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• How and why to archive outdated or misaligned content on your social media and directory listings (especially right now during engagement season)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

How do you build and nurture a trusted network when our industry can feel competitive, isolating, or downright overwhelming?

To explore that question, I brought on Charessa Sawyer, founder of Event Therapy and SCV Productions, licensed social worker, certified event planner, author, and all-around advocate for the humans behind the events.

About Charessa Sawyer

Charessa is the founder of Event Therapy, a mental wellness initiative created specifically for event, hospitality, and entertainment professionals. With a rare dual background as a licensed social worker and certified event planner, she brings a level of understanding that’s unmatched in our industry.

She’s also the CEO of SCV Productions, a national event services company, and the author of Event Therapy’s 10 Steps to Ultimate Event Planning.

Her mission is simple but powerful: to support the people behind the events so they can thrive both personally and professionally.

If you take one thing from this episode…

You are not alone. You deserve support. And building a trusted network is not optional, it’s essential for your mental, emotional, and creative well-being.

Connect with Charessa & Event Therapy

• Instagram

• Facebook Group (public + free to join)

• Website

• Email

• Event Therapy Magazine

Follow I Do Wedding Marketing 

• Instagram

• Facebook

• LinkedIn

• Threads

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

This episode is a big one! I officially announced The Social Studio by I Do Wedding Marketing, a brand-new membership designed to help wedding professionals fall back in love with Instagram and their business again. 💛

To set the stage, I’m joined by Taylor Cusick Holman, founder of Enji, to unpack what the State of Small Business report reveals about how much time business owners really have for marketing - and why that matters for wedding pros who are trying to do it all on their own.

Spoiler: Most small business owners only have 1–5 hours a week for marketing, and the ones who see the best results are the ones who use that time intentionally.

That’s exactly where The Social Studio comes in.

• The honest reality of DIY marketing as a small business owner

• What the data says about marketing time & effectiveness

• Why having a plan changes everything (hint hint: it literally makes your marketing more effective)

• The moment Nina realized wedding pros needed something different

• The Social Studio!

What is 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 Calendar: No 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 Audios: Stop spending hours searching for what’s trending — we’ll do it for you.

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

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

💛 Ready-to-Use Canva Templates: Professional, 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

The Social Studio by I Do Wedding Marketing:

Is your website silently sabotaging your sales? 

In this episode of the I Do Wedding Marketing Podcast, I’m joined by Marc McIntosh, CEO and co-founder of Team Wedding Marketing, to unpack one of the most overlooked issues in the wedding industry: underperforming websites.

Let’s be real, if your website hasn’t seen a refresh since 2020 (or before), it could be quietly costing you bookings, inquiries, and trust. Your social content may be working hard to drive traffic, but if your site isn’t converting, you’re losing leads before they even fill out a form.

That’s why I brought in Marc.

Before launching Team Wedding Marketing, Marc spent 25 years as a successful wedding show producer. His work has made him a nationally recognized speaker, writer, and marketing strategist, sharing insights with thousands of wedding pros around the world.

Over the years, Marc noticed a common challenge across the industry: most wedding professionals excel at delivering unforgettable events, but struggle to consistently sell their services. 

That’s where Team Wedding Marketing comes in. With deep knowledge of the wedding industry’s pace, pressures, and seasonality, Marc and his team offer targeted strategies that help wedding pros boost sales and reclaim their time, so they can focus on what they love most.

🎧 In this value-packed conversation, we cover:

• The real role your website plays in your sales funnel

• AI & websites: what’s worth using (and what to skip for now)

• The #1 copy mistake most creatives make

• What makes a homepage work harder (hint: it’s not just the design)

• How to plug the “leaks” in your sales funnel with simple fixes

Whether you're ready for a full website overhaul or just want quick wins to boost conversion, this episode is your starting point. This episode is truly a masterclass in wedding websites, SEO, and marketing!

Free Gift from Marc for I Do Wedding Marketing Listeners 🎁

Marc is offering a FREE 30-minute website audit just for listeners of this episode, where he’ll:

• Walk through your site live on Zoom

• Show you what’s working (and what’s quietly costing you bookings)

• Point out quick fixes you can make right away

👉 Grab your free audit here: teamweddingmarketing.com/idwm

No pressure, no obligation - just real feedback you can use whether you hire his team or not!

Podcast listeners can save 20% off on the ChatGPT for Wedding Marketing Course using code IDOPODCAST

Follow I Do Wedding Marketing 

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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

In this solo episode, I’m talking about one of the most underrated success metrics in business and marketing - consistency.

I just got back from speaking at the American Bridal Consultants Association’s World of Wedding Events in New Orleans, and I left so inspired by the community of wedding professionals who’ve been showing up for decades. It reminded me how powerful consistency really is - whether it’s showing up for your audience, your clients, or yourself.

I’m pulling back the curtain on how staying consistent with this podcast helped it become an industry-recognized resource (even when it wasn’t perfect), and how you can apply that same mindset to your social media and business.

If you’ve ever struggled with perfectionism, imposter syndrome, or keeping up with your content, this episode is your reminder that showing up (even imperfectly!) is what leads to success.

💡 In this episode, I share:

• Why consistency is one of the most overlooked success metrics

• How showing up regularly helps build credibility and trust with couples

• The difference between viral content and what actually converts

• Simple ways to stay consistent without burning out

• Why networking and vendor relationships thrive on consistency

• How to make follow-ups part of your long-term success plan

Need help getting consistent with your social media? Schedule a strategy call with me and let’s build your engagement-season plan together!

Podcast listeners can save 20% off on the ChatGPT for Wedding Marketing Course using code IDOPODCAST

Follow I Do Wedding Marketing 

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• Facebook

• LinkedIn

• Threads

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

It’s almost the most wonderful (and busiest!) time of the year for wedding pros… engagement season! 💍✨

In this solo episode of the I Do Wedding Marketing Podcast, I’m taking you behind the scenes of my signature system for building social media calendars that actually move the needle during engagement season.

From repetition and messaging to algorithms and realistic posting goals, this episode breaks down how to make your social media an extension of your sales team - so you’re showing up strategically and consistently when newly engaged couples start searching.

• Repetition is your friend: Don’t be afraid to repeat your message - most followers aren’t seeing every post.

• Plan with purpose: Decide what your most important message is this season (open dates, special packages, specific venues, etc.) and repeat it weekly.

• Use your sales calls for content ideas: Take note of client questions and objections - they’re gold for your next post.

• Leverage AI shortcuts: Tools like ChatGPT can help you turn meeting notes or AI recaps into post ideas quickly.

• Show up where your couples are: Tag vendors, venues, and use SEO-friendly captions to help Instagram’s algorithm work in your favor.

• Mix up formats: Share your message through reels, photos, carousels, and stories to keep things fresh.

Engagement season is your moment - and with the right message, consistency, and strategy, you’ll be the pro couples find (and fall in love with) first.

Need help getting your social media ready? Schedule a strategy call with me and let’s build your engagement-season plan together.

Podcast listeners can save 20% off on the ChatGPT for Wedding Marketing Course using code IDOPODCAST

Follow I Do Wedding Marketing 

• Instagram

• Facebook

• LinkedIn

• Threads

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

Here’s What You’ll Learn:

Welcome back to another episode of the I Do Wedding Marketing Podcast and oooh do we have a power-packed episode for you this week! I’m joined once again by my dear friend and wedding-industry legend, Brian Lawrence, a marketing strategist, web designer, and SEO expert who’s helped hundreds of wedding pros turn their websites into lead-generating machines.

Brian is a recognized authority in web design and SEO resources for the wedding industry. With a proven track record of creating websites for numerous wedding vendors across the US and Canada, Brian's expertise is highly regarded in the field. His commitment to website accessibility and compliance is underscored by a strong personal dedication to championing the rights of marginalized groups and individuals with disabilities. His proactive approach and practical strategies serve as a valuable resource for those looking to optimize their online presence and provide an inclusive user experience.

And in this episode, we’re breaking down what it really means to have a client-centric website - one that doesn’t just look stunning, but actually speaks to your couples’ hearts, builds instant trust, and inspires them to reach out before they ever think twice.

💡 We Cover…

• What a client-centric website really is - and why most wedding pros get it wrong

• How to make your website speak to your client’s emotions, not just list your services

• Strategic calls-to-action that feel inviting (not pushy)

• How to optimize your Google Business Profile so couples actually find you locally

• The secrets behind “near me” search optimization and how to rank in your area

• Smart ways to use reviews to improve your copy and SEO (your best sales pitch is already written!)

• How to make your website inclusive, both visually and verbally, to connect with couples

• The role of venue-specific and culture-specific landing pages for organic search visibility

If your website’s more “browse and bounce” than “browse and book,” don’t worry - this episode breaks down how to fix that fast.

🧰 Connect with Brian Lawrence

• Website: brianlawrence.com

• Sign up for his newsletter for exclusive website and SEO insights, plus access to free chapters of his book From Browsing to Booking (co-authored with Alan Berg)

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/localtrafficbuilder/  

Thank You to This Episode’s Sponsor, The I Do Society!

Learn more about their DIY Advertising Kits and how they’re absolute game-changers. Built by wedding ad experts, they show you exactly how to create Google, Meta & TikTok ads the right way - so you can save $1000s and skip the trial & error. 

👉 Peek at the kits here: theidosociety.com/ad-kits💸 And take $100 off with code: Nina 

If you’re planning to run ads this engagement season (or even thinking about it), this is going to change everything. Go grab your kit while the discount lasts - you’ll be so glad you did. 💕(Offer ends Oct. 31st!)

Listen to Mark’s episode: TikTok Ads for Wedding Professionals with Mark Chapman of The I Do Society

In this episode of the I Do Wedding Marketing Podcast, I sit down with Canva Verified Expert Brenda Cadman, who shares game-changing strategies for cleaning up, organizing, and maximizing your Canva account - especially if you’re a wedding professional juggling brands, clients, and content.

Brenda has been teaching Canva techniques since 2019 and previously spent 20 years running a web development company. She’s based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island (hello, Atlantic Time!) and focuses on the “unsexy but powerful” side of Canva: organization, brand systems, and time-saving habits.

✨ In This Episode, We Dive Into:

• Why Canva Pro is worth the upgrade for wedding vendors

• How to build a smart, streamlined folder system (no more “copy of copy of” file names!)

• The secret to looking high-end with free Canva templates

• The real time-saving magic of brand kits and brand templates

• Tips for making your Canva account team-friendly and turnover-proof

• What folders you actually need - and which to archive right now

Whether you’re a wedding pro designing your own marketing or managing a team, this conversation will help you work smarter, show up more polished, and stay consistently on brand. Don’t just listen - apply what you hear and start creating with confidence!

Connect with Brenda:

• Website: https://brendacadman.com/

Resources: 

• Brenda’s Clean Up My Canva Course: Organize designs, uploads, templates, and maintenance workflows with this self-paced, evergreen course.

• Brenda’s Canva Starter Guides: free starter guides designed to help small business owners learn how to use Canva step by step, so you can create your own branding, marketing materials, and social media content without feeling overwhelmed.

Thank You to This Episode’s Sponsor, The I Do Society!

Learn more about their DIY Advertising Kits and how they’re absolute game-changers. Built by wedding ad experts, they show you exactly how to create Google, Meta & TikTok ads the right way - so you can save $1000s and skip the trial & error. 

👉 Peek at the kits here: theidosociety.com/ad-kits💸 And take $100 off with code: Nina 

If you’re planning to run ads this engagement season (or even thinking about it), this is going to change everything. Go grab your kit while the discount lasts - you’ll be so glad you did. 💕(Offer ends Oct. 31st!)

Listen to Mark’s episode: TikTok Ads for Wedding Professionals with Mark Chapman of The I Do Society

Friends, have you ever heard of an educational email course?

Because honestly? I hadn’t until recently. And now I’m obsessed... 👀

In this episode of the I Do Wedding Marketing Podcast, I sit down with Sebastian Dziuk to talk about a fresh twist on lead magnets: educational email courses.

Sebastian is a certified life coach, professional speaker, and U.S. Army Public Affairs veteran who helps LGBTQ+ and ally-owned businesses thrive through meaningful, strategic content. As the founder of Dziuk Studios, he specializes in creating educational email courses that generate high-quality leads and build genuine connections.

In this conversation, Sebastian breaks down how to transform your knowledge into a strategic, multi-day email series that positions you as an expert, nurtures leads automatically, and attracts the right couples into your business ecosystem.

✨ In This Episode, We Cover:

• What an educational email course is and why it works better than a PDF download

• How to use your email sequence to attract and nurture dream clients

• Tips for setting up your automation and keeping things simple

• The difference between cold outreach and permission-based email marketing

• How to craft sequences that convert browsers into booked clients

Whether you’re a wedding planner, photographer, or venue owner, this episode will inspire you to rethink your approach to email marketing, and finally put it to work for you.

💥 Mention this podcast when booking his Educational Email Course Lead Magnet Package and receive a free “Book a Call” email sequence - a $3,500 value!

Connect with Sebastian:

• Website: https://www.sebastiandziuk.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastiandziuk/

• Email: [email protected]

Thank You to This Episode’s Sponsor, The I Do Society!

Learn more about their DIY Advertising Kits and how they’re absolute game-changers. Built by wedding ad experts, they show you exactly how to create Google, Meta & TikTok ads the right way - so you can save $1000s and skip the trial & error. 

👉 Peek at the kits here: theidosociety.com/ad-kits💸 And take $100 off with code: Nina 

If you’re planning to run ads this engagement season (or even thinking about it), this is going to change everything. Go grab your kit while the discount lasts - you’ll be so glad you did. 💕(Offer ends Oct. 31st!)

Listen to Mark’s episode: TikTok Ads for Wedding Professionals with Mark Chapman of The I Do Society

Welcome back to another episode of the I Do Wedding Marketing Podcast! This week I’m joined by Elizabeth Nelson, founder of Snowmad Digital, a digital agency helping wedding venues book out their calendars through smart SEO, beautiful web design, advertising, and automation.

Elizabeth’s journey from wildland firefighter to wedding marketing powerhouse is as fascinating as it is inspiring. Together, we dig into what’s really working right now for wedding venues and creative businesses online - and what outdated marketing tactics you can finally let go of.

✨ In This Episode, We Cover:

• Elizabeth’s origin story - how firefighting led to founding a thriving digital agency for venues

• The #1 mistake venues make with SEO (and how to fix it fast)

• How social media and SEO work together to boost your visibility and trust factor

• What Google actually wants in 2025 (hint: quality, trust, and context > keywords)

• Google Ads vs. organic SEO - how they complement each other and when to invest in each

• Why your venue needs a landing page (not just a homepage) for better conversions

• The metrics that matter most - and how to tell if your marketing is truly working

• Elizabeth’s take on trends that need to stop and the underrated tactics venues should try instead

• Simple, high-impact ways for venues on a tight budget to start seeing real results

If you’ve been wondering how to get more qualified leads, build trust with couples before they ever hit “inquire,” or simply understand what’s actually working in today’s market — this episode is for you. Elizabeth breaks everything down in a way that’s smart, approachable, and immediately actionable. You’ll walk away with fresh clarity, a few myth-busting moments, and a renewed sense of confidence in your marketing.

Connect with Elizabeth:

• Website: https://snowmaddigital.com/ 

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/snowmaddigital/ 

Thank You to This Episode’s Sponsor, The I Do Society!

Learn more about their DIY Advertising Kits and how they’re absolute game-changers. Built by wedding ad experts, they show you exactly how to create Google, Meta & TikTok ads the right way - so you can save $1000s and skip the trial & error. 

👉 Peek at the kits here: theidosociety.com/ad-kits💸 And take $100 off with code: Nina 

If you’re planning to run ads this engagement season (or even thinking about it), this is going to change everything. Go grab your kit while the discount lasts - you’ll be so glad you did. 💕(Offer ends Oct. 31st!)

Listen to Mark’s episode: TikTok Ads for Wedding Professionals with Mark Chapman of The I Do Society