Andy Kushner offers an inside look behind-the-scenes of the wedding and event world for both industry experts and bridal couples by featuring in-depth and transformative conversations with event industry icons. The Wedding Biz is also the only global platform of its kind to serve the business development needs of wedding and events professionals. As the host, Andy interviews the most prolific thought leaders and talent, taking you behind the curtain and revealing their personality, character ...
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Everyone in the wedding and event business is hustling and the most successful have some of the best stories and advice. Wed Biz 100 is a podcast for wedding and event professionals committed to learning. Hear from change makers, thought leaders and innovators in the wedding and event business share their stories and actionable advice.
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If you have been a longtime listener of the podcast, then today’s voice may sound familiar to you as it is her third appearance on the show! Andy is so thrilled to welcome back Tara Guerard, owner and creative director of Tara Guerard Soirée headquartered out of Charleston, South Carolina (and with an additional office in New York City). Tara is re…
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Andy is thrilled to once again be sitting down with Andrea Eppolito, a renowned luxury wedding planner and author of AI for Wedding Professionals. Andrea shares her initial hesitation toward AI and recounts how she dedicated daily time to understand and leverage this technology, highlighting its comparison to the invention of the internet in terms …
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512 REVISIT COLIN COWIE: The Gold Standard: Giving Your Customers What They Didn’t Know They Wanted
35:55
Join Andy as he revisits his September 2021 interview with Colin Cowie this week! Having had celebrity clients such as Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lopez, Ryan Seacrest, Kim Kardashian, Lil Wayne, Nicole Kidman, and Demi Moore, this episode’s returning guest has enjoyed quite the career so far. Colin Cowie has also had many corporate clients such as Dom…
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In this truly enriching episode, join Andy as he connects with Liene Stevens, the acclaimed author, behavioral psychologist, and CEO of Think Splendid! Liene brings a wealth of knowledge from her extensive experience in the global wedding market, having collaborated with clients across 97 countries and revolutionized operations for numerous luxury …
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510 REVISIT JOSE VILLA & LAURIE ARONS – Discuss Working Together As Photographer & Planner/Designer and More!
25:35
Listen in to this revisit as Andy chats with two guests, both of whom have been featured on the podcast multiple times in the past. Laurie Arons is a planner and designer of Laurie Arons Special Events and has been featured in numerous magazine publications and has been listed in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Martha Stewart Weddings as one of the top…
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Join Andy this week as he sits down with Susan Lacz, the CEO of Ridgewells Catering. With a career spanning over three decades, Susan has been a pivotal force in the catering and events industry, steering Ridgewells Catering through significant transformations and challenges. Listen in as Susan shares her inspiring journey, starting with her early …
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508 KERRY BRACKEN & JENNIFER ROCHER/LAVENDER & ROSE: A Marriage of English Charm and French Elegance
29:45
Andy welcomes Kerry Bracken and Jennifer Rocher of Lavender & Rose this week! Lavender & Rose is an exclusive event planning company based in the enchanting French Riviera. Join Andy as he explores their captivating journey and how they have crafted bespoke weddings in the stunning locales of Southern France and Paris! Listen as Jennifer and Kerry …
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507 TORI WILLIAMS: From Glam Services to Global Recognition as an Event Curator and Designer
33:36
Andy is so honored to bring Tori Williams of Tori Williams Events onto the show today! Tori is a world renowned luxury event curator who has showcased her work on major television networks such as Lifetime, Bravo, and The Food Network, and she is even the star of the VH1 original series My Celebrity Dream Wedding! She joins Andy today to discuss ev…
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506 REVISIT CHRISTINA MATTEUCCI – Using Performance and Storytelling Techniques to Engage with Impact
41:58
Tune in to this episode of the podcast as Andy talks with Christina Matteucci, executive director of David Beahm Experiences! Christina has actually been on the podcast before in episodes 188, 307, 346, and 214, and she joins Andy in this episode to discuss how everything that we do in business has an element of performance involved and how we can …
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Join Andy in welcoming Kathleen Deery, the creative force behind Kathleen Deery Design and the Chief Creative Officer of Paula LeDuc Fine Catering & Events, to The Wedding Biz! With a childhood steeped in floral admiration, Kathleen recounts her journey from a small town in New Jersey to the bustling design studios of San Francisco. She shares insi…
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Andy is so pleased to be bringing Jacin Fitzgerald of Jacin Fitzgerald Events onto The Wedding Biz this week! Join Andy as he and Jacin discuss the world of event planning and hospitality, with Jacin sharing her journey from working in corporate events to launching her own business in 2009. Growing up in an entrepreneurial family, Jacin developed a…
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Andy is so happy to welcome Akeshi Akinseye to The Wedding Biz this week! Akeshi is a luxury wedding planner and designer based in Chicago. Running Kesh Events, Akeshi specializes in creating extraordinary celebrations all around the world. She is not only a luxury wedding planner and event designer but also an international speaker, author, and bu…
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Andy dives into an enriching conversation this week with Anna Roussos, a prominent wedding photographer renowned across Europe. Anna shares her journey from a TV director to a distinguished wedding photographer, unveiling the pivotal moments that shaped her career. Discover how Anna's childhood fascination with romance and artistry steered her towa…
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Returning to the podcast this week is none other than Jennifer Stein, editor-in-chief, publisher, and co-owner of Destination I Do Magazine, a magazine that can be found online and on newsstands. Jennifer joins Andy today to explore the journey of building a renowned brand in the destination wedding industry, sharing how she and her business partne…
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Andy is happy to welcome Fallon Carter to the show this week! Fallon is a renowned founder and creative director of Fallon Carter Events, and she is acclaimed for her fusion of southern hospitality with international luxury in event planning. Listen in as she shares insights into her childhood inclinations towards hosting and entertaining, tracing …
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“I resonate with the client that wants to make you a part of their family throughout the wedding weekend.” Listen as Andy and his guest Caleb Jordan Lee discuss Caleb’s early passion for travel and filmmaking, Caleb starting his LLC at sixteen and why he decided to film weddings, plus much more on this episode of The Wedding Biz. Caleb is a brillia…
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Andy is thrilled this week to take listeners on a journey through the inspiring world of makeup artistry with sought-after makeup artist and educator, Kellsie Bain! Join Andy and Kellsie as they dive into Kellsie's upbringing in Sydney, Australia, where she draws inspiration from the strong, hardworking women in her family. From her corporate begin…
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Join Andy for this episode of The Wedding Biz as returning guest Simon T. Bailey sits down with him to talk about his latest book, Resilience@Work: How to Coach Yourself into a Thriving Future! Simon shares insights on bouncing back better, the metaphor of surfing as a universal concept for resilience, and the significance of intentional actions an…
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Join Andy as he welcomes Alex Le Roux, the CEO and founder of ALR Music based in London, back to the show! ALR Music specializes in providing entertainment for luxury events worldwide, boasting an impressive clientele, including Idris Elba, members of the Royal Family, the Beckham-Peltz’s and events for high-profile brands like Google, Jo Malone, a…
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“Before I know what flowers I’m going to use, I need to know what backdrop I’m going to create to show off those flowers.” Listen as Andy and his guest Lewis Miller discuss how Lewis came to be in New York City, his process with clients, how he gets inspired for his designs, how he has been able to maneuver through the pandemic, and so much more on…
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Andy really hopes that you will embark on a journey through the vibrant world of public speaking with returning guest Christina Matteucci, also known as Teucci Mama. In this lively conversation, Christina, the executive director of David Beahm Experiences, draws on her two decades of global event execution experience. With a theatrical background f…
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Andy hopes that you will join him for this captivating conversation with two prominent lighting designers, Ray Thompson and Jackson Flagg of Images by Lighting in Los Angeles. Images by Lighting boasts an extensive portfolio, having worked on high-profile events with major film studios, award shows, and renowned musical artists. Ray, who Andy has h…
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Andy is so thrilled to welcome Ceci Johnson back to the podcast! The founder of Ceci New York, a globally renowned luxury invitation design agency, Ceci is recognized by Tory Burch and also Anna Wintour of Vogue magazine, as well as numerous others, and is here to share insights into the constant evolution of her business over the past three years.…
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“My proudest moments aren’t only about design. They are about how my clients feel when they see and experience the design.” Listen as Andy and his guest Lisa Vorce discuss Lisa’s love of celebrations, what inspired her to leave corporate America to launch her own business and much more on this episode of The Wedding Biz. Lisa is a world-renowned ce…
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Join Andy this week for The Wedding Biz as he interviews returning guest Alejandra Poupel, internationally renowned event planner! Renowned for planning upscale events that cater to a diverse clientele from different cultures and backgrounds, Alejandra of Alejandra Poupel Events shares her unique approach to event planning and the crucial role of c…
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In this exciting episode of The Wedding Biz, Andy engages with the power-duo behind Sophie Felts Floral Design, Sophie Felts, Founder, and Erica Gamble, Partner and President. This dynamic duo, based out of the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, thrives in the high-end design realm, curating stunning floral designs for wedding and event clientele t…
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Andy invites you to join this week for a revisit of his 2020 interview with Diane Khoury!! Have you ever heard of a bride planning her own wedding with 500 guests and with no experience in planning an event of any size? Listen as Andy and his guest Diane Khoury discuss how she was able to pull it off and why it was the reason she started her own we…
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486 JAMESA ALEXANDER: Elevating Weddings with Storytelling, the Collaborative Process, Work-Life Balance, and More!
34:44
Andy welcomes you back to The Wedding Biz as he interviews Jamésa Alexander, the Founder of Jayne Heir Weddings & Events, a premier boutique planning agency. Listen in as Jamésa shares insights into her journey, discussing her background in kinesiology and how it shaped her perspective. The conversation delves into her approach to event planning, e…
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Andy is so thrilled to welcome someone he has known for a while but is a first-time guest on The Wedding Biz - Laura Ritchie, a seasoned luxury wedding planner and founder of Grit & Grace based in Washington, D.C.! With fifteen years of industry experience, Laura shares her journey from a fashion major to venturing into hotel and catering roles bef…
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In today’s episode of The Wedding Biz, Andy is excited to welcome John Emmanuel. John is the premier floral designer out of Sydney, Australia. He is best known for creating exquisite grand scale floral installations, and whatever he creates has a stunning element of luxury. A known leader in his market, John has worked alongside many high profile A…
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In this captivating episode of The Wedding Biz, join Andy as he dives into an enlightening conversation with Brooke Keegan, the esteemed owner and creative director of Brooke Keegan Special Events. Known for her exceptional expertise in crafting one-of-a-kind, multi-day destination weddings, Brooke has been acknowledged as a top event planner by Ha…
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In this episode of the show, Andy welcomes back celebrity fashion stylist and bestselling author Micaela Erlanger! Micaela, who has styled renowned personalities like Lupita Nyong'o, and Jennifer Hudson, shares her insights into the world of high-profile styling and how it intersects with the wedding industry. Micaela discusses the importance of st…
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Today’s guest believes “that flowers speak for themselves.” Rob Van Helden discusses what he means by "perfect simplicity”; starting a business out of the back of a car with his sister Patrice; how, through word of mouth, they were able to grow; and much more on this episode of The Wedding Biz! Rob is the owner of Rob Van Helden Floral Design Limit…
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Andy hopes that you will join him today as he chats with recurring guest Laurie Arons of Laurie Arons Special Events which she founded nearly three decades ago in 1994. Laurie has become a staple in the industry, working with high-profile clients like Sofia Coppola, Vanessa Getty, and Christy Turlington. In this candid conversation, Laurie shares i…
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Andy is so thrilled to welcome first-time guest Jen Gould of Jen Gould Events to the show this week! Jen's journey in the event industry began when her mother, Diana Gould, established the company nearly fifty years ago, making them pioneers in the evolving world of professional event design. Listen in as this episode delves into Jen's unique appro…
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Welcome back to The Wedding Biz! This week, Andy has Bob Conti on the show! Bob is a principal member and business partner of Ed Libby and Company Events. For over two decades now, Bob has made a name for himself in the event industry by designing and producing milestone luxury events. Bob shares his journey from a background in visual merchandisin…
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Andy is excited to be speaking with Greg Finck on this episode of The Wedding Biz. Greg is a brilliant photographer based in Paris. He studied business in France then came to the U.S to get his MBA. Greg was a marketing executive for ten years with Proctor and Gamble and at first, was doing wedding photography on the side as a hobby. Greg is now a …
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Andy has known today's guest for a really long time so is very excited to have him on the show for the first time! Join him as he sits down with luxury wedding and destination photographer Chris J. Evans, who has photographed weddings all over the world such as in Italy, Santa Barbara, Laguna Beach, Hawaii, and Napa Valley! Chris discusses how luck…
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475 RENNY PEDERSEN: Crafting Personalized Experiences for Clients While Maintaining a Balanced Lifestyle
38:26
Welcome to another episode of The Wedding Biz, with Andy interviewing Renny Pedersen, the owner of Bliss Events based out of Chicago! Bliss Events is an award-winning company renowned for its creativity and unique approach to wedding planning, and Renny truly has a remarkable entrepreneurial journey dating back to her childhood when she started her…
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Andy is so excited to have Julie Novack of PartySlate back on the show yet again! While he would highly recommend that you go back and listen to the previous episodes she has been on, in case you aren’t familiar with Julie, she is the CEO and co-founder of PartySlate, a groundbreaking photo-rich website connecting event professionals, planners, and…
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Today’s guest on the show, Tyler Speier, is the genius behind Tyler Speier Events, a luxury event planning, designing, and floral company based in Santa Barbara, California, and Andy is truly excited to have him on for this episode! Tyler isn’t just an expert at crafting dream weddings either; he's also a social media maestro, and he and Andy dive …
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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 recommend…
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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, pe…
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“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, p…
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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…
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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 w…
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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 advert…
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466 REVISIT RACHEL BIRTHISTLE: The Lake Como Wedding Planner and Creating a Wedding with Contrasting Events
45:15
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 de…
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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. Ele…
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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…
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