"Let's Plan Your Wedding" Presents: A Complete Guide to Wedding Planning

There are so many often overlooked AV considerations and music related transitions within the typical wedding day format. We are lucky to have a resident wedding expert back on the podcast to walk us through all the details to nail your wedding audio, music, and emcee services.  Musicians, AV teams and skilled DJs set a mood, smooth transitions, and create unforgettable moments throughout you...

What do all your Pinterest photos have in common? Likely, they all secretly feature aspirational flower design! From bridal bouquets and boutonnieres, to the ceremony site, to the tablescapes, cake, and beyond, flowers are often woven everywhere within a wedding day. For some couples, they can't wait to go BIG and utilize a capable florist to elevate the event. For other couples, they are wary of...

Beyond just still images, your wedding will have movement and sound that is really meaningful to capture. Unlike photography though, wedding videographers are one of the vendors that couples are often on the fence about hiring, or not sure where to begin. So let’s talk to an expert to hear all about common considerations and important info to know before you book. Featured in this episode: William...

Now here’s a vendor I find wedding couples EXCITED to research and book! More than perhaps anything else, a modern couple loves to find and hire great wedding photographers. This is time and money well spent, since your wedding photos will last a lifetime. Let’s dive into how to narrow down the overwhelming variance in photography styles and offerings out there. That way you can find and hire the...

How to: have your cake and eat it too! This episode rounds off the food and beverage needs for your event by exploring the fantastic world of custom event sweets. Hear about how to brainstorm and execute your wedding desert, which is for a lot of couples, a memorable highlight. So let them eat cake! Or ice cream, pie, donuts, candy, macaroon towers, or even... cake popsicles!  Featured in thi...

Oh the commonly overlooked key player in your wedding day equation! We'll just have the wedding in my parent's backyard... I said. It will be so much cheaper... I thought. But do your parents have... 200 chairs. Those considering private property, and even those with wedding venues, need to think early about the logistics and costs of supplementing wedding rentals into their event.  For coupl...

Your guests gotta eat! Perhaps you've selected a secluded forest, a scenic mountaintop, or a private backyard. This episode explores catering considerations for every wedding, no matter the kitchen setup (or lack there of). We'll also think through staffing details for all the  food and beverage needs throughout the day for your event. Featured in this Episode: 1) Laura Holmquist |  Five...

Welcome to season 2: The Vendor Phase of Wedding Planning! Before you call all the people, let's talk about how to effectively compile trustworthy vendor referrals. For many of you, that might be done by considering help from a wedding professional such as a planner or final phase coordinator. So let's first learn all about wedding planning and coordination services. Featured in this episode: 1) K...

WEDDING DAY WORKSHEET LINK CANVA: Free Mood Board Maker You made it to the end of your establisher phase! Congratulations! Now let's get organized and have a little fun. We will talk about making a mood board - a very fun and helpful visual tool for your wedding. We will also walk through the Wedding Day Worksheet (linked above) especially considering the brainstorming of all the events within you...

How to build: Save the Dates, Websites, Registries, and Invitations  The best events require good communication between the host and your guests. So if you want 30-200 people to do literally anything (from giving you their food allergies ahead of time to showing up at all nevertheless on time for the ceremony),  you need to have a game plan to drip them key info for the event, and receiv...

Can you have a "black tie wedding" in a forest, or request "cocktail attire" if you don't serve cocktails?  And do we need a dress code anyways? Short answer: no. Although whether you know it or not, your event already has one.  So let's talk dress codes...a little bit... just for fun. We will see if the choices you have made so far are leading you to a formality level you feel comfortab...

When to go: 5-8 months out  How much to spend: (in California) I recommend $1500 + (but there's options for cheaper) There's also a ton of tricks for getting the best price. Sample sales and second hand demystified: have a listen. 

Why don't wedding venues post their prices? Are your google searches giving you no viable, in budget options? To crack the code: I will teach you my approach that I developed from my sales days. Call downs, template emails, and CTE ! (call, text, email). On tough wedding tasks like these: it's all about working smarter not harder. We'll also walk through unconventional wedding venue options and if...

I've had... a bad... experience.  So many couples bring their bad memories into this topic and just decide to nix stack ranking their friends. Whether you are FOR bridal parties or AGAINST them- let's talk about how to do them right.  For my couples with bridal parties in mind, we'll talk through those hard topics of family drama and when and how to ask.  For those who are a hard pa...

Man oh man do I see couples STALL at this step. There's just something about writing down a guest list that feels really cut throat and nitty gritty. For many it may signify the end of "happy happy dream phase" and the beginning of the real wedding "planning." So while you are amping yourself up to get your guest list written down- let's explore the many considerations for building your wedding gu...

Have you and your fiance had the "let's just elope" conversation yet? Every engaged couple does, and not because they aren't excited to throw a fabulous party but because the cost of weddings is so overwhelming and scary to even talk about. Be brave and tackle this important topic up front, right after getting engaged but before booking a venue and sending out save the dates. It's time to determin...

While the true origin stories of many common wedding traditions vary, explore the possible history of the white wedding dress, garter, bouquet, and more on this episode of the Let's Plan Your Wedding Podcast. We will also begin to put the pieces together of a typical wedding day ahead of venue shopping in order to equip you to imagine how the traditions you choose will play out in your unique loca...

Are you recently engaged or hoping to become engaged soon? Spend a few minutes understanding wedding planning from a professional! On L.P.Y.W we dive into the larger framework of event planning from start to finish so you will always know where you are in the process. Afterall, you wouldn't sign up to run a race without understanding how many miles until the finish line right?  L.P.Y.W is loo...