Wedding Planning Collective Podcast

Kate McClellan
  • 5.0 (9)
  • HOW TO

Wedding planning shouldn’t feel this overwhelming. If you’ve ever wondered what to do next, worried you’re forgetting something, or felt buried under a million decisions, this wedding planning podcast is for you. Each week, I share practical wedding planning advice, expert insight, and sanity-saving tips to help you plan your wedding with more confidence and a lot less stress. I cover the real questions engaged couples have about wedding budgets, wedding timelines, wedding vendors, wedding design, guest logistics, and all the small details that can easily slip through the cracks. I’m Kate, a wedding planner with over 20 years of experience helping couples plan their weddings, and I created this show to give you the kind of guidance that makes wedding planning feel simpler, clearer, and way more manageable. Whether you’re just getting started or already deep in the planning process, this podcast will help you stay organized, make confident decisions, and actually enjoy being engaged. If you’re looking for a wedding planning podcast that gives you clear next steps, real advice, and support from an experienced wedding planner, you’re in the right place.

  1. FEB 25

    147 - The Hidden Wedding Costs That Blow Up Your Budget

    If your wedding budget feels like it keeps growing every time you look at it, you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m breaking down 15 hidden wedding costs that most couples forget to plan for — and that can quietly add thousands to your total. The truth? Most couples don’t overspend because they’re irresponsible. They overspend because they’re missing categories. Today we’re walking through the predictable expenses that show up every single year so you can build a wedding budget that actually works. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:• Why catering minimums do NOT equal your final total • How taxes and service fees can add 20 to 30 percent • The vendor and wedding party costs couples forget • Why “gown budget” doesn’t mean what you think it means • Setup, teardown, and rental fees Pinterest doesn’t show • The small wedding expenses that quietly add up • How to build a wedding budget that doesn’t keep shifting Want Help Building Your Wedding Budget the Right Way?Inside the Planning Collective Membership, I walk you step by step through building a realistic wedding budget — including a customizable tracker that already accounts for hidden wedding costs so you’re not constantly adjusting your numbers. You don’t have to guess your way through this. Learn more here: https://www.planningcollective.com/membership

    25 min

  2. 12/03/2025

    146 - Wedding Planning Reset: Your December Checklist for 2026–2027 Weddings

    Planning a 2026 or 2027 wedding? This episode is your End-of-Year Wedding Planning Checklist, the tasks every couple should complete before January. I cover: • How to update your budget + priorities • Why now is the time to book your core vendors • What to re-check in your venue contract • The best way to reset your planning systems for 2026 • Practical to-dos couples forget at the end of the year • What 2027 couples should definitely be doing right now Grab the free What Am I Forgetting? Checklist, and learn more about the Planning Collective Membership for more support, templates, and planning tools.

    14 min

  3. 11/26/2025

    145 - 15-Minute Wedding Tasks for the Holidays

    In this mini holiday week episode, I’m sharing ten wedding planning tasks you can knock out in fifteen minutes or less. These are tiny, low-pressure wins you can tackle between holiday plans, leftovers, or naps — nothing intense, nothing overwhelming, just simple ways to keep things moving. I’ll give you quick ideas for checking in with vendors, making small design choices, tidying up your planning tools, and knocking out little details that make a big difference later. Pick any three and officially call it a holiday win. And for more help with Planning your wedding, check out planningcollective.com/membership

    10 min

  4. 11/19/2025

    144 - How to Handle Unwanted Wedding Opinions During the Holidays

    Holiday gatherings are basically the Super Bowl of unsolicited wedding advice. In this episode, I’m breaking down why family members get extra opinionated during the holidays, the most common types of “wedding commentators” you’ll run into, and exact scripts you can use to shut down the noise politely — without starting drama. You’ll learn: Why the holidays amplify wedding opinions (nostalgia, cocktails, and 1989 wedding flashbacks)The 4 types of opinion-givers and how to respond to eachPlug-and-play wedding scripts for budget comments, guest list challenges, vendor “recommendations,” and pushed traditionsHow to set boundaries without defending or explaining your wedding choicesWhat to say when you don’t want to talk about the wedding at all If you’re heading into Thanksgiving or Christmas and bracing yourself for “You know what you should do…,” this episode will give you confidence, clarity, and ready-to-go responses. For more support navigating wedding planning without the overwhelm, join me inside the Planning Collective Membership for templates, step-by-step guidance, and weekly Q&A sessions: planningcollective.com/membership And if this episode helped, I’d love it if you rated, reviewed, and subscribed — it helps more couples find the planning help they need!

    14 min

  5. 11/12/2025

    143 - Wedding Planning Q&A: 8 Real Questions Brides Are Asking in 2025

    Today on the Wedding Planning Collective Podcast, I’m answering eight real wedding planning questions submitted by listeners — and we’re covering everything from invitations to aisle etiquette to whether the garter toss is officially dead. If you’re feeling unsure about what’s “normal,” what’s outdated, or what’s actually recommended by a wedding planner… this episode is going to clear a lot up. Here are the exact questions I’m answering in this episode: 1. Is it too early to send wedding invitations 4.5 months before the wedding? 2. For a seating chart, should you list each guest individually or group couples together? 3. How do you approach your venue about adding a late-night snack? 4. How do you prevent guests from leaning into the aisle with their phones during the ceremony? 5. Is it normal to try on wedding dresses without buying one that day? 6. My fiancé wants a garter toss, but I’m not into it. What do couples do now? 7. If you send save-the-dates, do you have to send a formal invitation later? 8. When hiring a day-of coordinator, what’s the most important thing to look for? Resources Mentioned: Wedding Planning Collective Membership planningcollective.com/membership Free Guides & Checklists Including the “What Am I Forgetting?” checklist and more: planningcollective.com/freeguides

    42 min

  6. 11/05/2025

    142 - AI Wedding Planning: How to Use ChatGPT Without Ruining Your Wedding

    Planning your wedding with ChatGPT? Before you start asking AI for budget breakdowns and timelines, this episode is a must-listen. I’m diving into the smart ways to use AI tools like ChatGPT during wedding planning — and what can go horribly wrong if you don’t give it the right context. You’ll learn how to use AI to: Write your vows, speeches, and emailsFind inspiration that fits your budget and vibeBuild realistic timelines that actually workCreate a budget that’s grounded in reality, not fantasy …and just as importantly, I’ll share the 3 things you should never use ChatGPT for (because they can derail your plans fast). Plus, I’ll introduce the brand-new AI Wedding Planning Cheat Sheet — your free guide with 30 customizable ChatGPT prompts to help you plan smarter, not harder. 🎧 Listen now to learn how to make AI your wedding planning secret weapon — not your biggest regret. Grab the free guide: PlanningCollective.com/AI Join the Membership: PlanningCollective.com/membership

    21 min

  7. 10/29/2025

    141 - How to Save on Your Wedding with Black Friday Sales

    Hey friends, Kate here. In this episode, I’m breaking down how to take advantage of Black Friday deals to save money on your wedding without falling into the trap of buying things you don’t actually need. Whether you’re newly engaged or halfway through planning, Black Friday can be an amazing time to save on wedding items, décor, gifts, and even honeymoon essentials. The key is knowing what’s worth grabbing and what’s better to skip. I’ll walk you through the best categories to watch for, including wedding-day accessories, getting-ready outfits, signage, photo and video gear, and items you can repurpose after the wedding. We’ll also cover how to avoid the most common impulse-buy mistakes that cost couples money instead of saving it. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clear strategy for shopping smarter and stretching your wedding budget further—without sacrificing style. If you’re on the go, you can find the full list of recommendations and shopping tips at PlanningCollective.com/blackfriday. In this episode, you’ll learn: • What wedding items are worth buying during Black Friday • The best timing and categories for wedding-related deals • How to avoid buyer’s remorse and overspending • Ways to shop for future wedding needs, not just what looks fun in the moment Resources mentioned: Planning Collective Membership – Get tools, templates, and expert help for planning your wedding stress-free at PlanningCollective.com/membership Follow along on Instagram @PlanningCollectively for more wedding planning tips and budget advice Tune in to learn how to make the most of this year’s Black Friday sales and save on the wedding details that actually matter.

    9 min

  8. 10/22/2025

    140 - 2026 & 2027 Wedding Trends You Need to Know About

    Hey friends, Kate here. In this episode, we’re taking a look ahead at the biggest 2026 and 2027 wedding trends that are actually worth paying attention to. I’m sharing ten of the most exciting shifts happening across the wedding world, including serpentine table layouts, bold color palettes, sculptural florals, interactive guest experiences, and statement bridal looks. But this isn’t just a list of what’s popular. I’ll walk you through how to use these trends in a realistic and budget-friendly way so your wedding feels both stylish and personal. You’ll hear how to make trending designs like serpentine tables and hanging florals work in your space, why bold color layering is replacing the all-neutral look, and how to build interactive moments your guests will love. I’ll also cover what to skip, how to adapt high-end ideas for any celebration, and how to balance timeless style with current inspiration. Whether you’re planning a 2026 or 2027 wedding or simply looking for new ideas for your Pinterest board, this episode is packed with inspiration you can put into action right now. In this episode, you’ll learn: • How to make modern layout and design trends work for your venue • Why color and texture are defining 2026 and 2027 weddings • Ways to include interactive experiences for guests • Fashion and accessory ideas for modern brides • How to mix trend-driven elements with timeless details Resources mentioned: Planning Collective Membership – Get help creating a custom, stress-free wedding plan at PlanningCollective.com/membership Follow along on Instagram @PlanningCollectively for more wedding inspiration and planning tips Tune in to learn which 2026 wedding trends are truly worth saying “I do” to and how to make them work for your own celebration.

    36 min
See All (157)

Trailer

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Wedding planning shouldn’t feel this overwhelming. If you’ve ever wondered what to do next, worried you’re forgetting something, or felt buried under a million decisions, this wedding planning podcast is for you. Each week, I share practical wedding planning advice, expert insight, and sanity-saving tips to help you plan your wedding with more confidence and a lot less stress. I cover the real questions engaged couples have about wedding budgets, wedding timelines, wedding vendors, wedding design, guest logistics, and all the small details that can easily slip through the cracks. I’m Kate, a wedding planner with over 20 years of experience helping couples plan their weddings, and I created this show to give you the kind of guidance that makes wedding planning feel simpler, clearer, and way more manageable. Whether you’re just getting started or already deep in the planning process, this podcast will help you stay organized, make confident decisions, and actually enjoy being engaged. If you’re looking for a wedding planning podcast that gives you clear next steps, real advice, and support from an experienced wedding planner, you’re in the right place.

Information

You Might Also Like