welcome to the podcast

Weddings For Real has officially rebranded to
For Real: Life, Leadership, and Unlearning

After 7 years and 300+ episodes, the podcast has evolved... because so have you! What started as a show for wedding pros has  has evolved into a bold, no-BS space for high-achievers to unpack identity shifts, quiet the inner critic, set boundaries that stick, and navigate the messy (but powerful) moments of growth and change.  

For Real is still hosted by Megan Gillikin, and it’s here to meet you in this next chapter as a whole human, not just a business owner.

Click the button below to check out the latest For Real episodes, or scroll down to dive into the archive of Weddings For Real, featuring 300+ episodes on client experience, team building, social media, SEO, branding, and the real-life lessons of entrepreneurship in the wedding industry.

For Real Podcast
wedding industry podcast
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300+ Episodes

5 star reviews

Over 250+ five star reviews

Podcast downloads

350,000 Downloads

POPULAR EPISODES:

290

10 Life Hacks for Squirrel Brain Entrepreneurs

239

219

279

What You Need To Know About Growth + Burnout (Part 1)

Use This Strategy For Standing Out In A Crowded Market

5 Truths Every Business Owner Needs To Hear

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CHECK OUT OUR RECENT EPISODES

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Megan Gillikin Megan Gillikin

160: Behind the Scenes at Wedding MBA

This episode is a special behind-the-scenes look at Wedding MBA from its first in person live event since 2019.  Megan spoke on imposter syndrome - and what happened to her in Vegas did NOT help with her own imposter syndrome. And The Planner's Vault shared a booth with Weddings for Real, where we interviewed 15 of the 4000 wedding pros in attendance on why they attended Wedding MBA, what they wish other vendors knew about them, and what trends they want to see vanish in 2022. 

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Megan Gillikin Megan Gillikin

159: Emotional Marketing, with Renee Sabo

When a couple is considering which vendors to go with, they look at a lot of different factors. Weddings you’ve worked before, website, social media, reviews, price point, the call you had with them. Ultimately, they narrow each category down to two or three vendors and then...they go with their gut. They go with what feels right to them. But what is that gut exactly? Today, Renee Sabo talks about emotional marketing.

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Megan Gillikin Megan Gillikin

158: Using research to better understand your couples, with Jordan Kentris

Think back to the last 5 weddings you worked. How did they find you?  Did you enjoy working with them? Would they recommend you to a friend?  What are some of the ways that they think you could improve? If you're like most of us creatives, you have no idea. Today, Jordan Kentris comes on to teach us how research can make us better wedding pros.

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Megan Gillikin Megan Gillikin

157: Unraveling, with Adrienna McDermott

Welcome to The Unraveling, where we share the unraveling of old habits and mindset that holds you back, and the rebirth of new. Today's guest is Adrienna McDermott, formerly of Ivory and Beau (where her unraveling began), now owner of Ava and the Bee.

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Megan Gillikin Megan Gillikin

156: The Unraveling Series

Once a month moving forward, we're bringing you a new series - The Unraveling.  These episodes shine a light on the pivotal moments and ensuing decisions that industry leaders have encountered that changed everything.  The unraveling moment.  

Today, I'm sharing my own unraveling.

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Megan Gillikin Megan Gillikin

155: Crushing Content: Wash, Rise, Repeat, with Angela Proffitt

One of the biggest challenges I hear every single week is that there’s not enough time to build content. Or you’re not sure what to post. Or you’re worried that what you do post won’t be received very well - or worse, won’t be received at all. Does this sound like you? Let's fix that, with content creation master, Angela Proffitt.

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Megan Gillikin Megan Gillikin

154: How to shift your business to meet Amazon-addicted couples, with Michelle Loretta

When I need something for my house or for my business, I order it on my phone and get it literally the next day. And if I have to wait two days, fine I guess, but I’m not too happy about it. We all want it right away. And with that mindset in mind, Michelle Loretta from Be Sage Consulting has some insight into what that means about how to work with Amazon-addicted couples.

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WHAT LISTENERS THINK

  • This podcast has been one of the greatest resources that I have.

    I absolutely love this podcast! It is the completely real side to having a wedding planning business and it’s so nice to know that I’m not the only one who struggled starting out. I have learned so many things that have implemented into my business and this podcast has been one of the greatest resources that I have.

    — JANE S.

  • I learn something new every time I listen

    I learn something new every time I listen, and I'm also reminded that I'm not in this alone! I own a ceremony music company, and sometimes it feels like our experiences are not common to other vendors. However, every time I listen, I am reminded that we all experience the same things....just in different ways, and it's funny and comforting at the same time. Thanks, Megan, for providing valuable and entertaining content. I appreciate that it always feels like time well spent when I finish an episode.

    — REGINA F.

  • I’ve taken something valuable away from every. single. episode.

    I’ve been listening to Megan on Weddings for Real for years now, and I’ve taken something valuable away from every. single. episode. The topics are so relevant to both wedding planning and business in general, the guests are informative, and Megan’s delivery and personality make me look forward to every new show! Highly recommend!

    — LIBBY S.

  • This podcast and Megan are both such gems.

    This podcast and Megan are both such gems. She has this kindness about her when approaching the topics and makes you feel comfortable and takeaways doable. You can’t help but feel energized and refreshed after listening to the episodes.

    — LISA N.

  • You seriously NEED Weddings for Real in your life!

    This podcast is so easy to listen to and every episode has at least one nugget of wisdom that sticks with me and some actionable advice I can use to improve my wedding business today. If you're the owner of a wedding business, and especially if you're a planner, you seriously NEED Weddings for Real in your life!

    — KARITSU

  • This podcast has everything you need to expand your mindset and learn

    Where has this podcast been all my life? I was introduced to Weddings For Real a few days ago and I think I've already binged 30 episodes. Megan is such a great host. She has actionable advice and asks her guests really good questions. You won't find fluff here. The information that guests and her share is priceless. If you don't have a business mentor I would come here for inspiration and tips on good business strategies. This podcast has everything you need to expand your mindset and learn.

    — ANASTASIIA P.

  • This is by far my favorite "business" podcast!!!

    This is by far my favorite "business" podcast!!! It's packed with info, great guests and filled with content from start to finish. I sometimes go back and re-listen when I am implementing something she has suggested, or stopping and taking notes. Other pods I've listened to seem to be just about selling things or they are scraping the bottom of the barrel for content. This is the real deal.

    — SUZZANNE B.

  • This podcast is PACKED with helpful, actionable information in EACH and every episode

    WFR Podcast is the absolute BEST podcast if you're a wedding professional or an aspiring wedding professional. This podcast is PACKED with helpful, actionable information in EACH and every episode. After starting this podcast and joining The Planner’s Vault my confidence in the industry has sky rocketed.

    — BRITTANY B.

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Our podcast has evolved into For Real, a show for women who are navigating leadership, identity shifts, emotional intelligence, and the messy middle of growth.

If you feel your story or expertise aligns with those themes, we’d love to hear from you.