In this in-person episode of What Couples Want, Kim + Caroline record together from Calgary after Caroline’s last-minute trip from Costa Rica.

They take a deep dive on the wedding industry + unpack what’s really happening in the luxury wedding market, why mid-tier weddings are getting squeezed, and how “fake luxury” is being filtered out by both couples and AI tools like ChatGPT.

The episode explores how AI visibility works in real time, and what plays a role in being recommended by ChatGPT. They also introduce North + South’s blog writing subscription, talk candidly about community and mentorship, and break down real wedding planning questions couples searched on ChatGPT during the week of December 9, 2025.

David Jachetta | Business Strategist : https://www.instagram.com/davidjachetta/

Blog Post Subscription Service : https://northandsouthagency.thrivecart.com/1-long-form-blog-subscription/

Episode Breakdown

Life Updates + Recording Together

Kim and Caroline kick off the episode together in Calgary after Caroline’s spontaneous reroute from Costa Rica. They share stories about travel, weather whiplash, borrowed coats, and the joy of finally recording in the same room after weeks apart.

Behind the Scenes of North + South

They discuss recent AI visibility reports, what they’re learning from client audits, and why even strong SEO performance doesn’t always translate to AI visibility. The importance of brand cohesion, Google Business Profile updates, and structured data comes into focus.

Luxury Isn’t Dead, Fake Luxury Is

The heart of the episode centers on the shifting luxury wedding market. Kim and Caroline explain why mid-tier weddings are declining, how inflation has reshaped budgets, and why ultra-luxury weddings are still thriving. They break down what “real luxury” actually means in 2026 and why aesthetics alone no longer carry brands.

AI Visibility + Blogging Strategy

They explain how ChatGPT evaluates vendors, why minimal websites only work after authority is established, and how blogging builds clarity, expertise, and discoverability. This leads into a candid introduction of North + South’s blog writing subscription and why most creatives need support in this area.

Emotional Safety as the New Luxury

The conversation explores how couples evaluate vendors emotionally, including communication style, backup systems, family dynamics, and personality fit. Emotional safety becomes a central theme in how couples make decisions.

Wedding Planning Trends from ChatGPT

They break down real queries couples searched during the week of December 9, 2025, including how to choose between vendors, budget clarity, florals, intentional weddings, guest rules, and navigating family expectations.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome + TikTok vs The Office Night Routines

02:00 Recording Together in Calgary

05:30 Costa Rica, Travel Whiplash, and Life Updates

09:00 North + South Business Updates

13:20 AI Visibility Reports and Brand Consistency

19:30 Luxury vs Mid-Tier Weddings Explained

25:00 Why Fake Luxury Is Being Filtered Out

28:00 Blogging as an Authority Signal

31:30 Emotional Safety in the Client Experience

34:00 Wedding Budget Shifts Heading Into 2026

38:20 What Couples Are Asking ChatGPT This Week

45:30 Family Dynamics, Guest Rules, and Intentional Weddings

48:00 Final Thoughts + Wrap-Up