Episode
Wealthyist E64 | Luxury Isn't a Price Tag: Redefining the 'Biggest Day' with Wedding Pros Ashley Kuehnel & Koryn Bennett
- Podcast
- Wealthyist
- Published
- May 15, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2894
- Processing state
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- https://share.transistor.fm/s/8f2978e9
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Summary
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 flower…