Author: James
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Amrit Dhillon-Bains: On Belonging, Boundaries, and Becoming Who You Were Meant to Be
In this epidsode James and Otto sit down with Amrit Dhillon-Bains, founder of Anaïs Event Design, for an intimate look at identity, cultural nuance, and the path to becoming a more grounded, powerful creative. Amrit shares her journey as a British-born Indian woman navigating both the luxury event world and deeply personal questions around belonging,…
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Emily Coyne: The Power of Clear Standards, Quiet Confidence, and Luxury that Feels Personal
In this epidsode James and Otto sit down with Emily Coyne—creative director, founder, and force behind Emily Coyne Events—for a masterclass in elegance, leadership, and intentionality. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Known for her elevated simplicity and seamless execution, Emily shares how her team creates weddings that feel effortless, emotionally resonant, and deeply…
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Julian Leaver: Why Good Taste Isn’t Enough—It’s How You Make People Feel
In this epidsode James and Otto sit down with Julian Leaver, a Dallas-based luxury wedding planner and former hotelier, to explore what truly sets high-end experiences apart—and why design alone isn’t enough. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Julian shares how his early career in hospitality shaped his signature approach: one that blends sharp…
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Beth Helmstetter: Designing With Heart—Luxury Hospitality as a Love Language
In this beautifully grounded conversation James and Otto sit down with Beth Helmstetter, founder of Beth Helmstetter Events, for a masterclass in emotionally intelligent event design. Beth doesn’t just create luxurious weddings—she creates spaces that feel like home. Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify She unpacks the philosophy behind her highly sought-after brand: a…
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Chris Jespersen — Big Swings, Bold Moves & The Hidden Cost of Playing Small
In this episode hosts James and Otto sit down with filmmaker and founder of Storybox Cinema, Chris Jespersen, to talk about what most people never say out loud: the risks, identity shifts, and emotional cost behind building something great. Chris opens up about the wild early moments of his career (including flying to Mexico for…
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Dawson Mitchell — From Fired to Thriving – What It Takes to Become Undeniable
In this episode in our second installment in a special series on incredible number twos—James and Otto sit down with Dawson Haynes, Director of Operations at the world-renowned Easton Events, to unpack what it really takes to thrive inside a brand known for precision, polish, and excellence. What does it look like to grow inside…
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Natalie Denyse — Clients Don’t Buy Brands—They Buy Trust
In this episode hosts James and Otto sit down with Natalie Denyse, founder of In Good Company PR, a strategic branding and marketing firm specializing in the luxury hospitality and wedding industry. With over a decade of experience, Natalie has worked with top-tier planners, photographers, and venues to help them craft brands that last, build…
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Preston Utley — Blurred Lines, Messy Love, and Finding the Soul of a Wedding
In this episode hosts James and Otto sit down with Preston Utley, an acclaimed Denver-based destination wedding photographer with a photojournalistic background. With over 15 years in luxury weddings and a deep passion for storytelling, Preston shares how his early career as a newspaper photographer shaped his ability to anticipate moments, blend into the background,…
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Bash Please – Reinventing Weddings & Corporate Events—What Planners Need to Know
In this episode hosts James and Otto sit down with Sunna and Mollie, the powerhouse duo behind Bash Please, a full-service luxury event planning, design, and production firm with studios in San Francisco and Beverly Hills. With over a decade in the industry, they have redefined what it means to create multi-day destination weddings and…
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John Dolan – The Perfect Imperfect
In this episode On today’s episode, hosts James and Otto are joined by guest John Dolan, the legendary wedding photographer who has spent decades redefining what it means to capture life’s most intimate moments. John has a distinct approach to capturing wedding moments authentically, emphasizing individual frames that stand alone as works of art. To…
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Katherine Gray – Michelle Rago Destinations
In this episode hosts James and Otto are joined by Katherine Gray, Senior Event Producer at Michelle Rago Destinations, a globally renowned luxury wedding planning firm. To begin, explains her title as senior event producer, emphasizing the full-time, collaborative nature of her role compared to freelance event producers. Katherine aligns her professional identity with a…
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Bianca Hall & Erica Vanco – Estera Events
In this episode hosts James and Otto are joined by Bianca Hall and Erica Vanco, the powerhouse duo behind Estera Events, a luxury wedding planning and design firm based in Chicago. To begin, they recount their journey to becoming co-owners of Astera Events. In 2010, Erika interned for the original owner, Hillary, while in college.…
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Kelsey Connely – Downey Street Events
In this episode James and Otto are joined by Kelsey Connely, the owner and creative director of Downey Street Events, which is a luxury wedding planning firm. Downey Street Events was started by Lauren Geissler and Emily de Ayora, who met and became best friends in law school. They started the company in 2008 and…
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Melissa Sullivan – Studio Sully
In this episode James and Otto are joined by Melissa Sullivan, the owner and founder of Studio Sully, a design and production firm focused on events that is located in Los Angeles and New York. Melissa had years of professional experience in the wedding and event industry with top designers, and after the tail end…
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Colin Cowie
In this episode James and Otto are joined by Colin Cowie, a renowned figure in the event industry and Founder of Colin Cowie Lifestyle. Colin reflects on how the pandemic led to a surge in demand for events. Many people were unable to celebrate or get married during the pandemic, resulting in an unusually hectic…
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The Fourniers
In this episode James and Otto are joined by Joshua, half of the incredible fine art wedding photographer duo The Fourniers. To begin, Josh shares that he comes from a background in medicine, with a master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Grand Valley State University in Michigan. He recounts how his venture into wedding…