The Business of Luxury Weddings Julian Leaver: Why Good Taste Isn’t Enough—It’s How You Make People Feel
Jul 22, 2025
Julian Leaver, an esteemed event planner and former hotelier, redefines luxury through the lens of emotional intelligence. He emphasizes that good taste goes beyond aesthetics—it's about how guests feel. Julian shares insights into nurturing connections in the wedding industry and the importance of adaptability in a changing market. He also discusses the shift from visual design to experience design, navigating budget dynamics, and the increasing demand for emotional depth in wedding photography. His approach champions warmth and kindness as key ingredients for memorable events.
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Stay Curious And Pivot Fast
- Constantly seek new information and be willing to change direction when data or mentors point you elsewhere.
- Humility to admit you're wrong and pivot quickly is a core business skill.
Measure Monthly, Not Yearly
- Track concrete data monthly: website traffic, inquiries, proposals, and conversions.
- Use that data to pivot strategy and replicate what produced spikes.
Watch Conversions, Not Just Traffic
- Monitor conversion rates closely because traffic and inquiries may remain steady while bookings drop.
- Prepare for delays and follow-up consistently to avoid losing clients who pause decisions.