114: Wedding Industry Vendor Awards - What Do They Mean For You?

Imagine this: You find, trust, book in and pay for a vendor for your wedding mainly because they’ve won every wedding award out there, only to find out later (when it’s too late)… that they actually paid for those awards, or aren’t as experienced or talented as you presumed, or, and this is surely worst, they can’t even deliver what you actually need.Could this ever happen?So today, I’m going to teach you a little about some of the biggest wedding industry awards and their processes including WeddingWire, The Knot, Easy Weddings, Wedding Industry Awards and ABIA.You’ll find out: their advantages and their shortcomings, plus how bias, undeclared interest, and pay-to-play tactics might affect how you feel about vendors who participate in these awards, andhow best to view wedding industry awards when you’re researching and putting together a short-list of your vendor dream team to make sure that you’re not left disappointed or taken advantage of.I’m hoping to give you a balanced and insightful look into the value for you and the general impact of wedding industry awards. Do they help engaged couples make informed decisions or do they just act as thinly veiled (pun intended) marketing smoke and mirrors to get your business?Spoiler alert: I think you’re going to be surprised when I tell you the truth. Resources Mentioned:The Knot Best Of Weddings: https://vendorsupport.theknotpro.com/hc/en-us/articles/12234320206484-Best-of-Weddings-FAQsWedding Wire Couples Choice Awards: https://vendorsupport.weddingwire.com/hc/en-us/articles/12234377350036-Couples-Choice-Awards-FAQsEasyWedding 5 star awards: https://www.easyweddings.com.au/pro-education/australias-top-reviewed-wedding-suppliers-2024/Wedding Industry Awards: https://weddingindustryawards.au/how-it-works/ABIA awards: https://abia.com.au/abia-awards/how-it-worksSend Unbridely a 90-second audio message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/unbridelypodcast*The Unbridely Podcast is sponsored by its listeners. When you purchase products or services through links on our website or via the podcast, we may earn an affiliate commission.*------This episode of the Unbridely Modern Wedding Planning Podcast is brought to you by Never Miss Moments Unbridely's recommended wedding guest photo and video-sharing tool. With your unique QR code, your family and friends can quickly, easily and securely share their snaps with you in your personalised online gallery.Visit nevermissmoments.com/unbridely to receive your 10% discount off their galleries.-----Unbridely acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we record this podcast on, the Kaurna People. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Support the showFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unbridely/or TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unbridelyEmail the Unbridely Podcast:[email protected]

Have you ever imagined ditching the rules and the guest list and simply escaping to a hidden gem to exchange your vows, just the two of you?Jenny Mac, founder of Eloping Is Fun, curates extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime adventures in New York City for couples from all over the world. But she’s not interested in following tradition or making the experience like a mini wedding day, she challenges the norm and empowers people to have the best day of their lives. Jenny will teach you about: the cultural shift away from traditional weddings, the kind of freedom that eloping gives engaged couples, and the joy of creating memorable individual experiences (like an elopement in a vegan doughnut shop). Jenny also shares some of her favourite secret locations in New York City for couples to tie the knot and has some great ideas for how to make your day cool and super fun. Resources Mentioned:Eloping Is Fun: https://elopingisfun.comInstagram Eloping is Fun: https://www.instagram.com/elopingisfun/NYC Community Garden Weddings: https://elopingisfun.com/how-to-get-married-in-a-community-garden-in-nyc/The Artist Loft: https://elopingisfun.com/welcome-to-the-artist-loft/Send Unbridely a 90-second audio message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/unbridelypodcast*The Unbridely Podcast is sponsored by its listeners. When you purchase products or services through links on our website or via the podcast, we may earn an affiliate commission.*------This episode of the Unbridely Modern Wedding Planning Podcast is brought to you by WedSites.com, Unbridely's recommended wedding website builder, guest management platform & wedding planning tool all in one.Visit WedSites.com to get started on your FREE wedding website and use code UNBRIDELYPOD to get 10% off any of their paid plans.-----Unbridely acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we record this podcast on, the Kaurna People. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Support the showFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unbridely/or TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unbridelyEmail the Unbridely Podcast:[email protected]

What’s sweeter than saying ‘I do’? Saying ‘we do’—to your new blended family! If you’re scratching your head trying to figure out how to involve your kids or stepkids in your wedding ceremony while steering clear of the more cliché rituals, you’re in for a treat.I've found 8 creative, symbolic, and yes, even delicious ways to celebrate your blood, or found, family in your special day.So if you’re ready to find out how to make your wedding unforgettable by weaving some story and symbolism into your ceremony to make your family feel honoured and special, stick around.  Resources: Blended Family Unity Rituals For Your Wedding Ceremony (That Haven't Been Done to Death): https://unbridely.com/blog/family-unity-wedding-ceremonyWhat are Rock Cairns & Why You Shouldn’t Build Them: https://bearfoottheory.com/what-are-rock-cairns/Send Unbridely a 90-second audio message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/unbridelypodcast *The Unbridely Podcast is sponsored by its listeners. When you purchase products or services through links on our website or via the podcast, we may earn an affiliate commission.*------This episode of the Unbridely Modern Wedding Planning Podcast is brought to you by the Unbridely Couples private Facebook group: https://facebook.com/groups/unbridelycouplesAre you engaged to be married and need planning advice, want to talk something out or share your wedding stories?If you’re looking for a like-minded community of modern engaged couples join us in the Unbridely Couples Facebook group! 🙋-----Unbridely acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we record this podcast on, the Kaurna People. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Support the showFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unbridely/or TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unbridelyEmail the Unbridely Podcast:[email protected]

What do you think your wedding dress will be worth after your wedding day?You might be surprised to hear that you can be the life of the party, stains and all and still have a pristine wedding gown for the future.Whether it's a sentimental keepsake, a family heirloom in the making, or something you plan to sell or donate later on, the real value of your gown depends on how well you take care of it after the big day.Today I’m going to tackle the often-overlooked task of storing your wedding gown after your wedding.You can get 5% off your gown cleaning and preservation with MyDressBox.com.au by using the discount code UNBRIDELY at checkout.And stick around until the end of the episode, because I’ll be sharing My Dress Box’s essential dos and don’ts of wedding gown storage to help you avoid costly mistakes and keep your dress looking as gorgeous as it did on your wedding day.Resources: My Dress Box wedding dress cleaning and storage services: https://mydressbox.com.au/Send Unbridely a 90-second audio message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/unbridelypodcast *The Unbridely Podcast is sponsored by its listeners. When you purchase products or services through links on our website or via the podcast, we may earn an affiliate commission.*------This episode of the Unbridely Modern Wedding Planning Podcast is brought to you by MyDressBox.com.auIf you want to clean and/or store your wedding dress after your wedding day to be handed down to your daughter, donated, kept as a keepsake, repurposed or re-sold My Dress Box’s services in Australia and New Zealand offers professional, experienced and gentle cleaning and preservation services that you can trust. And Unbridely Podcast listeners can also take advantage of a 5% discount by using the discount code UNBRIDELY at checkout.  🙋-----Unbridely acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we record this podcast on, the Kaurna People. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Support the showFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unbridely/or TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unbridelyEmail the Unbridely Podcast:[email protected]

Picture this. It's your wedding day, the moment you've been planning for months and maybe even years. The morning has gone smoothly, energy is high, and your guests would have just started to arrive at your venue about now.  But as you're getting into the car to go to your ceremony, a button falls off, your veil rips, maybe you start sweating like you've never sweated before, or your heel breaks. What do you do?  This is exactly why a Wedding Day Emergency Kit is your best friend and your safety net. It's the ultimate just-in-case toolkit, and trust me, it's not just for the bride.With a little prep in advance, you can sail through your big day like a pro and have immediate solutions at your fingertips, no matter what curveballs get thrown your way. Today I'm going to teach you all about why you need an emergency kit, when to put it together, and most importantly, what to put in it.RESOURCES Send Unbridely a 90-second audio message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/unbridelypodcast*The Unbridely Podcast is sponsored by its listeners. When you purchase products or services through links on our website or via the podcast, we may earn an affiliate commission.*------ This episode of the Unbridely Modern Wedding Planning Podcast is brought to you by Easy Name Change.You simply choose which companies you need to notify, and they send you detailed process instructions for each of your companies, plus ready to send forms, letters, and emails, so you just attach your marriage certificate to them and you're done!More info on how to change your name after you get married: https://unbridely.com/blog/name-change-after-marriageTo get $5 off your name change use the promo code UNBRIDELY5 (valid until end of 2024)  ----- Unbridely acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we record this podcast on, the Kaurna People. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Support the showFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unbridely/or TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unbridelyEmail the Unbridely Podcast:[email protected]

What’s your idea of the perfect honeymoon? Is it at a beachside location or exploring somewhere exotic and remote? Are you on a premium river or canal cruise through Europe, or are you reclining in opulence at one of the most exclusive hotels in the world? And what if it only cost you a fraction of the price it should, or even better, nothing at all?Crazy right? Elliot from Hack My Honeymoon says, crazy wonderful. But with the emphasis on the wonderful part.Today Elliot is going to share with you:Some of the success stories from couples who have used his loyalty points coaching services (you won’t believe the deals they got especially with first-class air travel – think lie-flat beds),What qualities couples need to have to be the best candidates to take maximum advantage of the experiences you can book via a sustainable loyalty and reward points accumulation strategy, the risks and potential downsides of loyalty and reward points hacking that you need to be aware ofPLUS IF the idea of points hacking to pay for your honeymoon is something that interests you, Elliot includes some crucial and important advice at the end of the episode to make sure that you get the very best deals possible and protect the value of the points you’re accumulating as you go along, both now and in the future. RESOURCESHack My Honeymoon: https://www.hackmyhoneymoon.com/Hack My Honeymoon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ehrosenbergHack My Honeymoon TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ehrosenbergSend Unbridely a 90-second audio message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/unbridelypodcast*The Unbridely Podcast is sponsored by its listeners. When you purchase products or services through links on our website or via the podcast, we may earn an affiliate commission.*------This episode of the Unbridely Modern Wedding Planning Podcast is brought to you by Unbridely’s ebook How To Write Wedding Vows That Don’t Suck https://unbridely.com/shop/htwwvtdsThis is for YOU if you want to write the unique and heartfelt wedding vows your fiancé deserves, but don't know where to start. 🤔AND want to get it done in 20 minutes or less. 💪Grab your instant pdf download of the Unbridely ebook 'How To Write Wedding Vows That Don't Suck' for just $27 now! 🧡https://unbridely.com/shop/htwwvtds-----Unbridely acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we record this podcast on, the Kaurna People. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Support the showFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unbridely/or TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unbridelyEmail the Unbridely Podcast:[email protected]

This week marks an exciting personal milestone for me as an Australian marriage celebrant; conducting the ceremony to get my 1000th couple married. I’d love to share some profound insights about love, relationships, and marriage that I’ve gleaned along the way. And so I’ll be unpacking some of my realisations, and discussing the complexities behind the public displays of love and commitment.Plus the 3 constants that seem to be evident in successful relationships. Thank you so so much for being a part of my journey. *The Unbridely Podcast is sponsored by its listeners. When you purchase products or services through links on our website or via the podcast, we may earn an affiliate commission.*------Unbridely acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we record this podcast on, the Kaurna People. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Support the showFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unbridely/or TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unbridelyEmail the Unbridely Podcast:[email protected]

Are lab grown diamonds the future of engagement rings or are they just fakes?According to The Knot’s 2023 Real Weddings Study who surveyed nearly 10,000 US couples, diamonds remain the most popular choice for engagement rings, garnering 85% of purchases.But with more couples becoming conscious of the ethics, politics and the market and environmental costs surrounding natural mined diamonds, lab-grown gems are making waves in the world of fine jewellery.Today, I’m chatting with Talitha Cummins from The Cut Jewellery, a specialist in lab-grown diamond engagement rings.And she’s going to teach you how lab-grown diamonds compare to their mined counterparts in terms of appearance, cost, and sustainability, and the latest trends that Talitha’s seeing with engaged couples. Resources Mentioned:The Knot 2023 Real Weddings Study: https://www.theknot.com/content/wedding-data-insights/real-weddings-studyThe Cut Jewellery website: https://thecutjewellery.com.au/The Cut Jewellery Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecutjewellery/Send Unbridely a 90-second audio message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/unbridelypodcast*The Unbridely Podcast is sponsored by its listeners. When you purchase products or services through links on our website or via the podcast, we may earn an affiliate commission.*------This episode of the Unbridely Modern Wedding Planning Podcast is brought to you by WedSites.com, Unbridely's recommended wedding website builder, guest management platform & wedding planning tool all in one.Visit WedSites.com to get started on your FREE wedding website and use code UNBRIDELYPOD to get 10% off any of their paid plans.-----Unbridely acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we record this podcast on, the Kaurna People. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Support the showFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unbridely/or TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unbridelyEmail the Unbridely Podcast:[email protected]

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending The Manor Basket Range Open Day in the beautiful Adelaide Hills, and let me tell you, it was such an inspiring experience. Seeing so many engaged couples exploring, chatting with vendors, and just soaking in all the possibilities for their big day got me thinking: there are some very real, tangible benefits to attending these kinds of events that goes well beyond what you can get from online research alone. So, in today’s episode, I’m diving into why it’s absolutely worth your time and effort to head out to a wedding expo or a venue open day. I also took the opportunity to chat with some attendees and vendors at the event and you’ll hear their thoughts and impressions in their own words. And then I’ll share what I believe are the 5 reasons you want to make the time to attend a similar live wedding event where you’re getting married.   Resources Mentioned:  The Manor Basket Range: https://themanorbr.com.au/ The Manor on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themanorbasketrange/   Send Unbridely a 90-second audio message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/unbridelypodcast   *The Unbridely Podcast is sponsored by its listeners. When you purchase products or services through links on our website or via the podcast, we may earn an affiliate commission.*  ------  This episode of the Unbridely Modern Wedding Planning Podcast is brought to you by Never Miss Moments Unbridely's recommended wedding guest photo and video-sharing tool. With your unique QR code, your family and friends can quickly, easily and securely share their snaps with you in your personalised online gallery. Visit nevermissmoments.com/unbridely to receive your 10% discount off their galleries.  -----  Unbridely acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we record this podcast on, the Kaurna People. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Support the showFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unbridely/or TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unbridelyEmail the Unbridely Podcast:[email protected]

Do you remember being invited to a wedding as a kid? I absolutely do. There was a big focus on choosing the right clothes, ironing clothes, getting dressed without creasing the clothes and attempting to stay like that before we all left the house. I was told to mind my manners. And it was good etiquette to tell the bride that she looked beautiful. And after that? To be seen and not heard. Granted, it was a different time back then and there weren’t the many different options that are now available to cater to and entertain the littlies. But I also understand that there’s a fine line between the intention of including kids in your wedding (you know, that it’s a rite of passage, that it makes your wedding more family-orientated/friendly and something to be remembered forever) and the reality (I’m talking tantrums during the vows, muddy slacks and unauthorised premature access to the wedding cake, lolly display or dancefloor). And so today I’ve brought in the big guns - Tess from CalmPlay is a wedding nanny specialist, with a relationship-based approach. Tess is about to teach you: how to cater for different age groups when planning activities for kids at your wedding with some affordable yet effective examples,which safety and hazard-reduction measures you should be considering, how she handles screen time and device use, plushow she manages any meltdowns or tantrums.Resources Mentioned:CalmPlay website: https://www.calmplay.com.au/CalmPlay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calmplay_/Send Unbridely a 90-second audio message on Speakpipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/unbridelypodcast*The Unbridely Podcast is sponsored by its listeners. When you purchase products or services through links on our website or via the podcast, we may earn an affiliate commission.*------This episode of the Unbridely Modern Wedding Planning Podcast is brought to you by Never Miss Moments Unbridely's recommended wedding guest photo and video-sharing tool. With your unique QR code, your family and friends can quickly, easily and securely share their snaps with you in your personalised online gallery.Visit nevermissmoments.com/unbridely to receive your 10% discount off their galleries.-----Unbridely acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we record this podcast on, the Kaurna People. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.Support the showFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unbridely/or TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@unbridelyEmail the Unbridely Podcast:[email protected]