The Complete Wedding Planning Podcast

Tara kicked off this series by presenting the 8 steps of planning a wedding. Today we continue the journey with steps 2 and 3, building the guest list and picking your date.

Complete Weddings + Events is your leading provider of Photo, Video, DJ, Photo Booth, Lighting and Day of Coordination services. Complete Nation is the heart and soul of the people providing the services. Get to know us better with this episode!!

Tara kicked off this series by presenting the 8 steps of planning a wedding. Today we dig deeper into step 1, which is setting your budget. We are joined by Terrie Reno from Complete Springfield.

Planning a wedding is an overwhelming task, but fear not!! Tara, our planning guru is here with the 8 steps to planning a wedding. Budget Guest list Date Bridal party Venue/planner/day of      coordinator Vendors Details Timeline

Our guest is Melanie with Celebrations of the Heart, a bridal shop in Manhattan, KS. We cover all the important things including when to start looking, how to pick the perfect dress, how the alterations process looks, how to store the dress after the wedding and much more!!

A wedding is a grand event comprising a series of large, small, imperative and menial events. One of the most important events is the ceremony itself where the main goal of getting married is accomplished. The gravity of this event warrants an extra step: practice. A wedding rehearsal is key to ensuring the nuptials occur without incident. Tradition after the rehearsal is a meal. Today we talk all about the rehearsal and the dinner that normally follows.

Planning a wedding is a monumental task. Most couples spend over a year meticulously managing every detail in what becomes an additional job. The wedding day comes and goes. All guests enjoyed themselves, and most importantly, you are married. A new issue emerges. All of the time and effort that went into planning is now replaced with second guesses, regret, and sometimes even depression. Today we discuss these feelings, and how to process them.

Planning a wedding is filled with major questions. Which venue is best for us? Do we do a plated or buffet meal? Will we have an open bar? What is our total guest count? Some of these are easy based on budget and personal preference. Some are more difficult. Today we tackle one of the difficult questions: kids or no kids?

The big day is planned and the invites are out. All your closest family and friends have RSVP’ed “YES.” As the wedding date nears a question arises: how do you engage with all your invited guests? We discuss ways to make personal connections with guests today.

Global Partners in Hope and Complete Weddings + Events partner for the 10th year to bring hope and sustainable infrastructure to Western Africa. Join us for a discussion with Global Partners CEO, Ian Vickers and Complete CEO, Eric Maas. Follow us for an update on the progress of the Do Good campaign. Also follow Global Partners for ways to individually contribute to the cause.

We are back with a revisit and update to the important topic of timelines. Today we will discuss how to set an achievable timeline that also fits your vision of the big day.

The perfect venue has been secured. All the look and feel visions are coming together. Now it's time to find the perfect vendors to join your day. Does venue familiarity matter? We explore that today.

Braden and Molly Holle join us to recap their March 2022 wedding. They discuss what they loved about planning, and why working with a multi-service team was best for them. The reception was at the Kansas State Alumni Center, and the after party was at Kites in Aggieville.

We all know the story. The engagement is wedding planning bliss and the big day is a fairy tale. We also know these are only stories. Few things rival a wedding’s potential to incite stress and conflict. Weddings are supposed to be fun and fulfilling, but it takes a real, pragmatic approach. That’s our topic for today. Tia McAltister from Complete Carolina joins us.

This episode is a recap of the National Wedding Planning Day panel discussion. List for key points and additional commentary.

Tara and Josh establish an expert panel from across COMPLETE Nation to discuss the hottest wedding planning topics.

You have successfully resisted the urge to plan before setting your budget and priorities. With a set budget it is set it's time to pick your date and book your venue. Today we talk about how to do this and what comes next. References are also made to episodes 45, 47 and 54, which cover hotel room blocks, personalization and rainy days.

Everyone has their own love story. It's important to keep your love's fire burning, and it does take work. Complete Nation offers advice from couples with different stories and amounts time together. The common advice: make sure to take the time and effort to stay connected. Make every day Valentine's Day.

Today we are talking about the first foundational steps after becoming engaged. The bliss of a new engagement may cause you to dream of beautiful dresses and florals. But resist that urge until you have your budget and priorities set. Today we talk about how to set them.

The Knot created National Wedding Planning Day as an annual holiday celebrated March 1st. Esther Lee, Senior Editor for the The Knot, joins to talk about how the holiday started, and to share some wedding trends. Visit The Knot content page to learn more, and join us all month for more topics to kick off wedding planning season. Full schedule below: February 8: You're Engaged! Now What? pt 1 - Setting Your Date and Securing a Venue February 14: Celebrate Love - The Importance of Dating Your Spouse February 22: You're Engaged! Now What? pt 2 - Setting Budget and Priorities March 1: Complete's National Wedding Planning Day Panel (this is the main event!)

The 2022 season of the Complete Wedding Planning Podcast kicks off February 1 as we start the National Wedding Planning Day celebration. New episodes release all though February. Join us to as we discuss the best way to start the wedding planning process. Here is a preview of the February 1 episode, which features Esther Lee from The Knot.

Hello and Happy New Year. Thanks for following us in 2021, and cheers to an awesome 2022. We will close out season 2 of our podcast with some helpful tips and tricks for navigating the wedding show. Visit Josh and Complete Weddings + Events of Milwaukee at the Wonderful World of Weddings show at Wisconsin State Fair Park. Show hours are 10am-4pm Saturday, January 8 and Sunday, January 9, 2022. Visit Tara and All About You Events and Complete Weddings + Events Manhattan at the Flint Hills Bridal Expo at the Hilton Garden Inn. Show hours are Noon-4pm Sunday, January 9, 2022.

The wedding planning is not for you. The idea of bringing hundreds of people to town for a big party just doesn't fit. Your dream is more of an intimate event with only the closest people. A destination wedding is right for you. Our guest is Niki Rakowitz with CARE Travel out of Manhattan, KS. Visit them to plan your next trip!!

The wedding day is almost here. The planning process has been exhaustive, but the light at the end of the tunnel is visible. Now it's time for the really fun part: the honeymoon. Our guest is Niki Rakowitz with CARE Travel out of Manhattan, KS. Visit them to plan your next trip!!

The year is coming to a close and New Year's Eve is just around the corner. We will soon be ringing in the New Year. Will you or a friend be also ringing in the I Do? Today we talk about New Year's Eve weddings. The pros, the cons, and what to think about if planning one.

The wedding planning is in full force. Lists have been made and tasks have been assigned. Things are moving forward. Boxes have been checked and hard conversations have been had. The immersion into the wedding planning process is successful, and you are now living and breathing wedding planning. It has basically become another job. You have purchased your ticket on the Stresstown Express, and you've boarded the train. This is not a good thing. Today's topic is about taking a break and keeping sane.

The wedding plans are coming together well. So well that we table the conversation this week. At Complete We Do so much more than weddings. During the winter and holiday season we focus on family and friends, just like our wedding planning couples. Today we discuss what makes a great company holiday party.

Let's talk about the weather and the seasons. When most people think about weddings the first thought is summer. However, fall weddings have almost completely overtaken as the trend in many places. We in the industry consider spring to be the official start of the wedding year. But what about the 4th season? Is winter a good time for a wedding? We discuss that today.

The wedding day is almost fully planned. Everything is coming together beautifully and all the big things are set. It's now time to focus on the smaller details. Today we are talking favors. This is the item that you want each guest to leave with as a memory for your big day.

The wedding day is in full swing. It's dancing time. All of your guests have taken in the sweet first dance and parents dances, and it is now time to open the floor. What is the best way to engage the shy crowd or take the dancing crowd to the next level? Group dances.

The date is set, and the venue is booked. Most of the vendors in your top priority list are booked. Now it's time to handle the guest list. Today we discuss the most polarizing potential guests, and, no we are not talking about that crazy uncle who can't have dinner without getting into politics. We are talking about kids.

After you've announced your engagement and finalized your wedding venue, you can begin finalizing the décor and theme of your wedding. Your wedding dress plays a big part of that, and usually that decision is made at the forefront of the décor decision process. We've highlighted a few details to think about and faux pas to avoid as you decide on the perfect dress for your theme, location, venue and the dream party you will be throwing. Don't miss this conversation about all things dress related, including dress length, trains, neckline, shoes, veils and more!

The wedding day is here and it is going awesome!! All of the time planning has been time well spent. Family and friends from far and wide have gathered to watch a beautiful wedding and partake in an epic party. The bar has called last call. The band or DJ has signaled last song. But the party people are not done partying. So what's next?

Wedding days are filled with fun, family, tradition and music. How do you plan the music for the wedding? That's the topic for today.

Planning a wedding is a long process filled with late nights and big decisions. It has been going for over a year, but there is now light at the end of the tunnel. Today we talk about the home stretch of wedding planning.

Planning a wedding has always been a mountain of a task. The presence of Covid has made the mountain higher. Today we are diving into the effects Covid has had on the timing of the big day and the planning steps needed.

The wedding plans are coming together marvelously. The guest list and website are in the final stretches. It is now time to address a tradition as old as weddings themselves: the registry.

The wedding day is FINALLY here!! The butterflies held off long enough to get a good night's rest. Brunch, hair and makeup, a round of golf, and many things like that are on the schedule before pictures and the wedding ceremony. Then you get a push notification from the Weather app, which adds another thing to the list: preparing for the possibility of rain.

Every good party and your wedding is going to be the best. So the question at hand is does that music come from a band or a DJ. There are many factors to consider, and we dive into those today.

The wedding day is moving smoothly and going great. The couple looks amazing, the nuptials were sweet, cocktail hour was a blast, and the newlyweds have made their way into the reception. In a short period of time the MC will ask for everyone's attention and introduce the highly anticipated toasts. If you are one of the lucky ones that get to toast the newlyweds this episode is for you!!

Minister Trina Tyler from A Heartfelt Ceremony joins to talk about the ceremony and the legal process of getting married. Make sure to check out her Wedding Wire page linked, and note she is licensed in all 50 States and a number of countries.

What do you get when you put decades of wedding event professionals together at a happy hour? This. Enjoy the madness!!

We create and capture awesome stories that bring communities together to celebrate life. Catch up with Complete Nation in your area. Also contributing is Rachel Sheerin, our 2021 keynote speaker.

A wedding day is a collection of moments. Today we discuss the moment you take your spouse's hand and hit the dance floor, and how to make a first dance experience for the ages. Our guests are Catey Rice, Fossum and Aleksandr Rychkov from Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Wisconsin. Visit them Nationally or Internationally.

Music is the soundtrack of life. So how do you make your wedding day soundtrack memorable, inclusive, and representative of you as a couple. Today we talk about making it awesome and all you.

Summer is a time honored tradition full of fun activities. This includes celebration of weddings. What are some things to consider for your attire when attending a summer wedding? We address that and other dress code tips in this episode.

All the tools and tips needed to set up a good hotel experience for out of town guests.

Getting married is a joyful experience, and planning a wedding is fun. However, as too many know the planning can be highly stressful, and improper or incomplete planning can lead to regrets. Our goal as always is to increase the joy and reduce or eliminate the stress and regret. Today we talk about common planning mistakes and how to avoid them. **Editing Note: tons of internet connectivity issues during recording. There are a couple small continuity situations, but overall kept the content intact.**

A wedding website is a great way to easily share wedding details, gift registries, or accept RSVPs all in one place. Today we talk about how to make a good one, and how to use it to communicate a ton of information to your guests. For more detail and example check out our blog.

Planning a wedding is full of boxes to check. You have the guest list, the music, the flowers, and many, many more things. But make sure you are putting the thought into the biggest piece - the part where you are getting married. Today we talk about a writing your own vows, and how it can personalize your day.

The focus of this episode is bridal parties. We discuss when to have it, who to invite, and all things planning.

Planning a wedding is full of choices. Some are fun, some are difficult, and some check both boxes. Décor comes to mind as an example. How do you choose the colors and accessories for your wedding? We talk about that today.

Planning a wedding is full of many gray areas. There are few things as unclear and broad as gratuities. So who do you tip and how much? We talk about that today.

Friends and family are a key to a great wedding day. What if you have family in the industry? Should they be involved in the planning and execution of the day? If so, what role should they have, and how should the boundaries be drawn? Listen for more!!

To photo booth or not to photo booth, that is the question. In this episode we discuss the ways a photo booth can loosen up the crowd and add fun memories.

The perfect wedding day has the perfect wedding party comprised of closest friends. What are the expectations and needs for the wedding party? What is the best way to work around mixed signals, raw emotions and other things that people tend to bring to the table? Today we talk about managing the wedding party and keeping the intentions and obligations up front and clear.

The perfect day is planned and includes the perfect DJ set to keep the dance floor packed. That's all they will do - right? Well maybe, but they shouldn't. What else can your DJ do besides play music? Listen to learn more.

Planning a wedding will pull you in many directions. You will collaborate not only with your fiancé, but also with your influencer group. There will be all kinds of traditions and "ways to do things" that will be presented. So how do you customize the wedding day to make sure it reflects you? Listen for details and ideas.

The perfect day is planned is ready to go, and it is time to think about the execution of the day. How do you create and effectively communicate the timeline to all your vendors? Listen for great tips.

Invitations are more than just the way to get guests to your wedding. They are first look guests get into the day. It is a place to show a level of formality and personality. But invitations are also a place of potential hidden costs and etiquette faux pas. Listen for some pro tips about the invitations.

The big day is planned and all the details are covered. There is absolutely nothing that can go wrong except for everything. We discuss contingency plans for simple things like backup locations for an outdoor ceremony. But we also cover more difficult situations such as moving the date and handling people.

Photography is a key service couples look for in the search for wedding vendors, and most consider the pictures from their wedding day one of the top 2-3 things prioritized. Ari Reynolds joins to discuss posing tips, candid approaches, and how to make sure you love your photos.

The local wedding show is the best way to kick the wedding planning into 5th gear. Tara and Josh share tips for the best bridal show experience.

The bachelorette party is the perfect time to get the ladies together for a pamper day, good brunch, wild weekend…or ALL of the above. Amy Schwartz and Amanda Nowak join Misty for this conversation.

The bachelor party has been shown in cinema countless times. In this episode we dig into the truth about what happens at one of these events. Adam McNeill is the guest for this discussion.

The Knot named March 1 National Wedding Planning Day. Complete Weddings + Events celebrated with a panel discussion for all our wedding planning couples. Please visit us at CompleteWeDo.com to learn how we can make your day awesome!! You + Us = Better Together!! See the video version here YouTube.

Happy National Wedding Planning Day!! Bringing your vision to life from your decor to lighting so you can wow your guests is more than just researching ideas. From Pinterest to Instagram inspiration is everywhere so join us as we bring you some helpful tips on how to execute your ideas. We are presented by COMPLETE Weddings and Events, your leading provider of Photo, Video, DJ, Photo Booth, Lighting and Coordination services. Visit us at completewedo.com.

Happy National Wedding Planning Day!! Photo Booth allows you to cherish a keepsake involving all your guests having a great time at your wedding. So let loose, grab a prop and strike a pose while listening in on our thoughts on if a Photo Booth should be a must for your wedding. We are presented by COMPLETE Weddings and Events, your leading provider of Photo, Video, DJ, Photo Booth, Lighting and Coordination services. Visit us at completewedo.com.

Happy National Wedding Planning Day!! Ah the soundtrack to your most perfect day, music is all you need right?!? Here at Complete we believe your DJ is more than a playlist, they help coordinate your plan and keep your crowd living in the moment. Take a listen to learn more. We are presented by COMPLETE Weddings and Events, your leading provider of Photo, Video, DJ, Photo Booth, Lighting and Coordination services. Visit us at completewedo.com.

Happy National Wedding Planning Day!! Video captures the live emotion of your wedding day, the shaky voice during your vows, the cheers of your official announcement of husband and wife, the shot of your dress spinning on the dance floor, and well who can forget that best man speech. Don’t regret not having a video, take a listen why! We are presented by COMPLETE Weddings and Events, your leading provider of Photo, Video, DJ, Photo Booth, Lighting and Coordination services. Visit us at completewedo.com.

Happy National Wedding Planning Day!! Photography is not only a yes for your wedding day it is a must and hiring a professional is the right decision! Join us to hear all about the photo experience and preparation that comes into play when getting those perfect shots. We are presented by COMPLETE Weddings and Events, your leading provider of Photo, Video, DJ, Photo Booth, Lighting and Coordination services. Visit us at completewedo.com.

Happy National Wedding Planning Day!! Imagine being stress free on your wedding day with a drink in your hand and feet on the dance floor. All the details are handled, everyone in their place, and YOU ARE MARRIED! Now listen to learn how this can all become a reality! We are presented by COMPLETE Weddings and Events, your leading provider of Photo, Video, DJ, Photo Booth, Lighting and Coordination services. Visit us at completewedo.com.

The 5th and final part of our budget and finance series. Adam Purcell from Re/Max Realty 100 joins to talk about the steps to take when buying a home. He recommends starting with the finances before the internet search, walks through simple ways to set your budget, and describes the PITI (principle, insurance, taxes, yearly interest) to make sure all costs are properly captured. Visit Adam and other members of the Re/Max family at remax.com.

Location is an important, early detail to address when planning a wedding, and by this we mean geography. There are traditional options such as pick the hometown of the couple or their current residence. But there are also more exotic options in destination weddings. Then there is the best of both worlds: The Wisconsin Dells. The Dells allow the escape from home without the passport requirement, which makes it a great domestic destination. Taylor Youngblut from the Chula Vista Resort is guest. Chula Vista is a premier resort in the Dells. They offer guest accommodations, all season water park options, multiple ceremony and reception options, and an onsite golf course. Check them out to see if they are the perfect fit for your wedding. Chula Vista Resort Official Site 608-254-1625 or email weddings@chulavistaresort.com

The 4th of our 5 part finance series. Ryan and Maggie Sparke rejoin the show as personal finance experts to discuss the long term planning engaged couples should be considering. Wedding planning requires some deep financial conversations, and offers a good avenue for couples to look at their finances on a greater level. This conversation is based around thinking about and planning for the future.

The 3rd of our 5 part finance series. You have set the pool of total money and put together a budget for the wedding. This discussion with wedding coordinator, Misty Kingsley, focuses on the places to maximize the budget. We talk about setting the top priorities and then looking for places to save.

The second of our 5 part finance series.  You have set the pool of total money available for the wedding.  This discussion with wedding coordinator, Tara Grubb, focuses on the process of setting the budget for specific services.  We talk about starting with the guest list, setting priorities, and planning for the unexpected.

The first of our 5 part finance series. The first step in building good budget is determining the amount of money you have to spend. Adam Purcell, wedding industry vet and personal finance expert joins to discuss. We talk effective process and communication protocol when setting the wedding planning money pool.

Wedding day music is an important part of the soundtrack for your life. Picture yourself on a dance floor a year, 5, 10, 25, or even 50 years down the road. What is the song you want to be dancing to with the love of your life? Blane Howard, Nashville based singer, song writer who has written a perfect wedding song is the guest to discuss the perfect first dance. Visit him at blanehoward.com and follow him on Spotify and download his music on iTunes.

The big day is set and fast approaching, and you have your vision. But you also have an army of people behind you with ideas for your wedding, and you can't just ignore them all. Today we are going to talk about taking a step back, having a personal reflection, and driving the necessary communication with a goal of answering the important question: who are you wedding planning for?

We are talking about a big wedding day decision. Specifically whether or not to include certain family members in the festivities - your fur babies.

The ceremony is one of the biggest decisions of a wedding day. Deciding between a religious or secular ceremony may be very easy for some couples as they consider traditions, personal beliefs and even family wishes. But for some couples this ends up being the first big life decision they make together. The discussion is with Catholic Deacon, John, and Officiant, Paul. We talk about customs, preparation, and wedding advice from married men who have presided over thousands of ceremonies.

Guests are Libbi Venable from Complete Weddings and Events of St. Louis and Kayla Airy, a bride from Omaha.  2020 and Covid have caused the need for flexibility of plans.  We discuss moving wedding dates  from both a vendor and bride perspective.

We take a trip down memory lane with the big milestones of 1 year, 5 years, 10 years, and 25 years Couples representing each of these anniversaries talk about what it was like to plan a wedding, where they were in the order of friends and family, and how to deal with the potential liabilities at the party. Stories include worrying about puns at an Irish wedding, dealing with the nerves as the best man is handed the mic for his speech, what to do if the groom may be the liability, and what happens when close family is sent home early.

Music is a must at any good party. Do you go with a band or DJ when planning a wedding? This subject is discussed with band leader, Kris and DJ, Anthony. We talk benefits, planning, considerations, kicking out wedding parties, and bringing grandma back to life.

Insight to the advantages of the multi-service vendor. Discussion is with Misty from Complete Weddings and Events and Tasha from Vital Image. We talk collaboration, putting the couple first, and medical emergencies at weddings.

Wedding shows are Pinterest on steroids. They are the perfect place for engaged couples to meet, greet, see and experience all that their local vendors have to offer for their day. Kind of like Pinterest on steroids. Guest is Megan Partington from Wonderful World of Weddings.

We give you some top shelf tips in a fun, simple way.  Here are the topics: Alcohol Bustle Cake, Cocktail Hour Dance, Decorations Eat Family, Food, Fun Games, Gratuity Help I Do, Information Jewelry Kids, Kiss Late Night Food Marriage License, Meals, Music No Play List Open Bar Photography, Place Cards Quirks Rain Shoes, Speeches Timeline, Traditions, Transportation Unexpected Videography, Vendor Meals eXit Plan YOLO Zip Ties ...and of course, Wedding Planner Literally something for everyone!!

Today we hear from the friends and family that attend weddings like it's their job. They give the guest perspective about the party, the decorations, what it is like to manage their schedule to attend, and the mood when you find out that you are actually at an anniversary party.

Making the decision whether or not to hire a professional wedding planner is something to consider early and often as you move toward the big day. Discussing the things to consider when deciding if it is right for you. We talk with professional planner Janelle from evenementplanning.com discussing experience, risk mitigation, and fire in the wedding hall.

Congrats on the engagement!! Now let's get to work. Here's advice for how to get going. We're chatting with professional planners Tara Grubb and Amy Schwartz from completewedo.com discussing the first steps, taking a step back, and showing boudoir videos to grandma.

Visit us weekly for stress free wedding planning advice from the experts.  Are you planning a wedding? Contact us today to learn how we can help reduce the stress.