On today’s episode, hosts James and Otto are joined by Britt and Francie from 42 North, a weddings and event planning business. While much of their clientele is in New England, they also plan destination weddings for clients in New York, Chicago, and LA. Britt and Francie share what a wedding planner does, comparing wedding planning to putting on a Broadway production with no rehearsals. They discuss building their venues and creating beautiful yet functional environments, such as mitigating dust with a water truck for a desert wedding. With a crew of up to 200 people and a multi-million-dollar budget, the stakes are high, and they must make big decisions and manage real emotions from clients who have spent over a year planning their special day.

They discuss the skill set needed for making big decisions, recounting a recent wedding on tribal land in New Mexico. After 16 months of planning, a monsoon forced Britt to make a quick decision to change the reception location. They emphasize that just making a decision is better than not making one and highlight the importance of commitment and respect in their role as planners.

Britt and Francie have been in business for 10 years, with evolving roles. Britt manages clients and vendors, while Francie runs Mavinhouse. They started working together without knowing each other and developed a business partnership based on trust and complementary skills. Francie had years of experience, while Britt brought a fresh perspective and an all-in mentality.

Britt and Francie share their excitement for new ideas and the fulfillment of building a business together. Their motivation is not just about weddings but the joy of running a business and staying true to their values. They also stress genuine connections with vendors and coworkers, describing their team as a family that supports each other.

In the service industry, stepping up to serve with gratitude is essential. They trust their partners and value the months of preparation leading to the wedding day. After each wedding, they review what worked well and what can be improved, bringing in team members with complementary skills.

Before wrapping up, Britt and Francie share how they started a blog called “Caramel O’Clock,” where they write to each other once a week, reminiscing about their experiences. The blog, named after their office caramel breaks, reflects their fun and quirky dynamic.

Timestamps:

0:30 - Introduction of guests, Britt and Francie from 42 North.
1:54 - What does a wedding planner do?
6:58 - What is the skill set for making those big decisions in the moment?
11:57 - How do you both work together?
17:09 - In the very beginning, what did you all see in each other?
25:35 - When one of you has an epiphany, does the other go with it or is there back and forth? 35:38 - How does it impact your job when you’re in a more tense vs a more inclusive environment?
45:58 - What are you doing to celebrate each other after 10 years?
49:03 - Thanks to Britt and Francie for joining us today

Links: Learn more about 42 North, Mavinhouse, and Caramel O’Clock.

As photographers and business owners, continuous growth is the name of the game. What gets in the way of this growth are the blindspots we all have. If we’re not booking the weddings we want or showing up the way we want to, curiosity and radical self-honesty are the only way to initiate the change we need.

It’s really hard to assess ourselves, and often that process is brought on by a huge life event. Nothing makes us self-reflect more than a moment of transition in our lives, like the end of a relationship.

For Erik Clausen, the last 18 months have been a season of reflection, growth and transformation and his business has benefitted. How did photography go from hobby, to artform and then to a business? How does the process of self-reflection benefit us as business owners? How do you shine a light on your blindspots?

In this episode, Erik shares the story behind his personal growth and why it’s made him better at what he does.

Want a clear and comprehensive roadmap on how to succeed in the luxury wedding market? Check out the Business of Luxury Weddings course. You’ll learn the entire business model and thought process - so you can sign consistent 5-figure contracts, build a powerful network of the right people, and travel to iconic destinations. Learn more and join the waitlist at SageJourney.co.

Guest Bio

The original ‘Mom with a camera’, Erik shot his first wedding in 2007 and has been traveling the world shooting them since. An artist and a storyteller he lives a creative life, seeking to see everything in a new way as often as possible, using light as his muse and relationships the gateway. For more information, go to www.erikclausen.com and follow @erikclausen on Instagram and find him on Facebook.