After coaching wedding business owners for more than two decades, these are the books I’ve recommended most often, and the ones that have genuinely changed the way I run my own business.
As a business owner, one of the best investments you can make is in your own personal and professional development. Whether you’re reading or listening on Audible, the right book can give you a fresh perspective, challenge your thinking and provide practical strategies you can implement straight away.
I’ve spent 24 years (and counting) working in the wedding industry, mentoring hundreds of wedding business owners. Every book on this list has earned its place on my bookshelf (and many are in my Audible library too!) because they’ve influenced how I run my business and coach my clients.
Whether you’re a wedding photographer, florist, planner, venue, celebrant or another creative business owner, these books will help you strengthen your mindset, improve your marketing and build a more successful, sustainable business.
1. Atomic Habits by James Clear
Atomic Habits is the ultimate guide to the science of habit forming using simple, actionable steps. You’ll learn how to build good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny actions that lead to incredible results over time. It is this book that lead me on my own journey of habit building, I explore this through my micro course Business Mindset Shift. I highly recommend this book to start taking back control of your time especially.
2. Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller
For anyone looking to understand more deeply how to market their business, this book is a game-changer. Donald Miller teaches you how to clarify your message and create a compelling brand story that connects with your audience. It’s a book I have gifted to so many of my clients over the years. I like the way he breaks everything down and it even includes a link for online worksheets. Many clients say this book complements the way I consult with them so it’s a must in my mind!
3. Bored and Brilliant by Manoush Zomorodi
I believe there is an updated version os this called “spark” but I am not entirely sure if the content is the same so I am recommending the original! In a world full of distractions, Bored and Brilliant shows you how embracing boredom can unlock creativity and productivity. I’m a big believer that creatives need moments of silence and stillness so their creative minds can find inspiration for new projects.
4. Company of One by Paul Jarvis
Do you really need to grow your business to succeed? Company of One challenges the traditional growth-at-all-costs mindset. Paul Jarvis explores how staying small can lead to greater freedom, sustainability, and fulfilment in your work. There is so much focus in the online space to grow bigger with more staff and premises, whereas this is not the right path for many business owners. Thus I love his take on scaling whilst remaining a company of one.
5. The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks
I spoke about this book at my recent workshop and use his teachings with my clients. The author Gay Hendricks teaches you how to overcome your self-imposed limits and step into your “Zone of Genius.” It’s an empowering read for anyone ready to make their big leap and I cannot recommend this enough. Especially helpful when you want to master your time.
6. Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson
A timeless classic, Who Moved My Cheese uses a simple parable to teach profound lessons about dealing with change. It’s a very quick read that offers valuable insights on how to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing world.
7. Do the Hard Things First by Scott Allan
You will notice lots of my book recommendations are helping you deal with time management so you stop the procrastination. And this is no different. Scott Allan’s Do the Hard Things First helps you tackle the most challenging tasks head-on. This book is packed with strategies to overcome resistance and build momentum toward your goals. I would recommend reading Atomic Habits and the Big Leap first though.
8. Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
Look, this is a somewhat dry read or maybe thats just me? But, if managing your business finances feels overwhelming, Profit First offers a fresh perspective. Mike Michalowicz introduces a simple, effective system to ensure your business is always profitable by prioritising profits over expenses. It is eye opening and a game changer for sure.
9. The Most Powerful Woman in the Room Is You by Lydia Fenet
I must admit to reenacting some of this book during my workshop! Lydia Fenet shares her journey to becoming a top auctioneer and leader, offering lessons on confidence, negotiation, and storytelling. I especially love her advice on not giving up and changing your approach if the first way isn’t working. This is very helpful when selling your services especially if cold calling. There is not much to learn per see in the book but I found it very inspirational.
10. The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins
Need a simple way to break bad habits or take action? The 5 Second Rule introduces a countdown method that helps you push past hesitation. Mel Robbins’ straightforward technique is incredibly simple but effective as well. No more hitting the snooze button, instead get up and be productive, 5,4,3,2,1 GO.
11. Mastering Your Mean Girl by Melissa Ambrosini
Mastering Your Mean Girl is a guide to silencing your inner critic and replacing self-doubt with self-love. Melissa Ambrosini provides tools to build confidence and create a life aligned with your dreams and values. Many of the women I coach struggle with self doubt, confidence and imposter syndrome. This book helps you recognise some of the common signs and move past it. I also talk about this in Business Mindset Shift.
12. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
I’m so glad I finally read this book. Mel Robbins explores the art of letting go of what you can’t control, helping you focus your energy on the things you can. I loved that the lessons apply to both family life and business. As I was reading it, I was navigating some tricky situations with my adult children and a former friendship, and the timing couldn’t have been better. One quote that really resonated with me was, “If you’re not careful, comparison can become the reason why you doubt yourself, procrastinate and stay stuck.” Another powerful reminder was to give people the freedom to think or even say something negative about you. A simple concept, but one that can be genuinely life-changing.
Article Updated July 2026
Why not commit to reading (or listening) to one book a month this year? I would also love to hear from you, if there is a book you read recently you want to recommend contact me by email or social media and I will add to my list.
Resources
8 Habits every Wedding Business owner should build
Burnout in the wedding industry
A final thought..
Reading the right books can change the way you think. Taking action is what changes your business.
Download my free 90-Day Planning Workbook to map out your next quarter. If you’d rather have expert guidance, book a one-hour Business Booster Session and we’ll create a focused action plan together.
