The Calm Wedding

S1: E4 Creating a Wedding Budget That Reflects Your Values

Wedding budgets can bring up a lot of emotions. Stress. Overwhelm. Comparison. Pressure. And sometimes a whole lot of confusion about what weddings actually cost. In this episode of The Calm Wedding Podcast, we're taking an intentional approach to wedding spending. We're exploring how to create a wedding budget that reflects your values, priorities, capacity and vision for the day. I'll share some of the most common wedding budget myths I see, including the DIY myth, the wedding tax myth, and why shopping for the cheapest option isn't always the best value. We'll also talk about: • How to align your spending with what matters most to you as a couple • The comparison trap and how social media can influence your decisions • What weddings actually cost in Australia • Why guest count has such a big impact on your budget • Hidden expenses couples often forget to plan for • Creating breathing room with a contingency buffer • How to make financial decisions that feel calm, grounded and intentional Because a calm wedding budget isn't about spending less or more. It's about spending in a way that feels right for you. So grab a cup of tea, get comfortable, and let's talk about creating a wedding day that feels aligned, meaningful and uniquely yours.

S1 E3: Why Coordination Elevates Your Entire Wedding Day Experience

Jess Larsen from Events With Heart shares what wedding coordination really looks like behind the scenes and why it’s about so much more than timelines and logistics. Jess opens up about her personal journey from anxiety and overwhelm to creating a life grounded in calm, peace and intention and how that journey shaped the way she now supports couples on one of the most meaningful days of their lives. Together, we explore: * What a wedding coordinator actually does * The unseen layers of a wedding day * Why the “feeling” and flow of your day matters so deeply * How coordination protects couples from stress and overwhelm * Real behind-the-scenes stories from wedding mornings * Wet weather decisions and navigating the unexpected * How to create a wedding that feels calm, intentional and aligned * Why your guests will remember how your wedding felt more than anything else Jess also shares practical insights into timelines, vendor management, guest experience, and how thoughtful planning creates truly relaxed weddings, plus a beautiful reminder to slow down and enjoy the planning journey with your partner. This episode is for couples who want their wedding day to feel present, grounded, meaningful and deeply connected, not rushed, performative or stressful. 🤍

S1 E2: Wedding Venue Planning Tips For A More Relaxed Wedding Day

In this episode of The Calm Wedding Podcast, wedding coordinator Jess Larsen from Events With Heart dives into the often-overlooked wedding venue details that can shape your wedding day and planning experience. Choosing your wedding venue is one of the biggest decisions in your planning journey, but beyond the aesthetics and price, there are so many practical and emotional considerations couples often miss. Jess also shares a personal story from her own wedding planning journey, including how tuning into the feeling they wanted for their day led her to change venues and ultimately choose a space that felt aligned, peaceful, and deeply right for her day. You’ll learn how to: * Reduce stress by choosing a venue aligned with your vision and “anchor statement” * Ask the right wedding venue questions before booking * Understand what’s included in different types of venues (DIY, private property, all-inclusive) * Avoid hidden wedding costs and surprise expenses * Plan for weather contingencies and backup ceremony locations * Consider guest experience, accommodation, and transport logistics * If you're currently searching for your wedding venue or feeling overwhelmed by options, this episode will help you slow down, reconnect to what matters, and choose a space that truly supports the feeling you want on your wedding day. ✨ Plus, Jess shares details about a free downloadable wedding venue checklist available at https://www.eventswithheart.com/calmweddingpodcast [https://www.eventswithheart.com/calmweddingpodcast] This is your reminder: your wedding venue should support your experience. You get to intentionally choose a venue that supports the experience you want to have. Listen now and come back next Thursday for another episode of The Calm Wedding Podcast.

BONUS - Gentle Wedding Planning Reminders

A collection of calming reminders originally shared on Instagram as Reels (www,instagram.com/events_with_heart) I created these to help engaged couples pause, breathe, and come back to what truly matters throughout the wedding planning journey. This bonus episode is for the moments you feel overwhelmed by opinions, pressure, timelines, or expectations. A gentle reset to help you reconnect with the heart of it all: your love, your experience, and the feeling you want to create on your wedding day.

BONUS - Need to Vent?

A gentle bonus episode from the Events With Heart instagram. created to hold space for whatever’s on your mind during your wedding journey. A moment for you to release the pressure, vent the feelings you’ve been carrying, and reconnect with yourself through calming reflection and emotional release. Let's connect! www.eventswithheart.com [http://www.eventswithheart.com] www.instagram.com/events_with_heart [http://www.instagram.com/events_with_heart]