The Business of Luxury Weddings

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.

Most wedding professionals are taught to grow by way of digital marketing, but there’s something with a much higher ROI - relationship marketing. When you compare what you get out of fostering industry relationships with digital marketing, it’s 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. That’s the kind of ROI marketing dollars will never buy! It doesn’t matter what level you’re 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, we’re joined by husband and wife duo Cherish and Lindsey Conklin. The co-founders of Le Rêve 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 Rêve Films in 2010 from their shared passion for traveling the world and transforming the magical memories from a couple’s nuptials into a visual tapestry that showcases their love story for a lifetime. Le Rêve takes pride in focusing on capturing the beauty, emotion and all the details in between from a couple’s wedding weekend, all the while, always portraying real, authentic love.   Le Rêve Films’ reputation and award-winning work has been featured in Vogue, People, BRIDES, Martha Stewart Weddings, iHeart Radio, and has earned them a spot among Harper’s BAZAAR’s 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 Rêve’s custom LUTS here and follow @lerevefilms on Instagram. 

When you work in the fast-paced, demanding world of luxury weddings, it’s 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, we’re 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.

A special event is made up of 3 types of experiences - the atmospheric, the tangible and the organic pieces of what’s 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 client’s 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. Augusta’s 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.

John Moler, a Colorado wedding photographer, talks about how he tripled his rates by refining his brand and proposal, not by lowering prices. He discusses the importance of valuing oneself, simplifying offerings, and attracting luxury clients. The podcast explores strategies for business growth, networking in the wedding industry, and the mindset shift needed to increase prices in the luxury market.

Luxury travel expert Jack Ezon emphasizes the importance of experience over location in crafting unique travel experiences. He discusses the shift in luxury towards conscious consumption and the value of meaningful buying choices. Jack also explores building relationships with luxury vendors, luxury trends in the wedding industry, and the significance of personal connections in luxury travel. He shares insights on embracing failure for success and embracing risk in business.

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 you’re 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 ‘no’ or ‘not now’ to an idea she engages with it and goes after it.   Because of this, her pursuits aren’t 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, we’re 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. She’s also a connector, a collaborator, a creator; qualities that turn her clients’ 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. 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.

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 wouldn’t dream of ending something that’s doing so well, but that could be keeping us from what we really want.   If a business is just chugging along, it’s 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 Bello’s 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 they’ll 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. 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.  

The podcast discusses the importance of shifting from a self-centered approach to a client-oriented mindset in luxury weddings. It explores the evolution of pricing strategies and the impact of intentional branding on client interactions. The conversation emphasizes the value of curating brands around serving others instead of the photographers themselves.