What if the secret to thriving in wedding planning isn't just about serving clients—it's about finding your people?

In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on one of the most powerful (and underrated) relationships in the wedding industry: the planner-to-planner friendship that actually saves your business—and your sanity.

Joining the COO of the CWP Society, Krisy Thomas, are Certified Wedding Planners Hailey Beard and Amanda Borrero, who met at CWP Society Certification conference, and built something rare: a genuine alliance where they assist on each other's weddings, exchange honest feedback, and serve as each other's emergency backup when chaos strikes.

You'll discover:

• Why having an "in case of emergency" planner with actual access and authority protects your couples (and your reputation)
• The phone calls that happen after hard weddings, and why that permission to rest matters more than you think
• Their refreshingly direct take on "community over competition": there are more couples than any of us can serve, and not every couple is your couple

Feeling stuck, new, or shut out of your local scene? They share the playbook: send the DM, show up to open houses, ask for introductions, keep showing up. And if your market feels closed? Go global—your planner bestie might be three states away.

Ready to find your people? Join the CWP Society—the world's leading certification program and largest community of certified wedding professionals—where education meets real connection, so you never have to carry the load alone. Visit cwpsociety.com to become certified today!

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

Not all "venue coordinators" are created equal—and assuming they are can derail your entire event. In this episode, COO Krisy Thomas sits down with Master Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator Nikki Rodgers to pull back the curtain on how venue teams actually operate, so you can stop guessing and start collaborating with confidence.

Nikki breaks down the four core roles you're likely to encounter—from the owner who sold the date to the banquet captain directing service—and explains how responsibilities shift between contract signing and day-of execution. Through real-world examples, you'll discover why assumptions cause chaos: the venue that provides tables but won't set them, the dry-hire space where the coordinator handles electrical emergencies, and the neighboring property with completely opposite policies.

You'll learn the exact questions to ask the moment you're hired, including "Who will be my primary contact during planning?" and "Who is on a radio on event day?" Nikki and Krisy share their proven handoff strategy: send your working timeline early, reconfirm with the on-site lead the week before, and loop in owners when operations like pressure washing or rental staging might impact your schedule.

If you've ever built a detailed timeline only to discover the venue created their own, or arrived on event day to find no one planned to set chairs, this conversation gives you the playbook to prevent double work and last-minute scrambles. You'll also discover how to navigate venues with in-house catering versus outside caterers, when to defer to the banquet captain's service pacing, and how small, thoughtful gestures—like thanking staff in front of the couple and leaving authentic reviews—transform single events into lasting partnerships.

Ready to master these essential skills and elevate your planning expertise? Join the ranks of the industry's most respected professionals by earning your certification through CWP Society. Our comprehensive training equips you with proven strategies, professional protocols, and the confidence to handle any venue relationship with grace. Become a Certified Wedding Planner and join a community committed to excellence. Learn more at CWPSociety.com.

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

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 smoke machines can trigger panic attacks, flashbacks, and genuine medical emergencies for guests who've served or who live with invisible conditions. Yet most planners don't know when or how to raise these concerns without alarming their couples or killing the celebration vibe. Brianne shares field-tested strategies that balance spectacle with true care, proving you can protect vulnerable guests while still delivering unforgettable moments.

We start with timing: why the eight-week planning meeting is the strategic sweet spot to introduce potential triggers—after guest lists are finalized and add-ons are being discussed, but before vendors lock in their plans. Brianne walks you through how to frame the conversation so couples feel supported rather than scared, using thoughtful questions about loud sounds, flashing lights, and smoke effects to shape plans that protect guests while preserving the couple's vision.

You'll get a practical toolkit you can implement immediately: how to send private heads-up messages to at-risk guests, create discreet program cues that signal what's coming next, map out quiet zones with clear exit routes, and deliver calm, grounding scripts when emergencies like fire alarms or first responders show up unannounced. We get deeply tactical on vendor communication—briefing DJs on volume limits and strobe alternatives, aligning photographers and videographers on flash frequency and smoke timing, and confirming venue policies for cold sparks and fog machines so surprises don't escalate into crises.

Brianne also shares a deeply personal story that reveals why this work matters and how planners can lead with steadiness and compassion when the unexpected happens. This isn't about being the fun police—it's about designing inclusive joy that allows every guest to be fully present.

You'll walk away with three immediately actionable steps: ask about accommodations at the eight-week mark, verify venue safety protocols and effect approvals before booking, and establish a designated safe space with a clear exit route and point person. Plus, we spotlight trusted resources like Wounded Warrior Project and NAMI to help you learn the right language and responses when guests need support.

Ready to design celebrations where everyone can truly celebrate? Subscribe, share this episode with a fellow wedding planner.

Want to master the skills that set certified planners apart? Discover how CWP Society certification equips you with the knowledge, tools, and community support to handle every situation with professionalism and heart—visit cwpsociety.com today.

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