Wedding Business Solutions

Is 2024 The Perfect Storm Trifecta?Is your wedding business prepared for the challenges of 2024? Are you feeling the effects of the COVID hangover? How will the wedding gap impact your bookings? And what about the unpredictable noise of a presidential election year? In this episode, I outline how to navigate these turbulent waters and make the most of the opportunities that come your way. Dive in to understand how to work harder and smarter in this unique environment.Listen to this new 7-minute episode for insights on thriving amidst the COVID hangover, wedding gap, and election year noise.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  Episode Summary: In this episode, I dive into what I'm calling the "perfect storm trifecta" that could shape the wedding industry in 2024. This trifecta includes the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which I refer to as the "COVID hangover," the "wedding gap" caused by a lack of engagements during lockdowns, and the complications brought about by a presidential election year. I discuss how these factors create a climate of uncertainty and noise. To navigate these turbulent times, I emphasize the importance of working harder and smarter, refining follow-up strategies, and focusing on existing leads to sustain and grow your wedding business.View the full transcript on Alan’s site: https://alanberg.com/blog/Are you going to Wedding MBA? Use the promo code - Alan - to save $20 off your tickets, at www.WeddingMBA.com And don't worry, if you can't use your tickets this year, they're transferrable or you can hold them to use next year. 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

CP Heda, founder of Esstart and former tech lead at WWE, discusses his exciting leap from sports entertainment to wedding innovations. He unveils cutting-edge tools like the Instant Spotlight interactive photo wall that captures real-time guest moments. CP emphasizes the blend of technology with personal touches in event management, highlighting tools for seamless engagement and memory digitization. He shares insights on maintaining guest privacy while enhancing experiences, and how to navigate a career in the wedding industry.

Are you using Auto-Replies or Out of Office messages?Are your auto-replies costing you potential clients? Do your out-of-office messages set unrealistic expectations? In this episode, I delve into the importance of timely responses and how setting the right expectations can be the difference between gaining and losing customers. Learn how to craft auto-replies that are both friendly and efficient, ensuring you never miss out on future business.Listen to this new 8-minute episode for insights on how to optimize your autoresponders to enhance customer satisfaction and boost your business.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  Are you going to Wedding MBA? Use the promo code - Alan - to save $20 off your tickets, at www.WeddingMBA.com And don't worry, if you can't use your tickets this year, they're transferrable or you can hold them to use next year. 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

Has what I'm being asked changed much over the years?Over the years, have the challenges you're facing as a wedding professional evolved, or are they remarkably consistent? How has technology affected the way you handle the same age-old business issues? In this episode, I delve into the timeless nature of the industry's core problems and offer insights into how new technologies offer new solutions without changing the essence of what needs to be addressed.Listen to this new 7-minute episode for insights on how to adapt to technological changes while focusing on the enduring fundamentals of your wedding business.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  Are you going to Wedding MBA? Use the promo code - Alan - to save $20 off your tickets, at www.WeddingMBA.com And don't worry, if you can't use your tickets this year, they're transferrable or you can hold them to use next year. 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

Jonathan Bryans - Weddings in Ireland aren't only for the IrishEver wonder makes Ireland one of the top destination wedding spots? In this episode, we sit down with Johnny Bryans from weddingsonline to answer those burning questions. Why do so many couples choose Ireland for their big day? What are the legalities you need to know? How can wedding planners offer their clients an unforgettable Irish experience? Whether you're looking to expand your business or planning your dream wedding, this episode is packed with the insights you need to make it a reality.Listen to this new episode for expert tips on crafting a magical destination wedding in Ireland.About JonathanJonathan is the Commercial Director of weddingsonline with over 20 years’ experience in the Irish Wedding Industry.  Jonathan specialises in the hospitality sector with Hotels and Venues and has passion for marketing and sales. He is an advocate for making Ireland the world's wedding destination of choice.  Jonathan has spoken at numerous Irish Wedding Conferences and internationally too.Contact Jonathanwww.weddingsonline.ie https://www.instagram.com/weddingsonline/ #weddingsonlinehttps://www.facebook.com/groups/helpimgettingmarried 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  Are you going to Wedding MBA? Use the promo code - Alan - to save $20 off your tickets, at www.WeddingMBA.com And don't worry, if you can't use your tickets this year, they're transferrable or you can hold them to use next year. 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

Should you have a "frequently asked questions" section on your website?How can you address the questions your clients are asking before they even contact you? What’s the best way to present FAQs without overwhelming potential customers? In this episode, I dive into the benefits of having an FAQ section on your website and share practical tips on how to implement it effectively while enhancing user experience and SEO.Listen to this new 7-minute episode for insights on leveraging FAQs to improve client interaction and increase your search engine visibility.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  Are you going to Wedding MBA? Use the promo code - Alan - to save $20 off your tickets, at www.WeddingMBA.com And don't worry, if you can't use your tickets this year, they're transferrable or you can hold them to use next year. 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

How do you fill the holes in your calendar?When cancellations or postponements happen, how are you filling those empty slots in your calendar? Are you being proactive in reaching out to potential clients or just hoping they find you? In this episode, I share some ideas on how to get the word out and create a sense of urgency to help you book those open dates.Listen to this new 9-minute episode for strategies on promoting your availability, offering incentives, and leveraging your network to fill those calendar gaps and keep your business thriving.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  Are you going to Wedding MBA? Use the promo code - Alan - to save $20 off your tickets, at www.WeddingMBA.com And don't worry, if you can't use your tickets this year, they're transferrable or you can hold them to use next year. 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

Will Hegarty - The origin of Wedding MBAAttending conferences can transform the way you approach your business. Are you leveraging conferences for unexpected benefits? Are you open to learning from different markets? In this episode, we delve into the incredible opportunities that conferences like the Wedding MBA offer for growth, networking, and staying current in an ever-evolving industry. Is it time you registered early and saved with a special coupon? Explore how industry leaders maintain their passion and adapt to changing trends, and discover how you can do the same.Listen to this new episode for insights on maximizing the value of attending conferences and the unique opportunities they present for burgeoning and established professionals alike.Will Hegarty is a seasoned entrepreneur and a pioneer in the wedding industry. With a degree in Business Management, Will founded seven businesses, including Rockford Fosgate Autosound, which went public. He began photographing weddings at 15 while still in high school, and his boss thought he was in college. Will has documented over 2,000 weddings and met his wife, Patti, at one of them. Last year, he collaborated with his daughter Shannon and granddaughter Paige to create a children’s theater musical, "All Dolled Up," writing the lyrics and music. Realizing the need for business education in the wedding industry, Will and Patti founded Wedding MBA, the Wedding Merchants Business Academy, in 2007, to help talented wedding professionals excel in the business side of their craft. Their motto is "The Business Side of the Wedding Business. To find out more about Wedding MBA visit www.WeddingMBA.com and use the coupon code – Alan – to save $20 off your tickets.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  Are you going to Wedding MBA? Use the promo code - Alan - to save $20 off your tickets, at www.WeddingMBA.com And don't worry, if you can't use your tickets this year, they're transferrable or you can hold them to use next year. 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

Learn to handle hard better!What challenges are you avoiding because they seem too difficult? Are there tasks you’re hesitant to start because they're tough? In this episode, I delve into the importance of embracing hard tasks and how mastering them can lead to personal and professional growth. I share insights inspired by Duke women's basketball coach Kara Lawson's powerful message about handling hard better.Listen to this new 6-minute episode for valuable lessons on pushing through challenges and achieving satisfaction from overcoming obstacles.Link to video: https://youtu.be/oDzfZOfNki4?si=FC8pCndMG2bYlchlIf 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  Are you going to Wedding MBA? Use the promo code - Alan - to save $20 off your tickets, at www.WeddingMBA.com And don't worry, if you can't use your tickets this year, they're transferrable or you can hold them to use next year. 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

Are you rejection proof?What does rejection really mean to you? Do you take it personally when a potential client says no? Are you holding yourself back from opportunities because you're afraid of hearing that dreaded word? In this episode, I delve into the insights from the book *Rejection Proof* by Zhi Zhang Jiajiang and discuss how shifting your perspective on rejection can transform not just your sales tactics, but your entire mindset.Listen to this new 7-minute episode for strategies on overcoming your fear of rejection and turning it into a powerful tool for success.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  Are you going to Wedding MBA? Use the promo code - Alan - to save $20 off your tickets, at www.WeddingMBA.com And don't worry, if you can't use your tickets this year, they're transferrable or you can hold them to use next year. 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