A podcast by Michael Cassara and Lauren O'Brien about the chaos, thrill, and hilarity of being full time photographers in the wedding industry.
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Mike Cassara Podcasts
Behind every successful business, there’s a story you don’t hear—the sleepless nights, the moments of doubt, and the determination to keep going when everything feels impossible. That’s what Unbreakable Business is all about. Join host Akua Konadu each week as she sits down with entrepreneurs who share the raw, real side of their journey—the roadblocks they faced, the challenges they overcame, and the stories that don’t make the highlight reel, but the the ones that matters the most. If you’ ...
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How to pivot when your business is failing with John Branch IV
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50:32When your business hits a wall, do you freeze or do you rebuild? At the start of 2025, wedding photographer and YouTube creator John Branch IV had a reality check. His inbox was empty, his calendar had only two bookings, and everything that used to work in his business to bring him clients wasn’t working anymore. From where he sat, his business was…
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#126: Taylor's Wedding Plans, Selena's Wedding Photos & Do Couples actually care that Photographers are using AI?
1:06:14
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1:06:14Lots of celebrity news has dropped recently, and we’re chatting all about it. From Taylor’s announcement that she wants a big wedding to breaking down Selena Gomez’s stunning wedding photos. We also dive into whether couples actually care about photographers using AI, and wrap it up with a tipping conversation we absolutely hated having. __ TVT MER…
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Breaking the people-pleasing habit to build a business that lasts with Laurie Petrolino
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32:59This Santa Barbara cake artist turned her side hustle into a brand featured in Vogue Weddings and People Magazine, and she did it without a huge social media following. In this episode of Unbreakable Business, I sit down with Laurie Petrolino, baker, business owner, and Honeybook member. Laurie owns Room For Cake, where she creates stunning cakes f…
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#125: Are Etsy Witches the Secret to a Beautiful Wedding Day
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The freelancer’s guide to a sustainable and scalable business with Jamie Brindle
47:43
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47:43It’s time to rewrite the definition of “freelancer.” The entire freelancing market and industry are changing, and it’s time to break free from surviving gig to gig and build a business that scales. Jamie Brindle joins us to share insights on how he built his own freelancing empire and now teaches others to do the same. He shares it all, including h…
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#124: The Chokehold Social Media Has on the Wedding Industry
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1:04:00It’s been a month since we’ve recorded an episode with just the two of us, and we had a lot to catch up on. We dive into Taylor & Travis’ engagement and share our thoughts on what their wedding might look like. We also get into social media and influencers—and how they’re changing the wedding industry. Plus, we talk about Mike's viral reel and what…
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#123: Why Second Photographers Matter More Than You Think (with Meredith Shine)
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1:06:55This week, we’re so excited to welcome Meredith Shine (AKA Big Dith) to the show! Meredith is not only a dear friend of ours, but also an incredibly experienced photographer who began her journey as a second. We dive into why second shooting is such a valuable way to learn, the challenges of building a business while second shooting, and what it ta…
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Building a values-aligned business (that actually feels good to run) with Milou Pietersz
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44:17Sometimes you have to stop waiting for permission and start building what you know is meant for you. That’s exactly what today’s guest, Milou Pietersz, did when she realized no one was going to hand her the opportunity she deserved. After being ghosted by every agency she applied to, Milou founded her own marketing agency, Simply Multimedia. In thi…
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#122: The Vendor Table x The Unfiltered Bride Crossover Podcast (Part I)
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1:21:38We were so excited to sit down with our British wedding planner counterparts, Georgie & Beth of The Unfiltered Bride Podcast! We chat all about the differences between US and UK weddings—how timelines play out, the overall cost differences, what’s expected from wedding vendors, wedding trends, and so much more. And this is just Part I! Stay tuned f…
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#121: The Evolution of the Wedding Day Content Creator (with Yvie Lambert)
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1:08:01Over the last two years, Wedding Day Content Creators have busted down the doors of the wedding industry. But are they here to stay, or is this just a trend that will fade in a few years? Do wedding videographers and photographers need to evolve and step up their game? We sat down with Wedding Day Content Creator Yvie Lambert to dive into it all. _…
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Clarify your messaging before it costs you more clients with Maya Elious
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44:11Are you struggling to craft a message that attracts the high-quality clients you know you deserve? This episode is for you. Messaging expert, Maya Elious joins us today to help you find clarity in your messaging. Listen in as Maya unpacks why so many high-potential entrepreneurs stay stuck in small language, and what you can do about it. This jam-p…
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#120: Marketing Secrets Wedding Vendors Need to Hear (with Rachel Traxler)
1:11:26
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1:11:26This week, we welcomed Marketing Expert & Wedding Photographer Rachel Traxler for a virtual episode. Rachel is a true powerhouse when it comes to marketing for photographers and wedding vendors, and we knew she’d be the perfect guest to share strategies that go far beyond Instagram. She broke down practical, actionable tips that any vendor can star…
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#119: What is making couples choose one Wedding Vendor over another?
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1:02:17Ever wonder why couples choose one vendor over another? We dug into a viral TikTok that had some surprisingly insightful answers. Plus, we break down another wild wedding-day sprinkler incident, share the story of a groom who learned sign language to sign his vows so his bride’s deaf parents could fully experience the moment. And finally - Lauren g…
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Turning cultural shifts into strategic advantages in business with Jasmine Bina
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46:05Our society and culture guide our lives and businesses in more ways than we think. When you lean into the shifts that are happening around you, they can guide you to more strategic business decisions. In this episode of Unbreakable Business, Jasmine Bina, a cultural futurist, brand strategist, and CEO of Concept Bureau, joins us to explore how to b…
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#118: When Wedding Vendors have to FIRE their clients
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1:02:44Have you ever had to fire a client? We took to IG and asked our listeners if they’ve ever had to pull the trigger on letting go of a client or potential client—and they did not disappoint. From overbearing mothers of the bride to contract disagreements and everything in between, we break it all down. This one’s a doozy. — Check out our new WEBSITE …
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#117: The Most Unhinged Wedding Stories from TikTok
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59:07We went on TikTok to ask the question "What was the most unhinged thing you have seen at a wedding" and boy oh boy did it deliver. — Check out our new WEBSITE -www.thevendortable.com Instagram…
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How content builds trust for front-facing founders with Natalie Barbu
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44:10As a business owner and content creator, do you feel confused over how to blend your personal and professional social media presence? You aren’t alone. On this episode, we explore how to navigate the roles of both a content creator and CEO with Natalie Barbu. Natalie is a long-time content creator and the founder of Rella, an all-in-one social medi…
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#116: Listener Questions About Weddings - Part VI
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1:11:23We’re back with more of your listener-submitted questions! This episode dives into everything from “Do vendors actually want to sit with guests?” to “Why don’t some weddings ever get posted online?” Plus, Mike shares a wild story about recently having to fire a potential client. — Check out our new WEBSITE -www.thevendo…
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#115: Listener Questions about Weddings - Part V
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1:05:46It's been a long time since we devoted an entire episode to your questions! We chat about a variety of topics from the best cocktail hour food, to hybrid wedding togs to sharing our thoughts about getting published. — Check out our new WEBSITE -www.thevendortable.com …
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Using AI to get inside your buyer's mind with Katie Read
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48:49Want to know exactly how your ideal client will react to your next offer before you even release it? With AI as your business partner, you can. In this episode of The Unbreakable Business podcast, we’re diving into all things AI and buyer psychology with Katie Read. Katie is a psychologist turned business owner who teaches other entrepreneurs how t…
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#114: "Can we stop doing Wedding Toasts during Dinner?"
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1:01:15We had a lot to catch up on in this episode — from reminiscing about Sepia Gate, to chatting about old wedding trends, to calling out wedding photo educators who probably shouldn’t be educating. We also went in on venues doing dinner service during speeches and toasts, and questioned why bands always seem to end up eating the photographers’ food. —…
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#113: Tornado Proposals, Jeff Bezos Got Married & more Wedding TikTok Drama
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1:01:45It has been a month since we last recorded together and so much has happened. From people proposing in front of Tornados, to Moms ruining an extravagant first kiss, to even Jeff Bezos getting married. We had a lot to catch up on. It was chaotic as usual. — Check out our new WEBSITE -www.thevendortable.com…
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3 reasons high-earning clients aren’t buying from you
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19:37Is this you? You show up every day for your business and deliver real results, but you still aren’t landing the high-paying clients you know you’re ready for. Here’s a newsflash: it’s not because of your pricing. In this episode of Unbreakable Business, we’re getting to the root of the issue with the top three reasons high-earning clients aren’t bu…
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#112: A Raw & Unfiltered Conversation about Wedding Photography (with Josh Huggett)
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1:43:03This week we did a virtual sit down with one of the worlds most controversial wedding photographers... our friend Josh Huggett. Josh is an Australian based wedding photographer who is never afraid to say whats on his mind. From conversations about the wedding industry being too serious, to a debate on prime vs zoom lenses, to nitpicking styled shoo…
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#111: Is Wedding Content Creation Getting Out of Control?
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1:03:16A lot of chatter has been happening around wedding content creation. Are vendors prioritizing it over the needs of their couples? Should content creators be limited to one per wedding? Should content creators be limited to just cell phone coverage? These were all questions we dove into. We also had to talk about the White Oak Wedding drama, as well…
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The CEO shift: Why you need to step out of the day-to-day
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26:30You’ve built something powerful with your business, but if you’re still running every part of it, you’re not leading—you’re managing. If sustainable growth is the goal, then the way you operate has to evolve. There’s a difference between owning your business and running it like a CEO. It's time to get out of the weeds and uplevel your leadership! L…
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#110: The Importance of Inclusivity in the Wedding Industry (with Shelby Phillips)
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1:01:23On this week’s episode we sit down with Shelby Phillips, a queer New York based wedding photographer. We chat all about a very important topic in today’s world, inclusivity and acceptance in the wedding industry. Shelby gives some incredible insight into how vendors can be more inclusive and work on ways they can attract LGBTQIA+ couples. __ Check …
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#109: Never stop evolving as a Wedding Photographer (with Vanessa Joy)
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1:44:09This week, we had the honor of sitting down with the iconic Vanessa Joy! In this candid, unfiltered conversation, we cover everything from the evolution of wedding photography to staying relevant with trends, smart business practices, and even gear selection. It’s a longer episode than usual—but we couldn’t bear to cut it, because Vanessa shared so…
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CollabCast: The Vendor Table ft. Mike Cassara & Lauren O'Brien
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1:03:50Welcome to another CollabCast episode, where we feature powerful podcast episodes by hosts we love! In today's bonus episode, we're highlighting The Vendor Table with Mike Cassara & Lauren O'Brien featuring an interview with our host, Akua Konadu. If you're ready to get more organized in your business, this episode is for you! If you love this epis…
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#108: "Did ChatGPT give the perfect email reply to GenZ Brides?"
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1:00:05We are back with a variety of topics to talk about on this week's episode—from ChatGPT giving the absolute perfect reply to Gen Z brides, to vendors complaining about being called vendors, to cringing at old work. We also cover a Vogue article about things wedding planners wish couples would stop spending money on, as well as a trademarking topic f…
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#107: Scaling your Wedding Business to New Heights (with Ashley Ebert)
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57:47Today, we sit down with business mastermind Ashley Ebert of The Abundance Group. In this episode, Ashley shares her expert insights on how wedding vendors can successfully scale their businesses in 2025—unlocking new levels of growth, freedom, and sustainability. If you’ve ever felt stuck or unsure of your next move, this is the episode you’ve been…
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How to turn client relationships into long-term revenue
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5:51Did you know 87% of people say they’ll return to a business that gives them a personalized experience? The truth is, your services might get clients in the door, but your relationships are what keep them coming back. Join us as we dive into the power of client relationships, why they’re your biggest asset for long-term success, and how to turn ever…
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#106: Anonymous Wedding Vendor Admissions
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56:31We asked wedding vendors to spill their secrets anonymously—and let’s just say, they did not hold back. 😅From wedding day disasters to client confessions, vendor vendettas to wild WTF moments, this episode is packed with laugh-out-loud stories, unexpected drama, and some truly unhinged admissions that’ll have you gasping and giggling in equal measu…
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#105: SEO Secrets Wedding Pros should be using in 2025! (with Sara Dunn)
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1:00:02This week, Sara Dunn (@saradoesseo) joins us for an incredible conversation all about SEO, websites, and the marketing tactics every wedding vendor needs to know. Known as the go-to SEO expert in the wedding industry, Sara breaks down complex concepts into clear, actionable steps that can seriously change the game for your business. We cover everyt…
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The mindset work that builds wealth with Jaime Gordon
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1:00:33If you're only talking about money in terms of spreadsheets and sales goals, you're missing the deeper conversation—and this episode delivers it. Let’s be honest: most of us think that if we work hard enough or say the right affirmations, we’ll finally feel financially secure. But what if your biggest money block isn’t about your strategy—it’s abou…
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#104: Workshop Retreat Drama, Vendor Negotiations, and the Ethics of Styled Shoots
1:08:29
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1:08:29It’s been a month since we last recorded together, and wow — there’s a lot to catch up on. In this episode, we’re diving into all the tea: from styled shoot and photography retreat drama to the controversial post about negotiating pricing with wedding vendors that had the industry buzzing. We also unpack the ethics of showcasing styled shoots in yo…
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#103: Confidence, Vulnerability, and Going Viral (with Lauren Ashley)
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1:05:34Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of suicide, which may be distressing for some listeners. Please take care of your mental well-being, and if you or someone you know is struggling, we encourage you to seek support from a mental health professional or contact a crisis line in your area. This week, we’re thrilled to welcome Lauren As…
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Monetizing your content with Danielle Corbett
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33:28Are you looking to add new revenue streams to your business? Author, podcaster, and coach Danielle Desir Corbett joins us to share how she turned her podcast into a very successful revenue stream for her business. Listen in as Danielle teaches us how podcasting can be a great way to connect with your audience on a deeper level while also leveraging…
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#102: Do certain Wedding Photography styles look "more expensive" than others?
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56:39We’ve had a lot of interesting topics come up in our Facebook group over the past few weeks. We talk about whether vendors should wear all black to a wedding, as well as how professional their attire should be. We also touch on photographers practicing "leave no trace," and discuss whether certain photography styles appear more expensive than other…
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#101: How Personality Can Transform Your Wedding Business (with Carlo Amato)
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1:06:37You might have seen the "Sassy Wedding Planner" videos pop up on social media. Well we were so excited to welcome Carlo Amato on the show! We chat with Carlo all about his meteoric rise on social media, various hot takes, as well as all about dealing with the pressures of running a wedding day. This was a fun one! — Check out Carlo on Social Instag…
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BONUS: Pulling back the veil on The Knot (with Jennifer Davidson)
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1:30:16On this bonus episode, we sit down for an interview with one of The Knot Whistleblowers, Jennifer Davidson. She shares her experience working at The Knot, speaking up about internal concerns, and advocating for wedding vendors. Jennifer also discusses the actions being taken to raise awareness about issues within the wedding industry. If you’ve eve…
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The SECRET to perfect client kickoff meetings!
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5:28Congratulations, you signed a client! Now what? In this episode, we’re breaking down the secret to perfect client kickoff meetings so you and your new client can get started on the right foot. When it comes to client work, communication is key. The kickoff call sets the stage and makes sure that your client is going to have an amazing experience wi…
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#100: Our 100th Episode! Filled with Chaos, Thrills & Hilarious Moments
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1:01:47One Hundred Freaking Episodes! This has been such a journey! We thought we would end this thing after 5 episodes, but here we are, and we can't thank you guys enough for tuning in each and every week. In this episode we recap WPPI 2025, chat about some of our favorite podcast moments, as well as do what we do best... read your crazy wedding day hor…
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#99: An Open Conversation with Zola (with Kate Furst)
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1:14:52There has been a lot of frustration from vendors in the wedding industry as of late, with many having little trust in these larger wedding platforms. This week we welcomed Kate Furst, Senior Vice President and GM at Zola for Vendors on the show for a candid and open conversation. She breaks down the platform and how things work, talks to us about t…
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Data-based pricing strategies with Ashlyn Carter
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51:00Ready to get clearer on your pricing strategy? Your own data might be the key! Copywriter Ashlyn Carter joins us to share her foolproof formula for how business owners can set up their pricing. Listen in to hear the common pricing mistakes that business owners make and how instead, they should be using data to determine their prices. The Unbreakabl…
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#98: Would you sign a Bridesmaid Contract?
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59:29Well would you? A Bridesmaid took to TikTok to talk about an absurd contract that her friend sent her. Would you actually sign it, or would you tell the bride she is absolutely delulu? We also chat about when people bring their kids to a "kid free" wedding. As well as chat all about how you should never compare yourself to others. — Check out our n…
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#97: "Don't forget to take a photo of the bride!"
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55:13Is the barn aesthetic officially over? Is Millennial Gray turning into Millennial Green? And is Pinterest desk inspo actually real? We dive into these ridiculous yet pressing topics in this episode. Oh, and we also spend 15 minutes arguing about prime vs. zoom lenses. — Check out our new WEBSITE -www.thevendortable.com…
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Owning your power & success with Priscilla Presley
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52:03Have you truly accepted the fact that you deserve everything you want in your business and your life? If not, this episode is for you. Joining us is the CEO of Forward Female Priscilla Presley, who helps women build and optimize successful brands. Listen in as Priscilla teaches us how to build businesses that are successful and aligned. She walks u…
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#96: From Bridal Suites to Red Carpets: Beauty Secrets From a Pro Makeup Artist (with Darian Marie)
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1:09:52From teary-eyed brides to last-minute touch-ups, the beauty side of the wedding industry is full of surprises! In this episode, we’re sitting down with professional makeup artist Darian Marie to get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at what really goes down in the bridal suite. She spills her best wedding day makeup tips, shares crazy on-the-job …
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#95: Real Talk, Real Stories: You ask us anything
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55:00Almost 100 episodes in and we truly never had an episode where you could ask us anything. From wedding related questions such as "whats your biggest wedding planner pet peeves?", to "who is your ultimate dinner party?". We had a blast answering your questions. Come visit us at the HoneyBook booth at WPPI 2025! We will be doing a LIVE Q&A on March 1…
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