The Wedding Biz - Behind the Scenes of the Wedding Business

Join The Wedding Biz host, Andy Kushner and Marketing Director Melissa Fancy as they break down Lisa Gooder's interview. Lisa Gooder is the Executive Director of Brides Magazine.  Andy and Melissa dive a little deeper into the content from Lisa's interview and discuss the following: Current trends in weddings Why the story is the main thing Why some wedding traditions no longer matter Exclusivity...

Lisa Gooder was always passionate about telling stories. No matter the workplace-- from artifact appraisals to digital media, to Lisa, the way a story could connect others and draw interest were obvious. Enter her break into the wedding industry, where the story has been culturally set for decades - that is, until Lisa began to see changes with the demographic and wanted to help tell their honest...

Initially, Jose's parents were nervous about him becoming a photographer. As recent US immigrants, they didn't think his dreams of making money in portrait photography would come to fruition and wanted to see him take on a more traditional career path.   But Jose knew he was onto something when he started taking photos in high school, and his friends started paying him for senior portrait sessions...

To Ron Ben-Israel, a cake is far more than a cake. It's equal to a performance. And if anyone knows about performance, it's surprisingly the master of couture celebration cakes.   After graduating college with a Fine Arts degree, Ron saw the world through two distinct lenses:  the Israeli military, and a ballet company he joined after serving in his early 20's. He traveled  around the world, perfo...

Peter Callahan almost didn't become a world-famous caterer. Growing up around successful finance businessmen, he felt as if that was his destiny and attended undergraduate programs for business.   But with every elaborate party Peter designed and catered in college, he learned more about crafting incredible experiences through creativity and food.   It would still take him multiple failed college...

Simon T. Bailey is no stranger to success, even though he's quite familiar with failure.  At a young age, Simon was turned down for multiple sports teams-but he didn't let that stop him.  He left his first college after just one year and moved into a low-income neighborhood. His path took him to a high-level role, which he transitioned away from when it became clear his days as an employee there w...

Troy Williams is a successful event designer, planner and lifestyle influencer, but his success didn't happen overnight. It took years of hard work and persistence in following his dream, including cold-calling producers in Hollywood, finding an opportunity to be an intern at Warner Brothers Studios and helping to style celebrities who happened to shop during his shifts at Banana Republic. Above a...

At 15 years old, Ian Prosser's love of floral design began when he took an elderly woman in his community to flower-arranging night classes. Through apprenticeships and competitions-- and some strong reservations from his family-- Ian's talent grew tremendously, turning him into the youngest person to receive Scotland's Floral Designer of the Year at just 19 years old.   As a self-proclaimed "deta...

If you've never had the joy of working with a partner who absolutely lives to utterly blow the clients' mind, then you will find this interview with today's guest, Eddie Zaratsian a breath a fresh air. Eddie's abundant energy and passion for creating a feast for the senses, allow him to reflect the very essence of his clients in an unimaginable way.  Eddie Zaratsian is the Owner of Eddie Zaratsian...

Kirsten Ott Palladino & Maria Palladino are co-founders of Equally Wed, an online wedding magazine celebrating love and weddings in the LGBTQ+ community. It also provides education and resources for same-sex couples and equality-minded wedding professionals. But this is far more than just a business venture.   In 2004, Kirsten and Maria fell in love, getting engaged just before Kirsten's 30th birt...

When innate creativity and business collide, the world benefits from the amazing products and services those businesses provide. Creative businesses aren't easily defined and many times, don't fit neatly into established business niches. This episode will provide clarity and direction for any creative business owner. Today, Andy Kushner, the host of The Wedding Biz podcast, sits down for an insigh...

So far on the Wedding Biz, we have had multiple perspectives on planning and executing traditional Western weddings. Therefore, I am incredibly thrilled to bring you Nikki Khan, founder of L.A-based Exquisite Events. Nikki has found her place as the luxury wedding planner for traditional, yet magical South Asian weddings. The scale of Nikki's events can be difficult to wrap your mind around. For s...

Wedding planning, production, and design seem to require a bit of tenacity. To make it in the wedding and event industry, you have to be willing to take a risk and execute a vision. It turns out that you also need to be a bit opportunistic and ready to jump when the stars align. This philosophy has carried Pauline Parry very far in the business. She is the esteemed founder of Good Gracious, a Los...

When it comes to luxury weddings and events, every detail can become a work of art. Today, I am talking all about business with Wombi Rose, CEO of Lovepop. Lovepop specializes in 3D greeting cards that are truly works of art. Whether it is a card for someone you love or unique invitations to a wedding, Lovepop communicates your message and affection in a unique and surprising way you just can't fi...

It takes a certain level of skill, a problem-solving attitude, and more than a dash of creativity to throw a spectacular wedding. Between coordinating the client's vision, compiling vendor partners, troubleshooting setup, and sending the bride down the aisle, wedding planners have a lot on their plate. After creating absolutely stunning weddings and high-profile events for 20 years, Debbie Geller,...

When we think about wedding and event floral designs, our imagination is often limited to bouquets and centerpieces. Today, I am talking to one of the premier event designers in the world.  She sees flowers and foliage as a way to create lasting memories of events your guests will never forget. Mindy Rice, of Mindy Rice Design, is a native Californian with a creative lineage. Growing up, Mindy was...

These days, The Knot is largely synonymous with planning a modern wedding. It is often the first resource brides will use to feel empowered during an uncertain time. There's a reason for that! Founder of The Knot, Carley Roney, and Brand Builder, Anja Winikka, are innovating the wedding business through authentic connection and female empowerment. The Knot is the #1 Mobile Wedding App, and most br...

Edgar Zamora is the founder and lead designer of the highly acclaimed Revelry Event Designers, the industry's go-to event and interior design company specializing in designing and installing private, as well as corporate events worldwide. Edgar is a "Transformer of Spaces", having an innovative and progressive design view. As president and CEO of Revelry Event Designers, Edgar's exquisite event fu...

Today, we welcome Claudia Hanlin of the Wedding Library! Claudia has an extensive resume behind her as a Contributing Editor to Martha Stewart Weddings, having received numerous honors including the prestigious Modern Bride Innovators Award, four International Special Events Society Big Apple Awards for Design, The Knot's Best of New York Wedding Planner and Juli B's Top US Shopping Service Award....

Sharon Sacks is the epitome of a multi-tasking go-getter! Early in her career she caught her first big break working with Berry Gordy Jr. and his Motown Records label during its peak which included projects with Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. From there, Sharon went on to work with Jerry Perenchio, who turned out to be her greatest mentor yet. Through working with him, she got the opportunity to e...

As Owner, CEO and Creative Director of AOO Events of Los Angeles since 1989, David Merrell has seen and done just about everything there is in the world of events. David's start in life may sound unusual compared to other wedding professionals. He worked several 9 to 5 office jobs, including a position as an underwriter for an insurance company. His journey from office worker to owner of an award...

When you think of experiencing personalized and experiential destination weddings, you most likely need to be thinking of Harlan and Kara, The Travel Siblings. This duo has been designing private and intimate events and luxury travel experiences around the globe for years through their affiliation with the Elite Division of Travel Leaders  - Tzell Travel Group and were recently recognized by Conde...

Darcy Miller has always had creative inspirations around her. From growing up with creatively inclined parents, to creating her own crafts and projects in 6th grade, she's had the gene in her. Her design and editorial contributions during the early days of Martha Stewart Living would eventually lead her to becoming the Editor -at-Large at Martha Stewart Weddings. Her journey, full of fascinating j...

Michelle Rago has always had wanderlust flowing through her veins. It's what has inspired her to build her massively successful career as a wedding and event destination producer and expert. She's now one of the most sought-after destination event planners in the world, in large part because of her vision, relationship building skills, and meticulous attention to every possible detail. Her love fo...