Kim and Zac married in Cronulla and they always knew that Tania Marsh was going to be their celebrant.
The couple got married in Cronulla and flew Tania down to Sydney for their wedding.
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Listen to their story and how they made their wedding planning decisions in this podcast episode.
Main points from the interview:
- Kim is originally from the UK and now lives in Sydney, New South Wales.
- Married to Zach, an Australian.
- Wedding ceremony held in a local park in Cronulla, followed by a reception at a restaurant called 1908.
- Got married on March 3rd, end of summer/early autumn.
- Together for six years before marrying; engaged for three or four years, with a long engagement due to COVID.
- Planned the wedding in four months.
- Prioritised reception venue first, looking for a casual and affordable option, which led to choosing 1908.
- Ceremony location was recommended by the reception venue.
- Guest list determined by venue capacity: 120 for cocktail style, 100 for seated, but settled on 94 guests for an intimate feel.
- Music was a key element; wanted a live band for both ceremony and reception, they chose a band called Red Soda Ruby, which played their desired first dance song.
- Invites were sent quickly via email and Facebook due to the short planning timeframe.
- Bridal parties and outfits were organised after the venue and music.
- Photography was done by a friend who specialises in family and pets.
- Videography was casually done by Kim's uncle with a camcorder.
- Celebrant was a professional celebrant who is also a family friend, Tania Marsh, who was personal and engaging.
- Budget expectations started at 10k but ended up around 20k.
- On the day, they wished for an on-the-day coordinator to handle minor issues.
- Happy with the music, photography, and minimalistic decor.
- Used a Polaroid camera for candid guest photos.
- Video quality was not a priority as they don't plan to watch it often.
- Important aspects of the wedding were the venue, music, celebrant, and photographer.
Business development and marketing points:
- Personalised Service: The couple appreciated a celebrant who took a genuine interest in their relationship and personalised the ceremony to reflect their story. Celebrants should consider how they can offer a bespoke experience that resonates with the couple's unique journey.
- Referrals and Recommendations: The couple relied heavily on recommendations from friends and the reception venue for various services, including music and ceremony location. Celebrants should focus on building strong relationships with other vendors and clients to encourage word-of-mouth referrals.
- Engagement and Creativity: The celebrant's ability to keep the ceremony engaging and creative was highly valued. Celebrants should strive to make ceremonies memorable and avoid a one-size-fits-all approach.
- Communication and Guidance: The couple appreciated their celebrant's guidance throughout the process, especially since they were unfamiliar with the typical wedding structure. Celebrants should communicate clearly and offer helpful advice to couples during planning.
- On-the-day Coordination: The bride expressed a wish for an 'on-the-day coordinator' to handle logistics, suggesting that celebrants could either expand their services to include day-of coordination or partner with wedding planners to offer a comprehensive package.
- Value Perception: The couple had different budget expectations, with the bride initially aiming for a lower budget. Celebrants should be transparent with their pricing and communicate the value they bring to justify their fees.
- Marketing Approach: Traditional advertising may not always capture attention. Celebrants need to find creative ways to stand out in social media feeds and make an impression on potential clients.
- Minimalism and Authenticity: The couple preferred a minimalistic approach and candid photography, indicating a trend towards authenticity. Celebrants should be aware of such trends and adapt their services and marketing to align with the preferences of modern couples.
- Flexibility and Adaptability: The couple planned their wedding in a short timeframe, which required flexibility from vendors. Celebrants should be prepared to work with varying timelines and be adaptable to last-minute changes.
Originally published on the Celebrant Institute: https://celebrant.institute/marketing/kim-zacs-cronulla-wedding/.