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

The Lake Como Wedding Planner

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

Find Jose:

Jose Villa

Jose's Book: Fine Art Wedding Photography

@jose-villa

Facebook

@josevillaphoto

@josevilla

Instagram

This Week's Guest Co-Host, Rachel Birthistle

Rachel Birthistle

Rachel@lakecomoweddings

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Links

228 REVISIT: JOSE VILLA/Part 1: Redefining Success with Fine Art Photography Feb 24, 2020

Show notes

REVISIT: Jose Villa is a fine art wedding photographer known for crafting vibrant, fine art images that are as unique as the people in the photographs. Jose has been published in many magazines around the world, including Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, Elegant Bride, Instyle Weddings, Inside Weddings, Brides Magazine, Modern Bride, Weddings, Brides, Pacific Weddings, Southern Weddings and many more.

Jose has been named a top wedding photographer in Martha Stewart Weddings, Harper's Bazaar, Style Me Pretty, and Vogue, and was recently listed in the Top 10 Wedding Photographers in the World by American Photo Magazine.

Jose was born in Mexico but grew up in Solvang, California. He attended Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California and is the author of Fine Art Wedding Photography.

Show Highlights:

Jose opens up about his parents' initial reaction to him wanting to be a photographer.
What motivated Jose initially to take photography classes in high school.
The one person who helped boost Jose's confidence as a young photographer.
How did Jose get his first gig as a wedding photographer?
Jose defines what fine art photography is when it comes to weddings.
Why does Jose continue to shoot in film, even after the rise of digital photography?
The things Jose worries about when waiting for developed film to come back.
Jose shares the reason candid photos mean so much at a wedding, especially to friends and family.
Jose believes that a photographer's presence at a wedding impacts the event as a whole as well as the bride and groom's wedding day experience.
What do you do if guests pull out cameras or cell phones during the ceremony?
Jose shares his to-to gear for shooting weddings in film.

LINKS & RESOURCES

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

The Man Who Listens To Horses by Monty Roberts

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

Find Jose:

Jose Villa

Jose's Book: Fine Art Wedding Photography

@jose-villa

Facebook

@josevillaphoto

@josevilla

Instagram

227 THE NEXT LEVEL: BRUCE RUSSELL discusses TARA FAY - Ireland First Wedding and Event Planner/Designer Feb 19, 2020

Show notes

Listen to Andy and Bruce Russell as they discuss Tara Fay and her interview with Andy last Monday. Bruce is the owner and managing director of By Bruce Russell, based in London. He plans, designs, and coordinates wedding parties and other events around the globe. Bruce is also the co-star of RTE Ireland's production of My Big Day: Home or Away along with Tara Fay.

Listen as Andy and Bruce speak about the TV show My Big Day: Home or Away. Also, hear about Tara's ability to be observant and know what her guests want and need and how planners are not paid for what goes right; they are paid for how they handle what goes wrong. They talk about how Tara likes to tie referral clients back to an event and her ability to keep clients for repeat events, which she calls "legacy clients."

Do you give young planners the chance to learn from you? Having a mentor helped Tara become the planner/designer that she is today, and Bruce agrees that providing interns an opportunity to learn the business can only benefit the next generation. This is a fascinating conversation about Ireland's premier event planner, and you won't want to miss a moment of this episode.

Show Highlights:

[01:01] Welcome to the show Bruce!
[02:25] Bruce and Andy speak about the TV show.
[03:38] They talk about Tara's ability to be observant around guests and how she has mastered the art of hosting.
[05:19] Bruce agrees with Tara that they are not being paid for what goes right but for how you handle what goes wrong.
[06:40] The guests should never know if something goes wrong. As far as they are concerned, it is all perfect.
[07:44] Bruce believes that you should empower your team to come to you with a solution instead of a question.
[10:46] Andy and Bruce discuss how Tara likes to tie referrals back to an event so that she can get a look at what they are expecting.
[12:06] Have you ever heard the term "legacy client?" How do you stay in touch with past clients?
[14:28] If you are lucky enough to have a mentor who wants to teach you, you should jump in with both feet and learn everything you can.
[15:45] Bruce shares that bringing in interns to teach is helping the next generation become the best they can be.

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment

Tara Fay on The Wedding Biz

Find Tara:

Tara Fay

@tarafayevents

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Bruce Russell on The Wedding Biz

This Week's Guest Co-Host, Bruce Russell

Bruce Russell

@bybrucerussell

Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

226 TARA FAY: Ireland's First Wedding & Event Planner/Designer Feb 17, 2020

Show notes

"You have to be open to listening because you are never going to pick something up; otherwise." Tara Fay has become an icon in the wedding and event industry by listening. When she got the opportunity to intern with a seasoned event planner, she soaked up everything about the business and now teaches interns herself.

Tara is the owner of Tara Fay Events, based in Dublin, Ireland. She has produced some of the most high profile events and weddings in Ireland and throughout Europe, the United States and the Caribbean. Tara has won several event industry awards, was previously voted Ireland's Premier Wedding Planner by Social and Personal Magazine, and is a sought after speaker at wedding events and lectures students on wedding and event planning. Tara is the co-star of RTE Ireland's TV production of My Big Day: Home or Away along with Bruce Russell.

Listen in as Tara speaks about being lucky and how she believes everything is chance. Tara shares a story about the first event she planned when she started her business, why she went back to Ireland instead of staying in Los Angeles, and her love of challenges. Tara shares why she believes the decor and design are so important, her goal of designing to a guest's five senses and her process from start to finish with new clients.

"You are earning your money when something goes wrong, not when everything goes right." Tara has confidence that as long as she gets a little notice, she can pretty much fix anything. Listen in as she describes starting a business while raising her three children, planning funerals, and how she views success. Trust me when I say you don't want to miss this episode.

Show Highlights:

[02:06] Welcome to the show Tara, from Engage in Mexico.

[02:41] Tara shares a little about her background and the disco events she planned in secondary school.

[04:20] Did you go to school for anything related to the event industry?

[05:45] Tara went to college for Business and Languages but got a Master's in Marketing and Law.

[07:00] Tara shares how she got her start in the wedding and events industry.

[09:44] She believes that everything is by chance, and she lucked out getting to work with the event planner that mentored her.

[11:00] Did you consider staying in Los Angeles instead of going back to Ireland?

[11:39] Tara's company was the first wedding and event company in Ireland.

[13:07] Tara loves a challenge, so starting her company was something she put 100% of herself into even when everyone told her she would fail.

[14:41] What kind of reaction did you receive from the public? Did you have any contacts?

[15:37] Tara shares a memory from the first event she planned.

[18:18] Tara believes you must play to the guest's five senses to make each event memorable.

[19:33] Tara speaks about how the decor and design can instantly impact the guests.

[20:44] Listening to the client is the most important thing you can do. You have to know what they want.

[21:35] Tara shares her process from start to finish when meeting a new client and gives some examples.

[24:15] Listen as Tara chats about why the entertainment part of an event is so important, especially in Ireland.

[26:14] What are some of the challenges you've had to work with during an event?

[28:40] They discuss how the planner is the barometer of how an event is going, so you must not show any distress.

[30:01] How do you approach running the business aspect of your company?

[31:35] Tara believes that about 70% of her clients are referrals that come from events she has previously planned.

[34:50] Tara shares about the TV show she co-stars in with Bruce Russell, My Big Day: Home or Away.

[36:03] She speaks about meeting Christina Matteucci and David Beahm in a taxi at a conference.

[37:42] They discuss what Tara spoke about at the Engage conference.

[39:40] How hard was it to start a business and raise your three children at the same time?

[42:17] Tara shares about planning funerals, what is involved, and who requests her.

[43:39] Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

[45:02] Tara describes how she views success.

[45:32] Thank you so much, Tara, for being on the show!

LINKS & RESOURCES

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment

Find Tara:

Tara Fay

@tarafayevents

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Mentioned:

David Beahm on The Wedding Biz

Christina Matteucci on The Wedding Biz

Bruce Russell on The Wedding Biz

Ed Libby

225 THE NEXT LEVEL: TARA FAY discusses BRUCE RUSSELL - The Winding Road to Becoming an Elite Planner/Designer Feb 12, 2020

Show notes

Tara Fay and Andy discuss Bruce Russell in this episode of The Next Level. Tara is a brilliant planner and designer based in Dublin, Ireland, who is also the co-star of RTE Ireland's production of My Big Day: Home or Away along with Bruce Russell. Tara will also be on The Wedding Biz next week, so tune in then to hear more about her and her events.

Bruce is the owner and managing director of By Bruce Russell, based in London. He is a planner, designer, and coordinates wedding parties and other events around the globe. He was named Best Wedding Planner by Belle International Bridal Awards and has been featured in International Publications such as Brides, Mayfair Magazine, and Hello Fashion, to name a few.

Listen in as Tara shares how she handles clients that aren't a good fit and why she feels it is her job to help couples make more informed decisions around their weddings. Tara also speaks about teaching hoteliers how to show venues for wedding couples. Tara and Andy discuss timelines for events, they talk about digital agencies, and how she is so fascinated by what they do.

Tara's perspective on Bruce is top-notch. You can tell that they are great friends. Listening to her allows you more insight into the event planning and design industry, and her input on the fascinating interview with Bruce shows the intricacies they face with each event.

Show Highlights:

[01:05] Welcome to the show, Tara!
[02:31] Tara shares that when a couple comes to you to plan their wedding, it is almost like being a therapist because usually, they haven't talked about what they want as a couple.
[03:44] How do you handle clients if you feel they are not a good fit for you?
[05:09] Tara shares her techniques for managing a client.
[06:26] Tara agrees with Bruce that clients make emotional decisions around finances when it comes to their weddings.
[07:51] Tara believes she is responsible for slowing couples down and getting them to realize the implications of what they want.
[08:46] Tara agrees with Bruce about the fact that hoteliers are not trained to show a venue as a wedding venue.
[11:01] Tara shares that you shouldn't have a timeline template for a wedding because each wedding is different.
[14:19] Tara speaks about working with a digital brand marketing agency and how fascinating it has been.
[16:06] Thank you, everyone, for listening!

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment

Find Bruce:

Bruce Russell

@bybrucerussell

Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

This Week's Guest Co-Host, Tara Fay

Tara Fay

@tarafayevents

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

224 BRUCE RUSSELL: The Winding Road to Becoming an Elite Planner/Designer Feb 08, 2020

Show notes

"An event is theatrical, and it's more than just a wedding or an event; it brings people together." This is what fuels the passion that Bruce Russell has for planning weddings and events. His goal with each event is to produce the most memorable experience possible. Listen as he shares how he started in the industry and his journey to success.

Bruce is the owner and managing director of By Bruce Russell, based in London. He is a planner, designer and coordinates wedding parties and other events around the globe. He was awarded Best Wedding Planner by Belle International Bridal Awards and has been featured in International Publications such as Brides, Mayfair Magazine, and Hello Fashion, to name a few. He is the co-star of RTE Ireland's production of My Big Day: Home or Away, with Tara Fay, and has appeared on many other TV shows.

Bruce shares his journey of growing up in a small fishing village in Nova Scotia to

New York after 9/11 to end up in London. He speaks about leaving his corporate job, starting his event business, and the creative way he got his first clients plus the recognition that he needed. Bruce also talks about his process with prospective new clients and making sure that they understand how he works.

Listen in as they discuss Bruce and Tara Fay's TV show My Big Day: Home or Away, what it's like to have a camera follow you around, and how the two co-stars get along on and off the show. They also talk about Bruce and Tara's YouTube channel, and how they are helping people with questions they don't know to ask. Bruce is one of those guys who doesn't take anything for granted and is a joy to listen to so you don't want to miss this episode.

Show Highlights:

[02:23] Bruce, welcome to the show from Engage in Mexico.

[03:00] Bruce shares his upbringing in a tiny fishing village in Nova Scotia.

[05:02] In school, did you do anything that led you toward the career you have today?

[07:17] Bruce chats about working at a hotel after college for fifteen years, moving around the world with the Fairmont chain, and ending up in New York after 9/11.

[09:33] How did you end up in London?

[12:24] Bruce enjoyed hosting and entertaining people so much that he decided to launch his own event planning business.

[13:45] Were you scared to leave the corporate job and start your own business?

[15:20] Bruce shares how he used his previous contacts at the Savoy Hotel to get his first wedding clients and get his name out there.

[17:52] Bruce says that an event is theatrical, and it's more than just a wedding or an event. It's bringing people together.

[19:10] Bruce chats about his process when consulting with a prospective new client.

[22:22] Bruce believes that weddings are when couples are making their most significant financial decisions with their emotions.

[25:46] Bruce shares a story about a wedding he did in Marrakesh, which started the destination wedding side of his business.

[28:15] How do you go about finding local experts whom you can trust?

[29:44] Bruce chats about flow and entertainment and what he means by that.

[30:48] He gives us an example of an event where the flow was interrupted, but the guests were so entertained that they never noticed.

[35:13] Since wedding planning is one of the top ten most stressful, how do you handle the stress? Does stress keep you focused?

[37:26] Bruce speaks about the TV show he hosts with Tara Fay and the concept of the show.

[40:40] Bruce tells us that he and Tara are experts, not influencers; they are trying to educate people on how to do things well.

[41:04] What is it like having a camera follow you around everywhere?

[43:55] Bruce chats about the new YouTube channel that he and Tara have to help people with things they don't think to ask.

[45:04] Bruce shares how he balances everything he has on his plate.

[46:52] Thank you so much for being on the show, Bruce!

LINKS & RESOURCES

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment

Find Bruce:

Bruce Russell

@bybrucerussell

Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

Mentioned:

Tara Fay

223 BRIDELUX PANEL with SYLVIA WEINSTOCK, CECI JOHNSON, and CHRISTIAN OTH Feb 03, 2020

Show notes

Andy recently attended the Bridelux Conference in New York City. He was asked to select a panel of professionals to discuss the importance of personal connection in the wedding and events industry. His panel consisted of Sylvia Weinstock, Ceci Johnson, and Christian Oth; three amazing innovators in their fields of culinary arts, invitation design, and photography. Listen in as they chat about client relationships, establishing trust, and how to break the ice in the first interview.

Sylvia, at 90 years young, is one of the great industry entrepreneurs and is best known for creating edible art. Ceci is the Founder and Creative Director of Ceci New York and has been called an invitation design icon. Christian is the Founder and Creative Director of Christian Oth Studio. He is a world-renowned editorial photographer and has pioneered a distinctly evocative and authentically emotional editorial style. All three of these amazing professionals have been interviewed on The Wedding Biz. Andy highly respects each of them and was excited to include them on his panel.

Listen closely as they discuss "audacious transparency," knowing when a prospective client isn't the right fit for your business, and how hard an event planner's job is. They talk about being open and honest with new clients, conflicts at weddings that don't necessarily involve the bride and groom, and having a quality wedding on a budget.

With Andy Kushner at the helm, you have a group of individuals who have done it all and made it look easy. When you are lucky enough to be in a room with this kind of talent, you need to pay attention because what they have to say will resonate with anyone in any industry. You don't want to miss this once in a lifetime episode!

Show Highlights:

[03:21] Listen as Andy describes The Wedding Biz podcast to the audience.

[05:12] Andy introduces the panel members, Sylvia Weinstock, Ceci Johnson, and Christian Oth.

[08:10] He explains how he came up with the topic for their discussion.

[09:14] Andy describes what Christina Matteucci meant when she coined the phrase "audacious transparency."

[10:35] Sylvia gives her thoughts on being open and honest with clients.

[12:27] Ceci agrees and discusses how you open up with someone when you don't know them.

[14:36] Christian says that the client is also the subject, so it's essential that he has a personal connection with them.

[16:38] They each speak about what they do to break the ice on the first interview.

[21:44] If you share with the client, treat them like a friend and make them comfortable, they respond better.

[24:26] Have you ever met with a prospective client that you knew wasn't the right fit for you? No matter what you do they are not happy?

[27:25] Sylvia states that when you are in the service industry, you have to know that you can't make everyone happy.

[29:00] They all chat about how planners have to be a particular type of person because it's a tough job.

[32:01] Happy 90th birthday Sylvia!!

[33:36] Christian describes a time when there was a conflict with family members of the bride and groom and how it affected the wedding.

[34:48] Sylvia asks Christian about someone having limited funds and if they can still have a great photographer.

[35:34] Ceci chats about her ready-to-order line that has a lower price point so that you can still get excellent quality.

[36:20] Sylvia, what are you planning to do now that you've retired?

[38:31] Thank you, everyone, for coming, and thank you, Sylvia, Christian, and Ceci.

LINKS & RESOURCES

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Bridelux

www.bridelux.com

Panel Members:

Sylvia Weinstock

Sylvia Weinstock on The Wedding Biz

Ceci Johnson

Ceci Johnson on The Wedding Biz

Christian Oth

Christian Oth on The Wedding Biz

Mentioned:

Christina Matteucci on The Wedding Biz

222 THE NEXT LEVEL: GREG FINCK discusses ALEJANDRA POUPEL - International Events With a Theatrical Flair Jan 29, 2020

Show notes

Greg Finck is Andy's guest on this episode of The Next Level. Greg is a wonderful and brilliant photographer, based in Paris, and is here with Andy to discuss Alejandra Poupel. Alejandra is the owner of Alejandra Poupel Events and is based out of Paris as well, she plans and designs for a wide variety of events all over the world.

Greg and Alejandra both work all over the globe, and they believe that when you operate internationally, you must plan your events to work with different cultures. Hence, her events and his photographs tend to be tailor-made for those unique clients. He also agrees with her that to have a successful company the business side is just as important as the creative side.

Andy and Greg also dive into what Alejandra said about the importance of using Instagram to not only focus on the client but when possible, to help showcase yourselves and the other vendors at events. You must always put the client first, but helping the other vendors when you can, helps build a camaraderie that can land you more events and, with the destination wedding market so strong in Europe, the growth potential is limitless.

Listen to Andy and Greg discuss this fantastic entrepreneur; her insight and talent are what sets her apart. Alejandra has the business acumen and creative expertise to be around the industry for many years to come. If you haven't listened to her episode of The Wedding Biz, you should because you don't want to miss the chance to hear how she became the businesswoman she is today.

Show Highlights:

[01:18] Welcome to the show, Greg!
[02:20] Greg agrees with Alejandra that when planning events around the world, you have to tailor-make each event for the different cultures.
[04:51] They discuss the difference in each culture with examples about Middle Eastern and Chinese weddings.
[06:49] Greg speaks about how important Instagram is to photographers and planners in the industry today.
[09:46] He feels that you need to serve the client first but also help the vendors out by getting good shots of their offerings too.
[11:03] Greg agrees with Alejandra on how business and being creative share equal elements of a successful company.
[15:15] Do you agree that the destination wedding market in Europe is growing exponentially?
[16:38] Greg, thank you so much for being here today.

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment

Rime Arodaky & Greg Finck on The Wedding Biz

Find Alejandra:

Alejandra Poupel

@alejandrapoupelevents

Instagram | Facebook | Pinterest

This Week's Guest Co-Host, Greg Finck - Photographer

Greg on Vimeo

Greg's Website

Greg's Workshop

Instagram

Facebook

Greg on The Wedding Biz

Mentioned:

221 ALEJANDRA POUPEL: International Events with a Theatrical Flair Jan 27, 2020

Show notes

Creating events for international clientele is Alejandra Poupel's realm of expertise. Alejandra is the owner of Alejandra Poupel Events based out of Paris. She caterers to an international clientele, all of whom have different expectations based on their cultural perspective. Listen in as they chat about her early position at Christie's, taking a pause to raise her daughters, and how she made the transition from art to event planning and design.

Event planning to Alejandra means providing each client with a tailor-made event crafted just for them. She is multicultural and can speak six languages, which helps her to understand different cultures when working internationally. As examples, Alejandra shares a story about some of her biggest middle-eastern weddings.

The fashion industry sets the trends when it comes to the decor at an event. Alejandra's goal is to create an event that has a theatrical point of view, meaning a beginning, middle, and end. She chats about some of the over-the-top requests, she has received, and how she does everything in her power to accommodate her clients.

Alejandra often works at chateaus and monuments, each with their own unique set of complexities. She speaks about creating events for international corporations and how, even though she only has three full-time employees, she and her team are still able to handle significant events.

Listen in as Alejandra explains the challenges she faces when planning weddings in exotic locations, where she believes the destination wedding industry will be in five years, and why your reputation is everything.

Show Highlights:

[01:45] Andy welcomes Alejandra Poupel to the show.

[02:08] Alejandra chats about her upbringing, meeting the love of her life and moving to France.

[02:59] Where did Alejandra find her passion for event planning?.

[03:54] Learn how working at the famous Christie's Auction House influenced her future career.

[07:03] Hear why raising her daughters resulted in her pausing her career.

[08:58] Alejandra shares how she started in corporate events.

[10:25] Alejandra tells us that an event has to be tailor-made for different cultures and different clients.

[11:46] She speaks six different languages, which comes in handy while planning international events.

[13:00] Alejandra says that with some of her clients' cultures, she has to find a balance between the older traditional parents and the younger brides and grooms.

[14:07] How have you been able to work in all of these different cultures?

[15:10] Alejandra shares an example of a middle eastern wedding, which has an element of a fashion show and is all women.

[20:16] They discuss how the fashion industry sets the trend for event decor.

[22:22] Alejandra speaks about creating a theatrical experience when doing an event.

[23:59] She shares a story about an event where they designed a custom rose just for the client.

[25:34] Can you tell us about an over-the-top request you have received from a client?

[27:35] Alejandra speaks about the challenges she faces with the events she plans.

[29:28] She gives us an idea of the kind of rules and regulations she must follow when working in chateaus and monuments.

[31:45] Can you tell us a story about a challenge that you had to overcome when working with clients with exotic tastes?

[35:31] Alejandra chats about creating events for international corporate clients.

[37:56] She talks about using freelancers to help her three full-time employees when they are needed.

[39:29] The six languages she speaks are Spanish, English, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Arabic.

[40:38] How did you balance raising your daughters and work when starting your business?

[42:15] Alejandra tells us about the topics she speaks about at conferences and why she loves being around her peers talking about the industry.

[46:25] Where do you see yourself in five years? Are destination weddings going to continue to grow?

[49:42] Alejandra says that success is her family. It is also waking up every morning being happy and having an excellent reputation.

[51:06] Thank you so much for being on the show!

LINKS & RESOURCES

Follow The Wedding Biz on Social:

Title Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Kushner Entertainment