In this episode of the Business of Luxury Weddings, we sit down with Melissa Sullivan, founder of Studio Sully, a renowned event design and production firm based in Los Angeles and New York. Melissa shares her unique journey from assistant planner to headlining her own firm—right as the pandemic hit. Tune in to hear how Melissa navigated the challenges of launching a business during unprecedented times, built invaluable vendor relationships, and found her creative voice. For wedding pros looking to make their mark, Melissa’s insights on authenticity, design inspiration from fashion, and the importance of a strong support system are gold. Get ready to be inspired by Melissa’s story and learn how she turned obstacles into opportunities.

Colin Cowie, a renowned figure in luxury events, shares his nearly 40 years of experience planning for Hollywood's elite. He reflects on his transformative journey from South Africa to LA, emphasizing the lessons learned from both successes and failures. Colin discusses the importance of proactive customer service and how personalization enhances guest experiences. He delves into the evolving luxury wedding landscape, the impact of AI on business, and the significance of balancing technology with personal connections.

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-time—all 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.

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 planning—confidence, experience, and a solid team that’s 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. It’s a heartfelt, real conversation packed with insights for anyone aiming for excellence in the industry.

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 Sneh’s insights and learn how industry leaders are redefining luxury weddings.

This week’s guests are Britt, a skilled wedding planner managing clients and vendors, and Francie, the co-founder of a successful event planning business. They describe the art of wedding planning, comparing it to orchestrating a Broadway show without rehearsals. Britt shares a gripping tale of making quick decisions during a monsoon at a wedding in New Mexico. They also discuss the importance of trust and collaboration in their decade-long partnership, emphasizing how adaptability and empathy shape the wedding planning experience.

Alison and Bryan Destinations prioritize creating exceptional events by focusing on vulnerability and authenticity. They discuss the importance of finding the right fit for clients, building strong relationships, and constantly innovating. The conversation highlights the challenges of managing destination events, emphasizing quality over quantity and the rewarding nature of working with high-end clients.

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 we’re 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.   It’s 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 it’s 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. You’ll 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 ‘Mom with a camera’, 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.   

Manda Worthington, a wedding planner prioritizing wellbeing, discusses the importance of caring for clients, setting big goals in business, and stepping out of one's comfort zone. The podcast explores her journey in luxury event planning, emphasizing belief, confidence, and the shift in mindset towards exercise for success.

Luxury weddings involve so many great things like travel, amazing experiences and glamorous events. Because all these facets are so fun and exciting, it’s 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 it’s 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. You’ll 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 world’s most ambitious and exacting clients. Named a top wedding planner by Harper’s 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. Brooke’s 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 @‌brookekeegan.