ABC Weddings Unveiled Podcast

What happens when wedding professionals step outside their comfort zones and into one of the most exciting international trade shows in the meetings and events industry?

In this episode of ABC Weddings Unveiled, Association of Bridal Consultants President Veronica Foster welcomes ABC members Tiana Bailey of Tiana Lachelle Weddings and Casey Pittman to share their firsthand experiences attending IBTM Americas 2026 in Mexico City.

From impressive destination exhibits and one-on-one supplier appointments to unexpected business connections, Tiana and Casey reveal how attending this international event expanded their perspectives on destination weddings, corporate events, luxury travel, and professional networking.

You'll hear how Tiana strategically approached her supplier meetings while restructuring her business, how Casey discovered new destinations and resort partnerships, and why both women believe that stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to extraordinary opportunities.

In this episode, we explore:

• What it's really like to attend IBTM Americas as a hosted buyer

• How to prepare for supplier appointments and make meaningful connections

• Discovering new destinations, luxury resorts, and international partners

• How industry events can create new revenue opportunities

• Overcoming imposter syndrome when entering unfamiliar professional spaces

• The importance of following up and building relationships after a conference

• How ABC's international network connects members with opportunities beyond their local markets

Whether you're an experienced destination wedding planner, a travel advisor, or a wedding professional exploring new business opportunities, this conversation will inspire you to think bigger, connect globally, and embrace the possibilities waiting outside your comfort zone.

Learn more about the Association of Bridal Consultants: www.abcweddingplanners.com

Explore IBTM Americas: www.ibtmamericas.com

Subscribe to ABC Weddings Unveiled for conversations about education, business growth, professional development, and the future of the wedding industry.

South Asian weddings are vibrant, meaningful, multi-day celebrations—but for many wedding professionals, they can feel intimidating or misunderstood. In this episode, we sit down with Michele Renee, a South Asian bridal hair and makeup expert with over 20 years in the beauty industry, to talk openly and honestly about culture, inclusion, and what vendors really need to know.

Michele shares her real-world experiences working across North Indian, South Indian, and Pakistani weddings, breaks down common misconceptions, and offers practical guidance for vendors who want to serve South Asian couples with respect and confidence. This episode isn’t about trends—it’s about understanding, education, and showing up the right way.

If you’ve ever wanted to break into South Asian weddings—or simply do better when working within cultures that aren’t your own—this conversation is essential listening.

What has the Association of Bridal Consultants been building behind the scenes—and what's coming next?

In this special mid-year State of ABC episode, ABC President Veronica Foster shares an inside look at the organization's vision, the progress made during the first half of the year, and the exciting initiatives shaping the future of ABC.

Discover how member feedback has influenced new programs, hear about expanding educational opportunities, strategic partnerships, academic outreach, travel initiatives, and plans to strengthen the value of your membership through 2027.

Veronica also highlights the incredible work of ABC's volunteer leadership team, shares what's on the horizon for Wedding Planner Magazine, the ABC Weddings Unveiled podcast, and the Association's continued commitment to education, networking, advocacy, and professional growth.

Whether you're a long-time member or recently joined the ABC community, this episode will help you better understand your member benefits, inspire you to become more involved, and give you a preview of what's next for the world's longest-standing professional association for wedding professionals.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• How member feedback is shaping the future of ABC
• Membership benefits you may not be taking full advantage of
• New education, certifications, and networking opportunities
• The vision behind upcoming partnerships and industry initiatives
• Ways you can become more involved and maximize your membership
• What to expect from ABC through the end of 2027

The future of ABC is brighter than ever—and we'd love for you to be part of it.

If you've ever felt like there aren't enough hours in the day, this episode is for you.

Wedding professionals are masters at managing timelines for clients—but often struggle to manage their own time, priorities, and businesses. This week on ABC Weddings Unveiled, we sit down with productivity strategist and business systems expert Colleen Carswell, founder of Structured to Scale.

Colleen helps entrepreneurs escape the cycle of overwhelm by creating systems, workflows, and habits that increase productivity without sacrificing personal well-being. In this episode, she shares practical strategies for managing time effectively, eliminating bottlenecks, and building a business that supports your life—not consumes it.

Whether you're a solo planner, venue owner, florist, or event designer, you'll walk away with actionable tools to reclaim your time and scale with confidence.

In this episode of ABC Weddings Unveiled, we sit down with entrepreneur and event industry educator Ekima Smith, founder of EDCAC and The Five Collective. With a background in finance and accounting for major corporations like CITI Group, LBrands, and Nationwide Insurance, Ekima brings a unique perspective to the event industry—helping creatives understand the business behind the beauty.

We discuss pricing strategies, budgeting, cash flow management, leadership in the wedding industry, and why understanding your numbers is essential for long-term success. Ekima also shares how creatives can build profitable businesses without sacrificing their artistic passion.

Whether you're a wedding planner, designer, venue owner, or creative entrepreneur, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you grow sustainably and confidently.

Weddings are built on beautiful details—but what happens when something goes wrong?

In this episode, we’re diving into the side of weddings that no one wants to think about—but every professional needs to understand risk, liability, and protection. Natalie Rainey from The Event Helper joins us to break down real-world wedding disasters, what could have been prevented, and how event insurance plays a critical role in protecting couples, planners, and vendors.

From unexpected accidents to last-minute chaos, this episode will change the way you think about planning—and help you protect your clients, your business, and your peace of mind.

ABC Weddings Unveiled Live: My First Sandals Group Contract with Casey Pittman

In this special live-recorded episode of ABC Weddings Unveiled, we sit down with wedding planner and travel advisor Casey Pittman, PWP, as she shares her real-life experience booking her very first Sandals group contract.

From taking a leap of faith and transitioning from a full-time career into the wedding and travel industry, to navigating the complexities of group bookings, Casey offers an honest and insightful look at what it truly takes to step into destination wedding sales. She pulls back the curtain on the fears, challenges, and “baptism by fire” moments that come with managing a group contract for the first time—and how she turned that experience into a profitable and confidence-building milestone.

Listeners will gain valuable takeaways on:

• How to move from “I think I can do this” to confidently executing your first group booking
• What to expect when working with Sandals group contracts
• Lessons learned from real challenges and how to overcome them
• The importance of mindset, preparation, and continuous learning in growing your business

Whether you’re a wedding planner looking to expand into destination weddings or a travel advisor ready to take on your first group, this episode delivers both inspiration and practical guidance to help you take that next step.

Michele Fox Gott has spent over two decades producing some of the most iconic, globally recognized weddings and celebrity events in the world. As the founder of Center of Attention Events and the creator of Luxury Wedding Escapes, Michele is redefining how destination weddings are planned—and experienced.

In this episode, we explore leadership in the wedding industry, the shift away from remote planning, and why today’s luxury couples are demanding immersive, in-person experiences before they ever say “I do.” Michele shares behind-the-scenes insight from celebrity weddings, destination trends, and what wedding professionals must do now to stay relevant in an experience-driven market.

This is a must-listen for planners ready to evolve, differentiate, and lead the future of destination weddings.