Wedding Planning Podcast Kara Lamerato

Happy Thanksgiving!  This week, get inspired by the creative wedding decor projects that other listeners are tackling, and stay tuned for your questions in a special Wedding Decor Q&A:
Should we rent decor, or buy stuff + DIY? Tips for furniture rentals, like lounge couches & chairs? One-stop shopping rec's for decor items? With decorations, what's a good balance between too much & not enough? Is it ok NOT to decorate for the rehearsal dinner? How can we make our venue's low ceilings feel higher? Questions about decor, your wedding plans, or stories to share?  Be in touch! >>> weddingplanningpodcast.co/contact
A HUGE thank you to today's show sponsors:
It's not just videography - it's cinematic artistry.  Get in touch with Shutter & Sound Films at shutterandsound.com, and let your wedding day be a cinematic masterpiece you'll revisit time and again.
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 honeymoon OR $200 off your destination wedding!

Waaaayyyy too many engaged couples fail to plan for these ten sneaky little expenses that appear in the final months before the wedding!
Today we’re going to cover TEN unexpected budget busters, so that you're not caught off-guard - stuck making impulsive last minute decisions out of stress or lack of information.  
Be sure to stick around until the end of the show for a quick "BLACK FRIDAY / CYBER WEEK" segment on how to save big on all things wedding on Etsy! 
To view my favorites, visit: weddingplanningpodcast.co/etsy
Thank you for supporting this week's valued show sponsors:
My husband John is already loving the look & feel of his skin after just a couple of weeks of using "The Regimen" from men's skincare line, Caldera Lab.  Use code "WEDDING" for 20% off!
Visit Generation Tux, where you can build your suit & tuxedo looks from home, get free color swatches, a free Home Try-On, AND manage your entire wedding party online.
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 honeymoon OR $200 off your destination wedding!

Submit your wedding questions & stories on our website!  www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/contact
In today's episode, I have an inbox full of your wedding planning questions, including:
Are wedding fairs worth the time? How to pick a DJ?  No idea where to start! My dress is very heavy, with a dramatic long train.  Should I consider a separate reception dress for dancing? >>> My fave sites for reception party dresses >>> Shein & Lulus What are your thoughts on a NYE wedding?  We love the symbolism of beginning our lives together at the start of a new year, but the logistics of actually planning for NYE seems hard.  Struggling with creating a core wedding vision and building out from there.  I feel like we have so many ideas, but none of them are cohesive or go together.  Our wedding is set for Fall 2025.  Is there an easy place to start that I am simply missing? What’s a quick list of things to prioritize when shopping for venues? What are “hidden fees” to look out for with any venue or vendors? How do I specify number of people invited to the wedding when addressing the invitation envelope? A special thank you to today's show sponsors:
It's not just videography - it's cinematic artistry.  Get in touch with Shutter & Sound Films at shutterandsound.com, and let your wedding day be a cinematic masterpiece you'll revisit time and again.
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 honeymoon OR $200 off your destination wedding!
Browse gorgeous paper products and complementary free wedding websites from our friends at Minted Weddings, AND save 25% off your Save the Dates with code SHINE23 (offer expires 11.11.23)
 

The cost of food & drinks can be a huge source of frustration when planning your wedding.  I can’t tell you how many messages I get from couples who are utterly horrified by the per person fee for dinner & drinks - and rightfully so! 
Today we’re going to explore setting up your own appetizer spread, and I think you’ll be blown away by the savings ... yes,  up to 85% off the cost of a traditional wedding caterer.
Tune in for my detailed roadmap to appetizer / happy hour menu planning, shopping, and setting it all up.
We'll review how much to buy, where to shop, and what you can expect the total price tag to be for TWO different sample menu options.
We even cover the details that are often overlooked, so that your plan is airtight and nothing is missed.
Even if you are using a more traditional caterer for the main meal, doing your own appetizer spread is a wonderful way to customize the offering, UP the quality, AND save a ton of money.  What's not to love?
Not allowed to bring outside food into your venue?  This process for setting up a beautiful appetizer spread is also perfect for your bridal shower, welcome party, rehearsal dinner, or any other party you host in the future. 
Be sure to bookmark it, and share this episode with a friend who's helping you plan!
Enjoy the full blog post:  www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/cheese
Discover endless cocktail hour inspiration!  https://www.pinterest.com/karasvinwedding/wedding-cocktail-hour/
A very special thank you to today's show sponsors:
It's not just videography - it's cinematic artistry.  Get in touch with Shutter & Sound Films at shutterandsound.com, and let your wedding day be a cinematic masterpiece you'll revisit time and again.
My husband John is already loving the look & feel of his skin after just a couple of weeks of using "The Regimen" from men's skincare line, Caldera Lab.  Use code "WEDDING" for 20% off!
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 honeymoon OR $200 off your destination wedding!

Engagement photos are an incredible opportunity to capture you & your fiancé in your happiest moments, and to share those images across your save the dates, your wedding website, holiday cards, and as decorations throughout your wedding celebration.
The thing is, choosing the perfect outfits, getting hair & make up just right so that you look incredible but still natural, and posing effortlessly can be much easier said than done!
Choosing what you’re going to wear and struggling through a last minute hair and makeup session an hour before you meet your photographer is not a great idea, to say the least.  
Neither is waiting until you show up to find out that your fiancé has the worst stage fright, and looks like Chandler from "Friends" (season 7, episode 5, The One with The Engagement Picture) because they suddenly can’t smile.  
Today on the WPP I have a handful of tricks and tips to make sure your engagement photo shoot is smooth, seamless, and yields those perfect shots that you’ve been dreaming of sharing with all of family, friends, and friends of friends.  
Tune in for so much more, and head over to the blog post for today's show for a full written recap & links:
www.weddingplanningpodcast.co/engagement-photos
A huge thank you to this week's show sponsors:
It's not just videography - it's cinematic artistry.  Get in touch with Shutter & Sound Films at shutterandsound.com, and let your wedding day be a cinematic masterpiece you'll revisit time and again.
Now that you've got your engagement photos back, it’s time to share them with the world on gorgeous, high quality save the date and holiday cards from Minted Weddings.  Save 25% off Save The Dates and 15% off ALL wedding stationary when you visit weddingplanningpodcast.co/minted and use code WEDDING23.  Hurry, offer ends 10.30.23!
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 honeymoon OR $200 off your destination wedding!

Today on the Wedding Planning Podcast, we're exploring your top wedding questions, including:
Ideal number of wedding party members / pro’s & con’s of larger vs. smaller group? What are your thoughts on doing a first look vs. waiting for the more traditional moment when I walk down the aisle? Inviting kids to the wedding - does it have to be “all or nothing?”  Babysitting options? OK to assign seats for the ceremony?  Divorced parents on my side and want to keep them separated. Do you have a good resource for a full wedding planning countdown / timeline?  Best resource for planning our honeymoon? Easy & convenient tuxedo / suit rentals? Including family & friends who want to help, but I don’t really know what to ask them to do.  What are some easy items to delegate? Etiquette involved w/ planning at the same time as my close friend?  Things are already overlapping and I’m feeling really frustrated Please consider our valued show partners when selecting services for your special day!
My husband John is already loving the look & feel of his skin after just a couple of weeks of using "The Regimen" from men's skincare line, Caldera Lab.  Use code "WEDDING" for 20% off!
Visit Generation Tux, where you can build your suit & tuxedo looks from home, get free color swatches, a free Home Try-On, AND manage your entire wedding party online.
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 honeymoon OR $200 off your destination wedding!