The Business of Luxury Weddings
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 who want to elevate their business, travel to amazing locations, and build a lifestyle filled with powerful experiences, inspiring relationships, and...
10
Akeshi Akinseye: On Telling the Truth, Honoring Your Roots, and Building a Life Around What You Love
<p >What if the most successful version of your business is simply the most honest version of you? Akeshi Akinseye, founder and CEO of Kesh Events and a globally recognized wedding planner and designer, joins James and Otto for a conversation about building a career on truth instead of polish.</p> <p >Raised in Nigeria in a family of hosts, Akeshi traces how her mother shaped the way she creates, and why she believes your origin is your greatest differentiator. She gets honest about stepping out from behind her brand to stand in front of it, designing celebrations that move...
Melina Glavas & Stewart Mann: Inside The Little Nell and 30 Years of Five-Star Excellence in Aspen
<p >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.</p> <p >Melina, who has been at the Nell for twenty years, and Stewart, who joined recently and plans never to leave, get honest about how they build partnerships that last, why they believe everyone...
Haley Paige: Who Am I If I'm Not a Designer?" On Identity, Reinvention, and Protecting What You Create
<p > 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 halftime show.</p> <p > It's an unusually...
Shelby Wax: Inside the Mind of a Wedding Editor - Taste, Timing, and the Stories That Actually Get Published
<p >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.</p> <p >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 alignment, and narrative all play a role in what gets selected.</p> <p >They also dive into the realities behind submissions—why great weddi...
Kiran + Leigh: On Taste, Trust & Never Doing the Same Wedding Twice
<p > Some planners execute a vision. Natalie Kiran Laskowski and Chelsea Leigh Wenner of Kiran + Leigh are the vision.</p> <p > 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 compromise on quality, creativity, or each other.</p> <p > They talk ve...
Samkoma: How to Build a Brand People, Feel, Follow and Never Forget
<p >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.</p> <p >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 than a mood… they create memory.</p> <p >You'll hear what makes a brand feel unforget...
Kimberley Curtin: The Quiet Power of Trust, Timing, and Unshakable Calm
<p >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.</p> <p > </p> <p >They talk about the quiet power of being a number two, how to lead from behind without needing credit, and why trust is the m...
Kayley Watson: The Art of Connection, Culture, and Celebrations at Belmond
<p >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.</p> <p >From designing unforgettable moments across Belmond's legendary global portfolio to nurturing the kind of planner partnerships that last a lifetime, Kayley shares what it means to lead with generosity, curiosity, and joy.</p> <p >This isn't a conversation about logistics—it's about...
Amrit Dhillon-Bains: On Belonging, Boundaries, and Becoming Who You Were Meant to Be
<p >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.</p> <p >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 way she leads, serves clients, and shows up in her work.</p> <p >She also talks candidly about the pressure of r...
Emily Coyne: The Power of Clear Standards, Quiet Confidence, and Luxury that Feels Personal
<p >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.</p> <p >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 the systems, rituals, and values that drive her world-class client experience.</p> <p >She also opens up about the quieter side of leadership—why presence is more...
