Wedding MBA Podcast

Don Mamone, who owns a photography studio in Dallas. Photographers often undercharge for their services and struggle to set appropriate prices. They can calculate hourly rates by factoring in all hours spent on a wedding beyond the day itself, including consultations, collection creation, and post-production work. Pricing integrity: don't lower rates based on referral sources; encourage photographers to focus on their value proposition rather than competing on price. Advised photographers to shift from asking about budgets to asking how important photography is to the couple. Don's website sheddingthewedding.com provides resources for photographers looking to diversify and increase their revenue.

Terrica, TerricaInc.com. Three strategies for wedding professionals to generate leads and income. "Evening with the Experts," an intimate event where vendors can connect with engaged couples. How to curate the event, the importance of strategic follow-up, and the value of building a strong network for referrals. She will also cover two other strategies: venue tours and vendor matchmaking. The benefits of collaboration and the importance of creating personal connections with potential clients. @introducingterrica and TerricaInc.com.

Broc Barton, BrocBarton.com." The wedding industry is evolving because Gen Z couples prefer direct communication and pre-decided information. Emphasized the importance of providing detailed information online to pre-qualify clients and explained that value should be communicated in terms of client benefits, not internal costs. Recommended better collaboration with other wedding vendors and the book "They Ask, You Answer" by Marcus Sheridan. Hello@BrocBarton.com.

Nayri, LovellaBridal.com. Converting leads from Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts. Nayri emphasized the importance of using business accounts over creator accounts to avoid being shadow-banned, and discussed how personal content showing specific products has generated more buzz than generic transition videos. Create behind-the-scenes content to build trust with potential clients, and share experiences from industry conferences like Wedding MBA to demonstrate expertise and build social proof. @lovellabridal, @lovellaplus, @weddingfashionexpert.

Jen Sulak, WeirdoWeddings.com. Helping wedding industry professionals identify and communicate with their niche markets. The importance of speaking directly to specific client groups. Jen shared that she uses Instagram and TikTok and how she tailors content for each platform. Opus Clips for editing video content. Reintroducing oneself to the broader audience and the benefit of cross-industry inspiration. @PinkHairJen, WeirdoWeddings.com.

Shannon Underwood, conference director and vice president of the Wedding MBA Conference. The 2026 conference is expecting between 5,500 and 6,000 attendees and about 240 trade show booths. The data-driven process for selecting speakers and topics emphasizes actionable content. The conference schedule includes specialty sessions, general sessions, and 10-minute Wed Talks, and provided advice for first-time attendees on how to prepare and get the most out of the event. Shannon@WeddingMBA.com

Emily Rochotte, a social media strategist and marketing educator. Using Reddit for wedding business marketing. One in three couples use it to plan weddings and find vendors. The platform offers free access, strong SEO performance, and community-based discussions where professionals can share insights without being overly promotional. Start by searching your business name and relevant venues, then gradually engage in conversations through thoughtful responses rather than direct sales pitches. Use it to identify common questions and pain points that can inspire content for other marketing channels. @emilyrochotte

Shantel Campbell, CEO of I Do Marketing Group in Orlando. "Reel Rockstar: Create Show-Stopping Reels that Convert," using Instagram as a sales tool. Her three-phase approach: discovery (grabbing attention with scroll-stopping content), consideration (walking followers through the sales process and communicating value), and decision (outing next steps and packages). Create reels in 3-5 minutes, post 2-4 times per week, use a vertical video format, shoot in 4K, and add music that matches the content's tone. @ShantelSocial

Lyndzi Barnes, a systems architect and operations expert for small businesses. LyndziBarnes.com. Discussing her upcoming presentation at the Wedding MBA conference. How wedding industry businesses implement AI tools to streamline operations and create more time for client interaction. Various AI platforms, including ChatGPT, Claude, and Higgsfield.ai, and how wedding businesses can use AI to automate tasks like image and video generation, social media content creation, and administrative work without losing the personal human touch that clients value.

Andrea Eppolito, a luxury wedding planner. AndreaEppolito.com. Andrea explained that she defines luxury and ultra-luxury wedding planning. How certain "signature weddings" can transform a career by opening new opportunities and reinforcing a planner's brand identity. Andrea shared that a behind-the-scenes video she created with a videographer 10 years ago led to booking $2 million in weddings within three weeks.

Meghan Ely, OFDConsulting.com. The wedding industry is facing a rise in online reputation issues, including negative reviews and public complaints from couples and vendors. To prevent reputation crises, monitor mentions with tools like Talkwalker, build a strong base of positive reviews, and set up alerts and moderation. Not panicking when negativity occurs, taking time to assess the situation, and consulting legal and SEO professionals as needed.

Adrienna McDermott. AvaAndTheBee.com is a marketing company for wedding and event professionals based in Austin, Texas. Identifying and addressing marketing gaps that affect bookings. The importance of understanding what differentiates your business from competitors, using client testimonials to inform marketing language, and communicating clearly with both couples and their parents, especially with the involvement of Gen Z clients. @avaandthebee.

Margaux Fraise, WeddingIndustryPulse.com."Wedding Pro's Secret Weapon," helping wedding professionals stay current with industry trends and client behavior changes. Consumer buying patterns have shifted, with AI searches now being the primary way couples find wedding vendors, followed by social proof and then personal recommendations. Optimizing websites for AI searches, providing detailed information about venues and services, and using AI tools to analyze client feedback. The importance of staying informed about current industry trends and client behavior to make more money in the business. @weddingsummitseries

Renee Dalo, ReneeDalo.com. How TikTok affects the wedding business. Renee explained that TikTok is a vital platform for wedding professionals because it hosts key conversations and trends in the wedding industry. TikTok's unique features, like Service Plus, live streaming, and affiliate programs, offer direct engagement and monetization opportunities. Create authentic, behind-the-scenes content on TikTok to stand out from Instagram's curated feed. Address pain points and build trust. On TikTok: @TheReneeDalo. Instagram: @ReneeDalo

Brandee Gaar, WeddingProCEO.com. Brandee explains the ASSUME method, a five-step strategy for wedding professionals to improve their closing rates during consultations by focusing on solving clients' pain points rather than selling features. The importance of building "know, like, and trust" through marketing and social media, including the necessity of being face-to-camera to create a connection. Humanize the consultation process and ensure clients feel understood and confident in the professional's ability to deliver. @brandeegaar

Erica Jankowski, AlohaErica.com, explained the importance of email marketing as an often-underestimated tool, discussing strategies for automated responses, personal follow-ups, and maintaining engagement with potential clients through valuable content. She emphasized using service guides, clear calls to action, and scheduling tools like Calendly to streamline the booking process. Erica also shared practical tips for effective email communication and relationship building in the wedding industry through vendor newsletters. @erica_jankowski_

Sara Dunn, SEO Expert, SaraDoesSEO.com. Wedding businesses need to be found on both traditional search engines like Google and AI-based tools like ChatGPT. She emphasized that Google still drives most search traffic. Sara recommended using tools like Ubersuggest for keyword research. Create blog posts about specific venues to improve search visibility. She also suggested that businesses regularly search for their own name on Google and use AI tools to ensure accurate information is presented online. @Saradoesseo

Mike Lannan, Eternity Marketing. The impact of AI on search behavior for wedding vendors. How AI tools like ChatGPT are changing how couples find services. The importance of keeping business information up to date on platforms like Google Business Profile, social media, and industry-specific directories such as The Knot and WeddingWire. The role of paid ads in AI search results and the shift from keyword-focused SEO to topic-based strategies. EternityMarketing.com. Peec.ai. Semrush.com. Mike@EternityMarketing.com. 802 865 2000

Susan Southerland, CEO of Just Events Group. "Stranger Things: Disaster-Proof Your Weddings." The importance of wedding professionals remaining calm and prepared for unexpected issues. She advised knowing venue emergency protocols, being transparent with clients about potential challenges, and learning from industry colleagues' experiences. The value of clear communication, especially when working with a team, and how effective problem-solving can enhance a professional's reputation. JustEventsGroup.com. @Susan_Southerland.

Alea Shalae, a hybrid photo and video photographer. StillsToFilms.com. Photography and videography services using consecutive capture rather than simultaneous capture, utilizing modern mirrorless cameras that allow easy switching between photo and video modes. Alea emphasized the benefits of horizontal business growth by offering additional services beyond just vertical expansion to luxury clients, noting that photographers can double their revenues by expanding their service offerings while providing better client service. @Alea.Shalae