As we look ahead to 2026 and 2027, one phrase seems to be everywhere: “Bookings are down.” But is that really the full story?

In today’s powerful and eye-opening episode of the I Do Wedding Marketing Podcast, I sit down with Erica Powell, luxury business coach, strategist, and branding designer with over 25 years of experience in high-end sales, to unpack what’s actually happening in the wedding and events industry - and what you can do about it.

After witnessing Erica speak earlier this year at a summit in Miami (and watching an entire audience visibly transform in real time), I knew this was a conversation every wedding pro needed to hear.

Together, we dive into:

• Whether or not bookings are truly down industry-wide

• Why some business owners are thriving despite economic uncertainty

• The biggest mindset traps holding wedding pros back right now

• How branding, marketing, and sales must work together to attract higher-value clients

• How to shift from booking more clients to booking better clients

• What younger generations of couples actually care about when choosing vendors

• Practical, immediate actions you can take to elevate your brand going into 2026

• The difference between premium, luxury, and ultra-luxury markets - and how to move up

Erica also shares tangible strategies you can implement today, including:

• How and why to archive outdated or misaligned content on your social media and directory listings (especially right now during engagement season)

• The latest Instagram content format driving new visibility

• How to pre-qualify inquiries without relying on public pricing

This episode is packed with perspective-shifting insights, real-world strategy, and encouragement for anyone who feels uncertain about the future of bookings - or their place in the market.

🔗 Free Resources & Ways to Connect with Erica

📄 Erica’s Priceless Clients Free Mini-Course

🎥 Follow-Up Secrets Free Training📲 Follow Erica on Instagram🌐 Check out Erica’s Website & Retreats

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I Do Wedding Marketing podcast listeners can receive 15% off a 6-month subscription as a new Aisle Planner user! Use code IDWMxAP

And did you hear, we launched the The Social Studio by I Do Wedding Marketing?

The Social Studio is a monthly membership for wedding pros who want social media to feel lighter, easier, and way more effective.

Inside the Social Studio, you’ll get:

💛 Monthly Content CalendarNo more blank-screen panic. Get daily prompts tailored to wedding pros, designed to convert and connect. (We have a full calendar for November for you to start work immediately, AND December is already loaded for those who want to batch-schedule!)

💛 Weekly Trending AudiosStop spending hours searching for what’s trending — we’ll do it for you.

💛 Weekly Reels TrendsReels concepts built for your niche so you can finally stay consistent without burning out.

💛 Weekly Evergreen Video PromptsSo you always have content that works today, next month, and next season.

💛 Ready-to-Use Canva TemplatesProfessional, on-brand designs you can personalize in seconds. We just uploaded a trending Wicked: For Good template for members to customize!

💛 A Supportive Community of Wedding ProsAsk questions, get feedback, collaborate, and stop trying to do this alone.

All for just $27/month. Less than the cost of a lunch date… and guaranteed to save you time every single week!

GET IN THE STUDIO HERE