The Unconventional Wedding Planning Podcast

You may assume that most couples don't start planning their weddings until after they're engaged. But according to a study by The Knot, you'd be wrong! As many as 70-90% of couples start planning their wedding and talking about it before the proposal! So if you are not engaged (yet) but want to start planning your wedding, you're not alone. Listen in as I share what parts of marriage and wedding p...

REBROADCAST: So often couples feel ashamed or guilty if they're not spending $35,000+ on their weddings. But I'm here to tell you: IT'S OKAY TO BE CHEAP! It is okay to have a budget wedding and to not spend all of your savings (or go into debt!) for just one day. Listen to this episode to find out why it's okay (and maybe actually better) for you to not spend so much on your wedding and ways you c...

Inspired by listener Anna, today we're tackling how to handle important people not being at your wedding. Whether they're not there because you don't have a relationship with them, they're unable to travel to the wedding, they've passed away or whatever other reason, it's hard to deal with the reality that someone you thought would be or should be at your wedding, won't be. We'll dive into how to...

REBROADCAST: Is a destination wedding for you or do you prefer to keep things local? What are the pros and cons of planning a destination wedding? Is it just like a long honeymoon? Listen in as I go over all the things you need to know about wedding planning for a destination party and whether that's the right move for you and your fiance!  Have a wedding planning question or episode idea? Le...

Last week we talked about what NOT to do the week of your wedding and this week I'm sharing what you should do instead. From finalizing your wedding timeline and planning your outfits to last minute tasks and preparing for a chill wedding morning, here are 18 things to add to your to-do list for the week of your wedding. Inspired by: https://www.theknot.com/content/week-of-wedding-planning-to-dos...

The final countdown to your wedding is on with only a week to go. But there are certain things you want to be sure NOT to do this week. Listen in as I share 17 things to avoid doing the final week before your wedding - and stay tuned for next week's episode where I'll talk about the things you should be doing instead! Inspired by: https://www.theknot.com/content/what-not-to-do-the-week-of-your-wed...

REBROADCAST: With engagement season coming up (Thanksgiving to Valentine's Day, if you're curious), I thought this episode about proposing and engagements would be the perfect one to rebroadcast. Enjoy! Ladies, we don't need to trick our men into proposing! But seriously, to anyone eagerly awaiting a proposal, whether in a hetero relationship or not, you do not need to drop hints, wait or trick yo...

So you want to DIY your wedding - either because you want to save money, you're a crafter or you've been inspired by Pinterest. But how do you make sure your DIYs stay on the nice side of tacky? How do you ensure your craft projects don't come off looking cheap or leave you pulling out your hair the night before your wedding? In this episode, I'm sharing some tips to keep you grounded and to help...

REBROADCAST: Following up on last week's seating chart episode, I'm rereleasing this episode all about wedding receptions. Based on a recent Insider article, I'm breaking down 11 things the experts say you can skip at your wedding reception. Should you really skip them? What are the pros and cons? And what can you do instead? When it comes to your wedding reception, there really are no rules so at...

Before you start planning out your seating chart, making table arrangements or writing escort cards, take a listen to this week's episode so you avoid some major reception mistakes. Is assigned seating necessary? What about escort cards vs place cards? Should you have a kids' table and a singles' table? Find out! Inspired by https://www.theknot.com/content/wedding-reception-seating-nightmares-solv...

REBROADCAST: It's the big one. It's BUDGET time. In this episode I'm talking all about how to set your wedding budget (and the important conversation you need to have first!), what to do about competing priorities, how to get out of the comparison trap and the very important reality check you need to give yourself whenever you're tempted to go over budget. Happy wedding planning, engaged friends!&...

I'm back with another Q&A episode to answer all of your wedding planning questions! Want in on the next episode or just have an episode suggestion for me? Fill out the Google form below! This week we're answering how to handle mixed-language speeches at an intercultural wedding, how to earn more money to afford a dream wedding, and how to plan a low key wedding weekend. Have a wedding planning...

REBROADCAST: Everything you ever wanted to know about wedding gifts! Should you have a registry? How much will people spend on your wedding gift? How can you ask for money? Who gets a thank you card? Listen in for some wedding gift giving etiquette that every engaged couple should know, with lots of modern advice!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inspired by a listener question, I'm answering some of the most common questions couples have about their wedding gifts. When should they send thank you cards (and what the heck do they write in them)? When should they set up a registry? How do they ask for cash? And what do they do with a gift they don't like? Tune in to find out! Have a wedding planning question or episode idea? Let me know what...

REBROADCAST: Had to cut your wedding guest list? Have a budget or a venue that won't let you invite every single person you've ever known? Yup, that's the harsh reality of wedding planning. And unfortunately, some people are going to be crushed they don't get to attend and have the honour of eating a $45 plate of cold chicken at your reception. Tune in to hear my tips on how to deal with upset wis...

Whether it's an over-involved mother-in-law who thinks this is her wedding, a mom who doesn't seem to care about your wedding, a stepmom who isn't on speaking terms with half of your guests, or not a mom issue at all, it's hard to deal with all of the family dynamics that come up when planning a wedding! In this episode, I share my advice for how to deal with an uninvolved, over-involved or overly...

REBROADCAST: On today's minisode of the Unconventional Wedding Planning Podcast I'm answering the big question about wedding favors (or favours!): do you actually need wedding favors? And if you are going to have them, what should they be to ensure your wedding guests don't throw them away or forget about them? Spend a few engaged moments with me on this quick minisode!  Hosted on Acast. See...

How do you honour a loved one who is no longer with us on your wedding day? How do you pay tribute to them, without it being a major downer? How do you adjust your wedding plans if someone pivotal won't be there? Listen in as I give suggestions for creative and personal ways to pay tribute to your deceased loved ones and offer alternatives to wedding traditions where a loved one usually has a majo...

REBROADCAST: Should you do a first look or wait to see your future spouse for the first time at your ceremony? Tune in for reasons why you should, why you shouldn't and some alternatives for brides and grooms who aren't quite ready to commit to the first look. Happy wedding planning!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part two of last week's episode, I'm back with six more wedding photography mistakes I learned the hard way that you definitely don't want to make at your wedding. From rushing through your portrait session to not asking your wedding photographer enough questions, listen up so you avoid these photo disasters! Inspired by   https://www.brides.com/wedding-photography-mistakes-7100254 Have a...

Even unconventional wedding planners want really beautiful wedding photos! That's why you need to tune in and learn the 7 wedding photography mistakes to NOT make with your wedding photographer. From only looking at social media to (controversially) sending a shot list, here are 7 things you should not do. And sadly, I made a lot of these mistakes at my own wedding - so learn from me! And stay tun...

REBROADCAST: Welcome back to a minisode (mini episode) of the Unconventional Wedding Planning Podcast! Today we're answering the question: Do you need to have a wedding rehearsal and/or rehearsal dinner? Find out my thoughts on this week's episode!  Have a wedding planning question or episode idea? Let me know what you want to hear! Fill out this quick form with your feedback and/or episode s...

In this week's episode of the Unconventional Wedding Planning Podcast we're talking about semi or half destination weddings. So this would be a wedding where half or most of your guests are flying in, but it's local to you, or your guests are local, but you're flying into the destination. Most of the advice online for destination weddings imagine you and your guests all flying off to the Caribbean...

REBROADCAST: So many people want to fast forward the wedding ceremony so they can just get to the party. But if you throw out the traditions (no, you don't have to be given away by your father!) or religion and start from scratch, what would it look like to create a wedding ceremony that is actually personal and meaningful to you? Listen in as I explain why the ceremony is actually the most import...

In the movies wedding planning always looks like so much fun. It's trying on outfits, tasting cakes or arranging flowers with your best friends. But in real life, wedding planning can feel kind of lonely. Turns out, your friends and family don't always want to help plan your wedding - after all, it is your wedding and not theirs. And especially if you're the first or last in your friend group to g...