Author: James
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Shelby Wax: Inside the Mind of a Wedding Editor – Taste, Timing, and the Stories That Actually Get Published
In this epidsode In this episode, James sits down with writer and contributing editor Shelby Wax for a candid, behind-the-scenes look at how editorial decisions are really made—and why so many beautiful weddings never get featured. What actually makes a wedding publishable? Shelby shares her journey from interning at Martha Stewart Weddings to working Listen…
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Kiran + Leigh: On Taste, Trust & Never Doing the Same Wedding Twice
In this epidsode James and Otto sit down with Natalie Kiran Laskowski and Chelsea Leigh Wenner — the co-founders of Kiran + Leigh, a Texas-based destination wedding studio that has spent five years building one of the most quietly compelling brands in the luxury events world. The conversation covers how they left an established firm…
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Samkoma: How to Build a Brand People Feel, Follow, and Never Forget
In this epidsode James and Otto sit down with Josiah Carr and Justin McGregor, the team behind Samkoma, a creative collective making waves in the luxury wedding and experience design space. With deep roots in nightlife, music, and fashion, Samkoma brings a layered, high-art approach to events—one that centers emotional memory over aesthetics alone. They…
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Kimberley Curtin: The Quiet Power of Trust, Timing, and Unshakable Calm
In this epidsode In the high-stakes world of luxury event planning, there’s often one person quietly orchestrating everything behind the scenes—calm, competent, and in complete control. In this episode, we sit down with Kimberley Curtin, Senior Planner at JZ Events and the right hand to legendary planner Jennifer Zabinski, for a rare and inspiring look…
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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.…