Wedding Planner Society Podcast

Surprise moments should make hearts lift, not race. In this episode, Krisy Thomas, COO of the CWP Society, welcomes Master Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator Brianne Ackerland to explore how planners can create high-impact celebrations that honor military guests and anyone living with PTSD or sensory sensitivities—without sacrificing the magic couples dream about.

The reality is that surprise cannons, strobes, and smok...

Wedding days inside a church can feel like navigating a maze of policies, people, and expectations, and many planners carry battle scars from these sacred spaces. In this episode, Master Certified Wedding Planner & Certified Educator, Emma Cockerham joins Krisy Thomas, COO of the CWP Society, to unpack why church venues often feel more challenging and how to transform tension into trust through intentional communication and gen...

Weddings with rich traditions don’t just need timelines—they need translators. In this episode, Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator, Rima Shah joins CWP Society COO, Krisy Thomas to unpack the real work behind South Asian weddings: navigating multiple families, aligning expectations across generations, and setting boundaries that protect joy without steamrolling culture. From the first consultation to the final site vi...

Tired of hearing “just get experience” as if that’s a strategy? On this episode, we dig into why that advice often backfires, eroding vendor trust, anchoring fees at unsustainable levels, and putting couples at risk on a day with no do‑overs.

Crystal Dailey, Master Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator, joins Krisy Thomas to show a better path—one that blends hands-on learning with real education. Together, they explore h...

Ever wonder why some planners seem to leap ahead while others grind for years? We unpack the real advantage behind the scenes: a mentor who listens, challenges, and opens doors. From first weddings full of unknowns to high-stakes productions, we walk through the qualities that separate a true guide from a loud voice—proven experience, integrity, generosity with knowledge, strong listening, access to opportunity, and the emotional i...

Wedding planning is an emotional rollercoaster for couples, and behind every seating chart and floral arrangement lies a complex web of feelings that skilled planners must navigate with grace and understanding. Riley Snider, Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator, joins Krisy Thomas to explore how wedding professionals can serve as the steady emotional anchor their clients truly need.

This conversation uncovers the hidden ...

Navigating the magnificent scale of South Asian weddings demands more than standard planning approaches—it requires masterful team leadership. In this compelling episode, Certified Wedding Planner and Educator Rima Shah of Big Guava Events joins Krisy Thomas, COO of the CWP Society, to share battle-tested strategies for building, preparing, and leading teams through multi-day celebrations with hundreds of guests.

Rima reveals why fi...

Ever wondered what venue coordinators really think when wedding planners walk through their doors? In this eye-opening conversation, Nikki Rodgers, Master Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator, joins Krisy Thomas, COO of the CWP Society, to pull back the curtain on both sides of the planning experience.

With over a decade of experience managing venues, sometimes coordinating up to six events in a single day, Nikki transit...

Wedding professionals pour their hearts into creating flawless celebrations for their clients, yet many overlook one critical detail—their own financial futures. In this eye-opening episode, Matt Mitchell, Master Certified Wedding Planner, Certified Educator, and founder of The Event Ledger, joins Krisy Thomas, COO of the CWP Society, to share how wedding planners can build lasting financial security while continuing to run thrivin...

Krisy Thomas, COO of the Certified Wedding Planner Society, is joined by two remarkable Certified Wedding Planners, Vicki Amar and Ashley Babbitt, to share their transformative journeys in the wedding industry. This captivating conversation highlights the power of education, certification, and community in shaping a successful career.

Vicki Amar brings a fascinating perspective, having coordinated iconic New York City events like th...

What truly separates thriving wedding planners from those who struggle to build sustainable businesses?

In this candid conversation, Master Certified Wedding Planners & Certified Educators, Aisha Garnett and Crystal Dailey join Krisy Thomas, COO of the CWP Society, to reveal the powerful synergy between education and relationships that has transformed their careers.

Aisha reflects on her early days, when she charged just $300 for...

The relationship between wedding planners and church coordinators has long been marked by tension, misunderstandings, and at times, outright conflict. But what if there’s a better way forward?

In this episode, Emma Cockerham, Certified Educator and Master Certified Wedding Planner, joins Krisy Thomas, COO of The CWP Society, for a candid conversation on transforming these often-strained relationships into true partnerships.

Emma shar...

Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator, Amanda Borrero, joins CWP Society COO, Krisy Thomas, for an unfiltered conversation about one of the wedding industry’s most debated practices: kickbacks.

Together, they unpack what kickbacks really are, why they’ve become so ingrained in the wedding world, and the ethical dilemmas they create for planners and couples alike. From “pay-to-play” venue lists to referral fees passed quie...

Have you ever considered what it’s like for a guest with mobility challenges to navigate a wedding day? From uneven outdoor paths to inaccessible restrooms, the obstacles they face might surprise you.

In this powerful conversation, Krisy Thomas, COO of the CWP Society, leads a discussion with Master Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator Brianne Ackerland to shine a light on an often-overlooked aspect of wedding planning: ...

Step into the world of wedding planning leadership as Krisy Thomas, COO of the CWP Society, sits down with four extraordinary certified wedding planners who are reshaping the industry across the globe. Together, they share their journeys from skilled professionals to influential change-makers, highlighting how education and community are redefining the wedding planning profession.

Joining the conversation:

• David Ude of Dafame Con...

Krisy Thomas, COO of the CWP Society, sits down with Master Certified Planner and Certified Educator Nikki Rodgers, who brings 22 years of experience on both sides of the aisle, for an eye-opening episode that tackles one of the wedding industry’s most common confusions: the difference between venue coordinators and wedding planners.

When couples hear "your venue comes with a coordinator," they often assume this ...

What separates thriving wedding planners from those who struggle? In this candid conversation, Master Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator, Crystal Dailey,  joins Krisy Thomas, COO of the CWP Society, to reveal the transformative power of education in building a sustainable wedding planning business.

Crystal shares a refreshingly honest account of how recognizing her own shortcomings became the catalyst for her education...

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 ...

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...