Wedding Pros who are ready to grow - with Becca Pountney

Show notes:

What does accessibility really look like in the wedding industry?

This week, I’m chatting to Charlotte Rowe, founder of The Unseen Weddings, about her experience of planning her own wedding as a disabled bride and the lack of accessibility and representation she has encountered along the way.

From struggling to find genuinely accessible venues to seeing very little representation at wedding shows, Charlotte shares some of the experiences that inspired her to start The Unseen Weddings project.

We talk about why simply describing somewhere as “wheelchair accessible” isn’t always enough, why asking couples what they actually need is so important, and how accessibility can look completely different from person to person.

And it isn’t just about venues. We explore what photographers, florists, DJs, planners and other wedding professionals can do to make their businesses more inclusive; from asking better questions during consultations to thinking about sensory needs, mobility aids, photography and representation.

Charlotte also shares some of the positive experiences she’s had, including a wonderfully accessible engagement experience at the Sea Life Centre, and explains her plans to create a directory of wedding suppliers who are committed to learning, listening and doing better.

If you’re a wedding professional, I hope this episode makes you stop and think about your own business and the small changes you could make to create a more accessible experience.

Unseen Weddings Instagram

Time stamps:

00:57 - Charlotte Rowe — Founder of Unseen Weddings

08:45 - Sea Life Center: Accessibility Done Right

13:31 - Directories and Accessibility: Finding Accessible Wedding Venues

22:28 - When Wedding Planning Doesn't Reflect You: Realising You're Unseen

26:00 - Turning Frustration into Action — Starting Unseen Weddings

32:10 - Creating an Inclusive Supplier Directory and Accessible Events

39:34 - Asking About Accessibility: How Suppliers Should Start the Conversation

45:26 - A Word of Caution: Who Should Get Involved

Show notes:

In this episode, I’m chatting to Lianne Cole, a female wedding DJ, live vocalist and entertainer who is right at the beginning of her journey in the wedding industry.

Lianne’s route into weddings hasn’t exactly been a straightforward one. With a Master’s in opera performance behind her, she’s worked across a whole mix of different industries and businesses before finding her way into DJing and entertainment. She now brings together her love of performing and her passion for music through LMC, combining live vocals with high-energy DJ sets.

We talk about what it’s actually like trying to establish yourself when you’re new to the wedding industry, particularly as a female DJ in what has traditionally been a very male-dominated space.

Lianne shares some of the challenges she’s come up against, from seeing the same male DJs repeatedly recommended in local wedding groups to feeling like female DJs can sometimes be brought in simply to tick a box. We also talk about why visibility matters, the importance of having more women represented in the industry and how venues and suppliers could help create more opportunities for people who are newer to the wedding world.

Lianne's TikTok

Time stamps:

01:37 - Leanne's Background & Opera Journey

13:57 - Gender and the DJ Industry: Women in Opera, Weddings, and Beyond

19:41 - Confronting Sexual Harassment in the Industry

27:34 - Unearthing the Gender Gap: Getting On Venue Supplier Lists

35:16 - Marketing on a Shoestring: Visibility Strategies for New DJs

Show notes:

This week, I'm chatting to Ade, a wedding MC and celebrant based in London and working worldwide, about exactly that. Ade has built a hugely successful wedding business, with 50 weddings this year, while continuing to work full time as a management consultant. His journey into the wedding industry was almost accidental, starting when friends asked him to MC their wedding in Athens. Five years later, he's worked on weddings around the world and has even been featured in publications including The New York Times and Vogue Weddings.

If you're currently juggling a wedding business alongside another job, wondering whether you're ready to go full time, or simply trying to figure out what makes your business different, I think you're going to get a lot from this episode.

New York Times article

Time stamps:

09:55 - Benefits to Couples: Guest Experience & Value

19:37 - Breaking Down 50 Weddings: Where Clients Come From

28:20 - When Time Becomes Precious: Balancing a 9-to-5 and a Wedding Business

40:00 - The Pipeline: When to Quit and Go Full-Time

51:52 - What I Wish I'd Known Sooner — Essential Business Advice

Show notes:

In this week's episode I'm chatting to wedding photographer Ollie Knight, who has been capturing weddings since 2011 and has photographed more than 400 couples.

Based in Canterbury, Ollie has built a photography business around a documentary, unscripted approach, capturing the real moments of a wedding day rather than creating lots of staged images. But photography is just one part of Ollie's life. Alongside his business, he makes time for his family, his faith, music and his work mentoring and educating other photographers through Framed.

One of my favourite parts of this conversation is our discussion around being niche. Ollie talks about how, in the early days, he sometimes compromised his documentary style because he wanted to attract more work. Looking back, he'd choose to double down on what makes his work different. And I couldn't agree more. You don't need everyone to love what you do. It's a brilliant reminder that your business doesn't have to consume every part of your life. You can build something successful while still making space for your family, your faith, your interests and the things that matter to you.

FramED Instagram

FramED website

Show notes:

What is it really like to run a wedding venue in the middle of a wild animal park?

In this episode, I’m chatting to Stephanie Betts, Wedding & Event Sales Manager at Port Lympne Reserve in Kent, an award-winning wedding venue with a seriously unique USP. I was lucky enough to visit Port Lympne myself. From safari experiences and a stunning private orangery to exceptional customer service and a carefully curated recommended supplier list, there’s plenty that wedding businesses can learn from the way Port Lympne approaches its guest experience.

Time stamps:

00:12 - Introduction to Wedding Marketing

05:34 - The Uniqueness of Portland's Wedding Experience

21:51 - Adapting to Changing Wedding Trends

30:02 - The Rise of Intimate Weddings

45:53 - Understanding Supplier Relationships in Event Management

01:01:29 - The Importance of Customer Experience in Weddings

Show notes:

Is AI killing your marketing? I’m not anti-AI, in fact, I use it every single day in my business! But I am starting to see more and more wedding businesses using AI in a way that is making their marketing sound exactly the same. In today’s episode, I’m talking about how to use AI without losing your personality, creativity and unique voice. I’ll be sharing some honesty checks to help you work out whether AI might be hurting your marketing, the difference between generative and agentic AI, and exactly how I’m using AI behind the scenes in my own business. Because AI should be your partner, not your replacement!

Download my AI worksheet

The AI-Driven Leader: Harnessing AI to Make Faster, Smarter Decisions

Time stamps:

00:03 - The Problem with Wedding Marketing

01:23 - The Impact of AI on Marketing

12:51 - Understanding AI in Business: Generative vs. Agentic

22:43 - Using AI as a Thinking Partner

26:52 - Using AI to Enhance Creativity and Efficiency

Show notes:

This week I’m joined by Lee Clubb Sansom, CEO of Sarah Haywood’s luxury wedding and party planning business, to talk about what goes on behind the glamour of the industry. Lee has had a fascinating career, starting in retail at just 15 before working in premium brands including Ted Baker, AllSaints, Selfridges and Harrods. He then moved into the luxury floral world with McQueens Flowers before joining Sarah Haywood four years ago. Lee’s career journey has given him a brilliant perspective on what it takes to build and run a successful wedding business.

We get into the reality of working in luxury weddings, and it isn’t always quite as glamorous as Instagram makes it look! Lee shares why staying humble is so important, why your suppliers and event partners should be treated as clients too, and what separates the people who build long careers in the wedding industry from those who disappear after a few years.

Time stamps:

00:13 - Introduction to Becca Pountney

03:13 - Transitioning Careers in the Wedding Industry

15:40 - Transitioning to Employee Ownership

20:40 - Understanding the Reality of Event Planning

27:51 - Navigating Relationships in Event Planning

37:55 - Navigating Follow-Up Emails in Professional Relationships

52:32 - The Importance of Professionalism in Business

Show notes:

Could the biggest change to marriage law in almost 200 years completely transform the wedding industry?

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Zadie Ward, a wedding celebrant, to discuss the proposed changes to marriage law in England and Wales. And what they could mean for couples, celebrants and the wider wedding industry.

But before we dive into the legal changes, Zadie shares her fascinating journey from training as an actor, to working in events and communications, and ultimately finding her calling as a celebrant after conducting a friend’s wedding. We also chat honestly about the realities of building a wedding business alongside a part-time career, why networking has been one of the biggest drivers of her success, and the mindset shifts that have helped her navigate rejection, self-doubt and the pressures of marketing.

Marriage law consultation

Zadie’s Instagram

Ceremonies by Zadie - Zadie’s website

Time stamps:

00:06 - Introduction to Wedding Marketing Strategies

01:47 - Exploring the Journey to Celebrancy

10:39 - Navigating the Challenges of Being a Celebrant

15:27 - Navigating Social Media: The Double-Edged Sword of Marketing

21:02 - Navigating Social Media Marketing

26:38 - The Myth of Going Viral

32:22 - The Importance of Data and Tracking in Business

34:34 - The Importance of Data in Decision Making

40:02 - Understanding the Value of Investment in Business

44:54 - The Changing Landscape of Marriage in England

51:11 - The Impact of Wedding Industry Reform

01:00:24 - Finding Focus in Business: Lessons from Experience

Show notes:

This week on the podcast I’m chatting to Delia Monk. Delia is a messaging strategist and conversion copywriter who helps business owners uncover what makes them different and then communicate it in a way that actually connects with the right people. But before that, she had a fascinating career as a political journalist before spending ten years building a successful travel business. When the pandemic completely turned her world upside down, she had to reinvent herself all over again, and that journey has shaped the way she approaches marketing today.

In this episode, we chat about why so much marketing feels the same, why connection matters more than perfection, and how you can uncover what Delia calls your “spark” so your marketing genuinely reflects who you are.

We also dive into storytelling, why selling doesn’t have to feel awkward, how to use AI without losing your personality, and why your existing clients are actually your best source of copywriting inspiration.

Delia’s newsletter

Delia’s Instagram

Unapologetic entrepreneurship podcast

Time stamps:

00:11 - Introduction to Wedding Marketing Strategies

04:46 - The Decline of Journalism and a New Beginning

11:45 - Navigating Change: A Journey Through Travel and Adversity

13:34 - The Journey to Becoming a Conversion Copywriter

25:15 - Defining Your Spark in Copywriting

27:53 - Strengths and Vulnerabilities in the Industry

35:34 - Understanding the Importance of Values in Business

41:11 - Transitioning to Effective Communication

46:15 - The Art of Story Selling

54:49 - Finding Your Unique Voice in Selling

01:02:32 - Unapologetic Entrepreneurship: A New Beginning

01:06:00 - The Power of Email Marketing

Show notes:

In this week's episode I'm joined by Nina Beer, venue manager at Bugle House in Southampton, who completely reimagined what a wedding showcase could look like. Instead of focusing on selling, Nina focused on creating an unforgettable experience. From carefully curating suppliers to styling every room with purpose, every decision was designed to help couples emotionally connect with the venue and genuinely picture themselves getting married there.

The results?

A showcase that generated £25,000 worth of bookings, delighted suppliers and completely changed how couples experienced the venue.

Time stamps:

00:15 - Understanding the Value of Marketing in the Wedding Industry

03:40 - Transitioning to New Beginnings in the Wedding Industry

09:57 - Rebranding and Marketing Strategies for the Bugle Venue

22:54 - Creating the Perfect Venue Experience

32:02 - Event Experience and Improvements

37:10 - Curating Supplier Lists: The Key to Venue Success

45:00 - The Importance of Supplier Relationships in Weddings

51:13 - Innovating the Wedding Industry