And if you prefer to read, here's the summary of the podcast episode!

Common Wedding Planning Question 1: Ceremony Seating

1): “Hi! I've been binging your podcast the last 2 days – love it! So many good tips. I have a question about ceremony seating. Our venue has the option to do a “partial flip” where guests are seated at their reception tables during the ceremony. Do you have any thoughts on this? Does it look weird? I see the benefit that you remove the hectic cocktail hour flip, but it seems super casual. Thanks! – Andi S.

Right off the bat, honestly, I don't love it because you won't have an aisle.  Inevitably some guests will have their back turned or at an awkward angle during the ceremony with vows etc, which is never fun.  Furthermore, with no aisle, there won't be that initial moment where you step out, and have that first moment looking at your spouse.  But it's up to you if that's a priority. Also, this setup feels a little more casual to me, which may not matter depending on the type of wedding you are having. Ultimately, this is up to you and how you want the vibe of your wedding to go.  However personally, I am not a huge fan. 

Common Wedding Planning Question 2: Cutting the Guest List

We need to cut down our guest list by 25-30 guests. It's our dream wedding venue but we don't think we can fit everyone on our list with the budget that we have. What should we do?” – Sarah T.

This is a great question because the guest list is always a big source of stress for many couples. My first tip would be to think critically about your list. I find that many couples invite one person or group because they're linked to someone that's already invited, and so on. This results in having to invite more than you would like in order to keep the peace. Instead, start backwards and think about the smallest group of people that you need to invite. Who are your must-haves? Family? Best friends? College roommates? After doing this, what's the next tier made up of? First coursins? Aunts and Uncles and Godparents?

I suggest you create a consistent rule so that you know where people fall.  Perhaps kids are encouraged to stay home.  One that works especially well with COVID era, is only inviting the people you've seen in the last 2-3 years.

There may be a need for obligatory invites. I find this is relevant if there is a distant/mutual friend or coworker that you see often that knows you're getting married, and to avoid awkwardness between you, you extend the invitation.  However, try to be clear with setting a rule of these are the only people we can invite, and if we have more people and the space, we can always expand further. 

In conclusion, my hope is that people that you aren't able to invite will understand that you can't invite everyone and will be happy for you anyway.

Common Wedding Planning Question 3: Should We Hire a Wedding Planner If We're on a Budget? 

Hello! I just discovered your podcast. My daughter is a soon-to-be-engaged bride. I listen to several of your podcasts including the one about hiring a planner. Could you speak to those of us with a more limited budget and how to decide if spending that money on a planner is worth it. I'm an excellent researcher and just had a son get married last year so I'm very familiar with the local area and venues. Of course, I'm not a wedding planner, but I am a detail-oriented planning personality type. – Kerry A.

Need help budgeting your wedding expenses? Use our Wedding Budget Bundle so you can stop stressing if you can afford that vendor you've been stalking.

Common Wedding Planning Question 4: Who Should Sit Next to Whom?

Hi Desiree! We're about to start working on our table assignments and I wanted to see if you have any suggestions. Do you use paper and pencil or is there a template or app you recommend? Also, any advice on mixing family members and how/who to seat people with?

Overwhelmed by your messy Pinterest board? Organize your thoughts into a cohesive mood board with our Mood Board Template.

The Planner's Playbook is our Newest Sponsor!

I mentioned in last week's episode that I have a big announcement for all my fellow wedding planners. The Ask the Planner podcast now has a new sponsor: The Planner's Playbook. I know a lot of you are couples planning your wedding, but I also know that a number of you listening to the show and reading the blog are new or aspiring wedding planners. Over 15 years ago I remember being in your shoes when I started in the events industry and wanted to soak up all the information I could get my hands on.

Today I'm encouraging you to check out The Planner’s Playbook. It's an incredible coaching program for wedding planners – your secret weapon to planning, designing, and coordinating magazine-worthy weddings.

Designed for wedding planners who are five years or less into their business–it will give you all the training AND support you need for a multitude of things, including: 

• Simplify your planning process with a clear picture of how to work with your clients on any occasion or budget (like your timelines, checklists, workflows, proposals, contracts–you know, all the things)
• Boost your productivity with solid systems and processes that make wedding planning easy (and deliver an incredible client experience)

The most important thing to note is that the Planner's Playbook 

Conclusion: Asked and Answered

Finally, please let me know if you enjoyed this format, and if you want me to a do readers' Q&A again!