Wedding Pros who are ready to grow - with Becca Pountney

Show notes:

In this week's episode I'm joined by Nina Beer, venue manager at Bugle House in Southampton, who completely reimagined what a wedding showcase could look like. Instead of focusing on selling, Nina focused on creating an unforgettable experience. From carefully curating suppliers to styling every room with purpose, every decision was designed to help couples emotionally connect with the venue and genuinely picture themselves getting married there.

The results?

A showcase that generated £25,000 worth of bookings, delighted suppliers and completely changed how couples experienced the venue.

Time stamps:

00:15 - Understanding the Value of Marketing in the Wedding Industry

03:40 - Transitioning to New Beginnings in the Wedding Industry

09:57 - Rebranding and Marketing Strategies for the Bugle Venue

22:54 - Creating the Perfect Venue Experience

32:02 - Event Experience and Improvements

37:10 - Curating Supplier Lists: The Key to Venue Success

45:00 - The Importance of Supplier Relationships in Weddings

51:13 - Innovating the Wedding Industry

Show notes:

Summer is here, the wedding season is in full swing, and for many of us in the UK, the school holidays have officially arrived too. Whether you're juggling children at home, working back-to-back weddings, or simply trying to carve out some time to recharge, this time of year can feel incredibly full.

A few years ago, I recorded an episode all about surviving the school summer holidays as a wedding business owner, but so much has changed since then. My business has grown, my children are older, and I've learned a lot about what works (and what definitely doesn't!).

In this episode, I'm sharing the practical strategies I use in my own business to help me navigate busy seasons without burning out. Even if you don't have children, these tips will help you manage your workload, protect your time and build a business that supports the life you actually want to live!

Becca x

Time stamps:

00:19 - Surviving the Summer Holidays: An Update

05:31 - Preparing for Summer Holidays in Wedding Business

08:03 - The Power of Outsourcing and Time Management

15:45 - Finding Balance: Enjoying Time Off with Family

19:39 - Navigating Business During School Holidays

23:02 - Tips for Managing Time Off and Work Balance

Show notes:

In this week's episode, I'm joined by Sally O'Gara, a wedding business financial coach and chartered accountant who's on a mission to help wedding pros stop avoiding their numbers and start feeling confident about them.

Now, before you switch off because we're talking about finances... stick with me.

This isn't an episode full of complicated accounting jargon. It's a practical, honest conversation about why so many wedding business owners feel like they're working incredibly hard without seeing the financial rewards. And, more importantly, what you can actually do about it. Together we chat about why being fully booked doesn't necessarily mean you're profitable, how to work out which of your services are really making you money, and the simple financial habits that can completely change the way you run your business.

Sally's LinkedIn

Sally's Instagram

Free Guide - Where is the money going?

Time stamps:

00:09 - Managing Your Finances: The Importance of Professional Help

04:30 - The Journey to Financial Coaching in the Wedding Industry

09:49 - Understanding Profitability in Business

16:55 - Managing Business Finances: A Holistic Approach

20:02 - Understanding Your Business Numbers

26:42 - Understanding Profit Margins and Business Costs

32:56 - Planning for Financial Success

36:36 - Managing Cash Flow in Seasonal Businesses

46:21 - Building Financial Foundations: A Coaching Blueprint

48:23 - Gaining Clarity and Confidence in Business Finance

Mentioned in this episode:

Club 150 - Wedding Pro Members Lounge

A private membership for wedding business owners and venues who are ready to invest in their growth. Weekly coaching from Becca, monthly guest masterclasses, and a full on-demand training vault, all inside a community capped at just 150 members. Find out more

Wedding Pro Members Lounge

Show notes:

For over 20 years, Lee Russell has been entertaining couples across the South of England, building one of the region's most respected wedding entertainment businesses.

But his success didn't happen overnight.

In this episode, Lee shares how he transitioned from working as a catering manager to becoming a full-time wedding DJ, the lessons he's learned from two decades in the industry, and why networking has become the single biggest driver of his business growth.

We also dive into how the wedding industry has evolved, why social media is only one part of a successful marketing strategy, and how creating unforgettable guest experiences leads to more bookings through word of mouth.

Lee's Instagram

LR Disco Entertainment

Time stamps:

04:14 - The Journey to Becoming a DJ

10:47 - Assumptions and Realizations in Wedding Planning

12:00 - Transitioning to Full-Time DJing

20:15 - The Importance of Networking in the Wedding Industry

29:34 - Mistakes in the Wedding Industry

37:26 - The Impact of Technology on DJing and Events

40:06 - The Evolution of DJ Technology

46:51 - The Importance of Continuous Learning in the Industry

51:32 - The Importance of Networking in the Wedding Industry

Mentioned in this episode:

Club 150 - The Wedding Pro Members Lounge

If you're tired of running your wedding business alone, this is the community for you. An intimate, supportive membership capped at just 150 members, with weekly coaching, expert masterclasses, and a private group of wedding pros who genuinely want to see you succeed. Find out more now!

Wedding Pro Members Lounge

Show notes:

This week I'm joined by Damian Bailey, founder of The Wedding Industry Awards, for a fascinating conversation about data.

After surveying more than 32,000 UK couples over the last decade, Damian and his team have released a brand-new industry report packed with insights into how weddings have changed and, more importantly, what that means for wedding businesses today.

We discuss why fewer enquiries don't necessarily mean fewer bookings, why reviews are more important than ever, how couples are really finding their suppliers, and what the data tells us about pricing, mobile-first marketing and changing consumer behaviour.

If you've ever wondered whether what you're experiencing in your business is just happening to you, or whether it's part of a wider industry trend, this episode is full of evidence-based insights that will help you make more confident business decisions.

The Wedding Industry Awards report

The Wedding industry awards Instagram

Time stamps:

Chapters:

00:05 - Understanding the Value of Service

00:57 - Introduction to Data in the Wedding Industry

11:53 - Understanding Wedding Economics: Trends and Insights

13:58 - The Shift to Mobile: Adapting Wedding Business Strategies

24:57 - The Importance of Reviews in a Trust Recession

29:32 - The Importance of Reviews in the Wedding Industry

35:43 - The Shift in Wedding Dress Advertising

40:41 - The Changing Landscape of Wedding Financing

45:50 - Future Directions for the Annual Report

51:46 - The Importance of Community in Business

Mentioned in this episode:

Club 150 - The Wedding Pro Members Lounge

If you're tired of running your wedding business alone, this is the community for you. An intimate, supportive membership capped at just 150 members, with weekly coaching, expert masterclasses, and a private group of wedding pros who genuinely want to see you succeed. Find out more now!

Wedding Pro Members Lounge

Show notes:

This week, I'm joined by Georgina Rose, founder of Georgina Rose Events, creator of The Secret Society of Brides podcast, author, content creator and one of the wedding industry's biggest advocates for TikTok marketing.

If you've ever wondered whether it's too late to start creating content, whether TikTok is worth your time, or how to build a business that creates multiple income streams, this episode is for you.

Georgina shares her unconventional journey into the wedding industry, from leaving university after three months to growing a business that now delivers over 100 weddings a year with the support of her team.

We dive into the viral Newlyweds Podcast moment that put her in front of millions of people, why she believes success isn't luck, and how strategic marketing decisions can completely transform your business.

Georgie's TikTok

Georgie's Instagram

Secret Society of Brides Instagram

Time stamps:

00:07 - Introduction to Wedding Marketing

04:48 - The Journey to Wedding Planning

14:06 - The Power of Personality in Social Media Marketing

36:22 - Starting a Podcast: The Journey Begins

42:55 - Navigating Business Partnerships

49:19 - Navigating TikTok: The Good, The Bad, and The Business

Mentioned in this episode:

Join Club 150 - The Wedding Pro Members Lounge

The Wedding Pro Members Lounge is my private membership community for wedding business owners and venues, offering weekly coaching with Becca, monthly masterclasses, and an on-demand training vault. Club 150 because there's only ever a maximum of 150 members inside! When the 150 seats are gone, the doors close. Join now and experience the community for yourself.

Wedding Pro Members Lounge

Show notes:

What does it really take to build a wedding business that lasts for more than 30 years?

In this episode, I'm delighted to welcome Kevin Dennis back onto the podcast. Kevin was actually a guest back in 2024 and since then, this podcast has become award-winning, so it felt like the perfect time to invite him back for another conversation. Kevin is the founder of Fantasy Sound Event Services, Wedding IQ and host of the Mind Your Wedding Business podcast. With more than three decades in the wedding industry, he's seen huge changes in how couples plan their weddings, how businesses market themselves and how technology is shaping the future of our industry. We dive into what it really takes to stay relevant over the long term, why relationships and networking still matter more than ever and how to embrace new technology without losing the human side of your business.

Fantasy Sounds Event Services

Wedding IQ

Mind Your Wedding Business podcast

Time stamps:

00:29 - Setting Boundaries for Better Work-Life Balance

08:01 - The Journey of a Wedding Professional

18:38 - Networking in the Wedding Industry

28:28 - Embracing Technology in the Wedding Industry

34:23 - Exploring CRM Systems and AI Tools

52:38 - The Impact of AI on Technology Integration

53:01 - The Impact of AI on Podcast Pitches

Mentioned in this episode:

Club 150 - Wedding Pro Members Lounge

A private membership for wedding business owners and venues who are ready to invest in their growth. Weekly coaching from Becca, monthly guest masterclasses, and a full on-demand training vault, all inside a community capped at just 150 members. Find out more

Wedding Pro Members Lounge

Show notes:

In this week's episode, I'm joined by high-performance mindset coach and hypnotherapist Christian Baker to unpack the mindset blocks that hold so many wedding professionals back.

We discuss why even the most successful business owners struggle with self-doubt, how limiting beliefs are formed, and why your brain is often working hard to keep you safely stuck where you are. Christian shares practical strategies for overcoming overthinking, building confidence, and finally showing up consistently on camera.

Christian's Instagram

Camera confidence with Christian Baker

Time stamps:

00:00 - Understanding the Three W's

02:25 - The Journey into Hypnotherapy

10:24 - The Importance of Mindset in Business and Life

18:25 - Understanding Limiting Beliefs

28:31 - Overcoming Limiting Beliefs and Building Confidence

35:44 - Understanding Avoidance Strategies in Social Media Engagement

43:32 - Practical Tips for Overcoming Video Anxiety

45:49 - The Power of Reframing in Business

55:17 - Mindset and Social Media Success

Mentioned in this episode:

Club 150 - The Wedding Pro Members Lounge

If you're tired of running your wedding business alone, this is the community for you. An intimate, supportive membership capped at just 150 members, with weekly coaching, expert masterclasses, and a private group of wedding pros who genuinely want to see you succeed. Find out more now!

Wedding Pro Members Lounge

Show notes:

How do you feel when someone lands on your website?

Proud? Excited? Confident?

Or do you secretly hope nobody looks at it too closely?

In this week's episode, I'm joined by Amber from calluna&thyme, who helps wedding professionals create websites that don't just look beautiful but actually work hard for their businesses. After spending 14 years working within the wedding industry, Amber understands exactly what couples are looking for when they're searching for their wedding suppliers, and why so many wedding pros end up with websites that no longer reflect who they are or the level of service they offer.

We dive into the biggest website mistakes we both see time and time again, from talking too much about ourselves, to confusing navigation, weak call-to-actions and websites that leave potential clients unsure of what to do next.

We also discuss why your website should be much more than an online portfolio, how to create a better experience for visitors, and why keeping your website updated could make a bigger difference to your enquiries than you realise.

Whether you're planning a complete redesign, considering a website template, or simply want to improve what you've already got, Amber shares plenty of practical advice you can put into action straight away.

Time stamps:

04:00 - The Transition to Full-Time Entrepreneurship

11:24 - Website Design Mistakes in the Wedding Business

17:56 - The Importance of Clear Calls to Action on Your Website

25:17 - Updating Website Images for Weddings

37:30 - Choosing the Right Website Platform: Showit vs Others

41:41 - Choosing the Right Website Template for Your Business

49:42 - Collaborative Website Strategies

Mentioned in this episode:

Join Club 150 - The Wedding Pro Members Lounge

The Wedding Pro Members Lounge is my private membership community for wedding business owners and venues, offering weekly coaching with Becca, monthly masterclasses, and an on-demand training vault. Club 150 because there's only ever a maximum of 150 members inside! When the 150 seats are gone, the doors close. Join now and experience the community for yourself.

Wedding Pro Members Lounge

Show notes:

This week on the podcast, I am joined by wedding DJ, MC and speaker Chris Binns to talk about why public speaking is such an important skill for every wedding professional — not just DJs and hosts.

From speaking confidently on social media to holding the energy in a room on a wedding day, Chris shares how improving your communication skills can completely transform your business, confidence and client experience. Chris opens up about his journey from construction project management into weddings, how he built confidence behind the microphone, and the mistakes and lessons that shaped his career. Together, we discussed authenticity, networking, social media confidence, stage presence, and why so many wedding pros are holding themselves back by being afraid to show up online.

Chris' website

Chris' speaking website

Hitched podcast episode!

MC energy index

Time stamps:

00:21 - Introduction to Wedding Business Marketing

02:02 - The Journey of a DJ: From Bedroom to Weddings

18:23 - The Importance of Authenticity in Performance

24:52 - Navigating Authenticity in Marketing

29:50 - The Importance of Data in Marketing Decisions

51:10 - Understanding MC Energy Types

54:40 - Identifying Your MC Style and Authenticity

Mentioned in this episode:

The TikTok Pro Course is back this June!

Has Tiktok been on your to do list for a while? Are you scared of the platform, or just using it as a place to reshare Instagram videos? TikTok and Instagram are not the same.

TikTok Pro