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Weddings For Real is a top-rated wedding industry podcast packed with expert tips, actionable strategies, and relatable stories. For over 6 years, we've interviewed the leading voices in the wedding industry, covering everything from client experience and team building to social media, SEO, branding, and the real-life lessons learned as an entrepreneur. With over 280 episodes and 250+ 5-star reviews, we guarantee you’ll find the insights you need to grow your wedding business and thrive.

wedding industry podcast
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280+ Episodes

5 star reviews

Over 250+ five star reviews

Podcast downloads

350,000 Downloads

POPULAR EPISODES:

290

10 Life Hacks for Squirrel Brain Entrepreneurs


239

219

279

What You Need To Know About Growth + Burnout (Part 1)


Use This Strategy For Standing Out In A Crowded Market


5 Truths Every Business Owner Needs To Hear

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Megan Gillikin Megan Gillikin

249. 4 Referral-Boosting Relationship Strategies for Wedding Pros

After 12 years as a wedding planner, I can say this with deep conviction. The number one way I built my business from unknown and scrappy to respected, referred and booked out year after year - was from referrals. These referrals were what allowed me to be able to hire team members, raise our rates and eventually sell my business last year so I could focus full time on education and support for wedding pros. When I sold, we were charging premium pricing, we had venue partnerships with a few high end venues in my market and we paid zero dollars a year for advertising.

I want to share some of my top strategies with you today to help you lean into this area in your own business.

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Megan Gillikin Megan Gillikin

248. Messaging Matters: Exclusive Insights from Luxury Wedding PR Expert Natalie Denyse

Over the years, I've had countless conversations with wedding pros about the constant challenge of nailing down their business messaging and how they are perceived in their market. While the landscape of marketing as a whole has evolved, the core issues remain unchanged.

Well today, we’re in some pretty good company, as public relations expert Natalie Denyse is on to share how she’s guiding her clients through these challenges.

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Megan Gillikin Megan Gillikin

246. Hot Takes on Tech and AI for Wedding Pros, with Dawn Richardson

It's time for some more hot takes, this time with the Tech Savvy Creative, and all about the latest tech and AI trends in our industry. We’ll be answering questions like:

Is AI all it’s cracked up to be?

What apps are overrated, and what apps are overlooked?

And maybe most importantly, what happens when dozens of people recommend hundreds of different apps and it all becomes overwhelming? Where do you even start?!?!

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Megan Gillikin Megan Gillikin

245. Unraveling, with Michelle Norwood

The Unraveling series, where amazing and inspiring entrepreneurs share the unraveling of old habits and mindset that holds us back, and the rebirth of new. Today we feature Michelle Norwood, New Orleans based international event planner. Michelle has been featured in Vogue, the New York Times, Martha Stewart Weddings, and BRIDES magazine, and she makes it look simple taking only 6 to 8 weddings a year. But as you'll hear, her journey has been anything but easy.

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Megan Gillikin Megan Gillikin

244. BTS of My Industry Educators' Retreat

Recently one of small-group coaching students said to me, "Megan, when I think about you and other educators, it's like you're floating by on this deluxe yacht, living the life. You're all 'Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous,' sipping champagne and getting fed grapes. And here I am, clinging to a capsizing dinghy with a single oar, just praying a tidal wave of new to dos doesn’t come out of nowhere."

Fun imagery, but spoiler alert, there is no yacht. Sure, the boat might look bigger from a distance, but let me tell you—it's got its fair share of leaks, unruly crew members, and navigational snafus. So today, let's hop on my so-called "yacht" as we go behind the scenes of a recent coaches retreat. 

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Megan Gillikin Megan Gillikin

243. How this Photographer Made $9M in Digital Downloads

We’re diving into all things digital downloads - ways to monetize your knowledge while you dream about ways to spend your new income. And the person we’re talking to? With over $9M in digital download sales, Molly Keyser is pretty legit.

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Megan Gillikin Megan Gillikin

242. Expert Advice: Stepping into Education in the Wedding Industry, with Laylee Emadi

Have I ever told you about the required public speaking class I put off until my last semester of undergrad? I was shaky nervous, and the speech on how to make a latte? It didn't go so well. I've evolved since then, but I still get nervous every time I get on stage. Maybe you're in the same boat, or you want to know how to tiptoe into public speaking.

So today, we're bringing on an expert, as we dive into public speaking and stepping into education within our industry. We'll tackle common fears, help you decide what might be your area of expertise when it comes to being an educator, and reveal how to make your message resonate.

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