Church weddings don't have to be a battlefield between sacred tradition and creative vision. Join Krisy Thomas, COO of the CWP Society, alongside Emma Cockerham, Master Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator, and Riley Snider, Master Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator, as they reveal how alignment—not conflict—transforms church ceremonies into seamless, deeply meaningful experiences.

What you'll discover:

The three-lane model that changes everything: church coordinators protect sacred flow, creative vendors drive visual and emotional impact, and you—the planner—connect it all. Discover the language we use to set expectations early, get CC'd on key communications without territorial friction, and advocate for couples with grace and authority.

Restrictions don't have to derail your design. We unpack decor limits, photo positions, and music guidelines, then show you how to reframe constraints into smart, budget-savvy solutions that keep the experience cohesive, compliant, and beautiful. Emma shares her strategies for leading with grace while building productive vendor relationships. Riley dives into "calm leadership"—the energy that vendors and couples mirror when you show up grounded and prepared.

The secret weapon? Proactivity. We walk through a practical follow-up cadence built for church turnover and evolving policies: one- to two-month-out confirmations, day-of access windows, exit logistics, and the checkpoints that prevent last-minute chaos. When planners bring solutions first and shield clients from behind-the-scenes friction, everyone shows up aligned and ready to honor the sacred commitment at the heart of the day.

This isn't theory—it's tested, Master Certified-level strategy you can implement immediately.

Ready to lead church weddings with confidence, build trust with church coordinators and vendors, and deliver experiences that honor both tradition and vision? It's time to stop guessing and start mastering the skills that set you apart. Become a member and get certified with the CWP Society at cwpsociety.com—where education, community, and credentials elevate everything you do.

www.cwpsociety.com | [email protected] | IG: @cwpsociety | FB: @cwpsociety

Ready to stop playing catch-up and start leading your business with clarity? We're closing out 2025 with finance expert and Master Certified Wedding Planner Matt Mitchell to help you run a clean, confident year-end reset.

Together we walk through the exact steps to reconcile your accounts, fix messy categories, and review your numbers with curiosity instead of criticism—so you can see what truly worked, where money leaked, and how to design a profitable 2026 you'll actually enjoy living.

We dig into a practical financial debrief: which services were profitable versus just popular, how to assess expenses by value, and why profit by package often flips your assumptions. If you've been fully booked but exhausted, we unpack what that says about pricing and scope. You'll learn how to read cash flow rhythms across the year and align deposits, savings, and investments with the seasonality of the events industry.

Then we translate insights into action: catch up on owner pay, set aside taxes, make strategic year-end purchases that lower taxable income while upgrading systems, and start a profit or reserves account—even if it's only 1% per invoice.

Looking ahead, we map an approach for 2026 built on structure, not resolutions. Set layered goals for revenue, profit, owner's pay, and savings. Plan capacity first so you protect client experience and your life, then price accordingly. Lock in monthly and quarterly check-ins to track progress, adjust pricing, and prevent last-minute scrambles.

Throughout, Matt shares simple, human ways to make financial clarity feel doable—plus why treating your business like your best client changes everything.

If this conversation pushes you to take your business more seriously, join us inside CWP Society for certification and a community that gets the unique flow of event businesses. Subscribe, share with a fellow planner, and leave a review—what's the first reset task you'll tackle today?

www.cwpsociety.com | [email protected] | IG: @cwpsociety | FB: @cwpsociety

🎉 Episode 100: Two Hours of Game-Changing Wisdom You Don't Want to Miss

We're throwing a party—and you're invited! Join Laurie Hartwell, Founder and CEO of the CWP Society, and Krisy, COO of the CWP Society and Master Certified Wedding Planner, for our milestone 100th episode—a special two-hour celebration packed with stories, breakthroughs, and the hard-won advice that's transformed countless planning careers.

Settle in for the full experience as we revisit our favorite moments from 100 episodes, then dive deep into the questions planners are asking right now: How do I price with confidence? Build bulletproof timelines? Command vendor respect? Protect the luxury of personal service in an increasingly automated industry?

Here's what awaits you in this extended celebration:

We get refreshingly honest about the habits quietly eroding your value—posting DIY checklists that replace your expertise, leaning on automations that shift work onto clients, and underselling the one thing that can't be replicated: you. You'll discover why human connection is today's ultimate luxury, how to transform your process from paint-by-number to Picasso, and the art of curating vendor lists that protect every guest experience.

We tackle comparison fatigue head-on and share the mindset shifts that keep you present, celebrating wins, and building momentum that lasts. Education versus experience? We're calling it: that's a false choice. Learn how certification validates your expertise, sharpens your systems, and differentiates you in markets where polished websites mask untrained planners.

Expect practical gold: contracts that truly protect you, communication strategies that keep teams aligned, and boundaries around office hours, capacity, and recovery that prevent burnout before it starts. Whether you're new and hungry for confidence or seasoned and ready for a reset, these two hours deliver the frameworks to serve brilliantly, charge what you're worth, and build a business you're genuinely proud of.

Don't skip ahead—tune in for the entire two hours. The stories, the laughs, the aha moments... this is the conversation that reminds you why you fell in love with this work in the first place.

Want to revisit the favorite episodes we discussed? Here are the links:

Why Buy The Cow 

Authenticity Over Comparison

 Automating Yourself Out of Business 

The Blueprint for Wedding Planning: Education Meets Experience 

Ready to join the community and certification paths that support everything we talk about? Visit cwpsociety.com.

Loved this milestone episode? Follow the show, share it with a planner friend, and leave a review to help more pros discover the insights that change everything.

www.cwpsociety.com | [email protected] | IG: @cwpsociety | FB: @cwpsociety

In this rapid-fire solo episode, Krisy Thomas, COO of the CWP Society, shares a practical blueprint for wedding planners ready to make 2025 more profitable and organized. She walks through a simple reflection exercise to identify what's energizing your business versus what's draining it, then covers the systems and boundaries that create sustainable growth. You'll hear specific examples for streamlining timelines, controlling scope creep, and communicating with confidence—plus why certification and professional development provide frameworks that keep you current and connected. The episode wraps with a concrete action plan: define your version of growth, fix one system, hold one boundary, and take one education step. If you're ready to move from constant juggling to consistent excellence, this conversation offers the clarity and tools to get there.

Visit cwpsociety.com to explore certification and start your new year with clarity and confidence.

www.cwpsociety.com | [email protected] | IG: @cwpsociety | FB: @cwpsociety

Join Krisy Thomas, COO of the CWP Society, and Certified Wedding Planner & Certified Wedding Planner & Certified Educator, Rima Shah, as they dismantle the dangerous assumption that South Asian weddings are just "bigger centerpieces on a longer timeline."

This is a masterclass in what multi-day celebrations actually demand: extended vendor access, hospitality infrastructure most venues ignore, and contracts built for sacred ceremony sequences—not just "out by midnight" clauses.

You'll hear:

• The real-time breakdown of an ambitious decor installation gone sideways—and the exact triage protocol that saved the day
• Non-negotiable venue requirements most teams overlook: multiple meal services, secure staging, vendor prep rooms, and functional hospitality suites
• How to separate genuine cultural competence from performative tokenization
• The preparation protocol for first-time vendors: mandatory site walks, cultural primers, and staffing plans calibrated for complexity
• What the South Asian wedding community has strategically adopted from Western planning norms—ironclad contracts, planner requirements, and professional boundaries that protect everyone

Whether you're expanding your cultural competency or refining your approach to complex celebrations, this episode delivers practical tools and the mindset shift to serve diverse couples with both skill and respect.

Ready to elevate your expertise? Become a Certified Wedding Planner with CWP Society and join a collaborative community committed to professional excellence. Visit cwpsociety.com to learn more.

www.cwpsociety.com | [email protected] | IG: @cwpsociety | FB: @cwpsociety

What if the secret to thriving in wedding planning isn't just about serving clients—it's about finding your people?

In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on one of the most powerful (and underrated) relationships in the wedding industry: the planner-to-planner friendship that actually saves your business—and your sanity.

Joining the COO of the CWP Society, Krisy Thomas, are Certified Wedding Planners Hailey Beard and Amanda Borrero, who met at CWP Society Certification conference,  and built something rare: a genuine alliance where they assist on each other's weddings, exchange honest feedback, and serve as each other's emergency backup when chaos strikes. 

You'll discover:

• Why having an "in case of emergency" planner with actual access and authority protects your couples (and your reputation)
• The phone calls that happen after hard weddings, and why that permission to rest matters more than you think
• Their refreshingly direct take on "community over competition": there are more couples than any of us can serve, and not every couple is your couple

Feeling stuck, new, or shut out of your local scene? They share the playbook: send the DM, show up to open houses, ask for introductions, keep showing up. And if your market feels closed? Go global—your planner bestie might be three states away.

Ready to find your people? Join the CWP Society—the world's leading certification program and largest community of certified wedding professionals—where education meets real connection, so you never have to carry the load alone. Visit cwpsociety.com to become certified today! 

www.cwpsociety.com | [email protected] | IG: @cwpsociety | FB: @cwpsociety

Not all "venue coordinators" are created equal—and assuming they are can derail your entire event. In this episode, COO Krisy Thomas sits down with Master Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator Nikki Rodgers to pull back the curtain on how venue teams actually operate, so you can stop guessing and start collaborating with confidence.

Nikki breaks down the four core roles you're likely to encounter—from the owner who sold the date to the banquet captain directing service—and explains how responsibilities shift between contract signing and day-of execution. Through real-world examples, you'll discover why assumptions cause chaos: the venue that provides tables but won't set them, the dry-hire space where the coordinator handles electrical emergencies, and the neighboring property with completely opposite policies.

You'll learn the exact questions to ask the moment you're hired, including "Who will be my primary contact during planning?" and "Who is on a radio on event day?" Nikki and Krisy share their proven handoff strategy: send your working timeline early, reconfirm with the on-site lead the week before, and loop in owners when operations like pressure washing or rental staging might impact your schedule.

If you've ever built a detailed timeline only to discover the venue created their own, or arrived on event day to find no one planned to set chairs, this conversation gives you the playbook to prevent double work and last-minute scrambles. You'll also discover how to navigate venues with in-house catering versus outside caterers, when to defer to the banquet captain's service pacing, and how small, thoughtful gestures—like thanking staff in front of the couple and leaving authentic reviews—transform single events into lasting partnerships.

Ready to master these essential skills and elevate your planning expertise? Join the ranks of the industry's most respected professionals by earning your certification through CWP Society. Our comprehensive training equips you with proven strategies, professional protocols, and the confidence to handle any venue relationship with grace. Become a Certified Wedding Planner and join a community committed to excellence. Learn more at CWPSociety.com.

www.cwpsociety.com | [email protected] | IG: @cwpsociety | FB: @cwpsociety

Surprise moments should make hearts lift, not race. In this episode, Krisy Thomas, COO of the CWP Society, welcomes Master Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator Brianne Ackerland to explore how planners can create high-impact celebrations that honor military guests and anyone living with PTSD or sensory sensitivities—without sacrificing the magic couples dream about.

The reality is that surprise cannons, strobes, and smoke machines can trigger panic attacks, flashbacks, and genuine medical emergencies for guests who've served or who live with invisible conditions. Yet most planners don't know when or how to raise these concerns without alarming their couples or killing the celebration vibe. Brianne shares field-tested strategies that balance spectacle with true care, proving you can protect vulnerable guests while still delivering unforgettable moments.

We start with timing: why the eight-week planning meeting is the strategic sweet spot to introduce potential triggers—after guest lists are finalized and add-ons are being discussed, but before vendors lock in their plans. Brianne walks you through how to frame the conversation so couples feel supported rather than scared, using thoughtful questions about loud sounds, flashing lights, and smoke effects to shape plans that protect guests while preserving the couple's vision.

You'll get a practical toolkit you can implement immediately: how to send private heads-up messages to at-risk guests, create discreet program cues that signal what's coming next, map out quiet zones with clear exit routes, and deliver calm, grounding scripts when emergencies like fire alarms or first responders show up unannounced. We get deeply tactical on vendor communication—briefing DJs on volume limits and strobe alternatives, aligning photographers and videographers on flash frequency and smoke timing, and confirming venue policies for cold sparks and fog machines so surprises don't escalate into crises.

Brianne also shares a deeply personal story that reveals why this work matters and how planners can lead with steadiness and compassion when the unexpected happens. This isn't about being the fun police—it's about designing inclusive joy that allows every guest to be fully present.

You'll walk away with three immediately actionable steps: ask about accommodations at the eight-week mark, verify venue safety protocols and effect approvals before booking, and establish a designated safe space with a clear exit route and point person. Plus, we spotlight trusted resources like Wounded Warrior Project and NAMI to help you learn the right language and responses when guests need support.

Ready to design celebrations where everyone can truly celebrate? Subscribe, share this episode with a fellow wedding planner. 

Want to master the skills that set certified planners apart? Discover how CWP Society certification equips you with the knowledge, tools, and community support to handle every situation with professionalism and heart—visit cwpsociety.com today.

www.cwpsociety.com | [email protected] | IG: @cwpsociety | FB: @cwpsociety

Wedding days inside a church can feel like navigating a maze of policies, people, and expectations, and many planners carry battle scars from these sacred spaces. In this episode, Master Certified Wedding Planner & Certified Educator, Emma Cockerham joins Krisy Thomas, COO of the CWP Society, to unpack why church venues often feel more challenging and how to transform tension into trust through intentional communication and genuine respect.

From first contact to final blessing, Emma maps out a calm, proven approach that honors sacred spaces while protecting timelines, budgets, and your couple's vision. We start with the real friction points: delayed outreach, multiple conflicting contacts, and the cycle of assumptions that creates unnecessary stress on both sides. You'll learn how to establish a single point of contact, use strategic CC etiquette to prevent crossed wires, and confirm who needs what information, and when.

We dig deep into policy hot spots that trip up even experienced planners: florals, candles, adhesives, aisle access, photography angles, flash restrictions, and AV limitations. Emma shares how early briefings and coordinator-approved plans keep your creative team flexible instead of frustrated, plus practical scripts for introducing vendors to church coordinators, securing written clarity on access windows, and avoiding last-minute surprises that can derail your timeline or blow your couple's budget.

The heart of this conversation is a powerful mindset shift: treat each church as a collaborative partner, lead with kindness, and follow through on every promise. We explore how showing deep respect for the ceremony as the true purpose of the day, using gratitude as a relationship-building tool, and documenting every decision creates a week-of experience that runs quietly and seamlessly. While these habits strengthen your work at any venue, they truly shine in sacred spaces where meaning runs deep and schedules are non-negotiable.

If you want smoother rehearsals, warmer welcomes, and stronger referrals from both churches and vendors, this conversation delivers the roadmap. You'll walk away with communication strategies, clarity frameworks, and the confidence that comes from leading with genuine respect.

If this episode reminded you why professionalism matters, subscribe, share it with a planner friend, and leave a review. Ready to level up your skills and join a community that gets it? Explore certification and exclusive resources at cwpsociety.com—home to the world's largest community of certified wedding professionals.

www.cwpsociety.com | [email protected] | IG: @cwpsociety | FB: @cwpsociety

Weddings with rich traditions don’t just need timelines—they need translators. In this episode, Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator, Rima Shah joins CWP Society COO, Krisy Thomas to unpack the real work behind South Asian weddings: navigating multiple families, aligning expectations across generations, and setting boundaries that protect joy without steamrolling culture. From the first consultation to the final site visit, we share scripts, policies, and small shifts in language that build trust with parents and elders who may be new to professional planning.

Rima walks us through the moments where things commonly go sideways—delegated catering oversight, competing design visions, and last-minute ritual requests—and shows how a single-point-of-contact policy, clearly defined roles, and genuine listening turn potential conflict into collaboration. You’ll hear how reframing a single decor element preserved a couple’s one big ask while making a mother proud, and how patient, active listening on a tense call revealed the true concern hiding beneath a list of demands: honoring a simple favor tradition at the right time.

If you’re a wedding planner working with South Asian families—or any event with layered traditions—this conversation gives you practical strategies to reduce friction: involve key family members early, document decisions, adapt to personality types, and connect every choice to what elders value most—respect, hospitality, and meaningful ritual. The result? Events that feel seamless to guests and deeply seen by family.

www.cwpsociety.com | [email protected] | IG: @cwpsociety | FB: @cwpsociety