Wedding Pros who are ready to grow - with Becca Pountney

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This week, I'm joined by Emma Hardcastle, CEO and founder of Hostology, a venue management platform helping wedding and event venues bring everything together in one place.

Emma has spent years working in marketing, digital products and technology, and she shares how her experience led her to create a solution for some of the challenges faced by wedding venues. We talk about why so many businesses are still relying on spreadsheets, endless emails and manual processes, and how making changes to the way you work could save you time and help your business...

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In this episode I'm joined by Joaquin Corrales, wedding venue owner, software developer and founder of Venue AI, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the sales process and what wedding professionals can learn from it.

Joaquin shares how his experience building and running Gran Paraiso Gardens, a successful wedding venue in Miami, helped him identify one of the biggest challenges businesses face: generating enquiries is only half the battle. If you're not responding quickly, following up consistently and understanding what turns a lead into a booking, you could be missing out on...

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In this episode, I’m joined by Jonathan Aymin, Founder and CEO of Common Sense Events, a venue management company in the US. Jonathan also hosts the VenueRx podcast and founded the Wedding and Event Venue Association, so he brings a wealth of experience and some refreshingly honest insights into running and growing a venue business. We chat about Jonathan’s journey into the wedding industry, from starting a staffing company to managing wedding venues across the US, and why being successful in this industry takes far more than simply having a beautiful space.

We...

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What happens when your ideal client stops Googling and starts asking AI who they should book?

In this episode of Wedding Pros Who Are Ready to Grow, I’m chatting with Vivienne Wagner, CEO of Houndstooth Media Group, about the changing world of SEO, AI search and what it means for wedding businesses. Vivienne shares how she went from blogger to running a digital marketing agency with a team of specialists, and why the lessons she learned from building an audience still apply today.

We talk about why blogging is still wo...

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What does accessibility really look like in the wedding industry?

This week, I’m chatting to Charlotte Rowe, founder of The Unseen Weddings, about her experience of planning her own wedding as a disabled bride and the lack of accessibility and representation she has encountered along the way.

From struggling to find genuinely accessible venues to seeing very little representation at wedding shows, Charlotte shares some of the experiences that inspired her to start The Unseen Weddings project.

We talk about why simply describing somewhere as “wheelchair accessible” isn’t always...

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In this episode, I’m chatting to Lianne Cole, a female wedding DJ, live vocalist and entertainer who is right at the beginning of her journey in the wedding industry.

Lianne’s route into weddings hasn’t exactly been a straightforward one. With a Master’s in opera performance behind her, she’s worked across a whole mix of different industries and businesses before finding her way into DJing and entertainment. She now brings together her love of performing and her passion for music through LMC, combining live vocals with high-energy DJ sets.

We ta...

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This week, I'm chatting to Ade, a wedding MC and celebrant based in London and working worldwide, about exactly that. Ade has built a hugely successful wedding business, with 50 weddings this year, while continuing to work full time as a management consultant. His journey into the wedding industry was almost accidental, starting when friends asked him to MC their wedding in Athens. Five years later, he's worked on weddings around the world and has even been featured in publications including The New York Times and Vogue Weddings.

If you're currently juggling a wedding...

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In this week's episode I'm chatting to wedding photographer Ollie Knight, who has been capturing weddings since 2011 and has photographed more than 400 couples.

Based in Canterbury, Ollie has built a photography business around a documentary, unscripted approach, capturing the real moments of a wedding day rather than creating lots of staged images. But photography is just one part of Ollie's life. Alongside his business, he makes time for his family, his faith, music and his work mentoring and educating other photographers through Framed.

One of my favourite parts of this conversation...

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What is it really like to run a wedding venue in the middle of a wild animal park?

In this episode, I’m chatting to Stephanie Betts, Wedding & Event Sales Manager at Port Lympne Reserve in Kent, an award-winning wedding venue with a seriously unique USP. I was lucky enough to visit Port Lympne myself. From safari experiences and a stunning private orangery to exceptional customer service and a carefully curated recommended supplier list, there’s plenty that wedding businesses can learn from the way Port Lympne approaches its guest experience.

Time...

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Is AI killing your marketing? I’m not anti-AI, in fact, I use it every single day in my business! But I am starting to see more and more wedding businesses using AI in a way that is making their marketing sound exactly the same. In today’s episode, I’m talking about how to use AI without losing your personality, creativity and unique voice. I’ll be sharing some honesty checks to help you work out whether AI might be hurting your marketing, the difference between generative and agentic AI, and exactly how I’m using AI...

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This week I’m joined by Lee Clubb Sansom, CEO of Sarah Haywood’s luxury wedding and party planning business, to talk about what goes on behind the glamour of the industry. Lee has had a fascinating career, starting in retail at just 15 before working in premium brands including Ted Baker, AllSaints, Selfridges and Harrods. He then moved into the luxury floral world with McQueens Flowers before joining Sarah Haywood four years ago. Lee’s career journey has given him a brilliant perspective on what it takes to build and run a successful wedding business.

W...

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Could the biggest change to marriage law in almost 200 years completely transform the wedding industry?

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Zadie Ward, a wedding celebrant, to discuss the proposed changes to marriage law in England and Wales. And what they could mean for couples, celebrants and the wider wedding industry.

But before we dive into the legal changes, Zadie shares her fascinating journey from training as an actor, to working in events and communications, and ultimately finding her calling as a celebrant after conducting a friend’s weddin...

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This week on the podcast I’m chatting to Delia Monk. Delia is a messaging strategist and conversion copywriter who helps business owners uncover what makes them different and then communicate it in a way that actually connects with the right people. But before that, she had a fascinating career as a political journalist before spending ten years building a successful travel business. When the pandemic completely turned her world upside down, she had to reinvent herself all over again, and that journey has shaped the way she approaches marketing today.

In this ep...

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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.

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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

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00:00...

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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...

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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 th...

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This week on the podcast, I’m joined by Chloe Lansdowne, Head of Marketing at Hitched, to chat about what couples are really looking for when they search for wedding suppliers online.

We talk about why great photos and clear, detailed listings matter so much when it comes to attracting the right enquiries, and how couples are making decisions in a world where they’re constantly overwhelmed with choice. Chloe shares some brilliant insight into how wedding businesses can stand out by building trust, showing personality and creating an emotional connection through their mark...

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This week on the podcast, I’m speaking to venue consultant and co-owner of The Barn at Pengelly, Wenna Hicks, about wedding venue success and how data-driven decisions can transform bookings and business growth.

We explore Wenna’s journey from corporate consulting into the wedding industry and how she applies strategic thinking, market research, and customer insights to improve venue performance. We also discuss pricing strategy, CRM systems, social media marketing, supplier relationships, and the importance of transparency in increasing wedding venue bookings.

The Barn at Pengelly Instagram

Elevate venu...

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This week on the podcast I caught up with Tayler Cusick-Hollman, founder of Enji and a great industry friend of mine! We explore the tendency of business owners to cling to familiar practices, even when they yield diminishing returns, highlighting the necessity for innovation in response to market shifts. Additionally, we delve into the concept of the "trust recession," a phenomenon impacting customer perceptions and the imperative for authenticity in marketing efforts. As we navigate through these topics, we aim to provide actionable insights that empower our listeners to embrace change and enhance their marketing...

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This week on the podcast I'm chatting to Zoe Burke, the global head of brand content and social at Bridebook. We delved into the complexities that couples face when navigating the amount of options available to them. Drawing from her extensive experience in the wedding industry, Zoe emphasises the importance of personalisation and the evolving role of directories in facilitating vendor selection.

Industry report

Zoe's Instagram

Zoe's Tiktok

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00:02 - Navigating the Wedding Planning Process

00:37 - The Journey into the Wedding Industry<...

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This week I'm speaking to Fausto Pifferrer, co-founder of Blue Elephant Events and Catering. We discuss the critical necessity of fostering strong relationships with venues, which serve as the cornerstone of sustained success in this competitive arena. Fausto, with a career spanning over four decades, shares invaluable insights on the significance of treating both clients and staff with the utmost respect, thereby enhancing efficiency in business and overall service quality.

Fausto's website

Blue Elephant catering

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00:01 - Navigating the Industry's Challenges

04:08 - Starting a...

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From the very start, I wanted Wed Pros Live to bring together brilliant speakers who really know their stuff and know how to connect with a room. Just as importantly, an audience of wedding professionals who were ready to learn, share, and get stuck in. The energy in the room was incredible, especially from the attendees right from my Spice Girls entrance through to every single session, it set the tone for such a special day. The quality of the talks reflected exactly what I hoped for: practical, insightful sessions that sparked real conversations and...

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This week I'm chatting with Andrea Shah, a seasoned wedding copywriter. We discussed whether website copy is still that important and Andrea explains the fundamental shift in client expectations, emphasising that modern couples are increasingly seeking clarity and transparency particularly in pricing pages.

Andrea's Instagram

Andreas's Threads

Andrea's website

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00:00 - The Convenience of Voice Notes in Wedding Planning

06:18 - Shifts in Wedding Industry Marketing

09:12 - The Importance of Clear Communication on Pricing Pages

22:32 - The Impact of...

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This podcast episode features an insightful discussion with Charlie Marchant, the CEO of Exposure Ninja. We discussed the impact of AI and SEO on the marketing landscape within the wedding industry and how to get your wedding business into AI search. As we navigate the complexities of AI search, we emphasise the necessity for wedding business owners to establish a coherent and transparent online presence, particularly regarding pricing. Furthermore, we explore actionable strategies that can enhance visibility across various AI platforms, and look at the importance of aligning website content with consumer expectations and search...

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In this weeks episode, we explore the question: How can new wedding businesses make a good impression? Through Vim’s journey from registrar to celebrant, it becomes clear that confidence, authenticity, and showing up consistently are key. Vim shares honest insights into the challenges of starting out, the importance of investing in the right support, and how embracing what makes you different can become your greatest strength.

Vim's website

Vim's Instagram

Vim's TikTok

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00:20 - Introduction to the Wedding Pros Podcast

10:05 - Tr...

WedProsLive: London waitlist, Ireland tickets, WedProsLive 2027

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This week I'm chatting to Michelle Miles. We looked at journeys to sustainability and explored the tangible actions that wedding professionals can undertake to foster sustainability within their businesses. To enhance a competitive edge whilst contributing positively to the environment.

Carbon Literacy

SME Climate Hub inc. simple carbon calculator

Navigating the Path to Net Zero: A Guide for Wedding Professionals

Offsetting Guide

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00:15 - Introduction to Sustainable Wedding Business Strategies

02:42 - Shifts...

Wed Pros Live

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This week on the podcast I spoke to Nikita Thorne, an esteemed strategist at Guides for Brides, we delve into the necessity of understanding our target audiences as wedding businesses. Nikita addresses the misconceptions surrounding wedding directories, elucidating their ongoing relevance and the strategies to leverage them effectively in a digital age dominated by AI.

Why wedding businesses need directories more than ever

GuidesforBrides

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00:00 - Understanding Audience Engagement on Social Media

02:28 - The Impact of AI on the...

Didn't get a Wed Pros Live ticket? Get on the waiting list!

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This week I'm catching up with Ciara Crossan, throughout the episode, we explore the significance of utilising technology, such as Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, to streamline operations and enhance client interactions. We addressed the necessity of data driven decision making, as understanding market trends and client preferences can significantly impact a business's success.

Ciara's Instagram

WedPro Instagram

WedPro Tiktok

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00:23 - Introduction to Wedding Business Strategies

02:03...

Not got a ticket? Get on the Wed Pros Live waiting list!

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This week I spoke to Renee Dalo about how vital it is for wedding professionals to embrace visibility, especially in an evolving digital landscape dominated by social media platforms. We also discussed habits that business owners can adopt for the most success.

Renee's website

Renee's Instagram

Renee's Tiktok

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00:09 - Introduction to Wedding Business Growth

04:48 - Shifts in the Wedding Industry

11:00 - Visibility and Authenticity in...

Final Wed Pros Live tickets!

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Meghan Ely, from is back on the podcast to chat about how the wedding industry is shifting and what that means for your visibility in 2026. We dive into buyer behaviour, the evolving role of press, styled shoots, and why “purposeful visibility” matters more than ever. Plus, Meghan shares what makes a great speaker, why in-person events still count, and the one thing she wishes she’d learned sooner in business.

Meghan's Instagram

OFD consulting

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00:06 - The Importance of Unders...

Last Wed Pros Live tickets!

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This week I'm chatting to Leah Weinberg, an accomplished lawyer and wedding planner. Leah delved into the necessity of having well-drafted contracts that can safeguard wedding businesses against unforeseen complications. We discussed the importance of understanding intricacies of legal documents. We explore actionable strategies to ensure that wedding professionals are not only compliant with legal obligations but are also equipped to navigate the complexities of client relationships.

Leah's Instagram

Leah's law firm's Instagram

Weingberg legal website

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00:00...

Last few Wed Pros Live tickets!

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This week I spoke to Anshika Arora, a wedding industry expert and founder of a CRM platform, about why wedding professionals need to rethink how they show up for Gen Z couples, who now make up over 50% of the wedding market. We talked about how technology is transforming the wedding planning experience, from the need for more interactive and authentic communication on websites and social media to being upfront about pricing.

Anshika's Instagram

Anshika's LinkedIn

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02:00 - Transitioning...

Last Wed Pros Live tickets!

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This week I'm chatting to Elizabeth Marberry. We discussed the critical role of social media in modern business, particularly focusing on Instagram marketing strategies that are essential for wedding professionals. Elizabeth shared her journey of growing her brand through use of social media, transitioning from traditional marketing methods and using platforms like Instagram and TikTok.

Elizabeth's Instagram

Simple & Proven Ways to *Finally* Make Money on Instagram

Elizabeth's podcast

Time Stamps:

00:00 - Building Connections Through Storytelling

03:42...