From the Feed to the Front Page: What It Meant to Be Quoted in the New York Times

A few weeks ago, I received one of those emails you immediately reread—just to make sure it’s real. It was a heads-up from my publicist at OFD Consulting, letting me know that The New York Times was working on a piece about how the wedding industry intersects with Instagram and TikTok—and they wanted to talk to me.

Fast forward to now, and I still get a little chill seeing my name quoted in The New York Times. The piece, written by Alix Strauss, dives into how social media has become the not-so-silent guest at every modern wedding, influencing everything from color palettes to processional pacing. You can read it here.

As a wedding planner, educator, and speaker who spends a lot of time working with creative entrepreneurs on brand building, I’ve seen firsthand how platforms like Instagram and TikTok have shaped (and sometimes warped) the expectations around weddings. There’s pressure—for couples, vendors, even guests—to curate perfection for the ‘gram. So to be part of a national conversation about this? It was surreal. It also felt important.

Here’s what the article captured that I think more people in our industry need to hear: social media is not the enemy. But it is a force. It can drive trends, shape decisions, and sometimes blur the line between authentic celebration and content production. And as professionals, our job is to help couples find clarity—what’s real, what’s meaningful, and what’s truly “them”—in a sea of viral sound bites and 12-second highlight reels.

Being quoted in the Times wasn’t just a personal milestone (though let’s be honest, I celebrated hard). It was a reminder of why strategic visibility matters. I’ve been working with OFD Consulting for over a year now, and their guidance has helped me articulate what I stand for, what makes my work unique, and how to show up in spaces that align with my values and expertise. This opportunity didn’t fall out of the sky—it was the result of intentional PR, relationship-building, and being ready when the right moment came along.

So if you’re a creative business owner wondering whether pitching yourself is “too much” or if media features still matter in the age of TikTok—my answer is yes. A thousand times yes. Being published in a legacy outlet like the New York Times opens doors. It adds weight to your credibility. But more importantly, it lets you contribute to a conversation that extends beyond your own social feed or market bubble.

Here’s what I’ll remember most from this experience: I didn’t have to be the loudest voice in the room to get quoted—I just had to be thoughtful, clear, and consistent. I showed up in the work long before the article ever happened. And when the opportunity came, I wasn’t scrambling to define who I was or what I believed. I already knew.

To every entrepreneur reading this who’s building something meaningful behind the scenes, keep going. Keep showing up. And don’t be afraid to ask for help in telling your story. You never know who’s reading—or where your words might land.

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 Let’s connect. Whether you’re planning a wedding, booking a speaker, or building a brand that deserves attention—I'm here for the big conversations and the beautiful details. Let’s make magic. ✨

XOXO,

Professor P

From The New York Times