Katie + Steffen: A Wedding Podcast

In this Episode, Alyssa Long, who is with the city of Effingham Tourism Department joins us to talk about Weddings in Effingham: a Destination, WED Association and how not only to be a part of the association and the benefits of being a part of it, but to also talk about why Effingham is a great location for getting married. Effingham is loaded with Hotels and Restaurants, and at the crossroads of two major Interstates, it makes for an easy place to travel to as well. This episode may be geared a little more toward wedding vendors, but there is still plenty of knowledge being shared for future brides and grooms and wedding attendees. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aweddingpodcast/support

We are only 16 episodes in, but this podcast has turned into more than we could have imagined at this point. We have been so blessed to have so many amazing guests on the show and so much knowledge and information dropped. We learned things that we never knew in our combined 20 years of wedding experience and we've had a little fun taking out some dirty laundry as well. In this episode, we recap each podcast prior as well as talk about what's in store for the future. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aweddingpodcast/support

We may start a series called "A Rant." We'll see where it goes in the future but we all have those times where it feels good to just get something off your chest, right? That said, this episode isn't necessarily a rant through and through. Ultimately, we want to bring value to your wedding planning or attending lives. In this episode, we break down the different types of dress codes for weddings and what each code means. Depending on your location, a lot of these terms mean different things. For example, for us being in rural Midwest, the term "casual" when it comes to formal dress codes mean something entirely different than what casual means in regards to formal wedding codes. If one were to mark "casual" on their wedding invitations, they would probably have a lot of guests in shorts and t-shirts! For this reason, we bring this episode on dress codes, but as mentioned above, we do rant a little on some of our annoyances with the clothing options that are chosen for the wedding day. It should make for some

On this episode, we have photographer Kate Key joining us to talk about destination weddings. We discuss everything from the pros and cons of planning a destination wedding as well as some things to consider before you take the dive into planning a destination wedding. From where to get married to when, from travel delays to working with professionals, we talk about it all in this nearly hour long episode. What a fun time this was with Kate. You'll definitely want a notepad as we talk about a lot! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aweddingpodcast/support

Have you ever wondered where some of today's most popular wedding traditions hail from? Today we break down a number of traditions from the most basic of traditions to some of the most far out traditions. It's kind of surprising how violent or even disgusting some of the traditions are, and we do them today as if they are no big deal. This was a fun episode and definitely one we'll expand on in more episodes. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aweddingpodcast/support

It happens to almost everyone. You're engaged, that means it's time to begin wedding preparations. You begin to book a few of the main vendors and at some point it all comes crashing down. There are so many decisions. Colors, cakes, food, DJ or band... or both, small ceremony or large, how far down the family tree do you invite and so much more. Let's be real, wedding planning is stressful. In this episode, we try to help some of that stress by providing some insight into how you can make your wedding planning a little easier. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aweddingpodcast/support

In this episode, we review the trends of 2019 according to The Knot. This is something a little different for us as we didn't necessarily come up with the original idea or framework, but it was a fun episode to review what others are saying in the wedding industry. While we do not review all 20 trends The Knot lists, we do discuss a handful of them and provide some entertaining opinions as to why we do or do not like or agree with the listed trends. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aweddingpodcast/support

Today's episode, it's all about the wedding timeline. It's not the most glamorous part of wedding planning, but it's the very thing that can be the difference between your dream wedding and a nightmare. We talk about why a timeline is required to ensure a better chance of a smooth wedding and why it not only benefits you as the bride and groom, but also your guests, your vendors and especially your photography and videography! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aweddingpodcast/support

In this episode, Katie and Steffen talk about all things Catering and some things to think about when planning the food for your wedding. What may seem like a simple part of your wedding, the food can often times be one of the most stressful items on your wedding to-do list. In this episode Katie and Steffen try to ease the stress of planning your catering and talk about some unique ways you can wow your guests with your food. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aweddingpodcast/support

Donna Cravens, travel agent with Effingham Travel, brings a lot of knowledge and tips in regards to planning your honeymoon and/or other travel plans. This episode is very information heavy, if you are planning your wedding or looking at some travel plans, you'll definitely be interested in what Donna has to talk about. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aweddingpodcast/support

You're engaged and now you're ready to plan the engagement session. What do you do? Where do you go? What do you wear? Are engagement pictures really needed? What is the benefit to engagement pictures? We dive into the topic of engagement pictures with great detail. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aweddingpodcast/support

In this episode Myah Stuemke joins us to talk about the hotel. We talk about everything from the benefits of not only having a block of rooms scheduled on your wedding night and the best time to book them, but also the benefits of getting ready at the hotel, shuttle service a hotel can provide, as well as even hosting wedding events at your wedding. From the bridal shower, to the rehearsal dinner and even a day after gift opening event. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aweddingpodcast/support

In this episode, Katie and Steffen talk about the top few things you should look for in a photographer. As a wedding photographer for 10 years, Steffen has a lot of insight to bring when it comes to choosing a photographer. What should you look for? What should you ask? When should you book a photographer? This will be an ongoing segment as it's a pretty deep one. Join us as we skim the surface of wedding photography. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aweddingpodcast/support

On this episode, special guest, Amanda Tucker, wedding planner for Thelma Keller Convention Center in Effingham, IL joins us to talk all things venue and wedding planning/coordinating. We dive in and discuss the benefits of hiring a seasoned professional and what it looks like to fully trust your hired professionals. We also talk about how booking your wedding venue should be one of the first things to do when it comes to wedding planning. Amanda brings a lot of fun energy and insight into the world of wedding planning and coordinating. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aweddingpodcast/support

The big question was asked. You said yes! Now what? It's time to start wedding planning but where do you start? How do you start? This topic is a very deep topic that will definitely require more than just one episode, but to kick things off, Katie and Steffen give their opinions on the best way to start. As a wedding planner and a wedding photographer, Katie and Steffen have seen a lot of weddings and know the ins and outs, the good and the bad, and between the two of them, they help answer those difficult questions when it comes to the initial planning phase of your wedding. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aweddingpodcast/support

Tanya Pederson, owner of Design Pro, joins us today to talk wedding stationary and favors. This episode dives in pretty deep to how unique stationary for your big day can be and Tanya brings a ton of tips with her. So much so, we may need to have her on a few more times to even skim the surface of what she does! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aweddingpodcast/support

Welcome to Katie + Steffen: A Wedding Podcast. Between the two of us, we have nearly two decades of wedding experience and knowledge and want to share our insight with couples who are in the midst of planning their wedding. We also want to connect with those of you who may already be married and share fun stories and thoughts in hopes that you might get a kick out of what we have to say. We are thrilled you are joining us and look forward to where this may go in the future. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/aweddingpodcast/support