Afleveringen
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In this episode of The Business of Luxury Weddings Podcast, we sit down with Joshua Fournier, one half of the power duo behind a flourishing luxury wedding photography brand. Coming from a medical background, Joshua and Leidy share how they transitioned from physician assistant studies to photographing weddings full-timeâall while balancing the demands of medicine and life as new parents. They discuss their early success, booking 19 weddings in their first year, and their consistent growth, even during the challenges of COVID. Josh opens up about the lessons learned from both the medical field and running a business, including the discipline and empathy that have shaped their approach to wedding photography. Discover how they've mastered the art of client connection, the importance of taking calculated risks, and the mindset shifts needed to break into the luxury market. If you're curious about the crossover between high-stakes careers and high-end photography, this episode offers a fascinating look into how one couple built an elite brand from the ground up.
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In this episode of The Business of Luxury Weddings Podcast, James and Otto chat with Rosemary Hattenbach of Rosemary Events. Rosemary's journey started in the film industry as a line producer, where she worked with A-list directors. Now, she brings that same level of attention to detail and collaboration to luxury weddings.
Rosemary shares what it takes to succeed in high-end event planningâconfidence, experience, and a solid team thatâs willing to go the extra mile. She talks about how timelines are key, and how finding the right people who value the process is crucial.
Rosemary also opens up about the importance of kindness and treating your team with respect, from small gestures like snacks on the job to making sure everyone feels valued. For anyone looking to break into the luxury market, she emphasizes patience, preparation, and waiting for the right moment.
Itâs a heartfelt, real conversation packed with insights for anyone aiming for excellence in the industry.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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In this episode of The Business of Luxury Weddings Podcast, hosts James and Otto sit down with Sneh Diwan of Diwan by Design. Sneh opens up about her journey from studying design and merchandising at the Fashion Institute of Technology to becoming a "timekeeper" in wedding planning, where her love for watches perfectly complements her passion for crafting unforgettable events.
Sneh shares the profound emotional impact of weddings, those rare moments where all the important people in your life come together in one place. She reflects on how high-end weddings create meaningful connections, blending stunning locations with genuine relationships.
Sneh also talks about the critical role of communication and collaboration, likening wedding planning to a team sport where success depends on everyone working together. She recounts a past experience where miscommunication taught her the importance of clear expectations with vendors.
Tune in to hear Snehâs insights and learn how industry leaders are redefining luxury weddings.
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On todayâs episode, hosts James and Otto are joined by Britt and Francie from 42 North, a weddings and event planning business. While much of their clientele is in New England, they also plan destination weddings for clients in New York, Chicago, and LA. Britt and Francie share what a wedding planner does, comparing wedding planning to putting on a Broadway production with no rehearsals. They discuss building their venues and creating beautiful yet functional environments, such as mitigating dust with a water truck for a desert wedding. With a crew of up to 200 people and a multi-million-dollar budget, the stakes are high, and they must make big decisions and manage real emotions from clients who have spent over a year planning their special day.
They discuss the skill set needed for making big decisions, recounting a recent wedding on tribal land in New Mexico. After 16 months of planning, a monsoon forced Britt to make a quick decision to change the reception location. They emphasize that just making a decision is better than not making one and highlight the importance of commitment and respect in their role as planners.
Britt and Francie have been in business for 10 years, with evolving roles. Britt manages clients and vendors, while Francie runs Mavinhouse. They started working together without knowing each other and developed a business partnership based on trust and complementary skills. Francie had years of experience, while Britt brought a fresh perspective and an all-in mentality.
Britt and Francie share their excitement for new ideas and the fulfillment of building a business together. Their motivation is not just about weddings but the joy of running a business and staying true to their values. They also stress genuine connections with vendors and coworkers, describing their team as a family that supports each other.
In the service industry, stepping up to serve with gratitude is essential. They trust their partners and value the months of preparation leading to the wedding day. After each wedding, they review what worked well and what can be improved, bringing in team members with complementary skills.
Before wrapping up, Britt and Francie share how they started a blog called âCaramel OâClock,â where they write to each other once a week, reminiscing about their experiences. The blog, named after their office caramel breaks, reflects their fun and quirky dynamic.
Timestamps:
0:30 - Introduction of guests, Britt and Francie from 42 North.
1:54 - What does a wedding planner do?
6:58 - What is the skill set for making those big decisions in the moment?
11:57 - How do you both work together?
17:09 - In the very beginning, what did you all see in each other?
25:35 - When one of you has an epiphany, does the other go with it or is there back and forth? 35:38 - How does it impact your job when youâre in a more tense vs a more inclusive environment?
45:58 - What are you doing to celebrate each other after 10 years?
49:03 - Thanks to Britt and Francie for joining us todayLinks: Learn more about 42 North, Mavinhouse, and Caramel OâClock.
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On todayâs episode, hosts James and Otto are joined by Alison and Bryan from Alison Bryan Destinations. The couple has an impressive portfolio, which includes work around the globe, including Morrocco, Spain, and Greece, Italy and Mexico, just to name a few. Many people use âexperienceâ as a buzzword, but with Alison and Bryan, it is a fundamental part of their ethos.
Kicking things off, Alison and Bryan share their business, which started 16 years ago in Seattle, moved through Michigan and California before going global. Alison explains that their passion for hospitality naturally evolved into a love for event planning, which wasnât initially planned. The company typically works with around 50-60 guests, allowing them to manage every detail of the guest experience. Their events are more than just weddings; they are like extended vacations, often lasting four days to a week.
Alison and Bryan emphasize the importance of finding the right fit with their clients and ensuring goals and values are aligned before agreeing to work with someone. The core of Alison and Bryanâs business is a client-centered approach. They aim to provide personalized service that makes every guest feel taken care of, regardless of their background. They believe true luxury means catering to everyoneâs needs and ensuring all guests feel at home. Their clients, often philanthropists, appreciate the way their events focus on the guestsâ experience.
Our guests explain that mastering the craft goes beyond these fundamentals to understanding the language of luxury and, more importantly, focusing on how people feel. The true goal is to create an atmosphere that elicits a deep emotional response, which is more significant than the visual appeal alone. For affluent clients, where financial means are not an issue, the challenge is to offer something beyond material extravagance. The real value lies in authenticity and genuine connections. Another important aspect of event planning is building trust with clients, allowing them to relinquish control and fully enjoy their event.
Alison and Bryan acknowledge the intense workload that comes with their commitment to excellence. The demanding nature of their projects requires long hours and dedication, often involving early mornings and extended days. This level of commitment underscores the importance of each project being special and meaningful. They also highlight the importance of having a cohesive team and happy, well-trained staff, especially for destination events. They stress the need for venues to provide exceptional service that reflects the character of the region.
Before wrapping up Alison and Bryan explain that their business model always prioritizes quality over quantity. They turn down many potential clients to maintain their high standards and personal touch. This selective approach ensures they can provide exceptional service and stay true to their ethos. Donât miss their advice for aspiring luxury event planners: success comes from choosing the right jobs that align with your business and recognizing oneâs own talent. They also acknowledge past misconceptions about high-end clients and emphasize how many of their clients, including billionaires, are incredible people.
Timestamps:
0:30 â Introduction of guests, Alison and Bryan.
1:21 â Allison and Bryan give an overview of their business, Alison and Bryan Destinations.
4:46 â The importance of finding the right clients.
9:29 â Connecting hospitality and philanthropy.
13:52 â Understanding client needs and experiences
26:03 â Being selective and embracing unique opportunities.
27:19 â The commitment to excellence.
34:27 â The importance of happy and well trained staff.
40:24 â Quality over quantity.
42:52 â Advice for other luxury event planners.
53:29 â Thanks to Alison and Bryan for joining us today.
Guest Bio
Established in 2008, Alison Bryan Destinations is an event planning, design and travel firm producing five and six-star weddings and elevated guest experiences globally. Their specialty: joyous, hospitality-centric multi-day celebrations that feel like a vacation; immersing guests in the most unique and remarkable of settings.
Learn more about Alison and Bryan Destinations on their website or say hi over on their Instagram.
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As photographers and business owners, continuous growth is the name of the game. What gets in the way of this growth are the blindspots we all have. If weâre not booking the weddings we want or showing up the way we want to, curiosity and radical self-honesty are the only way to initiate the change we need.
Itâs really hard to assess ourselves, and often that process is brought on by a huge life event. Nothing makes us self-reflect more than a moment of transition in our lives, like the end of a relationship.
For Erik Clausen, the last 18 months have been a season of reflection, growth and transformation and his business has benefitted. How did photography go from hobby, to artform and then to a business? How does the process of self-reflection benefit us as business owners? How do you shine a light on your blindspots?
In this episode, Erik shares the story behind his personal growth and why itâs made him better at what he does.
Want a clear and comprehensive roadmap on how to succeed in the luxury wedding market? Check out the Business of Luxury Weddings course. Youâll learn the entire business model and thought process - so you can sign consistent 5-figure contracts, build a powerful network of the right people, and travel to iconic destinations. Learn more and join the waitlist at SageJourney.co.
Guest Bio
The original âMom with a cameraâ, Erik shot his first wedding in 2007 and has been traveling the world shooting them since. An artist and a storyteller he lives a creative life, seeking to see everything in a new way as often as possible, using light as his muse and relationships the gateway. For more information, go to www.erikclausen.com and follow @erikclausen on Instagram and find him on Facebook.
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Unique experiences, powerful emotions, beauty, family, love and legacyâŠthese are some of the words planners use to describe the service they provide. Itâs very rare to hear a planner talk about wellbeing and happiness being the leading drivers of what they do.
At the highest level of wedding planning, the concept of caring for people can get lost in the luxurious logistics. What sets the best apart isnât being really good at the job because everyoneâs good. What makes the difference is caring about the client as a human being, being their rock throughout the process and having a real heart of service.
How do you weave client wellbeing and happiness into your process? Why is it important to set big goals for ourselves for business owners? How do you get out of your own bubble as a planner?
In this episode, weâre joined by CEO of Mae&Co Creative and Mae&Co Monthly, Manda Worthington. She shares the secret to her success, what she wants to accomplish and what it takes to be an exceptional planner.
Guest Bio
Manda Worthington, the founder and CEO of Mae&Co Creative and Mae&Co Monthly. Manda started her journey in 2015, fueled by her passion for business, marketing, and leadership. She transformed her relentless dedication into Mae&Co Creative; an award-winning agency renowned for creating luxury events across the globe. Beyond her event planning expertise, Manda founded Mae&Co Monthly, a resource-rich education program designed to empower fellow industry professionals to build the business of their dreams. For more information, go to www.maeandcocreative.com and www.maeandcomonthly.com.
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Luxury weddings involve so many great things like travel, amazing experiences and glamorous events. Because all these facets are so fun and exciting, itâs easy to fall into the trap of treating the job like a hobby.
In order to build something that sustains you, you have to treat it like a business. Yes, the job is fun, but itâs also our livelihood so we have to handle it accordingly. In an industry where the barrier gets lower everyday, the people who have staying power are the ones who think like CEOs, and build solid structures that support what we do.
How did Brooke Keegan come to this realization and what did she change after it dawned on her? How did she shift from flat fee to percentage-based pricing?
What other structures did she put in place to truly start treating it like a business? In this episode, Brooke talks about the epiphany that changed her business, and what it took to get to where she is today.
Want a clear and comprehensive roadmap on how to succeed in the luxury wedding market? Check out the Business of Luxury Weddings course. Youâll learn the entire business model and thought process - so you can sign consistent 5-figure contracts, build a powerful network of the right people, and travel to iconic destinations. Learn more and join the waitlist at SageJourney.co.
Guest Bio
Brooke has more than 21 years of experience designing, planning, and producing spectacular events for some of the worldâs most ambitious and exacting clients. Named a top wedding planner by Harperâs Bazaar, she has established a reputation of excellence and consistency for producing unique, beautiful, and innovative events that leave a lasting impression. With her outstanding organizational skills and love of design, she has established a reputation of excellence in event management, flawless execution and visually stunning events. Brookeâs clients can trust with confidence that they will experience an exceptional planning process whilst exceeding their expectations. She has solid relationships with premier creative partners both nationally and internationally, ensuring that anyone she refers to is at the top of their respected field. Her past events are testaments of the quality, detail and experience that make her successful. A Division 1 volleyball player at San Diego State University, Brooke graduated with dual degrees in Marketing and Management. Prior to running her own business, she pursued a professional career in the restaurant and hospitality industry, a combination that gives her an edge when producing top-notch events for world-class clients. For more information go to https://brookekeegan.com/ and follow @âbrookekeegan.
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Most wedding professionals are taught to grow by way of digital marketing, but thereâs something with a much higher ROI - relationship marketing. When you compare what you get out of fostering industry relationships with digital marketing, itâs not even close. The former will always win.
One ad can bring in a single wedding. One industry collaboration can bring you hundreds of weddings throughout your lifetime. Thatâs the kind of ROI marketing dollars will never buy! It doesnât matter what level youâre at - entry level, high-end or ultra-luxury, investing in relationships will always create the most value.
How do you grow your business and even level up in your clientele without digital marketing? Could introverts actually have an advantage when it comes to networking? How can one industry relationship turn into a lifetime of business?
In this special on-site episode in Venice, Italy, weâre joined by husband and wife duo Cherish and Lindsey Conklin. The co-founders of Le RĂȘve Films talk about their business, networking and how they grew an ultra-luxury wedding business without paying for a single ad.
Guest Bio
This husband-wife duo launched Le RĂȘve Films in 2010 from their shared passion for traveling the world and transforming the magical memories from a coupleâs nuptials into a visual tapestry that showcases their love story for a lifetime. Le RĂȘve takes pride in focusing on capturing the beauty, emotion and all the details in between from a coupleâs wedding weekend, all the while, always portraying real, authentic love.
Le RĂȘve Filmsâ reputation and award-winning work has been featured in Vogue, People, BRIDES, Martha Stewart Weddings, iHeart Radio, and has earned them a spot among Harperâs BAZAARâs list of The Top Wedding Videographers in the World. They have had the privilege of capturing events for clients like Naomi Biden, Sean McVay, DJ Tiesto, and other high-profile celebrities, musicians and athletes. Go to https://lerevefilms.com/ for more information. Get Le RĂȘveâs custom LUTS here and follow @lerevefilms on Instagram.
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When you work in the fast-paced, demanding world of luxury weddings, itâs easy to run on reactivity - to act first and then think later.
Running on intentionality, being thoughtful first and then taking action is a completely different approach. Living by intention touches every facet of your life, and of course impacts how you run your business and serve your clients.
For Lea Stafford, being intentional means slowing down to think more clearly, identifying what allows her to be her best and making that the foundation of everything she does.
What practices allow Lea to be a more intentional individual, and how does that impact her business? How does connecting with clients at a deeper level make for more meaningful moments?
How do you create events that tug on all the senses? In this episode, weâre joined by the founder of Stafford Creative + Co and Seven-Eight Living. Lea talks about intentionality and what it takes to produce events that have a soul.
Guest Bio
Lea Stafford is the founder of Stafford Creative + Co and Seven-Eight Living. SC+Co. is a highly desired creative brand coveted for its expertise in delivering soulful multi-day events and celebrations globally. Collaborating with discerning clients who appreciate the subtle nuance with a touch of audacity is where SC+Co. thrives. Their enthusiasm revolves around venturing to culturally vibrant destinations and joining forces with conscientious artisans who embrace sustainability and ethics in their craftsmanship. For more information, go to https://staffordcreativeco.com/ and follow @staffordcreative_co and @seveneightliving on Instagram.
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A special event is made up of 3 types of experiences - the atmospheric, the tangible and the organic pieces of whatâs happening in the moment. Wedding planners are tasked with weaving all these things together and adding connection to the recipe. When this takes place in the context of a destination - local or abroad - there also has to be a story component centered on the place.
From the fluttering fun of initial planning to the gratification of the culminating moment, everything has to be about designing this experience. Then the experience has to connect to the couple, the guests and the location. How do you craft a defining experience and then connect people to it?
Why does our guest take a bespoke approach to assembling the team of vendors? In this episode, Augusta Cole talks about her journey, the beautiful roots of her approach to weddings, and the process of starting her own business after working with Easton Events.
Guest Bio
With over a decade of extensive experience in producing events across the world, Augusta Cole is widely trusted and respected for her discretion as well as her intuitive creative design, innate eye for detail, and seamless planning process. Based in New York, NY and Charleston, SC, with a global presence, Augusta excels in producing one-of-a-kind occasions of all shapes and sizes, ranging from multiple-day destination weddings and high-caliber corporate programs to intimate dinner parties. Her emphasis on customizing experiences and empowering a team of creative talent allows each event to reflect her clientâs vision, personality, and style. Throughout her career, Augusta has project-managed a diverse portfolio of highly detailed, logistically complicated events, which has developed her invaluable bank of industry knowledge. Augustaâs fresh perspective and drive to provide dedicated, enthusiastic planning and design aims to surpass client expectations on every level. Go to https://www.augustacole.com/ and follow @augustacole on Instagram.
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Offer a discount, drop your rates, or put more into the package - this is what most people will do when they want to get more business. The problem is, in doing this, youâre devaluing yourself in the eyes of the client, which works against you in luxury.
The secret to raising your rates is actually refining your brand and elevating your proposal which means eliminating elements. Instead of incentivizing clients by lowering your price or stuffing your offering, you get them to spend by valuing yourself more.
What are some of the things we need to refine or even eliminate? How can you make big leaps in business through small increments? What are the secrets to getting more luxury clients? In this episode, weâre joined by Colorado photographer, John Moler. He shares how he tripled his price tag by simplifying everything he does.
Guest Bio
John Moler is a Colorado wedding photographer with a timeless, true-to-life style. He approaches each wedding with a sense of calm curiosity, noticing and capturing details people will remember forever. Go to https://johnmoler.com/ and follow @johnmolerphoto on Instagram.
Want a clear and comprehensive roadmap on how to succeed in the luxury wedding market? Check out the Business of Luxury Weddings course. Youâll learn the entire business model and thought process - so you can sign consistent 5-figure contracts, build a powerful network of the right people, and travel to iconic destinations. Learn more and join the waitlist at SageJourney.co.
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As luxury shifts from conspicuous consumption to conscious consumption, we have to change how we think about the services we provide. Itâs not that people are spending less money, they are just choosing to spend smarter, and putting more meaning behind every buying choice.
In the luxury travel space, crafting a great experience shouldnât start with the location, it starts with the feeling people are seeking. Itâs about focusing on the ingredients of the experience rather than the deliverable. What they want, not where they want.
This is especially true in the destination wedding space - where travel intersects with celebration, meaning, and connection. How do we deliver experiences driven by meaning, not money? What is the secret to building relationships with luxury vendors? Where is luxury travel headed and what does it mean for weddings?
In todayâs episode, weâre joined by travel industry icon and founder and partner of EMBARK Beyond, Jack Ezon. He shares his journey, what sets his team apart, and why travel matters. He also shares luxury trends in the wedding industry and beyond.
Guest Bio
Jack Ezon is a travel industry icon and founder and partner of EMBARK Beyond. ââMore than a travel agency, EMBARK Beyond is a luxury travel advisory dedicated to creating thoughtfully designed experiences that go beyond a destination. Jack was the longtime president of one of the largest and most successful luxury travel companies in the United States. Over his 15 years as president, he found explosive growth in the business (100x growth in annual sales), and made close connections with global industry leaders. Together with Founding Partners Eli Ashear and Julie Danziger, Jack recognized the need to evolve as our clientsâ demands and industry trends did. Thus sparking the idea for EMBARK Beyond! Focused first on client needs, they have built relationships with the worldâs most sought-after lifestyle and fashion brands to open the world - beyond imagination - to their clients. The EMBARK Beyond team is comprised of some of the most respected names in the travel industry. Their closest friends include the worldâs top hotel owners, general managers, global sales directors, tour operators, airline leaders, and cruise directors.
Go to https://www.embarkbeyond.com/ for more information and follow @embarkbeyond on Instagram.
Want a clear and comprehensive roadmap on how to succeed in the luxury wedding market? Check out the Business of Luxury Weddings course. Youâll learn the entire business model and thought process - so you can sign consistent 5-figure contracts, build a powerful network of the right people, and travel to iconic destinations. Learn more and join the waitlist at SageJourney.co.
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Every human being has moments where inspiration strikes them, but not everyone will chase it. A great creative concept, collaboration, or business idea can fade because youâre scared to put it out there.
Not for Sofia Crokos.
She goes down every avenue of creativity from fashion and weddings to food and flowers. Her secret: manifesting, chasing beauty, and acting on inspiration without limitation. Instead of saying ânoâ or ânot nowâ to an idea she engages with it and goes after it.
Because of this, her pursuits arenât just successful - they also fulfill her and pull her to the next incredible idea. How does she stay inspired as she gets pulled in different directions? Why is the pursuit of beauty the thing that drives her life and business?
In this episode, weâre excited to be joined by the luxury event planner, restaurateur, and founder of Sofia Crokos Events & Lifestyle. Sofia shares how she went from fashion to weddings, how her restaurant came about, and all the incredible ways she chases beauty and inspiration in everything she does.
Guest Bio
Sofia Crokos is a luxury event planner, restaurateur, and founder of Sofia Crokos Events & Lifestyle. Sheâs also a connector, a collaborator, a creator; qualities that turn her clientsâ great expectations into luxurious, elevated realities. Sofia Crokos Events & Lifestyle has perfected the art of entertaining. Since 1998, Crokos and her agency have offered unparalleled style and service, luxurious design, and expertly orchestrated events to the most discerning clientele. Internationally renowned for their personalized philosophy, impeccable eye for detail, boundless creativity, and infectious positivity, Sofia Crokos Events & Lifestyle champions a hands-on approach to every aspect of a celebration, no matter the size. This exceptional insight into the world of luxury events, paired with relationships with the most prestigious vendors around the globe, allows every client to experience these unforgettable moments with a sense of ease and levity, while also earning Sofia Crokos Events & Lifestyle recognition as one of the premiere event agencies in the industry. For more information, go to https://www.sofiacrokos.com/ and follow @sofiacrokosevents on Instagram.
Want a clear and comprehensive roadmap on how to succeed in the luxury wedding market? Check out the Business of Luxury Weddings course. Youâll learn the entire business model and thought process - so you can sign consistent 5-figure contracts, build a powerful network of the right people, and travel to iconic destinations. Learn more and join the waitlist at SageJourney.co.
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When your successful planning business has a thriving floral arm, why would you shut it down? To make room for more creativity and collaboration! Most people wouldnât dream of ending something thatâs doing so well, but that could be keeping us from what we really want.
If a business is just chugging along, itâs easier to keep going as is. Shaking things up is actually so much harder than staying the same, but as entrepreneurs, we often have to let go to level up. We have to close down something good to make room for something exceptional.
This is what By Belloâs Lindsey Morgan realized, so she made the decision and took the leap. How did she come to the realization that she had to close her floral business? What new awesomeness has this created space for? What are the keys to her business growth and success?
In this episode, she talks about her journey, the power of taking action, and how she has created multiple streams of income in her business.
Guest Bio
Lindsey Morgan is the owner and creative director of By Bello and Bespoke by Bello. Passionate about marrying natural landscapes with distinctive event design, Lindsey has been nationally recognized for her inspired approach, building memorable parties from the ground up. Alongside her masterful team, Lindsey provides each client with a highly personalized experience, leaving both the celebrated and celebrating with an event theyâll remember for a lifetime. For more information, head to https://bybelloevents.com/.
Want a clear and comprehensive roadmap on how to succeed in the luxury wedding market? Check out the Business of Luxury Weddings course. Youâll learn the entire business model and thought process - so you can sign consistent 5-figure contracts, build a powerful network of the right people, and travel to iconic destinations. Learn more and join the waitlist at SageJourney.co.
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When it comes to branding and approach, most photographers are focused on themselves. Itâs all about their aesthetic and getting clients to fit into it. We make ourselves the thing our clients should aspire to. That was our approach for yearsâŠuntil we realized that it wouldnât allow us to sustain real success in luxury.
So we switched to this: focusing on our clients; and instead of pigeonholing them, shifting our approach according to their needs. Many photographers would consider that selling out - why would we let clients dictate what we do, weâre the creatives after all.
Well, if we want to move up to premium and luxury, we have to deliver a lot more than creative talent. We have to craft an experience, and we canât do that if we donât take a client-focused approach.
How do we shift from ourselves to our clients? How does this approach allow us to build and sustain real success?
In this episode, we talk about the value of curating our brand around serving others instead of ourselves.
Want a clear and comprehensive roadmap on how to succeed in the luxury wedding market? Check out the Business of Luxury Weddings course. Youâll learn the entire business model and thought process - so you can sign consistent 5-figure contracts, build a powerful network of the right people, and travel to iconic destinations. Learn more and join the waitlist at SageJourney.co.
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Get to know your client and match yourself up to that. Thatâs the format of traditional marketing weâre taught to use. What if we could accomplish more by going about it in a completely different way? In luxury, cost isnât the biggest factor in the decision making process - desire is. If we make people want our service, they will buy it.
Creating desire instantly makes us more sought-after, especially in a market segment where exclusivity and uniqueness are the currency of buying choices. From the way we book client calls, to the photos we post on social media, we can use desire to increase the demand for our photography.
What steps can we take to make our services more desirable? How do we raise our prices and tap into a higher market segment? How can we build sustainable businesses while also having room to actually live our lives?
In this episode, weâre joined by the CEO and Founder of Photographer's Edit and host of the Bokeh podcast, Nathan Holritz. We talk about simple and practical steps we can take to make our services pull in the buyers we want.
Guest Bio
Nathan Holritz is the CEO and Founder of Photographer's Edit and Cheezoo. Heâs also the host of the Bokeh podcast. Starting in professional photography over 20 years ago, Nathan helped bring a modern style of premium wedding photography to the Chattanooga market via Holritz Photography.
While helping run Holritz Photography, Nathan saw both a personal and industry need for a company that could handle the post-processing of the thousands of images photographed at weddings. He created Photographer's Edit, a company geared toward providing a solution for professional photographers to outsource this post-processing following weddings and large events. The company was launched in 2008, and has since processed millions and millions of images for wedding, portrait, and commercial photographers. Head to https://www.photographersedit.com/ to find out more.
Want a clear and comprehensive roadmap on how to succeed in the luxury wedding market? Check out the Business of Luxury Weddings course. Youâll learn how to entire business model and thought process - so you can sign consistent 5-figure contracts, build a powerful network of the right people, and travel to iconic destinations. Learn more and join the waitlist at SageJourney.co.
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For many photographers, weddings are a highly intimidating niche. The idea of shooting a once in a lifetime event, at the highest spectrum of emotions can be daunting.
And thatâs before you add a luxury component to it.
Shooting that level of event and having that caliber of client comes with a lot, but the biggest thing is a shift in our own mindset.
To break into luxury and command those rates, youâre basically creating value overnight and that can understandably be a real challenge psychologically. We have to shake off the middle class mentality and start to think of events the way the ultra-wealthy do - itâs not about cost, itâs about want.
How do we start to occupy the luxury mindset? What are the key skills we need to have at this level? In this episode, weâre joined by photographers and co-hosts of the B&H Photography Podcast, Allan Weitz and Jill Waterman. We talk about luxury weddings, how to build a successful business in that space and the skills that take you to that next level.
Guest Bio
Allan Weitz is a Photographer, Writer and host of the B&H Photography Podcast.
Jill Waterman is a Photographer, Writer, Storyteller and co-host of the B&H Photography Podcast.
Go to https://www.bhphotovideo.com/.
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At the luxury level of weddings, itâs easy to think you have to live in an epicenter city and have a ton of notoriety to succeed. The whole world has to know you if you want your business to grow. But bigger, famous and splashier isnât the only route to visibility, success can happen without notoriety.
You can thrive while being the best kept secret. Itâs possible to create these gravitas âgoosebump momentâ events, and still live your life. A planner can create dreamy destination weddings without living in New York, Miami or LA.
For Alicia Fritz, fulfillment doesnât come from being known by the whole world, it comes from connecting with clients and carrying their vision. Why is remaining grounded so important to her? How did she carve out her niche? What do weddings mean to her?
In this episode, the founder of A Day in May Events talks about her story, her process and what she attributes her success to.
Guest Bio
A native of Traverse City, Michigan, Alicia Fritz is the founder and Principal Designer of A Day in May Events, a nationally recognized event production firm sought after for mastering the art of entertaining. Aliciaâs appreciation for hospitality is rooted in her companyâs ethos; to architect milestone celebrations that embody the taste and priorities of her clients, accentuated by a strong sense of place and purpose in every detail. With a mission to preserve the unique history and life experiences of her clients and their families, Alicia and her team have been entrusted as strategic partners for their private, legacy clients for close to two decades.
Since 2007, Alicia has built a dedicated staff of event specialists and creative thinkers who operate with a methodical and intuitive system that prioritizes collaboration with their clients, respectful partnership with their creative teams and an unwavering commitment to a flawless event. Harmonizing an architectâs mindset with the imaginative and artistic touch of a great host, Alicia has been recognized as one of the countryâs top event planners by VOGUE and Martha Stewart Weddings to name a few. From the serene, idyllic coastline of Northern Michigan, to the exquisite landscape of the South of France, and far flung locales likeMustique, Alicia and her team rarely create in the same place twice and welcome the challenge of producing these exceptional moments for beloved clients in unchartered territory.
For more information, head to https://www.adayinmayevents.com/ follow @adayinmayevents on Instagram.
Want a clear and comprehensive roadmap on how to succeed in the luxury wedding market? Check out the Business of Luxury Weddings course. Youâll learn the entire business model and thought process - so you can sign consistent 5-figure contracts, build a powerful network of the right people, and travel to iconic destinations. Learn more and join the waitlist at SageJourney.co.
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Creating a magical wedding is a dance of balancing contradictions. You have to saturate the senses without over-producing, steep the event with individual details that become seamless, pace a fast-moving day, and counter the emotional crescendos with much needed lulls.
The planners responsible for this do multiple events a year, but they still have to make that particular event authentic to whoâs being celebrated.
The ultimate litmus test and sign youâve succeeded? When someone canât pinpoint what exactly made the day so magical because the components are so harmonious.
How do you set yourself up for this from your first moments with the client? What steps can you take to understand the client and the guestâs journey throughout the day? In this episode, weâre joined by leading wedding planner, Jennifer Zabinski. She shares how she makes her events so magical, and the thinking behind her approach.
Guest Bio
Though sheâs now known as one of the countryâs leading wedding plannersânamed best of the best by both Harperâs Bazaar and Martha Stewart WeddingsâJennifer Zabinski didnât always know she wanted to be an event planner. After graduating from Cornell Universityâs prestigious School of Hotel Administration, she headed west to California, working for some of the biggest names in the hospitality business. She quickly worked her way up the ranks at The Ritz-Carlton and the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, becoming one of the youngest senior members on both staffs to spearhead events. It was there that Jennifer realized her knack for bringing people together and making sure their every need was met could translate to a new line of work in the wedding industry.
Marrying her business acumen to her talent as a creative and strategic thinker, Jennifer moved back to New York and became the partner at The Wedding Library, a bridal design and retail shop, where she led the planning and events division for a decade. She struck out on her own in 2011 with the launch of JZ Events. Combining a methodical, collaborative approach with an innovative spirit, Jennifer has planned, designed, and executed hundreds of events in some of the most exciting stunning locales around the world (Necker Island, St. Barts, Ravello, Cap Ferrat, Amalfi Coast, Aspen, Paris, Florence, and San Francisco, to name just a few). Throughout that time, she has fostered close relationships with top vendors, including award- winning caterers, floral designers, and photographers, all of which means she knows just the right pro to carry out your vision.
âMost people donât come to me wanting to replicate someone elseâs event,â says Jennifer. âThey want to do something thatâs never been done before, whether thatâs a new spin on a classic venue, finding a far-flung location to host a weekend-long celebration, or dreaming up a novel theme.â At the end of the day, she says, everyone wants to create something thatâs utterly unique. Achieving that goal for clients is the difference between a good planner and a great one.
Jenniferâs work has been recognized in the pages of Vogue, Harperâs Bazaar, Martha Stewart Weddings, Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, Brides, Glamour, The Knot, among many other magazines, blogs, and websites. She lives in New York City with her husband, two children, and dog, Gunner.
For more information, head to https://jzevents.com/ and follow @jzevents on Instagram.
Want a clear and comprehensive roadmap on how to succeed in the luxury wedding market? Check out the Business of Luxury Weddings course. Youâll learn how to entire business model and thought process - so you can sign consistent 5-figure contracts, build a powerful network of the right people, and travel to iconic destinations. Learn more and join the waitlist at SageJourney.co.
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