Here inside the Engagement Starter Kit, you'll find everything you need to plan a simple, meaningful, and affordable wedding. The four episodes released this week - that's just the beginning! Coming up next week (available now to Apple Premium Subscribers), you'll enjoy four more "Engagement Starter Kit" Bonus Resources, carefully crafted to help you going forward: Bonus Workshop: Clarifying Your Wedding Vision A detailed version of my engagement story, including ALL the ups & downs we exper...
Jan 04, 2025•10 min
You’re a couple who values informed choices, intentional decisions, and ACTIONS that are in complete alignment with who you are and what you value most. And at this point in the Engagement Starter Kit series, you know the importance of a well-defined wedding vision that honors your personal priorities and values. But how do you tie it all together within a carefully designed wedding planning strategy when it comes down to actually making important wedding decisions like hiring vendors, choosing ...
Jan 03, 2025•22 min
There's a very powerful shift that happens when your engagement season AND your wedding celebration centers around your values & priorities … and nothing else. Welcome to Part Two of the Engagement Starter Kit Bonus Series from the Wedding Planning Podcast! In this episode, discover exactly how to: CREATE A VIVID, SHARED VISION of your wedding celebration. INTENTIONALLY DISCUSS YOUR VALUES + PRIORITIES with your partner. TRANSLATE YOUR VALUES INTO ACTION for every single strategical decision...
Jan 02, 2025•14 min
Welcome to Part One of the Engagement Starter Kit Bonus Series from the Wedding Planning Podcast! There are 3 KEYS to a stress-free, joyful wedding planning experience ... ... and you won't find them anywhere on Google, TikTok, or Pinterest. The first key? DEFINING A CLEAR WEDDING VISION. Embracing a positive and empowering wedding mindset can magically free you from the endless cycle of stress, overwhelm & expense that so many couples are trapped in. In this episode, explore exactly how to:...
Jan 01, 2025•23 min
On the fence about hiring a wedding videographer? You’re certainly not alone! In my experience, hiring a videographer is the number one vendor that engaged couples are undecided about. It’s an important decision, and a really big investment. So you might be surprised to learn that in a post-wedding survey, 98% of couples asked reported that they regretted NOT having a video made of their wedding day. Because videography is such a huge topic to unpack, today I have an expert special guest joining...
Dec 25, 2024•35 min
This week, we’re highlighting some clever ways to not only save money, but also to increase the QUALITY + VALUE on everything from decor, rental items, invitations, food & drinks, and even your venue. So many couples equate a higher price tag with a higher-quality end product or service, and that’s simply not always true. Worse, that mentality can add up to spending tens of thousands of dollars more than necessary to host a memorable and meaningful wedding celebration. The million dollar que...
Dec 18, 2024•21 min
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 ...
Dec 11, 2024•23 min
“I’m struggling with imaging how all of my wedding reception decorations will look together - flowers, signs, decorations, tables, etc. Any tips for making sure all my little decisions fit together in the end?” If you’re like most of us, you're not a full service wedding or event designer ( and hiring one isn't in the budget! ). So how can we trust that the dozens of small wedding decor decisions we make along the way will ultimately work together as a whole? Today we’re going to explore 4 ways ...
Dec 04, 2024•29 min
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 Nov 20. Today is a mix of behind-the-scenes insight from me, your reception-related questions, and also a couple of hindsight wedding experiences to share from listeners who were recently married. There's a ton of value packed into this 20 minute bonus show, and I hope you love it! I'm running a follow up Q&A each Frid...
Nov 22, 2024•21 min
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, shopp...
Nov 20, 2024•34 min
Is it OK to ... ? I got lots of mail in response to the Wedding Etiquette show that aired on 9.11.24, and in this Friday Follow Up Q&A I'm opening my mailbox and sharing your questions! We'll talk through ... Inviting kids to the wedding, Requesting a specific dress code, A tiny wedding chappel that can't accomodate everyone, The etiquette surrounding your wedding parties, When to actually send Thank You notes, and lots more. Enjoy, And be in touch with your questions anytime at weddingplann...
Nov 08, 2024•12 min
Samantha & Sean got married in September 2024 at a state park in New York, but this was no ordinary celebration ... Their stunning wedding weekend featured no cell service, just 6 electrical outlets, and a hot air balloon send off for the new bride and groom! Samantha is joining us this week to share the good, the challenges, the things she would do differently, and the things she wouldn’t change for the world. To view her beautiful wedding photos and a full recap of today’s show, visit wedd...
Nov 06, 2024•36 min
Happy Friday, and welcome to a BONUS Q&A follow up show to this week's feature episode, "Is This a Crazy Idea?" that aired on Wednesday Oct 30. I'm running a follow up Q&A each Friday in November, and if you’re loving it, I’ll keep going - but to do so I do need YOUR questions, thoughts, and ideas about that week’s episode! Here’s how it works - follow the WPP wherever you listen, and I’ll send a free weekly episode to your device each Wednesday. After you enjoy the show, send me your th...
Nov 01, 2024•18 min
These listener scenarios that may seem a bit crazy on the surface … but in reality offer a great chance to maximize the quality AND the value of your wedding celebration! As you’re putting together plans for your wedding, there are endless creative opportunities for you to deploy a unique, offbeat solution to what may seem like a standard wedding checklist item. So many couples subconsciously equate a higher price tag with a higher-quality end product or service, and that’s simply not always tru...
Oct 30, 2024•30 min
This week on the Wedding Planning Podcast, tune in for my thoughts on some high-stakes wedding planning situations, including: Addressing communication issues with your fiance and fostering a spirit of compromise, Pro's & con's of a blank space venue with more versus less "do it yourself" requirements, Competing visions for stocking our bar, Ideal timing for our ceremony, We're having trouble conceptualizing our venue layout / floor plan ... what's the best way to approach setting up our tab...
Oct 23, 2024•26 min
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 collecti...
Oct 16, 2024•21 min
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 ...
Oct 09, 2024•35 min
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 througho...
Oct 02, 2024•20 min
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 strat...
Sep 25, 2024•17 min
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 ...
Sep 18, 2024•23 min
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 ...
Sep 11, 2024•34 min
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! Fo...
Aug 28, 2024•20 min
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 celebra...
Aug 21, 2024•23 min
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 variet...
Aug 15, 2024•18 min
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 ...
Aug 07, 2024•37 min
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 i...
Jul 31, 2024•26 min
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 prod...
Jul 24, 2024•24 min
"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 distan...
Jul 17, 2024•25 min
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 ...
Jun 12, 2024•11 min
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 th...
Jun 05, 2024•32 min
