Reception to Follow: A Podcast for Wedding Creatives

I've been sitting on this episode for *far* too long. Please enjoy my interview with the one and only Sophie Gage of Gage Events! Sophie is a business unicorn--I think she called herself 'a psychopath who loves weddings' on air lmao--and wears many hats in the events and weddings industry.

We get deep about Sophie's love for my worst nightmare: Planning Tented Weddings.  We talk about:

• The trial by fire education and training starting in nonprofits events job
• Our love for Pittsburgh...but only when we are in our hometowns
• Launching a wedding planning business in January 2020
• "I had coffee with Heather before Heather could charge for having coffee with Heather."
• The magic and power of a tented wedding
• A ton of other funny, inspiring and real truths

"Your couples don't know what you don't share with them, but it was his birthday and I just felt compelled to share that." No one in wedding world likes to talk about grief. Earlier this summer, my friend and Pittsburgh wedding planner Kelly Barbour shared her experience planning weddings through a big loss in her life. She came on the Reception to Follow podcast to talk more about the choice to post about it.

...We *also* chatted about a ton of other shit, and I'm really proud of this episode! Press play to hear the whole interview.

On Sept. 10 and Sept. 12, I'm hosting my first virtual mastermind session for wedding people. Wanna come?

Grab your spot.

Ever wonder how Day of Pittsburgh runs a kickoff planning meeting? Listen to one in real time with Heather and 2025 Day of Pgh clients Hannah and Tom!

In theme with DJ Jess' love readings, I wanted to share the cards I pulled when my friend Emma (Emma Harris Floral) came over last weekend!

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My tarot cards

My conversation with DJ Jess was a mix of entrepreneural truths, why there's no such thing as a lost inquiry, and Stacey Ferguson. If you're looking for that slice of inspo to tackle your fall wedding lineup, we've got it on repeat for you today! 

It's about time we got a venue perspective on the pod! Meet today's plus-one: Shannon Kelly, the events director of popular Pittsburgh wedding venue Energy Innovation Center. We get into:

The conflicts between planners and venue managers

Why we "don't care"

The perks of not owning the venue personally

How to fix your venue's elevator when you're on a boat in Punta Cana!

Earlier this week, I announced that 2025 will be my final season as the CEO of Day of Pittsburgh, and opened up my DM's to any questions. I spend this special episode of Reception to Follow answering all of your questions, and expanding more on Day of Pittsburgh's future...as well as mine!

It's my first ever plus TWO interview! My Pittsburgh wedding planner peers Jessica Transue, owner of Jessica Elyse Events, and Rebecca Frankel, owner of Wynn Events, joined me for a round table discussion on...

• Referral kickbacks from 'recommended' vendors

• Charging a percentage rate vs. a flat fee

• Wedding Designers vs. Wedding Planners

• The plight of the venue coordinator

• Having a team vs. being a one woman show

• (The lack of) education in the wedding industry

• ...a ton of other shit!

Jessica Elyse Events

Wynn Events

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Last month--against all of my logical and rational business instincts--I deleted my Heather Davis Creative Instagram account. Here's why.

Ask me for directions: [email protected]

LeeAnn K. Photography

Half Hour Gentlemen