The Business of Luxury Weddings

The only podcast designed to help driven wedding professionals elevate your wedding business, travel to amazing locations, and double your revenue even if you don’t think this is possible…yet. Each week we talk to luxury wedding pros who have broken through & built a high-net-worth clientele. Together we share the strategies, success tips, and roadmap to follow. So you can build a lifestyle filled with powerful experiences, inspiring relationships, and long-lasting connections. ‌

Kimberley Curtin: The Quiet Power of Trust, Timing, and Unshakable Calm 01/08/2026

Kayley Watson: The Art of Connection, Culture, and Celebrations at Belmond 12/16/2025

Amrit Dhillon-Bains: On Belonging, Boundaries, and Becoming Who You Were Meant to Be 11/14/2025

Emily Coyne: The Power of Clear Standards, Quiet Confidence, and Luxury that Feels Personal 09/29/2025

Julian Leaver: Why Good Taste Isn’t Enough—It’s How You Make People Feel 07/22/2025

In the Margins: Strength Doesn't Need to Be Loud — with Michelle Rago 07/02/2025

Beth Helmstetter: Designing With Heart—Luxury Hospitality as a Love Language 06/16/2025

Chris Jespersen: Big Swings, Bold Moves & The Hidden Cost of Playing Small 06/02/2025

In the Margins: These Moments Aren’t for Us — With A Day in May 05/12/2025

In the Margins: These Moments Aren’t for Us — With A Day in May What if success in luxury wasn’t about being seen—but about helping others feel seen? In this intimate In the Margins episode, Alicia Fritz—founder of —pulls back the curtain on what it really means to serve at the highest level. From honoring generational legacy to staying grounded in the presence of extraordinary wealth, Alicia shares how her small-town values built a brand trusted by some of the world’s most private families. She reminds us: these moments aren’t for us. They’re for the families we serve—and the love they’re trying to preserve. If you’ve ever questioned whether kindness and integrity still belong in the luxury space, this is your answer. 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 follow 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 . /episode/index/show/36a44894-65a0-4fa9-bb85-2a1c4228fd1b/id/36528360

Dawson Mitchell: From Fired to Thriving – What It Takes to Become Undeniable 04/28/2025

Bryan Rafanelli: From Frat Parties to the White House—How Connection Built an Iconic Brand 03/31/2025

Natalie Denyse: Clients Don’t Buy Brands—They Buy Trust 03/17/2025

Preston Utley: Blurred Lines, Messy Love, and Finding the Soul of a Wedding 03/03/2025

Bash Please: Reinventing Weddings & Corporate Events—What Planners Need to Know 02/10/2025

John Dolan: The Perfect Imperfect—How 15 Frames Can Tell the Story of a Lifetime 01/27/2025

Katherine Gray: The Art of Anticipation, Authenticity and being Number Two. 01/13/2025

Estera Events: How Partnership and Passion Built a Global Wedding Brand 12/16/2024

Michelle Gainey: Authenticity, Resilience, and Breaking Barriers in Luxury Events 12/02/2024

Jose Villa: How Film Photography, Humility and Bold Choices Built an Icon in Luxury Weddings 11/19/2024

Downey Street Events: How Strong Relationships and Profit First Drive Success in Luxury Weddings 11/04/2024

Studio Sully: How Vendor Partnerships and Creative Vision Fuel Success in Luxury Weddings 10/21/2024

Colin Cowie: The Gold Standard — Lessons in Luxury, Culture, and the Pursuit of Excellence 10/07/2024

The Fourniers: Risk, Resilience, and the Road to Luxury Wedding Success 09/16/2024

Rosemary Hattenbach: Experience is Everything - Mastering the Art of Flawless Execution 09/02/2024

Diwan by Design: Keeping Time - Where Watches, Design and Weddings Converge 08/12/2024

42 North: Together We Shine - The Beauty of Partnership and a Collaborative Spirit 07/30/2024

42 North: Together We Shine - The Beauty of Partnership and a Collaborative Spirit On today’s episode, hosts James and Otto are joined by Britt and Francie from 42 North, a weddings and event planning business. While much of their clientele is in New England, they also plan destination weddings for clients in New York, Chicago, and LA. Britt and Francie share what a wedding planner does, comparing wedding planning to putting on a Broadway production with no rehearsals. They discuss building their venues and creating beautiful yet functional environments, such as mitigating dust with a water truck for a desert wedding. With a crew of up to 200 people and a multi-million-dollar budget, the stakes are high, and they must make big decisions and manage real emotions from clients who have spent over a year planning their special day. They discuss the skill set needed for making big decisions, recounting a recent wedding on tribal land in New Mexico. After 16 months of planning, a monsoon forced Britt to make a quick decision to change the reception location. They emphasize that just making a decision is better than not making one and highlight the importance of commitment and respect in their role as planners. Britt and Francie have been in business for 10 years, with evolving roles. Britt manages clients and vendors, while Francie runs Mavinhouse. They started working together without knowing each other and developed a business partnership based on trust and complementary skills. Francie had years of experience, while Britt brought a fresh perspective and an all-in mentality. Britt and Francie share their excitement for new ideas and the fulfillment of building a business together. Their motivation is not just about weddings but the joy of running a business and staying true to their values. They also stress genuine connections with vendors and coworkers, describing their team as a family that supports each other. In the service industry, stepping up to serve with gratitude is essential. They trust their partners and value the months of preparation leading to the wedding day. After each wedding, they review what worked well and what can be improved, bringing in team members with complementary skills. Before wrapping up, Britt and Francie share how they started a blog called “Caramel O’Clock,” where they write to each other once a week, reminiscing about their experiences. The blog, named after their office caramel breaks, reflects their fun and quirky dynamic. Timestamps: 0:30 - Introduction of guests, Britt and Francie from 42 North. 1:54 - What does a wedding planner do? 6:58 - What is the skill set for making those big decisions in the moment? 11:57 - How do you both work together? 17:09 - In the very beginning, what did you all see in each other? 25:35 - When one of you has an epiphany, does the other go with it or is there back and forth? 35:38 - How does it impact your job when you’re in a more tense vs a more inclusive environment? 45:58 - What are you doing to celebrate each other after 10 years? 49:03 - Thanks to Britt and Francie for joining us today Links: Learn more about 42 North, Mavinhouse, and Caramel O’Clock. /episode/index/show/36a44894-65a0-4fa9-bb85-2a1c4228fd1b/id/32347917

Alison Bryan Destinations: The Power of Vulnerability and Authenticity 07/22/2024

Alison Bryan Destinations: The Power of Vulnerability and Authenticity On today’s episode, hosts James and Otto are joined by Alison and Bryan from . The couple has an impressive portfolio, which includes work around the globe, including Morrocco, Spain, and Greece, Italy and Mexico, just to name a few. Many people use “experience” as a buzzword, but with Alison and Bryan, it is a fundamental part of their ethos. Kicking things off, Alison and Bryan share their business, which started 16 years ago in Seattle, moved through Michigan and California before going global. Alison explains that their passion for hospitality naturally evolved into a love for event planning, which wasn’t initially planned. The company typically works with around 50-60 guests, allowing them to manage every detail of the guest experience. Their events are more than just weddings; they are like extended vacations, often lasting four days to a week. Alison and Bryan emphasize the importance of finding the right fit with their clients and ensuring goals and values are aligned before agreeing to work with someone. The core of Alison and Bryan’s business is a client-centered approach. They aim to provide personalized service that makes every guest feel taken care of, regardless of their background. They believe true luxury means catering to everyone’s needs and ensuring all guests feel at home. Their clients, often philanthropists, appreciate the way their events focus on the guests’ experience. Our guests explain that mastering the craft goes beyond these fundamentals to understanding the language of luxury and, more importantly, focusing on how people feel. The true goal is to create an atmosphere that elicits a deep emotional response, which is more significant than the visual appeal alone. For affluent clients, where financial means are not an issue, the challenge is to offer something beyond material extravagance. The real value lies in authenticity and genuine connections. Another important aspect of event planning is building trust with clients, allowing them to relinquish control and fully enjoy their event. Alison and Bryan acknowledge the intense workload that comes with their commitment to excellence. The demanding nature of their projects requires long hours and dedication, often involving early mornings and extended days. This level of commitment underscores the importance of each project being special and meaningful. They also highlight the importance of having a cohesive team and happy, well-trained staff, especially for destination events. They stress the need for venues to provide exceptional service that reflects the character of the region. Before wrapping up Alison and Bryan explain that their business model always prioritizes quality over quantity. They turn down many potential clients to maintain their high standards and personal touch. This selective approach ensures they can provide exceptional service and stay true to their ethos. Don’t miss their advice for aspiring luxury event planners: success comes from choosing the right jobs that align with your business and recognizing one’s own talent. They also acknowledge past misconceptions about high-end clients and emphasize how many of their clients, including billionaires, are incredible people. Timestamps: 0:30 – Introduction of guests, Alison and Bryan. 1:21 – Allison and Bryan give an overview of their business, Alison and Bryan Destinations. 4:46 – The importance of finding the right clients. 9:29 – Connecting hospitality and philanthropy. 13:52 – Understanding client needs and experiences 26:03 – Being selective and embracing unique opportunities. 27:19 – The commitment to excellence. 34:27 – The importance of happy and well trained staff. 40:24 – Quality over quantity. 42:52 – Advice for other luxury event planners. 53:29 – Thanks to Alison and Bryan for joining us today. Guest Bio Established in 2008, Alison Bryan Destinations is an event planning, design and travel firm producing five and six-star weddings and elevated guest experiences globally. Their specialty: joyous, hospitality-centric multi-day celebrations that feel like a vacation; immersing guests in the most unique and remarkable of settings. Learn more about or say hi over on their /episode/index/show/36a44894-65a0-4fa9-bb85-2a1c4228fd1b/id/32244497

Erik Clausen: From Creativity to Content: The Power of Self-Reflection and Personal Growth 07/15/2024

Manda Worthington: How to Craft A Wedding Around Wellbeing and Happiness 07/08/2024

Brooke Keegan: It's a Party! But it's Still a Business 07/01/2024

Brooke Keegan: It's a Party! But it's Still a Business 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 . 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 and follow . /episode/index/show/36a44894-65a0-4fa9-bb85-2a1c4228fd1b/id/31875257

The Business of Luxury Weddings

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