Refine For Wedding Planners with Amber Anderson: Recent Episodes
Amber Anderson
Welcome to your new favorite lunch break binge, the Refine for Wedding Planners Podcast. A no BS zone, where Wedding Planners come to be encouraged and challenged with loads of radical honesty, tough love, and actionable ideas!
In this episode of the Refine podcast, we are talking about the entrance of Gen Z to the party.
We'll cover:
- Current behaviors
- Things they value
- How they view leadership and trust
Ways to adapt and things we need to accept If needing added support, be sure to check out my Client Management Kit in the Refine Shop!
I'm not really sure how wedding planners got stuck in the middle of the insurance fight, but spoiler: it's not a planner's job to enforce a venue's policy. In this quick 6-minute episode, we'll talk about:
- The tension this creates Everyone's responsibility for enforcing their own policies
- A planner's responsibility to facilitate and organize
- Ways to approach this request
- And the follow-up process... which again is... the venue's responsibility
- Why insurance is imperative, no matter the category, and the right a venue has to require it
If you’re a Wedding Planner, I’d love to have you in my mentorship program, The Refine Collective! Thanks for listening! Be sure to like and review or take a screenshot to share in your IG stories, tagging @refineforweddingplanners for a chance to win free stuff!
There are some strong opinions about there regarding the pros and cons of working with a Wedding Planner! In this 15-minute episode, we'll talk about:
- Why a Wedding Pro may refuse to work with a planner
- How a Wedding Planner should respond
- What Wedding Pros may not understand about Wedding Planners
- How to generally work together in better ways
Thanks for listening! Be sure to like and review or take a screenshot to share in your IG stories, tagging @refineforweddingplanners for a chance to win free stuff!
In this episode of the Refine podcast, I sit down with Carissa Kruse of The Content Club and we talk about automation, customization, being evergreen and so much more with our content.
You can find the Content Club here!
If you’re a Wedding Planner, I’d love to have you in my mentorship program, The Refine Collective!
Thanks for listening! Be sure to like and review or take a screenshot to share in your IG stories, tagging @refineforweddingplanners for a chance to win free stuff!
In this episode of the Refine Podcast, I’ve got a mindset challenge for the Wedding Industry as a whole. I think there is a lot of peer-to-peer trashing that while sometimes is very obvious, is other times something we don't know we're doing but can change! In this episode:
- I'll give an example
- Share why I think this happens
- Ethics around it
- And give ideas for a better way!
If you’re a Wedding Planner, I’d love to have you in my mentorship program, The Refine Collective!
Thanks for listening! Be sure to like and review or take a screenshot to share in your IG stories, tagging @refineforweddingplanners for a chance to win free stuff!
In this episode of the Refine Podcast, we talk about delegation! A love this topic so come listen as I cover:
- A couple of mindset traps
- What to delegate
- Office tasks vs personal tasks
- How some of this pays for itself!
- Ideas for delegating among your team that may not even cost money!
If you’re a Wedding Planner, I’d love to have you in my mentorship program, The Refine Collective!
Thanks for listening! Be sure to like and review or take a screenshot to share in your IG stories, tagging @refineforweddingplanners for a chance to win free stuff!
In this episode of the Refine Podcast, we are going to have a hard conversation about the email delays and general inbox crisis we are in. I'll talk about:
- Why it's happening
- Why you have to suck it up (major nuggets in here y'all!!!)
- What to do about it
- Major mindset shifting
This one is hard. This one is necessary. We can do it!!! But we gotta come together, so share this far and wide!
It can be a challenge when couples want to change the design, menu or shot list over and over throughout planning! In this episode, I'll talk about:
- Ways to limit this
- A contract clause to consider
- A change of order fee to consider
- When to enforce or be flexible regarding your policy
- Specific ways to organize your couples to reduce workload for all
Thanks for listening! Be sure to like and review or take a screenshot to share in your IG stories, tagging @refineforweddingplanners for a chance to win free stuff!
And if you’re a Wedding Planner, I’d love to have you in my mentorship program, The Refine Collective!
There are many ways to manage an indecisive client, but in today's episode of the Refine Podcast, I’ll share one of my favorite hacks for helping couples make decisions! I'll talk about:
- Reducing Options
- When to add more suggestions
- Educating them on what is to come
- Helping them understand what guests perceive
Thanks for listening! Be sure to like and review or take a screenshot to share in your IG stories, tagging @refineforweddingplanners for a chance to win free stuff!
And if you’re a Wedding Planner, I’d love to have you in my mentorship program, The Refine Collective!
In this episode of the Refine Podcast, I’ll walk you through managing the Card and Gift Table!
- Best practices
- Educating the couple and even society as a whole
- Contract terms to consider
- Responding when a couple says something is missing
- General encouragement to you if in the thick of an accusation!
The document I referenced was the Wedding Day Checklist and can be found on my website as the pop-up offer!
Thanks for listening! Be sure to like and review or take a screenshot to share in your IG stories, tagging @refineforweddingplanners for a chance to win free stuff!
And if you’re a Wedding Planner, I’d love to have you in my mentorship program, The Refine Collective!
In this episode of the Refine Podcast, we're talking about ways a business owner can support their staff when they are working with a hard client!
We'll chat about:
- Prevention
- Encouragement and Support
- My main hack!
- Post-Event Reflection
- Resources
To find the resources I mentioned:
Contract Vault
Refine Shop
Be sure to like, share and review! Thanks for listening.
In today's episode, I have special guest Renee Dalo joining me to talk about our 5th Annual Welcome to Wedding MBA Mixer and our 2nd Annual Conference Confident! Can't wait to see you in Vegas!
Learn more about our Monday Night Mixer at Maggiano's and Conference Confident here!
Thanks for listening! Be sure to like and review or take a screenshot to share in your IG stories, tagging @refineforweddingplanners and @reneedalo!
In this episode of the Refine Podcast, I hope to have an honest conversation with venues! We'll talk about: Publicized capacity limits Inclement weather Being more clear on the differences between Venue Managers and In-House Coordination Taking commission from Caterers Thanks for listening! Be sure to like and review or take a screenshot to share in your IG stories, tagging @refineforweddingplanners for a chance to win free stuff!
In this episode of the Refine Podcast, I'm sharing all you need to know about finding and working with a mentor.
We'll talk about:
- The value
- How to know if you need a mentor
- Good vs Bad mentorship
- Pros and cons of local vs online/distance
- Formats: small group, large group, 1:1
- Pros and cons of a mentor in your industry vs another industry
- Finding a mentor Asking someone to be your mentor
- The cost
If you're a Wedding Planner, I'd love to have you in my mentorship program, The Refine Collective!
Thanks for listening! Be sure to like and review or take a screenshot to share in your IG stories, tagging @refineforweddingplanners for a chance to win free stuff!
In this episode of the Refine Podcast, I'm sharing some things you need to consider when organizing or participating in a styled shoot. In this chat, I cover:
- Why you might consider a styled shoot
- The difference between Editorial and Real Wedding
- Budget
- Timeline
- Efficiency
- Contract and ramifications
- Asking peers to participate
Be sure to check out Margaux Fraise's Styled Shoot Course to learn more and get deeper!
Thanks for listening! Be sure to like and review or take a screenshot to share in your IG stories, tagging @refineforweddingplanners for a chance to win free stuff!
In this episode of the Refine Podcast, I’m sharing some ideas for becoming known in your market:
- A unique idea for small talk while networking
- The kinds of relationships you build in normal networking environments
- The kinds you can create by taking it a step further
- How to take it a step further
- A movement called #TogetherWeRefine that I've just launched!
Thanks for listening! Be sure to like and review or take a screenshot to share in your IG stories, tagging @refineforweddingplanners for a chance to win free stuff!
In this ultra-short episode of the Refine Podcast, I share a super quick hack for reducing client complaints following the wedding. Thanks for listening! Be sure to like and review or take a screenshot to share in your IG stories, tagging @refineforweddingplanners for a chance to win free stuff!
In this episode of the Refine Podcast, I'm sharing some pros and cons of working with parents. In this chat, I cover:
- Why some people love it, why others don't
- The complicating factors
- Things to consider or re-consider
- How to navigate if choosing to work with parents
- If not choosing to work with parents, how to avoid it!
Thanks for listening! Be sure to like and review or take a screenshot to share in your IG stories, tagging @refineforweddingplanners for a chance to win free stuff!
In this episode, I’ve got a “hot take” ego buster for ya on ideal clients.
In our chat, I cover:
- A behavior I’ve observed
- A challenge to you
- What you can learn from losing a sale
Thanks for listening! Be sure to share, like, and follow! @refineforweddingplanners. Have a great day Refiners!
In this episode, I talk about protecting your mental health if or when asking clients for feedback. We cover the following in our chat:
- Being our own worst critic
- Who and where to get feedback from
- Challenging ourselves
- Setting clients up for leaving constructive feedback
Take a look at today's freebie, Destigmatizing Brain Health. Thanks for listening! Be sure to share, like, and follow!
In this episode, I talk about finding support when you’re significant other or circle of people aren’t supportive of your career! We cover the following in our chat:
- What it looks like when you’re not being supported
- Reasons this can happen
- First steps for communicating your needs
- Finding support where you can
- Affirmations and checkpoints
For more support, join the Refine Collective here! Thanks for listening! Be sure to share, like, and follow! @refineforweddingplanners
In this episode, I talk about taking personal, buddies, or group time to turn off all the distractions and get as much done as you can! We cover the following in our chat:
- What is a Workcation
- Where to do one
- How to structure it: Alone? With someone? With a group?
- Avoiding distractions
If interested in attending a group Workcation with Refine, check out our options here! Thanks for listening! Be sure to share, like, and follow!
In this episode, I share my hack for managing the overwhelm you feel when someone asks for time on your calendar. I talk about:
- Stacking
- Color Coding
- Responses
- Defensively monitoring the days and weeks surrounding each request
- Taking control of your schedule
Don't forget to like, share and review the Refine Podcast for Wedding Planners!
In this episode of Refine for Wedding Planners, I’m chatting with Joe Rogers, a fellow Refiner and seasoned event & wedding planner, all about working with influencers and celebrities.
We cover the following in our chat:
- What it's like to work with influencers (quirks and all)
- How to handle the billing & branding
- A mindset shift about what and who are influencers
- Handling NDAs and privacy - what do you do when you can't share photos of the event
- When should you work for less
- Tips for planning higher profile events
You can find Joe at Contagious Events at https://contagiousevents.net/ and on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/contagiousevents/) Find this episode helpful? Remember to like, share and review. Please share it in your IG stories and leave me a review so others find our golden truth. Thanks for listening!
Our industry has had some really fantastic conversations about inclusion and diversity over the last couple of years. We still have a lot of work to do, and in this episode, I want to highlight a few overlooked areas. In this conversation, we talk about:
- Not taking away from the broader issues of race and orientation
- Being more aware about general needs that others have
- Areas to consider
- A note about mental health
I also ask what you would add to the list! So please like, love and share. Tag me on Instagram and let me know what other things you think fall through the cracks so we can keep the conversations going.
In this episode, we cover the general nuances of working for less or for free. I talk about:
- Why someone might work for less or for free
- Understanding your value
- When is it okay to work for less or for free
- Having boundaries when working for less or for free
Check out the Wedding Planning Process Kit and more templates at the Refine Shop.
Thanks for listening! Be sure to share, like and follow!
In this episode, I talk about the process of re-onboarding our postponed clients.
I cover the nuance of lacking energy and motivation during the planning process. I also share the things I've tried as I get back into as well. This is new for all of us and I'm not claiming to have figured it out, but I do want to start the conversation!
Thanks for listening! Be sure to share, like and follow.
In this episode, I talk all about working in shifts during the wedding day.
We cover the following in our chat:
-What I even mean by this -How I got started -Shift timing -Properly staffing -Benefits and “selling” it to your clients -Risks and pushback
Grab your Wedding Planning Process Kit and more at the Refine Shop!
Thanks for listening! Be sure to share, like and follow.
In this episode, I talk about the process of firing clients.
We cover the following in our chat: • Why you might need to fire someone • Trying to avoid it • How to do it • Handling the fallout
Resources from this episode:
- Check out our email template kits here!
- Listen to Episode 06: Worst Response to a Bad Review
Thanks for listening! Be sure to share, like and follow!
In this episode, I talk about naughty clients and how to redirect them.
We cover the following in our chat:
• Contracted clients • Non-planning partners that invade our inbox (their moms) • Giving benefit of the doubt • Initial redirection and education, all the way to firing them • What to say and how • And most importantly, how to prevent them in the first place!
Resources from this episode:
- Check out our email template kits here!
- Episode 06: Worst Response to a Bad Review
Thanks for listening. Be sure to share, like and follow!
In this episode, I have guest Lauren Chumbley sharing her experience with Partial Planning.
We cover the following in our chat:
- The nuances and grey areas of Partial Planning
- Best practices
- Maintaining boundaries
- How it’s a great upsell option and can be a major cash driver for your business
- Staffing it among your team
Thanks for listening! Be sure to share, like and follow! You can find Lauren at @eclipseeventco on Instagram and at https://www.eclipseeventco.com/home.
In this episode, I talk about Family Assistants and how they can benefit not only your personal life, but your business too!
We cover the following in our chat:
• What a Family Assistant does • The cost and how to afford one (spoiler: they actually offset their cost in many ways) • How to find one • Why Family Assistants aren’t reserved for the rich and famous and should be widely accepted and accessible in today’s America. • And other FAQs such as: is it weird to have someone in your home?
Thanks for listening! Be sure to share, like and follow!
In this episode, I talk about starting a family and navigating pregnancy + maternity leave. This is the longest episode we’ve ever had, but still under an hour. This is a very sensitive topic, with a lot of emotions involved and I recognize that we can all come to the table with differing viewpoints. I do share a lot of hard pills to swallow, but it's my experience that these talking points can change someone’s life so I’d rather us get a little uncomfortable than risk the downfalls of sugar coating in this area.
We cover the following in our chat:
- To plan or not plan around busy season
- Telling your clients and vendor partners
- Sales and Tradeshows
- Responding to questions and concerns
- Having a plan in place for emergencies while pregnant, near due date and post partum
- Maternity leave
- The wedding day itself
- And last but not least, we talk about hormones, vaginas and all the real stuff
Thanks for listening! Be sure to share, like and follow! Remember, your story can be someone else’s survival guide! These are the things women need to be talking about together.
In this episode, I’m talking about the needs of pregnant or nursing/pumping wedding pros and guests. This episode is for any and all serving in the events industry, as these are things we all encounter and can do to better in our industry.
We cover the following in our chat:
- Spatial considerations
- Timeline considerations
- General education on typically misinformed or misunderstood angles to this conversation
- Headspace support
Thanks for listening! Be sure to share, like and follow!
In this episode, I’m talking with my dear friend, Cassie Crudo, about the conflicting balance of going through a divorce while planning weddings for others.
We cover the following in our chat:
- Cassie's story as a wedding planner experiencing loss through divorce
- Her self care tips and tactics
- Talking to your team, clients and other wedding pros about it
- How community over competition plays a large role in helping us navigate hard times
This is a hard topic that isn't talked about near enough. To help those struggling, especially those in silence, would you be so kind to share?
You can find Cassie at Bride's Best Friend (@bbfaustin) on Instagram or on her website.
Thanks for listening!
In this episode, we talk about the importance of couples doing their part in their planning process and that it’s okay for you to train and hold them accountable to that.
We cover the following in our chat:
- Communicating deadlines and consequences for missing them
- Incorporating contract reminders into your process
- How phase-based planning reduces overwhelm
- How being consistent, yet making space for humanity is important
The resources referenced in this episode can be found in the Refine Shop - www.refineforweddingplanners.com/refine-shop
Find this episode helpful? Please share it in your IG stories, tagging me, and leave me a review so others find our golden truth.
Thanks for listening!
In this episode, I want to briefly touch on knowing before buying. I often find that consumers are feeling burned by products or courses they’ve bought in the past.
We cover the following in our chat:
- What to look for in an educator
- What to look for in their community
- The importance of truly reading all of the marketing material
- Understanding what you actually need
- Questions to ask other buyers
Find this episode helpful? Please share it in your IG stories, tagging me, and leave me a review so others find our golden truth.
Thanks for listening!
In this episode, I want to help bridge some gaps between planners and wedding pros in general that I think cause the “bridezilla” moments along the way.
We cover the following in our chat:
- That I don’t like the term “bridezilla”
- The duplicative nature of our systems and processes, which cause more work and end in stress for couples
- Ways we can work better together
Find this episode helpful? Please share it in your IG stories, tagging me, and leave me a review so others find our golden truth. Thanks for listening!
In this episode, I’m hitting us hard with things we should reassess in our own consumer behavior.
We cover the following in our chat:
- Two central things I'm noticing in our behavior - That humans make mistakes, it's the pattern we want to avoid - A list of things we should reconsider doing
To access my email templates, head here!
Find this episode helpful? Please share it in your IG stories, tagging me, and leave me a review so others find our golden truth. Thanks for listening!
In this episode of Refine for Wedding Planners, I’m walking you through the importance of creating an email sequence for your couples in the sales process.
We cover the following in our chat:
- Why you need to create this email sequence
- What type of content should be included in these emails
- How to make them unique to you
- Which email platforms to use
Feel free to tag me on Instagram or email me at hello@refineforweddingplanners.com
Find this episode helpful? Remember to like, share and review. Please share it in your IG stories and leave me a review so others find our golden truth.
Thanks for listening!
In this episode of Refine for Wedding Planners, I am covering wedding pro collaboration!
We cover the following in our chat:
- Be the consumer you want to attract.
- Be mindful of value and proper education / language around this.
- How to ask for collaborations.
- How to say no to collaborations.
Find this episode helpful? Please share it in your IG stories and leave me a review so others find our golden truth.
Thanks for listening!
In this episode of Refine for Wedding Planners, we are discussing working with people we know, whether this is a good idea and things to consider if doing it!
We cover the following in our chat:
- My experience in planning for those I know.
- General outcomes that are commonly reported as happening
- Things to have in place if choosing to do these
Find this episode helpful? Remember to like, share and review. Please share it in your IG stories and leave me a review so others find our golden truth.
Thanks for listening!
In this episode of Refine for Wedding Planners, I’m chatting with Alyssa Glorioso, a new Refiner, but a seasoned wedding & event planner.
We cover the following in our chat:
- How her logistics background makes here a great planner
- Why taking on a side gig helped grow her own biz
- Who helped her discover Refine
- Her mixed feelings on the new conversations in social media this year
- The importance of respect in Facebook groups
You can find Alyssa at Glorious Weddings & Events https://gloriousweddings.co/ and on Instagram
Find this episode helpful? Remember to like, share and review.
Please share it in your IG stories and leave me a review so others find our golden truth. Thanks for listening!
In this episode of Refine for Wedding Planners, I'm sharing how to respond to all those coffee date requests you get from wedding vendors seeking to be on your preferred list!
We cover the following in our chat:
- My email response
- The hidden tab on our website, outlining our process for meeting vendors: heavenlydayevents.com/vendor-connections
This is a topic that needs evolution in our industry!
Be sure to like, share and leave a review.
In this episode of Refine for Wedding Planners, I'm sharing in full detail everything you need to know about the Refine Collective! We cover the following in our chat: · What is it? · Who is it for? · What's inside? · How much does it cost? · What's the difference between the FREE Refine group and the Collective? I've got your answers to all of this and more!
To join, find us here!
In this episode of Refine for Wedding Planners, I’m chatting with Diana Warner, long time Refiner and real-life friend. We met in Vegas at Wedding MBA in 2019! We cover the following in our chat:
- Wedding Management
- Why Refine stands out to Diana in relation to all the options out there
- The value of community with just wedding planners
- The value in not complaining about other vendor categories or clients
- Humbling ourselves to evolve in our responses to things
- Diana’s favorite Refine templates and how she uses them + receives praise for them
Find this episode helpful? Please share it in your IG stories and leave me a review so others find our golden truth. Thanks for listening! You can find Diana at https://www.eventistrybydiana.com/ and as @eventistrybydiana on Instagram.
In this episode of Refine for Wedding Planners, I am giving insight on how to respond to bad reviews. We cover the following in our chat: • The importance of responding to all reviews. • A simple and easy response formula for a bad review. • How NOT to respond. • Why couples sometimes write bad reviews a long time after the event. • One way to avoid bad reviews in the first place.
Find this episode helpful? Please share it in your IG stories and leave me a review so others find our golden truth. Thanks for listening!
In this episode of Refine for Wedding Planners, I am giving the inside scoop on 1:1 Coaching and why it's hard to find sometimes. We cover the following in our chat:
- The difference in coaching session types: pick your brain vs prepared and strategic
- The cost
- Why it's not sustainable for a coach
- Other helpful options
Find this episode helpful? Please share it in your IG stories and leave me a review so others find our golden truth. Thanks for listening!
In this episode of Refine for Wedding Planners, lawyer Braden Drake is joining me to talk about taxes, cash flow, legal entities and more! We cover the following in our chat:
- The difference in coaching session types: pick your brain vs prepared and strategic
- The cost
- Why it's not sustainable for a coach
- Other helpful options
Find this episode helpful? Please share it in your IG stories and leave me a review so others find our golden truth. Thanks for listening! Find Braden here:
- Webinar: https://bit.ly/BradenWebinar
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradenadamdrake/
- Unf*ck Your Biz - The Book: https://www.bradendrake.com/book
In this Refiner Tell All, Melissa Brown shares how she stays organized in large Facebook groups, how she was burned by other educators, and how Refine has catapulted her growth. We cover the following in our chat:
- Importance of guest experience and guiding our couples through developing that.
- Tips for staying organized in large FB groups like Refine.
- Bad experience buying content from big industry names, and feeling relieved when finding that Refine content is high quality.
- Value of the Refine Collective (smaller membership group)
- Value in inviting your competitors to the Refine community and seeing it as a way to elevate industry standards.
Find this episode helpful? Please share it in your IG stories and leave me a review so others find our golden truth. Thanks for listening!
Want to learn more about Melissa? You can find her here:
- Website: https://sbmeventco.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbmeventco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sbmeventco/
In this episode of Refine for Wedding Planners, I hit a dicey topic: politics. Today, I'm asking the question "do politics belong in our industry?" We cover the following in our chat:
- Facebook is monitoring FB groups for fake news and posting news articles in your groups and cause harm.
- 3 schools of thought on whether politics belong in the industry.
- Personal beliefs vs political beliefs and how they are or are not interconnected.
- Read a Instagram post from Tyler McCall - he expressed that business, in and of itself, is political and why he feels that way.
Find this episode helpful? Please share it in your IG stories and leave me a review so others find our golden truth. Thanks for listening! Sources: https://www.instagram.com/tylerjmccall/
COVID 19 has taken a toll on all of us. As a wedding pro, you're likely doing triple the work and acting as an in-house therapist. I'm here to tell you to stop doing THAT, and do THIS instead.
In this episode of Refine for Wedding Planners, I am giving you permission to have boundaries while loving and serving your clients through COVID.
We cover the following in our chat:
- While you are perfectly capable of offering emotional support, you are not licensed to handle trauma and it's okay to recommend therapists to your couples.
- You are allowed to limit the number of COVID related conversations you have with couples.
- Ways to control the number of conversations and scope creep.
- Your role is to provide the options, and then they need to make the decisions.
- The importance of sustainability and avoiding burnout so you CAN serve your couples well.