Weddings 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—delegated catering oversight, competing design visions, and last-minute ritual requests—and shows how a single-point-of-contact policy, clearly defined roles, and genuine listening turn potential conflict into collaboration. You’ll hear how reframing a single decor element preserved a couple’s one big ask while making a mother proud, and how patient, active listening on a tense call revealed the true concern hiding beneath a list of demands: honoring a simple favor tradition at the right time.

If you’re a wedding planner working with South Asian families—or any event with layered traditions—this conversation gives you practical strategies to reduce friction: involve key family members early, document decisions, adapt to personality types, and connect every choice to what elders value most—respect, hospitality, and meaningful ritual. The result? Events that feel seamless to guests and deeply seen by family.

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Tired 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 the conversation, we map the real costs of inexperience: timelines that slip, communication gaps that stall load-ins, and mistakes that force venues to build in-house teams. Then we connect the solution to clear, teachable fundamentals—pricing by scope and hours, logistics planning, risk management, vendor alignment, and client communication. Crystal explains why education isn’t just for beginners, how seasoned planners benefit from updated frameworks, and what happens when we move from “learn or earn” to “learn while you earn.”

If you’re self-taught, you’ll hear practical mindset shifts to treat your work like the profession it is. If you’re experienced, you’ll find reasons to keep sharpening your craft so your methods match today’s clients and today’s pace. And if you’re brand-new, you’ll learn how to enter the field without undercutting yourself or the industry. Experience gives instincts; education gives structure, confidence, and credibility. Put them together, and you’ll lead with authority, price with clarity, and deliver the kind of weddings vendors are proud to support.

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Ever wonder why some planners seem to leap ahead while others grind for years? We unpack the real advantage behind the scenes: a mentor who listens, challenges, and opens doors. From first weddings full of unknowns to high-stakes productions, we walk through the qualities that separate a true guide from a loud voice—proven experience, integrity, generosity with knowledge, strong listening, access to opportunity, and the emotional intelligence to navigate family dynamics and vendor teams with grace.

We also draw a clear line between healthy guidance and harmful patterns. If your “mentor” shuts down ideas, never replies, nitpicks without solutions, stacks fees without value, or keeps you small to guard their turf, it’s time to walk away. You’ll hear practical ways to structure a mentorship—clear goals, regular touchpoints, defined boundaries, and metrics that track progress across sales, operations, and event-day excellence—so advice turns into momentum.

Along the way, we celebrate the 50th birthday of CWP Society founder and CEO Laurie Hartwell with moving tributes from educators whose careers she’s lifted. Laurie's legacy is more than certifications; it’s a culture of community, education, and collaboration that helps planners grow faster and with more heart. If you’ve felt that tug for a mentor who believes in your potential and a community that has your back, consider this your sign: there’s a place built for exactly that.

Ready to take the next step? Subscribe, share this with a planner friend who needs encouragement, and leave a review with one takeaway you’re going to implement this week. Want mentorship plus a thriving network? Visit CWPSociety.com to learn about certifications and memberships and join us.

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