The Wedding Biz - Behind The Scenes Of The Wedding Business

Andy is so thrilled to welcome Ceci Johnson back to the podcast! The founder of Ceci New York, a globally renowned luxury invitation design agency, Ceci is recognized by Tony Burch and also Anna Wintour of Vogue magazine, as well as numerous others, and is here to share insights into the constant evolution of her business over the past three years. As a creative force, Ceci discusses the importance of staying ahead of the curve and exploring new possibilities, especially post-pandemic. The conversation delves into Ceci's expansion into more attainable luxury with semi-custom collection invitations, making luxury accessible to a broader audience. Beyond invitations, she has ventured into corporate and branding work, launching brand makeovers during the pandemic. Ceci emphasizes the significance of ensuring that a brand works for the business, not against it. Ceci also explores strategic partnerships and collaborations, highlighting the magic that happens when creatives join forces. She shares insights into Ins

“My proudest moments aren’t only about design. They are about how my clients feel when they see and experience the design.” Listen as Andy and his guest Lisa Vorce discuss Lisa’s love of celebrations, what inspired her to leave corporate America to launch her own business and much more on this episode of The Wedding Biz. Lisa is a world-renowned celebrity event planner, receiving accolades from Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Brides, BizBash, and Martha Stewart, to name a few. She planned several events for Kobe Bryant and produced some of the most iconic celebrations, including the weddings of John Legend and Chrissy Teigen and Kate Upton and Justin Verlander. Lisa is a speaker and headliner at conferences worldwide, including WPPI, Engage, and DWP. Lisa shares that the first event she worked at was a birthday party for George Clooney’s mom, how the referrals from the first wedding she planned led her down the destination wedding path, and the process she follows for each client. Lisa also shares the roles each of h

Join Andy this week for The Wedding Biz as he interviews returning guest Alejandra Poupel, internationally renowned event planner! Renowned for planning upscale events that cater to a diverse clientele from different cultures and backgrounds, Alejandra of Alejandra Poupel Events shares her unique approach to event planning and the crucial role of cultural knowledge in her work. In addition, Alejandra discusses the lessons learned from the pandemic and the ways it altered her business approach emphasizing more on personal connections and service quality. The conversation further delves into her audacious approach to planning, where taking risks is seen as a necessary component. Alejandra also underlines the significance of assembling the right team and the mutual respect and synergy in driving success. Listen in to gain an appreciation for her desire to continuously learn from varied cultural practices to enhance her events. Being at the top of her game, Alejandra insists on enjoying the process, making every

In this exciting episode of The Wedding Biz, Andy engages with the power-duo behind Sophie Felts Floral Design, Sophie Felts, Founder, and Erica Gamble, Partner and President. This dynamic duo, based out of the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, thrives in the high-end design realm, curating stunning floral designs for wedding and event clientele that leaves their clients breathless! The in-person chat uncovers a fascinating journey of Sophie and Erica, including how they got into the floral design business, formed a partnership, and continually fuel their creative process. You’ll hear about how this mom-turned entrepreneur and her insurance professional-turned-floral designer partner joined forces to make waves in the industry. Sophie and Erica also open up about their approach, pricing philosophy, challenges, and the workshop they offer, and they even share a distinct aspect of their business— collaborating with planners, focusing mainly on floral design. This eye-opening episode will also take you through

Andy invites you to join this week for a revisit of his 2020 interview with Diane Khoury!! Have you ever heard of a bride planning her own wedding with 500 guests and with no experience in planning an event of any size? Listen as Andy and his guest Diane Khoury discuss how she was able to pull it off and why it was the reason she started her own wedding and event business plus much more on this episode of The Wedding Biz! Diane is a Sydney-based event planner, quickly approaching 400,000 Instagram followers. Diane Khoury Weddings and Events has been credited for revolutionizing the planning, styling, and concept design of luxury weddings and events both in and out of Australia. Diane’s weddings stand out as stunning works of art with a passion for glamorous detail and an appreciation for unique displays. After being sought after by celebrities and socialites, Diane continues to catapult the definition of celebrating love and luxury in Australia. Listen in as the episode delves into Diane's journey, from her u

Andy welcomes you back to The Wedding Biz as he interviews Jamésa Alexander, the Founder of Jayne Heir Weddings & Events, a premier boutique planning agency. Listen in as Jamésa shares insights into her journey, discussing her background in kinesiology and how it shaped her perspective. The conversation delves into her approach to event planning, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and creating a personalized experience for each couple. Jamésa also reveals her strategies for handling challenges during events, drawing on her experience in aerospace and defense. Jamésa and Andy also explore the collaborative process with creative partners and the meticulous selection of vendors based on the couple's vision, and Jamésa discusses the balance between the creative and business aspects of running a successful wedding planning agency. The conversation also includes candid discussion about the challenges of maintaining a work-life balance, especially as a successful entrepreneur and mother. Jamésa is also c

Andy is so thrilled to welcome someone he has known for a while but is a first-time guest on The Wedding Biz - Laura Ritchie, a seasoned luxury wedding planner and founder of Grit & Grace based in Washington, D.C.! With fifteen years of industry experience, Laura shares her journey from a fashion major to venturing into hotel and catering roles before making the bold transition to entrepreneurship. The conversation delves into the essence of true luxury in wedding planning, emphasizing the importance of genuine connections, respect, and shared goals among all involved parties. Laura also provides insights into her creative process, highlighting the significance of avoiding replication and drawing inspiration from a couple's unique story, traditions, and preferences. The discussion extends to the evolving landscape of the wedding industry, touching on destination weddings, unconventional venues, and the need to think differently about spaces. Laura also opens up about the challenges of time management and

In today’s episode of The Wedding Biz, Andy is excited to welcome John Emmanuel. John is the premier floral designer out of Sydney, Australia. He is best known for creating exquisite grand scale floral installations, and whatever he creates has a stunning element of luxury. A known leader in his market, John has worked alongside many high profile Australian wedding planners in continuous collaboration with some of Sydney’s most luxurious events. He also hosts “The John Emmanuel Luxury Wedding Masterclass.” John takes us on a journey of his childhood, the tragedy of losing his mother at age three, and working at his grandma and aunt’s floral shop at thirteen. He speaks about going to trade school on an apprenticeship at the age of fifteen to learn the floral business and why he has such a strong passion for weddings. He has a strong drive to succeed and he believes he got that from wanting more for himself and his children. Listen in as John discusses how he felt when he sold the retail part of his business to

In this captivating episode of The Wedding Biz, join Andy as he dives into an enlightening conversation with Brooke Keegan, the esteemed owner and creative director of Brooke Keegan Special Events. Known for her exceptional expertise in crafting one-of-a-kind, multi-day destination weddings, Brooke has been acknowledged as a top event planner by Harper's Bazaar and Brides magazine. Listen in as Brooke provides an inside look at the challenges and successes associated with her specialized event planning business. As a planner in high demand, she reveals the importance of patience and the significance of creating a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle in the industry. As the conversation continues, Brooke shares valuable insights into her creative process, the challenges of planning events in the midst of a global pandemic, and her unique approach to prioritizing feedback and taking care of her clients. This episode is a must-listen if you want to gain a glimpse into the backbone of the event industry or learn mor

In this episode of the show, Andy welcomes back celebrity fashion stylist and bestselling author Micaela Erlanger! Micaela, who has styled renowned personalities like Lupita Nyong'o, and Jennifer Hudson, shares her insights into the world of high-profile styling and how it intersects with the wedding industry. Micaela discusses the importance of storytelling through image, emphasizing the role of stylists as key players in the wedding planning process. She provides valuable advice to wedding planners, urging them to involve stylists from the beginning to ensure a seamless and visually stunning event. She also delves into the challenges of running a styling business, highlighting the significant role of logistics in her work. Sharing her experiences collaborating with brands like Forevermark Diamonds and launching product lines, she showcases her creativity beyond celebrity styling. She also touches upon recent projects, including collaborations with Olivia Culpo and Christian McCaffrey, hinting at the excitin

Today’s guest believes “that flowers speak for themselves.” Rob Van Helden discusses what he means by "perfect simplicity”; starting a business out of the back of a car with his sister Patrice; how, through word of mouth, they were able to grow; and much more on this episode of The Wedding Biz! Rob is the owner of Rob Van Helden Floral Design Limited out of London. His previous clientele includes Nelson Mandela, Joe Malone, Elton John, the Beckham’s World Cup party, Alfred Dunhill and James Bond film premieres, and Royal weddings and events including Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, and Princess Margaret’s 70th birthday. Rob shares how instrumental props are in the design and setting the theme, and he shares his process when he works with clients. He also speaks about taking his clients to the flower market with him so they can see firsthand what he has in mind for the design and experience their responses. Listen as Rob describes the flower arrangements he designed for his own wedding and some of the big

Andy hopes that you will join him today as he chats with recurring guest Laurie Arons of Laurie Arons Special Events which she founded nearly three decades ago in 1994. Laurie has become a staple in the industry, working with high-profile clients like Sofia Coppola, Vanessa Getty, and Christy Turlington. In this candid conversation, Laurie shares insights into her experiences navigating the wedding industry, especially during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Reflecting on the challenging years of 2020 and 2021, Laurie discusses her strategic approach to having managed events during the pandemic. Laurie's adaptability and foresight allowed her to successfully handle the uncertainties, emphasizing the importance of staying prepared in the face of unforeseen challenges. Andy and Laurie also take a dive into the evolving landscape of the wedding industry. They explore the rising expectations of clients, driven in part by social media and the desire for unique, personalized experiences. Laurie emphas

Andy is so thrilled to welcome first-time guest Jen Gould of Jen Gould Events to the show this week! Jen's journey in the event industry began when her mother, Diane Gould, established the company nearly fifty years ago, making them pioneers in the evolving world of professional event design. Listen in as this episode delves into Jen's unique approach to event design, blending cutting-edge elements like acrylic fabrication, graphic design, large-scale set design, and digital technology. Jen's commitment to creating personalized and unique experiences for her clients is evident in her clean and modern aesthetic, drawing inspiration from various sources. Throughout Andy's conversation with Jen, Jen shares stories of challenges and triumphs, highlighting the meticulous planning and attention to detail that goes into each event. She discusses the significance of staying relevant in the industry by embracing technology, including artificial intelligence, while also emphasizing the human creativity behind these inn

Welcome back to The Wedding Biz! This week, Andy has Bob Conti on the show! Bob is a principal member and business partner of Ed Libby and Company Events. For over two decades now, Bob has made a name for himself in the event industry by designing and producing milestone luxury events. Bob shares his journey from a background in visual merchandising to becoming a renowned figure in the luxury market, and he also discusses the importance of balancing creativity with practicality, adapting to changing industry dynamics, the value of collaboration among event professionals, what he means when he refers to legacy clients, what he still struggles with in the market, and so much more! Join Andy and Bob as they delve into the world of high-end events, share insights about staying authentic, and discuss the evolving landscape of the event industry. You'll also discover how collaboration is becoming a pivotal trend in creating memorable experiences for clients and guests. Andy had such a great time catching up with Bo

Andy is excited to be speaking with Greg Finck on this episode of The Wedding Biz. Greg is a brilliant photographer based in Paris. He studied business in France then came to the U.S to get his MBA. Greg was a marketing executive for ten years with Proctor and Gamble and at first, was doing wedding photography on the side as a hobby.  Greg is now a major photographer even though he’s technically only been doing it full-time for five years. Besides shooting significant weddings, he is doing fantastic work in the fashion world and has mastered marketing digitally in social media. He also gives master classes on photography and speaks at Engage. “Elegance is the only beauty that never fades,” a quote on his website from Audrey Hepburn summarizes the approach that Greg has to photography. Black and white photos are what he started out doing, giving him the ability to really focus on what he wanted to shoot in order to hone his eye. Greg talks to us about many things; his life in marketing, the catalyst for moving

Andy has known today's guest for a really long time so is very excited to have him on the show for the first time! Join him as he sits down with luxury wedding and destination photographer Chris J. Evans, who has photographed weddings all over the world such as in Italy, Santa Barbara, Laguna Beach, Hawaii, and Napa Valley! Chris discusses how lucky he feels to have been raised in a creative household where his mother was a couture wedding dress designer and his father was a sculptor, painter, and philosopher. He enthusiastically shares how these influences shaped his artistic sensibilities and love for photography. He and Andy also dive into Chris’ journey into photography and how he found his way to wedding photography, and the conversation delves into various aspects of Chris's photography style such as his approach to lighting, composition, and the importance of dressing appropriately for events. Chris also discusses the significance of building relationships with clients, staying present in the moment, c

Welcome to another episode of The Wedding Biz, with Andy interviewing Renny Pedersen, the owner of Bliss Events based out of Chicago! Bliss Events is an award-winning company renowned for its creativity and unique approach to wedding planning, and Renny truly has a remarkable entrepreneurial journey dating back to her childhood when she started her first venture at only ten years old! Tune in to learn how, over the years, Renny has fine-tuned her approach to creative flair by focusing on personalization and unique experiences for her clients. She and Andy discuss how her creative process involves understanding each couple's personality, history, and preferences to create events that truly reflect their essence, and she gives such a wonderful example of how she did just that! She also addresses the challenges of setting a minimum budget for her services and her decision to limit the number of weddings she takes on, as well her biggest struggle being the common entrepreneurial plight – finding a balance between

Andy is so excited to have Julie Novack of PartySlate back on the show yet again! While he would highly recommend that you go back and listen to the previous episodes she has been on, in case you aren’t familiar with Julie, she is the CEO and co-founder of PartySlate, a groundbreaking photo-rich website connecting event professionals, planners, and venues. Join Andy today as he and Julie delve into artificial intelligence and how it is revolutionizing the industry. Julie also shares insights into the evolving landscape of digital marketing and how AI is becoming increasingly crucial for building and enhancing brand presence as an event professional. No longer just a thing of the future, AI is here to stay, and it is going to continue to change the face of media as we know it. Perhaps what is most exciting is how AI is even seeping into familiar software platforms, making its benefits more accessible and integrated into our daily workflows, and Julie even predicts that Google will basically be unrecognizable f

Today’s guest on the show, Tyler Speier, is the genius behind Tyler Speier Events, a luxury event planning, designing, and floral company based in Santa Barbara, California, and Andy is truly excited to have him on for this episode! Tyler isn’t just an expert at crafting dream weddings either; he's also a social media maestro, and he and Andy dive into how wedding professionals can make the most of these platforms. From Instagram to TikTok to new platform Threads, Tyler breaks down the power of authenticity and connection, sharing how his journey on social media took unexpected twists and turns – and how it transformed his business. Listen to learn firsthand how to elevate your online presence, connect authentically with your audience, and transform followers into loyal clients. Andy and Tyler also delve into the captivating journey of how Tyler was a young florist who unexpectedly rose to the top and discovered how social media would be his game-changer. From sharing heartwarming stories to viral moments on

Andy hopes that you will join him in this insightful conversation with Nora Shields of Rock Paper Coin, a pioneer in wedding industry automation! Listen in as Nora talks about all things automation, explaining how it can save events and wedding pros considerable amounts of time and money while boosting efficiency and reducing mistakes. She recommends starting with calendar automation so clients can easily schedule appointments without email tag, recommending a number of platforms including her favorite, cloudHQ. Nora goes on to discuss how workflow automation platforms can automate multi-step processes using triggers and conditions. She also advises that even though some luxuries may prefer less automation, platforms like Rock Paper Coin allow automating contracts, invoices, and client communications while boosting sales, and she encourages us that while she completely understands being weary of tech, this is very user-friendly and intuitive. The implications of intuitive automation in business are ultimately