In this special year-end episode of Mind Your Wedding Business, Kevin is joined by a very special guest—his daughter, Rian, who steps into the host seat to interview him about the year that was. Together, they look back on 2025, revisiting standout episodes, memorable guests, and the biggest lessons that shaped the podcast over the past year.

Through Rian’s thoughtful and playful questions, Kevin reflects on what he learned from conversations around leadership, technology, contracts, boundaries, networking, and celebrating wins in an industry that rarely slows down. They also talk about why continuous learning matters, how podcasting has impacted Kevin’s own business, and what it takes to keep growing without getting stuck in the same patterns year after year.

As they look ahead to 2026, the episode closes with a focus on gratitude, growth, and the importance of community—plus a reminder that making space to celebrate progress is just as important as chasing the next goal.

Highlights:

1. Reflecting on a year of growth for Mind Your Wedding Business
2. Favorite episodes and guest conversations from 2025
3. Lessons learned about leadership, boundaries, and contracts
4. The role of technology and AI in modern wedding businesses
5. Why celebrating wins matters in a fast-paced industry
6. Networking, education, and long-term relationship building
7. What Kevin is most proud of from the past year
8. Looking ahead to new guests, growth, and community in 2026
9. Why curiosity and continuous learning are essential for business owners
10. A heartfelt reminder to pause, reflect, and appreciate the journey

Thank you everyone for another amazing year of podcasting! We'll see you back in 2026!

Connect with Kevin:

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Fantasy Sound

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All right, folks, welcome to the last episode of Mind Your Wedding Business for 2025. I have a very special guest with me today, Ryan Dennis. She's here. You know, she's my daughter, but she always loves, she wants to be on the podcast. So she's been on our other podcast, which is Now That I'm Engaged, How To Get Married. As a guest, we interviewed her and she helped us with what kids would want to see at weddings, but...

Good, how are you?

We're gonna go through some of the episodes. Ryan's gonna ask me questions and I'll be jumping around. So Ryan, do you wanna start asking questions and go from there?

Sure. What was your favorite episode to record this year?

Ooh, my favorite episode to record this year. I would say, I have a couple, I would say. I really enjoyed having Terrica on the podcast. It was an honor to have Terrica here. She was talking about identifying your ideal client and like the cheat code to get booked and paid. So which was we all want to get more bookings and get paid. So, but she was talking about like why ideal clients aren't just about budget.

They're about connection or creativity. know, why luxury is more than a buzzword. It's about consistency. ⁓ That was a really amazing one. And then I would say a very special one for me this year is we hit number five zero with podcasts. And then I asked my sister, Megan Ely, to come and be my guest for a very special 50th episode. So.

And we were talking about how wedding pros can make the most of wedding MBA. And it was just before we all went to Vegas for the wedding MBA. So those were some of my. There were so many favorites. They're like children. You all are my favorite. But those are two that I remember off the top.

Was there a moment where you thought, wow, I learned something new?

Ryan, I lost you.

no.

shutting this off

Are you there?

Okay, you're have to ask the question again because I lost you because your AirPods came over to my my computer.

Was there a moment where you thought, wow, I learned something new?

Ooh, something I learned that was new this year. Oh, I was going to say maybe, well, OK, going to Leah Weinberg, we had her, she was episode 34 back in June, and we were talking about client service agreements and legal must-haves and missteps, which I think I learned, you know, like, well.

It was funny because she said, chat GPT shouldn't write your contract. But how to protect yourself from burnout with better boundaries and why your contract needs a clear scope of service. But then the biggest thing I think was the truth about cancellation clauses, addendums, and payment disputes. So there was a bunch of stuff in there that, because we don't like legal and that's all mumbo jumbo for us. We like to be creative in the wedding industry. But Leah, I really appreciate what she had to say.

to bring.

Did people talk more about technology, people, or feelings this year?

You

that's a good question. I think we are all over the place, I'll be honest with you. ⁓ I would say we talked about a little bit about technology. I'm kind of going through all the podcasts right now. Yeah, we did a lot about technology this year. then also we did, ⁓ we talked about a lot about, I think we hit on all three topics, to be honest with you, Ryan. I think we really did. But technology, would say if we really hit

a lot on technology because we had Chloe Gandel on talking about Honey Book and Dubsado. And then Adriana McDermott was talking about blogging, Pinterest. Let's see, tech tools. I did tech tools we talked about. So there was a lot of technology episodes this year. But I think that's where we are with our wedding businesses right now is learning more and more about technology and how we can.

you know, the very famous AI, chat, GPT, all that kind of stuff that's coming into our world more and more.

Okay. Which episode made you laugh the most?

I'm going to say the ones that made me laugh the most probably were the ones that we did. So we were very fortunate. We went live, and we did two live episodes this year in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. And we did them at the Nace Experience Conference. So we had a bunch of different guests that kept running through and telling us about what they're going to be talking about at the conference.

just how things were going in the wedding and event industry at that time. And ⁓ they both were like over an hour long episodes. So they were longer than normal episodes. But I will say they were a lot of fun. We had a lot of laughs. And I really want to shout out to Michelle Stansfield, who's the NACE national president. And I was the, I'm.

Today's my last day with being the ⁓ NACE Foundation president. And actually, today's Michelle's last day, too. But we both were kind co-hosting those. And we had a lot of fun. so anytime ⁓ Michelle and I sit down, it is lots and lots of laughs. So shout out to Michelle Stansfield. Those were a lot of fun. And we really, really did laugh and have a good time.

cool. ⁓ Why is celebrating your wins important?

Ooh, that's a good one. I really think it's really important to celebrate your wins because you got it in the wedding industry. It's go, go, go, go, go. And it's nonstop, I feel like. And we don't ever take the time to celebrate our little wins, whether it's a new design, ⁓ a good team effort on a setup, or you got a new your

Maybe getting into a new venue. You know, you gotta take the time to celebrate the little the little wins that we have throughout the year. I think that's really really important to do. ⁓ but also let me find we talked about ⁓ someone that really talks about and celebrates wins Is let me find his episode bear with me It's anthony

And we're, I have the whole list of everyone's episodes right here. And I'm, let's see, where's Anthony? I saw him right here. So we were talking about heart leadership with Anthony and creating a workplace that people love. And I, I'm going to be honest with you, Anthony Lambados runs the MIBE conference, which is make it better every day. And then he also the, is the owner of Footers Catering out in Colorado, but he's big on heart leadership.

and creating a workplace that people love. And I really think he, in our industry, probably is the best person when it comes to celebrating wins. Like he does such a great job with his employees, and he's really taking the time to create MIBE and really getting it out there. And I think it's really what he's doing is really helping the wedding and event industry right now.

and the catering industry, because a lot of caterers are really following him as well. I really think Anthony is really doing such a great job. And if you don't follow him, one, should do because he's very active on LinkedIn. But you also should be following his M.I.D.E. conference and just really, he sends out a weekly newsletter and it's really empowering all the stuff that he's doing. So I really think Anthony's doing a really great job there.

you want back on the podcast and I hope it's me.

Well, obviously it would be you. We would want you on the podcast all the time if you weren't in fifth grade and going to school nonstop. ⁓ I'll be honest with you, every guest that I had this year I would want on. Obviously, Megan Ealy would be probably my number one because she's my sister and I have to say that. But having Terika on here was such an honor because Terika is such a rock star.

Thank

you

in this industry. Anthony, who we just talked about, did a great job. I would want every single person that I'm going through, everybody's here, and everybody that I talk to, would want back on the podcast. There wasn't one person I talked to that I wouldn't want on the podcast this year, to be honest with you. So we really, really, really, really did a great job with all of that.

⁓ was there an episode you wish everyone would listen to? And I also hope it's this one.

⁓ well, of course it's this one.

I'll say another episode was episode 23 with Chloe Gandall. ⁓ She actually, after we got done with that episode, ⁓ we switched here at my work at Fantasy Sound, because we talked about HoneyBook versus DubSato, and just about having a CRM ⁓ that really maximizes the efficiency and really helps you run your business. And we kind of went back and forth.

through the differences of Dubsado and HoneyBook. And basically, she was kind of going, if you plan a small amount of weddings throughout the year, HoneyBook is probably really good for you. If you're of a high volume with weddings, Dubsado would be the way to go. that was one that I really got a lot out of. And we actually hired her to help us set up our Dubsado. And we're using it here today. But there's so many. I'm trying to think of other episodes that really.

I learned a lot from, let's see, Terika was a good one. ⁓ my friend Julian. ⁓ Julian did a great job of you attract what you show and why your work isn't landing with your clients that you want, about getting the clients that you want and why your Instagram grid might be costing you some dream clients. was a very interesting conversation. And I never thought about that.

you know, like why style shoes don't prove you can handle a real wedding. He really dipped in there and really got into it. And I really enjoyed that one as well. So shout out to my buddy, Julian.

All right, go Ry. A bird?

A of birds just flew by. Like,

yeah, like a bunch of the, just a bunch of random birds. ⁓

What are you most proud of with the podcast this year?

Did I just ask you that or? Did I just ask you that or?

Why don't you do it again? No, no,

just say it again.

was

What are you most proud of with the podcast this year?

Ooh, good question, Ryan. So I would say one is the growth. So we had ⁓ the most episodes we've ever recorded in a year. ⁓ also, the downloads are really getting ⁓ more. We get more and more downloads every week, which is really exciting because in podcasts where all downloads equal are very important, you know, because that helps get more and more people.

That means more and more people are listening to us. I would say the quality of guests that we brought this year to everyone out there, we really did a great job of really bringing the quality of guests out to everyone. So I think those are some of the things I'm really proud of. And I'm really excited to see we have so many people signed up to record episodes of the podcast in January.

So we're going to be coming out of the gates guns a blazing with just episode after episode. You know, cause I'm really excited about that. So good, good stuff on the horizon.

I have two more questions.

Okay, you ask away and then we're gonna jump into our most played episodes.

What are you excited about for next year?

Well, I think what I'm excited about is that, like what I was saying earlier, we have so many people that have signed up to be guests. I have had so many people stop me and say, like when I was at Wedding MBA, hey, I'm listening to your podcast. Hey, ⁓ I want to be a guest on your podcast. So I feel like I have a really good synergy going on right now with Mind Your Wedding Business. And I just.

I enjoy being part of it and learning with everyone as well. it's been, I'm really excited for next year. I think we have a really good thing going right now.

Why do you think? This is the last last question.

Okay, you ask away.

Why do you think this podcast matters?

⁓ that's a good question. I think it matters because it's you don't ever want to be that person that just does the same thing over and over again in your business and hope for the same results. And if you're not that person out there learning, you know, because that's my favorite thing about being the host of this podcast is I'm learning with all the guests. Like I'm learning along with everyone, you know, as as they're learning along.

and I take little nuggets and I take what I learn and apply it to my business. And I think that's why what we do matters is because if you take the time to listen to a podcast, ⁓ you should be listening. If you're a business owner, you should be listening to multiple podcasts. You're taking the time to then really work on your business and grow your business. And I think if you are that person that is doing that, you're going to be successful.

in what you do. And if you are the person that just goes, no, I already know what I'm doing. I don't need to take the time to do it. And I know everything there is to know, then you're not going to be successful. So that's why I think.

What about,

what about in your other podcast? Where do you think that one's in for today?

⁓

well, think so. And what Ryan is referencing is now that I'm engaged, how do we get married, which is our B to C. So that's helping couples plan their wedding. And I think it's just a different audience. And we are there to help people plan their wedding. We're on this podcast, Mind Your Wedding Business. We're here to help business owners be better business owners and learn and grow and make and do more work and make more money and all that kind of stuff. So.

That's why I think we matter. All right, can we jump into our most played episodes real quick, OK, so our most popular episodes this year, if we go here, was Mark Addington. And he talked about how to choose the right networking group for your business. And so Mark is the vice president of the WIPA national board, which I had the pleasure of being the national president for many years. But he.

Really took a good time to talk about networking and as we're jumping into January, know This is the time where people start networking more than they usually do because towards the end of the year people get kind of burnt out on networking which I'm a firm believer you need to do it whether you're burnt out or not you need to be doing it all the time, but I really think it's a really ⁓ He did a really great job of just like, you know, why why do you attend networking events, you know and

the real timeline for seeing results for networking, which I'm a firm believer it doesn't happen overnight. And Mark talked about that as well. And then the power, this is something that people don't think about when they're networking, is the power of being a connector and why it works. So that's really important as well. So I really, ⁓ that was one of our most downloaded episodes. Shout out to Mark, he did a great job, but I really thought, ⁓

And this was our number one episode on ⁓ Spotify, our most downloaded episode on Spotify. But it was Adriana McDermott. She talked about blogging, Pinterest, and why an updated website matters for your wedding business. so she got into the shift to self-research and why couples now prioritize online presence over referrals.

So couples are really looking at your online presence more than they are the referrals. And then she got into Google and SEO and then the essential of ⁓ the ideal. I'm sorry. She got into Google and SEO, the essential tools for researching today's tech savvy couples. She got in the power of Pinterest, which I think a lot of us wedding planners and folks that are in the wedding industry have gotten away from Pinterest a little bit.

And there's a lot of power in there because there's a lot of SEO value in there. The importance of storytelling, having pricing on your website. And this is the one that blew my mind when she got into it was Reddit. How to use Reddit as a market research tool for content ideas. don't go on. The biggest thing I learned from her too on that is don't go on Reddit and start answering questions. They don't want to hear from us. Just you're there to listen and learn.

That was a big one. And then another most requested episode or downloaded episode this year was our friend Sarah Rashan from Emerge Event Collective. She does a great job over there with Emerge, but she came on and her topic was balancing business and boundaries and time management tips. Right. So that's, think, a huge, huge thing right now. So.

It's just, we got to balance these, you know, it's time management. just, there's not enough time in the day to do everything we need to do with all of us in the wedding industry, between family life, business life, you know, everything we do, just even having a little personal time. But it was really, she did a really great job of, you know, practical time blocking strategies at work for real life wedding pros, the power of outsourcing. And she talked about what she hands off first and then.

How do even use tools like ChatGBT to help stream tasks and free up some mental space? mean, she did a really, really great job. And Sarah's such a good person. I really enjoy having her on the podcast as well. Let's see. Let's go. We have a few more of our most popular here. I'm scrolling through. here we go. Nora Coley-Tolk from Engage by Nora. She was focusing.

on the wedding industry or forecasting the wedding industry and what's next for couples and vendors. And so she jumped into Pinterest again. The Pinterest weddings are fading. So she had a different take on Pinterest, but and what TikTok in short form videos mean for the future trend of weddings. But she talked about how guest counts are shrinking and why intimate wedding benefit couples and pros and

⁓ What a true personalization looks like because you know, it's a lot of what our couples want right now is personalization She talked about Gen Z couples and she talked about the role of AI in 3d rendering Which is really important and then she also got into the continual innovation ⁓ Just why you have to innovate and that's the key to surviving it's really really important. So that was a really good episode that was episode 48

And then of course episode 50, the one and only Megan Ely. And then, ⁓ you know, I make fun of Megan a lot, but I do love her so. But ⁓ Megan, that was the one we got in, how to make the most out of Wedding MBA. And it was really, really popular. And we did a really great job of just kind of, you know, I think we gave people some good tips on Wedding MBA. And Wedding MBA I think was one of the more successful. ⁓

Yeah ⁓

I know and those and they're already working on wedding trends for 2027. It just blows my mind. anyway, alright, well, how many how many episodes of Mind Your Wedding Business did you listen to this year, Ryan? All of them?

Serum.

Zero you're gonna listen

Yeah.

you

I mean, I can't thank you enough. You are the ones that really make Mind Your Wedding Business so popular and so fun. And I just also want to thank August, who is on our staff here at Fantasy Sound. She's the one that works behind the scenes and really makes the podcast go. And you're the one, if you're interacting with her on social media, that's where you are. So also, that was another new thing for us this year, is we have Instagram.

So be sure to be out there following Mind Your Wedding Business on Instagram. You can even follow our other podcasts, Another Engage, How Do I Get Married on Instagram. Remember, we're always looking for guests. We always want to hear what you, you know, we want people to come on and share what they know and share their tips. you know, I think the end goal is to just make the wedding industry better when it's all said and done. So do you, as we sign off, Ryan, do you have any New Year's resolutions for next year?

You want to share with everyone in the wedding industry?

If you're guests, if you're helping with the cake, make them get really, really big cakes. Like really big cakes. And a bunch of dessert and food.

so Ryan's all for it. OK, there you go. That's your resolution.