The Business of Luxury Weddings

Obsessive craftsmanship, storytelling, collaboration. If we could sum up wedding photography, it would be in these 4 words. It’s not just about taking a pretty picture, and it’s definitely not just about the technical stuff.    At some point focus, light, and composition become so deeply ingrained in us we have to reach for something more. We have to learn the art of earning the photo - both from our experience, and also our ability to truly capture the moment. A camera isn’t just a way to capture an image, it’s a way to access the individual, and in a wedding, that’s a huge responsibility.   When we combine all these things into one seamless process, we deliver the magical but authentic moments people will treasure. How has our craft developed, and what do we consider our craft today?    In this episode, we talk about our evolution as artists behind the camera, and every intangible that goes into what we do, and why we love it.    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.  

“Your vision is safe with me.” That’s what a planner needs to say and deliver to their clients. When you’re at the helm of a magical moment where every detail matters, how things look isn’t your first consideration. You have to go 30,000 ft up, take what they want to see and steep it in reality, while still maintaining the magic.    To do this effectively, confidence, competence, and kindness are required. For Michelle Rago, these things come easy, and it shows in the experiences she creates.    How did she get started? What’s her process for making sure an event has the client's fingerprint? How can we shift our mindset around sales?    In this episode, the world famous planner shares her story, her process and her mindset around what she does.    Guest Bio Michelle Rago is an event planner, and founder of Michelle Rago Destinations, a full service boutique event planning firm based in New York.Michelle and her team have produced and designed events as far-flung as New Delhi and the Cote d’Azur, and of course, from coast to coast on the continental United States. Team Rago will oversee and execute every aspect of your event to not only ensure it unfolds smoothly, but to allow you to be carefree and fully engaged at your own wedding or event. For more information, head to https://michelleragodestinations.com/. Connect with Michelle on Instagram @michellerago   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.  

If you’re good at the craft, raising your rates isn’t a question of skill. It’s more about doing the mindset work so you can confidently elevate how you show up in the marketplace. Your work has to be good - that’s a given, but you’ll hit a ceiling if you only focus on that. To grow our revenue, we have to raise what we think our work is worth - and that has a lot to do with branding.    The shift to a higher rate starts internally. Believing it for ourselves first makes the pricing and marketing work easier. If we don’t feel worthy, we’ll never have the confidence to ask for more, even if we’re exceptional photographers. Sidonie Vidal went from charging €2.5k to €11k. That leap is more about mentality than methodology. How did the mindset piece play into her 4X rate increase? What were the small shifts that stacked up over time and allowed her to grow her business? In this episode, Sidonie shares her story of how she changed her mindset and elevated her brand to increase her earnings and level up from the middle market.   Guest Bio Sidonie Vidal is a photographer from the South of France – the picture book country full of sun, beautiful villages, and lavender fields. She wants to recreate this southern French feeling with her images and bring warmth, connection, and passion to every project she photographs. Sidonie works with couples from all over the world to create bespoke experiences and capture the essence of their special day on camera. She allows her clients to relax knowing her editorial photography allows the unadulterated emotions between them and their loved ones to shine through in every image. For more information, head to https://sidonievidalphotographe.com/ Instagram – @sidonievidalphotography   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 wedding or not, we’re in the business of serving our clients and pulling off a once-in-a-lifetime fairytale for them. Of course, we have to be exceptionally talented, but there’s also a whole strategic process of unglamorous, behind-the-scenes work to make it look seamless and luxurious.    All wedding vendors are in the unique position of not being guests, but having such a pivotal role on a very important day. Ultimately, we’re privileged service providers who work together to make magic happen. The better we get at reading the room and collaborating, the more elevated the experiences become, and the more people want to work with us.    How can photographers and videographers work well together? What’s our guest’s process for creating a seamless, luxurious experience both behind and in front of the camera? Why is this industry so special to us?    In this episode, we’re delighted to be joined by top wedding filmmaker, Peyton Frank. She shares the process that allows her to deliver perfection over and over again.    Guest Bio Peyton Frank is a Destination Wedding Filmmaker who creates heirloom wedding videos to be cherished for a lifetime. She has an obsession for beautiful stories, events, and experiences, and a passion for making films and creating magic through moving images, light, and sound. Peyton has been named One of The Top Wedding Filmmakers in the World by Harper’s BAZAAR.    For more information, follow @‌peytonfrank on Instagram. For mentorship sessions & general inquiries, send an email to hello@peytonfrankfilms.com. To inquire about the 2024 Certified Drone Pilot Guide email concierge@peytonfrankfilms.com. 

Elite ultra-luxury planner Lynn Easton shares insights on getting hired for high-stakes weddings. She emphasizes the importance of understanding cues for ultra-luxury events. The significance of photographers in creating the perfect wedding atmosphere is discussed. Learn how to impress elite planners and avoid common pitfalls in luxury weddings.

“If only I was just better at the craft....”   If you’re a creative in the wedding industry struggling to get those next level weddings, you’ve probably said this to yourself. It’s easy to think getting better at what you do is the missing link.   The truth is: digging into and putting an emphasis on the business side is the solution. Most creatives feel like artists who happen to run a business. We have to shift to business owners who happen to be creative.    In order to grow on the business side and find inspiration, you have to push past what’s gotten you to where you are today. You’ll need new insights, data and perspectives, and that comes in the form of other people’s knowledge and experience.     That’s how we went from charging $500 per wedding to a 7-figure ultra-luxury wedding business. How did the journey begin? What lessons have we learned along the way? In this episode, we welcome you to The Business of Luxury Weddings, share the vision of this podcast, and what to expect.    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.