Info

Wedding Planning Podcast

Welcome to the Wedding Planning Podcast, where we work together to plan the wedding YOU want. Enjoy down-to-earth, FREE wedding planning meetings that focus on creative, affordable, and unique alternatives to traditional wedding elements. Weekly episodes are focused on finding creative solutions that fit your wedding vision (and your wallet!), maximizing your wedding budget, managing challenging relationships, and so much more. Also look forward to weekly Wedding Q&A shows where you can ask me anything that's on your mind about planning the wedding of your dreams. FOLLOW wherever you listen for a free meeting each week, and be in touch with your questions, comments & stories by visiting our website: weddingplanningpodcast.co Ready to get started?
RSS Feed Subscribe in Apple Podcasts
Wedding Planning Podcast
2024
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2023
December
November
October
September
August
June


2022
January


2021
November
October


All Episodes
Archives
Now displaying: Page 1
Oct 2, 2024

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.  

A special THANK YOU for supporting today's show sponsors:

  • Enjoy early access to ad-free episodes each week when you subscribe to WEDDING PLANNING PODCAST PREMIUM in Apple Podcasts.  
  • Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking.
Sep 25, 2024

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. 

I’ve been on six wedding strategy calls this week, and 5 of them were focused primarily on wedding day timeline issues. 

Today’s free show is a great starting point, but if you need more personalized help ironing out the details of your specific wedding day timeline, that’s an option -

Simply visit this link to book a 30-minute Wedding Strategy call with me.

I release just 12 calls each month, and they book very quickly, so reserve your October call today!

  • Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking!

 

Sep 18, 2024

Our 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 simple, beautiful, and affordable wedding - then the sky is the limit on the millions of wedding details you can leave out.  

A special thank you to Susan's Travel Services for sponsoring today's episode.  Take advantage of expert honeymoon planning services for your all-inclusive, cruise, or exotic honeymoon AND get $50 off when you book!  Simply email susan@susanstravelservices.com to get started.

Other partner links mentioned in today's show:

 Why not! Check out  & more for a fraction of the price at a "wedding" retailer.

Support a small business AND shop 

An entire show dedicated to planning, shopping for & setting up your own APPETIZER SPREAD can be found in your podcast feed dated June 1, 2022.

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. 🙌🏼

Sep 11, 2024

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 partner come from different backgrounds, and one of you thinks paying $10,000 for a photographer is completely reasonable, and the other wants to spend $10,000 total on the entire wedding.

But no matter where you’re from, I’m a firm believer in your wedding day being an expression and celebration of you & your partner.  At the end of the day, you’re making a really special commitment to one another, and looking to celebrate the occasion with your loved ones.  That’s it!

With that said, let’s look at some common “wedding etiquette rules” with a fresh set of eyes.  

Spoiler alert, I don’t necessarily have a right / wrong, ok / not ok answer for every single piece of wedding etiquette, because look, there is just so much gray area here.  I could sit here all day and say, it’s never ok to do that, it’s always better to do that, but that’s not actuality, that’s not the world we live in.  

I thought it would be helpful to take a list of common etiquette and rules that are flying around out there, and have a critical conversation about each one so that you can decide what’s right for YOU.  Which leads me perfectly into,

Please trust that you ALWAYS have the support from me to ditch what everyone else is doing, and craft your day, your way. 

No this doesn’t mean being blatantly rude or disagreeable to your family, or sneaking behind your partner to sabotage something that you know they really want, or failing to honor your guests who are committing significant time & resources to participate in your wedding and support you.  Obviously use common sense, compromise and understanding throughout your engagement.  

But these commonly held wedding etiquette rules & beliefs can by all means be adjusted and updated to serve you and your unique priorities.   

LINKS & RESOURCES mentioned in today's show:

Setting up a Facebook Group for your wedding guests

Some Couples Are Charging Their Wedding Guests to Attend

 

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.  
  • Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking.
Sep 4, 2024

Believe it or not, there is a specific formula to experiencing a streamlined, stress-free wedding planning journey - and it has just 3 KEY INGREDIENTS.

Today in Part One of the Wedding Planning Podcast Engagement Starter Kit, you’re going to discover the FIRST KEY to streamlined, stress-free wedding planning.  

And what we’re talking about today can still apply to you ... even if you’ve been engaged for months (or years!), you've already started booking stuff, or maybe even finalized most of the big decisions.  

It’s never too late for a heart-to-heart refresh + refocus on the core reasons why you’re planning this wedding in the first place!

FREE GIFT TIME!

>>> I have ALL four parts of this magical series packaged up and ready for you to binge listen to after today’s show, along with lots of additional bonus resources and free gifts. 

To access the full Engagement Starter Kit planning package right now, for FREE, simply CLICK HERE,

Or visit wedpodcast.com when you have a hands-free moment.

Yes signing up requires your email address, no I will not spam email you a hundred times a week, and no it does NOT require a credit card or any payment whatsoever.

Enjoy!

xo Kara

 

PS - Thank you for supporting this week's show sponsor, Susan's Travel Services.

Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your honeymoon OR $200 off your destination wedding!

Aug 28, 2024

Your 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 complete written recap of today's show, visit weddingplanningpodcast.co/registry

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.  

 

  • Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking.
Aug 21, 2024

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:

 

  • Enjoy early access to ad-free episodes each week when you subscribe to WEDDING PLANNING PODCAST PREMIUM in Apple Podcasts.  

 

  • Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking.

 

  • 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.

 

Aug 15, 2024

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 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 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.

 

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.  

 

  • Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking.

 

  • 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.

 

Aug 7, 2024

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

 

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.  

 

  • Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking.

 

  • 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.

 

Jul 31, 2024

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 sneak peek inside my digital wedding planning package with release 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!

 

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.  

 

  • Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking.

 

  • 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.

 

Jul 24, 2024

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:

Is Engagement Ring insurance for you?

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.  

 

  • Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking.

 

  • 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.

 

Jul 17, 2024

"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! 

 

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.

 

  • Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking.

 

  • 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.

 

Jul 10, 2024

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.

 

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.  

 

  • Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking.

 

  • 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.

 

Jul 3, 2024

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.

 

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.  

 

  • Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking.

 

  • 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.

 

Jun 26, 2024

Today 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 when planning their honeymoon,
  • Hot destinations for 2023 and beyond,
  • And she even has some honeymoon planning mistakes to highlight for you, so that you can sidestep the common issues she sees come up for couples time & time again.

Travel and new experiences are incredibly special to me, and I hope you and your soon-to-be husband or wife enjoy the trip of a lifetime to celebrate your honeymoon!  

To schedule a completely free honeymoon consultation with Susan, simply click here or visit www.susanstravelservices.com.

Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your final booking.


Cheers to you & the trip of a lifetime!

Jun 19, 2024

Great 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 inspiration for your Save the Dates & wedding website - the first design elements your guests will actually see! I've linked 78 Save the Date options with beautiful sample color palettes here.

3. Tips for using Pinterest to your advantage,

4. Consider your potential colors actually being worn by your wedding party,

5. And of course, KEEP IT SIMPLE!

Enjoy the show!

 

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.  

 

  • Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking.

 

  • 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.

 

Jun 12, 2024

The 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 and questions by heading to weddingplanningpodcast.co/contact

I can’t wait to hear from you!

 

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.  

 

  • Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking.

 

  • 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.

 

Jun 5, 2024

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!

A special thank you to this week's show sponsor:

  • Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your honeymoon OR $200 off your destination wedding!
May 29, 2024

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!

If you’re newly engaged and wondering where to even begin with with your wedding plans, then you’ll definitely want to grab a  FREE Wedding Planning Podcast Engagement Starter Kit.  
I’ve packaged up a 4-part bonus audio series that reveals 3 essential keys to a stress-free and FUN wedding planning experience.  Better yet, you’ll have instant access to EIGHT additional bonus planning resources, each carefully designed to make your engagement season full of joy, and free from overwhelm.
This is a completely FREE gift from me to you, and I hope you love it!

 

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.  

 

  • Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking.

 

  • 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.

 

May 22, 2024

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.  

 

  • Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking.

 

  • 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.

 

May 15, 2024

Today 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, please visit The Vow Whisperer website linked here, and follow her on social media @thevowwhisperer.

A special thank you to today's show sponsor, Susan's Travel Services!  Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking!

 

 

May 8, 2024

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! 

 

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.  

 

  • Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking.

 

  • 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.

 

May 1, 2024

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, today we’re going to explore some 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!

Thank you for supporting this week's show sponsor, Susan's Travel Services!

  • Take advantage of expert honeymoon planning services for your all-inclusive, cruise, or exotic honeymoon AND get $50 off when you book!  Simply email susan@susanstravelservices.com to get started.
Apr 24, 2024

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

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

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

Resources & links from today’s show:

A special THANK YOU to this week's show sponsors:

Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your honeymoon OR $200 off your destination wedding!

Apr 17, 2024

Today 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:

 

A huge thank you to today’s show sponsors!

If you’re newly engaged and wondering where to even begin with with your wedding plans, then you’ll definitely want to grab a FREE Wedding Planning Podcast Engagement Starter Kit.  
I’ve packaged up a 4-part bonus audio series that reveals 3 essential keys to a stress-free and FUN wedding planning experience.  Better yet, you’ll have instant access to EIGHT additional bonus planning resources, each carefully designed to make your engagement season full of joy, and free from overwhelm.

This is a completely FREE gift from me to you, and I hope you love it!

Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking!

1 2 3 Next »