The Wedding Biz - Behind The Scenes Of The Wedding Business

In today's brief episode, Andy talks about why he started The Wedding Biz podcast and why he has decided to take a well-deserved break.  To search for a previous guest's interview(s) date and episode number, go to theweddingbiz.com and type the name in the search field.  Feel free to DM Andy on IG @theweddingbiz www.theweddingbiz.com IG: @theweddingbiz www.kushnerentertainment.com iG: @soundconnectionband

Andy is excited to be bringing back returning guest Colin Cowie to the show this episode! A celebrated event designer and producer, Colin has created some of the most talked about parties and events around the world with a roster of clients including Oprah Winfrey, Jerry Seinfeld, Ryan Seacrest, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, Kim Kardashian, Nicole Kidman, heads of state, and foreign dignitaries. He is also a celebrated television personality, having spent eight years on the CBS Morning Show, eight years on NBC's Today Show, seven years on HSN Network, and even hosted his own show for five years on the WE Network. Colin is also a published author, having written several books including his latest, The Gold Standard: Giving Your Customers What They Didn’t Know They Wanted! Join Colin and Andy as they discuss what it really takes to stay relevant in a saturated, ever-evolving industry, with Colin reflecting on forty years in business and sharing why standing still is not an option for him. From his early days

Andy is thrilled to have repeat guest David Tutera back on the show for this episode! David is a globally celebrated event expert, and he joins Andy to offer another look at his decades-long career. Known for working with some of the most recognizable names in entertainment, David reflects on what it really takes to deliver unforgettable events beyond just the glitz and glamor. Listeners get an inside look at how David manages demanding clients, shifting visions, and the chaos that can unfold behind the scenes. This conversation goes beyond just logistics, though, and David reflects on the emotional core of what he does: making people feel seen, valued, and joyful. He talks openly about how personal connection fuels his creativity and why empathy is one of the most powerful tools that an event designer can have. From balancing a multi-faceted career (including stints in fashion, television, writing, and public speaking) to taking on grief and growth, David brings a truly vulnerable and inspiring perspective.

Andy is excited to share this interview with Dawson Haynes Mitchell, executive director of Easton Events. Dawson pulls back the curtain on what it means to be the right hand of one of the industry’s most respected planners, Lynn Easton. She discusses how luxury event planning is all about seamless execution and stunning experiences and, behind the scenes, it's really a high-pressure world demanding adaptability, sharp problem-solving, and in-depth attention to detail. Listen in as Dawson shares how she rose from intern to a leadership role over the course of ten years, managing everything from budgets and timelines to client interactions. She offers us a look at the intense problem-solving that comes with the job, from last-minute challenges to the constant push for perfection. Dawson also discusses her close working relationship with Lynn and how mentorship has helped shape her approach to leadership. Dawson introduces eventPERCH, Easton Events’ software designed to bring order to the chaos of event planning

Andy brings us a revisit of his March 2023 interview with Mauricio Kirschner, the founder and chief designer of House of Kirschner. They create out-of-this world interior and event design, and are also professional architects which enables them to design and produce unique constructions and designware beyond the usual. In this insightful revisit, Andy and Mauricio discuss Mauricio's childhood passion for construction, structure, and architecture, and Mauricio talks about how he started his career as an architect and then got pulled into the event industry, then diving deep into the heart of what event design means to him, describing it in a unique way. Mauricio also explains the unexpected way in which he begins his creative meetings, reveals what inspires him, and so much more! Andy found this interview to be absolutely fascinating and knows that listeners will also get a lot out of it and find themselves inspired, so if you do, then please share this revisit episode with at least three people you feel will

Andy is thrilled to have Julie Novack of PartySlate back on the show again! Julie is no stranger to the show as she has been on several times. Julie is the CEO and co-founder of PartySlate, a groundbreaking photo-rich website connecting event professionals, planners, and venues! Join Andy and Julie in this episode as she provides some updates, since the last time that she was on the show, including the publication of their book PartySlate Weddings: A Keepsake Planner! Listen as Julie discusses the inspiration behind the book, revealing how it serves as both a practical planning guide for couples as well as a valuable tool for industry professionals. She and Andy explore how the book helps educate clients, making them more prepared and engaged throughout the planning process. Beyond the book, Julie shares how PartySlate has revolutionized the events industry by providing a photo-rich platform that connects engaged couples with top-tier planners, venues, and vendors. With over 30,000 event professionals showca

Andy sits down for this episode with Marissa Morrison, a successful destination wedding photographer, transformative mindset coach, and host of The Marissa Morrison Show podcast. Listen in as Marissa opens up about her journey from being a 19-year-old single mother with no support to establishing a thriving business and helping others achieve their dreams! She also shares how gratitude and manifestation played incredibly important roles in her success and explains how these practices continue to guide her now. Marissa and Andy also discuss the power of gratitude, love, and presence in creating a fulfilling life and career, with Marissa discussing how our thoughts and energy shape our reality and how staying present can help lead to opportunities for growth. She shares her process for manifesting dreams, highlighting why it's important to align your actions with your vision. Marissa explores her unique perspective on relational manifesting (focusing on creating harmony between your vision and that of others),

Andy is excited to have floral and event designer Preston Bailey, a true icon in the industry, back once again on the show! Tune in as he shares some fascinating insights into his work, including his involvement in one of the most extravagant weddings ever held for the Ambani family in Mumbai! With a rumored price tag of $600 million, the event pushed the boundaries of design, and Preston was at the heart of it all. He reveals how he worked on over 70 monumental floral animal sculptures, crafted from Indian flowers, which became some of the most talked-about aspects of the wedding! However, the conversation goes beyond the luxury of this massive event, as Preston also opens up about his morning routine, the daily practices that fuel his creativity (including his use of morning pages and meditation) and how these routines have helped shape his work and personal growth. He also discusses the role of AI in his creative process and how it fits into his ever-evolving approach to design. Andy, as always, had such a

Andy welcomes listeners back to the show for this episode in which he sits down with Larry Walshe, founder and CEO of Larry Walshe Studios, a world-renowned floral and event designer with studios in London, Lake Como, and New York City! Larry's impressive portfolio includes collaborations with top-tier names like Rihanna, Adele, Benedict Cumberbatch, and even royal households. He is truly a trailblazer in the industry, known especially for his 100% plastic-free luxury floral service, Bloom, and his Elite Furniture Hire venture! Listen as Larry discusses his creative journey, beginning with his artistic upbringing, an unexpected career shift after an accident, and how he eventually carved out his niche in the events industry. He shares some insights into the challenges of balancing creativity with running a successful business, stressing the importance of staying true to his artistic vision while ensuring that each event delivers a seamless experience. Larry also opens up about his process, from sketching idea

Join Andy this week as he enthusiastically welcomes returning guest Josh Spiegel, the visionary founder and Chief Creative Officer of Birch Event Design, to catch up on the evolution of his company since they last spoke four years ago in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Listen as Josh opens up about the challenges and victories of being in the luxury event space, including his team’s expansion, collaborations, and the creative strides that they have made. He and Andy discuss the importance of being adaptable in the post-pandemic world and how these elements have reshaped both personal and professional landscapes, and Josh shares some insights into his company's culture and how maintaining a harmonious team dynamic is incredibly important for maintaining their innovative edge and staying relevant. From scaling the business to embracing partnerships with other industry leaders, Josh touches upon the cornerstones of Birch Event Design's philosophy. He and Andy also discuss how the right cultural fit can make

Andy is excited to welcome back to the show Abi Matesun of Malekfoto Weddings and Malekfoto Films! Abi is a trailblazing Nigerian-American filmmaker and creative visionary with impressive accolades that include two Emmy Awards, two Telly Awards, and the People of African Descent Award. Abi has made waves in both the wedding industry and the broader creative space, and his Netflix series Made by Design celebrates the artistry of African architects and designers, while his transformative Creative Mind Shift Masterclass helps entrepreneurs unlock their full potential! Abi joins Andy in this episode to discuss his philosophy behind the Creative Mind Shift, explaining how reframing limiting beliefs and embracing challenges can elevate not only personal growth but also client experiences. He shares actionable insights into emotional intelligence and active listening, skills that are truly critical in an age of rapid innovation and AI integration. Abi’s mantra is that failure is not an identity but a necessary step

Andy welcomes you to revisit his November 2022 interview with Sarah Winward! Sarah is based out of Salt Lake City and is a destination wedding florist who creates flower arrangements that are inspired by the changing of seasons in nature. Believing that flowers should feel natural in the environment in which they are going to be viewed, Still, she also finds many of her materials in the immediate area where the event will be held. Sarah primarily does flowers for events but also works on installations for private and commercial clients. She also offers various workshops and is a master of her craft! Sarah dives into various topics such as what her childhood was like and what her biggest hobbies were as a child, how an interest in weddings and events came about for her, what the process frequently looks like between her and her clients, what her biggest challenge often is and how she overcomes it, how she has managed to become so popular on social media, what her morning routine and evening routine look like,

Andy is so excited to welcome the mother-daughter dynamic duo that is Paulette and Jodi Wolf. Together, they run Paulette Wolf Events (PWE), with Paulette being the Chief Creative Officer and Founder and Jodi being the CEO. Based in Chicago, this acclaimed luxury wedding and event planning company has worked with prestigious events like the Super Bowl and Olympics, as well as working with iconic people such as Oprah and President Obama. Paulette and Jodi also authored the book Event Planning Made Easy! ​​Listen as Paulette shares her unexpected journey into event planning, navigating a male-dominated business landscape. Her serendipitous entry started with organizing club parties, which propelled her into the vast world of event management, highlighting her drive, adaptability, and classic creative flair. Her daughter, Jodi, the brilliant CEO, describes growing up in this vibrant environment, influencing her eventual career path despite early aspirations of becoming a child psychiatrist. Listeners will be t

Andy is happy to be welcoming Brooke Keegan back to the show! Brooke is the visionary owner and creative director of Brooke Keegan Special Events, a leading firm specializing in custom, multi-day destination weddings, and since founding her company in 2009, she has garnered recognition from Harper's Bazaar and Brides as one of the world's top event planners! She is here with Andy in this episode to share, amongst other things, her invaluable insights from her years in the industry! As Brooke and Andy catch up, Brooke reflects on challenges faced, particularly the significant downturn in wedding engagements attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and the typical slow- down during election years. She discusses the evolving wedding landscape, highlighting how while low-budget and extravagant weddings continue to thrive, mid-range events are seeing a decline. Brooke also shares her process for working with bridal couples, from initial consultations to curating a creative team tailored to each client's visio, and, em

Andy really hopes that you will join him for this episode of The Wedding Biz as he welcomes back to the show Bryan Rafanelli of Rafanelli Events! ​​Bryan is a renowned designer and planner and is the founder and chief creative officer of Rafanelli Events, and he has been behind some of the most high-profile events in recent history, including Chelsea Clinton’s wedding and several of President Obama’s White House state dinners. His team has also worked on key campaign events for Vice President Kamala Harris! Bryan opens up about the pressures of maintaining excellence in a saturated market, admitting that even after decades of success, he still feels the weight of “being only as good as your last event.” Listen in to hear him reflect on how he balances innovation with authenticity, rejecting trends for the sake of trends and instead focusing on creating meaningful connections through his work. He also shares his candid thoughts on burnout, revealing that while he’s sometimes tempted to step back, his passion f

Frequent guest of the show David Stark returns for this episode of The Wedding Biz! David is a renowned event designer and planner with over 25 years of experience in the industry, and as the founder and chief creative officer of David Stark Design and Production, his impressive client list includes celebrities such as Glenn Close and Brad Pitt, SNL’s 40th Anniversary, The Whitney Museum of American Art, and The Metropolitan Opera. Listen in as David shares insights into his creative process, discussing the balance between designing for clients and creating art purely for himself. He reflects on collaborations with other artists such as, for example, his recent work with Joe Dienst, and he explains how these projects allow him to break free from the constraints of client work. Throughout Andy's conversation with David, David stresses the importance of scale in his designs making sure that every element of an event commands its space. He shares his desire to simplify his work, aiming for restraint by using few

Longtime listeners of the podcast will likely be familiar with today’s guest as she has been on the show several times already! Join Andy as he welcomes back Meghan Ely, the owner of OFD Consulting! Meghan is a longtime industry speaker and writer and is a wedding pro educator with regular contributions to Wedding Planner Magazine, The Knot, Wedding Business Magazine, Catersource, and SpecialEvents.com. Meghan joins Andy for this episode to discuss defining and achieving luxury in the wedding industry. With years of experience and numerous accolades, including but certainly not limited to being recognized as one of the most influential wedding professionals by Event Tech, Meghan shares invaluable insights into what sets luxury weddings apart. Andy invites you to listen to gain a deeper understanding of the various elements that make up a luxurious experience beyond mere budget, including personalized details, meticulous planning, and memorable moments that resonate with couples and guests alike. Meghan discus

Andy is so thrilled to be welcoming his business partner, Robert Sherman, back to the show! Robert is Andy’s business partner at Kushner Entertainment and is also the owner of Washington Talent, a legendary entertainment company established over 55 years ago. Together, Andy and Robert tackle the topic of employee retention, discussing how to keep employees engaged, happy, and loyal over the long term. Robert shares some valuable insights from his decades of experience, explaining how hiring for company culture is just as crucial as hiring for skill sets and emphasizing the importance of communication, ensuring that employees not only understand but also believe in the organization's goals. Robert's approach to management is rooted in collaboration rather than hierarchy. Avoiding terms like “boss” and “employee,” he instead opts to lead through transparency and mutual respect. He also discusses the importance of flexibility in modern workplaces, citing examples from his own company where remote work has helped

If you have been a longtime listener of the podcast, then today’s voice may sound familiar to you as it is her third appearance on the show! Andy is so thrilled to welcome back Tara Guerard, owner and creative director of Tara Guerard Soirée headquartered out of Charleston, South Carolina (and with an additional office in New York City). Tara is recognized as one of the nation's leading tastemakers globally, and she is here to share some exciting updates since she was last on the show. Listen as she and Andy reflect on the profound changes brought about by the pandemic and how it has influenced their approach to client relationships. Tara shares her struggle with the shift to virtual meetings, highlighting why it's important to have in-person connections and how much she values reading a client's body language and energy, something that is unfortunately difficult to replicate over the phone or through a screen. Tara shares some insights into maintaining energy and inspiration after decades in the business. Sh

Andy is thrilled to once again be sitting down with Andrea Eppolito, a renowned luxury wedding planner and author of AI for Wedding Professionals. Andrea shares her initial hesitation toward AI and recounts how she dedicated daily time to understand and leverage this technology, highlighting its comparison to the invention of the internet in terms of impact. Hear Andrea's take on how AI, particularly ChatGPT, can serve as a powerful creative assistant, sifting through data, spotting patterns, and offering insights that would take humans weeks to uncover. She stresses the importance of training AI to emulate one's personal style, creating a tailored experience that reflects the user's unique voice and sensibilities. The conversation also addresses some of the common criticisms of AI, such as its perceived robotic nature. Andrea highlights her strategy of creating a personalized AI profile, which involves feeding ChatGPT with detailed information about her writing style, design preferences, and professional ou