Photo by Syed Yaqueen
LEAH WEINBERG,
WEDDING INDUSTRY
SPEAKER & WEDDING
LAWYER
LEAH WEINBERG,
WEDDING INDUSTRY SPEAKER
& WEDDING LAWYER
Attorney, recovering wedding planner, and the speaker who makes contracts actually interesting.
I like to call myself a “recovering wedding planner,” since I left my job in event planning to become a wedding lawyer and speaker. I now deliver talks and presentations at in-person and online events, educating wedding and event professionals on the need to protect themselves legally (and sharing my real-life stories about what can go wrong if they don’t). I also love debunking those (annoying) legal myths that pop up over and over.
AS SEEN IN…
My hot takes on the wedding industry and legal best practices for small businesses have been featured in:
(In case my word alone wasn't enough.)
QUESTIONS (AND ANSWERS) TO ASK BEFORE BOOKING
-
I’m so glad you asked. I am an attorney, former wedding planner, and speaker based in New York City. I’m the founder of Weinberg Legal (a law firm serving wedding and event professionals, small business owners, and creative entrepreneurs) and a WeddingPro Educator with The Knot + WeddingWire since 2020. I speak at conferences and events nationwide and internationally on the legal side of running a wedding or event business.
-
I’ve spoken both languages: event planning and law. Before founding Weinberg Legal, I ran Color Pop Events, a wedding planning company, for a decade. My talks come from firsthand experience, not just legal theory.
-
Mostly the legal stuff wedding and event pros need but never got taught: contracts, chargebacks, nightmare clients, and the myths floating around Facebook groups that are, respectfully, not legal advice. I make it entertaining because legal content doesn't have to feel like a trip to the DMV.
-
Big yes. I am based in NYC but speak wherever the wedding industry is gathering, across the country and internationally.
-
Yes, again. Conference stage, Zoom webinar, membership community workshop — I bring the same energy to each one, webcam included.
-
100%. Send me your audience, format, and time slot, and I’lll tailor an existing topic or build something new. I’ve been doing this since 2020 as a WeddingPro Educator with The Knot + WeddingWire.
-
Yes, and they’re encouraged. Some of my best "wait, is that actually legal?" moments happen live, off-script, when someone shares their real nightmare client story.
-
The earlier the better for bigger conferences, but reach out even on short timelines. Worst case, I say no. Best case, you've got a date.
-
Fill out my speaking inquiry form with your event details, and she will follow up with topics, availability, and next steps.
I USED TO PLAN
WEDDINGS.
NOW I PROTECT
THEM.
Why should you book me to speak?
I won't just give you one reason. I'll give you two.
I USED TO PLAN WEDDINGS.
NOW I PROTECT THEM.
Why should you book me to speak?
I won't just give you one reason. I'll give you two.
A DECADE IN THE TRENCHES
I spent a decade planning weddings in and around New York City as the owner of Color Pop Events, where clients used words like "organized," "calm," and "voice of reason" to describe me, which, if you've ever worked with a stressed-out mother of the bride, you know is not nothing. I also wrote the book on wedding drama, literally: I’m the author of The Wedding Roller Coaster.
THEN I WENT BACK TO LAW
I have a law degree from the University of Georgia (2005) and am licensed to practice in New York and Georgia, with of counsel covering eight more states. When I tell your audience what's actually enforceable in a contract, it's not a hunch. It's my job.
WHERE I’VE SPOKEN
“Leah’s presentations are not only informative but also entertaining, making legal education feel less daunting and more accessible.
Her unique blend of legal knowledge and wedding planning experience makes her an incredibly insightful and engaging educator for the wedding industry.”
– JESSICA BISHOP, OWNER, THE BUDGET SAVVY BRIDE
SPEAKING TOPIC HIGHLIGHTS THAT RUINED "BORING LEGAL TALK"
What's the Worst that Could Happen?
My absolute favorite talk. In this presentation I get to go into all of the bizarre things that can happen on wedding and event day. And folks, these stories are real. We review how to handle these curveballs when they're thrown at you, but also what you can do in advance to try to protect yourself from day one with a client.
Couples, AI, and Your Contracts: The Plus-One Nobody Asked For
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to roast AI. AI tools like ChatGPT aren't just for writing emails anymore (unfortunately). Couples are using them to mark up your contracts, generate impossible inspiration, second-guess your expertise, and even draft threatening legal letters after the wedding is over. In this talk, I break down the real-world ways AI is showing up in the client relationship and what you can (and should) do about it.
Lawsuits, Chargebacks, Nightmare Clients: Oh My!
We've all had those clients that make us rethink our life choices, but even the best prepared wedding pros can't avoid conflict entirely. That being said, a solid client service agreement and some other legal pre-planning can go a long way when things go sideways, and those are some of the points I cover in this talk.
Fact or Fiction: All Your Favorite Legal Myths Debunked
Is there really a difference between "retainer" and "deposit"? Can you enter into a binding agreement with an emoji? Some of the legal myths floating around online these days are absolutely wild. In this talk, I share what's real, what's not, and explain why you shouldn't be taking legal advice from people in Facebook groups.
Client Service Agreements: Legal Must-Haves and Missteps
Your client service agreement is one of the building blocks of your business, and yet most event and wedding pros don't have theirs in good shape. In this talk I cover some of the must-have provisions for any vendor's client service agreement and where I see folks making missteps with them from a legal perspective.
Is It Time for a Legal Tune-Up? A Guide for Seasoned Wedding and Event Pros
Let's be honest: keeping the legal side of a small business in tip top shape isn't always priority number one for wedding and event professionals, so some things get left gathering dust. In this talk, I review how to audit the legal side of your business and the main areas you need to stay on top of, from contracts to hiring to marketing.
“Attending Leah’s session at Wedding MBA was so enlightening.
I soaked up so much valuable info in a way that felt like chatting with a knowledgeable friend. I not only enjoyed every moment of her engaging presentation but left eager to hear more of her expertise – making her a speaker I would definitely seek out again.”
– KEANNA O’QUINN, FOUNDER & CEO, SONIC SOMMELIER and HONEY + VINYL
Photo by Foto Bohemia.
PICK YOUR FORMAT, AND I’LL SHOW UP
However you like your legal content served, I've got a platform for it.
Conference Keynotes & Breakouts:
On a big stage, telling my best (worst?) wedding day stories to a packed room.
Virtual Summits & Webinars:
From my laptop, coffee in hand, same energy as the stage version.
Membership Workshops:
Smaller group, more Q&A, going deeper on the stuff that actually keeps you up at night.
Podcasts & Panels:
Ask me anything. I'm a pretty good guest, if I do say so myself.
I’M A PRETTY FANTASTIC SPEAKER.
HERE’S PROOF.
I’LL TRAVEL FOR THIS
I'm based in New York City, but I pack a bag for this industry more than I'd like to admit — nationally and internationally. Regional meetup or big national conference, I'm in.
Got specific dates or a dream destination? Tell me about it in your inquiry, and I will follow up with availability and travel logistics.
Photo by Foto Bohemia.
WANT ME AT YOUR NEXT EVENT?
(Trust me, you do)
Tell me about your audience, your format, and your dates. I'll follow up with topics, availability, and next steps — no long forms, promise.
I'm also the founder of Weinberg Legal, a law firm for wedding professionals and creative entrepreneurs. Come say hi, or check out what we actually do for clients.