{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Wealthyist","title":"Wealthyist E64 | Luxury Isn't a Price Tag: Redefining the 'Biggest Day' with Wedding Pros Ashley Kuehnel & Koryn Bennett","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2894,"description":"In this episode, host Austin Grandinetti sits down with Ashley Kuehnel of Midwestern Bride and Koryn Bennett  of Ivy Lane Photo Company . The conversation dives into the evolving world of luxury and premium weddings, particularly in the Midwest.Key highlights include:What \"luxury\" really means: It varies wildly by couple—some prioritize an intimate experience with 10 guests and heavy investment in florals or photography, while others focus on hosting a large crowd. True luxury often boils down to how the day feels: seamless, stress-free, personal, and emotionally supportive. It's less about a fixed dollar amount and more about priorities, vendor treatment, attention to detail (like fetching Birkenstocks for a bride's sore feet), and peace of mind.The role of key vendors: Ashley explains her consultative, relationship-driven approach at Midwestern Bride. With nearly 15 years in the industry (drawing from hospitality, floral, dress shops, and catering), she acts as a \"quarterback,\" curating vendors, aligning budgets and timelines, and handling the behind-the-scenes logistics so couples can actually enjoy their day. Koryn shares how her photography emphasizes collaboration, extended shoots, backup security for images (including long-term hard drive storage), and treating couples as individuals rather than assembly-line clients. Both stress the value of experienced vendors who understand the full ecosystem—preventing disasters like no-shows or lost photos that cheaper or less reliable options can cause.Budgets and realities: Full-planning clients with Ashley often land at six figures or more (one standout reached over $500K for a multi-day, highly intentional event on private property with custom tents, flooring, multiple floral teams, and army-truck loads of flowers). \"Average\" weddings (without full planning) trend toward $60K–$70K in their markets, far above outdated Google averages due to rising venue costs, inflation, and demand for experiential elements....","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/VFxI0v6MoqF1WQMIedq1sXm8YG0xmJibQHoQelEQpbk/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9kODU2/N2FiYTYxNjM1NDA0/NTM4OWY4OWE1YTdl/NmRmMC5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}