If you’ve been showing up to this wedding planner podcast every single month — thank you. From my very first episode of The Planner’s Edit back in November to this one I’m recording right now, I mean it. The DMs, the shares, the messages telling me how an episode resonated — that’s what keeps me going. You showed up, and I want you to know I noticed.
For those that are new to this wedding planner podcast, I’m Desirée Adams, a luxury wedding planner and the owner of Verve Event Co. My work has been featured in Carats + Cake, Style Me Pretty, and . For years, I hosted a podcast called Ask the Planner — a place where I answered questions from both couples and pros in the wedding industry. This season, I did something totally different. I transitioned to The Planner’s Edit. In this new era, I went deeper, got more honest, and covered the business and mindset side of owning a planning business in a way I’ve never done before.
This final episode to the season is a lot of things at once. It’s a recap of everything we’ve covered together this season. It’s a also a small peek at what I’m planning for the podcast’s return next fall. And most importantly, this episode is an ask to its listeners. Because before I start planning the next season, I want to hear from you. But before we dive in, pause, grab a drink, and get ready to recap the first season of The Planner’s Edit.
LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE ON YOUR FAVORITE PLATFORM (SEARCH FOR EPISODE 229):
You can also listen on your Alexa-enabled device. Just ask “Alexa, play the The Planner’s Edit podcast.”
Welcome back to The Planner’s Edit. I’m Desirée Adams — wedding planner, designer, business owner, creative strategist, and your guide to building a more intentional, elevated, and sustainable planning business.
This past season was a milestone, and I want to acknowledge that.
Transitioning from Ask the Planner to The Planner’s Edit wasn’t just a name change. It was a shift in how I wanted to show up for you. Instead of answering questions, I wanted to lead conversations. Instead of reacting to what you asked, I wanted to bring you into topics I believe matter — whether you thought to ask about them or not.
Looking back, there’s a clear throughline across everything we covered this season: it was about me. My experience, my perspective, my honest take on the wedding industry. That was intentional. Before I start bringing in other voices, I wanted you to know where I stand. I wanted you to see how I think — about branding, about systems, about the market, about what it takes to build a brand that lasts.
That foundation matters. And now that it’s set? We’re ready to build.
1: First, Let’s Discuss What We Covered This Past Season
I recorded twenty-six episodes this season. Can you believe it?! Here’s what we got into.
We kicked off the season with trends — the 2026 wedding trends shaping the industry, where to find inspiration outside the wedding world, and which outdated trends had to go. I loved opening with this take because I feel like it set the tone for The Planner’s Edit: I wasn’t going to just tell you what’s pretty. I was going to tell you what’s strategic.
From there, we moved into business fundamentals. What I’d do if I were starting my business from scratch in 2026. The things I wish I’d done sooner. The investments that paid off — and the ones that honestly didn’t. These episodes were some of the most personal I’ve ever recorded.
Then came a full deep-dive into full-service wedding planning — what it actually takes, whether you’re truly ready for it, and how you might be unconsciously keeping yourself from the clients you want. We also got into destination weddings and the hidden risks that come with them. I got so many messages during this take! I loved hearing what resonated with everyone.
After that take, we spent time on marketing and branding — including long-form content, short-form content, post-engagement season strategy, the subtle signals that attract the right clients, and the branding mistakes that keep planners stuck.
Recently, we wrapped things up with the operational and relational side of owning a planning business. Systems, SOPs, content creation strategy, venue relationships, referral building, networking, and styled shoots. This is where the strategy we talked about earlier in the season starts to be put into action.
That’s a lot of ground covered in a single season and I’m so proud of it! As we get into the summer season, whether you’re in full production mode or catching your breath during slow season, I want to share my two episodes from this past season to your summer listening list.
2: My Top Two Episodes to Add to Your Summer Listening List
Summer looks different for everyone in this industry.
If you’re in the South, you’re probably in the middle of wedding season and this podcast is getting you through long drives to venues. If you’re in design or production mode, your brain is split between executing for this fall and thinking ahead to next year. And if you’re in a slower stretch — use this time wisely. Seriously. The planners who treat slow season like a building season always come back stronger.
Whatever your summer looks like, here are the two episodes I want you to revisit (or hear for the first time):
Networking & Referral Building — Events, Retreats, and Relationship Marketing
This one is for you if you want to use the next few months to build the relationships that will help fill your calendar next year. I can’t stress enough that networking is not about collecting business cards. It’s about being intentional with who you’re showing up for and why. If you haven’t heard this episode, start here.
The second episode to add to your list is:
The Myth of “Doing It All Yourself” (and the branding mistakes that come with it)
If you’ve been white-knuckling your business — whether that’s your content, your brand, or your client experience — this episode is going to challenge you. In the best way, I promise.
Both of these episodes are worth a listen whether it’s your first time hearing them or they’re a re-listen of your favorite wedding planner podcast.
3: What’s Coming Next Season
I am SO excited for the direction the podcast is heading next season.
The biggest shift you’ll see next season is: Guests! Next season, I want to bring in other perspectives — people doing interesting, meaningful work in and around the wedding industry that you can learn from.
I’m toying with the idea of doing a series — I want to have conversations about (or with) some of the most remarkable vendors in the country. There are so many remarkable venues, resorts, estates, and destination properties that are leaning into experiences for their guests. Not just amenities and aesthetics, but curated, intentional experiences that make a wedding unforgettable. I have so many ideas for this series and I think you’re going to love it.
Among guest episodes and a series on vendors doing exceptional work, I also want to share destination deep-dives, financial conversations, and most importantly, the topics YOU want to hear.
BEFORE WE CLOSE: I Want to Hear From You
I firmly believe the best episodes always come from the listeners themselves: you.
I want to hear about:
- The questions you’ve been holding onto.
- The topics that keep bringing up in the DMs with your closest vendor friends.
- The conversations you thought no one was brave enough to have.
Before I lock in any direction for fall, I want your input.
- Is there a guest to hear from? A topic I haven’t touched?
- A trend you want me to break down, a theory you want to talk through, or a question you’ve been sitting on for months?
Whatever you’re thinking, head to @plannersedit on Instagram and tell me what you want to hear.
This wedding planner podcast is for you. The more you tell me what you want, the better I can make it.
Building The Planner’s Edit this season — after a major rebrand, with a new name and a new direction — was one of the most creatively meaningful things I’ve done for my business. We went places together in these last twenty-six episodes that I’ve never gone before. I was honest in ways that felt risky at times. And the response from you made it worth it every time.
Keep up with me on Instagram at @plannersedit over the summer. I’ll be sharing some of my favorite episodes from this season — and the take I’d put on them now that some time has passed.
The next season of The Planner’s Edit is coming this fall. And with your input shaping it, it’s going to be something really special.
See you then.
Until next season, I’m Desirée Adams — and this is The Planner’s Edit.
comments +