The Wedding Biz &#8211; Behind the Scenes of the Wedding Business

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317 THE NEXT LEVEL: CARRIE GOLDBERG discusses ALEX FITZGIBBONS, Orchestrating The Life And Soul Of A Wedding Dec 23, 2020

Show notes

Andy welcomes Carrie Goldberg back to The Next Level. Carrie is the Digital Travel & Weddings Editor at Harpers Bazaar, where she oversees all things bridal, weddings, and travel for HarpersBazaar.com. Listen as they discuss how who has the most input in weddings has changed, why Alex doesn't advertise and how he maintains his client's privacy by taking people's phones at high-profile events, plus much more.

Alex is the Managing Director of Fait Accompli out of London, which organizes, plans and designs spectacular events worldwide from A-list to Royal weddings. He is also responsible for the wedding celebration of Ellie Goulding and weddings for the Royal family, including Prince William and Katherine the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry and Megan the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Listen as Carrie speaks about the weddings Alex designs, the glamping wedding he planned on the grounds of a medieval castle, and how his discretion has earned him the high-profile weddings others seek. They discuss the challenge of keeping guests engaged, with or without their phones, and how 2020 has shown where people place their worth in business and life.

Are you a creative who wants to turn your craft into a business or take it further? Head to the Wedding Biz Network and listen to The Business of Being Creative podcast with Sean Low. Sean discusses the power of being niched, pricing strategies, metrics of success, and so much more.

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Show Highlights:

[00:59] Welcome back to the show, Carrie!
[01:45] Carrie speaks about the weddings that Alex designs.
[03:06] Carrie shares how things have changed when giving input into a wedding.
[05:44] Carrie discusses the wedding Alex orchestrated where the wedding party and guests were glamping on the grounds of a medieval castle.
[08:16] Carrie chats about discretion and how putting yourself out there is the last thing you should do if you want the high-profile weddings.
[09:47] All of Alex's clients come from word of mouth or referrals...he doesn't need to advertise.
[12:46] Carrie shares her view on checking in phones at events and how much more engaged they are without the distraction.
[15:04] Carrie talks about how Alex addresses the challenge of keeping people engaged in the experience when they have their phones.
[16:45] Carrie discusses how the experience of 2020 shows where people place their worth.
[18:53] They speak about work-life balance and how it's been a struggle in the industry.
[20:05] Thank you for being on the show!

This Week's Guest Co-Host, Carrie Goldberg. Digital Travel and Weddings Editor at Harper's Bazaar

Carrie Goldberg

Carrie Goldberg Episode 186 on The Wedding Biz

@carrielauren

@harperbazaarus

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316 ALEX FITZGIBBONS: Orchestrating The Life And Soul Of A Wedding Dec 21, 2020

Show notes

"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 Fitzgibbon discuss how he 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, plus much more on this episode of The Wedding Biz.

Alex is the Managing Director of Fait Accompli out of London, which organizes plans and designs spectacular events worldwide for A-list clients and Royal weddings. He orchestrated one of Vogue's top listed weddings of 2019, and was also responsible for the wedding celebration of Ellie Goulding and weddings for the Royal family, including Prince William and Katherine the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry and Megan the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Alex discusses his understanding of what a client wants and how he finds his inspiration when planning the event. Alex shares a story of one of his favorite weddings last year, his design philosophy, and the challenges of orchestrating a very large event. He also speaks about how he keeps high-profile weddings private by taking away the guests' phones, which also allows them to engage with others more freely.

Listen as Alex talks about balancing the business side of his company and the artistic side, how he puts together a team for each event, and how he has kept his business successful over the years. Alex shares that one of his favorite things about the event industry is the degree to which you get to know your clients and how exciting that is for him.

SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ

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Show Highlights:

[02:15] Welcome to the show, Alex!

[04:42] Alex shares a charity he supports called Child Bereavement and the fundraiser he took part in.

[06:42] Alex speaks about what he learned about himself during the event.

[07:57] Alex discusses his background and how he got involved in the event industry.

[10:38] Are you adrenaline-driven in your personal life? In business?

[12:10] Alex shares planning the wedding celebrations for Royalty.

[13:55] Alex discusses his process, understanding what the client wants, and how he gets his inspiration.

[16:03] Alex talks about where he meets with clients, how he gets the information from them, and how the process has changed in the last decade.

[20:04] Alex shares a story about one of his favorite weddings, his design, and the challenges of orchestrating a large wedding.

[23:19] Alex discusses how difficult it is to keep a high-profile event private when guests have easy access to their phones and social media.

[25:41] Alex says that when you take people's phones away at an event, they can better engage with people.

[27:06] What are some techniques you use to keep the guests engaged?

[29:48] Alex speaks about how he views the pressure of orchestrating a Royal wedding.

[31:35] Alex shares how he balances the business side of his company with the artistic side.

[33:07] How do you put together a team for each event?

[37:20] Alex discusses how he has evolved and kept his company successful over the years.

[40:16] One of Alex's favorite things about the business is the degree to which you get to know your clients.

[41:12] Thank you so much for being on the show!

RESOURCES

Find Alex:

Alex Fitzgibbons

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Rob Van Helden Episode 304 on The Wedding Biz

Mentioned

315 THE NEXT LEVEL: JENNIFER STEIN discusses MAJEDA & SEWAR BISHARAT/MY Event Design: Turning Vision Into Reality Dec 16, 2020

Show notes

Andy welcomes Jennifer Stein back to The Next Level. Jennifer is the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Destination I Do Magazine, which can be found at newsstands in all fifty states and twelve countries. She also publishes a daily blog, consults, custom publishes, and has a podcast called CONFETTI.

Majeda Bisharat and Sewar of MY Event Design, based in Jordan, cover events across the Middle East and Europe. MY Event Design is a full-fledged luxury event design, planning, and management company that has designed and planned events for influential figures in various industries and members of the Royal family.

Jennifer discusses the natural gifts that she believes people in the event industry are blessed with, how Majeda gets her inspiration from everywhere, and how great it is that Majeda and Sewar have a multigenerational approach to events that have served them well. Jennifer also talks about what Majeda said about Sewar's engagement party.

Listen as Jennifer shares how vulnerable and upfront Majeda was when she said she is in a state of confusion when it comes to dealing with the pandemic and how she took that confusion and turned it into a new company called MY Tablescape so that everyone can rent the luxurious accessories they need to make any occasion special.

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Show Highlights:

[00:53] Welcome back to the show, Jennifer!
[02:41] Jennifer believes that there are many natural gifts given to people in the event industry, and Majeda and Sewar are two of the greats.
[03:56] Majeda is inspired by many things, places, and people.
[05:56] Jennifer discusses the multigenerational approach that Majeda and Sewar have, making them a powerful force.
[09:27] Jennifer speaks about what Majeda said was her favorite event she had ever done.
[11:40] Jennifer chats about what she has heard creative partners say about working with some planners.
[13:07] Jennifer talks about how Majeda shared that she is in a place of feeling confused with the pandemic.
[14:18] Jennifer speaks about Majeda and Sewar's new company, MY Tablescape.
[16:54] Jennifer, thank you so much for being on the show!

This Week's Guest Co-Host, Jennifer Stein Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Destination I Do Magazine

Destination I Do Magazine

Destination I Do Blog

Jennifer Stein Episode 145 on the Wedding Biz

Facebook

Instagram | Twitter

Find Majeda & Sewar

MY Event Design

@myeventdesign

Instagram | Pinterest | Vimeo

@majedakassirbisharat

Instagram | Facebook

MY Tablescape

@myevententertainment

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Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment

314 MAJEDA & SEWAR BISHARAT/MY Event Design: Turning Vision Into Reality Dec 14, 2020

Show notes

"Majeda's vision has no boundaries, so why should we as a company?" Listen as Andy and his guests Majeda & Sewar Bisharat with MY Event Design, based in Amman Jordan and working all over the world, discuss Majeda's passion for fashion and the transition to event design and how Sewar wanted to get experience in the corporate world before she joined her mother's company plus much more on this episode of The Wedding Biz.

MY Event Design is a full-fledged luxury event design, planning, and management company founded by Majeda Bisharat and her two daughters Maysam and Sewar, covering events across the Middle East and Europe. In addition to weddings, engagements, corporate events, and other special events, MY event design has designed and planned events for influential figures in various industries and members of the Royal family.

Listen as Majeda and Sewar discuss why they feel they are a strong team, their roles in the company, and their process from start to finish with their clients. Majeda shares a story about an event she is very proud of and some challenges she has faced at her events.

They also chat about interior design, their entertainment booking agency, and the need for multiple income streams during the pandemic. Majeda and Sewar share how the pandemic has affected them personally and professionally and what they believe the event industry will look like in the coming months. Listen as these amazing women share their insights from Jordan.

SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ

Become a patron and support Andy and the show: If you are so inspired: contribute.

Show Highlights:

[02:21] Welcome to the show, Majeda & Sewar!

[03:41] Majeda discusses going to fashion design school in Italy and putting on fashion shows when she returned to Jordan.

[05:26] Majeda shares how she transitioned from fashion design into event planning and design.

[07:15] Majeda believes that there is a direct correlation between the various fashion weeks, around the world, and event design.

[08:26] She talks about where she finds inspiration for her designs.

[10:49] Sewar discusses growing up in an environment where creativity and art were encouraged.

[11:35] Sewar shares what she learned in the oil and gas industry that has helped her in MY Event Design.

[13:53] She was happy to work in a different industry to gain knowledge and experience before joining her mother's company.

[15:42] Sewar and Majeda believe they are a strong team also because they each understand a different generation.

[17:00] Sewar, what is your role in the company versus Majeda, and do they overlap?

[20:08] Majeda and Sewar share their process from the client's first contact through the end of the event.

[22:30] Majeda shares a story about an event she is the proudest of.

[25:34] Majeda discusses some big challenges she has had at her events.

[27:33] They talk about the store they have with luxurious home interior decor.

[30:17] Personalized branding is part of the service with their clients.

[31:14] Majeda shares how the pandemic has affected her professionally and personally.

[32:20] Sewar says that in Jordan the pandemic is getting worse and they are going into another shut down as you listen to this episode.

[33:19] Sewar discusses MY Tablescape, the new service they offer.

[34:10] They have an entertainment booking agency called MY Entertainment.

[36:07] Sewar speaks about what she believes the event industry will look like next year.

[37:19] Majeda thinks that weddings will be smaller because they can control it and talk to everyone.

[39:18] Thank you both for being on the show!

RESOURCES

Find Majeda & Sewar

MY Event Design

@myeventdesign

Instagram | Pinterest | Vimeo

@majedakassirbisharat

Instagram | Facebook

MY Tablescape

@myevententertainment

Vimeo - Circus Of Love

Vimeo - Circus Of Love - Making Of

Vimeo - Phantom Of The Opera

Vimeo - Vertical Garden

Vimeo - EY - Innovation

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Wendy Elliot-Khoury Episode 252 on The Wedding Biz

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313 THE NEXT LEVEL: JULIE SAVAGE discusses CALEB JORDAN LEE, Filmmaker Extraordinaire! Dec 09, 2020

Show notes

Andy's guest co-host today is Julie Savage. Julie is the Founder and Creative Director of Strawberry Milk Events, who has planned and designed celebrations worldwide.

Listen as they discuss how impressive it was that Caleb launched his business at 16 and filmed 40 weddings his first year, and his insights into developing relationships with his creative partners, plus much more on this episode of The Next Level.

Caleb is a brilliant filmmaker and the owner of East West Production, a full-service event filmmaking company with award-winning coverage. Caleb's work has been showcased in publications such as People's Magazine, particularly for shooting Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra's wedding. He has also been featured in Vogue, Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides Magazine, and Harpers Bazaar named Caleb as one of the world's top filmmakers.

Julie discusses how she matches her clients with creative partners like Caleb, the process they go through from there, and how it's a learning curve to know that you are not the right person for everyone and that Caleb seemed to learn that much earlier in his career than most.

Andy and Julie share how Caleb writes a storyline, to follow when editing, and how he believes when working commercially, it's not about the product as much as it is about the emotion behind the product and how to make that happen in a minute or less. Julie speaks about Caleb's genuine team player attitude and how he is known for always helping creative partners where he can and how that keeps him top of mind when recommending a filmmaker to clients.

Don't forget to listen to Andy's other podcast, The Music Makers. It's a podcast about behind-the-scenes stories from some of the most influential music industry pros around, including artists, recording engineers, record producers, songwriters, managers, record industry executives, and more. You can find The Music Makers podcast by searching for it in your cell phone's podcast app or visiting www.themusicmakers.com.

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Show Highlights:

[00:55] Welcome to the show, Julie!
[01:58] Julie shares how impressive it was that Caleb launched his business at age 16.
[02:47] Julie discusses working with creative partners and how they reach out to them and then pass that information on to the clients.
[03:53] Julie talks about matching their clients with creative partners.
[04:45] Julie believes that it's a learning curve to know that you are not right for everyone.
[05:26] Julie speaks about Caleb's view on scaling and how it keeps him true to who he is.
[06:46] What separates Caleb from the rest is that he writes a storyline to follow when filming and editing.
[07:57] They discuss how Caleb captures the emotional aspect of the story in a minute during his commercial shoots.
[10:38] Julie shares how Caleb sends out reels of the events the next day to the creative partners.
[12:00] Julie discusses how Caleb takes care of creative partners and develops relationships with them.
[13:54] Caleb is a team player and has a genuine attitude, which goes a long way, especially at a destination event.
[16:01] Julie and Andy speak about everything involved when Caleb did Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra's wedding with a week's notice.
[18:20] Thank you for being on the show!

This Week's Guest Co-Host, Julie Savage, Founder and Creative Director of Strawberry Milk Events

Strawberry Milk Events

@strawberrymilkevents

Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

Find Caleb:

East West Films

@eastwestfilms

@calebjordanlee

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Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by PartySlate - the first website designed specifically for event professionals and venues!

312 CALEB JORDAN LEE: Filmmaker Extraordinaire! Dec 07, 2020

Show notes

"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 his 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 speaks about his first year in business and how his sister's wedding was the catalyst for his business boom. Caleb speaks about how important he feels relationships are, with the creative partners and planners, and how he works with the planners to create the best product.

Listen, as Caleb shares a story about Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra's wedding and how iconic his shot of her walking down the aisle with her 70 foot train was. Caleb also discusses how he and his team edit and how everything plays a part in getting the perfect film for his clients.

Caleb shares the work he does commercially and how he brings emotion to each small snippet. Caleb talks about the challenges he faces when telling a client's story, his perspective on social media, the equipment he uses, and how he keeps up with the constant technology change. Caleb started as a teenager and has been in the industry for over ten years. His is a success story you don't want to miss!

SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ

Become a patron and support Andy and the show: If you are so inspired: contribute.

Show Highlights:

[02:30] Welcome to the show, Caleb!

[03:07] Caleb shares where he grew up and how he ended up back in the area.

[03:57] Caleb speaks about how family values have shaped the man he is today.

[05:10] Did you have an early passion for travel and filmmaking?

[07:26] Caleb talks about where the idea of filming weddings came from.

[08:49] He shares how his business boomed after he filmed his sister's wedding when he was just sixteen.

[12:33] Caleb discusses his process and how it's all about his relationships with planners.

[14:36] Caleb speaks about how he works with the planners when getting to know the clients.

[16:21] Caleb shares about some standout events he has done throughout the years.

[18:21] Caleb discusses the experience he had when filming Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra's wedding.

[21:30] He speaks about catching her walking down the aisle with a 70' train and how iconic it was.

[24:49] Caleb talks about how he and his team edit film.

[25:51] Caleb discusses the work he does commercially and how he brings emotion into each product.

[28:30] Putting together a reel of his work is the hardest thing Caleb does; trying to put all the parts together to create a story.

[29:18] What are the challenges you face when you tell a story?

[33:24] Caleb discusses how he views the business side of his company.

[36:17] Caleb shares his perspective on social media and he uses it in his business.

[38:55] What equipment do you use, and how do you handle the constant changes with technology?

[40:52] Caleb feels successful if he can bring other people up with him.

[42:12] Thank you so much for being on the show!

RESOURCES

Find Caleb:

@eastwestfilms

@calebjordanlee

Vimeo Links

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Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by PartySlate - the first website designed specifically for event professionals and venues!

Mentioned

Jose Villa Episode 228 on The Wedding Biz

Jose Villa Episode 235 on The Wedding Biz

Bryan Rafanelli Episode 84 on The Wedding Biz

Bryan Rafanelli Episode 247 on The Wedding Biz

David Stark Episode 111 on The Wedding Biz

David Stark Episode 132 on The Wedding Biz

David Stark Episode 242 on The Wedding Biz

311 THE NEXT LEVEL: JENNIFER STEIN discusses MORGAN CHILDS, Micro-Weddings Are Here To Stay Dec 02, 2020

Show notes

Andy's guest co-host today is Jennifer Stein, the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief at Destination I Do Magazine, which can be found in newsstands in all 50 states and 12 countries. She also has a wonderful daily online blog, consults, and custom publishes. Listen as they discuss Morgan's view on elopement weddings, smaller events, and whether that trend will continue going forward, plus much more on this episode of The Next Level.

Morgan first began by founding Moana Events and Belle Destination Events and then created another element by adding Modern Elopement, for which she is the CEO and Creative Director. Morgan has been called the elopement expert by Destination I Do Magazine and is a planner who started in the elopement brand back in 2015 when she saw a trend for smaller weddings happening, and with COVID, the concept has exploded.

Listen as Jennifer discusses working with Morgan and the spread they did for Destination I Do Magazine. Jennifer talks about Morgan shifting her business to serve those needing smaller weddings and how she wanted to create something where the expectation met the revenue.

Jennifer believes that smaller weddings are a trend that will continue even post-COVID. With people rethinking where they spend their money, the large, lavish wedding sometimes isn't as important as having a little extra for something else like buying a house.

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Show Highlights:

[01:06] Welcome back to the show, Jennifer!
[02:07] Jennifer discusses working with Morgan and the Modern Elopement brand and the feature they did in Destination I Do magazine.
[05:42] Jennifer speaks about Morgan recognizing the shift in her business and changing her business model to serve the smaller wedding.
[07:24] Jennifer discusses the expectation of a client and how Morgan is meeting them.
[08:47] Jennifer talks about doing the smaller events but still leaving time for the high profile larger events.
[10:23] Do you think the trend for smaller weddings will continue?
[13:02] Jennifer believes the pandemic has concentrated the desire for smaller weddings out of necessity, but that they are here to stay.
[14:55] Jennifer says people are rethinking where they are spending their money.
[16:12] They believe people will think twice before traveling.
[18:39] Thank you so much for being on the show!

This Week's Guest Co-Host, Jennifer Stein, the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief at Destination I Do Magazine

Destination I Do Blog

Jennifer Stein on the Wedding Biz

Find Morgan:

@morganmchilds

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Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment

Matt Porteous on The Next Level

Mentioned:

Rishi Patel on The Next Level

310 MORGAN CHILDS: Micro-Weddings Are Here To Stay Nov 30, 2020

Show notes

"It isn't about creating a less than wedding; it's just about a different format." Listen as Andy and his guest Morgan Childs discuss her growing up in Kauai, how she got into the event industry, and how to make it through the pandemic and beyond, plus much more on this episode of The Wedding Biz.

Morgan first began by founding Moana Events and Bella Destination Events and then created another element by adding Modern Elopement, for which she is the CEO and Creative Director. Morgan has been called the elopement expert by Destination I Do Magazine and is a planner who started in the elopement brand back in 2015 when she saw a trend for smaller weddings happening, and with COVID, the concept has exploded.

Morgan shares when she started seeing the trend for smaller weddings even before the pandemic, why her clients find them more attractive, and the difference between all the different terms of smaller weddings like micro and tiny weddings. She also speaks about where the focus is on the elopement weddings her company does and what they entail.

Listen as Morgan addresses some planners' concerns with taking time off their calendars for smaller weddings when they can fill those dates with higher-end, more expensive weddings. Post-COVID Morgan believes these smaller, more personal weddings will continue because mindsets around money have changed, and saving money or buying a house is sometimes more appealing than spending huge amounts of money on an extravagant wedding.

SUPPORTING THE WEDDING BIZ

Become a patron and support Andy and the show: If you are so inspired: contribute.

Show Highlights:

[01:14] Welcome to the show, Morgan!

[01:36] Morgan shares how idyllic it was to grow up in Kauai and how it shaped who she is today.

[03:38] How did you get into the event industry?

[05:36] Morgan discusses moving to NYC and then back to Hawaii and building her wedding and event business.

[06:23] Morgan shared when she noticed people calling and asking for smaller weddings and changing her business model to serve them.

[08:37] Morgan speaks about the reasons she believes smaller weddings are more attractive.

[11:02] Morgan describes the difference between all the different names of smaller weddings, from micro-weddings, mini-wedding, tiny weddings, pop-up weddings, etc.

[13:22] The elopement wedding is what Morgan does; listen as she describes what that means and where the focus is.

[16:04] How do you price these types of weddings out?

[18:40] Morgan discusses the planner's concerns about taking time from their calendar to do smaller, less expensive weddings.

[20:14] Morgan believes this trend for smaller weddings will continue post-pandemic.

[22:42] Morgan says there is so much beauty in creating smaller experiences for her couples, and they are happier and stress-free.

[24:34] Morgan talks about her subscription membership program for DIY brides planning small weddings.

[26:12] She speaks about the free community she has created and her free masterclass for planners.

[27:33] Morgan shares some final thoughts for the listeners.

[29:55] Morgan believes this trend will continue after the pandemic and that it isn't a bad thing.

[30:38] Thank you for being on the show!

RESOURCES

Find Morgan:

Modern Elopement

Moana Bella

@morganmchilds

Free masterclass for wedding planners on Nov 30th on how to add elopements to their planning business: www.ModernElopement.com/masterclass

Free community for planners and photographers who want to add or grow their elopements: www.Facebook.com/groups/elopementweddingpro

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Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment