With Kirsten Bou of White Pine Designs
Introduction: The Secret to Getting on a Wedding Planner’s Preferred Vendor List
When I think about the challenges wedding photographers face in building their businesses, one question comes up again and again: how do you create meaningful relationships with wedding planners that lead to consistent referrals? Today’s episode dives deep into this topic with someone who knows exactly what planners are looking for – and more importantly, what makes them want to refer you again and again.
Meet Kirsten, the owner of White Pine Designs — a bespoke wedding planning company that breathes life into luxury weddings. She focuses on providing a client-led experience, guiding couples with expert advice, education, and excitement — serving as their go-to wedding expert every step of the way. When she’s not planning one-of-a-kind weddings, you can find Kirsten curled up with a romantasy book, exploring the natural wonders of Colorado with her husband and two dogs or watching football (Go Birds!). With five years of experience crafting luxury weddings, Kirsten brings a wealth of knowledge about what makes industry partnerships truly successful.
What Wedding Planners Look for When Choosing Wedding Photographers
Let’s be honest – as photographers, we often hear that getting on a planner’s preferred vendor list is the golden ticket to consistent bookings. But what does that actually look like in practice? Kirsten pulls back the curtain on what planners are really looking for, and it might surprise you.
“Every client knows what editing style they want,” she explains. “That’s almost a guarantee – if they know nothing else about their wedding day, they don’t know budget, they don’t know floral design, if they don’t know anything else, they know what they want their photographer to look like.” This insight leads us to an important discussion about transparency in your business, especially when it comes to pricing and packages.
How to Build Authentic Relationships with Wedding Planners
Here’s something that might feel uncomfortable: planners can tell when you’re only reaching out for bookings. Kirsten shares candidly about the difference between genuine connection and networking for the sake of networking. “I can tell the difference between photographers who genuinely just want to be a vendor friend and are hoping that we get to work together because they love me and my weddings, versus I’m just another business tactic for them,” she notes.
Wedding Day Collaboration: Tips for Working Successfully with Wedding Planners
The way you show up on a wedding day speaks volumes about your professionalism and experience level. We dive deep into what makes planners trust certain photographers implicitly, from how they handle family photos (a make-or-break moment) to their flexibility with timeline changes. Kirsten shares real examples of what sets exceptional photographers apart and why some photographers stay at the top of her referral list year after year.
Wedding Gallery Delivery and Vendor Credits: Best Practices for Photographers
One of the most interesting parts of our conversation centers around what happens after the wedding day. Kirsten makes a compelling case for photographers sharing galleries with all vendors who contributed to the wedding day. “Every vendor on a wedding day makes a direct impact into how those images turn out,” she explains. This collaborative approach not only strengthens your industry relationships but can lead to more exposure and referrals in the long run.
Expert Advice for Wedding Photographers: Building Long-Term Industry Relationships
If you’re newer to the wedding industry or struggling to build those coveted planner relationships, this section is especially for you. Kirsten emphasizes that while planners may not have immediate booking opportunities (she notes that most of her 2025 weddings are already fully planned), building genuine relationships over time leads to better matches and more successful collaborations when the right opportunity does arise.
Connect with Our Guest Wedding Planner
For photographers looking to connect with Kirsten and learn more about her approach to planning, you can find White Pine Designs at:
- Website: www.whitepinedesigns.co
- Instagram: @whitepinedesigns.co
- Pinterest: @whitepinedesigns.co
Next Episode Preview
Join us next time as we dive into all the gear I bring to and use throughout a wedding day! You won’t want to miss this detailed look at all the tools in my camera bag and fanny pack that will improve both your client’s experience and your final product.
