The Wedding Biz - Behind the Scenes of the Wedding Business

Andy hopes that you will join him in this insightful conversation with Nora Sheils of Rock Paper Coin, a pioneer in wedding industry automation! Listen in as Nora talks about all things automation, explaining how it can save events and wedding pros considerable amounts of time and money while boosting efficiency and reducing mistakes. She recommends starting with calendar automation so clients can easily schedule appointments without email tag, recommending a number of platforms including her favorite, cloudHQ.

Nora goes on to discuss how workflow automation platforms can automate multi-step processes using triggers and conditions. She also advises that even though some luxuries may prefer less automation, platforms like Rock Paper Coin allow automating contracts, invoices, and client communications while boosting sales, and she encourages us that while she completely understands being weary of tech, this is very user-friendly and intuitive.

The implications of intuitive automation in business are ultimately enormous - saving up to a third of time spent on manual tasks while boosting professionalism and sales. Again, although it can absolutely be daunting at first, starting small and giving new tech a chance can yield big rewards. Andy himself even hopes to try out some of these suggestions and see how automation can help simplify and scale his own creative event business.

Andy found this conversation to be so helpful and really hopes that you do as well! If you do, then please share this episode with at least three good friends who would benefit from it. Andy would also appreciate it if you would subscribe to the podcast and leave it a top review wherever you listen because that really helps the show out.

Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.

SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ

Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!

Time Stamps

[0:06] - This is a slow time of year, and Andy has done a lot of traveling.

[1:35] - Today's guest is Nora Sheils of Rock Paper Coin!

[2:55] - Nora explains how automation can help those in the event and wedding industry.

[4:16] – Nora understands reluctance to automate but recommends starting simple.

[6:52] - Nora particularly likes cloudHQ and also recommends 1Password.

[10:11] – Nora argues that transitioning to a password manager app is simple and gradual.

[12:02] - Nora also recommends resources like Honeybook, 17Hats, and Dubsado.

[15:57] - Rock Paper Coin can automate contracts, invoices and client communications.

[18:08] - What are the broader implications of automation in business management?

[19:37] – Learn why Nora recommends automation tools like Zapier and IFTTT.

[22:21] - Many find tech intimidating, but they should take advantage of free trials and demos.

[24:23] – Andy gives out Nora's contact information.

LINKS & RESOURCES cloudHQ - Website

1Password - Website

HoneyBook - Website

17hats - Website

Dubsado - Website

Zapier - Website

IFTTT - Website

Find Nora:

Email: [email protected] Rock Paper Coin - WebsiteRock Paper Coin - Our StoryRock Paper Coin - Tips to Improve Workflow and Time Management for the Self EmployedRock Paper Coin - Automate Your Business Instant DownloadRock Paper Coin - Instagram PageRock Paper Coin - Facebook PageRock Paper Coin - App (Use code THEWEDDINGBIZ for one free year!)

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

The Wedding Biz

The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz Network

The Music Makers

Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment.

Andy welcomes you to another episode of The Wedding Biz in which he interviews Christopher Confero, a well known wedding planner and designer based out of Atlanta who manages to balance being not only the owner of his award-winning company Confero but also editor of the magazine Alabama Weddings. Christopher describes how his passions for music, performance, and theater shaped him creatively and continues to help him direct weddings and live events. Events, he reveals, allow him to be a creative storyteller and craft bespoke experiences for his clients.

Christopher also discusses his process of connecting with couples and designing weddings to reflect their personality. Although he has systems and processes, he says he tries to meet clients where they are and have natural conversations to make them comfortable, and he describes creativity as combining different elements in a cohesive way to bring life to his clients' love stories using his "childlike ability to play."

You can also expect to hear Christopher share specific examples of how he designed weddings using imagination and fresh perspectives, and he even reveals some of the challenges that he faces, especially the weather, and how he overcomes them through preparation and troubleshooting. Andy and Christopher agree on the benefits of having a business partner to manage the business side so that business owners can focus on the creative aspects if that is what they enjoy the most.

Andy had such a blast having this conversation with Christopher and really appreciates Christopher's willingness to be open and vulnerable. If you enjoy the conversation, then Andy would love it if you were to share it with colleagues and leave a top review. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so that you never miss a new episode, and we will catch you next week on The Wedding Biz!

This episode is sponsored by Zola, the fastest-growing wedding platform that connects today's couples with the right planners and vendors. Zola gives wedding professionals more control, better exposure, and higher quality leads - all with competitive pricing and no annual commitment. Create your free listing at www.zola.com/andy.

Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.

SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ

Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!

Time Stamps

[0:00] – The sponsor of this episode is Zola.

[1:17] - We learn that this episode's guest is event designer Christopher Confero!

[2:06] - Christopher confirms that his initial passions were in music and acting.

[2:35] - Christopher touches upon how his passion for music has helped him as a planner.

[4:16] - When did Christopher first feel a pull toward event design?

[5:57] - Christopher describes his personal signature.

[7:47] - Christopher walks us through his usual process with his clients.

[10:36] - Christopher explains his unique approach to wedding design.

[12:16] - We hear an example of how Christopher transforms spaces to reflect personalities.

[15:26] - Weather tends to be Christopher's biggest obstacle.

[18:26] - Christopher runs his wedding business and magazine from Atlanta and Birmingham.

[19:20] - Balancing event design and magazine editing is harder for Christopher than expected.

[22:52] - Christopher has learned to outsource so that he can focus more on the creative side.

[26:35] - Andy touches upon how travel and nature are inspirations for him.

[28:55] - What do success and legacy mean to Christopher?

[30:10] - Andy provides Christopher's contact information.

Find Christopher:

Confero - WebsiteConfero - Instagram PageChristopher's Instagram PageAlabama Weddings - Website

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

The Wedding Biz

The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz Network

The Music Makers

Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & Zola.

"Our interests are totally aligned with our clients, to make sure their wedding is the best it can possibly be." Listen as Andy and his guest Alex Fitzgibbons discuss how Alex got involved in the event industry, his journey to Fait Accompli, why he feels his work there is about finding and expressing the life and soul of weddings he orchestrates, plus much more on this episode of The Wedding Biz.

Alex is the Managing Director of Fait Accompli out of London, which organizes plans and designs spectacular events worldwide for A-list clients and Royal weddings. He orchestrated one of Vogue's top listed weddings of 2019 and was also responsible for the wedding celebration of Ellie Goulding and weddings for the Royal family, including Prince William and Katherine and Prince Harry and Megan.

Alex discusses his understanding of what a client wants and how he finds his inspiration when planning the event. Alex shares a story of one of his favorite weddings last year, his design philosophy, and the challenges of orchestrating a very large event. He also speaks about how he keeps high-profile weddings private by taking away the guests' phones, which also allows them to engage with others more freely.

Listen as Alex talks about balancing the business side of his company and the artistic side, how he puts together a team for each event, and how he has kept his business successful over the years. Alex shares that one of his favorite things about the event industry is the degree to which you get to know your clients and how exciting that is for him.

This episode is sponsored by Zola, the fastest-growing wedding platform that connects today's couples with the right planners and vendors. Zola gives wedding professionals more control, better exposure, and higher quality leads - all with competitive pricing and no annual commitment. Create your free listing at www.zola.com/andy.

Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.

SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ

Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!

Time Stamps

[0:00] – The sponsor of this episode is Zola.

[0:53] - Today's episode is a revisit of Andy's interview with Alex Fitzgibbons of Fait Accompli.

[2:01] - Alex is also a helicopter pilot!

[2:40] - After taking flying lessons with money meant for university, Alex delivered pizzas.

[3:56] - Alex undertook a 2,000 kilometer challenge in 2020, raising over 1.5 million dollars for Child Bereavement UK.

[5:56] - After a severe injury, Alex learned that he is extremely stubborn.

[7:10] - Alex discloses how he got into the events industry after college.

[8:08] - How did Alex make the transition from Nintendo to having his own company?

[9:51] - Alex describes himself as an adventurer who enjoys an adrenaline rush.

[11:24] - Any large event can be successfully organized through excellent relationships with suppliers.

[13:08] - We are walked through Alex's usual process with clients.

[16:31] - The diplomacy and politics involved in planning weddings has grown in the last twenty years.

[19:18] - Alex shares a detailed story of one of his favorite weddings.

[22:50] - Alex carefully guards guests' privacy by asking guests to check in their phones.

[24:45] - Alex laments that many guests focus on taking photos and videos of star performers rather than being present in the moment.

[26:37] - What techniques does Alex use to ensure guest engagement?

[29:18] - Alex feels the same pressure for all of his clients' events - whether they are high profile royal weddings or not.

[31:06] - How does Alex balance business and art?

[32:37] - Learn why Alex prioritizes hiring local suppliers and talent wherever an event is taking place.

[36:50] - Alex reveals how he has maintained success for so long.

[41:09] - Andy reveals where Alex and his company can be found online.

Find Alex: Fait Accompli - Website

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

The Wedding Biz

The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz Network

The Music Makers

Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & Zola.

Get ready to welcome Tayler Cusick Hollman, marketing consultant, small business builder, and founder of Enji. Taking what she has learned over nearly a decade of helping small businesses with marketing to design and build a suite of online marketing tools that fits your lifestyle and makes sense for you, she joins Andy today to talk about the rise of artificial intelligence and how wedding planners can use it to their advantage!

She delves into how artificial intelligence is starting to change the game when it comes to marketing our wedding businesses, and she talks us through some practical first steps we can take to build an effective marketing strategy as small business owners with limited time and resources. Andy and Tayler also dive into how AI tools like ChatGPT can specifically help us in three main ways, and even though these tools are very helpful, Tayler reminds us that we still need to review and edit any AI-generated content to ensure it meets our standards. It isn't foolproof – at least not yet.

Ultimately, the most important takeaway here is that while AI offers opportunities to simplify tasks, couples still want to work with human experts who provide that personalized touch. With a sensible approach, AI tools can complement without replacing our services.

This was such a thought-provoking and insightful conversation for Andy, and he really enjoyed talking with Tayler about both the pros and cons of adopting artificial intelligence. If you enjoy this conversation, please share it with colleagues. We suggest you subscribe to the podcast so that you never miss a new episode and to leave a top review. That really helps people find the show!

This episode is sponsored by Zola, the fastest-growing wedding platform that connects today's couples with the right planners and vendors. Zola gives wedding professionals more control, better exposure, and higher quality leads - all with competitive pricing and no annual commitment. Create your free listing at www.zola.com/andy.

Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.

SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ

Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!

Time Stamps

[0:00] – The sponsor of this episode is Zola.

[0:20] - Have you, the listener, tried using any AI technology?

[1:27] - We learn that today's guest is Tayler Cusick Hollman of Enji.

[3:04] - Tayler recommends adopting a narrow and realistic marketing strategy.

[6:33] - A solid marketing strategy involves setting goals and understanding your customer.

[9:09] - Tayler argues that creating an effective avatar is key to crafting the right message.

[11:24] - Tayler offers a basic definition of AI.

[16:07] - How can wedding pros use AI to support marketing efforts?

[20:53] - Hear about how Andy experimented with an AI chatbot and what he discovered.

[23:12] - Learn why businesses should never just copy and paste AI generated content.

[27:09] - How will AI come to affect what couples expect?

[30:03] - Tayler gives her opinion on SEO.

[34:51] - Engineers are being paid to assess what the most effective AI prompts are.

[37:08] - Tayler enthusiastically encourages us to reach out to her.

[38:03] - Andy reminds us where we can find Tayler and Enji online.

Find Enji:

WebsiteVideo LinkInstagramFacebookLinkedInPinterest

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

The Wedding Biz

The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz Network

The Music Makers

Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & Zola.

Andy is excited to bring to you his engaging conversation with Todd Fiscus, event designer and founder of Todd Events. Todd has a very impressive client roster, and also plans and designs events for noteworthy professional athletes and civic organizations. In this conversation, he discusses his background growing up loving to redecorate spaces as well as his various career pivots including considering becoming a chef before finding his passion for event design. He explains that his goal is to create events that reflect the spirit and tastes of his clients rather than imposing his own style.

Todd also talks about a new course he has created called Pillars of Production which is aimed at event producers, planners, and rental companies. Pillars of Production covers a range of topics from human resources, risk management, financial management, tenting, and production languages. The goal is to help new and current industry professionals avoid some of the pitfalls that Todd himself experienced when he first started out. He aims to leverage his expertise to provide best practices on standardizing operations in the industry.

He also stresses the importance of competency with the various creative partners involved in event production, like lighting and sound technicians. Todd acknowledges that fear and uncertainty come with being an entrepreneur, and he hopes that his course will help transfer knowledge and boost the professionalism of the industry so that useful skills and information are not lost when it comes time for great designers and planners to retire.

This was such an exciting, insightful interview for Andy, and he really hopes that you enjoy listening to it! If you do, then he asks that you please share this episode with at least three people you know who might also enjoy it. It would be great if you were to also subscribe to the podcast if you aren't already so that you never miss a new episode and to leave a top review wherever you listen. That really helps people find the show!

This episode is sponsored by Zola, the fastest-growing wedding platform that connects today's couples with the right planners and vendors. Zola gives wedding professionals more control, better exposure, and higher quality leads - all with competitive pricing and no annual commitment. Create your free listing at www.zola.com/andy.

Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.

SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ

Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!

Time Stamps

[0:00] – The sponsor of this episode is Zola.

[1:48] - Andy is excited to announce today's guest, Todd Fiscus of Todd Events!

[3:29] - Todd, even as a child, enjoyed decorating and rearranging.

[4:40] - Todd worked in a kitchen at a hotel and quickly realized that it wasn't his calling.

[6:18] - Hear how a wedding in Dallas inspired Todd.

[7:41] - Todd touches upon an important lesson that he learned in the last three decades.

[8:56] - What makes Todd stand out in a very saturated market?

[11:11] - Learn about Todd's course Pillars of Production and its primary objectives.

[12:29] - Todd discusses his seven pillars of production.

[16:19] - Company owners need to be able to communicate certain things to clients.

[18:29] - Todd explains how planners don't always understand the language of power.

[21:33] - Hear about the seventh pillar: financial management.

[23:23] - Learn all about the Enfield Production.

[26:09] - What are some of the best practices that planners and designers should be aware of?

[27:33] - Andy discusses the difficulties of onboarding new hires.

[28:48] - Employees can watch videos and take tests to assess their understanding.

[30:01] - Pillars of Production plans to release new training videos four times per year.

[33:28] - Being an entrepreneur comes with constant fear and uncertainty.

[36:33] - Todd discusses how sustainability has been his greatest challenge.

[39:15] - Andy gives us Todd's contact info.

Find Todd:

Todd Events - WebsiteTodd Events - Instagram PagePillars of Production - WebsitePillars of Production - Instagram Page

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

The Wedding Biz

The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz Network

The Music Makers

Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & Zola.

Andy is so happy to welcome a first-time guest to the show - John Dolan! John is a professional wedding photographer, and as someone who developed an interest in photography at a very young age, this interview is especially exciting for Andy.

John truly stands out as a pioneer in contemporary wedding photography, having woven a career out of advertising, editorial, and fine art photography. For over three decades, he has redefined the genre by blending the honesty of documentaries and the grace and beauty of fashion photography. John's clients include magazine art directors and editors as well as celebrities such as Jerry Seinfeld, Ben Stiller, Kate Bosworth, Bridget Moynahan, Will Smith, Rosanne Cash, and Gwyneth Paltrow, so he has quite the reputation behind his name!

You will definitely want to listen to John's story as he shares what makes him stand out as a wedding photographer, including the surprising fact that he has only ever done photography as a profession. He also explains how photographing is, for him, a way of collecting, how and why he thinks of weddings as plays, and how he goes about establishing trust between himself and prospective clients.

He also weighs in on the film vs. digital debate, explaining that he brings lots of cameras to a wedding and intuitively uses a hybrid of both film and digital based on the lighting situation. With John also being the author of the book The Perfect Imperfect: The Wedding Photographs, we also learn about what inspired him to write the book and what went into publishing it, and he closes up by offering some incredibly insightful tips and advice, including his belief that the most important person for a wedding photographer to please at a wedding is yourself.

This interview has been a true pleasure for Andy, and he really hopes that you enjoy listening to his conversation with John Dolan as much as he enjoyed having it. If so, then please be sure to share this episode with at least three people you know who might also enjoy it. It would be great if you were to also subscribe to the podcast if you aren't already so that you never miss a new episode and to leave a top review wherever you listen. That really helps out Andy and the show!

This episode is sponsored by Zola, the fastest-growing wedding platform that connects today's couples with the right planners and vendors. Zola gives wedding professionals more control, better exposure, and higher quality leads - all with competitive pricing and no annual commitment. Create your free listing at www.zola.com/andy.

Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.

SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ

Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!

Time Stamps

[0:00] – The sponsor of this episode is Zola.

[1:39] - We learn that today's guest is wedding photographer John Dolan.

[2:35] - Photography has always been John's only job, and he shares what drew him to it.

[4:06] - John gives insight into what he means in his book by, "Unpredictability is what makes it memorable."

[5:42] - A wedding photographer is, in a sense, a live performer.

[7:33] - Learn about John's standard process.

[8:46] - John shares what makes his business model seem counterintuitive.

[11:19] - John incorporates both film and digital.

[12:27] - How does John approach lighting, composition, and style?

[13:47] - John addresses some of his biggest challenges and how he overcame them.

[17:03] - Hear about how John approaches celebrity events differently.

[19:04] - People who hire John usually expect him to be understated without much intervention.

[20:51] - Photographers have to be able to adapt to unexpected weather problems.

[22:36] - Does John feel more pressure when he knows that his work will be published?

[23:40] - What does John still struggle with?

[26:22] - John explains what compelled John to write his book.

[28:11] - John argues that weddings aren't just about the couple getting married.

[30:40] - There is a difference between how younger and older people approach weddings.

[32:17] - We are treated to some tips and advice from John.

[33:32] - John discloses what gear he currently uses.

[34:32] - Andy gives us John's contact information.

LINKS & RESOURCES

John Dolan - The Perfect Imperfect: The Wedding Photographs

Find John:

John's WebsiteJohn's Instagram Page

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

The Wedding Biz

The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz Network

The Music Makers

Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & Zola.

Andy welcomes Rachel Birthistle to The Wedding Biz. Rachel is the Owner and CEO of The Lake Como Wedding Planner based in Como, Italy. In addition to her own events, she has worked with people like Lisa Vorce on Chrissy Tegan and John Legend's wedding and many others. She says she is predominantly a wedding planner in a destination rather than a destination wedding planner.

Rachel's father was in the fashion industry, and from a young age, she worked in his factory doing tasks like snipping thread and packing items. She found the place fascinating and knew that being in the fashion industry was where she wanted to be. She started making her own clothes in school even though her friends thought her fashion style was a little out there!

Rachel discusses going to design college, finding a job with a large retailer in London, traveling all over the world, and her decision to stay home. She speaks about going back to college for sports therapy and starting a clinic in her home. Her life took twists and turns but eventually led her to a position with a wedding planner and, ultimately, her decision to start her own extremely successful business.

Rachel strives to make each client's wedding an event starting when they get off the plane for their first meeting with her. With an itinerary of possible venues in hand, she begins to analyze the client's style, how they interact with each other, and begins the design process in her head. Creating a sequence of contrasting events for her clients is what she loves most.

What is your dream? If it's to start your own business, what are you waiting for? You will never know if you can do it until you take a leap of faith and try. Rachel is someone who did just that; she found areas that were lacking in the wedding planning industry in Lake Como, Italy, and set out to change it. This is a learning experience for anyone with a dream, so sit back and listen to this very insightful episode.

This episode is sponsored by Zola, the fastest-growing wedding platform that connects today's couples with the right planners and vendors. Zola gives wedding professionals more control, better exposure, and higher quality leads - all with competitive pricing and no annual commitment. Create your free listing at www.zola.com/andy. Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.

SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ

Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!

Show Highlights:

• [00:00] - Today's sponsor is Zola.

• [01:03] - This episode is a revisit of Andy's original interview with Rachel Birthistle.

• [01:46] - Welcome to the show, Rachel!

• [02:11] - She has a view of Lake Como from her office and says it's hard to beat.

• [02:59] - Rachel discusses her childhood and how she knew she was going to be in the fashion industry as a small child.

• [03:45] - She didn't know what part of the industry, but the design side fascinated her.

• [04:21] - Did Rachel have a strong sense of what her style was?

• [04:41] - Rachel started making her clothes because she didn't have a lot of pocket money.

• [05:40] - She went to school for design in London but didn't finish because she left to have her daughter.

• [07:13] - If you are positive when looking for opportunities, you can be successful.

• [08:06] - Rachel started working for a retailer in London who focused on menswear and got to travel a lot.

• [09:18] - Rachel explains the twists and turns she took from fashion into planning.

• [11:00] - She got introduced to the wedding industry from a friend who needed help and moved from there into her own company.

• [11:59] - She discovered that the wedding industry was missing various things and made it her mission to fill in the holes.

• [13:45] - What was available to rent for weddings lacked style, so she started buying items to use.

• [15:04] - Rachel interprets what clients want and puts ideas together for them.

• [17:27] - She gives us her process for meeting a client, finding the venue, and understanding their style. She then can start thinking about the design.

• [20:05] - Lake Como is unique, and her goal is to have contrast within the flow of events.

• [23:38] - From the time her clients arrive at the airport, she puts together an itinerary for showing them locations and giving them an experience.

• [25:45] - She also does planning with other agencies that need a local planner to support them.

• [26:29] - Rachel reflects on her having worked with Colin Cowie.

• [27:38] - Rachel talks about working with Lisa Vorce doing Crissy Tegan and John Legend's wedding and the different people she has worked with.

• [30:13] - Her reputation and weddings benefit the venues and get them exposure and business.

• [33:01] - Having a mix of photographers through the various seasons allows her to have different types of photos for each wedding.

• [34:47] - Rachel's daughter works in the business and helps curate their library of images.

• [38:01] - She is learning to delegate and put the right people in the right positions so she doesn't have to be present every minute of each event.

• [40:46] - She has a team that knows many different languages, which helps her deal with vendors/creative partners and clients.

• [41:48] - Where does Rachel want to be in five or ten years?

• [42:48] - Rachel has also started a furniture rental business, which she is now allowing other companies to use.

• [44:43] - Andy announces where Rachel can be found online.

LINKS & RESOURCES

Kristen & Zachary Wedding in Lake Como, Italy

Lauren & OJ – Marco Caputo – password: "amcaputo2019"

Joel & Shayne – Moon and Back

Neha & Sheryar

Find Rachel:

The Lake Como Wedding Planner Rachel@lakecomoweddings Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

Mentioned:

Lisa Vorce

Colin Cowie Part 1 on The Wedding Biz

Colin Cowie Part 2 on The Wedding Biz

Robert Fountain on The Wedding Biz

Kiana Underwood on The Wedding Biz

Carrie Goldberg on The Wedding Biz

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

The Wedding Biz

The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz Network

The Music Makers

Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & Zola.

Andy is so excited to welcome John and Marijo Eleazar to the podcast in this episode! John and Marijo are the managing directors and visual storytellers of Eleazar Film and hail from the Philippines. They spend their time traveling the world looking for inspiration and excitement but also found a home to raise their children in Vienna, Austria. Eleazar Film creates unique films for people and businesses with stories that they want to tell.

You're definitely going to want to listen in to this episode because John and Marijo have so many great bits of wisdom and insight to share. They discuss the various terms that help us understand the foundation of what they do, how they create such compelling videos for their clients, how to build videos into your overall marketing strategy, why it's important to create meaningful relationships, and so much more!

Marijo and John also dive into their backgrounds and how the business got started, a bit into their family life in Vienna, a couple of examples of weddings that they filmed and what made them stand out, etc. Andy really has a lot of admiration for John's and Marijo's work, so he is so honored to have them on the show and really hopes that you enjoy his conversation with them. He would really love it if you were to share this episode with at least three people you know who might also enjoy it. Be sure to also subscribe to the podcast if you aren't already so that you never miss a new episode and to leave a top review wherever you listen. That really helps out Andy and the show!

This episode is sponsored by Zola, the fastest-growing wedding platform that connects today's couples with the right planners and vendors. Zola gives wedding professionals more control, better exposure, and higher quality leads - all with competitive pricing and no annual commitment. Create your free listing at www.zola.com/andy.

Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.

SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ

Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!

Time Stamps

[0:00] – The sponsor of this episode is Zola.

[1:45] - Today's guests are Marijo and John Eleazar of Eleazar Film.

[2:57] - Why did Marijo and John choose to settle in Vienna?

[4:52] - John discusses the origin of the business.

[7:08] - Learn about some of the terms associated with the business.

[10:32] - Does Eleazar Film use certain techniques to accomplish their goals?

[13:22] - What is narrative transportation?

[16:31] - How do John and Marijo establish attention amongst short attention spans?

[18:31] - Hear why John does not believe in short wedding films.

[20:22] - Marijo discusses their marketing strategy.

[24:55] - Hear a story of a standout wedding.

[28:20] - John gives details of a wedding during the pandemic.

[30:14] - Hear some closing advice on creating meaningful relationships.

[32:35] - Andy reveals where to find John and Marijo online.

LINKS & RESOURCES

Eleazar Film - PB Live 2023 Day3 (Director's Cut)

Eleazar Film - 3 Elements of a Compelling Story

Eleazar Film - The Intrinsic Value of a Compelling Story

Find John and Marijo:

Eleazar Film - WebsiteEleazar Film - Instagram Page

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

The Wedding Biz

The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz Network

The Music Makers

Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & Zola.

Joel Serrato is today's guest, and Andy is so excited to have him on the show! Joel has been named a top wedding photographer by Harper's Bazaar and Martha Stewart Weddings, and his photography is based on capturing pure moments of authentic emotions. Some of his noteworthy work includes work for Pat Benatar, Tamara Mowry, and Adam Housley, and the quality of his work simply speaks for itself.

Joel details how his original interest was in filmmaking but that his husband Jose Villa got him interested in wedding photography. He touches upon whether he prefers digital or film (and makes a pretty bold statement that might surprise you), what he does to bring in compatible clientele, and whether or not he has managed to find a balance between being a professional wedding photographer, a husband, and a father to two little ones.

Joel also strongly believes in event professionals supporting each other rather than going up against each other, and he even demonstrates that by reaching out to photographers who got jobs over him and congratulating them. This positivity is something that he also carries with him pretty much everywhere that he goes, and he gives an example of how he managed to make a really good situation out of a literally rainy day, putting on what he calls his "swan face."

This was such a special conversation for Andy because of how kind and thoughtful Joel is, and he really appreciates Joel's time and how open that he was on the show. If you enjoyed Andy's conversation with Joel Serrato, then he would really love it if you were to share this episode with at least three people you know who might also enjoy it. Be sure to also subscribe to the podcast if you aren't already so that you never miss a new episode and to leave a top review wherever you listen. That really helps out Andy and the show!

This episode is sponsored by Zola, the fastest-growing wedding platform that connects today's couples with the right planners and vendors. Zola gives wedding professionals more control, better exposure, and higher quality leads - all with competitive pricing and no annual commitment. Create your free listing at www.zola.com/andy.

Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.

SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ

Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!

Time Stamps

[0:00] – The sponsor of this episode is Zola.

[0:23] - Andy recommends the book The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin.

[1:54] - Andy is excited to announce that Joel Serrato is this episode's special guest!

[2:52] - Discover that Joel got his start in filmmaking.

[5:35] - Joel identifies his husband Jose Villa as his greatest teacher.

[7:39] - Does Joel prefer film or digital?

[10:03] - How does Joel look at lighting, composition, and style?

[12:04] - Joel walks us through the usual process with his clients.

[14:44] - Joel believes that wedding industry professionals should support each other.

[16:09] - Hear what the biggest challenges of destination weddings are.

[19:29] - Does Joel approach photographing celebrities differently?

[22:59] - Joel gives an example of a challenge that he had to overcome.

[25:37] - Learn how Joel calmed a nervous bride down.

[29:24] - Joel discusses situations that led to other opportunities.

[31:26] - Joel reveals whether or not he's able to balance his professional and personal lives.

[35:14] - Joel reflects back on how his parents inspired him.

[36:41] - What gear is Joel currently using?

[38:59] - Andy gives us Joel's website and Instagram information.

LINKS & RESOURCES

Rick Rubin - The Creative Act: A Way of Being

Find Joel:

Joel's WebsiteJoel's Instagram Page

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

The Wedding Biz

The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz Network

The Music Makers

Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & Zola.

Andy is happy to welcome returning guest Meghan Ely back to the podcast today! Meghan is the owner of OFD Consulting and combines in the trenches event experience with a love of wedding PR, empowering her clients to take their businesses to the next level, and her team's publicity efforts are even regularly honored by the Public Relations Society of America. A longtime industry speaker and writer, Meghan is a wedding pro educator with regular contributions to Wedding Planner Magazine, The Knot, Wedding Business Magazine, Catersource, and SpecialEvents.com. Meghan also is the 2022 WIPA International President and is a long-time supporter and member of NACE, and SpecialEvents.com honored her as one of the top 25 young professionals in the event industry, with NACE recently having honored her as Speaker of the Year.

Meghan catches up with Andy since her last appearance on the show, discussing the editorial boom in relation to the wedding industry. She also stresses the importance of mindset when it comes to strategy related to getting work published and diversifying your media strategy. Meghan also emphasizes the importance of having your strategies be year-round.

Meghan, in addition, clarifies what's true about being in PR vs. some common misconceptions, emphasizing, for example, that there are rules that should be followed. She touches upon how to keep a line of communication open with editors and maintain connections, arguing that editors should be prioritized just as if they are clients and that we should follow their public accounts on social media, and offers some incredibly helpful advice to anyone looking to navigate this editorial boom!

Andy really hopes that all of Meghan's valuable information is helpful to listeners! If so, then Andy would love it if you were to share this episode with a few people you know who might also enjoy it. Be sure to also subscribe to the podcast if you aren't already so that you never miss a new episode and to leave a top review wherever you listen, as that really helps out Andy and the show!

This episode is sponsored by Zola, the fastest-growing wedding platform that connects today's couples with the right planners and vendors. Zola gives wedding professionals more control, better exposure, and higher quality leads - all with competitive pricing and no annual commitment. Create your free listing at www.zola.com/andy.

Have you heard about Stop and Smell the Roses with Preston Bailey on The Wedding Biz Network? Listen as Preston shares the secrets, tools, and technologies behind his extraordinary ability to create a theatrical environment out of any space. Also, don't forget about Sean Low's podcast The Business of Being Creative, where Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more. You can find both shows on The Wedding Biz Network.

SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ

Become a patron and support Andy and the show! If you are so inspired, contribute!

Time Stamps

[0:00] – The sponsor of this episode is Zola.

[0:16] - Andy updates on his comedy class.

[2:17] - Today's guest is returning guest Meghan Ely!

[3:31] - Meghan defines the editorial boom.

[5:40] - Meghan shares a few strategies to get something published.

[7:59] - Meghan discusses getting into the headspace of the media.

[10:44] - How do we keep communication open with editors?

[12:07] - Don't DM editors.

[13:12] - Meghan gives advice on how to maintain connections.

[15:58] - Hear some last-minute ways to navigate the submission boom.

[17:03] - What is the best way to take advantage of what Meghan offers?

[18:31] - Andy shares where to find Meghan online.

LINKS & RESOURCES

Meghan's Previous Guest Spots on The Wedding Biz

Find Meghan:

OFD Consulting - WebsiteOFD Consulting - Facebook PageOFD Consulting - Instagram PageOFD Consulting - Twitter PageOFD Collective - WebsiteWedding Industry Speakers - Website

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

The Wedding Biz

The Wedding Biz on Instagram: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz on Facebook: @theweddingbiz

The Wedding Biz Network

The Music Makers

Support The Wedding Biz by clicking here.

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment & Zola.