Certified 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 the real shifts that happen after formal training: questions move from "what are the hours?" to "how do I lead timelines, vendors, and client expectations with grace?" We talk about the power of weekly workshops to keep skills sharp as trends, tech, and client behavior evolve. And we address a common myth head‑on—success doesn't have to mean starting a company. If you love planning but not payroll, the associate track builds excellence on a team; if you want to lead a brand, the executive track gives you the business foundation to scale with integrity.

You'll hear how certification changes hiring conversations, shortens training, and signals professionalism to owners who protect their reputations fiercely. We share the markers that make a resume stand out, the habits that build trust with venues and vendors, and the community culture that rejects gatekeeping in favor of genuine support. Whether you're just starting, mid‑career, or ten years in, there's always more to learn—and the right peer network makes the journey lighter and faster.

Ready to step into a career that fits your strengths and goals? Subscribe, share with a planner friend, and leave a review telling us which path—associate or executive—you're exploring next.

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In 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 early days of launching with just one wedding on the books and the deliberate decision to earn a recognized certification before the first event. You'll hear how that credential reframed outreach, increased email response rates, and led to venue tours and referrals without buying ads. We also break down the risk calculus venues make, why reputation protection drives their choices, and how a visible standard of training in timelines, contracts, logistics, and risk management turns "unknown" into "trusted." For vendors—photographers, florists, caterers—the shift is just as real: a certified planner signals clearer communication, smoother timelines, and calmer wedding days.

Seasoned planners aren't left out. We explore how certification validates experience, exposes hidden gaps, and upgrades systems with smarter workflows and crisis plans. The community aspect matters too—shared knowledge, accountability, and support that make better outcomes repeatable. By the end, you'll have a practical roadmap: lead with proof, show up with consistency, and position yourself as the partner who protects reputations and elevates the couple's experience.

Enjoyed the conversation? Follow the show, share it with a planner friend, and leave a quick review so more pros can find it. Looking to level up now? Visit cwpsociety.com to learn more!

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Venues 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 Aisha Garnett, we dig into the signals that matter most to venues: realistic timelines, airtight communication, contract fluency, and calm, quiet problem solving when the inevitable curveballs hit.

Across candid stories and practical tactics, we map the journey from “optional add-on” to “essential partner.” You’ll hear how to make your first contact count, the questions that prove you’ve done your homework, and the small behaviors—respecting policies, confirming logistics early, sharing clean run-of-show updates—that build trust long before event day. We also explore why staying current on tools like 3D floor plans and collaborative timeline software isn’t just modern—it’s a competitive advantage that lightens venue workloads and elevates guest experience.

If you want steady referrals, faster access to preferred vendor lists, and invitations to styled shoots and venue-led events, this conversation shows the path: pair formal certification with consistent, predictable execution. Ready to raise your visibility and become the partner venues recommend with confidence? Subscribe, share this with a planner friend, and leave a review telling us the one move you’ll implement this week.

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Join 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, and reputation.

We dig into why packages double as legal documents and how vague language creates liability. You’ll hear practical ways to define inclusions, set meeting limits, and stop over-delivering for free. We make a firm case for retiring the partial package—and show how to replace it with offers that feel truly distinct from full service. Then we turn to contracts: the clauses that actually hold up, the danger of shortening legal language, and a cadence for updates that reflects shifting laws and client behavior. If a two-page agreement has been your standard, you’ll learn what’s missing and why it matters.

From there, we get tactical about workflow. An onboarding meeting within seven to ten days of booking sets the tone for the entire engagement. We explain how to pair each key meeting—budget, vendor approvals, design checkpoints, and timelines—with a clean, customizable presentation that reduces confusion and builds confidence. Finally, we talk continuing education as a strategic advantage: staying ahead of client communication styles, software changes, and industry expectations while keeping service high touch and personal. Whether you’re new or seasoned, you’ll walk away with steps to streamline your process, reduce risk, and lead couples with calm authority.

Ready to level up your planning business? Subscribe, share this episode with a planner friend, and leave a review so more pros can find it. Then visit CWPsociety.com to explore membership and certifications that help you implement these pillars fast.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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🎉 Episode 100: Two Hours of Game-Changing Wisdom You Don't Want to Miss

We'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 with confidence? Build bulletproof timelines? Command vendor respect? Protect the luxury of personal service in an increasingly automated industry?

Here's what awaits you in this extended celebration:

We get refreshingly honest about the habits quietly eroding your value—posting DIY checklists that replace your expertise, leaning on automations that shift work onto clients, and underselling the one thing that can't be replicated: you. You'll discover why human connection is today's ultimate luxury, how to transform your process from paint-by-number to Picasso, and the art of curating vendor lists that protect every guest experience.

We tackle comparison fatigue head-on and share the mindset shifts that keep you present, celebrating wins, and building momentum that lasts. Education versus experience? We're calling it: that's a false choice. Learn how certification validates your expertise, sharpens your systems, and differentiates you in markets where polished websites mask untrained planners.

Expect practical gold: contracts that truly protect you, communication strategies that keep teams aligned, and boundaries around office hours, capacity, and recovery that prevent burnout before it starts. Whether you're new and hungry for confidence or seasoned and ready for a reset, these two hours deliver the frameworks to serve brilliantly, charge what you're worth, and build a business you're genuinely proud of.

Don't skip ahead—tune in for the entire two hours. The stories, the laughs, the aha moments... this is the conversation that reminds you why you fell in love with this work in the first place.

Want to revisit the favorite episodes we discussed? Here are the links:

Why Buy The Cow

Authenticity Over Comparison

Automating Yourself Out of Business

The Blueprint for Wedding Planning: Education Meets Experience

Ready to join the community and certification paths that support everything we talk about? Visit cwpsociety.com.

Loved this milestone episode? Follow the show, share it with a planner friend, and leave a review to help more pros discover the insights that change everything.

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