Brandi Swanson shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Brandi, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A typical day for me starts with the morning hustle—getting my kids up for school, letting the dogs out, filling their bowls, unloading the dishwasher, and making breakfast. I usually have a motivational business podcast playing in the background so by the time I get everyone out the door and start my first load of laundry, I’m already inspired and in “go mode.” By 9 a.m., I’m at my desk, diving into marketing and important emails before lunch, then shifting into business growth and strategy work in the afternoon. Evenings are a mix of prepping dinner, cheering on my kids at baseball, swim or cheer, or meeting virtually with clients. Some days bring venue tours, walkthroughs, or networking, but most days blend business and mom life—and I love the balance.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Brandi Swanson, owner of Next Chapter Weddings in Houston, TX, where I help overwhelmed couples turn wedding planning into a peaceful and joyful journey. I also run Wedding Pro Reset, a passion project for fellow wedding professionals who need to recharge, reconnect with why they started, and fall back in love with their work. After years in the wedding industry, I’ve learned that burnout is real—and so is the magic that happens when you take time to reset. My brand is all about mixing organization with heart, strategy with creativity, and making sure both couples and pros feel supported every step of the way.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
One of the most defining moments in my life was walking through the pain of my first marriage ending. As hard as that season was, it gave me a deep respect for how sacred and fragile marriage really is—and showed me that sometimes, no matter how much you want something to work, it takes two people fighting for it. That experience became the heartbeat behind Next Chapter Weddings—I’m not just here to plan a beautiful day, I’m here to help couples remove distractions so they can be fully present with each other. My hope is that when life gets harder than expected, they’ll have this joy-filled, meaningful memory to look back on as a reminder of why they started their union in the first place.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes—absolutely. I hit a point during a season of burnout where I was pushing my limits so hard that, even though I loved what I was doing, I genuinely felt like I couldn’t do it anymore. That experience forced me to step back, grow my team, set clearer boundaries, and reconnect with my “why.” Making those changes didn’t just save my business—it gave me a fresh perspective and a renewed love for what I get to do every day. Now, I’m able to show up fully for my clients, my team, and my life, and enjoy every moment of it again.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, the public version of me is absolutely the real me. I’m very transparent and open with my clients, vendors, and everyone around me—I don’t put on a façade. That said, if you caught me at home, you probably wouldn’t see me in a blazer or heels—you’d see me in an oversized t-shirt and leggings, just keeping it comfy. But the character, the energy, the honesty, and my way of showing up? That’s 100% genuine Brandi, no matter where I am.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people would say that I truly believed in marriage—how sacred and special it is—and that I celebrated the power of true connection, vulnerability, and communication as one of life’s greatest gifts. I hope they’d remember me as someone filled with joy and compassion, who led with those qualities in every part of life. I also hope they’d see that I prioritized my family and that my work was about more than just a profession—it was a mission: to inspire and support our community in building strong, lasting marriages that could, in turn, make the world a better place.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nextchapterweddings.com
- Instagram: @next_chapter_weddings
- Facebook: @nextchapterweddings
Image Credits
Rivers Light Photography
