CASEY GREEN WEDDINGS

So exciting! You’re engaged! …have you started playing around with Pinterest yet? If yes, awesome! If not, don’t worry. We can help!

I’ve been planning weddings since 2008 – and honestly, I can barely remember what we used to do without Pinterest. I vaguely remember 3 ring binders with torn out magazine images and a lot of gluing and pasting onto poster boards – oh my gosh, so embarrassing!

Pinterest has become a key tool in communicating your wedding vision with your wedding vendors. However, starting your Pinterest wedding board(s) can be a little overwhelming – especially if you’re not sure what your style, colors or vision for your wedding even is yet – AND you haven’t really used Pinterest before.

If this sounds like you – fear not! We’ve got you covered! Here is a step by step guide create the perfect Pinterest board for your wedding.

1. Set Up Your Pinterest Account

Start by logging into Pinterest or creating an account if you don’t have one. Consider creating a separate board specifically for your wedding ideas to keep everything organized and easy to access.

2. Define Your Wedding Vision

Before you start pinning, have a discussion with your partner about your shared vision for the wedding. Consider the overall theme, style, color palette, and any must-have elements. This conversation will lay the foundation for what you pin and keep your board cohesive.

Not sure how to tackle defining your wedding vision? Check out our Vision Guide here.

The 5 Minute Pin Dump to Discovering Your Wedding Style

I always encourage couples who aren’t sure what their wedding style is just yet to follow this process:

1. Set a timer for 5 minutes
2. Search the following prompt in Pinterest: wedding decor + a color they like 
3. Then just pin any and all images they like into a board. (Don’t overthink it – just 
4. Then when the 5 minute timer is up, I instruct them to review their board of mixed pins.

9 times out of time, if you do this exercise, you will notice a trend or theme in the images they “pinned”. This often helps you realize the colors and overall look you will most likely want to create for your wedding. I hope this quick process helps you too. 🙂

3. Categorize Your Board

Keeping all your images organized can be helpful. I suggest organizing your board into the following sections to cover different aspects of your wedding:

Color Palette

Search for pallets that include your chosen favorite wedding colors

Attire

Search for bridal gowns, bridesmaids dresses, grooms suits & tuxes, wedding accessories

Venues

Not sure what wedding venues you like yet? Search: Indoor wedding venues, outdoor wedding spaces, beach weddings, park weddings, forest weddings, mountain weddings, desert weddings, island weddings, backyard weddings. (I hope this gets your creative juices flowing!)

Ceremony Decor

Search: Wedding altar decor, arches (circle, triangle, hexagon, 4 post, etc.), floral columns, aisle decor, back of the aisle decor, ceremony backdrops

Floral & Decor

Search: Bridal bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, reception centerpieces, tablescape decor (centerpieces, table numbers, escort cards, menus, favors, etc.), wedding place settings decor (china, flatware, glassware, chargers, linens), wedding lounge furniture, wedding signage, seating chart ideas, wedding photo op designs, signature drinks, wedding lighting installations, signage, wedding stationery

Cake & Dessert

Search cake designs and mini dessert ideas within your color scheme to start

Beauty: Hair & Makeup

Wedding hair styles Try these search terms: Wedding updo, wedding hair down, wedding half up/half down, wedding braids, Glam Hollywood curls;

Makeup: Try these search terms: Natural wedding makeup; natural glam, hollywood glam, smokey eye

4. Start Pinning

Begin searching for pins that align with your vision under each of the above categories. Use keywords based on your categories, wedding theme, or specific items you’re interested in. Don’t limit yourself—be open to exploring and discovering new ideas you hadn’t considered.

5. Curate Your Collection

As you pin, regularly review your board to ensure it reflects your vision. Remove any images that don’t fit your theme or seem out of place. This curation will keep your board focused and uncluttered.

6. Seek Inspiration Beyond Weddings

Look beyond the typical wedding pins. Explore fashion boards for attire inspiration, interior design for decor ideas, or food photography for unique catering concepts. These perspectives can offer fresh, unexpected elements to incorporate into your wedding.

7. Share with Stakeholders

Share your Pinterest board with your partner, family, friends, or wedding planner. Their insights and feedback can help refine your ideas and ensure everyone involved in the planning process understands your vision.

8. Use Your Board as a Planning Tool

Your Pinterest board should be a living document. Update it as your plans evolve and use it as a guide when meeting vendors or making decisions. It’s a valuable tool to visually communicate your ideas and ensure consistency throughout your planning.

9. Share Your Board with Your Vendors

Sharing the link to your Pinterest board with your design vendors (florists, cake designer, hair and makeup stylists, rental/decor vendor partners). This link will be so helpful in communicating your overall vision with your vendor partners. It will help everyone be on the same page and help them to meet your expectations for your wedding.

Final Thoughts – Don’t get overwhelmed

Remember, at the end of the day, this activity is supposed to be fun -not a chore! Try to enjoy the process and have fun dreaming about what might be! 

Yes, there are a lot of details to cover, but if you keep them organized in your board, it will feel more manageable.

Also, don’t get discouraged if you start to fall in love with wedding ideas that are WAY out of your budget. There are many ways to create a similar look or vibe that are less expensive and still could be incorporated into your wedding. 

I hope by following these steps, you’ll create a Pinterest board that not only inspires you but also provides a clear roadmap for bringing your dream wedding to life. Happy pinning and planning!

Casey

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II hope you find this guide helpful and that it makes the wedding planning process a joyful and creative experience!

If you want more tips, don’t forget to subscribe to Master the Wedding!

Casey Green Weddings, LLC | 2501 S Village Drive, Cottonwood, AZ 86326

Does the following statement sound like how you’re feeling?

“I am elated to be engaged! The thought of marrying my fiancé is a dream come true! I thought planning my wedding was also going to be a fun experience. But after starting the process, I’m really feeling overwhelmed. I had no idea how expensive a wedding could be. When I think about trying to budget for this event, I have no idea where to begin and I start to break out in hives…”

If you feel like this, you’re not alone! I think all brides experience this at some point during their wedding planning process. It doesn’t have to be this way. Let’s tackle your budget head-on by following these 3 easy steps!

1. Have the “money talk” with your partner and any family members who will be investing in the wedding.

Okay, I know what you’re thinking. I said these steps were supposed to be easy and step one is already sounding really hard. Hear me out. Talking about money doesn’t have to be difficult or get weird. First, make the tone of the meeting light and fun. Invite both sets of parents/family members who will be financially contributing to the wedding over dinner, coffee, tea or (in my case) a glass of Meiomi pinot noir. Then make a pact to act as if you are, as Will Ferrell so eloquently put it in Old School, “in the nest”. Which means, for those of you who don’t remember the classic Will Ferrell scene in Old School-in a “safe place”. (And if you’re a Will Ferrell fan, check out the scene here. You’re welcome.) You want everyone to feel safe expressing what they feel comfortable financially contributing to your wedding. The last thing you want to is to spend so much money on your wedding that you’re waking up in the middle of night in a cold sweat because you’re panicking about paying for your wedding. Trust me – this will definitely take away from the experience. Therefore, it’s REALLY important to be honest about financial limitations from the beginning. Also, don’t worry if you find your budget isn’t as large as you had hoped. There are tons of ways to create a beautiful, elegant wedding experience for you and your guests without breaking the bank.

Click here to read more about 5 wedding planning strategies that will save you money.

Once everyone has honestly shared how much money they are willing to invest, use this grand total to move on to step number two.

2. Determine Your Wedding Values

Now is the time to figure out what MUST be included in your wedding day. I would suggest everyone take a little slip of paper and write down the top 3 things he/she really wants to have at the wedding. Suggestions might be: “I really want to have incredible, magazine-like wedding photos to help us remember every detail of the wedding day.” Another might be, “We must hire the best DJ in Phoenix to host a wedding dance party people will talk about for years!”. Or these values might be functional, “Because my fiancé and I are vegan, it is really important our venue/caterer offer vegan menu options.” Once these values are determined, you will then be able to identify where you might be willing to spend a little more money to have the experiences you always dreamt of having on your wedding day.

3. Estimate Your Budget by Categories

Research the average cost of weddings in your area to understand what expenditures you might face. This will help you gauge the reality of your budget and make informed decisions regarding vendors and services.

Divide your total budget into categories like venue, attire, flowers, food, and entertainment. Allocate funds to each based on your priorities and research, ensuring you leave room for unexpected expenses.

To help you get started, here is a spreadsheet that estimates the general percentage of budget spent based on your estimated budget for your wedding.

4. Establish Your Tracking System

Set up a system to track your spending. Whether it’s a spreadsheet, budgeting app, or a wedding budget planner, having a clear record of your expenses will help you manage your finances and stay on track.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed at the thought of this, download this spreadsheet to help you get started.

Be prepared to adjust your budget as you get quotes and refine your plans. You might find that you want to spend more on photography and less on decor, or vice versa. Flexibility within your budget is key to accommodating these changes.

5. Stick to Your Budget & Communicate with Stakeholders

As you begin to book your vendors, it’s really important you keep this budget tracker up to date. If you continuously update your budget tracker workbook, you’ll immediately know if you’re staying on budget or if you’re going over what you had originally earmarked for certain wedding elements. My budget tracker is also helpful for you to explore “what-if” scenarios. For example, if you select a photographer who charges $6,000 for her services, plug the $6,000 cost into the budget tracker workbook and you will immediately see this decision will force you to spend less money in other areas – like floral décor.

Remember, keep open lines of communication with anyone contributing financially to your wedding. Ensure all parties are aligned and aware of the budgetary constraints and priorities to prevent misunderstandings.

Final Thought: Prepare to go over

No matter how well you track your expenses and try to stick to your original plan, 99% of couples exceed their budget. Therefore, in the beginning, be sure to add a little financial cushion to allow for these unexpected expenses. Another good practice is to always round up your payments. If your linens are estimated to actually cost $785, budget your for $800. This will allow you to always stay a little ahead of the actual wedding cost.

I hope this guide helps you navigate the budgeting process with ease and confidence!

Bonus Downloads

Download the budget tracker workbook (which includes your wedding category estimator) to keep your wedding planning on track and on budget!

Remember, planning your wedding should be fun! Try not to let financial stresses overshadow your excitement. Do your best to keep everything in perspective and know you are not alone.

Action Steps

1. Schedule Your Money Talk
2. Estimate Your Vendor Categories
3. Track Your Vendor Financial Commitments
4. Adjust as Needed as You Go 🙂

What budget strategies are working for you? Please share your genius ideas below in the comment section.

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Casey Green Weddings, LLC | 2501 S Village Drive, Cottonwood, AZ 86326

You’re engaged! You couldn’t be more excited! Your life is as though you have just stepped into your very own rom-com movie and you are the star!

But this glow is subsiding quickly.

Suddenly stressful questions such as:

“Who to invite?  Who not to invite?”

“Who to ask to be in your wedding party?”

“It costs how much to rent that hotel ballroom?!”

You’re starting to think there is something wrong with you. This is supposed to be one of the happiest times of my life. Why am I so miserable?

Before you do anything rash, I have a secret to share with you:

Planning your wedding is a wild and crazy emotional rollercoaster filled with incredible highs and some difficult lows – for everyone.

Everything you are feeling is VERY normal and you’re not alone.

Most brides experience all of these worries – and more.

However, this post does have a happy ending.

The good news is there are many strategies to combat these wedding planning stresses.

Here are a few strategies I hope will help you.

1 – Nurture yourself. Even though you’re experiencing (at times) pure joy and elation with all that is happening in your life, planning a wedding is emotional and stressful. Remember to take time to pamper and nurture yourself when you can. This means maintaining your normal exercise routine. Eat a healthy, clean diet. Not the Demi Moore-raw foods only diet. Eat a healthy diet you can maintain. Be sure to keep up with your regular hair styling appointments, mani/pedis, etc.  Also, make time for meditation or peaceful “you-time” every day. You must take care of yourself so you can handle when your bridesmaids complain about the bridesmaids dress you chose or when your mother-in-law-to-be says a mildly, passive aggressive comment about the catering menu you selected. If you’re centered and taking care of yourself, these little wedding hiccups will not be nearly as bothersome.

2 – Keep it all in perspective. Remember your wedding is just the first day of the rest of your life. It’s not your life. Your wedding will be a special life changing experience you will always remember. But keep in mind, the good stuff is what happens after the wedding. You’re about to spend the rest of your life with your best friend! Imagine how wonderful experiencing all of life’s adventures will be with this person. Think of all you will do together. Keep these happy thoughts in mind throughout your engagement. Go to these happy places when not so happy things arise.

3 – Don’t sweat the details. I know you love the personalized guest favor idea you saw on Pinterest. (You know the one that requires you to personally handwrite your favorite quote on 120 favor bags?) Unfortunately, your guests won’t remember these details. They may remember the general look of the your table centerpieces and they might actually take the guest favor home with them. But, I guarantee within one day of your wedding, these details will fade from their memories forever. Therefore, do NOT stress about these cosmetic details. Instead, focus on the details that will add to the overall feeling and experience for you and your guests. Invest your time and energy into selecting readings and songs in the ceremony that are meaningful to you. Select delicious food you love. Find ways to engage your wedding guests in the overall wedding experience (e.g. ice breakers at the wedding reception tables, polaroid cameras at each table, surprise late-night guest gift give-away, etc.) Take the time to find personalized gifts for your fiancée, parents and wedding party and include personalized notes with each one. Focus your time and money on tasks that enhance the overall wedding experience for you and your guests.

4 – Make your wedding zone drama free. Because planning a wedding is an emotionally charged activity for everyone involved – not just the bride and groom – it is important to be cognizant of what kind of company you keep. Be sure to surround yourself with drama free people. I know this can be easier said than done. Especially when your drama queen mother insists on inserting her ideas and opinions at every turn. It might be hard to remove these energy vampires from your inner wedding circle. Therefore, if you find yourself surrounded by less than peaceful individuals, it’s extremely important you find time to ALSO surround yourself with more accepting, calm, loving individuals – even if they’re not involved with the wedding. Their positive energy will naturally seep into your subconscious and help you stave off the passive aggressive judgments of the other inner wedding circle folk.

5 – If a drama queen is a must, don’t take it personally. Understand, most of the time when someone is being a bit of a judgmental downer, her comments are rooted in her own personal issues. Maybe the reason your maid of honor (AKA your older sister) can’t seem to stop comparing her wedding to yours is because she has regrets about her wedding. Maybe she wishes she were in your shoes and could “redo” her wedding experience. Remember, when someone is bringing drama into your wedding world, try to get to the root of the issue and unpack it. 9 times out of 10 – it has nothing to do with you or your wedding.  

I hope these suggestions help you navigate the emotional rollercoaster of planning your wedding!

Action Steps:

Do you resonate with this topic? If so, what struggles are you experiencing in planning your wedding right now?

What next steps are you going to change to relieve your stress around planning your wedding?

Leave a comment below!

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Casey Green Weddings, LLC

hello@caseygreenweddings.com

It’s no secret. Weddings are an investment. It’s easy to when you first start planning your wedding to feel disheartened about how much your dream wedding will cost at the end of the day. It’s enough to make many a couple elope! But before you start packing your bags for Vegas – try these 4 small tips to see if they can make the whole process feel more manageable. 

Break Your Wedding Savings Goal Into Monthly Payments

Sometimes the thought of trying to save $20,000 for a wedding can seem impossible. However, if you can break this large sum of money into monthly payments into your savings account, it might make the number feel more manageable. 

Stop Monthly Spending Habits

Take a look at those automatic monthly subscriptions and see if you might be able to cut back on any of these expenses – and instead put that money toward your monthly savings goal. I know I have at least 3 different streaming subscriptions – between Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu. I know dropping a couple of them, wouldn’t be the end of the world.  Other subscriptions to consider pausing might be your gym memberships, water bottle services, food preparation services, etc. Just dropping one or two of these services, can really add up over the course of a year preparing for your wedding.

Stop Small Spending

Start assessing your small spending habits and see if there are any small lifestyle changes you could make that might help you save some cash. Instead of buying that Starbucks every morning, bring your own homemade coffee to work. Maybe consider only going out to lunch once a week and bringing your lunch the rest of the time. When you do go out to dinner with your finance, maybe consider splitting an entrée. I know these are all small changes, but over time, they can make a huge impact.

Additional Revenue Stream

I know this might be easier said than done. However, maybe you’ve been toying with the idea of opening up a little Esty storefront for the arts and crafts item you make for months. Now might be the time to take the plunge. Maybe you might consider getting a second job, like an Uber driver, or an evening serving position. Also, think are there any household items you no longer need or want that have value? Now might be the perfect time to think about selling these items to clear out the clutter for this next chapter in your life. 

Take Action!

Financing a wedding is tricky business. However, hopefully you will be pleasantly surprised by how much you can save just by making small changes. Who knows, you might even continue these new habits after the wedding and help you be more conscious of your financial spending decisions overall. 

Happy planning!

Casey Green Weddings, LLC

hello@caseygreenweddings.com

Congratulations! You’re engaged! The best way to kick off the celebrating is to host an engagement party! But where to begin? You already have a lot on your plate starting to plan the wedding. Considering to host an engagement party too can feel like a lot to consider. Therefore, keep it simple – but fun! Follow these simple steps to make hosting your engagement party a cinch.

1. Choose Your Style

Consider your personality and preferences. Whether it’s a casual backyard barbecue or an elegant cocktail affair, align the theme with your envisioned wedding style.

2. Choose the Perfect Location

Just as you will soon find out when starting to plan your wedding, choosing the location for your party is key. My favorite is finding a free location. A large backyard is not a bad idea. If you don’t have access to a lovely backyard, my second favorite location is choosing a meeting up location at your favorite restaurant. If you choose to host the event at a restaurant or venue, you can make things more formal by reserving a private space. You can also keep it super casual and just let your friends and family know you will be meeting up a your favorite watering hole at a specific date and time. How formal you want to make the occasion is completely up to you.

3. Define the Invite List

While it is tempting to invite your entire contact list in your phone, it is important to think through your guest count before sending the invite. Most of the guests you invite to your engagement party, will expect a wedding invitation. Therefore, if that is not necessarily in the cards for you due to budget or wedding venue constraints, it is important to make sure the engagement party guests understand this up front. One way to manage this social faux pas is to mention you are planning an intimate wedding and will host something more casual and inclusive after the formal event.

4. Determine the Style of the Event

The great thing about engagement parties is they can be whatever you want them to be. You can host a simple mix and mingle in your backyard, a casual meet up at your favorite bar or a formal event at your favorite restaurant or event space. Whatever location you choose, it is important to define menu, gifts and actitivites for the event.

5. Craft Creative Decor

Transform the venue (event space) with personalized decor. Incorporate engagement photos, a customized hashtag, and thematic elements that tell your love story. Also, don’t be afraid to keep this simple. Save the major decor investments for the wedding. Make your engagement party be about the friends and family.

6. Choose Delicious Food & Beverage

Opt for a mix of delectable dishes that cater to different preferences. Whether it’s a buffet, food stations, or a formal dinner, make it memorable with diverse and mouthwatering options.

Signature cocktails are also a fun way to add some spice to the party. Craft signature cocktails that reflect your personalities. Consider naming them after memorable moments or inside jokes. Don’t forget a non-alcoholic option for all guests.

7. Engaging Entertainment

Don’t forget the music! Entertain your guests with music, a DJ, or a live band that complements the celebration’s mood. Incorporate games or activities that encourage interaction among guests.

8. Toast to Love

It’s always a good idea to prepare heartfelt toasts expressing gratitude and excitement. Invite close friends and family to share their well wishes, creating a warm and memorable atmosphere. If your group is larger than 15 guests, I would encourage you to invest in a little microphone for the speeches. I know it sounds like overkill – but trust me, it will make this segment of the event be much smoother.

9. Plan Some Surprises

Surprise your guests with unexpected elements, whether it’s a choreographed dance, a surprise performance, or a unique dessert bar. Keep the celebration full of delightful moments.

10. Include Virtual Elements

For distant friends and family, consider incorporating virtual elements to ensure they’re part of the celebration. Virtual toasts, games, or a live stream can make them feel connected.

11. Express Your Gratitude

After the celebration, express gratitude to attendees. Send thank-you notes or emails, showing appreciation for their presence and the thoughtful gifts received.

Remember, your engagement party is a prelude to the grand celebration ahead. Keep it true to your style, filled with love, laughter, and shared moments that will be cherished as you journey toward the big day. Cheers to your love story!

Would you like to learn more about how to jump start planning your wedding? Sign up for my Jump Start Planning Your Wedding course.

Casey Green Weddings, LLC

602-448-8133

Scottsdale | Sedona | Northern Arizona

hello@caseygreenweddings.com