Unscripted, Unstoppable & Candid AF…a Fireside Chat

“Unscripted, Unstoppable & Candid AF…a Fireside Chat with The Vendor Table Podcast” is not your typical polished panel, it’s raw, real, and refreshingly unfiltered. Join Lauren O’Brien and Mike Cassara, the unapologetic voices behind The Vendor Podcast, as they pull back the curtain on the wedding and events industry like only they can.

This no-holds-barred chat dives deep into the why behind their wildly popular podcast, the moments that sparked controversy, the industry gaps they refuse to ignore, the conversations most people are too afraid to have out loud, and the hot-button topics that have everyone talking.

Expect bold opinions, hot takes, industry truths, and the kind of candid storytelling that will have you laughing, nodding, and maybe even clutching your pearls.

Nothing is off-limits. No topic is too taboo.

If you’re tired of surface-level conversations and ready for honesty, edge, and a little disruption, this is your seat at the table.

• A deeper understanding of the real conversations shaping the events industry right now
• Fresh perspective on how to show up authentically and unapologetically in your business
• Insight into the power of storytelling, community, and using your voice to influence change
• The confidence to think bigger, move bolder, and stop playing small

-NSBWEP Members – Complimentary-Non-Members – $35.00-Registration is non-refundable and non-transferable to a future event.

Lauren O’Brien is a wedding and lifestyle photographer, creative entrepreneur, and co-host of The Vendor Table Podcast, known for her unapologetic honesty and sharp industry insight. Based in Long Island, New York, Lauren built her career from the ground up transitioning from an artistic background into photography and eventually carving out her own lane as a sought-after wedding photographer.

With years of experience behind the camera, Lauren brings a candid, no-nonsense perspective to the wedding industry one that challenges norms, calls out the unspoken, and empowers creatives to show up authentically. Through The Vendor Table Podcast, which she co-founded in 2023, she’s created a platform that highlights the chaos, humor, and real-life experiences of working wedding professionals.

Bold, relatable, and refreshingly unfiltered, Lauren is known for saying what others won’t and giving fellow vendors permission to do the same.

Mike Cassara is a seasoned wedding photographer, educator, and co-host of The Vendor Table Podcast, celebrated for his storytelling approach and candid voice within the events industry. With over 15 years of experience and hundreds of weddings captured, Mike has built a reputation for documenting authentic, unscripted moments that reflect the real emotion behind every celebration.

His journey began in film and marketing before evolving into a full-time photography career, a transition that shaped his creative eye and business acumen. Over time, Mike turned what started as a side hustle into a thriving brand, eventually co-creating The Vendor Table Podcast to give an honest, behind-the-scenes look at life as a wedding vendor.

Known for his wit, transparency, and ability to break down complex industry dynamics with humor and clarity, Mike brings both depth and edge to every conversation making him a trusted voice for creatives navigating the ever-evolving wedding landscape.

Together

As the dynamic duo behind The Vendor Table Podcast, Lauren and Mike have built a fast-growing platform that dives into the chaos, thrill, and hilarity of being full-time wedding photographers. Their chemistry, unfiltered conversations, and bold takes have made them go-to voices for creatives who crave honesty over hype and real talk over rehearsed narratives.