Ep 168 | Transparency, Pay-to-Play, and Pricing in the Wedding Industry with Mark Caravaggio

This week on the I Do Wedding Marketing Podcast, I’m thrilled to bring you a deeply honest and much-needed conversation with Mark Caravaggio of Intune Events. If you’ve ever felt confused, frustrated, or even a little burned by gatekeeping, hidden fees, or the infamous “preferred vendor list,” this episode is going to speak to you.Mark and I dive into transparency in the wedding industry—what it really means, why it matters, and how it affects vendors, venues, and, most importantly, couples. We talk about pay-to-play models, vendor commissions, and the hidden costs of getting listed in publications or preferred partnerships. Mark also opens up about his personal journey of walking away from a business model that no longer aligned with his values—even though it accounted for 70% of his bookings.In this episode, we explore:​The emotional weight and vulnerability of being a wedding vendor​How hiding pricing affects client trust and booking rates​Why authenticity and connection beat old-school sales tactics​The truth behind pay-to-play vendor lists and “secret” commissions​What happens when you walk away from 70% of your business to build something better​How to rebuild and thrive after business burnout or vendor trauma💬 Let me know what resonated with you most from this episode! Your feedback means the world—and helps more wedding pros find content like this.👉 And if you haven't already, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend in the industry who needs to hear it.🔗 Follow Mark on Instagram + Threads: @intune.events🌐 Learn more: https://intune.eventsPodcast listeners can save 20% off on the ChatGPT for Wedding Marketing Course using code IDOPODCAST | https://idoweddingmarketing.podia.com/chatgpt-for-wedding-marketing?coupon=IDOPODCASTFollow I Do Wedding MarketingInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/idoweddingmarketing/Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/idoweddingmarketingLinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/nina-addeo-699898ab/Threads | https://www.threads.com/@idoweddingmarketingI Do Wedding Marketing podcast listeners can receive 15% off a 6-month subscription as a new Aisle Planner user! Use code IDWMxAP | https://www.aisleplanner.com/affiliate/IDWMxAP#WeddingMarketing #PayToPlay #WeddingVendorTransparency #AuthenticMarketing #WeddingIndustry #PreferredVendorList #WeddingBusinessTips #WeddingPodcast