When you're in the thick of wedding planning, it can feel like this phase of life will go on forever. But believe it or not, at some point you WILL actually be married, and wedding planning will come to an end (insert cheering emoji / crying emoji here - take your pick!).

I see a pretty split reaction to this, with half of us feeling thank universe, the wedding can't come soon enough ... having all that extra brain space back from planning and organizing a million tiny details will be amazing.

On the other hand, there are also plenty of us who absolutely love the engagement and planning phase, and are NOT looking forward to it ending. Post wedding blues are a real thing, and we're going to talk about that today too.

To start today off, I have some post-wedding takeaways and advice from past WPP couples (including myself!). They share what they loved, and in all honesty, what could have been better.

During the second half of today's show, I have an actionable checklist of things that will need to be handled after the wedding.

So if you're sad about it all coming to an end … don't worry - it doesn't actually end, there's still lots more to do!

Click here for a checklist-style recap

Cheers to you,

Kara

Creating a simple, info-packed WEDDING WEBSITE is the easiest, most hassle free way to easily share information with your wedding guests. Join me today for a detailed wedding planning workshop on exactly how to create an amazing wedding website - zero technical skills required!

To get started, choose your wedding website design from an incredible community of independent artists & designers when you visit Minted Weddings.

FREE Minted wedding websites include all the tools you need to get started, and you'll even receive a $50 credit towards your wedding stationery when you visit www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/website.

In today's show, we're covering what to include on your website, what not to include, and lots of priceless details on how to leverage this incredible tool to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER over the coming months.

I also have a really fun & interactive extension of your website that will make connecting with your guests a breeze between now & wedding day.

Even if you've already got a wedding website up & running, I hope you'll stick around for today's conversation -

I have lots of important website elements to share that many couples miss, and I want you to be able to leverage your wedding website to your FULL ADVANTAGE over the next few months ... making your life easier, and of course, your guests' lives easier as well!

A quick outline of what we're going to cover in today's meeting:

• Home Page

• Events

• Travel & Accommodations

• FAQ Page

• Your Story

• Wedding Party

• RSVP Details

• Links to your registry

• & don't miss my BONUS TIP for keeping in close contact with your wedding guests throughout the coming months via a private Facebook Group! Here's a link that explains exactly how to set one up.

Affordable & beautiful Save the Date announcements and wedding invitations - how hard can that be??

Well, if you've spent 3 hours on a Saturday getting lost down the rabbit hole of 9 different wedding invitation websites, then you know that finding a practical solution that fits your style and your budget is much easier said than done.

Today I'm sharing a complete guide to wedding stationery, from Save the Dates to invitations. We'll even review all of those mysterious extras like fancy paper type, additional enclosures, wax seals, envelope liners, and more.

And if you're on a budget and looking to keep your invites as minimal and affordable as possible, I've got some exclusive listener savings to share totaling over $300! See below for links & resources.

LINKS + SPECIAL OFFERS MENTIONED IN TODAY'S SHOW:

• 25% off Save the Date announcements >>> weddingplanningpodcast.co/minted
• 830+ Wedding Invitations w/ matching website, Save the Dates, QR code & extras >>> weddingplanningpodcast.co/invite
• $50 stationery credit to use towards your save the dates and / or invitations when you create a wedding website >>> weddingplanningpodcast.co/website
• Redeem your FREE Wedding Invitation Sample Kit here

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!

You deserve wedding insurance that's fast and affordable, and protecting your investment in your wedding celebration literally couldn't be easier than a quick online visit to Brite.co/wedpod.

Today we're joined by a very special guest, Dustin Lemick. Dustin is the CEO and founder of BriteCo. BriteCo is a modern insurance company built for the digital age, and their goal is to simplify the process of securing jewelry and wedding insurance.

Well, mission complete, because streamline and simplify is exactly what BriteCo has done - with plans starting below $80, no hidden fees and up to 15% in discounts!

In today's episode, Dustin walks us through everything you need to know about wedding liability & cancellation coverage, and jewelry insurance.

We'll explore all of your wedding insurance FAQ's, including how much it costs (spoiler alert, it's shockingly affordable), what exactly is covered, how to determine what type of coverage you need, and even how to file a claim.

From your engagement ring to your wedding day, you can protect your most cherished memories with BriteCo. Visit brite.co/wedpod for a fast, free quote today and unlock peace of mind knowing that you're covered!

You've done months (maybe even YEARS) of wedding planning & preparation, and the big day is finally almost here!

Last stop? Rehearsal dinner.

This week we're reviewing everything you need to know for planning & hosting this extra special night with your family & friends.

We cover everything from the ceremony rehearsal itself to practical tips for hosting your loved ones afterwards.

DETAILED BLOG POST HERE

Naturally, I have a ton of creative alternatives to taking 50 of your closest friends & family out to eat at a nice restaurant ($$$). Beyond just saving money, we'll also cover:

• When to start planning (hint - it might be earlier than you think!)
• Personality-packed options for location and food selection
• Tips for keeping the night on pace and organized
• And meaningful touches that will be remembered beyond the wedding day.

This topic is so dear to me - I remember our rehearsal dinner as one of the most special nights of my life. We grilled chicken, steak & veggies with our friends & family on the property where we got married, had all the fave drinks flowing, and a curated list of our favorite songs turned way up. We laughed, talked & celebrated long past sunset, and it was an absolutely magical night.

I wish all the same for you!

xo, Kara

Today we're going to chat about a handful of ways when trying to "save" money on your wedding can totally BACKFIRE.

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.

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.

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 ;)

Your bachelorette party is a really fun engagement milestone AND it'll be a breeze to plan with these easy planning guidelines + sample itineraries!

Today's show also includes lots of your questions on party etiquette, gift giving, who plans what, and even a "tale of two parties" ... two very different bachelorette formats, each with their own pro's, and each guaranteed to result in an unforgettable night(s).

• Who plans the bachelorette party?
• Who should get invited?
• When should we start planning & schedule it?
• Honoring & accomodating everyone's financial circumstances,
• TWO sample bachelorette party itineraries,
• What are some creative bachelorette gift ideas?

Early access to new episodes + bonus planning resources are available inside WPP Premium on Apple Podcasts. Tap "Subscribe" for instant access.

Your WEDDING CEREMONY is undoubtedly the most important part of your wedding day celebration - it's literally the WHY of every single thing we touch on here on the Wedding Planning Podcast!

Unfortunately, many couples push the ceremony logistics to the very bottom of their wedding planning to-do list, and as a result, this critical piece of your wedding day misses getting the full attention & creativity that it deserves.

Tune in to the full show for a start-to-finish guide for infusing your ceremony with deep meaning and your personalities.

We're also going to cover:

• Ceremony flow of events,
• Who walks who down the aisle, and in what order?
• The role of your officiant / celebrant,
• Intentionally setting the desired vibe with ceremony music & decor,
• Signing your marraige license,
• Tips for finding an officiant,
• Crafting 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!

ADDITIONAL LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE:

Sample Wedding Vows & Guide / Examples

Creative unity ceremony ideas

"What's really bothering me lately is I'm in a stress cycle over anticipating what might go wrong during our wedding weekend and wanting to proactively jump in and plan for those things. What are some unexpected stress-points that we can be prepared for as much as possible?"

Do yourselves a favor - plan to be caught off guard by something on your wedding day!

Next step, mentally prepare to brush it off in the moment so that you can be fully present and enjoy your wedding day.

Survey 100 couples in the week after their wedding, and 97 of them will have multiple stories of things that went off the rails and/or not according to "The Plan".

The magic is in how you choose to react to the issue, combined with some tactical ways that you can be proactive and prepared.

Tune in for the rundown on 7 common wedding day surprises that are shockingly easy to proactively plan for. And stick around 'til the end for a handful of listener questions on moms, dress codes & more.

Cheers to being prepared!

Written blog post & link to submit your questions can be found here.

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

Start your wedding website with Minted and enjoy free designs by independent artists, all of your wedding details in one place, and exclusive listener perks.

Cheap wedding venue… or financial trap?

In this bonus episode, we're breaking down one of the biggest budgeting decisions you'll make during wedding planning: choosing between a lower-priced blank space venue and a higher-priced all-inclusive option.

At first glance, the DIY venue looks like the obvious win. Lower rental fee. More flexibility. Total creative control. It feels like the ultimate budget-savvy move.

But here's where impulse can quietly take over.

That "great deal" can spiral fast once you start layering in rentals, catering, staffing, power, restrooms, décor, insurance, and all the little logistical details no one warns you about.

Meanwhile, the all-inclusive quote might make you choke on your coffee — but it may also include far more than you realize.

In this episode, I walk you through six major cost categories you must have detailed pricing for before deciding if a blank space venue is truly the money-saving move… or if it could end up costing you more in the long run.

Early access to new episodes + bonus planning resources are available inside WPP Premium on Apple Podcasts. Tap "Subscribe" for instant acess.

Links & Resources

• Start your wedding website with Minted and enjoy free designs by independent artists, all your details in one place, and exclusive listener perks: weddingplanningpodcast.co/minted