At the luxury level of weddings, it’s 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 isn’t the only route to visibility, success can happen without notoriety.   You can thrive while being the best kept secret. It’s possible to create these gravitas “goosebump moment” 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 doesn’t 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. Alicia’s appreciation for hospitality is rooted in her company’s 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 architect’s mindset with the imaginative and artistic touch of a great host, Alicia has been recognized as one of the country’s 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. 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.

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 who’s being celebrated.   The ultimate litmus test and sign you’ve succeeded? When someone can’t 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 guest’s journey throughout the day? In this episode, we’re 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 she’s now known as one of the country’s leading wedding planners—named best of the best by both Harper’s Bazaar and Martha Stewart Weddings—Jennifer Zabinski didn’t always know she wanted to be an event planner. After graduating from Cornell University’s 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.   “Most people don’t come to me wanting to replicate someone else’s event,” says Jennifer. “They want to do something that’s never been done before, whether that’s a new spin on a classic venue, finding a far-flung location to host a weekend-long celebration, or dreaming up a novel theme.” At the end of the day, she says, everyone wants to create something that’s utterly unique. Achieving that goal for clients is the difference between a good planner and a great one.   Jennifer’s work has been recognized in the pages of Vogue, Harper’s 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. You’ll 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.  

Destination wedding photographer, Steph Kadlicko, emphasizes the importance of simplicity and authenticity in business. Building collaborative relationships with vendors and clients is key to success in luxury weddings. The journey to success involves focusing on branding, client experience, and embracing vulnerability.

A simple, kind and meaningful act can have a powerful ripple effect, like giving a haircut to someone in need. Not only does it create doorways to connection. It can open up entire portals that break the typical pattern of how we interact with the community around us.    Through one simple compassionate act, we can create moments that matter - moments that can start to break through layers of hardship and make people feel seen after feeling invisible.    How did the decision to give a haircut become a powerful movement for kindness and a doorway for a deeper connection? How can we show up differently in our own communities?    In this episode, we’re joined by the founder of #DoSomethingForNothing, Joshua Coombes. He shares how one haircut changed everything, and the powerful movement he built from it.    Guest Bio Joshua Coombes is a British hairstylist and founder of #DoSomethingForNothing, a movement encouraging people to connect their skills and time to those who need it. For more information, follow @joshacoombes on Instagram and buy the book Do Something For Nothing here.   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.

Interior design and wedding design have always had a natural synergy. Inspiration from interiors has always trickled into events. Now that there’s a huge movement to make weddings feel residential, interiors aren’t just inspiring events, they are informing them. People want the big day to feel authentic, and not just like another decorated ballroom. The big day is an extension of how they’d host people in their homes.     It makes sense then for a wedding designer to also have a firm footing in interiors, which is what Lynden Lane Co. have done.    Weddings might be more emotional and condensed than an interior design project, but for a creative mind, they work the same muscle. Whether it’s a big reveal of a room or a big reveal of the reception space, it’s big decisions and small details.    How did Lynden Lane Co. come to be, and how does a team of a mother and her daughters work so well together? How do you bring a client’s vision to life? In this episode, we’re joined by one-third of the Lynden Layne team, Barbi Walters. She shares how they built the company, and the cross pollination between weddings and interiors.    Guest Bio Barbi Walters is the co-founder and principal designer at Lynden Lane Co., a company she runs with her 2 daughters, Lyndsey and Layne. Lynden Lane Co. is sought after for architecting transformative events and designing interior spaces. Go to https://lyndenlane.com/ and follow @lyndenlane 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.  

Wedding planning has evolved from formulaic and predictable to personalized and creative. Venues are non-traditional and wedding planners have more flexibility. The shift is driven by the desire for intention and meaningful moments. Collaboration strengthens brands. The speakers share their accidental paths into the events industry and the growth in personalized events. Choosing the right clients and building trust is important. Infusing weddings with meaningful stories and intentional experiences is key. The speakers discuss travel, work-life balance, taking risks, and express gratitude to listeners.

Among the many superpowers of a luxury wedding planner, is the ability to turn 18 months of planning into a timelined, well-executed event with hundreds of moving parts.    The secret: there is absolutely no room for indecisiveness. The clients hire you to guide them and make decisions. If you’re still thinking “I wonder if we should…” on the day, it’s not a business you’re built for.    Wendy Jacobs Hampton has this and so many other superpowers that make her perfect for this job. Growing up in a party family. Being a highly-motivated ski bum, who purchased a business for $2000, and planned weddings for the likes of the Lauren and Bush families. A confident professional who relates well to the clientele. A beautiful balance of command and care.    How did she end up in Telluride and ultimately play a huge role in building the luxury industry there? Why is it so important to remember the fun aspect of this job? In this episode, the owner of Soirée Telluride, tells her story, and what she attributes her success to.    Guest Bio Building a company from the ground up — and skyrocketing it to success — requires unshakable confidence and a healthy willingness to take risks. Wendy has both. Melded with her matchless creativity, innovation and enviable cool under pressure, Wendy has what it takes to be a sought-after event producer and the architect behind some of Colorado's most prestigious weddings. And indeed she is.   Wendy grew up in New York, but fell in love with Telluride as a child when her family began visiting for regular ski trips in the early 80s. She became a permanent Telluride resident in 1994. Wendy has been embedded in the community ever since, always keeping her finger on the ski town’s pulse. After producing the wedding of Lauren Bush and David Lauren in 2011, Wendy’s world-class work established Telluride as a premiere event destination — and Soirée Telluride as an event-production company that draws national and international clients.   When she’s not coordinating scores of vendors or thriving on day-of event execution, Wendy enjoys skiing with her husband, Zach, whom she met in Telluride, and their school-age daughters, Breton and Zoe (who call themselves the Soirée Sisters). She serves as board president of the Telluride Academy and is deeply committed to local education causes.   For more information, go to https://www.telluridesoiree.com/ and follow @soireetelluride 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.  

Luxury is the ability to surprise, delight, anticipate, and deliver. In the wedding space, it's ultimately the difference between planning an event and creating an experience. Our clients are incredibly discerning individuals, so we have to be discerning too.    The job is going above and beyond “what we have in the warehouse” to actually bring about a well-executed vision.    In this high stress environment, not breaking a sweat while pulling off these feats of creativity is part of the job.    How do we elevate an event into an unforgettable experience? What does it take to stay unflappable as we carry the vision and experience of our clients?    In this episode, we’re joined by the incomparable, David Beahm. He shares his story - going from choir director to the incredible career he’s had.    Guest Bio David Beahm, founder and president of David Beahm Experiences, is known as one of New York’s top event designers. A favorite of celebrities, socialites, corporate and the fashion worlds, David has a broad-based background in the arts; thus, he views event design as a combination of theater and art. Emphasizing style, quality and originality, his creations combine cutting-edge ideas with timeless tradition. Go to www.davidbeahm.com for more information and follow @‌davidbeahm @davidbeahmtoo.   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.

In the realm of ultra-luxury event design, the pressure to exceed the client’s high expectations comes with the territory. Creatively speaking, it’s hard to say no to the vision, and that requires us to constantly push the boundaries of what’s possible. The work of designers is incredibly detailed and precise, and that can be a heavy energy expenditure to whoever’s at the helm of that vision.   The designer’s job is to push, cultivate and curate everyone around them to elevate to the level of that vision. That’s something Rishi Patel does extremely well.   How do you create flexibility in a process that often requires set timelines and plans? How do you craft designs where everything serves a purpose instead of just stuffing rooms with details?   In this episode, the CEO and CCO of HMR Designs joins us to share how he went from finance to event design, and the process behind the work he delivers.   Guest Bio Rishi Patel is the CEO and CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER of HMR Designs. Named one of the top Wedding and Event Designers in the world by Harper’s Bazaar, VOGUE, Brides and Martha Stewart Weddings, along with being recognized as Top 40 under 40, Rishi remains one of the most highly coveted event designers among discerning clientele and notable figures alike. An advocate for fully transformative design, he specializes in celebrations of all kinds – all while adhering to the firm belief that service and guest experience are the cornerstone to great events and the definition of true luxury. From galas, to weddings, to milestone celebrations, any event is in his wheelhouse. An educational background in Finance and an MBA from Indiana University has afforded him the ability to lead the HMR team from a fiscal perspective – though it’s his artistic passion that allows him to design the fantastical events he is known for. As much of a creative visionary as an astute business leader, Rishi’s insistence on unconventionality has continuously transformed the landscape of event design while granting him the honor of designing events for some of the most notable figures, families and organizations in the world.   A loyal Chicago native and avid traveler, Rishi regularly seeks inspiration from whatever cultural landscape he can find himself in. The destination event and wedding world has allowed Rishi and the HMR team to embrace so many incredible regions and pockets of the world to create spectacular events. Regardless of the marvelous adventures in design that await him, Rishi will always consider himself an artist at heart. For more information, head to https://hmrdesigns.com/.

Sarah Bradshaw, professional wedding photographer, shares her journey of detaching from groupthink in the wedding photography industry. She discusses mindset shifts, the importance of outreach, and her approach to selling. The podcast also covers building a luxury wedding business, finding harmony and setting boundaries for success, and strategic actions for achieving success.