Richmond, VA | 19 July 2025 – As the wedding industry continues to shift in response to evolving consumer expectations, visibility remains one of the most powerful tools professionals can use to stand out. This month, Meghan Ely, founder of OFD Consulting, returned to the Evolve Your Wedding Business podcast hosted by Heidi Thompson, where she shared a timely and tactical conversation about press strategies that help wedding vendors book smarter, not harder in 2025.
The episode offers practical, behind-the-scenes advice on how wedding professionals can align their publicity efforts with business goals — whether that’s expanding into new markets, attracting ideal clients, or building long-term brand authority.
Press with a Purpose
Meghan Ely is no stranger to high-level media strategy. For more than 15 years, she’s helped creative entrepreneurs get featured in The New York Times, People, Brides, and Martha Stewart Weddings, among many others. But in today’s crowded digital space, Ely emphasizes that media placements are only powerful when they’re part of a larger, intentional plan.
“Visibility is most effective when it’s rooted in clarity,” Ely said on the episode. “It’s not about chasing every opportunity. It’s about being intentional, showing up consistently, and making sure your visibility serves your business — not just your ego.”
This appearance marks Ely’s second time on the show, reinforcing her position as a trusted educator and strategist in the wedding industry.
Real Strategies for Real Businesses
The conversation covers a range of topics tailored to the needs of today’s event professionals, including:
- What editors are actually looking for in 2025
- Why pitching less — but better — results in stronger media relationships
- The role of podcast features, niche publications, and local press
- How to repurpose existing content and coverage into long-term marketing assets
- Common pitching mistakes and how to avoid them
With a tone that’s both encouraging and refreshingly honest, Ely breaks down media strategy into steps that are accessible for vendors at any stage of their business. From solo planners to multi-city design firms, her advice is centered on thoughtful, repeatable practices that build momentum over time.
Beyond Visibility: Aligning Press with Purpose
A recurring theme in the episode is the importance of aligning publicity efforts with business goals. Ely encourages pros to first understand what they want their press to do — attract higher-budget clients, get speaking opportunities, or strengthen SEO — and then reverse-engineer their media strategy to match.
This approach echoes what OFD Consulting clients experience firsthand: a visibility roadmap that’s rooted in where they are and where they want to go.
“We always ask, ‘What will success look like for you?’” Ely noted during the interview. “That’s the starting point for everything else.”
Educator, Strategist, Advocate
In addition to her role at OFD Consulting, Ely leads the OFD Collective, a membership platform connecting wedding professionals with curated media opportunities and editorial resources. She also founded WeddingIndustrySpeakers.com, a speaker matchmaking platform built to help underrepresented voices access high-quality speaking opportunities.
Her commitment to the industry includes long-standing service roles with organizations like NACE and the National Society of Black Wedding and Event Professionals, where she contributes behind the scenes to help shape leadership and professional development.
Through speaking engagements, blog contributions, and podcast appearances like this one, Ely continues to elevate the conversation around visibility — helping event pros understand not only how to get press, but why it matters.
A Resource for a New Era of Wedding Pros
As the wedding industry faces continued pricing pressures, evolving consumer behavior, and a crowded digital marketing space, clear messaging has become a non-negotiable for success. In the podcast, Meghan Ely underscores that it’s not about being everywhere — it’s about showing up in the right places, at the right time, with the right message.
She also encourages vendors to remember that their everyday knowledge holds media value. Tips shared with clients, answers to FAQs, and unique planning solutions are all potential story leads — if framed correctly.
“You don’t need to reinvent yourself to be newsworthy,” Ely said. “You just need to recognize the value of what you’re already doing.”
Listen Now
The episode, titled “Wedding PR Made Simple: How to Get Quoted, Published, and Book More Clients with Meghan Ely,” is available now on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
🎧 Listen here: https://podcasts.apple.com/hn/podcast/the-evolve-your-wedding-business-podcast-marketing/id804722065
To learn more about Meghan Ely and her work with OFD Consulting, visit:
