Shows
Wedding Planner Society PodcastWhat Gave Me The PushFeeling that quiet pull to level up — but not sure what to change?That restless sense that you're capable of more is worth listening to. In this episode, Krisy Thomas, is joined by Christina Collins, Master Certified Wedding Planner, and Tracy Dapp, a seasoned Certified Wedding Planner, who nearly walked away from years in the industry, before finding her way back through certification and community. Together, they dig into what it really looks like to turn that instinct into repeatable excellence — through structure, training, and the support of people who get it.Christina opens up about...
2026-03-0944 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastThe Standard for Diverse CelebrationsIn this episode, Krisy Thomas, Senior Educator with The CWP Society, is joined by Rima Shaw, Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator, for a conversation that goes straight at one of the most uncomfortable moments in our industry — that jolt of panic when a couple asks you to lead a culturally rich, multi-day celebration you don't fully understand.Together, they unpack what true preparation really looks like: before the inquiry call, before the proposal, and long before the wedding day. They dig into the difference between curiosity and genuine cultural fluency, why "figuring it out as you go...
2026-03-0235 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastWhy Credentials Matter More Than EverWeddings don't come with a second chance — and yet too many planners are still showing up underprepared, overpromising, and hoping it all works out. In this episode, CWP Society Founder and CEO Laurie Hartwell and Senior Educator Krisy Thomas pull back the curtain on what's really at stake when planners skip the education and go straight to the business card.This isn't about gatekeeping or status. It's about protection — for couples trusting us with one of the most significant days of their lives, for the vendors we work alongside, and for the reputation of this profession as a wh...
2026-02-2340 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastThe Turning PointWhat if the moment that changes your wedding planning career isn't a lucky break, but a choice you make today?CWP Society Senior Educator, Krisy Thomas, opens up about being an introvert in a relationship-driven industry and how a recognized credential transformed the room before she even spoke. From that first venue meeting as a Certified Wedding Planner to national features and trusted partnerships, this story tracks how credibility, structure, and community create momentum that lasts.We dig into five real turning points from planners at different stages:The Burnout Breakthrough — Ho...
2026-02-1620 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastFrom Winging It To Owning ItDoubt on wedding day can be quiet but crushing—the second-guessing after a tough call, the 2 a.m. mental replay, the nagging feeling that something's off even when the night goes "fine." That's what winging it feels like, even when you're good at what you do.In this episode, From Winging It to Owning It, Krisy Thomas, Senior Educator with The CWP Society, sits down with Master Certified Wedding Planners, Nikki Rodgers and Brittney Poole, to unpack how they made the shift from reactive problem-solving to confident, visible leadership that vendors trust and couples feel.We...
2026-02-1045 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastDiscovering What Was Possible Through CertificationCertified Wedding Planner, Industry Advancement Director, and Director of Student Organizations, Ashley Babbit, joins CWP Society's Senior Educator, Krisy Thomas for this episode. What if the right credential didn't just polish your bio—but changed how you see your future? We sit down with Ashley to unpack how structured training, community, and ongoing education turn hesitant beginners into confident pros. From moving to a new market with zero contacts to landing roles that play to her strengths, Ashley shows how certification can be the spark that opens doors you didn't know to knock on.We walk through th...
2026-02-0223 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastHow Industry Partners Responded to My CredentialsIn this podcast, Krisy Thomas, Senior Educator of The CWP Society, shares how a quiet moment at a venue changed everything: a sales manager noticed the credential and suddenly the conversation shifted from uncertainty to trust. That small recognition became the spark that accelerated a brand-new wedding planning business into a full-time career within a year.We pull back the curtain on why certification doesn't just open doors—it shortens the timeline from introduction to preferred lists, nurtures stronger vendor relationships, and helps venues view you as a safe, skilled partner.We walk through the ea...
2026-01-2615 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastHow Certification Changes the Way Venues See (and Trust) YouVenues don’t gamble with their space—or their reputation. In this episode, Krisy Thomas, Senior Educator of the CWP Society, is joined by Nikki Rodgers, Master Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator, and Aisha Garnett, Master Certified Wedding Planner and Certified Educator, for a candid conversation about why certification instantly changes how venues perceive and trust wedding planners.We break down why certification instantly changes the way managers read your emails, respond to your calls, and welcome you on site, and how that shift gets you onto preferred lists faster. With master certified planners Nikki Rogers and...
2026-01-1935 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastFrom Chaos to Clarity: Systems That Support Your BusinessJoin Krisy Thomas, Senior Educator of the CWP Society, and Laurie Hartwell, Founder and CEO of the CWP Society, for a conversation designed to help wedding planners start the year with clarity—not chaos.We break down the four pillars that keep a wedding planning business strong in 2026: precise packages, protective contracts, a guided workflow with strong presentations, and continuing education that helps you stay high touch in a tech-heavy world. If you’ve struggled with scope creep, unclear deliverables, or clients asking “what’s next,” this conversation gives you a concrete path to protect your time, profit, an...
2026-01-1232 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastThe Power of Wedding Industry RelationshipsIn 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 in...
2025-12-1641 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastSacred Spaces: Working With (Not Against) Church RulesChurch 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, g...
2025-12-0820 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastThe Year-End Financial Reset: Closing Out 2025 StrongReady 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...
2025-12-0432 min
Wedding Planner Society Podcast100th Episode: Celebrating Our Favorite Moments & Answering Your Burning Questions🎉 Episode 100: Two Hours of Game-Changing Wisdom You Don't Want to MissWe're throwing a party—and you're invited! Join Laurie Hartwell, Founder and CEO of the CWP Society, and Krisy, COO of the CWP Society and Master Certified Wedding Planner, for our milestone 100th episode—a special two-hour celebration packed with stories, breakthroughs, and the hard-won advice that's transformed countless planning careers.Settle in for the full experience as we revisit our favorite moments from 100 episodes, then dive deep into the questions planners are asking right now: How do I price...
2025-11-172h 09
Wedding Planner Society PodcastIntentional Growth For Wedding PlannersIn this rapid-fire solo episode, Krisy Thomas, COO of the CWP Society, shares a practical blueprint for wedding planners ready to make 2025 more profitable and organized. She walks through a simple reflection exercise to identify what's energizing your business versus what's draining it, then covers the systems and boundaries that create sustainable growth. You'll hear specific examples for streamlining timelines, controlling scope creep, and communicating with confidence—plus why certification and professional development provide frameworks that keep you current and connected. The episode wraps with a concrete action plan: define your version of growth, fix one system, hold one bo...
2025-11-1308 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastBeyond the Surface: What It Really Takes to Plan South Asian CelebrationsJoin Krisy Thomas, COO of the CWP Society, and Certified Wedding Planner & Certified Wedding Planner & Certified Educator, Rima Shah, as they dismantle the dangerous assumption that South Asian weddings are just "bigger centerpieces on a longer timeline."This is a masterclass in what multi-day celebrations actually demand: extended vendor access, hospitality infrastructure most venues ignore, and contracts built for sacred ceremony sequences—not just "out by midnight" clauses.You'll hear:The real-time breakdown of an ambitious decor installation gone sideways—and the exact triage protocol that saved the dayNon-negotiable venue requirements most team...
2025-11-1029 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastThe Relationship That Changes Everything: Your Wedding Planner BestieWhat 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 ea...
2025-11-0329 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastDecoding Venue Roles: Who Really Does What (And Why It Matters)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...
2025-10-3019 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastInclusive Weddings: Managing Fireworks, Fog, And Triggers With CareSurprise 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 co...
2025-10-2722 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastFrom Assumptions To Alignment: How Planners Thrive With Church TeamsWedding 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 genuine respect.From first contact to final blessing, Emma maps out a calm, proven approach that honors sacred spaces while protecting timelines, budgets, and your couple's vision. We start with the real...
2025-10-2321 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastBeyond Timelines: The Real Work Behind Multi-Family Wedding PlanningWeddings 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 visit, we share scripts, policies, and small shifts in language that build trust with parents and elders who may be new to professional planning.Rima walks us through the moments where things commonly go sideways—delega...
2025-10-1330 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastThe Blueprint for Wedding Planning: Education Meets ExperienceTired 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 how standards, structure, and certification transform instincts into consistent results, protect fair pricing, and restore respect for professional planning across venues and vendor teams.Throughout...
2025-10-0927 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastEmpathy Meets Expertise: The Emotional Side of Wedding PlanningWedding 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 emotional undercurrents of wedding planning; from navigating family dynamics like divorced parents who can’t sit together, to financial anxieties that persist regardless of budget, to the profound grief felt when loved ones are ab...
2025-09-2921 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastWhen Trust Matters Most: Leadership Lessons from South Asian Wedding PlanningNavigating 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 finding the right team members is her first priority, seeking out Certified Wedding Planners whose foundation of knowledge provides an essential "security blanket" when executing complex events. She emphasizes matching team size to wedding scale, no...
2025-09-2534 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastMore Than a Vendor: Becoming a Venue’s Trusted PlannerEver 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 transitioned into wedding planning with a perspective few others possess. She reveals the behind-the-scenes realities of venue management, including the relief coordinators feel when they can trust a planner to handle...
2025-09-2225 min
Wedding Planner Society PodcastFuture-Proof Your Business: Financial Freedom for Wedding PlannersWedding 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 thriving businesses.Matt brings a rare dual perspective—over 12 years in high-level financial planning combined with eight years of firsthand experience running his own wedding planning company. This blend allows him to speak directly to both...
2025-09-1931 min