Wedding Planning Podcast

Happy 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 Dec 24th. 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 - Enjoy the show!

The 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. We'll review how much to buy, where to shop, and what you can expect the total price tag to be for TWO different sample menu options. We even cover the details that are often overlooked, so that your plan is airtight and nothing is missed. Even if you are using a more traditional caterer for the main meal, doing your own appetizer spread is a wonderful way to customize the offering, UP the quality, AND save a ton of money.  What's not to love? Not allowed to bring outside food into your venue?  This process for setting up a beautiful appetizer spread is also perfect for your bridal shower, welcome party, rehearsal dinner, or any other party you host in the future.  Be sure to bookmark it, and share this episode with a friend who's helping you plan! Enjoy the full blog post:  www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/cheese Discover endless cocktail hour inspiration!  https://www.pinterest.com/karasvinwedding/wedding-cocktail-hour/ Enjoy early access to ad-free episodes each week when you subscribe to WEDDING PLANNING PODCAST PREMIUM in Apple Podcasts. 

Is it OK to ... ? I got lots of mail in response to the Wedding Etiquette show that aired on 12.17.25, 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/contact

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! 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

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

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 centerpieces & bouquets on your own is a great place to start! Enjoy my top tips for incorporating flowers into your table decor, and we also cover beautiful centerpiece ideas that incorporate creative materials OTHER than flowers.  We wrap up with some specific examples of complete table set up's that you can do for less than $10 per table. Wedding Flowers & Alternatives Pinterest Board is here Wedding Planning Podcast DIY Pinterest Board is here   Full blog post for today's show: www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/centerpiece Enjoy early access to ad-free episodes each week when you subscribe to WEDDING PLANNING PODCAST PREMIUM in Apple Podcasts.  

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: Is Engagement Ring insurance for you?

"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.