Wedding Planning Podcast

Get ready to experience the ALL NEW WAY to thrive throughout your engagement by embracing who you are, prioritizing what you value, and ultimately designing an unforgettable wedding celebration of your dreams! Welcome to the WEDDING PLANNING PODCAST, where we say “NO” to the $72 billion dollar wedding industry, and we say “YES” to a more joyful engagement season where your mindset, values & wedding strategy are all in perfect alignment with YOU. Ready to get started?

Maximizing Your Time at a WEDDING FAIR / BRIDAL EXPO 12/01/2021

Maximizing Your Time at a WEDDING FAIR / BRIDAL EXPO Would you volunteer to host a holiday party for 40 people and then rush out to the store with no menu planned & no shopping list? No! You’d sit down and plan out 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 show / bridal fair 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 FOLLOW , and send a DM (direct message) on the platform. Due to the sheer volume of your love and support, we regretfully cannot personally reply to each submission ... you'll receive a DM if your submission is queued for an upcoming episode. Today's show is just the beginning of dozens of strategic recorded meetings that walk you through exactly how to identify your top priorities & plan your dream wedding! Learn more and sign up for a totally free 3-day trial of my revolutionary digital wedding planning package by visiting Cheers to you! Kara A special thank you to today's show sponsors for making this episode possible: Is your happiness suffering in these insanely stressful times? Connect with your professional counselor today and save 10% off your first month. Evite is helping make my celebrations feel extra special and they can help you too! Head over to to choose from thousands of design options to create & send invitations for free. Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon for FREE when you email . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking! /episode/index/show/weddingplanningpodcast/id/21266969

ASK ME ANYTHING | Eloping, Having Children, Shopping Seasonal Sales, Wedding Location & More 11/24/2021

Create Your Wedding SEATING CHART w/ These Hassle-Free Tips 11/17/2021

Create Your Wedding SEATING CHART w/ These Hassle-Free Tips 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! For members of my revolutionary digital wedding planning package, The VAULT, I have an in-depth to share about why wedding SEATING CHARTS (of all things) are so near & dear to my heart, and how this topic has literally changed my life in the years since I got married. It all started with a second-hand used set of wine cork place card holders, and the rest is history 🥰 the set of used wine cork place card holders that literally changed my life Resources & links from today’s show: Find helpful , Search for lots of custom options, , Browse KVW , And enjoy tons of To submit questions for an upcoming show, simply FOLLOW , and send a DM (direct message) on the platform. Due to the sheer volume of your love and support, we regretfully cannot personally reply to each submission ... you'll receive a DM if your submission is queued for an upcoming episode. And last but certainly not least, please enjoy these special gifts from this week’s show sponsors: There's an ALL NEW WAY to plan your wedding that puts YOU, your values & priorities at the center of every single decision you confidently make. Sign up for my , and enjoy a FREE 3-day trial to be sure it's the perfect fit. Zero contracts, no obligation, cancel anytime >>> Is your happiness suffering in these insanely stressful times? Connect with your professional counselor today and save 10% off your first month. Email for FREE help planning the exotic honeymoon of your dreams, AND get $50 off your booking when you mention the WPP! /episode/index/show/weddingplanningpodcast/id/20971523

Designing Your Wedding Reception Decor Like a PRO 11/10/2021

When Less is MORE | 5 Micro Wedding Planning Tips 11/03/2021

When Less is MORE | 5 Micro Wedding Planning Tips Have 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 been a huge fan of a simple, scaled back celebration ... and in today’s climate, that’s never been more appropriate. Tune in to today's brand new episode for a complete "micro wedding" blueprint, designed to make planning a breeze. We'll cover everything you need to know to make your small celebration extra special. From your tiny guest list, to invitations, splurge vs. save items, planning a larger reception to follow, and your TOP micro wedding questions - we'll cover it all in this encouraging & lighthearted overview. To submit questions for an upcoming show, simply FOLLOW , and send a DM (direct message) on the platform. Due to the sheer volume of your love and support, we regretfully cannot personally reply to each submission ... you will receive a message when your submission is queued for an upcoming episode. There's an ALL NEW WAY to plan your wedding that puts YOU, your values & priorities at the center of every single decision you confidently make. Sign up for my , and enjoy a FREE 3-day trial to be sure it's the perfect fit. Zero contracts, no obligation, cancel anytime >>> Thank you for supporting today's show sponsors: Get professional help planning your dream DESTINATION MICRO WEDDING for FREE when you email . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking! Is your happiness suffering in these insanely stressful times? Connect with your professional counselor today and save 10% off your first month. /episode/index/show/weddingplanningpodcast/id/20943800

ASK ME ANYTHING | Seating Chart, Drink Tickets, Honeymoon Planning, Unplugged Ceremony & More 10/27/2021

We Tried to Save Money ... and it Totally BACKFIRED 10/20/2021

We Tried to Save Money ... and it Totally BACKFIRED Today we’re going to chat about a handful of ways when trying to save money on your wedding can totally BACKFIRE. BONUS >>> Come behind the scenes with me in a bonus episode, "Taking a Chance on a Rookie Wedding Vendor", when you 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 gives you a quote for services, you probably don’t say “well that sounds OK, but do you have anything that costs more?” If you've been listening to the Wedding Planning Podcast for a while, I hope you know me well enough now to know that I’m NOT the wedding professional who’s going to tell you NEVER to try to cut this corner, or don’t DARE hire a friend to do x, y, z. I see this type of messaging a lot. If you do your own wedding day hair and makeup it will totally fail, and you should hire a professional to do it for you. If you skimp on a photographer, you will regret it for the rest of your life. If you have your cousin make your cake, it will probably be a complete disaster, you should really hire a professional for that. If you take your dress to a neighborhood tailor instead of the big box bridal store where you bought it, it’s going to end up in shreds and you’ll have no dress to wear. The trouble is, professional service providers in pretty much any industry have an agenda - to sell their product or service. And whether you hear from a wedding professional on a podcast, read their articles on a blog, or see their posts on Instagram, their position is probably that hiring a professional is THE BEST way to go. "After all", they say, "this is your wedding - you can’t afford to cut corners on the best day of your life." Well, for lots of this, I call BS. Sure, if you have a wedding budget in the 6-figures, then “hire a professional” is a great option for everything I just listed. But most of us DON’T have $100,000 to spend on our wedding, so making swaps and saves here and there is a necessary part of planning so that we don’t go thousands of dollars into debt - NEVER a good idea. Here’s a doozy for you - we hired our wedding photographer off craigslist for $500. True story. And I’m NOT here to tell you that it was a horrible idea that backfired and you should never trust any wedding photographer who hasn’t shot 500 weddings and costs less than $5000. That’s not me, not my style. BUT, I’m also not here to tell you that YOU should definitely hire a photographer off craigslist, and it will work out perfectly and there’s no risk involved and you can live happy ever after and sleep soundly knowing that you saved a couple thousand dollars! To be clear - there’s no right or wrong, one-size-fits all solution to the myriad of wedding decisions you have to make over the next few months. I’ll always encourage you to use your intuition, and use our weekly time together to review all the options you have available, and select what feels best for you and your unique situation. I feel so strongly about what we’re talking about today, and I really want to set things up right. The truth is, sometimes no matter how much research you do, or how many great reviews someone has, or how confident you feel that you’re making the right decision, things can just go wrong. You’ll probably have a wedding backfire, or two, or three over the course of getting everything lined up. This is part of life, and definitely a part of wedding planning. I wish I could wave a magical wand that would shield you against anything bad happening, but of course - that’s not realistic. Sooooo, the next best thing to that … In today's show, let’s explore some common areas of wedding planning where couples to try to cut a corner, save some money, leave something out, and then sadly have it backfire in terms of lost money, lost time, lost sanity - and sometimes all three. If you find yourselves at a cost-saving opportunity crossroads and you don’t know which way to turn, I have some smart questions to ask yourselves, and potential vendors, that I hope will guide you towards making the best decisions for you and your wedding day. So when you find yourself wondering, hmmmmm ... should we cut that corner? What are the potential outcomes or pitfalls that might come of it? Hopefully after today’s show, you’ll have some solid answers to some of the most common situations, so that you can make the best decision for you. For one wedding, that might mean hiring a photographer off craigslist for $500. For another couple, that will NEVER be an option that’s on the table. And you know what? Both sides are totally fine ;) Full blog post available at A special thank you to today's show sponsors: Is your happiness suffering in these insanely stressful times? Connect with your professional counselor today and save 10% off your first month. Take advantage of FREE honeymoon planning services for your all-inclusive, cruise, or exotic honeymoon AND get $50 off when you book? Simply email to get started! /episode/index/show/weddingplanningpodcast/id/20662718

Do We Really NEED a Day-Of Wedding Coordinator? 10/13/2021

Do We Really NEED a Day-Of Wedding Coordinator? This week on the Wedding Planning Podcast, we're going to sort out some misconceptions and FAQ's about wedding planners and day of coordinators. BONUS >>> Join me inside my digital wedding planning package, for a special bonus meeting on training a friend or family member to act as your Day Of Coordinator. Our goal today is to get really clear on the difference between a wedding planner and a day-of coordinator, and to determine whether or not you really need to hire a professional to help you with your wedding plans. 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. Spoiler alert before we even dive in - I definitely DO NOT think you have to spend thousands of dollars to hire a professional wedding planner! Some alternatives? Try checking out the sites we mentioned in today's show, including your local Craigslist postings, , and 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. A special thank you for supporting our valued show sponsors: Take advantage of FREE honeymoon planning services for your all-inclusive, cruise, or exotic honeymoon AND get $50 off when you book! Simply email to get started. Check these guys out at and use promo code within today's episode for 10% off the entire groom’s party AND a free groom's tux w/ 5 paid party members. /episode/index/show/weddingplanningpodcast/id/20662433

ASK ME ANYTHING | DIY Invitations, Online Bridesmaid Dresses, Disagreeable Vendors & A Covid Update 10/06/2021

Kiss These Wedding "Etiquette" Guidelines & Rules GOODBYE 09/29/2021

Prepping For Unforeseen Wedding Details & Surprise Scenarios 09/22/2021

Help! How Can We REIGN IN Our Wedding Planner? 09/15/2021

Help! How Can We REIGN IN Our Wedding Planner? "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?" There are so many layers to this question that we have a dedicated show to help answer it! 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, and we’re going to cover all these scenarios in today’s episode. You'll also enjoy a sneak peek inside my 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! A special THANK YOU to today's show sponsors: Today's show is just the beginning of dozens of strategic recorded meetings that walk you through exactly how to plan your dream wedding! Learn more and sign up for a totally FREE 3-DAY TRIAL by visiting Check these guys out at and use promo code within today's episode for 10% off the entire groom’s party AND a free groom's tux w/ 5 paid party members. Take advantage of FREE honeymoon planning services for your all-inclusive, cruise, or exotic honeymoon AND get $50 off when you book! Simply email to get started. /episode/index/show/weddingplanningpodcast/id/20325068

ASK ME ANYTHING | "Suggesting" What Moms Should Wear, Rental Property Venues, Do We Need an MC & More 09/08/2021

Eight Ways to SAVE $3,650 on Your Wedding 09/01/2021

Eight Ways to SAVE $3,650 on Your Wedding 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. In my digital wedding planning package, couples are encouraged to make a detailed list of their priorities way early on in the engagement. They can then use that rock-solid road map over & over again, to check in throughout their engagement and be sure that priorities & values are being honored with every single decision. Want to come behind the scenes for more in-depth guidance on setting an unshakable planning foundation that will bring you all the way through to your wedding day & beyond? Now you can try my revolutionary NO CONTRACTS, A very small monthly subscription price that you’re 100% free to CANCEL ANYTIME, And a FREE 3-DAY TRIAL so you can even take a look around before committing! In essence? You have absolutely NOTHING to lose, and everything to gain. Get started today at . I'll see you there! A special thank you to for sponsoring today's episode. Take advantage of FREE honeymoon planning services for your all-inclusive, cruise, or exotic honeymoon AND get $50 off when you book! Simply email 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 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. 🙌🏼 /episode/index/show/weddingplanningpodcast/id/20275586

STREAMLINE + SIMPLIFY These Common Wedding Scenarios 08/25/2021

STREAMLINE + SIMPLIFY These Common Wedding Scenarios 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 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! Today's show is just the beginning of dozens of strategic recorded meetings that walk you through specific wedding planning milestones and show you exactly how to plan your dream wedding! Learn more and sign up for a totally free zero obligation 3-day trial by visiting Thank you for supporting this week's show sponsors: Take advantage of FREE honeymoon planning services for your all-inclusive, cruise, or exotic honeymoon AND get $50 off when you book! Simply email to get started. Enjoy all the fun & memories of a photo booth for a fraction of the price. Details at , & save 10% with promo code “WPP10". Is your happiness suffering in these insanely stressful times? Connect with your professional counselor today and save 10% off your first month. /episode/index/show/weddingplanningpodcast/id/20219486

Easy Tips for Creating Your WEDDING WEBSITE 08/18/2021

Designing a Meaningful & Unique WEDDING CEREMONY 08/11/2021

Designing a Meaningful & Unique WEDDING CEREMONY This week's episode of the Wedding Planning Podcast is designed to focus on the most critical part of your wedding day - your wedding ceremony. In the midst of wedding planning chaos, the ceremony can get pushed to the end and miss getting the full attention and creativity it deserves. Do yourselves a favor & start thinking about your wedding ceremony early ... don’t let this become a last-minute item on your wedding planning to-do list! Your wedding ceremony is literally the WHY of the entire wedding day, and today we're going to review: Ceremony flow of events, Finding an officiant, Your wedding vows, And finally some additional ways to incorporate meaning and personality. A well-crafted wedding ceremony will perfectly express your relationship as a couple. It should make your guests understand exactly why they are at the wedding, and may address the couples past, present and future. We can be serious, lighthearted, traditional or a mix of all three - your ceremony doesn’t have to follow any script, and you’re free to personalize this portion of your day in any way you like! Tune in for so much more, and LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE: Today's show is just the beginning of dozens of strategic recorded meetings that walk you through specific wedding planning milestones and show you exactly how to plan your dream wedding! Learn more and sign up for a totally free zero obligation 3-day trial by visiting Enjoy some really fun & creative unity ceremony ideas by visiting Take the guesswork & stress out of choosing the music for your special day! Visit today to prepare your wedding music for FREE and enjoy over 600 custom wedding playlists. Sample wedding vows & guide >>> HIRING YOUR OFFICIANT episode dated March 6, 2020 CHOOSING YOUR WEDDING MUSIC episode dated March 17, 2021 For lots of unique unity ceremony, ceremony signage, wedding program inspiration & more, visit A special thank you to today's show sponsors for making this episode possible: Train your loved one to deliver your ceremony like a pro with the Unboring Officiant training package! Listeners enjoy 50% off when you visit Is your happiness suffering in these insanely stressful times? Connect with your professional counselor today and save 10% off your first month. Would you LOVE to take advantage of FREE honeymoon planning services for your all-inclusive, cruise, or exotic honeymoon AND get $50 off when you book? Simply email to get started! Enjoy all the fun & memories of a photo booth for a fraction of the price! Details at , & save 10% with promo code “WPP10". /episode/index/show/weddingplanningpodcast/id/20069444

Your Guide to a CHEAP + EASY "Staycation" Wedding Planning Retreat 08/04/2021

Your Guide to a CHEAP + EASY "Staycation" Wedding Planning Retreat How are you supposed to manage all the stress of daily life ON TOP OF trying to plan a wedding on our own, with a million different opinions, options, and outside factors pulling me in a million different directions? While I cannot send your future mother in law to therapy, or predict the future of an ever-evolving pandemic virus that has put life into a tailspin for coming up on two years now, or convince your boss to let you have a week off to plan your wedding uninterrupted, I DO have a great solution for you if you’re feeling like wedding stuff is about to be the straw that broke your back, on top of all the other challenges life is serving up. Today on the Wedding Planning Podcast, we're going to walk through planning your very own WEEKEND WEDDING PLANNING RETREAT. Whether you chose to staycation at a cheap hotel, hop in the car or board a plane, there is so much value in shaking things up a bit, getting away from home, and giving yourself the gift of TIME + FOCUS on wedding stuff, uninterrupted, for 48 hours. I know we’re all full of subscriptions to Netflix, Spotify, wine clubs, beauty boxes, meal kits, but I truly believe Membership is incredibly affordable (I wouldn’t have it any other way!), there’s a free 3-day trial, and you’re free to cancel your membership any time, zero questions asked. Details at Newly engaged & wondering where to begin with your wedding plans? Reveal the first THREE STEPS to simplifying the planning process, and ditch the paralyzing overwhelm felt by so many engaged couples! Visit to claim your FREE Engagement Starter Kit >>> my gift to you ;) THANK YOU for supporting our show partners who make these free weekly episodes come to life! Enjoy all the fun & memories of a photo booth for a fraction of the price! Details at , & save 10% with promo code WPP10. Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon for FREE when you email . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking! Is your happiness suffering in these insanely stressful times? Connect with your professional counselor today and save 10% off your first month. /episode/index/show/weddingplanningpodcast/id/19994765

Wedding INSURANCE, PERMITS + LICENSING 07/28/2021

Wedding INSURANCE, PERMITS + LICENSING This week on the Wedding Planning Podcast, we’re demystifying the world of wedding insurance, permits and licensing. It all seems like a big, scary topic so we're bringing it all down to very simple terms and easy tasks that you can check off your list, typically with a few simple phone calls or clicks. Visit the FULL BLOG POST with bonus links here >>> You’ve likely had nightmares about alllllll the things that can go wrong on your wedding day. While I can’t buffer you against ALL mishaps like a global pandemic that spans years, a lipstick spot on your dress, swollen & hurting feet, or running out of vodka at the bar - the GOOD news is, you CAN protect yourself and your wedding from big disasters with a simple little thing called wedding insurance. Wedding insurance is reasonably priced, and for just a couple hundred dollars can provide PRICELESS peace of mind. Side note - Researching your wedding insurance options would be a PERFECT little task to delegate to someone who's been asking you "is there anything for the wedding I can help with?" ;) Stick around for the second half of the show to hear your wedding questions, answered! Please feel free to share this valuable episode with your engaged friends, or anyone who's helping you plan. I appreciate your support of the Wedding Planning Podcast beyond words! Cheers, Kara PS - Please enjoy these generous gifts from today's show sponsors: Enjoy a FREE 3-day trial of my revolutionary digital wedding planning package when you sign up today at Save 21% on awesome wedding bands in just about every type of material imaginable when you visit: Enjoy all the fun & memories of a photo booth for a fraction of the price! Details at , & save 10% with promo code “WPP10". Take advantage of FREE honeymoon planning services for your all-inclusive, cruise, or exotic honeymoon AND get $50 off when you book! Simply email to get started. /episode/index/show/weddingplanningpodcast/id/19890731

ASK ME ANYTHING | Venue Deposits, Hotel Room Blocks, Receiving Line Options, Wedding Day Anxiety & More 07/14/2021

Ten Essential Items in Your Wedding VENUE CONTRACT 07/07/2021

Why DESTINATION WEDDINGS Are So Hot Right Now 06/02/2021

Why DESTINATION WEDDINGS Are So Hot Right Now If you’re the type of couple who values connection and meaningful time spent with the people you love the most, then a 3-5 day DESTINATION WEDDING might be the perfect set up for you! Close your eyes and imagine a packed ballroom with blaring music, flashing lights, and going around to 30 different tables saying a quick hello to each one of your wedding guests. Now, I love an amazing party just as much as the next person, and for some couples that’s how they chose to celebrate - a traditional reception, with a DJ, hundreds of guests, and a laundry list of wedding to do’s. Cut the cake, first dance, toss the bouquet, that sort of thing. I bet you love a good party too ... but if you're like me, then truly connecting with your loved ones in meaningful ways throughout your wedding celebration takes absolute top priority over pretty much everything else. And I truly believe that the best way to maximize your opportunity for connection is to design a celebration that gives you TIME and SPACE to spend time with people in a more intentional & meaningful way ... and a distraction free, unplugged 3-5 day destination wedding is just the ticket. You’re going to hear a lot of really valuable info from Susan of Susan’s Travel Services today, and if you’d like to schedule a totally FREE informational call with her to get your destination wedding OR honeymoon plans underway, she’s just an email away! Contact her any time at And with that, enjoy today’s show! PS - A special thank you to today's show sponsors: Download the free BACH app & get ready to elevate your bachelor or bachelorette party experience! Just look for “BACH” in the app store. It’s no secret that I LOVE a nice glass of wine for happy hour, and right now I am LOVING Your first glass is on us when you use promo code “PLANNING” for $8 off your first order! /episode/index/show/weddingplanningpodcast/id/19009988

Dress Alterations, Styling & Accessories, Post-Wedding Preservation & More 05/26/2021

Forget This Advice on TIPPING Your Wedding Vendors! 05/19/2021

100% Stress-Free WEDDING DRESS Shopping Experience 04/28/2021

100% Stress-Free WEDDING DRESS Shopping Experience Today we're hitting the road for a real-time wedding dress shopping adventure! Before we head into the store, we're going to hang out in the studio for a few minutes to review some of my top wedding dress shopping tips. You can find a full recap of today’s show in a blog post that’s at . To start our shopping trip, let's acknowledge that shopping for a wedding dress can come with lots of mixed emotions - both good AND not-so-good - and that’s 100% normal. It’s OK to go into wedding dress shopping feeling some confusion and doubt! In pop wedding culture, saying “YES TO THE DRESS” is a once-in-a-lifetime milestone full of princess moments, fancy dress boutiques, and champagne. In REALITY, dress shopping might come along with feelings of ... self-consciousness, pressing overwhelm, conflicting thoughts about who should come along, discomfort over being the center of attention, feeling lost in a totally uncomfortable situation, ... just to name a few. In the first half of today's show, we run through a few quick guidelines that will help demystify the wedding dress shopping process, and put you in full control of the way your experience unfolds. In the second half of the show, we're heading inside to try on dresses. You'll hear live snippets of conversation on the pro's, the con's, the do's and the don'ts of finding your dream wedding dress. We reviewed FIVE essential dress shopping tips, but there’s so much more to get to! Who should be invited to come along? What’s a reasonable budget for a dress? How about traditional dress alternatives? The bonus version of today’s show that addresses all of these questions, including my number ONE piece of advice for a successful shopping experience is available right NOW within my To sign up for a free 3-day trial, and get your hands on that BONUS episode right now, visit . Once you’re signed up, you’ll look for the WEDDING PLANNING ESSENTIALS BONUS SHOWS. Wedding Dress, Suit & Tux Shopping is show #5 and I’ve made it available within the . A special thank you to our valued sponsors who made today's episode possible! FALL IN LOVE with up to $500 off wedding dresses from ! Is your happiness suffering in these insanely stressful times? Connect with your professional counselor today and save 10% off your first month. FREE honeymoon planning services for your all-inclusive, cruise, or exotic honeymoon AND get $50 off when you book! Simply email to get started. /episode/index/show/weddingplanningpodcast/id/18811868

The HUGE Freedoms of a Tiny Wedding | Micro Wedding Thoughts & Guest Bride Q&A 04/21/2021

The HUGE Freedoms of a Tiny Wedding | Micro Wedding Thoughts & Guest Bride Q&A Micro weddings are here to stay, and for good reason! Today we’re going to highlight some of the HUGE freedoms that come along with hosting a small & intimate wedding. I also have a guest bride Q&A segment to share where we cover some wonderful questions on working with wooden flowers, bridal makeup, crafting a simple gift registry, and so much more. We spend an awful lot of time talking about how to cut through the noise, and streamline & simplify your wedding planning journey. And though all of those conversations - about the best ways to save time, and the easiest ways to save money, and the hidden ways to avoid feeling overwhelmed - it’s easy to miss a life sized pink elephant in the room. The absolutely most obvious and hands down easiest way to save time, money, overwhelm & stress throughout your engagement has nothing to do with strategy. It has EVERYTHING to do with the absolutely most simple piece of advice I can imagine - keeping your wedding small. There have been some pretty incredible changes in the way we think about weddings over the past year. If we rewind to one year ago, spring of 2020, the outlook was grim for couples with weddings coming up in spring, summer, fall, and turns out, even winter, even the NEXT spring. Now that the pandemic clouds have cleared, there’s a feeling of relief that finally things can get back to normal. Maybe you’re starting to go back to the office, and feeling excited about getting dressed for an actual reason, looking forward to sharing morning coffee with someone other than your dog. There’s traffic again on the freeway. Things we used to take for granted, like traveling or having happy hour with friends are no longer taboo. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to a close friend’s backyard gate this past year for backyard drinks and apps, and felt like I was illegally sneaking into a speak easy, being judged by the neighbors. And for the purposes of our conversation, weddings can go back to “normal” - thousands of couples are feeling a million pound weight off their shoulders, with the 200, 300, 400 person celebration back on for later this year. TRUST ME. I’m THRILLED to turn the corner into normal life, as thrilled as anyone out there. The past year has been awful, and I can’t wait to close the chapter. But as awful as it was, there were so many miraculous seedlings of hope and creativity that I want to hang on to. The SURGE of micro weddings and really intimate celebrations is something that I’m definitely not ready to say goodbye to …. And actually, I’d like to keep that small legacy of the pandemic around as we move back into “normal”. We’ve talked a lot over the past couple of weeks about feeling overwhelmed with wedding stuff. About how to intentionally approach your wedding plans with your priorities front & center. So much of that has nothing to do with wedding strategy or how-to. It’s nothing the best wedding planner in the world could help you figure out. Rather it has everything to do with your mindset, and the way you choose to see the next few months - or maybe years - between now and your wedding day. I’ve been ½ of that overwhelmed couple, and went through a hell of a lot of struggle and drama and screw ups to realize the things that I share with you here each week. In a nutshell? Your engagement is a priceless season of love, transformation, happiness, joy, and connection. Connecting with your partner, your family & your friends on a deeper level than ever before. Ultimately creating an unforgettable wedding experience that’s full of meaning and leaves a legacy of love, fun, and priceless memories with all of your guests. That, my friend, is your number one priority from now to wedding day. When couples put their attention here, there’s a magical effect. This mindset allows you to focus purely on what you value most, and how you can integrate those values & priorities into this transformational season of your life, and even beyond. It allows your guests to experience a wedding celebration unlike any they’ve been to, and to walk away from your wedding experience saying to themselves, that was the most unforgettable wedding we’ve ever been to. It wasn’t a wedding where we downed 6 drinks and a plate of so so food, said hi to the new couple for 30 seconds, ate some cake, and went home. It was an experience that literally left a legacy of love & connection with your closest loved ones. The mainstream wedding industry wants so badly for things to go back to “normal” - to pack venues with 300 people, 300 plates of overpriced food, and thousands of overpriced cocktails. To run up products and services and price gauge for things that cost a fraction when the word “wedding” isn’t in front. But what if we all collectively choose connection over mindless excess. What if we choose our priorities over the generic wedding checklist’s priorities. What if we said no to 300 person capacity ballrooms, and YES to rustic cabin retreats, where our very closest friends and family could gather for 3-5 DAYS of wedding celebration, instead of 3-5 hours? What if we spent days, or even a WEEK, connecting with our loved ones, instead of a few seconds in a receiving line outside the church before being whisked away in a limo to pictures, a reception, some speeches, dinner, drinks, and dancing that you didn’t even enjoy because it was all such a blur? What if we took a pledge and said NO to the old way, and said YES to our values, our priorities, and turned our full focus & attention on our wedding experience leaving a lasting legacy on everyone involved? If that’s you, then you’re in the right spot my friend - coming up in the second half of today's show, you’ll meet a bride who’s hosting an 18 person micro wedding at a rustic cabin retreat in Maine and who is 100% dialed in on exactly what her & her fiance value the most. I’m going to share a Q&A session we did on everything from wedding day makeup, gift registry, working with wood Sola flowers, delegating tasks, forming connections, and so much more. Ready for the new way to plan your dream wedding celebration? Tune in to today's full episode for so much more! Today's show is just the beginning of dozens of strategic recorded meetings that walk you through specific wedding planning milestones and show you exactly how to plan your dream wedding! Learn more and sign up for a totally free zero obligation 3-day trial by visiting >>> Photos of Kate's SOLA wood flowers >>> A special thank you to today's show sponsors for making this episode possible: Check these guys out at and use promo code in today's episode for 10% off the entire groom’s party AND a free groom's tux w/ 5 paid party members. Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon for FREE when you email . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking! Enjoy all the fun & memories of a photo booth for a fraction of the price! Details at , & save 10% with promo code “WPP". /episode/index/show/weddingplanningpodcast/id/18799907

Grow Your Wedding Budget w/ These Creative SIDE HUSTLES 03/24/2021

Crafting Your WEDDING MUSIC PLAYLISTS - No DJ Required 03/17/2021

Sidestep these TEN Wedding Planning BLIND SPOTS 03/10/2021

Sidestep these TEN Wedding Planning BLIND SPOTS Please, save yourself the stress & avoid these TEN wedding planning blind spots at all costs! FULL BLOG POST & links from today's episode available here: Over the past 4 years of producing the Wedding Planning Podcast, one of my favorite pieces of feedback from you is some variation of, “WOW, I never would have even thought of that!” I love sharing wedding planning ideas and strategies that go beyond what you might find if you simply google something, or browse through a quick article on a wedding website. Don’t get me wrong, we cover the basics here too - but I LOVE digging down deeper to find the solutions and options that aren’t quite so obvious, and that might offer a really creative way to put a unique spin on your day, make your guests’ experience that much more incredible, or save you a ton of money by simply making a little adjustment or swap. Today we’re going to cover TEN wedding planning “blind spots” - areas that past couples and listeners of the podcast have pointed out as things they wouldn’t necessarily have thought about during their planning, but that became clear after listening to an episode, or in some cases, after their actual wedding was over and done with (and it was too late …) If you’re in the early stages of planning, hopefully we can catch a few things now, so that you don’t find yourself a year or two from now saying, if only we knew then what we know now … Some of the tips from today’s show are very minor, simple pieces of advice while others are a pretty big deal - I’m going to point to a lot of full length episodes that are available to you to download for much more information - I made a blog post with all the show notes so you don’t miss a thing, and you don’t have to be frantically writing down notes while you listen. You can visit that post at You have literally millions of options in terms of wedding websites, blogs, magazines, and other podcasts, and I thank you from my whole heart for spending this time with me, and for including me in your wedding planning journey. It’s a huge honor, and a huge responsibility that I hold with endless respect and gratitude, thank you. I’ll meet you here again next week, same time, same place! Cheers, xo Kara Newly engaged & wondering where to begin with your wedding plans? >>> Reveal the first THREE STEPS to simplifying the planning process, and ditch the paralyzing overwhelm felt by so many engaged couples. Visit to claim your FREE Engagement Starter Kit >>> my gift to you ;) Please enjoy these special offers from today's show sponsors: Would you LOVE to take advantage of FREE honeymoon planning services for your all-inclusive, cruise, or exotic honeymoon AND get $50 off when you book? Simply email to get started! Enjoy all the fun & memories of a photo booth for a fraction of the price! Details at , & save 10% with promo code “WPP". offers you an ethical, sustainable, and 100% conflict-free way to own a BRILLIANT DIAMOND without compromising on quality. Visit to get started with your personalized ring buying experience. /episode/index/show/weddingplanningpodcast/id/18256658

Your Dream HONEYMOON Starts Here 02/17/2021

Wedding Planning Podcast

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