This Week In Weddings

Although having more events on the books certainly gets your business name out there, is it really what you want? Growing your wedding business bigger isn't always better, and in this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with a wedding photographer who discovered just that. Wedding photographer Donna Von Bruening grew her business to more than 100 weddings in a year, then realized being overworked with little free time on her calendar wasn't the life she wanted. After some work with a business coach to get to the bottom of what she wanted her business to look like, she scaled back, eliminated some overhead, and reduced her workload while increasing her profits. About our guest:  Recognized as one of the South’s premier wedding photographers, Donna Von Bruening provides a bespoke and sincere photographic experience for her cherished clients.   People are drawn to her striking, clean imagery of relationships and emotion…between people and places. A graduate of The Ohio State Unive

If you've been in business for a while, you've no doubt figured out your ideal client and ideal price points. But, are you leaving money on the table by not offering something for everyone? In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with a floral designer who has expanded his business by offering  two different divisions of his company – one for a luxury wedding client and one for more modest budgets. In this episode, we're diving into not only why he's taken this approach, but how he's done it successfully without confusing his brand. About our guest:  Award-winning floral and event designer Bron Hansboro has devoted his career to navigating clients through the creative process and transforming their visions into exquisite events since 2014. Fondly referred to as “The Flower Guy,” he is the lead creative and floral designer at The Flower Guy Bron. He provides bespoke design and styling experiences for weddings and events of all types. Bron deeply values his interactions with

Having a staff can certainly help you scale and grow your business, but bringing on employees is certainly not without its challenges. How do you find good people? And even more importantly, how do you train them to carry on your reputation and brand? Whether you already are leading a team or you're just starting to consider making the move from solopreneur status, this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast is for you.  About our guests:    Lindsay Val Longacre founded and launched LVL Weddings & Events in 2007. Since its founding, LVL has grown to be one of the most recognized wedding and event planning companies in California with additional locations in Denver, Phoenix, Napa and Hawaii and a team of 20 professional coordinators and planners. A Midwest girl at heart, Lindsay was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and is now living between California and Hawaii. She is a proud military wife, entrepreneur and special event planner. Lindsay gets her drive and entrepreneurial spirit from her m

If you've been in business for any period of time, you've very likely seen busy periods of booking followed by slower seasons. But how do you handle those valleys of business and what can you do during those slower times to continue to generate leads? In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with wedding planner and designer Valerie Gernhauser, who's opening up about managing a slower period of business. From ideas for keeping your team busy during a slower season to thoughts about how to trim the fat during a leaner time, this week's episode is full of great advice from an industry leader. About our guest:  Valerie Gernhauser is a recovering attorney, Yale grad, pug lover, Springsteen fanatic, and Florida native. Calm, cool, and collected is her mantra. She is a natural-born leader that takes pride in moving people, creating memorable milestones, and maintaining poise under pressure. As a thought leader and industry expert in the event space, Valerie is grateful to share he

The term ghosting may have started with the rise of online dating, but no doubt every wedding professional has been ghosted by a potential client at one point or another. You meet with a couple, think it went really well, send a quote, and... nothing. Why does this happen? In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with wedding planner Beth Bernstein about this ghosting phenomenon and what she's seen in the industry. While we don't know if there's any real solution to the ghosting practice, it's nice to know we're not alone!   About our guest:  After nearly a decade working at Chicago’s top advertising agencies, followed by several years planning events for non-profit organizations, Beth Bernstein launched Sine Qua Non: Special Events, LLC. in May 2009. The name Sine Qua Non is a Latin phrase that translates to "indispensable or essential ingredient." That is what Beth has become to the couples she has guided through the wedding planning process over the past nine years. SQN E

YouTube is the new television. And the new search engine! There's no disputing that the video platform has grown exponentially and is where millions of people are finding information, tutorials, and entertainment. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with a wedding planner and designer who is using YouTube to expand her reach, educate couples, and project her personality to potential clients. Whether you're a YouTuber or not, this episode will certainly give you something to think about when it comes to expanding your marketing mix. About our guest:  As You Wish’s Owner, Designer and Planner, Rachel Burt Garcia, pairs her extensive background in design and her dedication to detail to plan the wedding or event her clients have always dreamed of! Her professional yet spunky personality makes her a favorite of clients and vendors alike. Rachel has planned hundreds of luxury weddings and events nationally and internationally, including many high profile events such as the Ma

In this casual episode of the This Week in Weddings podcast, Kimberly, Annie, and podcast editor Lance take listeners behind the scenes of the podcast, discussing everything from how and where they record the podcast to how they determine show topics.

There are tons of wedding and event industry conferences. From WeddingMBA and The Special Event to the Be Sage Conference and Engage! Luxury Wedding Business Summit, there's something for everyone. If you have plans to add some education and networking to your agenda with an upcoming event conference, this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast is for you. We're chatting with wedding planner Kelly McWilliams, who shares some of her top tips for getting the most out of your conference experience. Whether you're a conference junkie or just starting to think about attending your first, this episode is full of valuable advice from a wedding industry veteran. About our guest:  A Florida native, Kelly McWilliams, a destination wedding planner-designer has been producing weddings, social events and celebrations since 2002. In 2018, her business expanded beyond Florida to formally include Nevis & St. Kitts to her roster of islands and Waterfront cities which already included Sanibel, Captiva, Marco,

When you're in a creative field, getting clients to trust your vision can be challenging, especially when they can't see the finished product before hiring you. In this episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with invitation designer and owner of A Fine Press, Matthew Wengerd, who has taken steps to fine tune his consultation strategy to attract clients who are trusting of his creativity, experience, and desire to think outside the box. Regardless of your area of the wedding industry, you're sure to find takeaways from this week's episode to help you narrow in on clients who will trust you with their big day.   About our guest:  You know how NPR has "driveway moments?" Matthew Wengerd makes "mailbox moments." And, while stationery with a wow factor certainly makes an impact, he believes that stationery given as a true gift can last a lifetime. Matthew spent a lot of time and effort pursuing a life in jazz before realizing that the act of creation was what he was really after, and that th

Are you giving back to the community? If not, it's never too late to start. And even better, giving back can help build your business by expanding your current circle of influence. In this episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with industry veteran Jennifer Burns, who has seen first hand how being involved in the non-profit events can build a business. No matter what your cause of choice is, this week's episode will have you considering how your company is giving back. About our guest:  With over 18 years of experience in the event industry, Jennifer understands what it takes to make each event special. With a gift for working with clients and understanding their needs, Jennifer plays a pivotal role in helping events evolve from concept to execution. Jennifer’s career has taken her all over the country as well as international locations such as London and Beijing. She has planned for multi-million dollar budgets with thousands of attendees, but also understands the nuances needed for s

When you're a small business owner, it's hard to imagine what will happen to your business once you're ready to move on from it. Do you just decide to quit and close up shop? Or is there an opportunity to sell it, creating a profit from the business you've worked so hard to build? In this episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with someone who successfully sold her service-based, wedding industry business and getting the inside scoop on how it can be done. About our guest:  Debbie Orwat is a business coach for wedding and event planners across the United States and around the world. She is the Founder and Chief Inspiration Officer of Planner’s Lounge, a resource site and community for wedding and event planners to relax, talk, learn, and inspire. Through Planner’s Lounge, Debbie offers coaching, mentoring, online courses, downloadable templates, and educational guides to empower wedding and event planners to succeed. In addition to Planner’s Lounge, Debbie Orwat worked as a highly sough

Whether you love Pinterest or hate it, there's no denying the fact that the platform holds a dominant place in the wedding industry. From wedding design inspiration to guidance on what to wear for engagement photos, your clients are likely heading to Pinterest for ideas, so why not meet them where they are? In this episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with a Pinterest expert about how to leverage the site for your wedding business. About our guest:  Vanessa Kynes is a Pinterest Marketing Strategist for creative small businesses. Using YouTube and her blog, she helps creative small businesses blossom by creating traffic-generating Pinterest strategies to increase their visibility. Juggling the demands of her own budding business with those of family and home, she specializes in efficient productivity, making the most out of every moment, and every pin! Hailing originally from the great state of Texas, she has lived in two foreign countries and enjoys traveling with her three sweet daugh

We've all seen brand partnerships all over the place – from Target's collaboration with Missoni to Kanye West's partnership with Adidas. But as a wedding business, how can you leverage a brand partnership? In this episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting all about brand partnerships and how even small businesses can think about growing their brands with valuable collaborations.   About our guest:  As Head of Brand Content at Shutterfly, Amber Harrison oversees the content strategy for all of Shutterfly Inc., including Tiny Prints, the Wedding Shop and flagship Shutterfly. In this role she is responsible for the strategic development of influencer relations, content creation and amplification, organic social awareness, UGC and brand partnerships.  Previously, Amber headed up all communications for Wedding Paper Divas (now the Wedding shop by Shutterfly) where she established successful strategic partnerships with high profile industry experts, including wedding planner Mindy Weiss, desig

Getting ahead in business isn't instantaneous, and sometimes you have to get your foot in the door by giving selflessly. In this episode of This Week In Weddings, we're chatting with Lance Panton, who has made it his business to give without the expectation of getting. In addition to being a Dallas-based DJ, Lance is the editor of the This Week In Weddings podcast. Listen in as he shares his perspective on making yourself a valuable resource without being pushy. About our guest:  Lance Panton is the owner and operator of the Dallas based MY DFW DJ Weddings and Events. Lance has been a mobile DJ since 1989, starting as a teenager in his hometown of Augusta, Georgia. Lance launched a career in broadcasting at 17 mixing on a weekend radio show. After finding local success, Lance was able to take his show on the road making guest DJ appearances in Vegas, Atlanta, Canada and other hotspots. Lance uses his travels and years of experience to deliver a service that seamlessly reunites the fun with the formalities. Wh

In today's world, there are so many pieces of software that can help you run your business. From note taking apps to scheduling apps, the options are endless. In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with a wedding industry veteran about the specific apps he uses throughout his business to stay productive, communicate with potential clients, schedule employees, and generate sales. About our guest:  With thirty years of event experience, Kevin Dennis is the founder and owner of Fantasy Sound Event Services, offering exceptional disc jockey, videography, photo booth, event lighting and decor services to the San Francisco Bay area. A Certified Wedding Coordinator, Kevin sits on the Board of Directors at WIPA, serving as the National Immediate Past President, as well as the sitting on the Board of Directors of the Silicon Valley Chapter of NACE, also serving as the President. He is also the founder of the Tri-Valley Wedding Professionals group. In this episode, listeners will he

If you're someone who thinks there are not enough hours in the day, you're not alone! Between marketing your business, servicing your wedding clients, keeping track of your finances, and managing your social media, it's no wonder that entrepreneurs are some of the busiest people on the planet! In this episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with productivity expert Paul Minors about some ways busy business owners can get ahead with less effort. From managing email to block scheduling, this week's episode is full of ideas for getting more done in less time. About our guest:  Paul Minors is a blogger and "virtual consultant," selling his expertise in productivity through 1-on-1 online consulting. He's completely obsessed with productivity, automation, and optimizing his time and income so he can live on his own terms. At the end of 2016, Paul was finally able to quit his job, travel Asia with his wife, and take his consulting business full-time. He now consults with companies to help them w

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is "a legal framework that sets guidelines for the collection and processing of personal information of individuals within the European Union (EU)." But what does that mean for small businesses throughout the world? In this episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with attorney Annette Stepanian who is giving us the low down on what GDPR means, if it applies to us, and what we need to do to make sure we're in compliance.  About our guest:  Annette Stepanian is an attorney who helps creative professionals and entrepreneurs lay a legal foundation for their business. Through her Office Talk podcast, done-for-you contract templates, online trainings and one-on-one services, Annette seeks to make the law practical, approachable, and dare we say it – even a little fun. In this episode, listeners will hear about: Annette's background and how she's helping creative businesses with all things legal The basics of GDPR and who it applies to What informa

Impostor syndrome (also known as impostor phenomenon, fraud syndrome or the impostor experience) is a psychological pattern in which people doubt their accomplishments and have a persistent, often internalized fear of being exposed as a "fraud." If you own a creative business, no doubt you've at one time or another wondered if you were good enough. Or if you fit in. Or if you really were capable. In this episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're talking about all these feelings with our guest Lindsay Landman, who has opened up about her own experiences with impostor syndrome and how she manages these internalized feelings. About our guest:  New York based event designer Lindsay Landman has been producing innovative weddings and special events in New York and around the globe since 2001. Her company, Lindsay Landman Events, has been a market leader in the integration of event planning, design and production, initiated by Lindsay’s trademark focus on the intersection of form and function. Since 2014,

When you run a small business, it's only natural to look around and see what your colleagues are up to. But do you have a healthy approach to competition? In this week's episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, we're chatting with a wedding industry entrepreneur turned business coach about how she went from watching what her competitors were doing to reclaiming her own unique voice in the industry. Whether you are just starting out or have years of experience under your belt, this week's episode is sure to hit home and put the idea of competition into a new light. About our guest:  Lane’ Richards is a multidisciplinary entrepreneur and creative behind Something Borrowed Portland, an award-winning event design and specialty rental company based in Portland, Oregon. Her newest venture, Wedding Pro Coaching, offers mastermind business coaching and educational programs to wedding industry professionals who need help building, running, and growing their businesses in the crowded wedding industry. In this epi

In this mini-episode of the This Week In Weddings podcast, Kimberly and Annie share their thoughts on the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Tune in for this week's quick episode to reminisce about this historical wedding moment.