Wedding Planner Pro Files: Industry Expert Insights

Wedding Planner Pro Files: Industry Expert Insights

CWP Society is proud to produce the "Wedding Planner Pro Files: Industry Expert Insights" podcast! Laurie Hartwell & Krisy Thomas, award-winning Master Certified Wedding Planners and Industry Educators from the CWP Society, discuss the real lives of wedding planners and professionals, dispense business tips, and share ways you can elevate yourself and your career in the wedding industry. Visit the CWP Society website for more information: www.cwpsociety.com

Episodes

August 7, 2025 29 mins

Wedding fashion is evolving beyond tradition, and Katy Eriks, Director of Experience at SuitShop, is helping lead that transformation with a fresh approach to wedding suiting that prioritizes inclusivity, convenience, and personal expression.

In this episode, Katy joins Krisy Thomas, COO of the CWP Society, for a powerful conversation about what today’s couples really want when it comes to wedding attire—and how planners can better ...

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Taking a mid-year financial pulse check of your wedding business isn't just smart—it’s transformative.

In this episode, Matt Mitchell of The Event Ledger joins CWP Society COO, Krisy Thomas, for a powerful conversation on why summer (yes, even in August!) is still the perfect time to assess your business finances. There’s enough time left in the year to make meaningful shifts, and those changes can set you up for a stronger fin...

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Master Certified Wedding Planner, Certified Wedding Planner, and Certified Educator Emma Cockerham teams up with CWP Society COO, Krisy Thomas,  to transform how you approach religious ceremonies.

This eye‑opening conversation with Emma, reveals why wedding planners must move beyond the dangerous habit of generalizing religious traditions.

When planning church weddings, the difference between success and disaster often lies in your p...

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Kindness, clear communication, and mutual respect aren't just nice-to-haves in the wedding industry—they're the essential building blocks for creating seamless wedding experiences. Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator,  and Owner of For the Love of Events, Amanda Borrero, joins CWP Society COO, Krisy Thomas,  as she shares powerful insights on navigating vendor relationships with professionalism and grace.

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Money conversations may not feel romantic, but they're the foundation of every successful wedding celebration. In this illuminating episode, Master Certified Wedding Planner & Certified Educator, Riley Snider joins CWP Society COO, Krisy Thomas Thomas to transform how wedding professionals approach the often-challenging topic of budgeting with clients.

The difference between couples who feel empowered during plann...

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Master Certified Wedding Planner, Certified Educator and Co-Founder of The Event Ledger, Matt Mitchell joins the CWP Society's COO, Krisy Thomas for this episode of the Wedding Planner Pro Files to talk about a topic that’s often glamorized but rarely unpacked with honesty—scaling your wedding planning business. Together, they dive deep into what sustainable growth really looks like, and why it’s not always about doing more, b...

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In this eye-opening episode, Hailey Beard of Hailey Beard Events joins host and CWP COO, Krisy Thomas, for a powerful conversation about the often-overlooked ethics of being a wedding day assistant. Hailey brings a unique perspective as both a Certified Wedding Planner and someone who has assisted more than 15 planning companies throughout her career.

The conversation dives deep into the ethics of being a wedding day assis...

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From helping her mother with wedding henna applications as a child to becoming a Certified Wedding Planner, Certified Educator, and the proud Owner of Big Guava Events, Rima Shah’s journey reflects the vibrant evolution of cultural celebrations in America. In this episode, Rima joins host Krisy Thomas for a rich and insightful conversation exploring the dynamic, intricate world of South Asian weddings.

Rima reveals how these multi-d...

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Feeling overwhelmed by social media? You're not alone. Wedding professionals often struggle to maintain a consistent online presence that actually converts to bookings. Serena Waller, founder of the Dande Agency, joined, CWP Society's COO, Krisy Thomas, for this episode of the Wedding Planner Pro Files podcast to break down the ever-shifting landscape of social media marketing for wedding pros.

Serena breaks down the surpr...

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Weddings should be joyful celebrations for everyone present, but for neurodivergent individuals—those with autism, ADHD, anxiety, or sensory sensitivities—the typical wedding environment can quickly become overwhelming. Bright lights flash, music thumps, schedules run tight, and social expectations mount. How can wedding planners create truly inclusive experiences?

Master Certified Wedding Planner & Certified Educator,...

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Krisy Thomas, Vice President of the CWP Society, is joined by special guest Carissa Kruse, marketing guru and founder of Win More Weddings Content Club, for an eye-opening conversation on what truly works in wedding industry marketing today. With a background in building a successful multi-state wedding business alongside her marketing agency, Carissa shares why many wedding pros are unknowingly “automating themselves out of busine...

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The CWP Society has launched an innovative Wedding Associate Certification that's transforming how wedding planning teams operate and deliver consistently exceptional service. This new credential ensures every team member—not just lead planners—meets the highest professional standards, creating seamless experiences from initial consultation through the wedding day.

  • CWP Society has been the gold standard for weddin...
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In this episode, Vice President of the CWP Society and Co-Host, Krisy Thomas sits down with Crystal Dailey, owner of Empower Weddings, and a Master Certified Wedding Planner whose journey proves the transformative power of education in building a thriving wedding business.

Crystal's journey from event planner to Master Certified Wedding Planner reveals the transformative power of education in building a thriving wedding busines...

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Krisy Thomas, Co-Host and Vice President of the CWP Society, is joined by special guest Hailey Beard to tackle a game-changing topic for wedding planners: transforming assistants into assets, not liabilities.

Ever wonder why some weddings flow perfectly while others face constant hiccups? The secret often lies not with the lead planner, but with how well they've prepared their assistant team.

When wedding day assistant...

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What happens when wedding planners invest in their education? Co-host Krisy Thomas, Vice President of the CWP Society, interviews three award winning, Master Certified Wedding Planners and Industry Advancement Directors, who reveal the transformative power of professional certification in this candid conversation that goes far beyond basic credentials.

For Brianne Ackerland, certification turned a hobby into a thriving bus...

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Emma Cockerham,  Master Certified Wedding Planner, Certified Educator and Owner of Infinity Events, joins Krisy Thomas, VP of the CWP Society, on this episode to share her journey from challenging church-hosted weddings to crafting the transformative Wedding Ministry Certification Course. 

By tackling the common issues faced when planning religious weddings, Emma reveals how her course, initially aimed at the Memphis church communit...

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Unlock the Secrets to Educating Your Couples for a Seamless Planning Experience

As a wedding planner, one of your most important roles is educating your couples—helping them navigate the planning process with confidence and clarity. In this episode of Wedding Planner Pro Files, Krisy Thomas, Vice President of the CWP Society, is joined by Riley Snider, Certified Wedding Planner & Certified Educator, to discuss essential strategi...

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Discover the secrets to success in the wedding planning industry with our special guest, Certified Educator and Certified Wedding Planner, Amanda Borrero.  Amanda joins us to share her invaluable insights on building robust vendor relationships that not only enhance business success but also create a thriving community of wedding professionals. You'll learn how to leverage selflessness and collaboration to foster mutually bene...

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Unlock the secrets to mastering financial management in the wedding industry with insights from our esteemed guest, Matt Mitchell. With his unparalleled expertise in both wealth management and event planning, Matt joins Laurie Hartwell, to tackle the unique financial challenges faced by wedding professionals. Discover how financial literacy can be a game-changer for wedding planners, equipping them to handle seasonal demands and un...

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Can you imagine planning a $100,000 wedding without the right skills or support? Join me, Laurie Hartwell, as I share invaluable lessons planners learned (sometimes the hard way) about the importance of proper training and certification in navigating the challenges of wedding planning. This episode sheds light on why planners should not just "get experience" when they enter the industry, and how certification is more than...

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