Mind Your Wedding Business Podcast

Kevin Dennis
  • 5.0 (2)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Mind Your Wedding Business Podcast provides actionable strategies and resources for business-minded wedding professionals who love love — but also care about their bottom line. Host and owner of the WeddingIQ blog, Kevin Dennis, welcomes industry experts to each episode to share their best advice, biggest mistakes, and proven strategies for business growth and client satisfaction. Kevin brings his own share of industry knowledge to the table. He is the founder of lighting and A/V company, Fantasy Sound Event Services, as well as a national speaker and regular contributor to B2B publications across the event industry. He has served on the board for the Foundation of NACE, NACE Silicon Valley, and WIPA. He is also the founder of the Tri-Valley Wedding Professionals Networking Group. Tune in each week to learn about sales, marketing, client service, event technology, and more — all with the intention to help wedding professionals grow their businesses and achieve their goals. 

  1. 1D AGO

    #64: How Culture, Family Dynamics, and Communication Styles Shape Buying Decisions with Anshika Arora

    In this episode of Mind Your Wedding Business, Kevin Dennis sits down with multicultural & Gen-Z wedding expert Anshika Arora with Eternity CRM to unpack how culture, family dynamics, and communication styles are quietly shaping modern buying decisions. From fusion weddings to multi-generational decision-making, Anshika explains why today’s couples aren’t booking the same way they did even three years ago and what wedding professionals must understand to stay relevant. They explore how family hierarchy, funding dynamics, and cultural expectations influence vendor selection, and why Gen Z couples prioritize transparency, accessibility, and values-driven communication long before they ever inquire. Anshika breaks down the hidden layers of decision-making happening behind the scenes — especially in multicultural weddings — and shares practical ways businesses can adapt their sales process, messaging, and follow-up strategies to build trust and improve conversion. If you’ve noticed longer sales cycles, more ghosting, or shifting expectations around pricing and communication, this conversation will help you understand what’s actually happening and how to evolve your approach without losing your authority. Anshika is a Multicultural & Gen-Z wedding expert who specialises in translating modern buyer behaviour into clear, commercial decisions for your business - so you know what to change, why it matters, and how it improves conversion. She works with businesses 1:1 and sits on the UK Wedding Association advisory board as the fusion, Gen-Z & trends advisor. Highlights • How culture and family dynamics shape modern wedding buying decisions • Why Gen Z couples expect transparency and instant access to information • How comparison culture is lengthening the sales cycle • Communication strategies that build trust across generations • Navigating competing family priorities without creating friction • Future-proofing your wedding business through adaptability and continuous learning Connect with Anshika: Website Instagram LinkedIn TikTok Pinterest Connect with Kevin: Wedding IQ Fantasy Sound Instagram YouTube TikTok LinkedIn

    38 min

  2. FEB 17

    #63: Book More Weddings Without The Overwhelm with Heidi Thompson

    In this episode of Mind Your Wedding Business, Kevin Dennis sits down with marketing strategist Heidi Thompson to talk about what’s really happening in the wedding industry right now and how to book more weddings without feeling completely overwhelmed. Heidi shares insights on generational shifts, the rise of Gen Z couples, and why today’s buyers expect clarity, transparency, and trust long before they ever reach out. She breaks down the difference between visibility, messaging, and positioning — and why standing out is more important than simply being seen. Together, they explore why referrals are still one of the most powerful booking tools, how to stop overworking in the name of growth, and what systems can help you market smarter instead of longer. If booking feels harder than it used to, this conversation will help you refocus on what actually moves the needle. Heidi Thompson is the best-selling author of Clone Your Best Clients and the wedding business coach behind Evolve Your Wedding Business. She helps wedding professionals build focused, strategic marketing systems that consistently book ideal clients — without living on Instagram or working 60-hour weeks. Her expertise has been featured by WeddingMBA, Aisle Planner, HoneyBook, WeddingWire World, and other leading industry platforms. Heidi is also the creator and host of the Book More Weddings Summit and Wedding Business CEO Summit, and has helped thousands of wedding pros worldwide grow sustainable businesses over the past 14+ years. Highlights What’s shifting in the wedding industry right nowHow Gen Z buyers are changing the booking processWhy price transparency builds trustMessaging and positioning vs. visibilityThe overlooked power of referralsWorking smarter instead of longerSimple systems to reduce overwhelmAttracting ideal clients by speaking their language Connect with Heidi: Get Your Free Ticket To The Wedding Business CEO Summit Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest LinkedIn Connect with Kevin: Wedding IQ Fantasy Sound Instagram YouTube a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@fsesevents" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    48 min

  3. FEB 10

    #62: Business Trip! Venue Relationships That Get You Referred with Shannon Tarrant

    In this episode of Mind Your Wedding Business, we’re launching a brand-new podcast takeover segment called Business Trip! — where industry experts step into the host seat to interview Kevin Dennis and take a deeper dive into real-world wedding business insights. For the first Business Trip, Shannon Tarrant, co-founder of Wedding Venue Map, takes over as guest host to tackle one of the biggest “hot topics” in the wedding industry: getting on venue preferred vendor lists and staying on them. Shannon and Kevin break down why vendors chase these lists so hard, what preferred lists actually mean from a venue’s perspective, and why the real goal isn’t just being “listed”… it’s becoming the vendor the venue team genuinely trusts to deliver every time. They cover what venues notice, how event-day professionalism affects referrals, and why relationships, consistency, and being easy to work with matter more than trying to skip the line. You’ll also hear practical, actionable ways to build stronger venue partnerships—like doing a site walk before your first event, showing up prepared, collaborating on social media in ways that benefit the venue, and sending the post-event follow-up that almost no one sends (but everyone remembers). Shannon Tarrant is the co-founder of Wedding Venue Map, a Central Florida–based wedding venue search engine. With nearly two decades in the wedding industry, she’s passionate about connecting couples with trusted local experts and helping vendors build stronger, more effective venue relationships. HighlightsIntroducing Business Trip!, the new MYWB takeover segmentWhy preferred vendor lists feel like “validation” (and what they really are)The biggest mistakes vendors make when trying to get on a listHow to actually earn trust with venue teams over timeEvent-day behavior: professionalism, timelines, tools, and respectPost-event follow-up, feedback, and reviews that help you get referred againStaying relevant: website, socials, and collaborating in a way that benefits venues Connect with Shannon: Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Connect with Kevin: Wedding IQ Fantasy Sound Instagram YouTube TikTok LinkedIn

    55 min

  4. FEB 3

    #61: Insight Out: Uncovering the Hidden Truths of Consumer Behavior with Loni Peterson

    In this episode of Mind Your Wedding Business, Kevin Dennis sits down with Loni Peterson of LP Creative Events to unpack why understanding consumer behavior is essential for wedding professionals navigating a rapidly changing market. Drawing from both her real-world experience and her role as a professor at CU Boulder, Loni shares how emotional connection, authenticity, and values-driven branding influence how couples choose their vendors. She explains the industry’s shift from influencer marketing to impact marketing, where couples—especially younger generations—prioritize meaningful experiences and alignment over aesthetics alone. They also discuss short planning runways, evolving client expectations, and why wedding pros must adapt their communication and marketing strategies to stay relevant. This episode offers practical insight for anyone looking to build stronger client relationships while focusing their energy where it matters most. Loni Peterson is a seasoned business owner and full-time professor at the University of Colorado Boulder in the Advertising, PR, and Design Department. She blends academic insight with real-world experience, bringing a passion for creative strategy, brand storytelling, and experiential marketing to her work on stage, in the classroom, and throughout the wedding industry. Highlights Why emotional connection matters more than ever in client decision-makingThe shift from influencer marketing to impact marketingHow values-based branding attracts better-fit clientsWhy experience now outweighs material “wow” moments for couplesUnderstanding short planning runways and changing booking behaviorHow to prioritize your energy instead of doing everything at onceWhy adapting your communication style is no longer optionalLeaning into your strengths to build trust and longevity in your business Connect with Loni: Website Instagram LinkedIn Connect with LP Creative Events: Website Instagram TikTok Connect with Kevin: Wedding IQ Fantasy Sound Instagram YouTube TikTok a...

    34 min

  5. JAN 27

    #60: First Beats Best: How Wedding Pros Actually Get Booked with Jordan Roepke

    Why is being first more powerful than being the best in today’s wedding market? In this episode of Mind Your Wedding Business, Kevin Dennis sits down with Jordan Roepke, award-winning wedding photographer and videographer based in Nashville, Tennessee, to explore why speed, connection, and responsiveness often matter more than perfection. Jordan breaks down what actually drives bookings in a crowded industry—explaining why couples rarely compare every option, how being first to respond builds instant trust, and why waiting to be “better” can quietly cost you inquiries. From paid advertising and text messaging to pricing confidence and automation, this conversation offers a candid look at how wedding pros can balance creativity with smart business systems. They also dive into imposter syndrome, raising prices, and the reality that not every inquiry is meant to convert—plus why focusing on experience over deliverables leads to stronger client relationships and long-term sustainability. Jordan Roepke is known for creating artful, adventurous, and epic imagery for couples who want more than ordinary—and he brings that same clarity and honesty to how he approaches business. Highlights Why being first to respond often beats being “the best”How fast, personal communication builds trust instantlyWhy text messaging outperforms email for inquiriesUsing automation without losing the human touchThe truth about pricing, fit, and imposter syndromeSelling experience and connection, not just services Connect with Jordan: Website Instagram Facebook TikTok LinkedIn Connect with Kevin: Wedding IQ Fantasy Sound Instagram YouTube TikTok LinkedIn

    46 min

  6. JAN 20

    #59: Staying Visible in 2026: Digital Trends Every Event Pro Should Know with Krista Chapman

    What does it really mean to “stay visible” in 2026? When search, social, and AI are changing by the month? In this episode of Mind Your Wedding Business, Kevin Dennis sits down with Krista Chapman, Founder and Lead Strategist of Path & Compass, to unpack the digital shifts event pros can’t afford to ignore. Krista explains how couples are searching differently (voice, image, social, and AI search), why trust is harder to earn in an era of decision fatigue, and how being clear about what makes you different helps the right clients find you faster. They also dive into why referrals alone aren’t enough for long-term growth, what a sustainable marketing strategy actually looks like, and the underutilized channels that still drive strong results—like email marketing, SEO, and blogging. Plus, Krista shares actionable advice on reviews and small tweaks that can improve your visibility as AI continues to reshape how people discover vendors. Highlights: What “visibility” really means in 2026 and why search is the biggest shiftHow AI is changing the way couples find and filter vendorsWhy referrals alone can limit growth and how to widen your marketing netThe role of clarity + differentiation in standing out onlineWhy email marketing still converts and often outperforms social mediaHow blogging + SEO builds a longer-term digital footprintThe importance of consistent, recent reviews and how they impact AI searchWhat a sustainable digital presence looks like without being everywhere Connect with Krista: Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Krista's 2026 Marketing Guidebook for Event Pros: The Shifts to Make Now to Stay Visible and Booked Connect with Kevin: Wedding IQ Fantasy Sound Instagram YouTube TikTok LinkedIn

    51 min

  7. JAN 13

    #58: Visibility as a Business Strategy (Not Just Marketing) with Renée Dalo

    What if visibility wasn’t about being louder, but about being clearer? In this episode of Mind Your Wedding Business, Kevin Dennis sits down with Renée Dalo for a candid conversation about visibility as a strategic and sustainable tool for growth in the wedding industry. They explore how showing up with intention builds trust, attracts aligned clients, and shortens the sales cycle long before an inquiry ever hits your inbox. Renée shares her perspective on creating content rooted in authenticity, navigating nuanced or uncomfortable topics with confidence, and using creativity and collaboration to stand out without chasing trends. The conversation reframes visibility not as performance or self-promotion, but as service, helping clients pre-trust you by understanding who you are and how you work. With 13+ years of experience leading luxury weddings, commanding stages across the country, and coaching creative entrepreneurs, Renée brings a grounded, empowering approach to showing up online and in real life. As a keynote speaker, certified coach, and visibility hype woman, her work centers on helping people stop playing small and start walking into every room like they belong there...because they do. Highlights: Why visibility is a business strategy, not just a marketing tacticHow consistent content builds trust before the sales conversation beginsNavigating controversial or nuanced topics with intention and clarityThe role of creativity in standing out without chasing trendsHow collaboration amplifies visibility while maintaining authenticityWhy visibility helps attract the right clients, not just more clientsThe evolving role of social media in the wedding industryReframing visibility as service, not performance Connect with Renée: Website The Verve & Vision Club Instagram Facebook TikTok LinkedIn Connect with Kevin: Wedding IQ Fantasy Sound Instagram YouTube a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@fsesevents" rel="noopener...

    57 min

  8. 12/31/2025

    #57: Wedding Business Lessons from 2025 with Rian Dennis

    In this special year-end episode of Mind Your Wedding Business, Kevin is joined by a very special guest—his daughter, Rian, who steps into the host seat to interview him about the year that was. Together, they look back on 2025, revisiting standout episodes, memorable guests, and the biggest lessons that shaped the podcast over the past year. Through Rian’s thoughtful and playful questions, Kevin reflects on what he learned from conversations around leadership, technology, contracts, boundaries, networking, and celebrating wins in an industry that rarely slows down. They also talk about why continuous learning matters, how podcasting has impacted Kevin’s own business, and what it takes to keep growing without getting stuck in the same patterns year after year. As they look ahead to 2026, the episode closes with a focus on gratitude, growth, and the importance of community—plus a reminder that making space to celebrate progress is just as important as chasing the next goal. Highlights: Reflecting on a year of growth for Mind Your Wedding BusinessFavorite episodes and guest conversations from 2025Lessons learned about leadership, boundaries, and contractsThe role of technology and AI in modern wedding businessesWhy celebrating wins matters in a fast-paced industryNetworking, education, and long-term relationship buildingWhat Kevin is most proud of from the past yearLooking ahead to new guests, growth, and community in 2026Why curiosity and continuous learning are essential for business ownersA heartfelt reminder to pause, reflect, and appreciate the journey Thank you everyone for another amazing year of podcasting! We'll see you back in 2026! Connect with Kevin: Wedding IQ Fantasy Sound Instagram YouTube TikTok LinkedIn

    25 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Mind Your Wedding Business Podcast provides actionable strategies and resources for business-minded wedding professionals who love love — but also care about their bottom line. Host and owner of the WeddingIQ blog, Kevin Dennis, welcomes industry experts to each episode to share their best advice, biggest mistakes, and proven strategies for business growth and client satisfaction. Kevin brings his own share of industry knowledge to the table. He is the founder of lighting and A/V company, Fantasy Sound Event Services, as well as a national speaker and regular contributor to B2B publications across the event industry. He has served on the board for the Foundation of NACE, NACE Silicon Valley, and WIPA. He is also the founder of the Tri-Valley Wedding Professionals Networking Group. Tune in each week to learn about sales, marketing, client service, event technology, and more — all with the intention to help wedding professionals grow their businesses and achieve their goals. 

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