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. #74: Building A Unique But Timeless Brand with Emily Foster

    6d ago

    #74: Building A Unique But Timeless Brand with Emily Foster

    In this episode of Mind Your Wedding Business, Kevin Dennis sits down with Emily Foster of Emily Foster Creative to talk about one of the biggest challenges wedding professionals face when building their businesses: standing out in an industry where so many brands and websites begin to look the same. With years of experience helping wedding pros develop intentional branding, strategic websites, and stronger marketing foundations, Emily shares why branding is about so much more than just a pretty logo or trendy color palette. She explains how many wedding vendors unintentionally blend in by following trends too closely, and why creating a brand rooted in personality, clarity, and connection often leads to stronger client relationships and more aligned bookings. Kevin and Emily dive into the difference between branding and marketing, why couples are craving authenticity more than perfection, and how thoughtful website design can directly impact inquiries and conversions. Emily also shares practical advice on creating a website that actually reflects your business, avoiding DIY branding mistakes, and building a client experience that feels cohesive from the very first interaction. The conversation also explores how AI and website templates are changing the industry, why personalization still matters more than ever, and how wedding pros can balance trend awareness without losing the unique qualities that make their business memorable. If you’ve ever struggled with how to make your business stand out, wondered whether your branding truly reflects who you are, or felt overwhelmed trying to market yourself online, this episode will help you rethink what effective branding and marketing actually look like in today’s wedding industry. Emily Foster is the owner of Emily Foster Creative, a brand, website, and marketing studio based in Portland, Oregon, and working with wedding pros all over the world. She helps wedding vendors and photographers stand out with personalized, tailored branding, high-converting website design, and strategic marketing services. When she’s not designing, she’s dreaming up new episodes for her podcast Engage Your Brand®, spending time with loved ones, reading a book, or traveling. Highlights: • Why so many wedding brands begin to look the same • The difference between branding and marketing • How authenticity helps businesses stand out • Common DIY branding and website mistakes wedding pros make • Why couples connect more with personality than perfection • The role website design plays in inquiries and conversions • How trends can help or hurt your brand identity • Why personalization still matters in the age of AI and templates Connect with Emily: Website Instagram Facebook Pinterest LinkedIn Get Emily's Checklist: Standout Brand Checklist Connect with Kevin: Wedding IQ Fantasy Sound Instagram YouTube TikTok LinkedIn

    52 min
  2. #73: Why Your Inquiry Process Is Costing You Clients (And How to Fix It) with Sandra Henderson

    May 26

    #73: Why Your Inquiry Process Is Costing You Clients (And How to Fix It) with Sandra Henderson

    In this episode of Mind Your Wedding Business, Kevin Dennis sits down with Sandra Henderson of Simply Sandra Yvonne to talk about one of the biggest challenges wedding professionals face behind the scenes: losing inquiries and potential bookings because of inconsistent or overwhelming client communication processes. With over a decade of experience as a wedding and family photographer, Sandra shares how chronic illness pushed her to rethink the way she was running her business and ultimately led her into the world of systems, workflows, and automation. She explains why so many wedding pros unintentionally create inconsistent client experiences by handling every inquiry manually, and how small changes can dramatically improve both conversion rates and work-life balance. Kevin and Sandra dive into the psychology behind fast inquiry responses, why follow-up emails matter more than many wedding pros realize, and how workflows can help businesses provide a more professional and consistent experience without losing the personal connection couples are looking for. Sandra also shares practical advice on creating effective contact forms, setting up autoresponders, and using automation in a way that still feels authentic and human. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by inquiries, struggled with ghosted leads, or felt tied to your inbox 24/7, this episode will help you rethink your client communication process and create systems that support both your business and your personal life. Sandra Henderson is a systems strategist for photographers and wedding professionals who are running on fumes and running out of patience with their businesses. With 12+ years in the wedding industry and her own experience navigating chronic illness, she built Simply Sandra Yvonne around one simple idea: your workflows should be doing the work for you so your business can thrive no matter what life decides to throw your way. Through systems, automations, and backend support, Sandra helps creative business owners build businesses that work with their lives instead of against them. Highlights • Why inconsistent inquiry responses may be costing you bookings • How workflows and automation can improve client experience • The importance of responding quickly to wedding inquiries • Why follow-up emails are often overlooked but highly effective • Creating contact forms that help qualify ideal clients • How to build systems that support work-life balance • Why automation does not have to feel robotic or impersonal • The role AI can play in the future of wedding businesses Connect with Sandra: Website Threads Instagram Connect with Kevin: Wedding IQ Fantasy Sound Instagram YouTube TikTok LinkedIn

    51 min
  3. #72: How to Make Your Company Stand Out Without Losing Broad Appeal with Nora Culley Tuck

    May 12

    #72: How to Make Your Company Stand Out Without Losing Broad Appeal with Nora Culley Tuck

    In this episode of Mind Your Wedding Business, Kevin Dennis sits down with Nora Culley Tuck of Engaged With Nora to talk about one of the biggest challenges wedding professionals face today: standing out in a crowded market without losing broad appeal. With so many brands in the wedding industry looking and sounding the same, Nora shares how leaning into authenticity, personality, and strong brand values helped her grow Engaged With Nora into a recognizable and trusted planning company in just a few short years. From tattoos and bold design choices to team culture and client experience, she explains why today’s couples are drawn to businesses that feel human, intentional, and memorable. Kevin and Nora also dive into the importance of knowing your ideal client, creating systems that support consistency as your company grows, and why “timeless” branding can sometimes strip away personality. Nora shares practical insights on building a scalable team, hiring people with the right mindset and service background, and how strong communication and client experience ultimately fuel long-term referrals and growth. If you’ve ever struggled with how to differentiate your business, attract the right clients, or build a brand that feels authentic to you, this episode will help you rethink what truly makes a wedding company memorable. Nora Culley Tuck is the founder and creative director of Engaged With Nora, a Cleveland-based wedding planning and design firm known for bold, authentic, and experience-driven events. Since launching in 2020, the company has grown into a team of planners specializing in weddings rooted in personality, intention, and creativity. Nora’s background in theatre, catering, venue management, bridal attire, and design gives her a unique perspective on both the creative and operational sides of the wedding industry. Highlights • How to stand out in the wedding industry without losing broad appeal • Why authenticity is one of the strongest branding tools • The importance of defining your ideal client early on • Why “timeless” branding can sometimes feel generic • How personal connection impacts bookings and referrals • Building a scalable team while maintaining brand consistency • Why client experience matters just as much as the final product • The systems and communication strategies that support long-term growth Connect with Nora: Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Connect with Kevin: Wedding IQ Fantasy Sound Instagram YouTube TikTok LinkedIn

    45 min
  4. #71: How to Deal with Business Seasonality with Julian Ribinik

    May 5

    #71: How to Deal with Business Seasonality with Julian Ribinik

    In this episode of Mind Your Wedding Business, Kevin Dennis sits down with Julian Ribinik of Julian Ribinik Studios to talk about one of the biggest challenges wedding professionals face: navigating business seasonality in an increasingly unpredictable market. With nearly two decades in the industry, Julian shares how traditional booking patterns, such as engagement season and clearly defined busy months, have shifted, making it harder to predict revenue and plan ahead. From last-minute bookings to inconsistent lead flow, he breaks down what’s changed and how it’s impacting wedding pros today. Kevin and Julian explore how mindset plays a major role in handling these shifts, and why relying solely on referrals, Google, or past patterns can keep you stuck. Julian shares how expanding beyond weddings, building intentional relationships, and redefining your ideal client can create more consistent, year-round opportunities. If you’ve ever felt the stress of slow seasons or unpredictable bookings, this episode will help you rethink your approach and build a more stable, adaptable business. Julian Ribinik is a New York-based wedding photographer who has been in the industry since 2006. After balancing photography alongside a corporate career as a VP of Customer Success, Julian made the transition into entrepreneurship full-time. His personal journey toward improving his health led him to also launch a health coaching practice in 2018. Today, Julian combines his experience in business, marketing, and personal development to help creatives grow more sustainable and intentional businesses. Highlights• Why wedding seasonality is no longer predictable • The shift away from traditional engagement and booking seasons • How mindset impacts your ability to handle slow periods • Why relying on the same lead sources can limit growth • The importance of defining and attracting your ideal client • How expanding beyond weddings can create year-round income • Why networking and relationships are key to consistency Connect with Julian: Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Connect with Kevin: Wedding IQ Fantasy Sound Instagram YouTube TikTok LinkedIn

    47 min
  5. #70: Delegation Done Right: How to Scale Without Losing Quality or Creativity with Daniel Linares

    Apr 21

    #70: Delegation Done Right: How to Scale Without Losing Quality or Creativity with Daniel Linares

    In this episode of Mind Your Wedding Business, Kevin Dennis sits down with Daniel Linares of DLE Event Group to talk about one of the biggest challenges wedding professionals face: learning how to delegate effectively without sacrificing quality, creativity, or control. For many business owners, letting go feels uncomfortable. Daniel shares why that hesitation often comes down to mindset, not capability, and how the “who, not how” approach can help you move from doing everything yourself to building a business that can grow beyond you. Kevin and Daniel break down the fears that hold people back, like perfectionism and control, and why pushing through that discomfort is often where real growth happens. They also share practical ways to start delegating, from identifying what tasks to offload first to testing team members and building simple systems that support consistency. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or stuck doing everything yourself, this episode will help you shift your mindset, simplify your approach, and start letting go with more confidence. Daniel Linares is the founder of DLE Event Group, a New York-based entertainment company specializing in high-energy wedding experiences and hybrid DJ-band productions. Beyond producing elevated events, Daniel is also an entrepreneur and mentor who helps wedding professionals build sustainable, premium businesses rooted in clarity, intention, and exceptional client experience. Whether speaking to engaged couples or wedding pros, Daniel is passionate about helping people design experiences and businesses that feel as good as they look. Highlights • Why most wedding pros struggle to delegate (and what’s really holding them back) • The “dancing bear” analogy and what it reveals about your business • How mindset (not strategy) is often the biggest barrier to growth • What “who, not how” means and how to apply it in your business • The biggest mistakes people make when hiring or delegating • How to identify what tasks to delegate first using a simple framework • Why delegation is about buying back your time, not just scaling your business Connect with Daniel: Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Connect with DLE Event Group: Website Instagram Facebook Referenced Books: Everything Is Figureoutable Buy Back Your Time: Get Unstuck, Reclaim Your Freedom, and Build Your Empire Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork Connect with Kevin: Wedding IQ Fantasy Sound Instagram YouTube TikTok LinkedIn

    55 min
  6. #69: Why Strategy Isn't Your Problem (And What Actually Is) with Aislinn McKenna

    Mar 31

    #69: Why Strategy Isn't Your Problem (And What Actually Is) with Aislinn McKenna

    In this episode of Mind Your Wedding Business, Kevin Dennis sits down with business coach Aislinn McKenna to talk about why strategy isn’t actually the problem for most wedding pros and what’s really holding them back. With so many professionals consuming endless content on marketing, pricing, and systems, Aislinn explains why the issue often isn’t a lack of knowledge, but the mindset patterns running in the background. Together, they unpack how overthinking, comparison, and waiting to feel “ready” can keep you stuck even when you already know what to do. Kevin and Aislinn dive into the difference between facts and feelings in your business, why tracking your data matters more than chasing more inquiries, and how small mindset shifts can lead to major changes in results. Aislinn also shares practical ways to break out of inaction, build momentum, and stop getting in your own way. The conversation explores how perfectionism, people-pleasing, and constant consumption can slow your growth and what it looks like to actually execute with clarity and confidence. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything “right” but still not seeing results, this episode will help you refocus, simplify, and take action. Aislinn McKenna is a business coach and former luxury wedding photographer with over 14 years of experience running multiple businesses. She has been featured in publications like Brides, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Southern Weddings, and has since scaled her coaching company to multi-six figures. Aislinn helps wedding professionals build sustainable, profitable businesses by combining proven strategy with powerful mindset work so they can create more freedom, confidence, and impact. Highlights • Why mindset (not strategy) is often the real bottleneck • The difference between facts vs. feelings in your business • How overthinking and comparison keep you stuck • Why tracking data matters more than chasing inquiries • Breaking out of perfectionism and taking faster action • Simple ways to build momentum and get out of your own way Mentioned Links: Opal App Brick Grounded Tier 2 (Mindset & Business Strategy) Connect with Aislinn: Website Instagram Pinterest YouTube Connect with Kevin: Wedding IQ Fantasy Sound Instagram YouTube TikTok LinkedIn

    44 min
  7. #68: Sustainable Visibility for Wedding Pros Who Are Burned Out on Social Media with Dana Bahr

    Mar 24

    #68: Sustainable Visibility for Wedding Pros Who Are Burned Out on Social Media with Dana Bahr

    In this episode of Mind Your Wedding Business, Kevin Dennis sits down with Dana Bahr, Pinterest strategist and founder of The Unapologetic Pinner, to talk about sustainable visibility for wedding professionals who are burned out on social media. With so many wedding pros feeling pressure to constantly post, stay relevant, and keep up with trends, Dana shares why the issue isn’t a lack of effort — it’s a lack of clarity and positioning. Together, Kevin and Dana explore how shifting from reactive marketing to intentional, long-term visibility can transform not only your marketing results, but your overall experience as a business owner. They dive into the difference between social media platforms and Pinterest as a visual search engine, and why Pinterest aligns more naturally with how couples actually plan their weddings. Dana explains how wedding pros can stop chasing vanity metrics and instead focus on building evergreen content that compounds over time, driving consistent traffic, inquiries, and bookings. The conversation also covers how to repurpose existing content — like galleries and blog posts — into multiple marketing assets across platforms, eliminating the need to constantly create new content. Dana shares practical steps for getting started on Pinterest, common mistakes to avoid, and how to build a foundation that supports long-term growth, even during your busiest seasons. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by social media or stuck in the cycle of constant content creation, this episode offers a refreshing, strategic approach to building visibility that actually lasts. Dana Bahr is the founder of The Unapologetic Pinner and a Pinterest strategist for wedding professionals and creative entrepreneurs. She helps business owners move beyond short-term social media tactics by building evergreen visibility systems that attract aligned clients consistently. Through her podcast, education, and client work, Dana is known for simplifying Pinterest marketing and helping wedding pros grow sustainably without sacrificing balance or authenticity. Highlights• Why burnout comes from lack of clarity—not lack of effort • The difference between visibility, positioning, and vanity metrics • How Pinterest differs from Instagram and TikTok for wedding pros • Using Pinterest as a long-term, evergreen visibility strategy • How to repurpose existing content into multiple marketing assets • Building a consistent marketing system that supports real bookings and busy seasons Connect with Dana: Website Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Connect with Kevin: Wedding IQ Fantasy Sound Instagram YouTube TikTok LinkedIn

    36 min
  8. #67: Is Your Wedding Website Ready for the AI Shift? with Marc McIntosh

    Mar 17

    #67: Is Your Wedding Website Ready for the AI Shift? with Marc McIntosh

    AI is changing how couples find wedding vendors — and if your website isn’t optimized for AI search, you could be invisible. In this episode of Mind Your Wedding Business, Kevin Dennis sits down with Marc McIntosh of Team Wedding Marketing to break down how AI, ChatGPT, and answer engines are reshaping wedding marketing. If you're a wedding professional relying on The Knot, WeddingWire, or traditional SEO, this episode explains what’s changing — and what you need to do now. In This Episode:How AI search is replacing wedding directoriesWhy ranking on Google isn’t enough anymoreWhat “Answer Engine Optimization” (AEO) means for wedding prosHow to structure your website for AI visibilityWhy transparent pricing builds trust and improves rankingsThe biggest website mistakes causing lost leadsHow to prevent “prejection” and stop leaking inquiriesStep-by-step AI copy strategy for wedding websites Couples are no longer clicking through hundreds of listings. They’re asking AI tools to generate curated vendor lists instantly. If your website isn’t structured correctly, you won’t appear. 🎯 Learn how to: Increase visibility in AI-powered searchesImprove your wedding website SEOCreate content that ranks AND convertsTurn more website visitors into inquiries 👉 Get a free website audit from Marc If you're serious about growing your wedding business, this is a must-watch episode. Connect with Marc: Website Instagram Facebook YouTube LinkedIn Connect with Kevin: Wedding IQ Fantasy Sound Instagram YouTube TikTok LinkedIn

    46 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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