Planner Life Podcast | A Podcast For Wedding Planners

The Planner Life Podcast, your go-to destination for all things wedding planning and business mastery. Hosted by Heather Hoesch Olsen, a highly experienced wedding planner, industry educator, and your professional friend in the world of weddings. Join Heather every week as she shares her wealth of knowledge and experience gained from over two decades in the wedding industry. With a passion for crafting unforgettable moments and a keen eye for detail, Heather's journey has taken her through every facet of wedding planning imaginable. From intimate gatherings to lavish affairs, from budget-conscious ceremonies to extravagant celebrations, Heather has seen it all. But her expertise extends far beyond just executing flawless events. Heather is on a mission to empower and inspire planners like you to reach new heights in your business. Through candid conversations, expert interviews, and actionable insights, the Planner Life Podcast is your compass for navigating the ever-evolving landscape of the wedding industry. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, tune in each week to learn, grow, and be inspired. Heather's unique blend of creativity, wisdom, and practical advice will leave you feeling confident and equipped to tackle any challenge that comes your way. So, if you're ready to elevate your skills, build a thriving business, and join a supportive community of like-minded professionals, then the Planner Life Podcast is your must-listen resource. Welcome to the Planner Life! Questions, comments or want to connect with Heather: Email: [email protected] IG: @plannerlifeacademy @plannerlifepodcast Website: plannerlifeacademy.com

041: Ask Me Anything with Heather & Karen 05/08/2024

041: Ask Me Anything with Heather & Karen On today’s episode, Heather & Karen from Blissfully Styled sit down to answer submitted questions from the Planner Life Community. A little bit about the guest co-host today- Karen Sieger owner of Blissfully Styled. Karen is a genuine empath and always game for a celebration. There's nothing Karen loves more than immersing herself in event planning and designing. She is an advocate for her couples, infusing positivity, creating elegant designs obsessing over the tiniest of details. Her mission is to create blissful planning and wedding day experience for her couples and vendor friends alike. These Ask Me Anything episodes are made possible by the community submissions. Where Heather and friends get to tackle your current challenges and your biggest questions. In this episode, they discuss: Karen's Journey: Karen reflects on how her upbringing shaped her personality, emphasizing her organizational skills and ability to stay calm under pressure. Discussion on Karen's transition from a successful corporate career to becoming a wedding planner, leveraging her management experience and love for event planning. Heather and Karen discuss Karen's vision for building a team and the evolution of her business model. Planner Life Podcast Community: Heather addresses the transition in Planner Life Podcast leadership and emphasizes the importance of community and diverse perspectives. Heather confirms that she continues to plan weddings alongside managing Planner Life Academy, ensuring she stays connected to the industry's constant evolution. Upcoming Workshops and Events: Discussion on Heather's shift in perspective amidst the uncertainties of recent years, embracing optimism and focusing on the present moment. Your Questions Answered: Tips on networking, including introducing acquaintances to facilitate new connections and selflessly helping others. Butterfly and Dove Releases, highlighting their complexity and potential downsides and discussion of what is needed for a successful release. Coordinating Table Mock-ups, considering factors like investment level, rental company involvement, and venue accessibility. Holding Couples Accountable the challenge of keeping couples on track with wedding tasks, offering strategies like setting false deadlines and providing clear explanations for the importance of timely completion. Client Screening, the importance of screening couples during consultation process Adaptation, ensuring that you are tailoring processes to suit couples' needs and working styles RSVP Management and Design Mockup software - Aisle Planner, Canva & Merri Feedback Post Event, client interviews for feedback and seeking feedback from venues and vendors to improve services Should you post your pricing?! Advertising and Marketing, the role of advertising in supporting business General Tips and Insights Thank you to all the planners who submitted questions! Be sure to submit your questions for our next Ask Me Anything Episode! Ready to sign up for Aisle Planner? Use Code PLANNERLIFE Ready to sign up for Merri? Want to learn more from Heather & Planner Life Academy? Be sure to grab your free rehearsal recording so you can master rehearsals this season. /episode/index/show/plannerlifepodcast/id/31112768

040: Steven Greitzer of Provenance 05/01/2024

040: Steven Greitzer of Provenance On today's episode, Heather Hoesch Olsen, interviews Steven Greitzer, who is the founder and CEO of Provenance. After officiating weddings for years and feeling frustrated and shocked by the lack of resources for couples and their first time officiants, he founded Provenance in 2021 to modernize ceremony design. Today, tens of thousands of wedding planners, couples, officiants, bridal party, and other toast givers used Provenance's suite of tools to craft meaningful and personalized wedding ceremony scripts, vows, and toasts for modern day weddings. In this episode, they talk about Stephen's entrepreneurial journey, his experience in tech, and how a wild ride at one tech company led him to rethink his vision and his future. You'll hear how much Heather loves the Providence tools and how you can use them to provide additional value for your clients and ensure every part of their wedding is well planned. In this episode, hear more about: Stephen Greitzer, founder of Providence, shares his journey from working in the technology industry to starting his own company. He discusses his experience at Quibi and the challenges they faced. He then explains how he became an officiant for weddings and the lack of resources available for creating personalized ceremonies. This led him to start Providence, a platform that helps couples and officiants create unique and authentic wedding ceremonies. The platform also caters to other stakeholders involved in weddings, such as fathers of the bride, maids of honor, and wedding planners. Provenance provides tools for wedding planners to create personalized and impressive ceremonies, vows, and toasts. The tools include a ceremony builder, vow builder, toast builder, welcome toast builder, and thank you note builder. These tools help wedding planners de-risk potential chaos during weddings and ensure that every element of the wedding weekend is of high quality. Provenance has received endorsements from celebrity wedding planner Mindy Weiss and has a collaborative approach to the wedding industry. The company prioritizes customer service and solving real problems for couples and wedding planners. Connect with Provenance: | Listeners can get 20% off our subscription to help clients write personalized and impressive ceremonies, vows, and toasts with code PLA20. /episode/index/show/plannerlifepodcast/id/31053128

039: Jeannie Savage of Details Details 04/24/2024

038: Shannon Pruitt of Sunday Muse Design 04/17/2024

037: My Wild Wedding Story 04/10/2024

036: Nora Sheils of Bridal Bliss & Rock Paper Coin 04/03/2024

035: Welcome to the Next Chapter 04/03/2024

Welcome Back to The Planner Life! 03/27/2024

034: Real Planner: Renee Dalo of Moxie Bright Events 08/10/2021

034: Real Planner: Renee Dalo of Moxie Bright Events Hey planners! In this episode, Heather is joined by Renee Dalo of Moxie Bright Events and the Talk with Renee Dalo Podcast. Renee shares her perspective of falling into the wedding industry and her first memories as a wedding planner. She talks about the importance of networking and even how rejection helped her career as a wedding planner. You’ll hear about why you should get more involved in the industry as a planner, how she got into leadership positions within the industry and the major turning point that led her to shift her business model and charge more for her services. What’s in this episode: Renee’s childhood and how that shaped her into who she is today How she got into the wedding planning industry after her own wedding Her process of starting her business How her mentor helped her with her business name Her first “real wedding” client experience The biggest hurdles she had in her early years of business How rejection aided her career How an in person workshop changed everything Her approach to the industry & networking The turning point where she shifted her business model Her involvement in the wedding industry How she got into leadership positions in the wedding industry This episode of the Planner Life Podcast is brought to you by Your Legal BFF. One important part of your wedding planning business is having professionally drafted contracts that protect you and your business while helping clients feel secure about investing in you. Going to a lawyer can be intimidating and expensive, that’s why we’re proud partners of Your Legal BFF, your go-to legal bestie. They offer customizable contract templates specifically for the wedding industry. Head to and use the code: Plannerlife to save 15% off your choice of select templates. For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript head to Can’t wait to hear more? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you can be the first to know when we release a new episode! Get to know us even more by following along with us on Instagram . Ready to uplevel your wedding planning business? We have so many resources and goodies available for you at . /episode/index/show/plannerlifepodcast/id/20089445

033: Real Expert: Tayler Cusick Hollman of Sourced Co. 07/20/2021

033: Real Expert: Tayler Cusick Hollman of Sourced Co. Hey planners! Are you ready to elevate your marketing and start speaking to your ideal client? You’re in luck! In this episode, we’re joined by expert marketer and co-founder of Sourced Co., Tayler Cusick Hollman. Sourced Co. is a stock photography membership service that helps wedding professionals marketing their businesses. Tayler shares how she got into this field, her tips for marketing your wedding planning business to your ideal client and tips for leveraging reviews, humanizing your content and so much more! What’s in this episode: How Taylor landed in the wedding industry Why marketing in the wedding industry is unique How to create content that speaks to your ideal client Why humanizing your content is important How to get over the “awkward teenage phase” of your business Why you need to set aside a marketing budget For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript head to Today’s sponsor for the Planner Life Podcast is Honeybook. Honeybook and LVL go way back, and that’s because we were one of their first beta users. Honeybook is an online business management tool that organizes client communication, bookings, contracts, invoices and so much more - all in one place. They’re offering listeners of the Planner Life Podcast 50% off your first year. That’s a savings of $200 when you visit . Membership options are flexible and this promotion applies whether you pay monthly or annually so simplify your to-do list and stay in control with Honeybook. Can’t wait to hear more? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you can be the first to know when we release a new episode! Get to know us even more by following along with us on Instagram @ and @. We’d love for you to visit us online on our . Ready to uplevel your wedding planning business? We have so many resources and goodies available for you at . /episode/index/show/plannerlifepodcast/id/19860650

032: Real Expert: Sobrina Pies of Flodesk 06/08/2021

032: Real Expert: Sobrina Pies of Flodesk Hey planners! I’m sure you know that you should have an email marketing strategy but you might be unsure of what you should be sending, how to go about creating a strategy, the list goes on. In this episode, we brought on the Head of Marketing at Flodesk, Sobrina Pies. Sobrina gives insight into why email marketing is an important tool for wedding planners, how you can use it for your wedding planning business along with tips for creating community through emails. What’s in this episode: How Sobrina ended up working at Flodesk What Flodesk does for small business owners and creative entrepreneurs Why email marketing is essential for businesses How wedding planners can leverage email marketing Why you should focus on email marketing just as much as social media How engagement levels and reach differ in email marketing vs. social Her 2 tips for creating a community through email marketing How to create an email marketing strategy Why you should pay attention to the aesthetics of your emails (and how they make it easy) All about Flodesk University For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript head to This episode of the Planner Life Podcast is brought to you by Your Legal BFF. One important part of your wedding planning business is having professionally drafted contracts that protect you and your business while helping clients feel secure about investing in you. Going to a lawyer can be intimidating and expensive, that’s why we’re proud partners of Your Legal BFF, your go-to legal bestie. They offer customizable contract templates specifically for the wedding industry. Head to and use the code: Plannerlife to save 15% off your choice of select templates. Can’t wait to hear more? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you can be the first to know when we release a new episode! Get to know us even more by following along with us on Instagram @ and @. We’d love for you to visit us online on our . Ready to uplevel your wedding planning business? We have so many resources and goodies available for you at : https://plannerlifeacademy.com/ /episode/index/show/plannerlifepodcast/id/19390775

031: Real Talk: Get to Know Us Better 05/25/2021

030: Real Planner: Valarie Falvey of Kirkbrides Wedding Planning & Design 05/11/2021

030: Real Planner: Valarie Falvey of Kirkbrides Wedding Planning & Design Hey planners! Dreaming about scaling your wedding planning business? It can be difficult to even consider this option when it’s just you doing all of the things but in this episode, we talked to someone who's done just that. Valarie Falvey is the founder of Kirkbrides, a wedding planning and design company based out of Ohio. She shares what she did to start scaling her team and how she’s grown it to 6 planners and over 35 team members. We also chat about how she got into entrepreneurship, why she doesn’t focus on planning anymore and what processes she’s set up to help clients have a great experience with her company. What’s in this episode: What Valarie was like growing up and her journey to entrepreneurship How her internship prepared her for her business What it means to her to be a Kirksbride wedding planner How she learned to work on her business instead of in it Why she stepped away from planning and moved into a different area of her business How she’s scaled her business Hurdles and challenges that wedding planners face What they include in their planning packet What services they offer for clients Her advice for someone who wants to scale their wedding planning business This episode of the Planner Life Podcast is brought to you by Your Legal BFF. One important part of your wedding planning business is having professionally drafted contracts that protect you and your business while helping clients feel secure about investing in you. Going to a lawyer can be intimidating and expensive, that’s why we’re proud partners of Your Legal BFF, your go-to legal bestie. They offer customizable contract templates specifically for the wedding industry. Head to and use the code: Plannerlife to save 15% off your choice of select templates. For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript head to Can’t wait to hear more? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you can be the first to know when we release a new episode! Get to know us even more by following along with us on Instagram @ and @. We’d love for you to visit us online on our . Ready to uplevel your wedding planning business? We have so many resources and goodies available for you at : https://plannerlifeacademy.com/ /episode/index/show/plannerlifepodcast/id/19049432

029: Real Planner and Real Expert: Lea Stafford of Lea Stafford Events and Ethos West Collective 04/20/2021

029: Real Planner and Real Expert: Lea Stafford of Lea Stafford Events and Ethos West Collective Hey planners! We have a very special guest on the show who is actually both a real planner and a real expert in the wedding industry. In this episode, you’ll hear about Lea Stafford of Lea Stafford Events and Ethos West Collective. Lea started her journey in the wedding industry after working for a luxury catering company. She shares her journey of starting a business, what her experience has been like as a Black woman in the wedding industry and as a Black-owned business. What’s in this episode: Her journey into the hospitality industry and how she got into weddings The biggest surprise she had from starting her own business Her experience as a Black woman in the wedding industry Lea’s thoughts on being a Black-owned business How she learned to be authentically her The mission behind the Ethos West Collective (EWC) For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript head to Today’s sponsor for the Planner Life Podcast is Honeybook. Honeybook and LVL go way back, and that’s because we were one of their first beta users. Honeybook is an online business management tool that organizes client communication, bookings, contracts, invoices and so much more - all in one place. They’re offering listeners of the Planner Life Podcast 50% off your first year. That’s a savings of $200 when you visit . Membership options are flexible and this promotion applies whether you pay monthly or annually so simplify your to-do list and stay in control with Honeybook. Can’t wait to hear more? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you can be the first to know when we release a new episode! Get to know us even more by following along with us on Instagram @ and @. We’d love for you to visit us online on our . Ready to uplevel your wedding planning business? We have so many resources and goodies available for you at : https://plannerlifeacademy.com/ /episode/index/show/plannerlifepodcast/id/18779789

028: Real Talk: Never Stop Learning 04/06/2021

027: Real Expert: Lisa Anhaiser of LBL Event Rentals 03/23/2021

026: Real Talk: Revamping Your Lists After COVID 03/09/2021

025: Real Expert: Kinsey Roberts of the She Creates Business Podcast and Co-Owner of Aspen Heights 02/23/2021

024: Real Expert: Cindy Novotny of Master Connection Associates 02/09/2021

024: Real Expert: Cindy Novotny of Master Connection Associates Hey planners! If you're anything like us then the beginning of the year is when you typically have a freakout moment about needing to book some weddings! After a short moment, we collectively pull it together and remember the advice we’ve gotten from sales expert, Cindy Novotny. Cindy has been branded the radical mentor by thousands of executives around the world. In this episode, she dives into the truth about being a master at sales as a business owner in the wedding industry. She gives her straightforward, no-nonsense advice on how to build a continuous referral stream and become a better salesperson! What’s in this episode: Cindy’s backstory of how she got to where she is in her business The biggest mistake that wedding entrepreneurs make in sales How sales are different in the wedding industry versus other industries Her suggestions on getting continuous referrals from a past client What you need to become a better salesperson Why you should use “we” wording to clients and be intentional about communications How to avoid looking like a pushy salesperson Connect with Cindy: | | This episode of the Planner Life Podcast is brought to you by Your Legal BFF. One important part of your wedding planning business is having professionally drafted contracts that protect you and your business while helping clients feel secure about investing in you. Going to a lawyer can be intimidating and expensive, that’s why we’re proud partners of Your Legal BFF, your go-to legal bestie. They offer customizable contract templates specifically for the wedding industry. Head to and use the code: Plannerlife to save 15% off your choice of select templates. Can’t wait to hear more? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you can be the first to know when we release a new episode! Get to know us even more by following along with us on Instagram @ and @. We’d love for you to visit us online on our . Ready to uplevel your wedding planning business? We have so many resources and goodies available for you at . /episode/index/show/plannerlifepodcast/id/17869385

023: Real Planner: Andrea Freeman of Andrea Freeman Events 01/26/2021

023: Real Planner: Andrea Freeman of Andrea Freeman Events Hey planners! Do you ever struggle with your mindset? We’ve all been there and getting out of that isn’t always the easiest. That’s why in this episode we had on Andrea Freeman. Andrea is a mindful business coach and peak performance planner along with a wedding planner! She’s worn many hats in her life and knows herself what it’s like to run a wedding planning business. In this episode we talk about mindset growth, taking time for yourself and aligning your business to the life you want. What’s in this episode: How Andrea got bit by the entrepreneurial bug The quarter-life crisis she had after her first teaching job Her experience as an event planner and starting her first business How she took control over her health Her journey of going to culinary school and starting her catering company Why she took a job in leadership development How she ended up starting a wedding planning company Her realization that she couldn’t be everything to everybody Her business realignment journey The starting point for mindset growth Why you need to slow down to hear answers Why you need to take time for yourself About Andrea:I’m Andrea and I believe that transforming your life is the access to transforming your business. As a mindful business coach and peak performance planner, I work with creative entrepreneurs to support them in their evolution. I operate from the foundational principle that businesses develop alongside the individuals who run them. Meaning the higher your consciousness the greater the impact you make in the world. It’s my personal joy to work with business owners to help them align with who they are at their core - with their unique personal gifts and unstoppable power. I started my first business when I was 12, second business at 26, and third business at 31. Professionally trained as an educator and leadership development coach I honed my entrepreneurial skills and scaled my celebrity event planning business to multiple six-figures in annual revenue. Now I’m on a mission to help service-based business owners realign with their purpose, create greater financial freedom, fulfillment, and make a difference in the world. I have worked with clients in the events, holistic lifestyle, tech, and fashion industries to integrate mindset techniques, refine their business models, and scale quickly. Clarity of purpose, increased revenue and sustainable, soulful success are just a few of the benefits my clients experience. Connect with Andrea: | | Andrea’s Facebook Group: Today’s sponsor for the Planner Life Podcast is Honeybook. Honeybook and LVL go way back, and that’s because we were one of their first beta users. Honeybook is an online business management tool that organizes client communication, bookings, contracts, invoices and so much more - all in one place. They’re offering listeners of the Planner Life Podcast 50% off your first year. That’s a savings of $200 when you visit . Membership options are flexible and this promotion applies whether you pay monthly or annually so simplify your to-do list and stay in control with Honeybook. Can’t wait to hear more? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you can be the first to know when we release a new episode! Get to know us even more by following along with us on Instagram @ and @. We’d love for you to visit us online on our . Ready to uplevel your wedding planning business? We have so many resources and goodies available for you at . /episode/index/show/plannerlifepodcast/id/17682218

022: Real Talk: Happy New Year 01/12/2021

021: Real Planner: Candice Sanders of Engaged Events 12/29/2020

021: Real Planner: Candice Sanders of Engaged Events Hey planners! I am excited to share this conversation with Candice Sanders, one of the most respected and sought-after wedding planners in Orange County, CA. We constantly get asked the question, “What can I do to get experience in the wedding industry?” Well, Candice will share her journey of how she did just that along with her journey from her corporate wedding and events career to starting her own business in the industry. She shares how she’s built her team, the services she offers her clients and how she sets herself apart through an amazing offboarding experience with her clients. What’s in this episode: What Candice was like growing up How her first job in the restaurant industry gave her the passion for event management How she got her first job in the wedding industry Her experience working at a hotel doing weddings Why she decided to get sales experience Her journey of transitioning from her job to starting her business Why she’s so passionate about relationship building What to look for when hiring an associate Her rebrand to Engaged Events Her process of shiting how she runs her business What services she offers her clients Candice’s offboarding process About Candice : With over 18 years of experience and 600 weddings behind her, the leader of the Engaged team is a true event professional. With a passion for weddings, and a genuine personality, Candice joins her clients along their planning journey and quickly becomes not only a hired vendor, but a friend. Knowing each wedding is unique and each client's vision is original, Candice uses strong communication, honest feedback, organization, and creative suggestions to guide her clients along their planning journey. She is an active member of the wedding community, a master multi-tasker, and a passionate business owner. Candice's first job was at a restaurant where she fell in love with the fast-paced environment and the large private celebrations. While pursuing a public relations degree, she began working as an assistant for one of Orange County's top wedding planners and found her true calling. After college, Candice secured a full-time wedding position at The Newport Beach Marriott Hotel. She served as a Wedding Event Manager and a Senior Catering Sales Executive for more than six years, mastering skills in both sales and service. Always wanting to be an entrepreneur, she resigned from Marriott and launched Engaged Events in 2011. Candice takes a limited number of events each season, focusing on quality service for her clients. She is proud of the mark she has made in the lives of hundreds of couples, and year after year, her passion for the industry continues to grow. Candice is married to Brian and has two children, Brooke and Austin. She loves the beach, Disneyland, a day at the spa, and an awesome concert. Hawaii is her happy place, the Angels are her team, and churros are her favorite treat. Connect with Candice and Engaged Events: | | | This episode of the Planner Life Podcast is brought to you by Your Legal BFF. One important part of your wedding planning business is having professionally drafted contracts that protect you and your business while helping clients feel secure about investing in you. Going to a lawyer can be intimidating and expensive, that’s why we’re proud partners of Your Legal BFF, your go-to legal bestie. They offer customizable contract templates specifically for the wedding industry. Head to and use the code: Plannerlife to save 15% off your choice of select templates. Can’t wait to hear more? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you can be the first to know when we release a new episode! Get to know us even more by following along with us on Instagram @ and @. We’d love for you to visit us online on our . Ready to uplevel your wedding planning business? We have so many resources and goodies available for you at . /episode/index/show/plannerlifepodcast/id/17350865

020: Real Expert: Megan Robinson of One Hope Wines 12/22/2020

020: Real Expert: Megan Robinson of One Hope Wines Hey planners! In the spirit of giving this holiday season, we wanted to shed some light on one of our favorite companies, One Hope Wines, a company that brings Napa Valley to your doorstep. I came across One Hope Wines when LVL was in its infant stages and I was so impressed not only with their commitment to high-quality wines but their commitment to the amazing causes they support. That’s why I had on Megan Robinson. In this episode, Megan shares how she got involved with the company and her experience of helping them get more involved in the wedding industry. You’ll hear how you can get involved with One Hope Wines and how they decide on the non-profit organizations they give back to. What’s in this episode: Why Megan’s husband founded One Hope Wines How she got involved with the business The transition of their company getting more involved in the wedding industry How they vet non-profit partners How couples can choose non-profits they want to give back to What they do to constantly improve their client experience How planners can get involved and sell wines for a cause What’s happening right now for One Hope Wines Connect with Megan: | Today’s sponsor for the Planner Life Podcast is Honeybook. Honeybook and LVL go way back, and that’s because we were one of their first beta users. Honeybook is an online business management tool that organizes client communication, bookings, contracts, invoices and so much more - all in one place. They’re offering listeners of the Planner Life Podcast 50% off your first year. That’s a savings of $200 when you visit . Membership options are flexible and this promotion applies whether you pay monthly or annually so simplify your to-do list and stay in control with Honeybook. Can’t wait to hear more? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you can be the first to know when we release a new episode! Get to know us even more by following along with us on Instagram @ and @. We’d love for you to visit us online on our /episode/index/show/plannerlifepodcast/id/17240672

019: Real Experts: Photographers Joel Serrato and Jose Villa 12/08/2020

019: Real Experts: Photographers Joel Serrato and Jose Villa Hey planners! We have quite the episode lined up for you with two of the best wedding photographers in the business, Joel Serrato and Jose Villa. In this episode, you’ll get a behind the scenes look at how these two started working together and their experience of shooting high profile celebrity weddings. These two have so much valuable insight into the industry and I just loved how they each shared their perspectives on the episode today around saying “yes” to clients, being a part of a vendor team, making sure the day-of timeline flows smoothly and more! What’s in this episode: How Joel and Jose got into the wedding industry Joel’s first wedding client and how he got into weddings with the help of Jose Their process of working together for weddings How they got to where they are in their businesses Their experience in shooting high profile weddings How mastering a specific skill can set you apart Why Jose believes in always saying “yes” to requests What they look for when working with wedding planners Their advice about being a team player as a vendor Tips for ensuring the day-of timeline goes smoothly About Joel:Joel Serrato’s artistry in wedding photography is built upon a strong foundation of capturing pure moments of emotion, innocence, laughter and love. This gorgeous tapestry called life grows with each couple’s journey, which he captures exquisitely on film, time and again. Specializing in huge, complex weddings—“the bigger the better”—and seeking clients who are crazy in love and aren’t afraid to cry, the Harper’s Bazaar published photographer’s nuptials of note include Pat Benatar, Tamera Mowry, Elle Fowler and Adam Housley, to name just a few. “I give my all to my clients. When I’m shooting your wedding, I’m in one thousand percent.” Connect with Joel: | About Jose:People often ask me how I developed my style, and how I create images that stand out in today’s highly competitive wedding market. Well, I am a fine art wedding photographer. My approach applies fine art photography to the living, breathing, fast-moving phenomenon that is a wedding. For me, it is all about making something beautiful. Ultimately, my goal is to craft vibrant, energetic, fine art images that are as unique as the people in the photographs. I’m humbled to say that I have been published in many magazines around the world including, Martha Stewart Weddings,Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Vogue Italia, Vogue Mexico, Vogue Bride Australia, Vogue Bride Japan, Geraldine Magazine, C Weddings, Flutter, The Knot, Instyle Weddings, Inside Weddings, BRIDES, Pacific Weddings, Cosmo Bride, PDN, American Photo, and many more around the world. Named one the the top Wedding Photographers by Martha Stewart Weddings, Harpers Bazaar, Style Me Pretty, and Vogue; one of the top 10 wedding photographers in the world by American Photo Magazine, and one of the most influential photographers of our decade by PDN. Connect with Jose: | This episode of the Planner Life Podcast is brought to you by Your Legal BFF. One important part of your wedding planning business is having professionally drafted contracts that protect you and your business while helping clients feel secure about investing in you. Going to a lawyer can be intimidating and expensive, that’s why we’re proud partners of Your Legal BFF, your go-to legal bestie. They offer customizable contract templates specifically for the wedding industry. Head to and use the code: Plannerlife to save 15% off your choice of select templates. Links mentioned: Can’t wait to hear more? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you can be the first to know when we release a new episode! Get to know us even more by following along with us on Instagram @ and @. We’d love for you to visit us online on our . Ready to uplevel your wedding planning business? We have so many resources and goodies available for you at . /episode/index/show/plannerlifepodcast/id/17100518

018: Real Planner: Jenni Thye of Imoni Events 11/24/2020

018: Real Planner: Jenni Thye of Imoni Events Hey planners! Today I am talking to Arizona based wedding planner, Jennifer Thye. Jenni started her career in the wedding industry after needing a change from her job as a teacher. In this episode, we talk about how she fell into wedding planning and some of the mindset shifts she had to make when starting out. She shares some big takeaways on setting your prices and knowing your numbers. Jennifer gives insight into how she ended up hiring a former client and why she eventually brought her on as a business partner. You’ll hear tips on making your financial goals, her advice for starting out in this industry and so much more! What’s in this episode: How Jenni decided she wanted to leave her career as a teacher What led her to the decision to become a wedding planner Mindset shifts she had to overcome when starting out The learning process of selling herself and planning services to clients How she decided to bring on a business partner and the process she went through The positives and drawbacks of partnerships What Jenni does to make sure her business remains profitable Pivotal conversations with a past client and a competitor that led her to change her pricing and structure How they determine if they’re hitting their financial goals Her advice for figuring out your business finances Their busiest time of the year for their business Her advice for someone just starting out About Jenni:Jenni is known not only for her high-touch, interactive customer service and her wedding design expertise but also for being incredibly down-to-earth. Grab a cup of coffee and pull up a chair, Jenni is happy to sit and chat - just like you’ve been friends forever. This proud Arizona native earned both a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree at local Arizona universities. She enjoys traveling and sharing her wealth of event planning knowledge at conventions and other events throughout the country. When Jenni isn’t working, she looks forward to playing with her kids, reading historical fiction, or even cozying up on the couch for a movie on those rare rainy Arizona days. Connect with Jenni and Imoni Events: | | | Today’s episode of the Planner Life Podcast is brought to you by SourcedCo. You wear a lot of hats as a wedding planner. When it comes to building your business, sometimes you have to choose between helping your couples and marketing your business. The ladies at SourcedCo help so you don’t have to make that decision. Each month they design, style and shoot a new gallery of images and videos you need to step up your marketing in less time. Head to to learn more about their stock photos. Use code: Plannerlife for 15% off your purchase in the shop or your first three months of your subscription. Can’t wait to hear more? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you can be the first to know when we release a new episode! Get to know us even more by following along with us on Instagram @ and @. We’d love for you to visit us online on our . Ready to uplevel your wedding planning business? We have so many resources and goodies available for you at . /episode/index/show/plannerlifepodcast/id/16908041

017: Real Expert: Why It Takes Drive and a Little Luck to Build a Business with Janelle Thomson 11/10/2020

017: Real Expert: Why It Takes Drive and a Little Luck to Build a Business with Janelle Thomson Hey planners! If you’ve been looking for a little inspiration for building your business then you’re in for a treat! This episode is jam-packed with great advice from florist and educator for creative entrepreneurs, Janelle Thomson. Janelle dives into how she got her start in the wedding industry and how she started Lavenders Floral after someone took a chance on her and gave her a big opportunity to take over their existing floral business. In this episode, she talks about that journey and how she went from being a yes woman to learning when she should say “no”. She shares so much wisdom on collaborating with other industry professionals, knowing your numbers and what specific things in her business helped to drive her business to success. What’s in this episode: How Janelle got into the wedding industry How her study abroad experience brought her more clarity on her life The opportunity she got to start her own business Janelle’s transition to becoming a business owner The aha-moment that taught her to say “no” Her thoughts on making the time and effort to figure out solutions to problems Her experience with collaborative styled shoots How knowing your numbers is essential for your business Specific things she did that she attributes to her success What brought her to the point of hiring a financial advisor Why they’re launching a sister company for their floral company What’s coming next for her business About Janelle:Janelle Nicole Thomson is a California-based florist and educator for creative entrepreneurs. She is highly sought after for her creative direction and is widely published for her thoughtful and transformative wedding installations, editorials and focused work-ethic. Working in tandem with her luxury textile company, Tono + co., her work has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides, Style Me Pretty, Magnolia Rouge Magazine and Utterly Engaged Magazine. Connect with Janelle: | | | | | Links: Today’s sponsor for the Planner Life Podcast is Honeybook. Honeybook and LVL go way back, and that’s because we were one of their first beta users. Honeybook is an online business management tool that organizes client communication, bookings, contracts, invoices and so much more - all in one place. They’re offering listeners of the Planner Life Podcast 50% off your first year. That’s a savings of $200 when you visit . Membership options are flexible and this promotion applies whether you pay monthly or annually so simplify your to-do list and stay in control with Honeybook. Can’t wait to hear more? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you can be the first to know when we release a new episode! Get to know us even more by following along with us on Instagram @ and @. We’d love for you to visit us online on our . Ready to uplevel your wedding planning business? We have so many resources and goodies available for you at . /episode/index/show/plannerlifepodcast/id/16746821

016: Real Planner: Margaux Fraise of Harmony Creative Studios 10/27/2020

016: Real Planner: Margaux Fraise of Harmony Creative Studios Hey planners! Today I have brought on award-winning boutique wedding planner, Margaux Fraise of Harmony Creative Studios. Margaux is based in Los Angeles and has a really interesting story of overcoming a huge challenge. A few years into her business, she was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. She tells us about what it was like going through this and the biggest lessons she learned while navigating through it. We talk about the importance of community, getting your legal contracts in order and why you need to set up processes for your business if you want to grow. What’s in this episode: How Margaux got into wedding planning Margaux’s experience with being diagnosed with cancer and how this affected her personally and professionally How she pushed through a challenging time What she learned from going through cancer Why you need a solid community What made her gravitate toward weddings Why you need to have a properly drafted contract The backend processes she’s set up in her business About Margaux:Hi there! I'm Margaux, and I started Harmony Creative Studio in 2011. Couples are always telling me how calm yet 'in charge' I seem on wedding days - and that is music to this Type 'A' personality! If there is one word that I love above any other - it's 'Harmony', so I went ahead and put it right in our name. I really think Gandhi had it right when he said "Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony." We strive for that everyday. Truth be told - I wasn't always a wedding planner. Working from a retail consulting background gives me a unique perspective on events: I know how people instinctively tend to move through spaces, and how they respond to different signs or prompts. I'm more aware of how guests interact with objects or touch and feel things, or why people respond to different textures and textiles. I've studied how language, colors and even shapes affect how people perceive design and value. I use all these tools plus my 10 years in the wedding industry to help build our events to be the best possible version of whatever you have in mind. I live in Santa Monica with my husband Chad and adorable terrier mix Clarence. I'm a SoCal girl born and raised, having lived just about everywhere from Santa Barbara to Temecula. Connect with Margaux: | | | Today’s sponsor for the Planner Life Podcast is Honeybook. Honeybook and LVL go way back, and that’s because we were one of their first beta users. Honeybook is an online business management tool that organizes client communication, bookings, contracts, invoices and so much more - all in one place. They’re offering listeners of the Planner Life Podcast 50% off your first year. That’s a savings of $200 when you visit . Membership options are flexible and this promotion applies whether you pay monthly or annually so simplify your to-do list and stay in control with Honeybook. Links mentioned: Can’t wait to hear more? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you can be the first to know when we release a new episode! Get to know us even more by following along with us on Instagram @ and @. We’d love for you to visit us online on our . Ready to uplevel your wedding planning business? We have so many resources and goodies available for you at . /episode/index/show/plannerlifepodcast/id/16547045

015: Real Talk: Why Starting Is Easy But Succeeding Is Hard 10/13/2020

014: Real Talk: Insight on Our Workshop 10/01/2020

013: Real Talk: Destination Weddings 09/08/2020

013: Real Talk: Destination Weddings Hey planners! Have you been dreaming about breaking into the destination wedding market? You’re in luck! Today we had a conversation about what it’s really like to be a destination wedding planner. We had a discussion about Linsday’s experience starting out as a destination wedding planner and she shared a lot of great tips for getting started in a new area. We discussed the first steps you should take when trying to get into a new market, why pricing sometimes varies on a case by case basis and advice for maintaining your presence in a destination market. What’s in this episode: What Linday’s travel experiences were prior to doing destination weddings Her experience in her business before opening up to a new destination market What led her and her family to move to Hawaii The first steps you should take if you want to get started in a new destination Why you have to learn the politics of new destinations How destination weddings are like starting over again with building your portfolio The differences in charging percentage vs. flat rate Why pricing is sometimes a case by case basis Her advice for planners on maintaining their destination market Why you need to do your homework and make connections with local vendors How you can guide your clients to get the vendors they want while limiting travel fees Today’s episode of the Planner Life Podcast is brought to you by SourcedCo. You wear a lot of hats as a wedding planner. When it comes to building your business, sometimes you have to choose between helping your couples and marketing your business. The ladies at SourcedCo help so you don’t have to make that decision. Each month they design, style and shoot a new gallery of images and videos you need to step up your marketing in less time. Head to to learn more about their stock photos. Use code: Plannerlife for 15% off your purchase in the shop or your first three months of your subscription. Can’t wait to hear more? Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform so you can be the first to know when we release a new episode! Get to know us even more by following along with us on Instagram @ and @. We’d love for you to visit us online on our . Ready to uplevel your wedding planning business? We have so many resources and goodies available for you at . /episode/index/show/plannerlifepodcast/id/15915929

Planner Life Podcast | A Podcast For Wedding Planners

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