Who REALLY Drives Event Lighting Design? Planners vs Lighting Techs

Hey friends! I recently had the pleasure of chatting with veteran event planner Jeannie Savage and lighting design expert Curt Stahl about the importance of lighting in event planning. Jeannie shared some great stories about the lighting mishaps she has learned from over her 18 years in the industry. I think we can all relate to those "haunting" mistakes from early on in our careers! Curt emphasized that while knowing lighting equipment names can be helpful, the most important thing is communicating your vision - what feeling and atmosphere do you want to achieve?

We covered lighting design trends, using lighting to direct attention and transform spaces, budget considerations, and collaborating with photographers to get the best event photos. I asked them point blank - who drives the lighting design? The answers were insightful. The key takeaways? Lighting is crucial for events but can feel overwhelming. Lean on lighting pros, communicate the desired emotion and atmosphere, adjust lighting for photographers, and invest in a knowledgeable lighting tech onsite. Let me know in the comments - what lighting questions do you still have? Or share your biggest lighting flub story to reassure the rest of us! Looking forward to continuing the conversation.

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Connect with Curt Stal

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Uncover the unexpected truth about Canva features and how it's transforming businesses like never before. From mastering brand consistency to unlocking time-saving design practices, the real magic lies in the untold secrets. Get ready to be surprised by the game-changing insights that will revolutionize the way you use Canva for your business. You won't want to miss this!

Master Canva design tips Mastering Canva design tips is crucial for entrepreneurs and small business owners to create impactful visual content for their businesses. By prioritizing fundamental design principles such as contrast, hierarchy, and white space, visuals can communicate the brand message efficiently. Developing a knack for Canva features, such as the bulk create tool, can significantly reduce design time and facilitate swift and smooth business operations.

My special guest is Brenda Cadman

Brenda Cadman is a Canva Verified Expert from Prince Edward Island, Canada.

After spending more than two decades supporting businesses with their website development needs, she now focuses on teaching entrepreneurs how to use Canva more effectively and efficiently.

Brenda has taught thousands of small business owners through her courses, and in particular, she loves to help business owners tame their hot mess Canva accounts by creating an organizational system that ensures they can spend less time in Canva, and more time doing what they love.

In this episode, you will have fresh insight about:

• Setting up Canva's brand kit effectively is crucial for maintaining brand consistency and saving time on design tasks.
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• Organizing Canva designs and uploads will help you stay on top of your visual assets and easily access them when needed.
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• Choosing the right Canva templates for branding ensures that your designs align with your brand identity and messaging.
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• Utilizing Canva features for business growth empowers you to create professional visuals that resonate with your audience and drive engagement.

Go grab your coffee or your tea, and let's talk it out. 

Whether you’re an aspiring speaker or just curious about the truth vs. the illusion of success, this episode is for you. If you’re feeling the pressure to achieve overnight success in your career, and the thought of never reaching that level is weighing you down, then you are not alone! The constant pursuit of big opportunities and recognition can be overwhelming, especially when you see others achieving it “effortlessly.” It’s time to address the myths of overnight success and develop a resilient mindset to seize business opportunities.

Debunking the Myths of Overnight Success in Business Success, especially in public speaking, doesn’t happen overnight. The journey to achieve it is characterized by countless hours of practice, continuous learning, and resilience. Thus, the idea of instant success, often propagated by social media, is misleading and should be countered with a realistic perspective that acknowledges the time and effort required to excel.

My special guest is Meghan Ely

OFD Consulting owner Meghan Ely combines in-the-trenches event experience with a love of wedding PR to empower her clients to take their businesses to new heights. The Public Relations Society of America regularly honors her team’s publicity efforts, and more recently, Eventex named her one of the most influential Wedding Professionals in the Industry.

A long-time industry speaker and writer, she is a WeddingPro educator with The Knot + WeddingWire, as well as a regular contributor to Wedding Planner Magazine, Catersource, and SpecialEvents.com.

Meghan is an International Past President of WIPA and a member of the Allied Council for the National Society of Black Wedding and Event Professionals.

In this episode, you will learn how to:

• Master the art of becoming a keynote speaker: Unlock the secrets to landing prestigious speaking opportunities and captivating your audience.
• Debunk the myths of overnight success in business: Discover the truth behind building a successful speaking career and the real work it takes to achieve it.
• Navigate the wedding industry speaking circuit: Uncover the strategies for establishing yourself as a sought-after speaker in the wedding industry.
• Cultivate personal development through public speaking: Harness the power of public speaking to grow personally and professionally and make a lasting impact on your audience.
• Thrive in high-stakes speaking engagements: Learn how to prepare and excel in high-pressure speaking situations, leaving a lasting impression on your audience.

Go grab your coffee or your tea, and let’s talk it out. 

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💥 I’ve got some seriously exciting news to share with you.

You know how my calendar’s always jam-packed with epic coaching sessions, right? Well, guess what? ONLY ONE COACHING SPOT IS OPEN NOW!

Whether you’re craving some serious goal-achieving action, need a boost of motivation to level up your sales or workflow game, or want expert guidance to help navigate life’s twists and turns, now’s your chance to secure a spot on my A-list coaching roster. But here’s the deal: these spots always go quickly, so if you’re curious, don’t wait. 

Ready to dive in and make some serious magic happen? Click here for more! 

Until next week, friends!

Uncover the surprising truth about transforming your money mindset with this unexpected conversation. You won’t believe how a simple shift in perspective can lead to financial abundance and personal growth. Get ready to embrace the power of loving money and explore the endless possibilities it holds. Join me as we dive into the world of money mindset and uncover the secrets to manifesting wealth and success. Stay tuned to discover how this unexpected truth can change your life forever. Are you ready to elevate your money mindset? Let’s dive in and discover the surprising power of loving money.

My special guest is Judy Wilkins-Smith

JUDY WILKINS-SMITH is a highly regarded Family Patterns, Systemic Work, and constellations expert, transformational coach, motivational speaker, and author who is passionate about individual growth, visionary leadership, and positive, accelerated global change. The Founder of System Dynamics for Individuals and Organizations, she has 18 years of expertise assisting high-performance individuals, Fortune 500 executives (Chevron, JP Morgan, Kellogg’s, ExxonMobil), and legacy families end limiting cycles and create lasting breakthroughs and transitions into peak performance. She is a regular guest on TV news and entertainment shows and the author of Decoding Your Emotional Blueprint: A Powerful Guide to Transformation Through Disentangling Multigenerational Patterns (Sounds True).

In this episode, you will learn how to:

• Embrace personal growth and transformation insights to unlock your full potential.
• Cultivate a money mindset that attracts abundance into your life.
• Learn effective strategies for setting and achieving your financial goals.
• Understand the importance of valuing your self-worth when pricing your services.
• Immerse yourself in in-person experiences for deep learning and lasting impact.

Connect with Judy Wilkins-Smith

Website

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Judy’s Book: Decoding Your Emotional Blueprint

What Renee’s Obsessed With This Week 💥 I’ve got some seriously exciting news to share with you.

You know how my calendar’s always jam-packed with epic coaching sessions, right? Well, guess what? Only TWO slot remain, and they’re up for grabs now!

Whether you’re craving some serious goal-achieving action, need a boost of motivation to level up your sales or workflow game, or want expert guidance to help navigate life’s twists and turns, now’s your chance to secure a spot on my A-list coaching roster. But here’s the deal: these spots always go quickly, so if you’re curious, don’t wait. 

Ready to dive in and make some serious magic happen? Click here for more! 

Until next week, friends! 

You won't believe what Kara Hanes, wedding photographer has to say about authentic client communication and the game-changing strategies that have transformed her business. Get ready to be inspired and take your client experience to the next level. 

Regular and thoughtful client nurturing can enhance relationships and elevate service delivery in the wedding industry. This involves providing consistent communication, educational resources, and personalized services. It also means embracing diversity and inclusivity, ensuring all clients, regardless of body type or size, feel valued and understood, contributing to a more inclusive and welcoming business environment.

Kara Hanes is a photographer and educator with a passion for capturing cherished moments with her background in education.

Before delving into the world of photography, Kara embarked on a fulfilling journey in early childhood education. Graduating with a degree in Early Childhood Education in 2007, she dedicated a decade of her life to nurturing young minds as a preschool teacher. Immersed in the delightful chaos of a classroom, Kara honed invaluable skills that transcend into her current career.

Her years spent guiding and educating preschoolers provided her with a unique skill set that seamlessly translates into her business. Kara's ability to multitask effortlessly became an asset in orchestrating the perfect client experience with wedding celebrations and senior photoshoots.

Her background as an educator equipped her with the art of gentle authority—knowing precisely when to step in for direction while also understanding the beauty of allowing moments to unfold naturally. Kara's keen sense of communication, a crucial element in both teaching and photography, ensures that every interaction is engaging, informative, and enjoyable.

Are you feeling stuck in your wedding business, trying to cater to the elusive Gen Z clientele? You might have been told to stick to traditional marketing strategies, but let's face it - that's not getting you the results you want. It's time to shake things up and take some brave, imperfect action to attract Gen Z clients and stay ahead in the industry. If you're feeling stagnant or overwhelmed, this episode is your guide to infusing authenticity, experimenting with new approaches, and making your business relevant to the next generation. Get ready to take your wedding business to the next level with some bold, out-of-the-box strategies!

Designer, strategist, marketer and speaker, Amanda Shuman is an expert brand strategist and designer for creatives. She's the founder and CEO of Carrylove Designs, a fully-remote digital marketing agency for creative small businesses. With over 100 success stories, her team of designers and copywriters helps creatives craft a brand that stands out from the crowd so they can make more doing what they love.

Known for her 'strategy-first' way of thinking, she's had the opportunity to appear on dozens of podcasts, virtual summits, and stages for creatives around the nation and supported entrepreneurs including Heidi Thompson, Maria Bayer, and Brandee Gaar.

At Carrylove Designs, she’s committed to providing services and education to support creative small businesses so they can get paid more to do what they love while working less.

A strong believer in the power of intentional branding, Amanda knows pairing a beautiful brand aesthetic with an intentional website strategy is the cornerstone for success and booking clients effortlessly.

Connect with Amanda Shuman

Carry Love Designs (website)

Instagram

Join the Find Your Ideal Client challenge at carrylovedesigns.com/client to build an avatar based on past data and experiences to identify your ideal client clearly.

See you next week, friends!

Imagine a tool that’s transforming wedding ceremonies, and it’s not what you’d expect. This isn’t just about vows and speeches; it’s a game-changer for wedding planners. Join me in uncovering the unexpected with Providence’s hyper-personalized approach. Get ready for a revelation that will reshape the wedding industry. Stay tuned for the unexpected.

My special guest is Steven Greitzer.

Steven Greitzer, the founder and CEO of Provenance, has been at the forefront of modernizing wedding ceremony design. With a background in the technology sector, his innovative approach has transformed the wedding industry. Passionate about crafting meaningful and personalized ceremony scripts, vows, and toasts, Steven has empowered tens of thousands of wedding planners, couples, officiants, and guests. His expertise in hyper-personalized wedding trends and the evolving dynamics of wedding ceremonies makes him an invaluable source of knowledge for wedding planners seeking to elevate their clients’ wedding experiences.

"The wedding itself has changed tremendously, and in very short order too. In 2009, about 60% of weddings were held in churches, in synagogues mosques, and some sort of religious venue. Today, that's only 22%. Today, 60% of couples write and read their own vows, as opposed to reading traditional vows that come from some sort of religious text." - Steven Grietzer

In this episode, you will learn all about:

• How to guide your couples in personalizing their wedding ceremonies to create unforgettable moments.
• How to prepare friend or family officiants to elevate the wedding experience.
• Explore Provenance software for seamless officiant, ceremony, vow and toast management.
• Guide your clients to overcome challenges in writing heartfelt wedding vows.
• Many of Renee's personal stories of ceremonies & vows gone wrong. It's great for a laugh!

Connect with Provenance

Website / Use code RENEE for 20% off

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What Renee's Obsessed With This Week

I'm teaching a brand-new free Masterclass, "Provenance, Prose & Prosperity" all about HOW Planners can use this amazing tool to not only help their clients, but uplevel their whole experience and make a little passive income too. Join me here. 

(If you see this after the date of the Masterclass, you can sign up to receive the replay!)

Until next week, friends!

This episode is for those of you who, at one time or another, have said in exasperation, “I wish I should just QUIT Instagram!!” or “I am NEVER going to be on TikTok!”. Our guest this week DID quit social media, and she’s here to tell us all about it.

Johanna Renoth is an expert in alternative marketing strategies and a passionate advocate for aligning business with personal values. With a decade of experience in the field, Johanna brings a fresh perspective to the conversation around social media marketing, prioritizing well-being over social media norms. Her journey from struggling with traditional social media marketing to embracing a more values-aligned approach provides valuable insights for small business owners and solopreneurs seeking a more authentic and sustainable way to grow their businesses. Johanna’s expertise and experience make her a compelling voice in the exploration of alternative marketing strategies, offering a unique perspective that challenges the status quo.

Connect with Johanna Renoth Website

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What Renee’s Obsessed With This Week Wedding Business CEO Summit – Online Summit February 12th – 16th 2024 / Get your free ticket here

As the product of a single-parent home, I cannot believe we’ve never touched on this topic in almost four years of the podcast! Since I am child-free by choice, I invited my new friend Heidi Schalk on the show to chat all about it – and chat we did! We covered this topic and many others in this week’s episode.

Heidi believes children should actively participate in their parents’ goals and aspirations. She sees this as an opportunity to teach them about goal-setting, teamwork, and responsibility. By including them in the family’s journey towards success, children learn valuable skills and how to contribute positively to society.

Today’s guest is Heidi Schalk, a single parent and entrepreneur who has navigated the challenges of running a business while raising her children. She transitioned from being a stay-at-home mom to building a successful business, overcoming her fears and mindset obstacles. With a background in health and wellness, including personal training and bodybuilding, Heidi’s journey into entrepreneurship was driven by a desire to create a sustainable income while being present for her family. Her experience in balancing work and family life offers valuable insights and practical advice for single parents seeking personal and professional growth. As a business coach, Heidi brings a unique perspective to the conversation, sharing her wisdom and experiences to inspire others on their own journeys.

Connect with Heidi Schalk Website / Instagram

TikTok / LinkedIn

Things We Mentioned in This Episode Check out Heidi’s podcast: Be S.H.E (Renee will be a guest later this year!)

Better with Renee Dalo / Renee's monthly membership for entrepreneurs

What Renee’s Obsessed With This Week Wedding Business CEO Summit – Online Summit February 12th – 16th 2024 / Get your free ticket here

See you next week, friends! Same time, same place. 

If you're feeling frustrated and overwhelmed by the lack of engagement on your social media posts, then you are not alone! You may have already tried boosting posts or running ads, only to see minimal results and wasted money. Instead of attracting your ideal clients and generating leads, your efforts may be falling flat and leaving you feeling discouraged. It's time to shift your strategy and focus on creating authentic and valuable content that resonates with your audience, leading to sustainable income and business growth.

Joining me this week are the talented wedding professionals, Dominic and Serena. With their combined expertise as MC, wedding DJ, and wedding planner, they bring a fresh perspective to our conversation on monetizing social media in the wedding industry. Their journey of embracing social media as a platform for generating passive income is both relatable and inspiring. Dominic and Serena's genuine approach and willingness to share their experiences make them valuable contributors to our discussion. Their insights into the balance between showcasing the dreamy allure of weddings and staying authentic on social media will resonate with industry peers seeking to harness the power of digital platforms. Get ready for an enlightening exchange filled with practical advice and industry wisdom.

Connect with The Wedding Duo

On TikTok

On Instagram

The Emu Lady (KnucleBump Farms) and their Emu Emmanuel (not David, as I said, lol)

Archival Pens for ketubah signing - Renee recommends!

Be Sage Conference - Join me in Mexico next month for top-notch education, relaxation, and more!

Wedding Summit Series: Planners Workshop - January 30 & 31st