Wedding Planning Podcast | Your Online Wedding Planner | Free Advice From Engagement To Wedding Day From Kara Lamerato Of Kvw

Today on the Wedding Planning Podcast, we’re joined by a very special guest and friend of the show, Susan from Susan’s Travel Services.  Tune in for Susan's detailed process for planning the honeymoon of your dreams, including insider travel advice about flights, destinations, travel upgrades, and even her list of top travel mistakes to avoid.    We cover: The detailed process for finding your ideal honeymoon destination, Exactly when you should start planning this trip of a lifetime,  The scoop on airfare and the best times to buy, Behind-the-scenes, expert insights that couples overlook when planning their honeymoon, Hot destinations for 2023 and beyond, And she even has some honeymoon planning mistakes to highlight for you, so that you can sidestep the common issues she sees come up for couples time & time again. Travel and new experiences are incredibly special to me, and I hope you and your soon-to-be husband or wife enjoy the trip of a lifetime to celebrate your honeymoon!   To schedule a complete

Great news - you don’t need to be a professional designer or natural-born artist to select a beautiful & cohesive color palette for your wedding celebration.  Today on the Wedding Planning Podcast, we’re running through 5 easy steps for choosing the colors to incorporate into your rehearsal, ceremony & reception.   I also have a bonus rundown of the top Wedding Color Palette MISTAKES that I see couples make, so be sure to stick around until the end! A lightening speed recap: 1. Start w/ your venue to guide your color selection, 2. Get color inspiration for your Save the Dates & wedding website - the first design elements your guests will actually see! I've linked 78 Save the Date options with beautiful sample color palettes here.​ 3. Tips for using Pinterest to your advantage, 4. Consider your potential colors actually being worn by your wedding party, 5. And of course, KEEP IT SIMPLE! Enjoy the show! PS - A huge thank you to this week's show sponsor, Susan's Travel Services: Get professional help

The theme of this week's show is COMPROMISE. We're exploring the importance of being on the same page with respect to finances, how you spend your free time, and of course, the ability to COMPROMISE - whether it's about your honeymoon or your wedding guest list.  Tune in for so much more! I’m looking for new stories from you about your engagement, wedding planning milestones, questions, anxieties, and anything else you’d like to share.  I’d love to feature your voice on the podcast, so please get in touch with your stories and questions by heading to weddingplanningpodcast.co/contact.  I can’t wait to hear from you! A special thank you to our show sponsor, Susan's Travel Services.  Take advantage of expert honeymoon planning services for your all-inclusive, cruise, or exotic honeymoon AND get $50 off when you book!  Simply email susan@susanstravelservices.com to get started.

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!  W

A LOT of our energy during the wedding planning process is centered around the fear that things will go wrong, and how we can avoid and prevent minor mistakes - and major disasters - on our wedding day.   I’ve been deeply involved with weddings for over a decade, and candidly, it’s a universal truth - no matter how much you plan and prep and delegate and assign, something will go wrong and / or not according to plan at some point during your wedding celebration.   The good news is that big or small, I have some solid practices that you can use right now to be able to adapt, improvise, and mentally overcome any unforeseen issues & challenges that are bound to arise. Tune in for so much more! Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking! If you’re newly engaged and wondering where to even begin with with your wedding plans, then you’ll definitely want to grab a FREE Weddin

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

Today on the Wedding Planning Podcast, we’re joined by a very special guest, Tanya Pushkine from The Vow Whisperer.  Tanya  offers professional vow writing support, officiant services, and even wedding ceremony production support, including public speaking coaching.   Tanya will guide you through exactly how to put your heart into words, resulting in crafted wedding vows that are truly meaningful to you & you partner.  Tune in for a behind-the-scenes tour of her process, best practices for creating your wedding vows and ceremony flow, and so much more. To learn more about working with Tanya, please visit The Vow Whisperer website linked here, and follow her on social media @thevowwhisperer. A special thank you to today's show sponsor, Susan's Travel Services!  Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget to mention the Wedding Planning Podcast for $50 off your booking!    

Would you volunteer to host a party for 40 people and then rush out to the store with no menu planned & no shopping list? No way!  You’d sit down and plan out what everyone was going to bring, make a menu of app's & drinks, look up some recipes, and then make a detailed list of exactly what you need to buy. So why on earth would you head out to a WEDDING FAIR / BRIDAL EXPO with absolutely no plan, and just "see what happens"? Today on the Wedding Planning Podcast we’re going to take inventory of your priorities, and make a list of your top goals for your day spent at the wedding fair.  This way you can MAXIMIZE your time spent with vendors and gathering inspiration, and minimize the stress & overwhelm factor of wandering through hundreds of booths full of noisy commotion.  After our time together today, when the 15th DJ asks you if you want to dance, and the 22nd wedding planner asks you to spin their "wheel o' fun" ... ... you can confidently smile, say no thanks, and keep walking.  To submit que

STREAMLINE + SIMPLIFY has been a tagline for the WPP literally since I created the show way back in 2015.  (Look closely, it's even on our old logo!) Not only are these two of my favorite words in the English language - that I try and live by in ALL aspects of my life - more specifically, they perfectly summarize my approach to wedding planning.   Every situation you’ll encounter throughout your engagement can be examined through the lens of simplicity and potentially scaled back or streamlined in some way that will make your life easier, more affordable, more relaxing, and overall, more enjoyable.   Often we find ourselves in the midst of a planning roadblock and the first instinct is to explore your options.  In the first example we’re going to talk about today - a couple who has family in 2 different places, many of whom don’t want to travel, you might consider … getting married in each place, what would that look like?  Getting married where we live?  Getting married on an island with just us?  In all th

Creating your wedding reception seating chart can QUICKLY become one of wedding planning’s biggest pains.  Between crazy family members, divorces, step-parents, hook-up’s gone wrong, introverts, extroverts and lots of alcohol - your seating chart can quickly begin to feel like a jigsaw puzzle from hell. This week on the Wedding Planning Podcast, we’re going to review some easy tips & tactics for designing your reception seating chart.  Simple stuff that will ease the pain, and take this task from dreaded to done! Resources & links from today’s show: Find helpful online seating chart tool recommendations here, Search “wedding seating chart” on Etsy for lots of custom options, “Do It Yourself” seating chart signs here, Browse KVW custom place card holders here, And enjoy tons of creative seating chart ideas on this Pinterest board. A special THANK YOU to this week's show sponsors: Get professional help planning your dream honeymoon when you email susan@susanstravelservices.com . Don't forget

Today we're doing a detailed review of critical LAST MINUTE wedding details that you’ll want to stay on top of in the 1-2 weeks leading up to your wedding day. Even if your wedding is still months away, this show is perfect for you to proactively make notes about some of the things you can anticipate in those final weeks before the big day! A detailed blog post / show recap of everything we reviewed can be found here. Links to the Pinterest boards mentioned in today’s show: Wedding Planning Podcast Checklists   A huge thank you to today’s show sponsors! If you’re newly engaged and wondering where to even begin with with your wedding plans, then you’ll definitely want to grab a FREE Wedding Planning Podcast Engagement Starter Kit.   I’ve packaged up a 4-part bonus audio series that reveals 3 essential keys to a stress-free and FUN wedding planning experience.  Better yet, you’ll have instant access to EIGHT additional bonus planning resources, each carefully designed to make your engagement season full of j

Save yourself piles of unwanted stress when you proactively anticipate these 8 wedding planning "blind spots"! Over the past 8 years of producing the Wedding Planning Podcast, one of my favorite pieces of feedback from you is some variation of, “WOW, we 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 EIGHT 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 the

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 weddi

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 $5

This week, I have an inbox full of your wedding flower questions to share!  I also put together a list of the top wedding flower mistakes that I see couples make, to further help guide you to "DIY wedding flower SUCCESS". Today we're reviewing: How much should 5 relatively simple bouquets cost?  I’m being quoted over $1200, which feels so ridiculous. Visiting a flower farm to pick stems w/ my bridal party - how early should we pick & arrange them so that they are still fresh? How much time should we allocate to making the bouquets & centerpieces in the day or two before the wedding?   Downsides to ordering flowers online?  Considering Costco but the prices seem too good to be true We definitely want to do flower bouquets for me & bridesmaid and a simple flower on the guys’ jacket, but do you have any ideas for creative centerpieces that are more affordable than flowers? Additional resources mentioned in today's episode: Wedding Flowers by Season Wholesale Flowers from COSTCO Wholesale Flowers f

Wedding flowers are high on the list of things that couples rate "not very" to "not at all" important to them.  So why spend thousands of dollars on elaborate, professional floral centerpieces and bouquets?  There are so many simple, beautiful & affordable alternatives - Today I have an 5-part formula for you to follow so that you can have beautiful, top quality flowers ... for an affordable price tag.   And the tips I’m sharing today don’t have to be just for your wedding - you can use the same guidelines for any event, including engagement party, bridal shower, baby shower, birthday party, or any special event you’ll host between now & your wedding, and even beyond. Tune in and explore exactly how you can maximize the QUALITY AND VALUE of your wedding flowers using 5 simple guidelines.    RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY'S SHOW: Bulk Florals & Arrangements from Costco Wedding Flowers by Season Find a flower warehouse / wholesaler near you!  Simply search, "floral wholesaler near me" In S

Today on the Wedding Planning Podcast, we're joined by Susan from Susan's Travel Services to talk about the endless benefits and of hosting a Destination Wedding. Tune in for the full scoop on this ever-popular wedding hosting trend, including: The huge TIME, STRESS & MONEY-saving opportunities that this wedding format presents, The importance of having a TRUSTED ADVOCATE when planning such a high-stakes, international event, TOP WEDDING DESTINATIONS for 2024 & beyond, INSIDER INFO you simply must know about your overall planning timeline, finding vendors, and making your guest list, The importance of setting REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS when working with overseas resorts and vendors, The truth behind "too good to be true" social media posts & videos that misrepresent appearance, quality & cost, And so much more! Susan has personally helped me plan TWO unforgettable vacations, and I can guarantee there will be many more!  Her genuine love of travel and new experiences - and wanting to SHAR

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 --> www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/rehearsal 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 chicke

Tune in for answers to your wedding questions in a brand new episode of the Wedding Planning Podcast: Hosting tips for a casual micro-wedding the month after ceremony? We will already be technically married at our celebration - should we share this w/ our guests? What about the non-dancers at our reception?  Additional activiites? Choosing bridesmaids dilemma Controversy over suggesting what your guests "should" wear to the wedding celebration >>> As always, you can submit your wedding questions here, or send me an email:  k a r a {at} weddingplanningpodcast.co >>> Keep in touch on Instagram!  Follow @weddingplanningpodcast  If you’re newly engaged and wondering where to even begin with with your wedding plans, then you’ll definitely want to grab a FREE Wedding Planning Podcast Engagement Starter Kit.   I’ve packaged up a 4-part bonus audio series that reveals 3 essential keys to a stress-free and FUN wedding planning experience.  Better yet, you’ll have instant access to EIGHT additional bonus planning re

Believe it or not, there is a specific formula to experiencing a streamlined, stress-free wedding planning journey - and it has just 3 KEY INGREDIENTS. Today in Part One of the Wedding Planning Podcast Engagement Starter Kit, you’re going to discover the FIRST KEY to streamlined, stress-free wedding planning.   And what we’re talking about today can still apply to you ... even if you’ve been engaged for months (or years!), you've already started booking stuff, or maybe even finalized most of the big decisions.   It’s never too late for a heart-to-heart refresh + refocus on the core reasons why you’re planning this wedding in the first place! FREE GIFT TIME! >>> I have ALL four parts of this magical series packaged up and ready for you to binge listen to after today’s show, along with lots of additional bonus resources and free gifts.  To access the full Engagement Starter Kit planning package right now, for FREE, simply CLICK HERE, Or visit wedpodcast.com when you have a hands-free moment. Yes signing up req