Weddings/Events

The Wedding Planning Tips + Tricks You Need

Ace Hotel wedding in Palm Springs wedding, bride and groom desert portrait
I'm Kari!

Wedding planner, designer, podcaster and creative entrepreneur at heart. I help down to earth couples curate epic events and experiences for their wedding day! 

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Sharing more about my personal life, products I love, books I'm reading and daily habits.

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Spilling the tea on business and everything I've learned over the last 10+ years!

Get inspired with our wedding designs and all the details. Whether it's color, neutral palettes, traditional or non-traditional. Plus lots of wedding planning tips!

A Complete List Of Wedding Planning Tips + Tricks For Your Dream Wedding Day

Bridal Portraits in a vineyard at Triunfo Creek Vineyards in Malibu or Agoura Hills
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Hey there, friends! I rounded up all the wedding planning tips + knowledge I’ve shared over the years for you to find right here in one post. I have also created a variety of FREE downloadable wedding planning guides that you can check out here!

Summer camp themed wedding in Big Bear at Camp Wasegan, bride and groom forest portrait shots
Photo by: Chuy Photography + Michelle Rodriguez 

Covid-19 Wedding Planning

Some of the most recent wedding planning tips + tricks I’ve shared are curated for the on-going situation with Covid-19. As we begin to get more a clearer idea on how to move forward, check back for more posts on planning your big day amongst the pandemic.

+ What To Do If Your Wedding Has Been Disrupted By Covid-19

+ Elopements + Micro Wedding Planning

Budgeting For Your Wedding

There are a few first steps I highly recommend newly engaged couples take, but one of the most important is to get settled on your budget. Your budget will dictate almost everything about your wedding from number of guests, to vendors, and even decor choices. Below are more wedding planning tips to get your budget in shape!

How To Start A Wedding Planning Budget and How To Manage Your Wedding Planning Budget

+ The Do’s and Don’ts Of Saving For Your Wedding

Budget Friendly Wedding Party Gift Ideas

Stunning Indian wedding reception at the DoubleTree Hotel in San Pedro, bride and groom first dance
Photo by: Tim Kwon

Hiring Your Vendor Team

Once you and your partner get an idea of your budget, then you can start reaching out to vendors and getting quotes. I highly recommend starting with a wedding planner who can help you with the ins and outs of planning!

Why You Need A Wedding Planner and What A Wedding Planner Does

Tips To Finding The Perfect Wedding Venue

Tips To Finding Wedding Vendors

Top Tips Your Wedding Photographer Wants You To Know

Wedding Registry Tips

Now comes more of the fun parts of planning: building your wedding registry! Below are a few tips:

How To Build Your Wedding Registry

Top Wedding Registry Sites

Unique Gifts To Put On Your Wedding Registry

cotton candy inspired styled shoot, wedding ceremony with pink and peach earth tones
Photo by: Rachel Stelter Photography

Wedding Details

One of my favorite parts of being a planner, is working with my couples and making their design dreams a reality! Below are some of the smaller details couples may overlook while planning.

How to Word Your Wedding Invitations

How To Create a Seating Chart

Wedding Etiquette Questions Answered

4 Ways To Add A Pop Of Color To Your Big Day

Reasons To Have An Unplugged Ceremony

Self-Care + Personal Matters

Don’t forget to take care of yourself during the planning! Planning a wedding, no matter how big or small, can feel overwhelming. I always strive for my clients to have a stress free wedding, and a big part of that is taking moments for self-care. Here are a few ways you can take of yourself and loved ones while planning:

Mistakes Brides Make When Wedding Planning

How To Create Healthy Habits While Wedding Planning

+ How To Practice Self Care Before The Wedding

Ways For a Groom To Get Ready For His Wedding Day

How To Include Your Dad Into Your Wedding Day

How to Include Your Mom Into Your Wedding Day

Photo by: Anchor Pictures

Seasonal Wedding Planning Tips

These wedding planning tips + tricks will be especially useful to any couple who has had to postpone their wedding to a completely new date.

Outdoor Wedding Planning Tips

Summer Wedding Planning Tips

Fall Wedding Planning Tips

+ Winter Wedding Planning Tips

I love sharing all the knowledge I’ve gained over the past 5+ years in business as a wedding planner. I hope these wedding planning tips + tricks were helpful to you. If you’re ready to start diving in to your planning adventure, contact me on my homepage here and let’s chat!

Feathered Arrow Signature Kari Dirksen

LATTE OBSESSED, OVERACHIEVER, Outdoor Lover, Sucker for Live Music, Donut fanatic, Life Long Grey's Anatomy Fan, DOG MOM + now mom to my girl Rye. 

Hi, I'm Kari.
Wedding Planner, Podcaster, & Creative Entrepreneur.

I'm a creative entrepreneur at heart and have been running my business since 2014 and have planned and executed over 150+ weddings. I'm an expert in this industry and care deeply about my clients and making sure they have the best and least stressful experience possible. I help clients turn their Pinterest boards into a reality and create an experience you'll never forget. Events create lifelong memories and you'll leave this experience talking about your wedding day for years to come. 

Learn more

Did you just get engaged and wondering what the heck you need to do next? I've got you covered friend! You can download my full guide to help plan your wedding from start to finish. Including checklists, timelines, ceremony guidance, and so many tips from a planner with a decade of experience. 

A guide you won't find anywhere else

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Browse Planning Resources

Planning On your own?

Not every couple needs full-service planning but everyone deserves expert guidance along the way.

If you're navigating the planning process yourself, I've created a few resources based on 11+ years of experience and 175+ weddings planned to help you feel confident every step of the way.

Wedding Planning Bundle
Step-by-step guidance to help you plan your wedding with clarity and less stress.

Wedding Timeline Guide
A detailed timeline used with real planning clients.

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@featheredarrowstudio

Based in Los Angeles, planning weddings throughout Southern California, Malibu, Santa Barbara, and beyond.