This week on the I Do Wedding Marketing Podcast, I’m thrilled to bring you a deeply honest and much-needed conversation with Mark Caravaggio of Intune Events. If you’ve ever felt confused, frustrated, or even a little burned by gatekeeping, hidden fees, or the infamous “preferred vendor list,” this episode is going to speak to you.

Mark and I dive into transparency in the wedding industry—what it really means, why it matters, and how it affects vendors, venues, and, most importantly, couples. We talk about pay-to-play models, vendor commissions, and the hidden costs of getting listed in publications or preferred partnerships. Mark also opens up about his personal journey of walking away from a business model that no longer aligned with his values—even though it accounted for 70% of his bookings.

In this episode, we explore:

• ​The emotional weight and vulnerability of being a wedding vendor
• ​How hiding pricing affects client trust and booking rates
• ​Why authenticity and connection beat old-school sales tactics
• ​The truth behind pay-to-play vendor lists and “secret” commissions
• ​What happens when you walk away from 70% of your business to build something better
• ​How to rebuild and thrive after business burnout or vendor trauma

💬 Let me know what resonated with you most from this episode! Your feedback means the world—and helps more wedding pros find content like this.

👉 And if you haven't already, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend in the industry who needs to hear it.

🔗 Follow Mark on Instagram + Threads: @intune.events

🌐 Learn more: https://intune.events

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