Need a Wedding Industry Speaker Who Makes Legal Topics Actually Fun? Hi, I'm Leah.

Aug 28

A few years ago, I took the stage in Zimbabwe at DWP Congress talking to destination wedding planners from around the world about protecting their businesses. Later that trip, I fed elephants.

I bring this up for two reasons. One, it's objectively the coolest thing that's ever happened to me. And two, it's proof that "a lawyer giving a talk about contracts" doesn't have to mean an hour of legalese while everyone checks their phones.

I'm Leah Weinberg — attorney, founder of Weinberg Legal, author of The Wedding Roller Coaster, and recovering wedding planner. And if you're planning a conference, retreat, or virtual summit for wedding and event professionals, I'd love to be part of your speaker lineup.

Why a Lawyer Who Used to Be a Wedding Planner?

Before I returned to practicing law, I spent a decade running Color Pop Events, a New York City wedding planning company. I've been in the room when things went sideways. I've had the difficult clients. I've felt that stomach drop when you realize your contract doesn't say what you assumed it said.

So when I get on stage, I'm not lecturing from a legal ivory tower. I'm sharing real stories from my planning days and my law practice — the client disputes, the refund requests, the venue disasters — and translating them into things you can actually do to protect your business.

One attendee at my Wedding MBA session put it this way: it "felt like chatting with a knowledgeable friend." That's the whole goal. Legal education that's useful, entertaining, and doesn't require a law degree to follow.

Where I've Spoken

As a WeddingPro Educator with The Knot + WeddingWire since 2020, I've traveled across the country (and internationally!) speaking to wedding and event professionals at conferences and organizations including:

Wedding MBA
NACE Experience
WIPA
DWP Congress (yes, the Zimbabwe one)
Be Sage Conference
Alt Summit
Coterie Retreat
RSVP Club
The Signature CEO Conference
SWEL Summer Summit

I also speak at virtual summits, inside membership communities, and on podcasts. Plus, my legal insights have been featured by the New York Times, The Knot, Hubspot, Marketwatch, Catersource, and more.

Leah Weinberg, lawyer and speaker, stands on a stage wearing a black and white newspaper patterned dress. In the background is a shark-filled aquarium and guests watching Leah speak. — SWEL Summer Summit 2026. Photo by Foto Bohemia.

My Speaking Topics

Every talk is built for wedding and event professionals — planners, photographers, venues, florists, caterers, and every creative in between. As of summer 2026, my current signature talks include:

What's the Worst that Could Happen? My absolute favorite. What if the venue caught fire an hour before the ceremony? (Real question. Real story.) We cover how to handle the bizarre curveballs of events day and how to protect yourself from day one with every client.

Couples, AI, and Your Contracts: The Plus-One Nobody Asked For. Clients are using ChatGPT to markup your contracts, override your expertise, and even draft legal-sounding letters after the wedding's over. I cover how AI is showing up in the client relationship and what to do about it, from contract provisions to handling an AI-drafted threat letter.

Lawsuits, Chargebacks, Nightmare Clients: Oh My! Even the best-prepared wedding pros can't avoid conflict entirely. This talk covers how a solid client service agreement and smart legal pre-planning save you when things go wrong.

Fact or Fiction: All Your Favorite Legal Myths Debunked. Is there really a difference between "retainer" and "deposit"? Can an emoji create a binding contract? I separate what's real from what's not — and explain why Facebook groups (and ChatGPT!) are not your lawyer.

Client Service Agreements: Legal Must-Haves and Missteps. Your contract is a building block of your business, and most pros' contracts need work. I cover the must-have provisions and the mistakes I see most often.

Is It Time for a Legal Tune-Up? For seasoned pros whose legal to-dos have been gathering dust. How to audit the legal side of your business, from contracts to hiring to marketing.

Planning something specific? I regularly develop custom presentations based on what your audience needs most.

What Event Organizers Can Expect

My style is conversational. I break down complex legal topics into digestible, interesting pieces, and I keep it entertaining because nobody remembers a boring session. Also, I will be wearing colorful sneakers. It's my signature. Non-negotiable.

Beyond the stage, community matters to me. I serve on the Allied Council for the National Society of Black Wedding and Event Professionals (NSBWEP), mentor through NSBWEP's Mentor Program, and participate in WeddingPro's Fellowship for Change program.

I’ll Pack My Bags

Whether you're organizing an industry conference, a regional association meeting, a virtual summit, or a members-only workshop inside your community, I'd love to chat about what your audience needs.

Head to my speaking page for more details, or send an inquiry here. My calendar fills up around peak conference season, so if you have a date in mind, reach out sooner rather than later.

And if we end up somewhere with elephants? Even better.

Leah Weinberg

Leah Weinberg – founder of Weinberg Legal – is an attorney, a recovering wedding planner, and the author of The Wedding Roller Coaster. She spent a decade planning weddings in and around New York City as the owner of Color Pop Events before returning to her roots as an attorney in 2023 so she could provide legal counsel for wedding and event professionals as well as other creative entrepreneurs who want to feel better equipped to weather the ups and downs of running a small business. Leah’s work and insights have been published online and in print with Vogue, the New York Times, People, CNN, CNBC, Bravo, Martha Stewart, and The Knot, among others.