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.

www.cwpsociety.com | info@cwpsociety.com | IG: @cwpsociety | FB: @cwpsociety