WEDDING PLANNING WEDNESDAY: ENGAGED, NOW WHAT?!

When I look down at my hand and remember I’M ENGAGED the butterflies flood my stomach all over again. But, like a ton of bricks, it hit me last week, we’ve been engaged for four months…

I’ve done zero wedding planning! I guess ZERO isn’t fair. I’ve researched lots of venues. Emailed even more. We’ve settled on four that we agree on!
So, the next step is viewing them.

Tomorrow, we head to Florida for Kyle’s cousin’s wedding and we’ll officially kick off planning of our own big day.

If you’re planning an out-of-state wedding, nailing down your venue can be really tricky. But, honestly, it’s the first thing you have to check off you list before you can move on to hiring any other vendors.

I thought it might be helpful to share a few tips for those early days of your engagement.

Engagement is a short season of life. The most important part is to enjoy it to the fullest. Tell your waiter you just got engaged, and indulge in that free dessert, girl! ;)

YOU’RE ENGAGED, NOW WHAT?!

• DETERMINE YOUR GUEST LIST - The guest list is important is because different venues hold different size crowds. Sounds so obvious, right? But, you don’t want to fall in love with a venue that can’t hold your entire party! You can log everyone’s name and address by using The Knot’s online planning tool. Do this early - then you don’t have to worry about collecting addresses later when you select your invitations.

• STAY ORGANIZED - I am using The Knot’s online tool and a spreadsheet I found on Google Sheets to compare vendors and keep all my notes in one place! You’re going to want to keep all of your contracts and vendor information in one place, so that it’s easy to reference when you need it. Just search “Wedding Planner” on Google Sheets. Here’s what it looks like on the left.

• KNOW YOUR BUDGET - If something is outside your budget, it’s best to know upfront that way you can find other options. While some people may have an unlimited budget, I think that most do not! And, I do not. My friend Betsy gifted me this book from The Knot called The Knot Book of Wedding Lists! It’s so amazing. It helps you understand how you should break down your budget and gives you an idea of what to do in the months leading up to your wedding.

• RESEARCH VENUES - Everyone’s favorite question will be, “when’s the date?!”. But, honestly, I’ve been so hesitant to even lean towards a date without having my venue selected. Why? I feel like I can’t nail down a date until I’ve spoken to a venue about their available dates, and I’ve submitted my deposit to secure that date! But, “when’s the date?” will soon become your LEAST favorite question everyone asks you. Haha! Your venue will help determine your wedding style. So, it’s a big step in the process and will kick off the rest of vendor search! Tip: I searched venues by looking at local wedding photographer’s websites. That way I could get a better idea of weddings at the location.

• START A PINTEREST BOARD - I’ll be honest...I don’t really use Pinterest that often anymore. But, wedding planning has revived my love for the platform. It’s FULL of ideas and inspiration. It’s definitely helping me form ideas on what I want my wedding experience to be. You can also keep it private, and only invite your bridal party to help you plan!

Without a venue, you can’t book ANY other vendors - caterers, photographers, videographers, DJ, etc. Because, they need to be able to check their calendars to see if they are already booked on that date!

I hope these tips will help you as you begin to plan your wedding. If you have any other tips for early wedding planning, please share them with me in the comment below!

Xo,

Kimberly

I'M A PODCAST JUNKIE

There are so many ways to spend your time in this life. There’s a lot of down time - whether it be commuting to work or parking yourself in front of the TV after you get home. I have a huge obsession with podcasts - mainly because they help keep me focused when I'm doing tasks like folding laundry or washing dishes. Haha!

It all started back in high school - before podcasts were even podcasts.

I started listening to This American Life on the radio (yes..all you Gen Z’s - go Google what that's like). I would get so hooked on these stories from across the world. They would grip me, and I would get super bummed out if I missed the beginning or missed it completely because - hello..no rewinding radio in the early 2000s.

Anyway, fast-forward to today, and podcasts are popping up everywhere. Everyone is creating their own podcast -- which is cool! You can find podcasts on SO many different topics. I feel like there’s a lot that was missed in my education journey on topics like personal finance, politics, science, etc. And, today I listen to fascinating podcasts that fall into all sorts of categories. So, if you’ve never listened to podcasts and you’re looking for a place to start, I’ve curated my starter list to help you jump into the podcast scene.

• This American Life: I would be wrong to not start here, as this is what sucked me into this habit. The show started in 1995. So, it’s possible that someone reading this wasn’t even alive yet! I digress. So, mostly this show is based on a theme. Then, the host, Ira Glass, brings you different stories all tied to that theme. You never know where they are going, and it will take you on quite a ride. Shoutout to the OG!

• How I Built This: If you’re a dreamer or entrepreneur you’re going to L-O-V-E this podcast. Host, Guy Raz, interviews business owners about their journey from concept to empire. Guests include the late Kate Spade, Ron Shaich of Panera Bread, Jane Wurwand of Dermalogica and so many others! It will leave you feeling like you want to write a 50-page business plan. So inspiring!

• Planet Money: This isn’t your run of the mill “here’s how you save money” podcast. Although, I should probably listen to more of those. Ha! Planet Money talks about all sorts of financial-related topics. Like, have you ever wondered why we use a signature for purchases? On the back of your card? Planet Money can answer that. It makes the economy fun! Yes, I said that.

• Ear Hustle: This is one of my more recent finds, and I’m hooked. I listen to a lot of true crime, but this flips the script and shows you the other side. Ear Hustle is produced inside San Quentin by Nigel Poor, Earlonne Woods and Antwan Williams. Earlonne and Antwan are currently incarcerated and bring stories of life inside prison. To say this show is powerful is not doing it justice. I’m a firm believer in making the best of what’s in front of you and this show really makes you rethink all the stereotypes our society holds about the incarcerated population.

• Underdog Podcast: My friend Scott Kujak started his podcast less than a year ago, and I’m constantly impressed with the guests he finds to feature. If you’re in need of a jump start in the inspiration department, his podcast brings it every single time. Featuring guests that have faced tough times and risen above, the stories range from facing cancer to overcoming drug addiction. The stories are amazing, and remind you that you can conquer anything with the will to do so.

I hope this list inspires you to start listening more - do you have any favorites?! Some of my favorite I haven't even shared here. If you want my full list, comment below!

XO,

Kimberly