show, visit www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/countdown PS - A special THANK YOU to this w...2024-11-1321 min
Wedding Planning PodcastFollow Up: Wedding Etiquette Q&A {original show dated 9.11.24}Is it OK to ... ? I got lots of mail in response to the Wedding Etiquette show that aired on 9.11.24, and in this Friday Follow Up Q&A I'm opening my mailbox and sharing your questions! We'll talk through ... Inviting kids to the wedding, Requesting a specific dress code, A tiny wedding chappel that can't accomodate everyone, The etiquette surrounding your wedding parties, When to actually send Thank You notes, and lots more. Enjoy, And be in touch with your questions anytime at weddingplanningpodcast.co/contact2024-11-0812 min
Wedding Planning PodcastSamantha + Sean's Wedding Recap: No Cell Service + A Hot Air BalloonSamantha & Sean got married in September 2024 at a state park in New York, but this was no ordinary celebration ... Their stunning wedding weekend featured no cell service, just 6 electrical outlets, and a hot air balloon send off for the new bride and groom! Samantha is joining us this week to share the good, the challenges, the things she would do differently, and the things she wouldn’t change for the world. To view her beautiful wedding photos and a full recap of today’s show, visit weddingplanningpodcast.co/samantha. And if you've ever drea...2024-11-0635 min
Wedding Planning PodcastFollow Up Wedding Q&A | "Is This a Crazy Idea?"Happy Friday, and welcome to a BONUS Q&A follow up show to this week's feature episode, "Is This a Crazy Idea?" that aired on Wednesday Oct 30. I'm running a follow up Q&A each Friday in November, and if you’re loving it, I’ll keep going - but to do so I do need YOUR questions, thoughts, and ideas about that week’s episode! Here’s how it works - follow the WPP wherever you listen, and I’ll send a free weekly episode to your device each Wednesday. After you enjoy the show, send...2024-11-0117 min
Wedding Planning Podcast5 Real Wedding Scenarios: "Is this a crazy idea?"These listener scenarios that may seem a bit crazy on the surface … but in reality offer a great chance to maximize the quality AND the value of your wedding celebration! As you’re putting together plans for your wedding, there are endless creative opportunities for you to deploy a unique, offbeat solution to what may seem like a standard wedding checklist item. So many couples subconsciously equate a higher price tag with a higher-quality end product or service, and that’s simply not always true. Worse, that mentality can add up to spending tens of thousan...2024-10-3030 min
Wedding Planning PodcastCommunication Issues, Wedding Reception Floor Plan & More Wedding Q&AThis week on the Wedding Planning Podcast, tune in for my thoughts on some high-stakes wedding planning situations, including: Addressing communication issues with your fiance and fostering a spirit of compromise, Pro's & con's of a blank space venue with more versus less "do it yourself" requirements, Competing visions for stocking our bar, Ideal timing for our ceremony, We're having trouble conceptualizing our venue layout / floor plan ... what's the best way to approach setting up our tables & dance floor? Submit your wedding questions anytime by visiting our website >>> weddingplanningpodcast.co/contact Book a 1-on-1 Wedding Strategy...2024-10-2326 min
Wedding Planning PodcastA Designer Wedding Dress ... at a fraction of the designer price tag!Access a curated collection of second-hand designer gowns & expert stylists at a fraction of the designer price tag! Loved Twice Bridal was created to take the guesswork out of shopping online for a second hand, designer wedding dress. You’ll have access to an experienced team of stylists who are available to answer all of your questions, so that you can buy a once-worn designer dress with confidence. Unlike peer-to-peer marketplaces, Loved Twice Bridal gives you access to a curated collection of designer gowns that have all been thoroughly evaluated and pre-screened for quality, with cl...2024-10-1621 min
Wedding Planning PodcastAffordable Centerpiece Ideas & DIY Wedding Flower Tips Looking for easy & affordable alternatives to hiring a professional florist ($$$$$) to decorate your wedding reception, table centerpieces, and bouquets? You're in the right place! In today's show, we’re going to discuss a creative variety of affordable wedding table decoration ideas. We're also going to review some actionable tips for doing your own wedding day flower bouquets & boutonnieres. It’ll take a little extra work on your part, and you may need to simplify things a bit ... but if you’re looking for a spot to save a ton of money, creating table centerpiec...2024-10-0934 min
Wedding Planning PodcastWhat to Look For in Your Wedding Venue ContractToday’s convo is a wedding planning strategy GEM! We’re going to cover every single last little thing that should be included within your wedding venue contract. If you’ve already booked a venue and signed a contract, I’d suggest pulling out your actual document & sticking around for today's convo to be sure that all the key items are addressed. Your wedding venue is literally the centerpiece of your dream wedding celebration. It’s also likely the most expensive decision you’ll make throughout the course of your engagement, so we need to be extra cautiou...2024-10-0220 min
Wedding Planning Podcast6 Major Wedding Day Timeline MistakesWe all know that having a detailed WEDDING DAY TIMELINE is critical to keeping the day organized, and flowing stress-free. The problem is that lots of us get incredibly overwhelmed by the process because, well, it’s really damn overwhelming! Today I’m going to highlight some of the top mistakes I see couples make as they’re building out their wedding day timeline, so that you can sidestep these major pitfalls and rest easy knowing that you’ve covered all the bases. I’ve been on six wedding strategy calls this week, and 5 of them...2024-09-2516 min
Wedding Planning Podcast8 Easy Ways to Save $3,650 on Your WeddingOur goal this week on the Wedding Planning Podcast? To save YOU $3,650 on your final wedding bill! We could literally talk for hours about all the pretty things you see on Pinterest & Instagram that do not HAVE to be a part of your wedding celebration. In the interest of time, I’ve chosen EIGHT wedding elements that I would suggest skipping - or scaling waaaaaaaaay back on. I think you'll be shocked at how easy it is for us to save over $3,000 over the course of a 20 minute conversation! If your goal is a sim...2024-09-1822 min
Wedding Planning PodcastA Fresh Look at Wedding Etiquette & "Rules"Are you drowning in wedding "etiquette guidelines"? Everyone has an opinion on invitation wording, cash bars, inviting kids, wedding day transportation, and what traditions absolutely SHOULD be included in the wedding day. There’s nothing like planning a wedding to suddenly have everyone you’ve ever known come out of the woodwork with their opinions, right? Where wedding planning gets overwhelming is when ideas of what a wedding “should” look like are in conflict with our budget, our wants, and our personalities. And of course, an added layer of stress arises when you and your p...2024-09-1134 min
Wedding Planning PodcastBuilding a Useful Wedding Gift RegistryYour wedding gift registry is the perfect opportunity to upgrade your home & your lifestyle with practical gifts that you need and will use in the years to come. Tune in for an essential guide to creating a killer wedding gift registry including: Deciding what items to include and ... Items NOT to include on your registry, Various lifestyle "categories" to consider as you build your registry, Tips for creating cash gift funds, Your top wedding registry "wish list" items, And so much more! For a...2024-08-2820 min
Wedding Planning Podcast10 Discussion Points to Review With Your Wedding PlannerA top-notch Wedding Planner / Day-Of-Coordinator is essential for any smooth and seamless wedding celebration. Today on the Wedding Planning Podcast, we’re reviewing 10 KEY POINTS to discuss with your planner so that you’re both on the same page and ready to tackle any planning, logistic, or execution challenges that may arise. A sampling of these key discussion points: Who are your assistants or other team members, what is their role in the planning phase, and also at the actual wedding celebration? Having a crystal clear set of expectations for who will be answering your qu...2024-08-2123 min
Wedding Planning PodcastCreative Catering, Food & Drink Options for Your Wedding ReceptionLucky 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! Just a few of my favorite offbeat, wedding day food options: Made-to-order brick oven pizzas, A taco truck with variety of meats, toppings and fixings, Pre-made bento boxes, Gourmet picnic bag...2024-08-1518 min
Wedding Planning PodcastDress Alterations, Styling & Accessories, Post-Wedding Preservation & MoreToday on the Wedding Planning Podcast, we’re doing a thorough review of wedding dress alterations, styling & accessories, & post-wedding preservation ideas, and so much more. Our conversation covers the dress alterations process in detail, including pricing, money-saving tips, a timeline for when to get started, and alternative options for having your dress altered. We also cover: What's a bustle, do I need one, and how much does it cost? (article on bustling I mentioned in today's show can be found here) Styling and shape wear options like bras, corsets, and compression garments, The importance of C...2024-08-0736 min
Wedding Planning PodcastHow to Advocate For Your Wedding Vision & Top PrioritiesThis week's featured wedding planning meeting is an overview of how to formulate a detailed wedding vision - and equally as important, learning how to articulate and advocate for that vision with those who are helping you plan. Here's an overview of the specific scenario we'll be discussing: "How can we reign in our wedding planner? Our venue includes a coordinator for the rehearsal and wedding day, and initially I was pleasantly surprised by how accommodating and informative she is. Since the initial relief and excitement of finding and booking the perfect venue, we’re starti...2024-07-3125 min
Wedding Planning PodcastThe Ultimate Engagement Checklist | 10 Things To Do FirstToday I’m sharing AN ULTIMATE ENGAGEMENT CHECKLIST, including 10 key "to-do's" to launch your wedding planning journey into action. CONGRATULATIONS! 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. I’ve worked with thousands of engaged couples over the past 7 years of producing this podcast, and most of them are in autopilot mode already at this point in th...2024-07-2424 min
Wedding Planning PodcastFrom Overwhelmed & Discouraged to DREAM WEDDING ... How We Did It"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 n...2024-07-1725 min
Wedding Planning PodcastMapping Out Your Wedding Day TimelineA 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 h...2024-07-1019 min
Wedding Planning PodcastAffordable + Personalized Reception Entertainment IdeasIf you’re looking for some CREATIVE + 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 o...2024-07-0318 min
Wedding Planning PodcastExpert Insights on Your DREAM HONEYMOON with Susan from Susan's Travel ServicesToday on the Wedding Planning Podcast, we’re joined by a very special guest and friend of the show, Susan from Susan’s Travel Services. Tune in for Susan's detailed process for planning the honeymoon of your dreams, including insider travel advice about flights, destinations, travel upgrades, and even her list of top travel mistakes to avoid. We cover: The detailed process for finding your ideal honeymoon destination, Exactly when you should start planning this trip of a lifetime, The scoop on airfare and the best times to buy, Behind-the-scenes, expert insights that couples overlook...2024-06-2644 min
Wedding Planning Podcast5 Easy Steps to Choosing Your Wedding ColorsGreat news - you don’t need to be a professional designer or natural-born artist to select a beautiful & cohesive color palette for your wedding celebration. Today on the Wedding Planning Podcast, we’re running through 5 easy steps for choosing the colors to incorporate into your rehearsal, ceremony & reception. I also have a bonus rundown of the top Wedding Color Palette MISTAKES that I see couples make, so be sure to stick around until the end! A lightening speed recap: 1. Start w/ your venue to guide your color selection, 2. Get col...2024-06-1917 min
Wedding Planning PodcastCompromising on a $10,000 Honeymoon & All or Nothing Guest ListThe theme of this week's show is COMPROMISE. We're exploring the importance of being on the same page with respect to finances, how you spend your free time, and of course, the ability to COMPROMISE - whether it's about your honeymoon or your wedding guest list. Tune in for so much more! I’m looking for new stories from you about your engagement, wedding planning milestones, questions, anxieties, and anything else you’d like to share. I’d love to feature your voice on the podcast, so please get in touch with your stories...2024-06-1210 min
Wedding Planning Podcast"We Ditched the Traditions & Made Our Wedding Truly Personal" - A Real Bride's Planning RoadmapMeet special guest Emma, who’s here to share the highlights, unique elements, and planning challenges from their beautiful wedding celebration at Hilton Lake Las Vegas. In this special episode, you'll hear lots more from Emma on: The pros of having NO wedding party Celebrating over a 3-day weekend in their hometown The endless benefits of a very chill wedding day / intentionally left lots of open time & space to relax Their "First Look" - and favorite part of the day! “Last Dance” w/ just the two of us after the room has been cleared Mini after-party at hot...2024-06-0531 minWedding Planning PodcastWhen Things Go Terribly Wrong ... Preparing for Unforeseen Wedding MishapsA 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...2024-05-2915 min
Wedding Planning PodcastHosting, Etiquette & Planning Tips for an Unforgettable Bridal Shower / Wedding ShowerThere are countless unique ways to celebrate your wedding / bridal shower (that don't involve sitting around and playing awkward games with your female friends & relatives!). In this week's episode of the Wedding Planning Podcast, we're giving the "traditional" wedding shower some much-needed updates. Listen in for creative + modern twists that you're sure to fall in love with. In many cases you don’t plan your own shower, so please feel free to forward this episode along to anyone who's helping you with your wedding plans! For a complete written version of today's show, incl...2024-05-2219 min
Wedding Planning PodcastCrafting Your Wedding Vows, Featuring "The Vow Whisperer" | Tanya PushkineToday on the Wedding Planning Podcast, we’re joined by a very special guest, Tanya Pushkine from The Vow Whisperer. Tanya offers professional vow writing support, officiant services, and even wedding ceremony production support, including public speaking coaching. Tanya will guide you through exactly how to put your heart into words, resulting in crafted wedding vows that are truly meaningful to you & you partner. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes tour of her process, best practices for creating your wedding vows and ceremony flow, and so much more. To learn more about working with Tanya...2024-05-1528 min
Wedding Planning PodcastMaximizing Your Time at a Wedding Fair / Bridal ExpoWould you volunteer to host a party for 40 people and then rush out to the store with no menu planned & no shopping list? No way! You’d sit down and plan out what everyone was going to bring, make 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 FAIR / BRIDAL EXPO with absolutely no plan, and just "see what happens"? Today on the Wedding Planning Podcast we’re go...2024-05-0823 min
Wedding Planning PodcastStreamline + Simplify: Wedding Transportation, 2 Receptions, Hosting A Multi-Event Wedding WeekendSTREAMLINE + SIMPLIFY has been a tagline for the WPP literally since I created the show way back in 2015. (Look closely, it's even on our old logo!) Not only are these two of my favorite words in the English language - that I try and live by in ALL aspects of my life - more specifically, they perfectly summarize my approach to wedding planning. Every situation you’ll encounter throughout your engagement can be examined through the lens of simplicity and potentially scaled back or streamlined in some way that will make your life easie...2024-05-0124 min
Wedding Planning PodcastCreating Your Wedding Seating ChartCreating 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! Resources & links from today’s show: Find helpful on...2024-04-2436 min
Wedding Planning PodcastLast Minute Wedding Planning Checklist | 1-2 weeks before your weddingToday we're doing a detailed review of critical LAST MINUTE wedding details that you’ll want to stay on top of in the 1-2 weeks leading up to your wedding day. Even if your wedding is still months away, this show is perfect for you to proactively make notes about some of the things you can anticipate in those final weeks before the big day! A detailed blog post / show recap of everything we reviewed can be found here. Links to the Pinterest boards mentioned in today’s show: Wedding Planning Podcast Chec...2024-04-1717 min
Wedding Planning PodcastAnticipate These Eight Wedding Planning "Blind Spots"Save yourself piles of unwanted stress when you proactively anticipate these 8 wedding planning "blind spots"! Over the past 8 years of producing the Wedding Planning Podcast, one of my favorite pieces of feedback from you is some variation of, “WOW, we 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 de...2024-04-1025 min
Wedding Planning PodcastMaximizing Your WEDDING WEBSITECreating a simple, info-packed WEDDING WEBSITE is the easiest, most hassle free way to easily share information with your wedding guests. Join me today for a detailed wedding planning workshop on exactly how to create an amazing wedding website - zero technical skills required! To get started, choose your wedding website design from an incredible community of independent artists & designers when you visit Minted Weddings. FREE Minted wedding websites include all the tools you need to get started, and you’ll even receive a $50 credit towards your wedding stationery when you visit www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/website...2024-04-0330 min
Wedding Planning PodcastBeautiful & Affordable SAVE THE DATES + WEDDING INVITATIONSAffordable & beautiful Save the Date announcements and wedding invitations - how hard can that be?? Well, if you’ve spent 3 hours on a Saturday getting lost down the rabbit hole of 9 different wedding invitation websites, then you know that finding a practical solution that fits your style and your budget is much easier said than done. Today I’m sharing a complete guide to wedding stationery, from Save the Dates to invitations. We'll even review all of those mysterious extras like fancy paper type, additional enclosures, wax seals, envelope liners, and more. And if you’re...2024-03-2729 min
Wedding Planning PodcastMy inbox is full of questions about Wedding Flowers!This week, I have an inbox full of your wedding flower questions to share! I also put together a list of the top wedding flower mistakes that I see couples make, to further help guide you to "DIY wedding flower SUCCESS". Today we're reviewing: How much should 5 relatively simple bouquets cost? I’m being quoted over $1200, which feels so ridiculous. Visiting a flower farm to pick stems w/ my bridal party - how early should we pick & arrange them so that they are still fresh? How much time should we allocate to making the bouqu...2024-03-2024 min
Wedding Planning PodcastMaximizing Quality + Value of Your WEDDING FLOWERSWedding flowers are high on the list of things that couples rate "not very" to "not at all" important to them. So why spend thousands of dollars on elaborate, professional floral centerpieces and bouquets? There are so many simple, beautiful & affordable alternatives - Today I have an 5-part formula for you to follow so that you can have beautiful, top quality flowers ... for an affordable price tag. And the tips I’m sharing today don’t have to be just for your wedding - you can use the same guidelines for any event, including engagement party, b...2024-03-1324 min
Wedding Planning PodcastComplete Guide to DESTINATION WEDDINGS | featuring Susan's Travel ServicesToday on the Wedding Planning Podcast, we're joined by Susan from Susan's Travel Services to talk about the endless benefits and of hosting a Destination Wedding. Tune in for the full scoop on this ever-popular wedding hosting trend, including: The huge TIME, STRESS & MONEY-saving opportunities that this wedding format presents, The importance of having a TRUSTED ADVOCATE when planning such a high-stakes, international event, TOP WEDDING DESTINATIONS for 2024 & beyond, INSIDER INFO you simply must know about your overall planning timeline, finding vendors, and making your guest list, The importance of...2024-03-0643 min
Wedding Planning PodcastHosting Tips for an Unforgettable REHEARSAL DINNERYou’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...2024-02-2827 min
Wedding Planning PodcastCasual Reception Hosting Tips, Keeping our Marriage a "Secret", Dress Code Suggestions | WEDDING Q&ATune in for answers to your wedding questions in a brand new episode of the Wedding Planning Podcast: Hosting tips for a casual micro-wedding the month after ceremony? We will already be technically married at our celebration - should we share this w/ our guests? What about the non-dancers at our reception? Additional activiites? Choosing bridesmaids dilemma Controversy over suggesting what your guests "should" wear to the wedding celebration >>> As always, you can submit your wedding questions here, or send me an email: k a r a {at} weddingplanningpodcast.co >>> Keep in touch on Instagram! Foll...2024-02-2122 min
Wedding Planning PodcastRehearsal Dinner Rip-Off, Insane Price of Flowers, Guest Seating Guidelines & More | WEDDING PLANNING Q&AGet ready for a jam-packed Wedding Q&A show, full of your planning questions & concerns! Here's a sampling of what's on the menu this week: How much alcohol to buy? >>> click here for one of my favorite hosting tools ever (and tune in to my full answer for lots more helpful tips on the topic!) What can we expect for the price of flowers? Who pays for the bridal shower, & should I offer to help? >>> click here for blog post "Practical Bridal Shower Gift Ideas" Fiance doesn't want any wedding party at all, but I do. How to pr...2024-02-0744 minWedding Planning PodcastWelcome to the Wedding Planning Podcast! Join thousands of INTENTIONAL + JOYFUL engaged couples who know that the wedding celebration of their dreams is possible ... even if right now, planning an entire wedding feels a *little bit* overwhelming! Be sure to hit FOLLOW wherever you listen, and each Wednesday you'll enjoy a FREE, down-to-earth + straight-to-the-point wedding planning "meeting" where we explore everything from: Hidden TIME + MONEY + STRESS savers, Decoding the complex process of researching + hiring your team of IDEAL VENDORS, Identifying + incorporating your top VALUES into your celebration, Muting the noise + remaining laser-focused on a SMART PLANNING STRATEGY, ENHANCING YOUR RELATIONSHIP with your pa...2024-01-0104 min
Wedding Planning PodcastBachelorette Party Planning Tips + Sample ItinerariesYour bachelorette party is a really fun engagement milestone AND it'll be a breeze to plan with these easy planning guidelines + sample itineraries! Today's show also includes lots of your questions on party etiquette, gift giving, who plans what, and even the "tale of two parties" ... two very different formats, each with their own pro's, and each guaranteed to result in an unforgettable night(s)! A special THANK YOU for supporting the show by supporting our valued show partners: Get professional help planning your BACHELORETTE PARTY WEEKEND when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don...2023-12-0129 min
Wedding Planning Podcast98% of Married Couples Recommend Doing THIS. On the fence about hiring a WEDDING VIDEOGRAPHER? You’re certainly not alone. In my experience, videography is probably the number one item that engaged couples are undecided about. It’s no doubt a big investment, and a huge topic to unpack - so today I have an expert special guest to help us do just that. Today we're joined by Ken Foster, who is a lead shooter for Shutter and Sound. Shutter and Sound is a very small group of filmmakers dedicated to turning your big day into a work of art. ...2023-09-2733 minWedding Planning PodcastImportant Considerations When Planning a BACKYARD WEDDINGThere’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 ri...2023-06-0734 min
Nicole & Kate Can RelateSpecial Feature: Kara Lamerato on having kids - and starting a businessKara describes it like this: “You know the image of the duck in the pond, and the legs are flailing underwater madly, but the duck just looks like it’s sailing along no big deal?... That’s pretty much a summary of how I feel most of the time!”In this episode Kara pulls back the curtain and shares very candidly what it was like to be the first of her friends to start a family, the defining moment when she knew she had to quit her 9-5 job, and how she managed to start he...2023-02-0554 minWedding Planning PodcastAsk Me Anything >>> WEDDING BUDGET | Week 1 Bonus Q&AToday's BONUS WEDDING Q&A show is designed to show you exactly how to have all the wedding things that are most important to you, regardless of how much money you actually have in the bank. Sounds pretty amazing, right??? Let's face it, you’re overwhelmed & struggling with your wedding budget if any one, two, or maybe even three of these sound familiar: If you get a pit in your stomach even thinking about your wedding budget (let alone talking about it). If you’re constantly worried about how much everything is going to cost, an...2022-01-1620 minWedding Planning PodcastASK ME ANYTHING | Eloping, Having Children, Shopping Seasonal Sales, Wedding Location & MoreThis 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 ha...2021-11-2432 minWedding Planning PodcastASK ME ANYTHING | Seating Chart, Drink Tickets, Honeymoon Planning, Unplugged Ceremony & MoreThis 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 susan@susanst...2021-10-2725 minWedding Planning PodcastASK ME ANYTHING | DIY Invitations, Online Bridesmaid Dresses, Disagreeable Vendors & A Covid UpdateThis 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: DIY Invitations - is this really a good way to save money? (If you're interested in HIGHER quality, much MORE for your $$$ and VERY similar end-game pricing, I'd recommend Minted Weddings) Processional - order, traditions, substitutions (detailed article >>> Processional Order) Online bridesmaid dress shopping (including my very...2021-10-0634 min
Life On Your Terms ~ Powered By Your Inner Compass Hosted by Dr. Gwen Schiada002- Kara Lamerato’s Inspiration for Creating a Life on Her TermsIn this episode, Dr. Schiada interviews Kara Lamerato who had a successful and lucrative banking & investment career for 14 years. In 2013, a year after her daughter was born, she left the corporate world to be with her child. She was able to make this leap by going back to artistic roots and accelerating […]2017-03-2600 minLife On Your Terms ~ Powered By Your Inner Compass Hosted by Dr. Gwen Schiada002- Kara Lamerato’s Inspiration for Creating a Life on Her TermsIn this episode, Dr. Schiada interviews Kara Lamerato who had a successful and lucrative banking & investment career for 14 years. In 2013, a year after her daughter was born, she left the corporate world to be with her child. She was able to make this leap by going back to artistic roots and accelerating the growth of a small side hobby business to become the second income for their family. Today, Kara’s Vineyard Wedding company has grown 4-fold in the past three years. She and her husband ENJOY the freedoms of a life they are so...2017-03-2649 minLife On Your Terms002- Kara Lamerato’s Inspiration for Creating a Life on Her TermsIn this episode, Dr. Schiada interviews Kara Lamerato who had a successful and lucrative banking & investment career for 14 years. In 2013, a year after her daughter was born, she left the corporate world to be with her child. She was able to make this leap by going back to artistic roots and accelerating the growth of a small side hobby business to become the second income for their family. Today, Kara’s Vineyard Wedding company has grown 4-fold in the past three years. She and her husband ENJOY the freedoms of a life they are so...2017-03-2649 min
Women Taking the Lead206: Kara Lamerato on Owning You are a LeaderKara Lamerato is a wedding planner, but not in the traditional sense. After running a wedding product-based business for over five years, she launched the Wedding Planning Podcast to share her industry expertise with a global audience. She leads engaged couples to see that affordability and common sense can overturn the expense & excess of the wedding industry. Kara lives in San Diego CA with her husband John, daughter Stella (4) & son John William (2), and loves to travel, run, & read. Click to tweet: .@karasvinwedding is sharing her story to inspire you on Women Taking the Lead htt...2017-03-1337 min
Etsy Conversations Podcast162 ~ Growing a Family While Growing a Business w/Kara Lamerato of Kara’s Vineyard WeddingGrowing a family while growing a business is no small feat but Kara figured it out and she came on the podcast back in September 2014 to share how she made it all work and made the transition to making a full time living off Etsy in Episode 43. Running a household, and chasing after […]2017-01-181h 10
Gift Biz Unwrapped074 – Cheers to Niche Products with Kara Lamerato of Kara’s Vineyard WeddingKara started her business, Kara’s Vineyard Wedding in 2011 as a hobby, selling handmade wedding decor fashioned from wine corks.
In the early days, profits from sales were used as extra fun money, to finance pedicures, champagne brunches, and eventually trips to Europe with her husband, John.
It was after the birth of their daughter in 2012, that Kara g
ot serious about her entrepreneurial dreams. She quit a lucrative 9-5 corporate career to focus on Kara’s Vineyard Wed
ding exclusively.
Today, the business encompasses a year-round product cycle, a twice weekly podcast, and big dreams of opening a wedding venue...2016-09-0545 min