In this episode of The Business of Luxury Weddings Podcast, James and Otto chat with Rosemary Hattenbach of Rosemary Events. Rosemary's journey started in the film industry as a line producer, where she worked with A-list directors. Now, she brings that same level of attention to detail and collaboration to luxury weddings.

Rosemary shares what it takes to succeed in high-end event planning—confidence, experience, and a solid team that’s willing to go the extra mile. She talks about how timelines are key, and how finding the right people who value the process is crucial.

Rosemary also opens up about the importance of kindness and treating your team with respect, from small gestures like snacks on the job to making sure everyone feels valued. For anyone looking to break into the luxury market, she emphasizes patience, preparation, and waiting for the right moment.

It’s a heartfelt, real conversation packed with insights for anyone aiming for excellence in the industry.

In this episode of The Business of Luxury Weddings Podcast, hosts James and Otto sit down with Sneh Diwan of Diwan by Design. Sneh opens up about her journey from studying design and merchandising at the Fashion Institute of Technology to becoming a "timekeeper" in wedding planning, where her love for watches perfectly complements her passion for crafting unforgettable events.

Sneh shares the profound emotional impact of weddings, those rare moments where all the important people in your life come together in one place. She reflects on how high-end weddings create meaningful connections, blending stunning locations with genuine relationships.

Sneh also talks about the critical role of communication and collaboration, likening wedding planning to a team sport where success depends on everyone working together. She recounts a past experience where miscommunication taught her the importance of clear expectations with vendors.

Tune in to hear Sneh’s insights and learn how industry leaders are redefining luxury weddings.

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.