Meet 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 hotel lobby bar,
- Keeping it early & chill - wrapped everything up by 9:30 pm
- The challenges of setting a wedding budget and knowing where the starting point is
- Trying on 50+ dresses before finding “The One”
- And so much more!
For a complete written recap and to see their absolutely gorgeous wedding photos, here's a complete article that features Emma and Drew’s incredible wedding celebration.
And to wrap up this week, I would LOVE to hear from you! Whether it’s about a planning challenge or question you’re facing, a post-wedding day recap that you’d like to share, or simply requests for upcoming show topics, you can send in a voicemail to the show by visiting weddingplanningpodcast.co/contact
In your message, please be sure to leave your name and email address so we can reach you for follow up. I would love to share more stories like Emma’s, but I need your participation, so please make it a priority to be in touch!
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 clear and reliable disclosures on measurements and alterations. This is a really unique opportunity to wear a designer gown at a fraction of the price tag, and today I've invited founder Sarah Gabbour to share the Loved Twice Bridal experience with you!
In this week's episode of the Wedding Planning Podcast, you'll gain:
- Online wedding dress shopping tips, including details on how the "Try At Home" feature works,
- Advice for wedding dress sizing (it's very different than what you're used to!)
- Tips for consignment selling your second-hand designer wedding dress after your wedding,
- Wedding dress budgeting advice,
- Important information about altering a second-hand wedding dress,
- Biggest mistakes and missed opportunities when shopping for your wedding dress,
- And so much more!
To shop Loved Twice Bridal gowns and learn more about consignment options, visit www.lovedtwicebridal.com/weddingplanningpodcast
And as a reminder for my Los Angeles / Southern California brides, Loved Twice Bridal does have a showroom in Beverly Hills. You can book an appointment for dress shopping OR for designer dress consignment by visiting their "Book an Appointment" page at the website linked above.
A 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 questions and exactly who will be your point-person is critical!
- Can you share firsthand reviews & testimonials from past couples you’ve worked with?
- Does your past experience / areas of expertise fit naturally within our overall wedding vision, venue, and our top priorities?
- What can we expect in terms of ongoing communication, both frequency and style?
- Tune in for so much more, and visit the blog post for today's show for a full written recap.
PS - A special THANK YOU to this week's show sponsors, who made this free weekly episode possible:
- FREE Wedding Websites designed by independent artists? Yes please! Get started building your wedding website today with www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/minted and take advantage of exclusive listener perks on save the dates, invitations & more.
- Shop Etsy for one-of-a-kind wedding day details, personalized just for you >>> www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/etsy
We 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.
Questions or topic requests for upcoming shows? Be in touch anytime >>> weddingplanningpodcast.co/contact
Today’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 cautious in getting the details cemented just right.
Enjoy early access to ad-free episodes each week when you subscribe to WEDDING PLANNING PODCAST PREMIUM in Apple Podcasts.
Lucky for us, there are literally endless creative ways to treat your guests to a unique food & drink experience on your wedding day.
In today’s wedding planning 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 bags,
- A really unique local food truck,
- Fondue style where guests simmer meats in oil and dip bread and veggies in melted cheeses.
- Extensive charcuterie board table with meats, gourmet cheeses, olives, local honey, olive oil tastings, and for dinner your favorite pasta and salad served family-style.
Bon apetit!
Kara
Samantha & Sean got married 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 dreamed about quitting your day job to pursue something you're truly passionate about, Samantha can relate 100%! Be sure to check out her wedding floral business venture, @golden.hour.flowers on Instagram
Today 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 COMFORTABLE SHOES,
- Getting your dress home & last minute wrinkle patrol (the handheld steamer I mentioned can be found here)
- And some creative ways to preserve and / or repurpose your gown after the wedding.
I hope you love it, and congratulations on that beautiful dress!
Cheers,
Kara
There 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, including lots of listener Q&A's, visit the blog post linked here.
PS - A special THANK YOU to this week's show sponsors, who made this free weekly episode possible:
- Enjoy early access to ad-free episodes each week when you subscribe to WEDDING PLANNING PODCAST PREMIUM in Apple Podcasts.
- FREE Wedding Websites designed by independent artists? Yes please! Get started building your wedding website today with www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/minted and take advantage of exclusive listener perks on save the dates, invitations & more.
- Shop Etsy for one-of-a-kind wedding day details, personalized just for you >>> www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/etsy
This 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 starting to realize the huge task ahead of us in terms of booking EVERYTHING (the venue comes with nothing set up, so we need to choose tables, chairs, place settings, dance floor, bar, basically everything.)
At this point, I feel completely overwhelmed by her ideas & suggestions, and I’m starting to worry that the wedding she has envisioned for us does not line up with our vision OR our budget. How do I reign in our wedding planner and rest easy knowing that we are on the same page?"
In my years of experience, it’s not just the wedding planners who need to reigned in ... often times it's also the moms, bridesmaids, aunts, cousins ... feeling familiar?
We’re going to cover all these scenarios in today’s episode.
You'll also enjoy a clip of exclusive audio, "Creating Your Wedding Vision". This exercise alone is one of the most valuable wedding planning tools I have to helping you create a celebration that truly honors your priorities & values.
Tune in for so much more!
Our goal this week? 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 simple, beautiful, and affordable wedding - then the sky is the limit on the millions of wedding details you can leave out.
Partner links mentioned in today's show:
Wedding shoes on Amazon? Why not! Check out these beauties & more for a fraction of the price at a "wedding" retailer.
Support a small business AND shop high quality, low priced wedding accessories on Etsy.
Last word! A CLASSIC way to save? Purchase once-used decor & other wedding items from another couple on a resale site like Craigslist, Ebay, or Facebook Marketplace. 🙌🏼
Today 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 the planning process.
And unfortunately, those couples miss a much larger opportunity.
An opportunity to wait patiently for their ideal wedding vision to unfold BEFORE going out and making big, irreversible decisions that end up really limiting what’s possible for them ... and I don’t want that for you.
SO MUCH MORE inside today's free audio meeting!
Links & resources:
"When the initial excitement settled, we felt like planning an entire wedding seemed really expensive, overwhelming, and exhausting."
Let me back up ...
My now-husband John proposed in the summer of 2009, at the end of a 3-week trip we took through Europe.
We were in Paris - our last stop - and we waited for hours to get to the lower platform of the Eiffel Tower, where he dropped to his knee with the sparking lights of the tower above us, and lit up city buildings & river boats in the distance.
We never even had dinner that night because it got so late, but you know how it is with the crazy excitement you felt on your engagement day - dinner didn’t even matter. We had just lived an incredibly powerful moment that was about to change our lives forever.
Within weeks, my ring was resized and fit perfectly. We had shared the news with literally everyone we knew, and we started discussions about potential venues and dates, and of course, the elephant in the room - how we would pay for everything.
Tune in for so much more!
A universal truth? Your wedding day will FLY BY.
Having a well-thought out, well-planned WEDDING DAY TIMELINE is critical to keeping the day organized, and flowing stress free.
In this featured episode of the Wedding Planning Podcast, we’re actually reviewing & creating two separate timelines:
- The DAY-OF TIMELINE, including all the events between waking up, and the wedding reception beginning,
- The RECEPTION TIMELINE, including the events that will happen within the reception itself.
We’re going to focus on the DAY-OF timeline first, and you’ll find specifics on creating your reception timeline in the second half of this meeting.
Here’s a link to the Pinterest Wedding Timeline examples that I mentioned in the show.
Mastering the art of compromise is incredibly tricky.
Today 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 and questions by heading to weddingplanningpodcast.co/contact.
I can’t wait to hear from you!
If 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 on tradition that you can plan to treat your guests to an unforgettable experience.
GATHERING INSPIRATION FROM PINTEREST
I know podcasts don’t always lend well to visual examples, and I don't like simply rattling off long lists during the show ... so here’s a list of search terms that you can simply copy / paste into Pinterest for instant wedding entertainment ideas & inspiration:
- creative wedding guest book ideas
- wedding seating chart ideas
- wedding place card table ideas
- DIY selfie station
- DIY wedding photo backdrop,
- Bouquet toss ideas
- Garder toss ideas
- Money dance ideas
- Creative wedding toast
- Dessert bar ideas,
- Unique first dance ideas
For easy tips on getting a private Facebook group up and running, you can visit this link.
A LOT of our energy during the wedding planning process is centered around the fear that things will go wrong, and how we can avoid and prevent minor mistakes - and major disasters - on our wedding day.
I’ve been deeply involved with weddings for over a decade, and candidly, it’s a universal truth - no matter how much you plan and prep and delegate and assign, something will go wrong and / or not according to plan at some point during your wedding celebration.
The good news is that big or small, I have some solid practices that you can use right now to be able to adapt, improvise, and mentally overcome any unforeseen issues & challenges that are bound to arise.
Tune in for so much more!
Your wedding planning questions, answered!
Tune in for answers to all of your tricky wedding situations, including:
- We're having a hard time choosing a date that works best for all of our closest loved ones - how should we decide?
- What's the etiquette when inviting just a couple of people from a larger social group?
- Are we obligated to provide vendors a meal / include them in the final head count for catering?
- Food truck wedding logistics - we love this idea but feel unclear about the best way to approach the set up to make sure our guests have a smooth experience.
- Want small & intimate, but every event gets blown up and magnified out of control. I feel shy, anxious, and uncomfortable in large crowds of people and would so much prefer a quieter, small group setting. How can I manage these feelings through the next few months, and especially through our wedding itself?
To submit your wedding questions, please visit our website >>> www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/contact
Would 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 going to take inventory of your priorities, and make a list of your top goals for your day spent at the wedding fair.
This way you can MAXIMIZE your time spent with vendors and gathering inspiration, and minimize the stress & overwhelm factor of wandering through hundreds of booths full of noisy commotion.
After our time together today, when the 15th DJ asks you if you want to dance, and the 22nd wedding planner asks you to spin their "wheel o' fun" ...
... you can confidently smile, say no thanks, and keep walking.
To submit questions for an upcoming show, simply visit our website and leave me a voicemail!
"The more thought & intention you put into your wedding plans throughout your engagement, the richer your wedding celebration will be."
Do we really need to hire a WEDDING PLANNER / Day of Coodinator?
In Part One of today's featured show, we review a list of critical guidelines to keep in mind as you decide whether or not to hire a professional wedding planner.
Do you HAVE to hire a professional planner? Spoiler alert - I definitely DO NOT think you have to spend thousands of dollars to hire a professional wedding planner.
In Part Two of the show, we sort out some common misconceptions and FAQ's about wedding planners and day of coordinators.
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 side note, shocker - obviously, none of the wedding planners I interviewed ever mentioned to me, hey by the way, did you know that you could actually just do this on your own?
Thankfully I came around to that, but it took lots of wasted effort and stress to get there.
Flash forward to today - I literally created the Wedding Planning Podcast so that any engaged couple could tune in and use the episodes and the tools we review in the weekly shows to plan their own wedding - no professional or pricey wedding planner required.
Some alternatives? Try checking out the sites we mentioned in today's show, including your local Craigslist postings, Thumbtack.com, taskrabbit.com and fiverr.com
I also know that there are countless wonderful wedding planning professionals out there, and for some couples it’s a really smart investment … and we’ll get into all of that that much more in today’s show.
Click here for the full blog post from today's show.
Click here to submit your wedding questions or future show topic requests.
Thank you for your support of the Wedding Planning Podcast, and we'll talk soon!
Cheers,
Kara
Streamline + 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 easier, more affordable, more relaxing, and overall, more enjoyable.
Often we find ourselves in the midst of a planning roadblock and the first instinct is to explore your options.
In the first example we’re going to talk about today - a couple who has family in 2 different places, many of whom don’t want to travel, you might consider … getting married in each place, what would that look like? Getting married where we live? Getting married on an island with just us?
In all the feelings and family dynamics and charged emotions that fly around throughout your engagement season, it’s sometimes easy to get lost in a million far-fetched options ... when the simplest, most streamlined option is left by the wayside.
On that note, let's explore some other common wedding planning scenarios where things can escalate and become verrrrrrrrrry complicated, very quickly.
I’m going to do my best to point out some straightforward, simple solutions that I hope will make your engaged life EASIER, MORE AFFORDABLE, and put a stop to waking up in the middle of the night with your mind racing over how many passed appetizers there should be, how many people should be in your wedding party, and how much ice to buy for your welcome party.
Ready to get started? Tune into the full show for so much more!
I went to a beautiful wedding in Carlsbad, CA last weekend - tune in for the highlights, including a really unique venue, rocking dance floor, and the most beautiful gift to all the guests.
But first, we're starting this week's show with some newlywed notes from my brother and sister-in-law, Mike & Laura. They share what worked, what stressed them out, and their true feelings on the wedding being "over".
For lots more details on their Rochester, MI wedding, look for a show dated May 12, 2025.
I also have an inbox full of your wedding questions to share:
- Dealing with grief during the wedding planning process,
- Communicating open bar vs cash bar,
- Bouquet toss - outdated?
- How can we end the night without a "grand exit"?
- Dealing with very opinionated family about our guest list
These shows only work with your participation! I know, I know - you can ask chat gpt or get lost on Reddit, but this is so much more fun.
Be in touch anytime >>> weddingplanningpodcast.co/contact
Talk soon,
Kara
PS - A link to the Carlsbad Lagoon venue
Get 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:
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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!)
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What can we expect for the price of flowers?
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Who pays for the bridal shower, & should I offer to help? >>> click here for blog post "Practical Bridal Shower Gift Ideas"
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Fiance doesn't want any wedding party at all, but I do. How to proceed?
-
Rehearsal dinner options are way too expensive. Advice on making it more affordable?
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Should we hire a babysitter for our reception?
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What's a good way to ask for cash instead of gifts? Spoiler alert, I don't think there's a "good" way, but creating cash funds that you can share on your gift registry is an option with Honeyfund. There are no fees, and you can even link directly to your Venmo or PayPal accounts.
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Do we have to seat wedding party members with their dates?
Wedding questions on your mind, or topics you'd like to hear more about?
Submit your wedding questions here
Thanks for being here, and we'll meet again next week!
Cheers,
Kara
Happy Friday, and welcome to a BONUS Q&A follow up show to this week's feature episode, "4-6 Week Wedding Countdown" show that aired on Wednesday, July 16th.
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!}
- Is it too late to hire a month-of coordinator?
- Dealing with unwanted, uninvited "plus 1's" in our RSVPs
Questions about your own wedding, or future show topic requests? Be in touch on our website: weddingplanningpodcast.co/contact.
Enjoy the show!
Today 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