Planning Out Loud: A Wedding Planning Podcast

On this episode of Planning Out Loud, Kristy is joined by fellow Kinfete wedding planner Alexandra to demystify the world of wedding vendor contracts. While reviewing legal fine print is rarely the most exciting part of planning, having explicit, written agreements is essential for protecting both couples and vendors.

Together, Kristy and Alex share real-life lessons from behind the scenes, explaining why verbal promises fall flat, how to spot subtle red flags before you pay a deposit, and the non-negotiables that every contract should cover.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why Contracts Protect Everyone: Why relying on good intentions or verbal promises isn't enough, especially when turnover or miscommunications happen.
• Documenting the Scope of Work: How to verify that arrival times, exact hours of coverage, equipment needs (like battery-powered speakers or shade), and hourly overage rates are explicitly defined.
• Booking Red Flags: Warning signs to watch out for, including vendors who demand a deposit before providing a contract, avoid formal agreements, or take excessive time to respond.
• Insurance Requirements: Why certificates of insurance (COIs) matter, what venues require, and the potential risks of hiring an uninsured vendor.
• Cancellation and Replacement Clauses: What happens when an emergency strikes, who is responsible for finding a suitable replacement, and when refunds apply.
• Venue Restrictions and Role Clarity: The critical differences between a venue coordinator and a wedding planner, as well as strict venue rules regarding decor, flames, and food or beverage restrictions.
• Catering Deadlines and Vendor Meals: How to navigate guaranteed guest count minimums, late-change surcharges, and contractual meal requirements for your vendor team.

Download our Wedding Contract Checklist at https://kinfete.com/contracts

Send us your thoughts & questions!

New episodes drop every Thursday. Hit follow wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.

Follow us on Instagram and send your questions to @planningoutloudpod

See photos and more details from the weddings we discuss at https://kinfete.com/podcast

Three months out from their wedding at Camp Puh'tok, nearlyweds Karol and Jacque sit down with Kristy to share a behind-the-scenes look at their planning mindset.

They open up about their intentional planning process, how they stayed grounded as self-described people-pleasers, and why prioritizing fun made all the difference.

Tune in to hear:

• How a timed journaling exercise set their top 3 wedding guideposts
• Why they chose a youth summer camp over a traditional venue
• How to "vibe check" vendors so you feel completely comfortable on the big day
• Dealing with complex logistics like cabin assignment sleeping charts
• Why dancing down the aisle sets the ultimate tone for celebration

Send us your thoughts & questions!

New episodes drop every Thursday. Hit follow wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.

Follow us on Instagram and send your questions to @planningoutloudpod

See photos and more details from the weddings we discuss at https://kinfete.com/podcast

Most couples rush straight to venue touring and Pinterest boards, but making big commitments too early can trap you into decisions you can't easily undo.

In Episode 4 of Planning Out Loud, Kristy walks you through the true first three steps of wedding planning.

Tune in to hear:

• Why booking a venue shouldn't be your first move
• The 10-categories to asses to get you and your partner on the same page
• A framework for creating (and cutting down) your guest list
• How to calculate your real wedding budget
• Four overlooked expenses to prepare for right now so they don't derail your final budget

Episode Links & Tools:

• Priorities Quiz: kinfete.com/quiz
• Guest List Flowchart: kinfete.com/flowchart
• Budget Guide: kinfete.com/budget

Send us your thoughts & questions!

New episodes drop every Thursday. Hit follow wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.

Follow us on Instagram and send your questions to @planningoutloudpod

See photos and more details from the weddings we discuss at https://kinfete.com/podcast

Wedding planning is supposed to be fun, right? Sometimes it is. And sometimes you're up at midnight scrolling Pinterest, dreaming about a flower meadow for your ceremony, only to learn it costs over $2,000.

In this episode, Kristy sits down with newlyweds Adri (they/them) and Meghan (she/her) to talk about their 113-person autumn wedding at Showalter's Orchard and Greenhouse in Timberville, Virginia, in the gorgeous Shenandoah Valley. It was a joyful, dance-floor-packed celebration, and getting there took some real honesty with each other.

We get into the parts of wedding planning that don't make it into the glossy magazines:

• Why wedding planning can feel so isolating
• How to handle wedding planning stress without letting it get between you and your partner
• The phrase Adri and Meghan leaned on whenever things got tense.
• The pressure social media puts on couples (especially brides) and how to stay grounded
• Planning a wedding with ADHD, anxiety, and a brain that needs a quiet moment
• Why private vows and a first look were among their best decisions
• The "cost of convenience" spending that saved their sanity in the final weeks
• Celebrating queer joy and community, and what it meant to gather people together right after the 2024 election

See photos and more details from Meghan and Adri's wedding on the Kinfete Blog.

Send us your thoughts & questions!

New episodes drop every Thursday. Hit follow wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.

Follow us on Instagram and send your questions to @planningoutloudpod

See photos and more details from the weddings we discuss at https://kinfete.com/podcast

Does wedding planning ever make you feel... guilty? Whether it’s friends questioning what you’re spending money on, family offering unsolicited advice, or feeling weird about picking napkins while the world is burning, wedding planning guilt is real and can be very isolating.

In this episode of Planning Out Loud, Kristy dives straight into the heavy stuff. We’re getting honest about the emotional weight of wedding planning and how to navigate those complex feelings with confidence.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Navigating joy and wedding decisions when the world outside feels heavy.
• Setting firm boundaries with opinions from friends, family, and online algorithms.
• Handling planning when loved ones are going through personal hardship
• Why having a clear foundation protects you from needing to justify your choices.

Send us your thoughts & questions!

New episodes drop every Thursday. Hit follow wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.

Follow us on Instagram and send your questions to @planningoutloudpod

See photos and more details from the weddings we discuss at https://kinfete.com/podcast

"People are warm, people are fed, people are safe... everything else is extra."

When Anne and Nathan planned their winter wedding at D.C.’s National Museum of Women in the Arts, they knew they wanted a party they’d actually want to attend. What they didn't anticipate was a historic snowstorm rolling in five days before their big day.

In this episode, Kristy Silva talks with Anne and Nathan about tossing out the traditional rulebook in favor of intentional choices. Learn how they thrifted over 400 books to use as centerpieces, self-officiated their ceremony, hosted trivia at dinner, and focused on what truly mattered when the uncontrollable happened.

See photos and more details from Anne & Nathan's wedding on the Kinfete Blog.

Send us your thoughts & questions!

New episodes drop every Thursday. Hit follow wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.

Follow us on Instagram and send your questions to @planningoutloudpod

See photos and more details from the weddings we discuss at https://kinfete.com/podcast

Hosted by Kristy Silva, owner and wedding planner at Kinfete Weddings and Events, Planning Out Loud is the inclusive podcast for modern wedding planning.

Join Kristy as she sits down with newlyweds to unpack their real planning experiences, from budget breakdowns to the outdated traditions they decided to skip.

Plus, get expert solo advice and honest vendor perspectives to help you navigate your own journey with confidence.

Send us your thoughts & questions!

New episodes drop every Thursday. Hit follow wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.

Follow us on Instagram and send your questions to @planningoutloudpod

See photos and more details from the weddings we discuss at https://kinfete.com/podcast