Andy is so happy to welcome Akeshi Akinseye to The Wedding Biz this week! Akeshi is a luxury wedding planner and designer based in Chicago. Running Kesh Events, Akeshi specializes in creating extraordinary celebrations all around the world. She is not only a luxury wedding planner and event designer but also an international speaker, author, and business coach, and she joins Andy for this episode to discuss how she came into the business, from where she finds inspiration, and how to open...

Andy dives into an enriching conversation this week with Anna Roussos, a prominent wedding photographer renowned across Europe. Anna shares her journey from a TV director to a distinguished wedding photographer, unveiling the pivotal moments that shaped her career. Discover how Anna's childhood fascination with romance and artistry steered her towards capturing timeless moments of love and emotion through her lens. From her early days in fashion photography to her transformation into a...

Returning to the podcast this week is none other than Jennifer Stein, editor-in-chief, publisher, and co-owner of Destination I Do Magazine, a magazine that can be found online and on newsstands. Jennifer joins Andy today to explore the journey of building a renowned brand in the destination wedding industry, sharing how she and her business partner started Destination I Do twenty years ago to fill a gap in the wedding industry by showcasing real couples celebrating their destination...

Andy is happy to welcome Fallon Carter to the show this week! Fallon is a renowned founder and creative director of Fallon Carter Events, and she is acclaimed for her fusion of southern hospitality with international luxury in event planning. Listen in as she shares insights into her childhood inclinations towards hosting and entertaining, tracing her journey from contemplating law school to discovering her passion for event planning after a pivotal experience in Paris. The conversation...

“I resonate with the client that wants to make you a part of their family throughout the wedding weekend.” Listen as Andy and his guest Caleb Jordan Lee discuss Caleb’s early passion for travel and filmmaking, Caleb starting his LLC at sixteen and why he decided to film weddings, plus much more on this episode of The Wedding Biz. Caleb is a brilliant filmmaker and the owner of East West Production, a full-service event filmmaking company with award-winning coverage. Caleb’s work has been...

Andy is thrilled this week to take listeners on a journey through the inspiring world of makeup artistry with sought-after makeup artist and educator, Kellsie Bain! Join Andy and Kellsie as they dive into Kellsie's upbringing in Sydney, Australia, where she draws inspiration from the strong, hardworking women in her family. From her corporate beginnings to her transition into the world of makeup artistry, Kellsie shares how her experiences have shaped her signature style and approach to her...

Join Andy for this episode of The Wedding Biz as returning guest Simon T. Bailey sits down with him to talk about his latest book, Resilience@Work: How to Coach Yourself into a Thriving Future! Simon shares insights on bouncing back better, the metaphor of surfing as a universal concept for resilience, and the significance of intentional actions and relationships. Their discussion delves into the practical techniques for building resilience, including reflecting at the end of each day,...

Join Andy as he welcomes Alex Le Roux, the CEO and founder of ALR Music based in London, back to the show! ALR Music specializes in providing entertainment for luxury events worldwide, boasting an impressive clientele, including Idris Elba, members of the Royal Family, the Beckham-Peltz’s and events for high-profile brands like Google, Jo Malone, and Chanel. In this engaging conversation, Alex shares insights into the expansion of ALR Music, which has nearly doubled in size since the last...

“Before I know what flowers I’m going to use, I need to know what backdrop I’m going to create to show off those flowers.” Listen as Andy and his guest Lewis Miller discuss how Lewis came to be in New York City, his process with clients, how he gets inspired for his designs, how he has been able to maneuver through the pandemic, and so much more on this episode of The Wedding Biz! Lewis is a floral designer and founder of Lewis Miller Design out of New York City. His client list includes...

Andy really hopes that you will embark on a journey through the vibrant world of public speaking with returning guest Christina Matteucci, also known as Teucci Mama. In this lively conversation, Christina, the executive director of David Beahm Experiences, draws on her two decades of global event execution experience. With a theatrical background from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, Christina explores the power and artistry of public speaking. Christina delves into the essence of being a...

Andy hopes that you will join him for this captivating conversation with two prominent lighting designers, Ray Thompson and Jackson Flagg of Images by Lighting in Los Angeles. Images by Lighting boasts an extensive portfolio, having worked on high-profile events with major film studios, award shows, and renowned musical artists. Ray, who Andy has had on the show before, is the co-owner who founded the company in 1982, and he discusses the philosophy of the "choreography of emotion" in...

Andy is so thrilled to welcome Ceci Johnson back to the podcast! The founder of Ceci New York, a globally renowned luxury invitation design agency, Ceci is recognized by Tory Burch and also Anna Wintour of Vogue magazine, as well as numerous others, and is here to share insights into the constant evolution of her business over the past three years. As a creative force, Ceci discusses the importance of staying ahead of the curve and exploring new possibilities, especially post-pandemic. The...

“My proudest moments aren’t only about design. They are about how my clients feel when they see and experience the design.” Listen as Andy and his guest Lisa Vorce discuss Lisa’s love of celebrations, what inspired her to leave corporate America to launch her own business and much more on this episode of The Wedding Biz. Lisa is a world-renowned celebrity event planner, receiving accolades from Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Brides, BizBash, and Martha Stewart, to name a few. She planned several...

Join Andy this week for The Wedding Biz as he interviews returning guest Alejandra Poupel, internationally renowned event planner! Renowned for planning upscale events that cater to a diverse clientele from different cultures and backgrounds, Alejandra of Alejandra Poupel Events shares her unique approach to event planning and the crucial role of cultural knowledge in her work. In addition, Alejandra discusses the lessons learned from the pandemic and the ways it altered her business...

In this exciting episode of The Wedding Biz, Andy engages with the power-duo behind Sophie Felts Floral Design, Sophie Felts, Founder, and Erica Gamble, Partner and President. This dynamic duo, based out of the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, thrives in the high-end design realm, curating stunning floral designs for wedding and event clientele that leaves their clients breathless! The in-person chat uncovers a fascinating journey of Sophie and Erica, including how they got into the floral...

Andy invites you to join this week for a revisit of his 2020 interview with Diane Khoury!! Have you ever heard of a bride planning her own wedding with 500 guests and with no experience in planning an event of any size? Listen as Andy and his guest Diane Khoury discuss how she was able to pull it off and why it was the reason she started her own wedding and event business plus much more on this episode of The Wedding Biz! Diane is a Sydney-based event planner, quickly approaching 400,000...

Andy welcomes you back to The Wedding Biz as he interviews Jamésa Alexander, the Founder of Jayne Heir Weddings & Events, a premier boutique planning agency. Listen in as Jamésa shares insights into her journey, discussing her background in kinesiology and how it shaped her perspective. The conversation delves into her approach to event planning, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and creating a personalized experience for each couple. Jamésa also reveals her strategies for...

Andy is so thrilled to welcome someone he has known for a while but is a first-time guest on The Wedding Biz - Laura Ritchie, a seasoned luxury wedding planner and founder of Grit & Grace based in Washington, D.C.! With fifteen years of industry experience, Laura shares her journey from a fashion major to venturing into hotel and catering roles before making the bold transition to entrepreneurship. The conversation delves into the essence of true luxury in wedding planning, emphasizing...

In today’s episode of The Wedding Biz, Andy is excited to welcome John Emmanuel. John is the premier floral designer out of Sydney, Australia. He is best known for creating exquisite grand scale floral installations, and whatever he creates has a stunning element of luxury. A known leader in his market, John has worked alongside many high profile Australian wedding planners in continuous collaboration with some of Sydney’s most luxurious events. He also hosts “The John Emmanuel Luxury Wedding...

In this captivating episode of The Wedding Biz, join Andy as he dives into an enlightening conversation with Brooke Keegan, the esteemed owner and creative director of Brooke Keegan Special Events. Known for her exceptional expertise in crafting one-of-a-kind, multi-day destination weddings, Brooke has been acknowledged as a top event planner by Harper's Bazaar and Brides magazine. Listen in as Brooke provides an inside look at the challenges and successes associated with her specialized...

In this episode of the show, Andy welcomes back celebrity fashion stylist and bestselling author Micaela Erlanger! Micaela, who has styled renowned personalities like Lupita Nyong'o, and Jennifer Hudson, shares her insights into the world of high-profile styling and how it intersects with the wedding industry. Micaela discusses the importance of storytelling through image, emphasizing the role of stylists as key players in the wedding planning process. She provides valuable advice to wedding...

Today’s guest believes “that flowers speak for themselves.” Rob Van Helden discusses what he means by "perfect simplicity”; starting a business out of the back of a car with his sister Patrice; how, through word of mouth, they were able to grow; and much more on this episode of The Wedding Biz! Rob is the owner of Rob Van Helden Floral Design Limited out of London. His previous clientele includes Nelson Mandela, Joe Malone, Elton John, the Beckham’s World Cup party, Alfred Dunhill and James...

Andy hopes that you will join him today as he chats with recurring guest Laurie Arons of Laurie Arons Special Events which she founded nearly three decades ago in 1994. Laurie has become a staple in the industry, working with high-profile clients like Sofia Coppola, Vanessa Getty, and Christy Turlington. In this candid conversation, Laurie shares insights into her experiences navigating the wedding industry, especially during the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Reflecting on the...

Andy is so thrilled to welcome first-time guest Jen Gould of Jen Gould Events to the show this week! Jen's journey in the event industry began when her mother, Diana Gould, established the company nearly fifty years ago, making them pioneers in the evolving world of professional event design. Listen in as this episode delves into Jen's unique approach to event design, blending cutting-edge elements like acrylic fabrication, graphic design, large-scale set design, and digital technology....