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PODCAST

The Business of Luxury Weddings

James x Schulze

A life of true abundance and freedom is within reach. Hosted by James Christianson and Otto Schulze, founders of James x Schulze, named among the top wedding photographers in the world by Harper"s Bazaar and featured in Vogue, the New York Times, and Good Morning America. Each week we talk with luxury wedding professionals who have broken through and built a high-net-worth clientele. Together we share the strategies, success tips, and roadmap to follow. For planners, photographers, and creatives

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All Episodes

55:04

Melina Glavas & Stewart Mann: Inside The Little Nell...

The Business of Luxury Weddings ·

2026/09/22

What does it take to stay at the top for thirty years? Melina Glavas and Stewart Mann lead event sales at The Little Nell, Aspen's only five-star, five-diamond hotel, where weddings happen at eleven thousand feet and Forbes has awarded five stars every year since 1996. In this conversation they join James and Otto to talk about the thing that actually drives it all: relationships. Melina, who has been at the Nell for twenty years, and Stewart, who joined recently and plans never to leave, get honest

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48:23

Haley Paige: Who Am I If I'm Not a Designer?" On...

The Business of Luxury Weddings ·

2026/06/08

What happens when you lose the legal right to use your own name? Wedding dress designer Hayley Paige spent nearly five years, and every dollar she had ever earned, fighting to win back her name and her right to design. In this conversation she joins James and Otto to trace the whole arc: the identity crisis of asking "who am I if I'm not a designer?", the businesses she built in the wilderness years, and the surreal comeback of seeing one of her dresses on a real bride during the Super Bowl

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01:01:56

Shelby Wax: Inside the Mind of a Wedding Editor -...

The Business of Luxury Weddings ·

2026/04/27

In this episode, James sits down with writer and contributing editor Shelby Wax for a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how wedding editorial really works—and what it actually takes to get published. Shelby shares how her path through Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides, and now freelance work shaped her perspective on storytelling, curation, and taste. Together, they unpack what most photographers and planners misunderstand about editorial, why "beautiful" isn't always enough, and how timing, brand

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47:30

Kiran + Leigh: On Taste, Trust & Never Doing the Same...

The Business of Luxury Weddings ·

2026/02/25

Some planners execute a vision. Natalie Kiran Laskowski and Chelsea Leigh Wenner of Kiran + Leigh are the vision. In this episode of The Business of Luxury Weddings, the co-founders of one of the most quietly compelling destination wedding studios in the country sit down with hosts James Christianson and Otto to talk about what it actually takes to build something with taste — and keep it that way. How they left a firm, launched a brand during a pandemic, and decided early on that they would never

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53:13

Samkoma: How to Build a Brand People, Feel, Follow...

The Business of Luxury Weddings ·

2026/01/28

In this episode, James and Otto sit down with the creative minds behind Samkoma—a collective that's redefining what it means to build a brand in the luxury event world. From their roots in nightlife and cultural production to curating experiences for global fashion houses and elite weddings, Samkoma brings an entirely different energy to the table. Josiah and Otto open up about the intentionality behind every decision—the lighting, the sound, the scent, the pacing—and how those details create more

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59:05

Kimberley Curtin: The Quiet Power of Trust, Timing,...

The Business of Luxury Weddings ·

2026/01/08

In this episode, James and Otto sit down with Kimberley Curtin, Senior Event Producer at JZ Events, for a rare and generous conversation about what it really takes to operate at the highest level of luxury event planning. As the right hand to Jennifer Zabinski—one of the most sought-after planners in the world—Kimberley brings an extraordinary combination of calm precision, deep intuition, and flawless execution to every wedding she touches. They talk about the quiet power of being a number two,

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44:14

Kayley Watson: The Art of Connection, Culture, and...

The Business of Luxury Weddings ·

2025/12/16

In this episode, James and Otto sit down with Kayley Watson—Account Director of Celebrations at Belmond—for a journey through the soul of luxury hospitality. With her signature blend of warmth, wit, and unshakable professionalism, Kayley pulls back the curtain on what truly sets Belmond apart: curated experiences rooted in place, culture, and human connection. From designing unforgettable moments across Belmond's legendary global portfolio to nurturing the kind of planner partnerships that last a

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54:52

Amrit Dhillon-Bains: On Belonging, Boundaries, and...

The Business of Luxury Weddings ·

2025/11/14

In this episode, James and Otto sit down with Amrit Dhillon-Bains—founder of Anais Events—for a conversation that goes beyond weddings and deep into identity, resilience, and leadership. Known for her powerful presence and soulfully intentional celebrations, Amrit shares what it's meant to build a globally recognized brand while holding true to her values. From navigating cultural expectations to setting healthy boundaries in a demanding industry, she reflects on how her own journey has shaped the

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55:29

Emily Coyne: The Power of Clear Standards, Quiet...

The Business of Luxury Weddings ·

2025/09/29

In this episode, 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. Known for her elevated simplicity and seamless execution, Emily shares how her team creates weddings that feel effortless, emotionally resonant, and deeply personal—without sacrificing operational precision. From her background in finance to building a high-performing team grounded in trust and clarity, she unpacks

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57:07

Julian Leaver: Why Good Taste Isn’t Enough—It’s How...

The Business of Luxury Weddings ·

2025/07/22

In this episode, James and Otto sit down with Julian Leaver, the celebrated event planner of Julian Leaver Events, former hotelier, and master of gracious hosting, for a conversation that redefines what luxury really means. Julian shares why beautiful design is only the beginning—and how emotional intelligence, anticipation, and warmth create the kind of experiences that guests never forget. With roots in Southern hospitality and a sharp understanding of client psychology, Julian unpacks how he

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09:57

In the Margins: Strength Doesn't Need to Be Loud —...

The Business of Luxury Weddings ·

2025/07/02

In this In the Margins episode, we step into a quiet but powerful moment with Michelle Rago, one of the most respected voices in luxury event production. Michelle opens up about how her childhood shaped her ability to stay grounded under pressure—and how that emotional clarity has become a cornerstone of her leadership. She shares why she no longer feels the need to prove herself, what she looks for in creative collaborators, and how true confidence often arrives quietly, without the need for noise

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49:36

Beth Helmstetter: Designing With Heart—Luxury...

The Business of Luxury Weddings ·

2025/06/16

In this episode, James and Otto sit down with renowned planner and designer, Beth Helmstetter, for a masterclass in emotionally intelligent event design. Known for her deeply intentional, soulfully refined approach to luxury weddings, Beth shares how she’s built a brand rooted not just in aesthetics—but in hospitality, heart, and human connection. From working with ultra-high-net-worth clients to managing teams across multiple ventures (including her gifting company and boutique hotel), Beth

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56:39

Chris Jespersen: Big Swings, Bold Moves & The Hidden...

The Business of Luxury Weddings ·

2025/06/02

What does it really take to thrive in the luxury wedding world—not just creatively, but personally? In this episode, we sit down with Chris Jespersen of Storybox Cinema to unpack the risks, identity shifts, and real growth that come with building a creative life in a high-stakes industry. Chris shares the wild story behind one of his earliest career-defining moments (spoiler: it involved a one-way international flight, no passport, and a suitcase full of dreams), how dancing became a metaphor for

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09:47

In the Margins: These Moments Aren’t for Us — With A...

The Business of Luxury Weddings ·

2025/05/12

What if success in luxury wasn’t about being seen—but about helping others feel seen? In this intimate In the Margins episode, Alicia Fritz—founder of A Day in May Events—pulls back the curtain on what it really means to serve at the highest level. From honoring generational legacy to staying grounded in the presence of extraordinary wealth, Alicia shares how her small-town values built a brand trusted by some of the world’s most private families. She reminds us: these moments aren’t for us. They’re

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53:34

Dawson Mitchell: From Fired to Thriving – What It...

The Business of Luxury Weddings ·

2025/04/28

In this episode—our second in a special series on great number twos in the industry—hosts James and Otto sit down with Dawson Mitchell, Director of Operations at Easton Events, the globally respected luxury event firm founded by the legendary Lynn Easton. Dawson shares the now-iconic story of getting fired on her first day—then showing back up the next morning with quiet determination and a plan to become undeniable. Nearly a decade later, she’s not just part of Easton Events—she’s integral to how

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55:04

Bryan Rafanelli: From Frat Parties to the White...

The Business of Luxury Weddings ·

2025/03/31

In this episode, hosts James and Otto sit down with Bryan Rafanelli, founder of Rafanelli Events, the creative force behind some of the most iconic celebrations in the world—including Chelsea Clinton’s wedding and major White House events. But Bryan’s story doesn’t start with celebrity clients and presidential galas—it starts with frat parties, hand-drawn flyers, and a deep love for storytelling through design. Bryan shares how he built an industry-defining brand by focusing on relationships,

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49:06

Natalie Denyse: Clients Don’t Buy Brands—They Buy Trust

The Business of Luxury Weddings ·

2025/03/17

Most wedding professionals think they’re selling a brand. They’re wrong. Clients don’t buy logos, color palettes, or fancy websites—they buy trust. And no one understands that better than Natalie Denyse, founder of In Good Company PR. In this episode, Natalie breaks down why most businesses struggle with branding (hint: it’s not about aesthetics), how to build a brand that actually lasts, and why high-end clients are making decisions differently than ever before. She also dives into the biggest

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53:01

Preston Utley: Blurred Lines, Messy Love, and Finding...

The Business of Luxury Weddings ·

2025/03/03

Weddings aren’t about perfect pictures—they’re about the in-between moments, the blurry edges, the unscripted, beautiful chaos. And no one captures that better than Preston Utley, a photojournalist-turned-wedding photographer who sees beyond the surface. In this episode, Preston takes us deep into his philosophy of shooting from the gut, anticipating emotion, and embracing imperfection. We talk about his early days covering ski races and crime scenes at the Vail Daily, why he left news photography

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52:14

Bash Please: Reinventing Weddings & Corporate...

The Business of Luxury Weddings ·

2025/02/10

In this episode, we sit down with Mollie & Sunna, the powerhouse duo behind Bash Please, one of the most forward-thinking event planning and design firms in the industry. With backgrounds in luxury hospitality, private catering, and large-scale event production, they’ve built a firm known for its intentionality, authenticity, and ability to create multi-day experiences that leave a lasting impact. They dive into why experience matters in event planning, how they’ve strategically navigated both

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01:03:08

John Dolan: The Perfect Imperfect—How 15 Frames Can...

The Business of Luxury Weddings ·

2025/01/27

In this episode, we sit down with John Dolan, the legendary wedding photographer who has spent decades redefining what it means to capture life’s most intimate moments. Known for his philosophy of “The Perfect Imperfect,” John shares how he approaches weddings with empathy, artistry, and a deep respect for authenticity. From his early days in the darkroom to photographing iconic events, including high-profile weddings at the White House, John reveals the mindset and method behind his minimalist goal

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