In this episode, Krisy Thomas, COO of the CWP Society, sits down with two incredible relationship pros: Amanda Borrero, Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator, and Aisha Garnett, Master Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator. Together, they unpack how planners turn vendors into true collaborators, leverage community for confidence, and keep ethics front and center while growing a business that lasts.

They dig into the real difference between a reliable vendor and a "friendor," and why relatability, respect, and consistent check-ins transform event days and client outcomes. You'll hear practical ways to collaborate without competing—from thoughtful introductions and venue relationship nurturing to replacing kickbacks with client-facing value that keeps standards high and referrals clean.

The conversation gets honest about burnout and inertia, exploring why some planners stop using the benefits right in front of them and sharing simple paths to plug back in through workshops, monthly gatherings, and low-pressure Zoom co-working sessions.

If networking feels awkward, they've got you covered. The group discusses strategies like researching attendees, setting small connection goals, shifting big rooms into one-on-ones, and bringing a wing buddy who can make warm introductions. They celebrate the compounding ROI of kindness—how small acts of support create a resilient referral ecosystem—and reinforce continuous learning as your competitive edge in this fast-changing wedding industry.

Expect stories, actionable tactics, and mindset shifts you can apply this week to build a vendor bench you trust and a community that has your back.

Enjoy the conversation and, if it resonates, subscribe, share with a planner friend, and leave a review so more wedding pros can find this resource. Ready to go deeper? Join the CWP Society, tap into the workshops, and put community to work for your business.

www.cwpsociety.com | info@cwpsociety.com | IG: @cwpsociety | FB: @cwpsociety

Church weddings don't have to be a battlefield between sacred tradition and creative vision. Join Krisy Thomas, COO of the CWP Society, alongside Emma Cockerham, Master Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator, and Riley Snider, Master Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator, as they reveal how alignment—not conflict—transforms church ceremonies into seamless, deeply meaningful experiences.

What you'll discover:

The three-lane model that changes everything: church coordinators protect sacred flow, creative vendors drive visual and emotional impact, and you—the planner—connect it all. Discover the language we use to set expectations early, get CC'd on key communications without territorial friction, and advocate for couples with grace and authority.

Restrictions don't have to derail your design. We unpack decor limits, photo positions, and music guidelines, then show you how to reframe constraints into smart, budget-savvy solutions that keep the experience cohesive, compliant, and beautiful. Emma shares her strategies for leading with grace while building productive vendor relationships. Riley dives into "calm leadership"—the energy that vendors and couples mirror when you show up grounded and prepared.

The secret weapon? Proactivity. We walk through a practical follow-up cadence built for church turnover and evolving policies: one- to two-month-out confirmations, day-of access windows, exit logistics, and the checkpoints that prevent last-minute chaos. When planners bring solutions first and shield clients from behind-the-scenes friction, everyone shows up aligned and ready to honor the sacred commitment at the heart of the day.

This isn't theory—it's tested, Master Certified-level strategy you can implement immediately.

Ready to lead church weddings with confidence, build trust with church coordinators and vendors, and deliver experiences that honor both tradition and vision? It's time to stop guessing and start mastering the skills that set you apart. Become a member and get certified with the CWP Society at cwpsociety.com—where education, community, and credentials elevate everything you do.

www.cwpsociety.com | info@cwpsociety.com | IG: @cwpsociety | FB: @cwpsociety

Ready to stop playing catch-up and start leading your business with clarity? We're closing out 2025 with finance expert and Master Certified Wedding Planner Matt Mitchell to help you run a clean, confident year-end reset.

Together we walk through the exact steps to reconcile your accounts, fix messy categories, and review your numbers with curiosity instead of criticism—so you can see what truly worked, where money leaked, and how to design a profitable 2026 you'll actually enjoy living.

We dig into a practical financial debrief: which services were profitable versus just popular, how to assess expenses by value, and why profit by package often flips your assumptions. If you've been fully booked but exhausted, we unpack what that says about pricing and scope. You'll learn how to read cash flow rhythms across the year and align deposits, savings, and investments with the seasonality of the events industry.

Then we translate insights into action: catch up on owner pay, set aside taxes, make strategic year-end purchases that lower taxable income while upgrading systems, and start a profit or reserves account—even if it's only 1% per invoice.

Looking ahead, we map an approach for 2026 built on structure, not resolutions. Set layered goals for revenue, profit, owner's pay, and savings. Plan capacity first so you protect client experience and your life, then price accordingly. Lock in monthly and quarterly check-ins to track progress, adjust pricing, and prevent last-minute scrambles.

Throughout, Matt shares simple, human ways to make financial clarity feel doable—plus why treating your business like your best client changes everything.

If this conversation pushes you to take your business more seriously, join us inside CWP Society for certification and a community that gets the unique flow of event businesses. Subscribe, share with a fellow planner, and leave a review—what's the first reset task you'll tackle today?

www.cwpsociety.com | info@cwpsociety.com | IG: @cwpsociety | FB: @cwpsociety