Mainstage
February 22-25, 2026
Our Mainstage this year is filled with powerhouse individuals who have trail blazed their way into the great wide world. From East Coast to West Coast, we bring you true leaders in the industry both incredibly successful and humble.
For nearly two decades, Anja Winikka has been at the forefront of both the consumer and business sides of the wedding industry. From 2006 to 2016, she helped pioneer the online wedding world as editor of TheKnot.com, speaking to millions of engaged couples and shaping how an entire generation planned their weddings. She later turned her focus to the business side of the aisle—creating education programs and workshops to help wedding professionals grow, innovate, and thrive. In 2019, AdWeek named her “The Knot’s Chief Innovator” for her work connecting thousands of local businesses to a social-savvy audience.
In 2021, Anja co-founded Maroo, a Y Combinator–backed payments platform built for the events industry, onboarding more than 7,000 wedding businesses within its first year.
In January 2024, she launched the Freeda Network (JoinFreeda.com)—a private, invite-only business network for established wedding brands and creative entrepreneurs serving high-net-worth clients. Freeda matches members into highly curated small groups that meet monthly for private, strategic conversations, backed by expert-led classes on business and money, and in-person gatherings across the country. It’s designed to be the trusted inner circle where ambitious, high-level creatives connect, learn, and grow together.
Anja Winikka
Caroline Tran is an award-winning Los Angeles–based photographer celebrated for her timeless imagery, heartfelt storytelling, and refined artistry. With over a decade of experience, she has become a sought-after creative in both the wedding and portrait worlds, known for capturing life’s most meaningful milestones with grace and authenticity.
As the founder of CaroT studio and Caroline Tran Weddings, Caroline has photographed hundreds of couples and families worldwide, blending a natural editorial style with an intimate, emotive touch. Her personal work, shared through @sliceofcaroline, reveals her passion for documenting the beauty of everyday life with warmth and honesty.
Caroline’s artistry has earned her recognition as Creator of the Year by Rangefinder Magazine and she proudly serves as a Fujifilm Ambassador, representing innovation and excellence in photography. Beyond her own lens, she is a trusted educator—empowering fellow photographers through workshops, presets, and online resources that make artistry both approachable and inspiring.
Whether photographing love stories, new beginnings, or personal journeys, Caroline brings a unique balance of artistry and heart that resonates far beyond the frame.
caroline Tran
Nestled in the serene Blue Ridge Mountains near Charlottesville, Virginia, Eric Kelley is a celebrated wedding photographer whose images evoke timeless emotion and artistic elegance.
Over the years, his work has been honored by Harper’s Bazaar, Martha Stewart Weddings, Rangefinder, and featured in outlets like Brides, The Knot, Southern Living Weddings, and more.
Eric Kelley is a Charlottesville Virginia-based photographer, capturing the world’s beauty through natural, ethereal, and painterly portraits that preserve moments in time and evoke deep emotions. Eric specializes in fine art wedding and event photography, recognized as a leading top photographer by Harper’s Bazaar, Brides and more.. He tells powerful stories through images on behalf of his clients, creating timeless works of art that inspire and leave a lasting impact.
On the rare occasions he's not photographing, Eric is either dreaming up the next moment he'll capture, snowboarding down a slope, or cheering on college basketball—an avid sports fan since his UVA athlete days.
Eric Kelley
Calder Clark has garnered a loyal and widespread following for her curatorial eye and hyper-tailored take on entertaining. Offering a signature residential flair and editorial twist on impeccable affairs around the globe, Clark spreads the mantra that weddings are inherently about the art of storytelling; they must be individualistic, expressive, layered, authentic, and incredibly compelling all at once. Aiming to reduce the overwhelm for each and every client, the Calder Clark team thrives on concepting novel design and masterminding logistics as part of a decidedly thoughtful and un-stuffy approach to the modern wedding experience.
Named a top planner by Vogue, Over the Moon, Harper’s Bazaar, BRIDES, and Martha Stewart Weddings, Calder Clark’s portfolio spans 25 years and has been featured in Veranda, Town & Country, Southern Living, Coastal Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, The New York Times, and other notable publications. Calder lives in Charleston, South Carolina with her husband Chauncey, children Campbell and Walton, and Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Cookie.
Calder Clark
Over the past 15 years, Greg Finck has specialized in documenting some of the most exceptional weddings and events across the globe. Aside from weddings, Greg has developed his craft in travel and fashion photography, working for renowned brands such as Elie Saab, Balenciaga or Rime Arodaky. Greg’s work is elegant, natural and timeless, and captures the subjects under their most honest side. Strongly influenced by fashion photographers such as Annie Leibovitz, Mario Testino or Patrick Demarchelier, Greg always challenges the status quo. Greg travels to some of the most beautiful locations across the world, with a true love for the South of France, Italy and California. Greg has been names one of the Top Wedding Photographers in the World by Harper's Bazaar and has been published in world-acclaimed publications such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, The New York Times or Martha Stewart Weddings.
Greg Finck
Sam Jacobson is a business strategist and sales coach who helps wedding professionals fill their calendars with ideal clients at high prices.
He’s spent 18+ years obsessing over how to persuade couples to say “yes” - and pay more - with practical approaches using buyer psychology.
In 2016, Sam started Ideaction Consulting to help wedding pros grow their businesses. Now they offer sales coaching/training, website copywriting and design, a sales and marketing mastermind for rising stars, and an interactive AI-powered sales skill lab.
Last year, Sam partnered with Abby Jiu to open Duet Social Media, an agency for luxury wedding vendors who want strategy and content to drive growth.
Check out his podcast, Own Your Business, to hear how you can use the science of sales to reach your full potential.
Sam lives in the San Juan Islands, Washington with his family when he’s not exploring the world on walking holidays.
sam Jacobson
Samm Blake is an Australian photographer based in New York City with over two decades of experience. Known for her skilled and sensitive eye for portraiture and a deep love of film photography, her work blends the honesty of documentary storytelling with the artistry of refined composition. Her images are intimate and full of emotional depth, drawn to capturing the quiet, unspoken moments that hold the most meaning. Clients describe her calming presence as an ability to read the room, move with quiet confidence, and make people feel truly seen. She is sought after by couples who value intentionality, discretion, and a deeply personal approach.
Specializing in destination weddings, she has photographed celebrations across the globe - from Iceland to Indonesia, the UK to the UAE and beyond - always bringing a unique editorial and artistic sensibility to the wedding world. Her name has appeared on best-of lists by American Photo Magazine, Condé Nast Brides, Over the Moon, and The Wed, and her work has been published in Vogue and other leading publications.
Samm Blake
The world renowned Sinclaire and Moore design studio that spans over 25 plus years with clients all over the world has captured our hearts. His passion for weddings began as a child—baking cakes, playing piano at celebrations—forming the heart of a design career that blends artistry with heartfelt storytelling. As part of a powerful creative duo with Jamie Sinclair Moore, they elevated their studio into something truly personal, grounding every event in meaningful detail and sincere joy. Together, they are most inspired by life’s beautiful in-betweens, crafting moments that feel both elegant and intimate. Their work has earned praise from Martha Stewart Weddings, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Brides, all while building a full home, with the most adorable vibrant family, and a business built on authenticity. Steve dreams big—envisioning books, lifestyle lines, and even a television presence in the future—but believes the magic always begins with connection.
