Wedding Industry Mama - Navigating the Unique Scenarios of Motherhood in Our Industry

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What does it really look like to build a global career and a family at the same time?

In this episode, I sit down with internationally renowned photographer Greg Finck and bridal designer Rime Arodaky for an honest, unfiltered conversation about marriage, parenthood, and running high-demand businesses in the wedding industry.

From last-minute international travel to missed weekends, childcare logistics, and the pressure to “do it all,” they share what actually happens behind the scenes—and why balance might be the wrong goal entirely.

We talk about:

• Why they don’t believe in “having it all”
• The trade-offs no one talks about
• How they structure family time in a chaotic schedule
• Letting go of control (and the guilt that comes with it)
• What truly matters when raising kids in a high-performance life

If you’ve ever wondered how to build a career and a family without losing yourself in the process… this episode will change the way you think about both.

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Today's Sponsor: Green Aisle - A Platform for Modern Sustainable Weddings - Join the movement at https://green-aisle.com

Wedding Industry Mama Coloring Book: https://www.lulu.com/shop/meredith-kerr/wedding-industry-mama-a-coloring-book/paperback/product-9597z66.html?page=1&pageSize=4

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Before Keri Ketterer Walter welcomed her first baby, we sat down to talk about what it looks like to prepare for motherhood while running two thriving luxury wedding planning businesses.

Keri was actually my own wedding planner back in 2018, so this conversation felt especially full circle. In this episode, she shares the story behind the evolution of Always Yours Events and KKW & Co., how she carved out a specialty in private estate and tented weddings, and what it has looked like to thoughtfully prepare her team, clients, and business for this next chapter.

We talk about delegation, boundaries, daycare plans, maternity leave in a seasonal industry, and the emotional reality of watching others grow while your own priorities begin to shift. Keri also shares why she believes mothers in the wedding industry often become more focused, more efficient, and even more powerful in business.

If you’ve ever wondered how to build a business that can support both your ambition and your family, this conversation is such a good one.

In this episode, we cover:

• The difference between Always Yours Events and KKW & Co.
• How Keri built a name in the ultra-luxury private estate wedding space
• How she told clients she was pregnant
• Why delegation became her keyword before motherhood
• The motherhood “divide” in the wedding industry
• Why moms may actually become more efficient and focused in business
• What she hopes the industry looks like for women and mothers moving forward

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Please leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Subscribe to Wedding Industry Mama for honest conversations about motherhood, marketing, and building a sustainable business in the wedding world.

Today's Sponsor: Green Aisle - A Platform for Modern Sustainable Weddings - Join the movement at https://green-aisle.com

Wedding Industry Mama Coloring Book: https://www.lulu.com/shop/meredith-kerr/wedding-industry-mama-a-coloring-book/paperback/product-9597z66.html?page=1&pageSize=4

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What happens when you’re at the height of your career… and motherhood shifts everything?

In this raw and honest conversation, destination wedding photographer Sacia Matthews shares what it really looked like to sit in a parking lot before a wedding and realize something had to change.

After having twin boys, Sacia found herself questioning:

– Who am I creating for?

– Why am I missing weekends at home?

– And is this still aligned?

At 4AM one night, she archived her entire Instagram and stepped away from client work for months.

No safety net.

No guaranteed bookings.

Just clarity.

Inside this episode, we talk about:

• The emotional reality of leaving babies for weddings

• Why “luxury” isn’t about money — it’s about alignment

• How she intentionally built relationships to elevate her client base

• The gut instinct motherhood gives you in business

• Missing milestones (and learning to live with it)

• Scaling back to 3 weddings a year

• And building a second career in digital marketing

This episode is for the mom who:

– Feels the shift happening

– Is questioning her current season

– Or wonders if she’s allowed to change her mind

Follow Sacia at @saciamatthews and continue the conversation with us inside the Wedding Industry Mama community.

If you loved this episode, screenshot it, share it to your stories, and tag us so we can thank you.

Support the show

Please leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Subscribe to Wedding Industry Mama for honest conversations about motherhood, marketing, and building a sustainable business in the wedding world.

Today's Sponsor: Green Aisle - A Platform for Modern Sustainable Weddings - Join the movement at https://green-aisle.com

Wedding Industry Mama Coloring Book: https://www.lulu.com/shop/meredith-kerr/wedding-industry-mama-a-coloring-book/paperback/product-9597z66.html?page=1&pageSize=4

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Free email template on telling your brides you're pregnant: http://eepurl.com/jhJCTg

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What happens when you stop saying yes to everything and start protecting the life you actually want?

In this episode, Meredith sits down with Laura Ritchie, founder of Grit & Grace (luxury wedding and event planning outside Washington, DC), for an honest conversation about motherhood, ambition, grief, and the boundaries that make long term success possible.

Laura shares the deeply personal origin behind the name Grit & Grace, how she built her business while navigating the loss of her mom during pregnancy, and why she eventually shifted from producing 60 weddings a year to just three high touch events. We talk about the reality of travel sports life, choosing dates that protect your family, and how being upfront about motherhood actually strengthens client relationships at the luxury level.

If you’ve ever felt pulled between being a present mom and a driven creative, this one will hit home.

In this episode, we cover:

• The story behind the name Grit & Grace and the diary entry that changed everything
• Building a business in the hardest season of life
• The hidden cost of “yes” and why boundaries are a business strategy
• How Laura structures her calendar around her kids, not the industry
• Why luxury clients value a whole human, not a perfect persona
• The vendors and companies raising the bar for working moms in weddings

Follow Laura + learn more:

Instagram: @gritandgraceinc

If you loved this episode, screenshot it, share it to your stories, and tag us so we can thank you.

Support the show

Please leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Subscribe to Wedding Industry Mama for honest conversations about motherhood, marketing, and building a sustainable business in the wedding world.

Today's Sponsor: Green Aisle - A Platform for Modern Sustainable Weddings - Join the movement at https://green-aisle.com

Wedding Industry Mama Coloring Book: https://www.lulu.com/shop/meredith-kerr/wedding-industry-mama-a-coloring-book/paperback/product-9597z66.html?page=1&pageSize=4

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Free email template on telling your brides you're pregnant: http://eepurl.com/jhJCTg

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What happens when the wedding business you’ve built no longer fits the life you want? In this episode of Wedding Industry Mama, I sit down with photographer and educator Abby Springman to talk about her powerful journey from luxury wedding photography to brand photography — all while navigating adoption, a surprise pregnancy, and motherhood to three little boys.

Abby shares openly about:

• Knowing when it’s time to pivot out of the wedding industry
• Why motherhood reshaped her business priorities
• The mindset shifts from B2C (weddings) to B2B (brands)
• How to tell if you’re burned out… or if it’s simply time to move on
• The importance of lifestyle-first business planning

If you’ve ever wondered how to build a business that fits the life you actually want — or questioned whether it’s time to leave weddings behind — this conversation will inspire and encourage you.

🎧 Tune in now for insight, honesty, and wisdom from one of the most respected voices in the photography world, Abby Grace.

🔗 Follow @abbygracephoto on Instagram, visit www.abbygracephotography.com and listen to The Artisan CEO Podcast here: https://abbygracephotography.com/podcast

Subscribe to Wedding Industry Mama for honest conversations about motherhood, marketing, and building a sustainable business in the wedding world.

Today's Sponsor: Green Aisle - A Platform for Modern Sustainable Weddings - Join the movement at https://green-aisle.com

Wedding Industry Mama Coloring Book: https://www.lulu.com/shop/meredith-kerr/wedding-industry-mama-a-coloring-book/paperback/product-9597z66.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Digital Version: https://payhip.com/b/bfFmX

Free email template on telling your brides you're pregnant: http://eepurl.com/jhJCTg

Support the show

Please leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Subscribe to Wedding Industry Mama for honest conversations about motherhood, marketing, and building a sustainable business in the wedding world.

Today's Sponsor: Green Aisle - A Platform for Modern Sustainable Weddings - Join the movement at https://green-aisle.com

Wedding Industry Mama Coloring Book: https://www.lulu.com/shop/meredith-kerr/wedding-industry-mama-a-coloring-book/paperback/product-9597z66.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Digital Version: https://payhip.com/b/bfFmX

Free email template on telling your brides you're pregnant: http://eepurl.com/jhJCTg

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What’s it like to run a luxury wedding planning company across three states—while raising toddler twins and traveling full-time? In this episode, Meredith sits down with Irene of Irene & Co Events to explore what it truly takes to be a working mom in the wedding industry. Irene shares her journey of growing her business during pregnancy, navigating motherhood as a wedding planner, and building teams in Connecticut, New York, and Utah. They dive into destination wedding planning, childcare strategies, partnership dynamics, and how Irene scaled to a fully booked calendar while caring for her kids. 

If you’re a mompreneur, a wedding professional, or just looking for real talk on balancing career and motherhood, this one’s for you.

🔗 Follow @irenecoevents on Instagram, visit www.irenecoevents.com and listen to The Peak Perfection Podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/7LoMvV4aKueSJGt6Ktlstz?si=1ed8d9c0254c411e&nd=1&dlsi=18f57de5409a46dd

🎧 Subscribe to Wedding Industry Mama for honest conversations about motherhood, marketing, and building a sustainable business in the wedding world.

Today's Sponsor: Green Aisle - A Platform for Modern Sustainable Weddings - Join the movement at https://green-aisle.com

Wedding Industry Mama Coloring Book: https://www.lulu.com/shop/meredith-kerr/wedding-industry-mama-a-coloring-book/paperback/product-9597z66.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Digital Version: https://payhip.com/b/bfFmX

Free email template on telling your brides you're pregnant: http://eepurl.com/jhJCTg

Support the show

Please leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Subscribe to Wedding Industry Mama for honest conversations about motherhood, marketing, and building a sustainable business in the wedding world.

Today's Sponsor: Green Aisle - A Platform for Modern Sustainable Weddings - Join the movement at https://green-aisle.com

Wedding Industry Mama Coloring Book: https://www.lulu.com/shop/meredith-kerr/wedding-industry-mama-a-coloring-book/paperback/product-9597z66.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Digital Version: https://payhip.com/b/bfFmX

Free email template on telling your brides you're pregnant: http://eepurl.com/jhJCTg

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Is it possible to grow a profitable wedding business without sacrificing your family?

In this inspiring episode, I chat with Becca Pountney, UK-based wedding marketing expert and podcast host, about how she built a successful business around her family — not in spite of it.

Becca shares what it’s really like to be a mom in the wedding industry, why setting boundaries is non-negotiable, and how she helps wedding pros grow with strategy instead of burnout.

💬 In this episode:

• Building a flexible wedding business that fits your life
• Why showing up imperfectly is part of the process
• The best marketing tips for overwhelmed vendors
• How to use automation and visibility to reclaim your time

Whether you’re a planner, photographer, florist, or just feeling stretched thin, Becca’s advice will remind you that growth doesn’t have to come at the cost of motherhood.

🔗 Follow @beccapountney on Instagram and visit beccapountney.com for wedding marketing tips, tools, and courses.

🎧 Subscribe to Wedding Industry Mama for honest conversations about motherhood, marketing, and building a sustainable business in the wedding world.

Whether you’re a mompreneur, wedding pro, or just feeling overwhelmed by the juggle—this one’s for you.

Today's Sponsor: Green Aisle - A Platform for Modern Sustainable Weddings - Join the movement at https://green-aisle.com

Wedding Industry Mama Coloring Book: https://www.lulu.com/shop/meredith-kerr/wedding-industry-mama-a-coloring-book/paperback/product-9597z66.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Digital Version: https://payhip.com/b/bfFmX

Free email template on telling your brides you're pregnant: http://eepurl.com/jhJCTg

Support the show

Please leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Subscribe to Wedding Industry Mama for honest conversations about motherhood, marketing, and building a sustainable business in the wedding world.

Today's Sponsor: Green Aisle - A Platform for Modern Sustainable Weddings - Join the movement at https://green-aisle.com

Wedding Industry Mama Coloring Book: https://www.lulu.com/shop/meredith-kerr/wedding-industry-mama-a-coloring-book/paperback/product-9597z66.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Digital Version: https://payhip.com/b/bfFmX

Free email template on telling your brides you're pregnant: http://eepurl.com/jhJCTg

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https://weddingindustrymama.com

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Courtney Wolf — principal planner at Invision Events and founder of Educate | Empower | Encourage — to talk about what really happens behind the scenes of motherhood as a business owner in the wedding industry.

Courtney opens up about her experience with perinatal depression, the emotional shift of maternity leave, and how becoming a mother changed her approach to mindset, boundaries, and money. This conversation is full of real talk, encouraging perspective shifts, and the kind of vulnerability we don’t hear enough of in our field.

Whether you’re pregnant, on leave, newly postpartum, or just trying to juggle your business and babies — this episode will leave you feeling seen, supported, and fired up.

https://courtneycoveywolf.com/ for a free copy of her 11 life changing daily habits that will unlock your next level and ignite your personal power 

https://www.instagram.com/courtneycoveywolf/ to say hey on the 'gram 

Today's Sponsor: Green Aisle - A Platform for Modern Sustainable Weddings - Join the movement at https://green-aisle.com

Wedding Industry Mama Coloring Book: https://www.lulu.com/shop/meredith-kerr/wedding-industry-mama-a-coloring-book/paperback/product-9597z66.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Digital Version: https://payhip.com/b/bfFmX

Free email template on telling your brides you're pregnant: http://eepurl.com/jhJCTg

Support the show

Please leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Subscribe to Wedding Industry Mama for honest conversations about motherhood, marketing, and building a sustainable business in the wedding world.

Today's Sponsor: Green Aisle - A Platform for Modern Sustainable Weddings - Join the movement at https://green-aisle.com

Wedding Industry Mama Coloring Book: https://www.lulu.com/shop/meredith-kerr/wedding-industry-mama-a-coloring-book/paperback/product-9597z66.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Digital Version: https://payhip.com/b/bfFmX

Free email template on telling your brides you're pregnant: http://eepurl.com/jhJCTg

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What happens when your personal story becomes part of your brand — and you’re not sure how much to share?

In this deeply honest episode, I talk with Carly Bentsen of Carly Michelle Photography, wedding photographer and mom of two, about navigating IVF, motherhood, and the vulnerability that comes with building a creative business online.

Carly opens up about how becoming a parent shaped her identity, what she learned through infertility, and the complex emotions that come with showing up authentically as a business owner.

💬 In this episode:

• IVF and its emotional impact on creative work
• The pressure to “share everything” as a personal brand
• Identity shifts after motherhood
• Building boundaries around storytelling and visibility

Whether you’re in the middle of growing your family or your business (or both), Carly’s story is a reminder that your truth is enough — and that you’re not alone.

🔗 Connect with Carly at @carlymphotography on Instagram.

🎧 Subscribe to Wedding Industry Mama for raw, relatable stories from creative moms building businesses in the wedding world.

Support the show

Please leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Subscribe to Wedding Industry Mama for honest conversations about motherhood, marketing, and building a sustainable business in the wedding world.

Today's Sponsor: Green Aisle - A Platform for Modern Sustainable Weddings - Join the movement at https://green-aisle.com

Wedding Industry Mama Coloring Book: https://www.lulu.com/shop/meredith-kerr/wedding-industry-mama-a-coloring-book/paperback/product-9597z66.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Digital Version: https://payhip.com/b/bfFmX

Free email template on telling your brides you're pregnant: http://eepurl.com/jhJCTg

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Can you manage a high-profile career in the wedding industry and navigate motherhood and ADHD at the same time?

In this vulnerable and empowering episode, I sit down with Meghan Ely, award-winning wedding publicist and founder of OFD Consulting, to talk about how becoming a parent changed her business, her brain, and her boundaries.

Meghan shares how ADHD shaped her entrepreneurial path, why she resisted hustle culture, and what she wants all creative business owners to know about rewriting success after kids.

💬 In this episode:

• ADHD and owning your brilliance
• Setting boundaries with clients and with yourself
• How motherhood transformed her PR priorities
• Finding confidence in seasons of chaos

Whether you or your children are neurodivergent, navigating new motherhood, or rethinking your career path, this one’s a must-listen.

🔗 Learn more about Meghan at ofdconsulting.com and follow @ofdconsulting on Instagram.

🎧 Subscribe to Wedding Industry Mama for honest conversations with moms who are redefining success in the wedding world — on their own terms.

Support the show

Please leave us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Subscribe to Wedding Industry Mama for honest conversations about motherhood, marketing, and building a sustainable business in the wedding world.

Today's Sponsor: Green Aisle - A Platform for Modern Sustainable Weddings - Join the movement at https://green-aisle.com

Wedding Industry Mama Coloring Book: https://www.lulu.com/shop/meredith-kerr/wedding-industry-mama-a-coloring-book/paperback/product-9597z66.html?page=1&pageSize=4

Digital Version: https://payhip.com/b/bfFmX

Free email template on telling your brides you're pregnant: http://eepurl.com/jhJCTg