Celebrating International Women’s Day 2026

The wedding industry is powered by women.

From planners and celebrants to marketers, founders and business leaders, women are not only shaping unforgettable wedding days — they are building sustainable companies, leading teams, and redefining what modern leadership looks like.

This International Women’s Day, we asked some of the incredible women across our industry to share their advice for others and their thoughts on how we can better support and uplift women in business.

Their words speak for themselves.

Holly & Sarah, Co-Owners, Confetti & Co Events 

What advice would you give to other women looking to start or grow their own business in the wedding industry?

Firstly, don’t copy, create. The wedding industry may feel saturated, but there is always room for originality. Trends will come and go, but longevity comes from building a strong, authentic brand rooted in what makes you different. To do this, find your niche and own it. You don’t need to serve everyone, and in fact, you shouldn’t! The more specific you are about who you serve and what you’re known for, the stronger your positioning becomes. And remember, you don’t have to be everyone’s favourite. Not every couple will align with your style or pricing, and that’s okay. The right clients will value your expertise and trust your process.

Most importantly, do your sums and don’t undercharge. This is not a hobby, it’s a business. Understand your costs properly, your time, overheads, taxes, marketing and profit and build a pricing structure that is sustainable and confident. When you undercharge, you don’t just hurt yourself; you lower the value of the industry. Don’t sell yourself short. You’re not “just” a supplier, you’re a business owner delivering strategy, creativity, logistics, and leadership.

How can the wedding industry better support and uplift women in business?

One of the biggest shifts that needs to happen is around perception. The wedding industry is still often viewed as a “hobby business” rather than a serious career path. In reality, it is a multi-billion-dollar industry driven largely by women. The language and mindset surrounding it need to reflect that scale and impact.

We need to put our CEO hat on. We are not running side hustles, we are running companies. We manage teams, timelines, suppliers, budgets, marketing strategies, and high-pressure weddings. We carry responsibility, risk, and accountability. This is leadership.

The industry must also recognise that it is largely female-owned, female-managed and female-operated. Supporting women in this space means normalising profitable pricing, encouraging strong financial literacy, creating mentorship opportunities, and challenging outdated stereotypes about “wedding work.”

When we treat this industry as the serious, powerful economic force it is, and when women confidently step into their roles as CEOs rather than “just suppliers” the entire sector becomes stronger, more sustainable, and more respected.

Kate, Head of Marketing & Digital, Simone Pérèle 

What advice would you give to other women looking to excel in wedding-related businesses?

The wedding industry is deeply emotional — you’re not just selling a product or service, you’re stepping into one of the most meaningful moments in a woman’s life. My advice is to lead with purpose, legacy, and genuine care.

I’m incredibly proud to work for a brand designed by women, for women — a brand built on generational trust. In the bridal space, especially, trust is everything. Often, a bride discovers us through her mother or grandmother. Advice is passed down. First fittings become shared milestones. Those moments are intimate and deeply personal — and that’s something you can never treat lightly.

If you want to excel in a wedding-related business, focus on building connection over transactions. Create experiences that feel considered, supportive, and empowering. Brides remember how you made them feel long after the day itself.

At the same time, don’t be afraid to evolve. The modern bride is different from the one ten or twenty years ago. She values authenticity, inclusivity, and brands that stand for something meaningful. Honouring legacy doesn’t mean staying the same — it means carrying forward the values that built your reputation while adapting to the needs of the next generation.

Because in weddings, you’re not just part of a single day.You’re part of a family story that will be told for years to come.

How can the wedding industry best support and uplift women in business?

Over 30 years in the fashion industry, I worked in environments that were largely female at the mid-level. I always felt supported, valued, and treated equally. That sense of encouragement and collaboration shaped not only my career, but my confidence.

The wedding industry has a unique opportunity to build on that same spirit — because it is one of the few industries where women make up a significant portion of the workforce, from designers and stylists to planners, marketers, and founders.

To truly uplift women in business, we need to move beyond surface-level support and create meaningful pathways for leadership and ownership. That means mentorship programs that connect emerging entrepreneurs with experienced leaders. It means transparent conversations about pay, growth, and opportunities. It means championing women not just as contributors, but as decision-makers.

Community is also powerful. When women collaborate instead of compete, incredible things happen. Sharing knowledge, referrals, and resources strengthens the entire industry.

Flexibility is another key factor. Many women in this industry balance business ownership with family life. Supporting flexible structures, understanding life stages, and designing workplaces that respect both ambition and wellbeing allows women to sustain long-term careers.

Finally, we need to actively celebrate women’s successes. Visibility matters. Showcasing female founders, sharing their stories, and recognising their achievements creates role models for the next generation.

The wedding industry is built on emotion, care, and connection — qualities often traditionally associated with women. When we apply those same values internally — through mentorship, collaboration, inclusivity, and leadership opportunities — we don’t just support women in business. We empower them to lead it.

Darcy Allen, General Manager, Easy Weddings

What advice would you give to other women looking to start working in the wedding industry?

Network! Put yourself out there and join B2B Facebook groups and offer to do work experience/intern with large planning or styling groups, venues etc. to learn the trade. Offer to help out with upcoming showcase days and/or styled shoots and attend upcoming wedding expos to meet other like-minded suppliers you can collaborate with.

How can the wedding industry better support and uplift women in business?

I think as an industry we should seek more opportunities to call out amazing women (and men!) doing incredible work advocating for our special industry, which is looking after arguably the most important day of someone’s life! So I think we don’t need to wait for days like IWD to roll around to shout it from the rooftops, let’s make sure we are inclusive and support 365 days a year!”

Katrina Lai, Celebrant

What advice would you give to other women looking to start or grow their own business in the wedding industry?

Build with intention, not just momentum. The wedding industry is beautiful, creative, and emotionally rich. But if you want longevity, you have to think beyond the next booking. Ask yourself what standards you want to raise, what experience you want to be known for, and what kind of business you want to own in five years’ time.

Start with heart, but build with structure. Systems, pricing confidence, and clear positioning aren’t just corporate concepts – they are what protect your energy and allow you to grow sustainably. Also, don’t underestimate your influence and how much positive impact you are making to a couple’s day. When you operate professionally, hold boundaries, and price fairly, you quietly lift the expectations of the entire industry.

How can the wedding industry better support and uplift women in business?

By recognising that many women in this industry are not small operators. They are founders, strategists, and leaders. The wedding space is largely female-led at a service level, yet visibility, influence, and larger commercial opportunities don’t always reflect that. Supporting women means spotlighting them as experts and decision makers, not just creatives.

It also means normalising financial literacy. We should be having open conversations about pricing for profit, managing cash flow, planning for tax and super, and building long-term stability. Creativity is important, but sustainability is what allows women to build careers, not just busy seasons. Support also looks like respect – for contracts, boundaries, and intellectual property. Being warm should not mean being expected to overextend.

Most importantly, we should encourage women to see themselves as CEOs of their brands. When women feel confident to lead, negotiate, and understand their numbers, the industry shifts from short-term hustle to long-term impact.

Kylie Wilson, Celebrant (Arrivals, Marriages, Departures)

What advice would you give to other women looking to start or grow their own business in the wedding industry?

Go for it. This industry is continually growing.

Build your client base with partners such as Easy Weddings. The support I receive from my Account Manager and suggestions to grow have directly impacted my success and the building of my brand.

How can the wedding industry better support and uplift women in business?

Invite feedback and celebrate those who can share their path to success with others. Host morning tea and invite those starting out to meet and partner with a mentor.

Olivia Ferraro, Celebrant

What advice would you give to other women looking to start or grow their own business in the wedding industry?

If I could offer any advice, it would be to lean into connection. Network where you can, show up to industry events, mix, mingle and get to know the wonderful people around you. This industry really does thrive on relationships.

Build your presence online, follow and support others in your space, and don’t be afraid to showcase the wonderful, unique talent that is you. The more you show up as yourself, the more you’ll naturally attract the people who are meant to find you.

How can the wedding industry better support and uplift women in business?

One of the best ways the wedding industry can uplift women in business is by genuinely championing one another. Finding like-minded vendors and recommending each other, share opportunities, and create room for each other to grow.

As a celebrant, so much of the work happens on your own, and having found a tribe of fellow celebrants has not only brought friendship but a circle of support and mentorship. It’s our own community that reminds us we’re not doing our work alone.

International Women’s Day is a powerful reminder of the leadership, creativity, resilience and innovation women bring to the wedding industry.

But as Darcy Allen says, “we don’t need to wait for days like IWD to roll around to shout it from the rooftops, let’s make sure we are inclusive and support 365 days a year!”

Here’s to the founders, the creatives, the strategists, the CEOs — and the women building an industry that continues to evolve, empower, and lead.

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