JOIN THE WAITLIST

Stop haggling, chasing after leads, and booking the same old boring jobs. Reserve your spot now and be the first to know when doors open to this transformative online business course.

  • Nail your messaging strategy
  • Master your client experience to become a planner’s go-to creative partner
  • Perform at luxury and Ultra-Luxury levels so event producers and vendors want to work with you again and again
  • Command premium rates and be booked out with ideal clients and portfolio-defining work
  • Become an in-demand brand planners and clients know by name
  • And so much more

If you're ready to learn exactly what planners look for in your portfolio, how to get on their shortlists, and build relationships that generate more repeat business:

Join the waitlist for The Planners’ Code today to discover the secrets to “getting in” with planners and building relationships that transform your business and career.

In this online course for photographers and filmmakers, you'll discover how to:

Relationships in this industry aren’t built in the DMs. They’re built in the rooms where creativity, trust, and alignment have space to unfold.

You don’t need to force your way into conversations or pitch yourself at every opportunity. In fact, the most effective way to build planner connections isn’t through direct promotion, it’s through thoughtful presence. Showing up matters. But how you show up matters more.

This could mean attending industry workshops or conferences where your dream planners are speaking or participating. It might mean contributing to a styled shoot with a creative director whose work you admire. It might even be as simple as leaving a sincere, specific comment on a planner’s latest project that aligns with your aesthetic.

The key is to offer value and insight, not to insert yourself. Planners remember creatives who show genuine interest in the work, not just the opportunity. Focus on building brand familiarity through consistency, curiosity, and respect for the process.

You don’t need to ask for a seat at the table (at least, not yet). You need to show you understand the conversation.

#3. Get In the Room––But Skip the Hard Sell

Knowing who’s out there isn’t about chasing prestige. It’s about identifying who truly aligns with the kind of work you want to do.

Not every planner is your planner. And that’s a good thing.

In the wedding industry, planners, like creatives, have distinct styles, processes, and personalities. Some lean heavily into editorial design. Others are all about immersive guest experiences. Some are logistical powerhouses. Others are storytellers at heart.

#2. Understand Who You’re Trying to Reach

In an industry that thrives on aesthetics, it’s easy to confuse being seen with being considered. A beautifully curated feed might attract attention, but that alone doesn’t create connection. Visibility might earn a double-tap. But relevance is what gets your name added to a planner’s shortlist.

Relevance means aligning your creative presence with the standards, style, and sensibilities of the planners you want to work with. It’s less about having the biggest platform (though that can be helpful) and more about ensuring your platform speaks to the same visual and emotional language as your ideal collaborators.

This doesn’t mean imitating other creatives or chasing every trend. It means refining your brand so that it naturally complements the level and tone of events you aspire to be a part of. Planners are looking for creative partners who elevate their vision and understand the nuances of their process. If your work feels disjointed or your brand message is unclear, planners will struggle to place you within their world, even if your talent is undeniable.

The takeaway: Getting noticed is step one. But staying memorable to the right planners? That takes relevance.

#1. Visibility Alone isn’t Enough…You Need Relevance

So, You Want to Work with Your Dream Planners?

Every creative in the wedding industry has a wishlist. Those planners whose work you admire. Whose events make your heart race. Whose reputation precedes them. You know the ones. Their work is elevated, refined, and intentional. And you can’t help but think: How do I get in with them?

Whether you’re a seasoned floral designer, an up-and-coming stylist, or an entertainment team with a unique edge, forming strong relationships with planners can open doors that change the trajectory of your career. But these connections don’t happen through chance…or charm alone.

Elite planner relationships are built on relevance, consistency, and quiet credibility over time. And while you may or may not be ready to work with the top 1% yet, that doesn’t mean you can’t start building the habits and positioning that will get you there.

So, if you're ready to become the kind of creative planners want on their shortlist, here’s what to know.

It’s tempting to want to connect with the biggest names in the business, but landing a partnership with an elite planner who isn’t aligned with your aesthetic or way of working is unlikely to lead to lasting success. The creatives who build long-term partnerships with planners aren’t the flashiest, they’re often the most compatible.

Start paying attention to how planners communicate, how they credit and celebrate their vendor partners, and how their values show up in their work. Do they tag florists and photographers consistently? Do they acknowledge collaboration, or focus only on their own execution? These small insights reveal a lot about how they view creative relationships, and whether their way of working would allow you to do your best work.

Connection starts with clarity. When you know who you want to work with and why, you’re already one step closer to being someone they want to connect with, too.

We go even deeper into this inside The Planners’ Code, where we show you how to identify the planners who are the right fit for your brand and how to approach them in a way that’s thoughtful, strategic, and authentic.

Consistency doesn’t just build trust. It builds momentum. And that’s what transforms a creative from someone planners admire to someone they call.

The wedding industry may feel expansive, but at the higher levels, it’s surprisingly interconnected. Word travels. So does tone, follow-through, and the way you carry yourself.

Many creatives think the only moments that matter are the ones when a planner is directly observing them, but consistency is what sets the most trusted creatives apart. The way you respond to emails, the way you share work online, and the way you treat every collaborator on site all speak to your professionalism, whether or not anyone is taking notes.

When your visual identity, communication style, and reputation all align, you become easy to remember and easier to refer. Planners want to recommend creatives who are not only talented, but also reliable, polished, and easy to work with behind the scenes.

#5. Be Consistent, Even When You Think No One’s Watching

One of the most overlooked paths to working with top-tier planners is proximity. You don’t always need a direct connection to get noticed, but you need credibility in the right circles. 

Adjacent credibility means becoming known and respected by those who already collaborate with the planners you want to work with. That might mean delivering impeccable work on a project with a respected mid-level planner. It might mean second shooting for a creative whose aesthetic aligns with your own. It could mean assisting on a project that never even hits your grid, but introduces you to a community that operates at the level you aspire to.

Planners are constantly observing – not just how you perform on event day, but how your name shows up in conversation, how others speak about working with you, and what kind of presence you have in the industry. When your name is associated with creatives they already trust, you’ve cleared one of the biggest hurdles: the risk factor.

#4. The Art of “Adjacent Credibility”

There’s no one way to build meaningful planner relationships, but the common thread among creatives who do it well is simple. They lead with alignment. They show up with intention. And they play the long game.

Whether you’re just entering the industry or refining your presence at a higher level, landing your dream planner connections starts with becoming the kind of creative people want to work with. That means thinking strategically, presenting consistently, and showing up in ways that reflect what you value most.

These strategies are the foundation, but putting them into action is where the real transformation begins. Knowing what to do is one thing. Knowing how to do it is where The Planners’ Code comes in.

Conclusion: Stop Chasing Elite Planner Connections… Start Attracting Them

Reputation moves faster than outreach. Let yours circulate in the right rooms before you even introduce yourself.

Adjacent credibility often leads to bigger opportunities. And if you find yourself preparing to take that next step and work your first luxury wedding, don’t miss our journal What to Know Before Working Your First Luxury Wedding. It covers exactly what to expect and how to show up with confidence at a higher level.