

Wedding Business Solutions
Alan Berg, CSP, Global Speaking Fellow
If weddings are all or part of your business, then the Wedding Business Solutions podcast is for you. You’ll hear ideas to help you sell more, profit more and have more fun doing it from Alan Berg CSP, FPSA. He’s the author of 13 books, who’s been included, for the 3rd year in a row, as one of the “Top 100 Speakers To Watch in 2025”, by Motivator Music on LinkedIn. He's also one of only 44 Global Speaking Fellows in the world! Whether it’s ideas for closing the sale, improving your website conversion or just plain common-sense ideas for your wedding business, the episodes here, whether monologue or dialogue are just the thing to get you motivated to help more couples have great weddings, and more profits for you . . . . . . . . . You can read full transcripts of each episode at podcast.AlanBerg.com . . . . . . . . . Don't forget to subscribe to this podcast so you'll know about the latest episodes. And if you have a question, comment or suggestion for topic or guest, please reach out at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com . . . . . . . . . And if you don't get his email updates for new episodes, as well as upcoming workshops and Master Classes, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com . . . . . . . . . If you'd like to find out about Alan's speaking, sales training, consulting or website review services, you can reach him at Alan@AlanBerg.com or visit Podcast.AlanBerg.com ------- Note: I invite my guests on for the value they provide to you, my listeners. Occasionally I have a guest on where I'm an affiliate or have a relationship that may involve compensation for me. My first priority is the value to you and therefore I don't sell placement or guest spots on my podcast.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 6, 2021 • 9min
Are you doing transactions or building a business?
Every wedding or event sale involves a transaction, but doing transactions is not the same as building a business. What’s the difference? A lot depends upon whether you’re just focusing on today, or if you also have your eye on the future, and what you want that future to look like. Listen to this new 9-minute episode and get a clearer view of your business’ future.If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.comPlease be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com Want to see about joining an upcoming mastermind (bring together some industry friends to have me spend a day with you all) - or arranging one of your own (yes, I'll come to you!)? Reach out to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or text or call +1.732.422.6362 I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

Oct 4, 2021 • 21min
Bill Zaruka - Scaling Wedgewood Weddings from 1 venue to over 40 venues
When I first met and started consulting and doing training for Wedgewood Weddings in 2012, they had about a dozen venues in Northern and Southern California. Nine years later they have over 40 venues in 6 states, and counting (I just saw a notification that they’ve picked up two more after our recording). They’ve carved out a great niche with their all-inclusive model for their venues. When they open or acquire new venues, they use the same, proven packages. Some businesses have different models in different areas. Bill Zaruka and his team have proven that their strategy works all over the country. Yes, each venue is unique, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use the same package strategy.Listen to this new episode and learn some ways you can scale your business. About Wedgewood WeddingsWedgewood Weddings manages an All-Inclusive Wedding Venue Experience at 45 locations across the U.S. For 35 years Wedgewood has grown by focusing on a stress free and fun customer experience. For more information about Wedgewood Weddings you may visit our website at wedgewoodweddings.com. For information about selling your business to Wedgewood you may contact Kevin Lyons at kevinl@wedgewoodweddings.comIf you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.comPlease be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com Want to see about joining an upcoming mastermind (bring together some industry friends to have me spend a day with you all) - or arranging one of your own (yes, I'll come to you!)? Reach out to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or text or call +1.732.422.6362 I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

Sep 29, 2021 • 20min
How Do You Reply to Negative Reviews?
If there’s one thing that gets wedding and event pros riled up it’s getting a less-than-positive review, especially your first one. I get frantic phone calls, emails and messages looking for help and guidance when that happens. Besides slowing down and taking a deep breath, there really is a better way to handle these situations.Take a deep breath and listen to this new episode and find out.If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com Want to see about joining an upcoming mastermind (bring together some industry friends to have me spend a day with you all) - or arranging one of your own (yes, I'll come to you!)? Reach out to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or text or call +1.732.422.6362 I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

Sep 22, 2021 • 8min
What is luck?
Are some people really luckier than others, or is there something you can do to improve your luck? Much of what you see that looks like luck from afar really isn’t. As the Roman philosopher Seneca said: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”So, what can you do to be luckier? Listen to this new 8-minute episode and find out.If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.comPlease be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com Want to see about joining an upcoming mastermind (bring together some industry friends to have me spend a day with you all) - or arranging one of your own (yes, I'll come to you!)? Reach out to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or text or call +1.732.422.6362 I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

Sep 20, 2021 • 20min
Ron Ruth - Customer Service or Customer Experience? Part II – New Bonus Dialogue Episode
We had such a spirited discussion that I invited my good friend Ron Ruth to join me again, to continue our talk about the customer experience. Through Ron’s speaking and training, and his lifelong addiction to all things Disney, Ron has some great perspective on how you can create a better experience for your couples and customers, right from the start. If you didn’t hear Part I, you can find it here. Enjoy!About Ron:With over 15 years experience in corporate management and 30 years as a small business owner in the wedding industry, Ron Ruth is celebrated as a fun and inventive Customer Experience Design speaker and business coach. Ron teaches entrepreneurs How to Speak Fluent “WOW!,” the language of the high-spending, loyal, raving customers they want most…a language that translates into never competing on price, again.Ron Ruth, Keynote Speaker | Customer Experience DesignWorkshop & Brainstorming FacilitatorRonRuth.comJoin Ron On These Social Channels:https://www.facebook.com/ronruthkc/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronruth/https://twitter.com/ronruthkchttps://www.instagram.com/ronruthkc/If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.comPlease be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com Want to see about joining an upcoming mastermind (bring together some industry friends to have me spend a day with you all) - or arranging one of your own (yes, I'll come to you!)? Reach out to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or text or call +1.732.422.6362 I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

Sep 15, 2021 • 15min
Google analytics - there's only 3 things I watch
Every time I open Google Analytics, whether to see the reports on my website, or on one of yours, I see so many points of data that neither you nor I will ever need. It’s not that the data isn’t interesting, it’s that you can’t do anything with the information.Want to find out the only 3 points of data that I really pay attention to, and why you should too? Listen to this new 14-minute episode and find out.If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.com Please be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com Want to see about joining an upcoming mastermind (bring together some industry friends to have me spend a day with you all) - or arranging one of your own (yes, I'll come to you!)? Reach out to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or text or call +1.732.422.6362 I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

Sep 8, 2021 • 11min
What do couples really think of the way you discuss or display pricing?
I got a Facebook message from a wedding band owner, John LaPalomento, with a link to a Reddit post of someone complaining about how hard it is to get pricing for their wedding. The post, with over 270 comments, gives some very good insight into what couples think about how wedding and event pros talk about and display pricing on your websites. Listen to this 11-minute episode and hear some of the highlights, so you can tweak what you do.If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.comPlease be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com Want to see about joining an upcoming mastermind (bring together some industry friends to have me spend a day with you all) - or arranging one of your own (yes, I'll come to you!)? Reach out to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or text or call +1.732.422.6362 I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

Sep 6, 2021 • 32min
Reducing the Friction – Shep Hyken on Customer Service
Too often we put obstacles in our customers’ way and add friction to the sales process. Join me for a great discussion with my good friend, and fellow member of the National Speakers Association, Shep Hyken. Shep is one of the leading customer service experts in the world, and a down to earth, nice guy. Through his many books and trainings, Shep helps companies, big and small, create a better customer experience. Listen to this new, bonus dialogue episode, for ideas on how you can reduce the friction to create a better customer experience for your couples and customers.About Shep:Shep Hyken is a customer service and experience expert and the Chief Amazement Officer of Shepard Presentations. He is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author and has been inducted into the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame for lifetime achievement in the speaking profession. Shep works with companies and organizations that want to build loyal relationships with their customers and employees. His articles have been read in hundreds of publications, and he is the author of 7 books and his newest book I’ll Be Back: How to Get Customers to Come Back Again and Again will be released September 21, 2021. He is also the creator of The Customer Focus™, a customer service training program that helps clients develop a customer service culture and loyalty mindset. (Now available as an online/web-based training program!)www.Hyken.com Social Handles: Twitter: @HykenLinkedIn: Shep HykenIf you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.comPlease be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at wWant to see about joining an upcoming mastermind (bring together some industry friends to have me spend a day with you all) - or arranging one of your own (yes, I'll come to you!)? Reach out to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or text or call +1.732.422.6362 I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

Sep 1, 2021 • 10min
Sell the Outcome to get the Income
I got an email that had the words ‘income’ and ‘outcome’ in the subject line and that was the spark for this episode. In my sales training and speaking I always say that you should be selling the results of hiring you, not your list of services.Listen to this new 9-minute episode and see how changing what you talk to your couples and customers about can lead to more bottom line profits for you!If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.comPlease be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com Want to see about joining an upcoming mastermind (bring together some industry friends to have me spend a day with you all) - or arranging one of your own (yes, I'll come to you!)? Reach out to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or text or call +1.732.422.6362 I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com

Aug 25, 2021 • 8min
The many sides of the word "Why"
Asking “why” is a great way to learn more, except of course if it’s your 4-year old asking “why” repeatedly! But there are many ways to interpret “why”, including “why not?” or “why should I?” In this 7-minute episode I’m going to help you see the many ways to look at the word “why” and show you which versions can help you and your customers the most.If you have any questions about anything in this, or any of my podcasts, or have a suggestion for a topic or guest, please reach out directly to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or visit my website Podcast.AlanBerg.comPlease be sure to subscribe to this podcast and leave a review (thanks, it really does make a difference). If you want to get notifications of new episodes and upcoming workshops and webinars, you can sign up at www.ConnectWithAlanBerg.com Want to see about joining an upcoming mastermind (bring together some industry friends to have me spend a day with you all) - or arranging one of your own (yes, I'll come to you!)? Reach out to me at Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com or text or call +1.732.422.6362 I'm Alan Berg. Thanks for listening. If you have any questions about this or if you'd like to suggest other topics for "The Wedding Business Solutions Podcast" please let me know. My email is Alan@WeddingBusinessSolutions.com. Look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Listen to this and all episodes on Apple Podcast, YouTube or your favorite app/site: Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/weddingbusinesssolutions YouTube: www.WeddingBusinessSolutionsPodcast.tv Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sGsuB8 Stitcher: http://bit.ly/wbsstitcher Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/wbsgoogle iHeart Radio: https://ihr.fm/31C9Mic Pandora: http://bit.ly/wbspandora ©2025 Wedding Business Solutions LLC & AlanBerg.com