Competition is everywhere in the wedding industry, but does it have to be?

In this episode of The Venue Nest Podcast, Ashley Shepherd and Kelsey Smith explore what can happen when wedding professionals choose community over competition. Ashley shares the experience that completely changed the way she viewed other venue owners and vendors, including the powerful lesson that “there is room for everyone.”

That lesson eventually inspired Vendor Friendsgiving, an annual event that brings 150+ wedding vendors together for connection, vulnerability, networking, and service. Ashley and Kelsey break down how the event works and share practical ideas for creating a supportive vendor community of your own, even if you’re starting with just 10 or 20 people.

They also share a full-circle moment from last year’s Vendor Friendsgiving, when Ashley and the very venue owner who taught her that there is room for everyone showed up wearing the exact same outfit—pants, vest, undershirt, and even glasses. What began as a difficult lesson about competition eventually became a genuine friendship built on trust, respect, and mutual support.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re competing for the same clients, struggled to trust other vendors, or felt like you have to figure everything out alone, this episode is a reminder that you don’t have to build your business in isolation. There is room for everyone.

Rate, review, and subscribe, and join the Venue Nest community for more support, connection, and resources for venue owners.


00:00 A Lesson in Community
03:24 There is Room for Everyone
05:45 Introducing Vendor Friendsgiving
09:05 How to Organize a Community Event
12:54 A Full-Circle Moment
17:16 Building a Support System
18:37 Start Small and Find Your People


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