This Week in Weddings

Giving your clients a good experience is key to growing your business and word-of-mouth referrals. But, what are some simple ways to elevate the client experience without selling your soul or working 24 hours a day? In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting about some simple tips to elevate your client's experience in a manageable way. About our guest: Behind the lens of Lynne Reznick Photography, Lynne Reznick is an educator-turned-photographer on a mission to share her knowledge and lessons learned from nearly a decade of industry experience. A lifelong learner at heart, Lynne combines her passion for training and mentoring with a unique teaching approach grounded in proven educational practices. As the founder of The Wedding Client Experience Academy, Lynne offers an easy-to-digest online curriculum based on four fundamental pillars. The result establishes deeply rooted trust with clients, streamlined systems for the busiest workflows, and empowers pros to create bespoke moments for their couples. In addition to providing ongoing mentoring and coaching intensives, Lynne shares several complimentary resources on her site’s educational hub-including the Styled Shoot Planning + Timeline Spreadsheet and The Manual Mode Pocket Guide. A sought-after expert in her field, Lynne’s insight has been recently published with Rangefinder Magazine, the Rising Tide Society, SpecialEvents.com, and the Knot. In this episode, listeners will hear about: Want to connect with Lynne? https://www.lynnereznickphotography.com@lynnereznickphotoFacebook

Getting your work published in a wedding magazine or blog is an aspirational goal for many. But with fewer publications out there, it's more competitive than ever. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting about best practices for finding the right publications to submit to, getting your work published, and following up. About our guest: Jainé Kershner is a wedding photographer based in New York. Jainé Kershner Photography was handpicked as one of NY’s best wedding photographers to know by BRIDES and has been featured in several publications including Martha Stewart Weddings, BRIDES, Style Me Pretty, and The Knot. In 2018, Jainé launched "Tea with Jainé" to directly educate wedding photographers with honest answers, actionable steps, and tangible tips to successfully grow and create a profitable photography business. She hosts her weekly podcast “Tea with Jainé” where she chats with wedding industry insiders who share their knowledge, experience, and expertise directly with her audience. Jainé is a dedicated business coach who offers one-on-one sessions along with submission curations services for wedding photographers. In this episode, listeners will hear about: Want to connect with Jainé? https://www.jainekershner.com/@jainekershnerTea with Jainé

Many wedding industry entrepreneurs overlook Pinterest as a marketing tool, but it's still around and still generating leads. In fact, proper use of Pinterest can even help your work get noticed by search engines like Google. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with a Pinterest strategist about the platform, how it's changed in recent years, and the basics for getting the most out of it. About our guest: Gabby Pinkerton is an adventurous Wedding Planner, Pinterest Strategist, Youtuber and Wedding industry speaker. Her YouTube channel aims to help wedding pros grow their business by using Pinterest and targeting their ideal clients. During the Pandemic, she launched a Pinterest Strategy company, Gabby Pinkerton Co. that focuses on helping wedding pros attract their ideal clients on Pinterest. She and her team offer done-for-you Pinterest Management as well as a robust, no-fluff Pinterest course for those who want to tackle it themselves. Gabby is a recurring speaker at the Wedding Summit Series, Book More Weddings Summit and participates in several wedding bundles offering Pinterest mini courses. She has taken the stage at the National Association of Catering and Events, The Rising Tide Society and virtual gatherings over the last few years. In this episode, listeners will hear about: Want to connect with Gabby? https://gabbypinkerton.com/https://youtu.be/U0NN-Enorqk@gabbypinkerton@causewecanevents

Growing a team requires you to take on a new title – boss. But for so many entrepreneurs, being a boss is uncharted territory. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with a wedding industry entrepreneur with 60 team members all about being a better boss, including some best practices and things to avoid. About our guest: After Graduating from Grambling State University and leaving his home state of Louisiana, Chris Harmon moved to Dallas, Texas to start his business Harmland Visions. Harmland Visions is a Production and Entertainment company that specializes in Videography, Photography, DJ, AV, Lighting, Photobooth, and Special Effects within the Weddings and Events, Corporate and High School markets. Chris has 60 team members that focus on different aspects of the business while he remains the lead videographer and owner of the company. Chris has taken on leadership positions in several local organizations and currently serves as the Treasurer of the Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter of the National Association for Catering and Events. After winning several awards within the Dallas Fort Worth area from various event organizations, Chris’s biggest accomplishment is the success of his teammates. He has been known to train and produce top talent stars, helping them to achieve their goals. Outside of the wedding industry, Chris also owns several companies that bring smart, residual income to his family. This includes a real estate business focusing on Airbnb properties and an RV rental business. In this episode, listeners will hear about: Want to connect with Chris? http://www.harmlandvisions.com/@chrisharmonfilm

Where do you want your business and life to take you? People from Oprah to Deepak Chopra believe in manifesting their future with the use of vision boards. But what is a vision board, how do you make one, and what can it do for you? In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting all about vision boards and how to use them to design the life and work that you love. About our guest: A life-long learner with nearly a decade behind the lens. Rosy is self-taught in her chosen medium of film and digital photography. She thrives on the incredibly special moments her clients invite her to be a part of, sharing - “You know something’s coming, but you don’t know what it’s going to be until you get it”, and adding that her clients feed her creative soul while making her feel alive. More than just a wonderful and gifted photographer, Alba Rose's clients mention time and time again how much of a wonderful human Rosy is. In this episode, listeners will hear about: Want to connect with Rosy? https://albarosephotography.com/@albarose.co

It's true what they say – it's all about who you know. And in the wedding and event industry, that could not be any more true. From knowing your clients to the vendor team you're working with on the event day, it's all about relationships. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting about the best ways to build relationships with both clients and vendor partners as well as tips for maintaining them. About our guest: Sacia Matthews is a destination wedding photographer based on the East Coast. Sacia focuses her work around artistry and intention, merging her signature style of honest editorial documentation. She is a former high school English teacher that is translating those skills to coaching creatives. Her zone of genius is helping strategize and cultivate businesses that coexist with the owner's dream life. She believes in the power of relationship-building in all that you do. In this episode, listeners will hear about: Want to connect with Sacia? www.saciamatthews.com@saciamatthews

Is confidence something you're born with or something you can learn? In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting all about confidence and doubt and breaking patterns of negative stories we tell ourselves. About our guest: Rocky knows firsthand how difficult it can be to identify what makes us unique on our own. We get caught in insecurities and fears. We tend to spend too much time looking outside, comparing ourselves to what others project, and say about us. Rocky's childhood tells a tale of having moved 10 times and having to make new friends at every new school. He ended up spending more time trying to impress or please everyone else; going from one extreme of the pendulum by sailing along on charisma to the other end by living a life of self-sacrifice. No matter how hard he worked, nothing seemed to make sense and he was never able to see his real value or worth. That is until he took a step back and had a long hard look at WHO he was, not just WHAT he did. After graduating with a communications degree from Texas A&M University, Rocky has spent the past 15 years walking alongside thousands of individuals at Sky Ranch Summer Camp as Director and counseled and supported hundreds while on the pastoral staff at Chase Oaks Church. Now, as a top keynote speaker and culture consultant, he has taken thousands through the Identity Mapping™ process. As a result, they have all been led to understand the most vivid picture of who they are and how they operate best as individuals. In this episode, listeners will hear about: "Be Confident: A Pocket Guide to Killing Doubt and Building Conviction" Want to connect with Rocky? https://rockygarza.com/@rockygarzahttps://www.facebook.com/rockygarzahttps://www.linkedin.com/in/rockygarza/

We all know that Instagram is a powerful social media tool for the wedding industry, particularly since it's so visual. But are you using Instagram as a sales tool as opposed to just a portfolio? In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting about how you can use Instagram to promote your business well beyond pretty pictures. About our guest: Maria Oliva is the CEO & Founder of SMS Media, a social media coaching business for wedding vendors in the DC area. Maria's main goal is to change the way wedding vendors approach Instagram and have fun while they're at it. She has a passion for teaching wedding vendors how to build sustainable Instagram strategies that work around their schedule & feels good for THEM. She was born and raised in Puerto Rico and has been in the Digital Marketing world for over 7 years! Her sassy & badass personality is what sets her apart from everyone else. She will always tell it how it is and doesn't like cutting corners for anyone, especially her clients (it's the Puerto Rican in her). She is changing the wedding industry, one account at a time! In this episode, listeners will hear about: Want to connect with Maria? @sms_mediaPR

Small businesses definitely need policies, procedures, and contracts in order to stay organized and to set boundaries. But when is it ok to be flexible and make an exception? In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting about exceptions, when to (and not to) make them, and some things to think about as you're making the decision on bending your rules. About our guest: Our guest today is Jennifer Trotter, the owner and principal artist behind one of Dallas/Fort Worth's top bridal beauty teams, Lip Service Makeup. Known for flawless looks, a diverse portfolio and impeccable customer service, Jennifer and her team provide hair and makeup for a variety of projects, including major motion pictures, Dateline NBC, commercial and media clients, tv and film projects with Oxygen, Netflix and others, as well as beautifying around 175 brides each year. This beauty pro also happens to be a communications expert with a background that includes stints in PR, corporate training and serving for nearly 10 years as the Program Director for the Make A Wish Foundation. Through articles, coaching sessions and speaking engagements, Jennifer uses her communications background to help business owners skillfully navigate the awkward conversations and stressful situations that we all face. She not only knows how to manage the occasional bridezilla, she's passionate about sharing proven techniques to create strong relationships with clients and other vendors while reducing conflict. In this episode, listeners will hear about: Want to connect with Jen? https://www.lipservicemakeup.com/@lipservicemakeup

We're all busy. But are you just staying busy? Or are you actually moving things forward in your business? In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting about the differences between action and motion, and how simply doing the preparation isn't necessarily moving the ball forward. Listen in as we chat with a return guest about some tips for making that busy work actually work for you and your business. About our guest: With a background in producing and directing live and recorded television for the better part of 10 years, Wendy is the definition of “quick on your feet.” She prides herself on being a solution-oriented problem solver—which has served her well in her 12 years of planning and executing flawless events. Wendy’s passion to create and execute original ideas for each of her couples’ weddings means that in addition to running smoothly, they are a fun, enjoyable, memorable, and tangible pieces of fine art. With a straightforward approach, Wendy builds a rapport with her clients. She believes that the more she gets to know her couples, the better (and more personal) the wedding will be. Birds of a Feather Events was named a Top Wedding Planner and Event Designer by Martha Stewart Weddings as well as a Best Planner in America by BRIDES. In this episode, listeners will hear about: Episode 99: How to End a Client RelationshipEpisode 163: Turning Your Volume-Based Business Into a Value-Based BusinessProfit First Want to connect with Wendy? http://birds-of-a-feather-events.com/@birdsofafeatherevents

Pricing in the wedding industry is admittedly all over the board. Not only do various vendors charge in vastly different price ranges, but even the pricing strategies are all over the board (flat fee, packages, percentages, oh my!) In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting about pricing your art, and the necessarily mindset shifts that are needed in order to get the price you deserve and work with the clients who believe in you and your art. About our guest: Matthew Wengerd makes holy shit stationery for brave and daring clients under the name A Fine Press. His work with couples, individuals, and brands blurs the line between function and form, inspiring and engaging at least as much as it informs. More importantly, Matthew's clients are an incredible group of people who seek to be known and remembered by their people. They bring open hearts and boundless trust to the process - allowing themselves to be known and seen and reflected in the work. In this episode, listeners will hear about: Getting Clients to Trust You Want to connect with Matthew? https://www.afinepress.com/@afinepress

In a creative industry, it's often challenging to stay creative 24/7. And with so much coming at us constantly – from social media to the news – it's no wonder that it's easy to get caught up in what's trendy as opposed to being innovative. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with an industry veteran about being your own inspiration and keeping the creativity alive. About our guest: Kristy’s work, like her personality, is at times difficult to pin down. Her brushstrokes can ebb and flow from highly detailed and meticulous to free-flowing and boundless, all the while remaining captivating and unmistakable. For the last 19 years, Kristy’s obsession with paint and paper has evolved into the innovative and wildly recognized brand, Momental Designs. Kristy has transformed event stationery into a persuasive and compelling medium that garners global attention from media, celebrities and some of the world’s most creative individuals. Widely regarded as an industry tastemaker, Kristy’s styling, painting and stationery innovations have been featured in creative editorials and installations in some of the world’s most famed publications. Kristy’s work has been credited in People Magazine, OK! Magazine, Good Morning America, New York Live, The Knot, Inside Weddings and Brides Magazines, Vanity Fair, Martha Stewart Weddings, Flutter, You and Your Wedding, Brides UK along with countless blogs. Kristy’s work has also crossed over into fine art and lifestyle markets with licensing and the development of branded product lines for the top Arts & Crafts stores nationwide. Her licensed artwork can be found at Bed, Bath and Beyond, Target, Walmart, Anthropologie, Chatbooks and more. She is an 9-time author with Schiffer Publishing. In this episode, listeners will hear about: Want to connect with Kristy? http://www.momentaldesigns.com/@momentalhttps://www.facebook.com/momentaldesigns/

In this casual episode of the This Week in Weddings podcast, Kimberly, Annie and Lance reflect on 2021. Listen in as we do a little bit of recapping, a little bit of goal-setting, and a lot of group therapy.

In a world where Amazon prime can get you almost anything you need in a day, it's easy to carry the idea of instant gratification into other areas of your life, including your business. But real results take time and often can't be rushed. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting about Julie Bunkley's theory about the 18-month time frame, and why it takes that amount of time to see results manifest themselves. About our guest: Julie Bunkley, the owner & creative director of Invision Events, is a PR and design maven as well as a longterm, strategic visionary. With a degree in Public Relations and self taught in In Design, Julie’s aesthetic and passion for building a brand is well over a decade in the making. Her eye is always on the long game, reminding us that a sustainable and successful business is a marathon and not a sprint. Her work has been featured on countless occasions in Martha Stewart Weddings, BRIDES, People, The New York Times, Fortune, InStyle, Bridal Guide and Southern Living, among others. In this episode, listeners will hear about: Want to connect with Julie? https://invevents.com/@invisioneventshttps://www.facebook.com/invisionevents/

Did you know that This Week In Weddings has a book club? We're all about improving ourselves personally and professionally, and we love connecting with our audience at the same time. TWIW Book Club is where we connect online to discuss our latest read. (BYOB!) In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with a business coach, author, and avid reader about the details of the next TWIW Book Club event. About our guest: Heather Vickery is an award-winning business owner and global leader with over 20 years as an entrepreneur. She leverages her entrepreneurial skills and expertise to coach individuals towards greater personal and professional fulfillment by helping them leverage their fear into intentional bravery. Heather says “When we choose bravely, on purpose, we choose bigger, have bigger successes and it’s contagious. A celebrated public speaker, Heather inspires audiences and empowers attendees with the tools they need to live bold and successful lives through creating balance, time management, mindfulness, as well as countless systems, strategies, and boundaries. In this episode, listeners will hear about: The Big Leap by Gay HendricksHow to joinF*ck Fearless, Making the Brave LeapLibro.fm ------- SUPPORT THE PODCAST! Have you gotten value from This Week In Weddings? If so, it's time to pay it forward! Your contribution of as little as 10-cents a day will help us offset our costs, like file storage, web hosting, and editing. Plus, a larger donation gets you perks, like access to a private Facebook group to discuss each week’s episode! Check out the ways you can contribute to the show.

The saying goes that people do business with those that they know, like, and trust. And when you're an entrepreneur, it's safe to say that YOU are your business, but many people aren't putting themselves out there so that people can see the person behind your brand. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting all about personal brands, and ways to promote the person behind the company (both on and off social media) while still staying professional. About our guest: Mateo 'Matt' Diaz is a luxury wedding photographer, marketing strategist, professional party thrower, socialite, and so much more. Mateo has multiple companies (Mateo & Company & Relevate) and serves in the community through multiple organizations, committees, and boards. He loves throwing events that bring people together, that strengthen community relationships, and that give back to the community. In this episode, listeners will hear about: Want to connect with Mateo? https://mateoco.com/@mateoandcompany@themateodiazhttps://www.facebook.com/mateoandcompany/

We've never been ones to not tell it like it is, and let's be honest... a lot of people are being dicks these days! In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting all about the state of the wedding industry, what's causing so much frustration (among both clients and vendors), and a few ways to approach the challenges without losing your professionalism. About our guest: Leah Weinberg is the Owner & Creative Director of Color Pop Events and best selling author of The Wedding Roller Coaster. Her colorful work and party planning tips have been published online and in print with Vogue, the New York Times, People, CNBC, Bravo, Martha Stewart, and The Knot, among others. Recently, Leah has been recognized as a 20 on the Rise winner by Honeybook and the Rising Tide Society, one of the 25 Young Event Pros to Watch by Special Events Magazine, and one of BizBash's Top 500 Event Pros in the US. In this episode, listeners will hear about: almostThe Wedding Roller Coaster: Keeping Your Relationships Intact Through the Ups and Downs Want to connect with Leah? http://colorpopevents.com/@colorpopeventshttps://www.facebook.com/colorpopevents @colorpopevents

When you're focused on serving your clients well, it's easy to forget about focusing on your own self care. And keeping on top of your health and wellness, including your fitness, isn't always a priority. But it should be! In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting all about incorporating fitness into your routine and how doing so can have a positive impact on your business. About our guest: Chris J. Evans is a luxury wedding and destination photographer who creates photographs you not only see but truly feel. His images transport you back to the very instant they were created. That cool breeze fluttering the back of your neck, the warmth of your soulmates embrace, this is his art. Chris has photographed weddings in Italy, Santa Barbara, Laguna Beach, Maui, Oahu, Kauai and Lana’i, with features in Brides, Martha Stewart, The Knot, Destination Ido and Wedluxe. Your wedding will be told through style, grace and gratitude. From this moment forward, you’ll never walk alone. In this episode, listeners will hear about: Episode 159: Embracing Fear in Your Wedding Business Want to connect with Chris? www.chrisjevans.com@chrisjevansphoto

It's safe to say that many wedding pros thought if we could just get through 2020, we'd be in a good place. And then 2021 happened. Not only did we continue to see events getting cancelled and postponed in the first half of the year, but now that weddings are back, we're seeing supply chain issues, staffing issues, and wedding pros with a lack of work/life balance just to get everything accomplished. Ugh! In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting all about this and a few tips for thriving during this time. About our guest: Andrea Smith is the owner of SoiréeSmith, an event planning company that serves Chicago’s North Shore. After a decade in catering sales for prestigious brands — such as Four Seasons and Waldorf Astoria — and two children later, she was inspired to start creating events from all angles of the guest experience. Founded in 2017, the SoiréeSmith mission is to ensure their clients feel like guests at their own events. In this episode, listeners will hear about: Want to connect with Andrea? https://soireesmith.com/ Instagram: @soireesmith

Not all couples consist of a bride and a groom. And not all wedding guests self identify as simply male or female! Although the wedding industry follows a long history of traditional gender roles, times they are a changin'! In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting about the small steps and shifts in mindset you can make to ensure your business is being fully inclusive. About our guest: Jess McSweeney has been a writer for as long as she can remember and a calligrapher since 2014, when she launched her business helping couples and stationers add a touch of extra romance to their wedding paper through beautiful custom lettering. After 7+ years in the industry and one major global pandemic that stopped all weddings, she turned her love of writing beautifully into a thriving copywriting service for creative business owners. Her clients are artists and industry experts who produce inimitable and inspiring work but who struggle to tell their story in a way that connects with those they serve. Jess herself is queer, and she specializes in writing gender and sexuality inclusive copy for luxury wedding and lifestyle brands. She is currently based in Baltimore, Maryland, where she watches way too many reality TV shows and Nick Cage movies in between her wedding and writing projects. In this episode, listeners will hear about: Jessica's article/podcast episode for Etiquette for Creatives Want to connect with Jess? www.jessica-mcsweeney.comInstagram: @jess.mcsweeney