076: Ali Phillips - Thinking Beyond Your Market
PLANNER LIFE PODCAST
076: Ali Phillips - Thinking Beyond Your Market
Hi Planners!
In this episode, I sit down with the vibrant and adventurous Ali Phillips, Chief Wedding Orchestrator of Engaging Events by Ali. Named one of Chicago’s top wedding planners, Ali shares her journey from a fast-paced career in trucking logistics to becoming a celebrated name in luxury and destination weddings.
Ali opens up about:
Her adventurous childhood that sparked a love of travel
Pivoting careers at 29 after discovering wedding planning by chance
The lessons learned from early years navigating the Chicago market
Transitioning into the luxury and destination wedding world
Her honest advice for planners who want to break into high-end and international weddings
Why authenticity on social media really matters
Ali is warm, wise, and full of energy — and this conversation is packed with insights for anyone navigating the wedding industry. Whether you’re dreaming of destination weddings or just starting to define your voice, Ali’s story is a reminder that success doesn’t always follow a straight line — but it’s always worth the journey.
Happy planning!
xo, Heather
Connect with Ali, Engaging Events by Ali
Today’s episode is brought to you by the Planner Life Academy online course.
With over 20 years of experience, 900 weddings and events behind me, and having mentored planners for years, I took everything I’ve learned and poured it into one comprehensive online course. Whether you're just starting out or ready to level up, Planner Life Academy gives you the tools to build a sustainable, successful planning business—from systems and templates to client guidance and leadership.
The course includes 45 topics, 16+ hours of video lessons, and everything you need to grow with confidence.
Start today at plannerlifeacademy.com