Explore every episode of the podcast Piece of Cake Podcast: A Detailed Guide to Wedding Planning

In this episode we talk all about guest books- from the traditional book you buy at the craft store to all the new creative options out there. We leave you with the three key ingredients that will make your guest book a piece of cake:
1. A guestbook is a good memento and activity
2. You can stay low budget on these
3. Don't forget the pens

Note: Due to the COVID-19 situation we will be taking a break from the podcast. Please follow us on Instagram @pieceofcake.planning for updates on when we will be back and reach out to us if you have any questions! Our hearts go out to all the brides affected. 

During this time of uncertainty- we're putting this episode out to look forward to the the future when we can all gather again and come together to celebrate our brides. Today's episode is all about bridal showers. We will give you ideas for drinks, food, and activities. We will leave you with the three key ingredients that will make bridal showers a piece of cake:
1. Have some sort of game or activity
2. Have some sort of sweets
3. Have some sort of fun ;)

In this episode we talk through the different options for your exit and all the logistics involved. We leave you with the three key ingredients that will make your grand exit a piece of cake. 
1. Have a last song or your DJ cue the exit
2. Have a coordinator or someone to facilitate the exit
3. Make sure you actually exit 

In today's episode we talk about the who, what, where, when, and why's of the rehearsal dinner. We leave you with the three key ingredients that will make your rehearsal dinner a piece of cake.

1. Make sure you walk through your ceremony with music at least twice
2. You can have your dinner wherever you want
3. Rehearsal dinners are the perfect opportunity to thank your bridal party and family

This episode is all about thanking your guests, and one great way to do that is favors! We will give you all the ideas for favors and some money saving tips and tricks. We will leave you with the three key ingredients that will make your favors a piece of cake. 

1. Favors are a great way to thank your guests
2. A good favor is useful, applicable to a wide audience, and personal
3. Make sure your guests actually get the favor

Today we'll talk all about table numbers- there's more to them than you think! We'll walk you through the basics as well as give you some creative ideas if you want to take them to the next level. 

We'll leave you with the three key ingredients that will make your table numbers a piece of cake:
1. We do recommend them; even if you don't have a seating chart they can be helpful. 
2. Table numbers are a great opportunity for DIY.
3. There are some fun alternatives, so be creative. 

In this episode we talk about all the different options for seating charts from a head table to place cards and give you tips and tricks along the way. We leave you with the three key ingredients that will make your seating chart a piece of cake:
1. Seating charts are a spectrum; decide what's worth it for you.
2. When making your seating chart, start with the head table. 
3. Don't make an awkward singles table.

In this episode we expand on our stationary topic from season one to include more paper products and all the signage. We talk through all the options for signs and give some tips and tricks along the way. We leave you with the three key ingredients to make your signage a piece of cake:
1. If you have things you want people to do, you have to make a sign
2. Have fun with your signs if you want and customize them to your liking
3. Signage is a good area for DIY, so be creative

In this episode we talk about creating your guest list. We go through what drives this decision like venue and budget, and walk you through how to create it. We leave you with the three key ingredients that will make your guest list a piece of cake:
1. Consider your venue and budget when you're figuring out number of people to invite
2. Decide whether your dream guest list or guest count is more important
3. Start with your dream list, then pair it down as needed

In today's episode we'll discuss the highly debated topic of the first look. We will talk about the pros and cons and all the logistics.

We will leave you with the three key ingredients that will make your first look a piece of piece of cake:
1. Doing a first look can be better for logistics
2. Though it's better for logistics, you do not have to do a first look
3. Regardless of which route you go, work with your photographer and coordinator to make the timeline work for your day

Welcome back for season 2! In season 2, you may hear some shorter, more specific episodes. However, they will still still be fun and helpful! Today's episode is about bachelorette parties. We will give you a few examples and walk you through things to consider when planning the party. 

We will leave you with the three key ingredients that will make your bachelorette party a piece of cake:
1. Tailor the bachelorette party to your bride
2. Be respectful of budgets
3. Do not have the party the night before the wedding

In this episode we talk about all the things brides do to prepare themselves for the wedding. But first, let us make one thing clear- brides, you are perfect just the way you are! However, we know there are so many brides out there looking to lose weight, get fit, get tan, change their hair, etc. We talk openly and honestly about our experiences with these things and share the research we've found. We also make an important announcement that this concludes season one, and we will be taking a break for the holidays. We will be back with season 2 in January 2020.

We will leave you with the three key ingredients that will make your wedding prep a piece of cake:
1. You're perfect the way you are, but you deserve a massage
2. Wedding prep takes time; no crash diets
3. Don't try anything new a week before your wedding

Today we talk about the life of the party- alcohol. We walk you through all the drink options for you wedding, and give you some money saving tips and tricks. 

We will leave you with the three key ingredients that will make drinking at your wedding a piece of cake:
1. Bring your own alcohol if you can
2. Fine the right alcohol combination that fits your budget and your guests
3. Have fun with drinks at your wedding, but stay safe

This episode includes advice for the bride and groom, as well as the wedding party or anyone giving toasts. We talk about some toast planning logistics, give some toast advice, and end with some creative ways to write an amazing toast. 

We will leave you with the three key ingredients that will make planning and giving toasts a piece of cake:
1. Be creative- write a poem, tell a story, sing a song
2. Simply practice
3. End your speech with an actual toast

We will walk you through all the scheduled reception activities that might be on your day-of timeline. These include things like dances, cake cutting, and the bouquet toss. We'll give you tips and tricks along the way and leave you with the three key ingredients that will make your reception activities a piece of cake:

1. You need to choose a song for all the activities
2. You are not obligated to do all the things, pick and choose what fits your wedding
3. Of the things you choose, customize them! For example- combining dances

We will talk through all the accessories for brides, bridesmaids, grooms, and groomsmen. We will give you some tips and money saving tricks. 

We will leave you with the three key ingredients that will make accessorizing your wedding a piece of cake:
1. Go low budget on accessories
2. Accessories are a great way to be creative
2. Make sure your accessories create a cohesive look

In this episode we talk about bridal party attire which includes bridesmaids and groomsmen. We walk you through where and how to purchase or rent the attire and give you tips and tricks along the way.

We leave you with the three key ingredients that will make choosing your bridal party attire a piece of cake:
1. Any dress can be a bridesmaid dress
2. Feel free to mix and match different styles but make sure it all coordinates
3. Brides- make sure your bridesmaids feel comfortable in their dress, but bridesmaids- the bride gets the final say

We will explain the importance of having a DJ and finding the right one for your wedding. We will walk you through things to think about when choosing your DJ and give you some tips and tricks along the way. We also have a fun new segment of DJ horror stories, which is included to highlight just how important a good DJ is. 

We will leave you with the three key ingredients that will make your DJ experience a piece of cake:
1. A friend with a playlist is not A DJ.
2. Reviews and references are extra important when choosing a DJ.
3. Be specific on your key songs, but let the DJ handle the rest.

We will discuss all the dessert options and then dig into the traditional wedding cake. We'll go through what to think about when choosing your cake and all the cake logistics.

We'll leave you with the three key ingredients to make choosing and enjoying your cake a piece of cake:
1. Do a cake tasting- or 5!
2. Have secret sheet cake to save money
3. It doesn't have to be cake, but do have some dessert

We walk you through what you through what to look for when choosing a photographer and give some tips and tricks for getting the best wedding photos. 

We will leave you with the three key ingredients that will make your wedding photography a piece of cake:
1. Spurge on your photographer; it's worth the investment.
2. Find the right photographer that fits your style.
3. Make a list of all the pictures you want so you don't miss anything. 

Links-
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pieceofcake.planning/
Website: https://www.buzzsprout.com/465286
B. Jones Photographer: https://www.bjonesphotos.com
Lloyd Photographers: https://lloydphotographers.com/

In this episode we announce that Piece of Cake now does day-of coordinating. We also offer a special low introductory rate for the first couple brides to reach out to us. We define what a day-of coordinator is and what it entails. Then, we talk about our experiences coordinating our first couple weddings. 

We leave you with the three key ingredients that will make your day- of a piece of cake:
1. Get a day-of coordinator!
2. Create a day-of timeline
3. Make a checklist with all the details 

Links-
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pieceofcake.planning/
Website: https://www.buzzsprout.com/465286
Laurel Creek Manor: https://www.laurelcreekmanor.com/
Sarah at Eventful Moments: https://www.eventfulmomentsllc.com/about
Courtney: https://www.instagram.com/courtney.vanbrocklin/

In this episode we'll hear from three grooms about their perspectives on wedding planning. Our guests include Brianne's husband, Parker, Emily's husband, Ethan, our bridesmaid Katie and her husband Kyle. 

The grooms will leave you with the three key ingredients that will make wedding planning a piece of cake:
1. Have patience
2. Respect each other's opinions, even if they don't have one
3. Have fun

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pieceofcake.planning/
Website: https://www.buzzsprout.com/465286

We will walk you through all the flowers you might need for a wedding and how to procure them. We will give you money saving tips and discuss flower alternatives as well.

We will leave you with the three key ingredients that will make choosing your flowers a piece of cake:
1. Make sure to consider all the people and places that need flowers and how to reuse them
2. Use caution with DIY flowers and plan way ahead if you choose this option
3. Consider flower alternatives  to save money

Today's episode is all about food, specifically dinner and dinner alternatives. We will walk you through dinner options including the different setups like buffets or plated dinners. We will also talk through the alternatives like appetizers or brunch and give you some money saving tips. 

We'll leave you with the three key ingredients that will make choosing and enjoying your food a piece of cake:
1. Choose your dining style- whether that's plated, buffet, etc. 
2. Have whatever type of food you like.
3. Consider dinner alternatives to save money.

Today's episode is all about stationery. For this episode, that means save the dates, invitations, and thank you card. We'll talk you through when and how to send all these out and give you some tips and tricks along the way. 

We'll leave you with the three key ingredients that will make choosing and sending your stationery a piece of cake:
1. Pay attention to the timeline of when you need to send all the things
2. Be clear on your addressees and RSVP's, and guests- please return them!
3. Don't forget about the postage

Dress shopping is one of the most exciting things you get to do during wedding planning! Today we will walk you through different dress options and give you tips and tricks for finding your dream dress. 

We'll leave you with the three key ingredients that will make choosing your dress a piece of cake:
1. Know all the silhouettes and your body type, but keep an open mind when trying on.
2. Remember that you can customize any dress- add sleeves, a belt, etc.
3. No show and tell with your groom, period.

Today's topic is a favorite for brides and grooms alike. Today we are talking about registries! Even your fiance can get excited about presents! We'll walk you through the different places to register, what to register for, and some tips and tricks along the way.

We'll leave you with the three key ingredients that will make creating your registry a piece of cake:
1. Register for a wide variety of items in different price points and from a couple different stores
2. Consider registering for a honeymoon fund or cash fund
3. Be practical, but have fun

In this episode, we're going to talk about Honeymoons, because girl, you've earned it! We will walk you through honeymoon options, talk about how to stay in your budget, and give you some travel tips and tricks.

We will leave you with the three key ingredients that will make planning your honeymoon a piece of cake:
1. Pick the honeymoon that suits you as a couple
2. Remember our money saving tips so you can stick to your budgets by booking through discount sites, using airline miles, and using honeymoon registries
3. Just have a honeymoon- any sort of honeymoon, you deserve it!

If you thought budgets were a touchy subject, picking your bridal party can also be a really sensitive topic. Today we will talk about how you pick your bridal party, and all the responsibilities that go along with it.

We will leave you with the three key ingredients that will make choosing your bridal party a piece of cake:
1. There are no rules in picking your bridal party
2. Be clear on your expectations and don't make any assumptions
3. Thank your bridal party

Welcome to the Piece of Cake Podcast!

 I’m Emily and I’m Brianne and we’re here to make your wedding planning a Piece of Cake.

Who are we? Just a couple of best friends who are passionate about weddings and all the little details along the way. We’ve been brides and bridesmaids, day of coordinators and party planners. We’re accountants by day, and wedding enthusiasts by night. We’ll use our experience and attention to detail to help you plan your special day.  We know this is a really exciting time in your life but the logistics can be stressful.  That’s where we come in!  Tune in with us every week and your wedding will be a piece of cake!

This week we'll talk about the next big decision you're going to make which is setting your budget. So let's talk money! You'll have to decide how much you want to spend, what you want to spend it on, and who is going to contribute. 

We'll walk you through this step by step and leave you with the three key ingredients to setting your budget:

1. The little things add up
2. Remember to track absolutely everything you purchase
3. Money can be a touchy subject so be straightforward but sensitive when you talk about it

Ok so you just got engaged- we know how excited and probably overwhelmed you’re feeling. We can bet that right after telling friends and family you got engaged, they’re all asking, “when’s the big day?” and, "have you picked your venue?" 

So for our first episode we wanted to tackle the most important detail: choosing the venue, and throughout today’s podcast you’ll see how that goes hand in hand with setting your date.

We'll leave you with the three key ingredients to make choosing your venue a piece of cake:
1. Choosing your venue and setting your date go hand in hand
2. Don't be afraid to ask questions
3. Choose the venue that fits your vibe and feels right to you