Running a wedding business solo (or even with a small team) can feel like you’re juggling timelines, emails, and endless to-dos all at once. That’s exactly why I was so excited to bring Nora Sheils, co-founder of Rock Paper Coin, onto the Engage Your Brand™ podcast to talk about how her platform is transforming the way wedding professionals manage their businesses.

Having a solid CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system is not just a game-changer—it’s a must. With HoneyBook raising its prices (by like… a significant amount), many wedding pros are searching for a more budget-friendly, streamlined alternative. I’m so grateful to have found Rock Paper Coin, a CRM built specifically for wedding businesses. It keeps things simple, efficient, and stress-free. Let’s dive into why it might be the perfect fit for you!

🎧 Want to listen in? You can tune in on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or listen to the full episode right here on the blog!

What is a CRM (and Why Does It Matter)?

If you’re new to running a wedding business or aspiring to start one, you might not be entirely sure what a CRM actually does. A Customer Relationship Management system is a tool that helps you organize and streamline your business. It allows you to store client details, send contracts, process invoices, automate follow-ups, and track your communication all in one place.

Instead of managing everything through endless email threads, sticky notes, or scattered spreadsheets, a CRM keeps it organized, automated, and easy to track.

For wedding professionals, this means:

• No more lost inquiries or forgotten follow-ups.
• Faster, automated responses to prospective clients inquiring on your website.
• A seamless experience for your clients, making them feel well taken care of.
• Less time spent on admin work, so you can focus on what you love—creating beautiful weddings!

✨ Nora and I talked about this on the podcast: systems don’t just save you time, they protect your reputation. Couples notice when things feel easy, and that ease becomes part of your brand.

Why You Need a CRM (and Why Auto-Responses Are a Must!)

Here’s a scenario you don’t want happening as a business owner: A dream couple lands on your website and fills out your inquiry form. Then… nothing. Radio silence. They don’t hear from you until you have time to respond, and by then, they’re already engaged with a different vendor.

That’s where an auto-response workflow saves the day. When someone inquires, they instantly get a personalized response from you, making them feel taken care of and excited to schedule the next step, keeping you in the running.

A CRM like Rock Paper Coin takes things even further by helping you stay organized, send contracts and invoices effortlessly, and track payments without lifting a finger. Trust me, any effort spent setting it up on the front end will be worth your time in the long run.

The Story Behind Rock Paper Coin

Rock Paper Coin wasn’t dreamed up by a tech team outside the industry—it was built by wedding pros who lived the same struggles you do.

On the podcast, Nora shared how she and her co-founder Elizabeth grew frustrated with CRMs that were clunky, overpriced, or too complex. They wanted something designed for weddings, not just general business. When they couldn’t find it, they built it.

RPC launched in 2019 and has since become a trusted tool for planners, florists, venues, and creatives across the industry. The best part? Its mission has always stayed clear: make business easier, not harder.

My Experience with Rock Paper Coin

I came across Rock Paper Coin through my membership in Emerge Event Collective, a fantastic networking group for wedding pros in the luxury space. As part of the collective, I had the opportunity to connect with Nora Sheils, one of Rock Paper Coin’s co-founders and an industry veteran.

What stood out to me in our conversation was how intentional the platform is in keeping things simple and user-friendly. Unlike other CRMs that can overwhelm users with unnecessary bells and whistles, Rock Paper Coin focuses on what wedding pros actually need—without overcomplicating things.

🎧 On the podcast, Nora also shared how RPC grew out of her own pain points as a planner. She and her co-founder tried every CRM out there, but nothing fit. Either the systems were too complicated, too expensive, or not designed with wedding businesses in mind. So they built Rock Paper Coin to fill the gap.

The Benefits of Rock Paper Coin

Unlike some CRMs that feel cluttered and challenging to navigate, Rock Paper Coin is refreshingly straightforward and designed with wedding pros in mind.

Here’s what I love about it:

• Easy Contract & Invoice Management – No more back-and-forth emails. Send contracts and invoices with a few clicks and get instant approvals.
• Automated Payment Reminders – Never chase a payment again—RPC does it for you.
• User-Friendly Interface – Designed with wedding professionals in mind, without the clutter of unnecessary features.
• Fast, Secure Payments – Deposits and balances hit your account quickly, improving cash flow.
• Unlimited Team Members – Whether you’re solo or scaling, your whole team can collaborate inside RPC at no extra cost.
• An Affordable Solution – With rising prices in the CRM space, Rock Paper Coin offers an affordable and reliable alternative.

👉 Nora also emphasized something I love: RPC isn’t trying to be “everything software.” It’s not bloated—it’s streamlined. That means you’ll actually use it instead of feeling overwhelmed.

Work-Life Balance and Protecting Your Reputation

One of my favorite parts of my conversation with Nora was her honesty about burnout. In her early days at Bridal Bliss, she took on as many weddings as she could—even double-booking weekends—before realizing how unsustainable it was.

That experience shaped how she approaches systems now. For wedding pros, overbooking or losing track of client details doesn’t just create stress, it risks your reputation. And in our industry, reputation is everything.

RPC solves that by keeping you organized, automating reminders, and ensuring you never miss a payment or contract deadline. When your systems support you, you can say yes to the right weddings without fear of burnout.

How Rock Paper Coin Compares to Other CRMs

If you’ve looked at HoneyBook, Aisle Planner, or Dubsado, you know those platforms can be powerful. But for many wedding pros, they’re simply too much.

Here’s how RPC stands out:

• Wedding-specific design – From proposals to contracts, it was built for planners, florists, photographers, venues, and beyond.
• Simplified workflows – Focuses on what you need, not what looks flashy.
• Budget-friendly – Lower processing fees and subscription costs compared to most competitors.
• White-glove onboarding – RPC’s team actually sets up your system for you—something most CRMs don’t provide.
• Peace of mind – Strong security and reliable payouts mean no lost contracts or missing payments.

Future-Proofing Your Business

Another theme Nora touched on was the importance of building a business that lasts. Just like she chose the name “Bridal Bliss” so it could grow beyond herself, you need tools that will grow with you.

Rock Paper Coin is scalable, you can start solo and add unlimited team members as you expand. And because it’s focused on essential workflows (not extra clutter), you’ll still be using it five or ten years from now without having to overhaul your systems.

Client Experience as Part of Your Brand

Here’s the truth: your CRM is part of your branding. Couples don’t just remember your design or planning, they remember how easy (or hard) it was to work with you.

RPC elevates your client experience by making every step. Signing contracts, paying invoices, receiving reminders, smooth and professional. That polish reflects on you. It signals that you’re not just talented, you’re organized and trustworthy.

Thinking of Trying Rock Paper Coin?

If you’re ready to commit to using Rock Paper Coin in your business, you can use my code RPCEMILY for 50% off Rock Paper Coin.

It’s a generous discount to help you get started with a streamlined, wedding-pro-friendly CRM. Just a heads-up: this is an affiliate code, which means I earn a small commission if you sign up (at no extra cost to you). But this post isn’t sponsored—I’m sharing it because I genuinely believe Rock Paper Coin can change the game for your business.

Investing in Systems Support

While Rock Paper Coin is a fantastic CRM, having the right systems is key to making the most of any platform. Hiring a systems strategist to help set up your CRM can be one of the best investments for your business.

If you’re looking for expert help, Rebecca Mai (owner of Wed2You) and Cinthia Onines (owner of Boda Bliss) are incredible at helping wedding pros run their backend systems like a well-oiled machine. Or, simply take advantage of RPC’s white glove onboarding, completely complimentary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rock Paper Coin only for planners?
Not at all! RPC works beautifully for florists, photographers, caterers, DJs, venues, and any vendor who needs to send contracts and get paid.

How long does it take to set up?
RPC’s team helps with onboarding so you can be up and running quickly without tech stress.

How secure is it?
Security is a top priority. RPC regularly monitors and updates its systems so your documents and payments are safe.

Why not just stick with my current system?
If your current process feels clunky, time-consuming, or stressful, RPC is worth exploring. Even saving a couple of hours a week adds up to more time for design, clients, or rest.

Your Cliffnotes

Running a wedding business is already complicated enough, so let a Customer Relationship Management system take a few things off your plate. Rock Paper Coin provides a streamlined, wedding pro-friendly solution that makes managing contracts, payments, and client communication effortless.

If you’re exploring new options for a CRM, give Rock Paper Coin a try with code RPCEMILY to get 50% off and experience how a simpler system can transform your business!

And don’t forget, 🎧 you can catch my full conversation with co-founder Nora Sheils on Engage Your Brand Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or listen right here.

✨ Let’s make business easier, so you can get back to creating unforgettable celebrations.