We looked at 3 areas:
Firstly USP (Unique Selling Points), who are your targets and how to target our couples.

1.    USP

Unique Selling Points: short statement and how to brand.

We talked amongst ourselves about some examples and then tried to devise some as a group.

2.    Targeting:

Who are our couples, what attributes do they have.

We looked at our couples and what features they may have such as age, where they live, do they have children, etc…

3.    Some strategies:

We looked at some simple marketing strategies for celebrants:

•        Business cards.
•        Websites.
•        Social networking such as Facebook and Twitter.
•        Where to advertise such as on-line, ie: Easy weddings.
•        Print media! Is this a thing of the past?
•        Using your Cpanel from your website to monitor your traffic.
•       Experiential Marketing:
  •   Show your couples you have experience by attending wedding expos, using YouTube, Facebook.
  •    Network marketing:
    •  Build up a network of suppliers.
    •  Use Facebook to build up a network of past brides and current suppliers.
    •   Referral Marketing:
      •    Word of mouth is best.
      •    Get reviews from your couples.
      •    You can get reviews via email, facebook or online surveys such as survey monkey.

Special mention to Pamela Murray-Jones for the use of her ebook on marketing.  I gave Pamela’s details out to the celebrants if they wanted to purchase the ebook.

The Australian Marriage Celebrants (AMC) meet about 4 times a year in Perth to network and exchange ideas.  For more information or you are a Perth Wedding Celebrant you can contact Brad Whitelock on 0431 974 608 or email at weddings@perthcelebrant.com.au

Brad Whitelock, Perth Wedding Celebrants.

A great looking Bridal party (and me). Photos by Absolute and Alive Photography

Peter and Vanessa met at High School and where friends before they fell in love. Today they where becoming husband and wife in front of their family and friends who had seen them get to know and then love each other.

Brett, Neil and Stephen where waiting at the bottom of the stairs to escort the bridesmaids to their places. Vanessa looked calm yet radient as she followed down the aisle her Bridesmaids:  sister Chantel, good friend Mary and Cousin Michelle.  We all held our breaths as Vanessa was escorted down the red carpet by her father Stephen to her awaiting groom in the beautiful Loton Gardens at Belvoir Homestead.

Signing the documents

Vanessa and Peter began their Wedding Ceremony with a Dove Release as a thank you and also rememberence for their guests who where unable to attend.  They released 2 beautiful doves for their family and friends attending their wedding today.

Two doves meeting in the sky
Two loves hand in hand, eye to eye
Two parts of a loving whole
Two hearts and a single soul

They both had sat down and written some special vows to each other. Today they proclaimed their love with these special vows:  As Belvoir was having a concert that night in the Belvoir Amphitheatre there was a “Reggae” backdrop during his vows.  He did well to sway to the beat as he was making his vows and then we made a joke about it…

After the wedding ceremony Vanessa, Peter and their stunning bridal part had some photos while their guests enjoyed the hospitality of the Belvoir Homestead.

Walking down the Aisle

The bridal party then joined the guests later in the afternoon for the Wedding Celebration.

Wedding Celebrant:  Brad Whitelock, Swan Valley Wedding Celebrant.

Wedding Venue:  Belvoir Homestead, Swan Valley.

Wedding Photographer:  Piotr from Absolute and Alive Photography.

Dove Release:  Doves of Love.

Waiting for the bridesmaids

Broad's Restaurant at Upper Reach Winery

The Swan Valley is once again joining forces to welcome Brides and Groom’s who are planning their wedding day to come along and experience what they have to offer in  creating that very special wedding day, full of lasting memories for the happy couple, their families and friends.This year there are many top Venues such as Broad’s Restaurant at Upper Reach Winery, Sandalford Winery, Mulberry on Swan, Caversham House, The Vines Resort and many others that will open their doors from 10am to 4pm to showcase their Wedding venues and their preffered wedding suppliers.

Caversham House in the Swan Valley

The Swan Valley venues will open up there many rooms and show their expertise in running your Wedding day for you.  They will also have some of their preferred wedding suppliers such as Photographers, Celebrants, DJ’s, Musicians, Wedding Decor, Bombonaire and Wedding favours, Lolly Buffets, Hair and Make up Teams, Wedding Cakes, Limousines and much more.

The  Wedding Open day will be on Sunday 8th of July 2012 from 10am to 4pm at participating venues.

For more information on the event contact the City of Swan on 9267 9356.

Brad Whitelock, Swan Valley Wedding Celebrant.

Ph: 0431 974 608

Lakeside Wedding at Joondalup resort

I have had the pleasure of performing some weddings at Joondalup resort and have been very impressed with how beautiful it is and also how wonderful the staff at the resort are. It always has a wonderful feel about it.

There are many spots within the resort that you can utilise within the rersort and you don’t have to be a golfer to appreciate the beauty of this venue. Some of the areas that spring to mind that are favourites of Perth couples are the Lakeside, Poolside and the new Gazebo overlooking the landscaped gardens and fairways.

Gazebo Weddings at Joondalup resort

Joondalup Resort also has many well appointed rooms to hold your reception such as the Marquee or one of their ballrooms. As a five star resort they have some amazing food from the talented kitchen team and as well they have a whole range of accommodation packages to choose from so you and your guests can relaxed after the Wedding by staying the night.

Also one of the things my couples have commented about Joondalup resort is the helpful and friendly nature of the staff here. That is evident the moment you walk on the premises: there is always someone at the resort who will give you a friendly smile or have a friendly chat (and I love a chat…)

Poolside Weddings at Joondalup resort

Alison the Wedding Coordinator and her team will make your wedding enjoyable from the moment you contact them in the beginning of the process right up until you check out of the accommodation the day after the wedding.

You can call their wedding co-ordinator Alison on (08) 94008888 or visit their website. Each year they have a wedding open day so we may see you there.

Brad Whitelock, Perth Wedding Celebrant. Ph: 0431 974 608

Anthea and Duncan releasing Butterflies

Hi Brad

Thank you for being part of our day, a decision we are still very happy about.

We had a lovely wedding and wouldn’t change a thing.

I have done recommendations on facebook and google!

Thank you once again and all the best in the future

Kind Regards

Anthea and Duncan, Bridgeleigh Wedding, April 12

Brad Whitelock, Perth Wedding Celebrant. Ph 0431 974 608

Ela and David’s Wedding in Cottesloe

We were delighted with our choice to use Brad as our Celebrant.

He was charming, warm and reassuring - He truly loves what he does.
Brad played a very special part in making our wedding day smooth, enjoyable and
full of great memories.  We would highly recommend him to anyone!

Thank you again for making our wedding so wonderful.

You really were an integral part to it being fun and running so smoothly.

All the best to you and your loved ones now and in the future.

Cheers, Ela and David.

Cottosle Civic Gardens Wedding, March 2012.

Brad Whitelock, Perth Wedding Celebrant.  Ph:  0431 974 6028

Jim and Linda on Benion Beach

Hi Brad,

Thank you very much for all the info and for all your help on the day.

We had the most amazing time and the day itself was far better than i ever imagined in my dreams!

It was so relaxed but meaningful – thank you for that.

We’ll definitely write a review when settled back,

Thanks again

Linda and Jim, Benion Beach Perth Wedding, 29th Feb 12

Brad Whitelock, Perth Wedding Celebrant. Ph: 0431 974 608

John and Joy (photo by Launch Films)

Brad,

Thank you so much for performing a beautiful ceremony on our special day.  We loved the personal touches when addressing our guests and the way you managed us all so well to ensure everything went so smoothly.

Our guests all loved you too and we won’t hesitate to recommend you to everyone we know planning a wedding.

Many thanks,

John and Joy, Swan Bell tower Wedding, February 2012.

Brad Whitelock, Perth Wedding Celebrant.  Ph: 0431 974 608

The Kiss under the Joondalup Resort Gazebo

It was a beautiful sunny day in Perth and the new Gazebo at the Joondalup resort looked magical.  With views over the fairway and the lush green grass well all knew this was going to be special for everyone involved.

Peter looked nervous as Brooke his gorgeous bride was tenderly escorted down the  aisle by her father to a beautiful song the bride had chosen.

As we welcomed the guests and spoke about how they both met at a Grand final party years ago, the laughs began and everyone started to relax.

The Bridal Party

The guests particularly enjoyed the story of how Peter proposed in a posh hotel in Perth where he had organised the room to be covered in rose petals:  what a romantic!

The ceremony was fun and relaxed yet intimate and romantic as there where goose bumps all round as they made promises to each other and exchanged vows:

“With this ring,

I declare my love and devotion to you.”

Family and friends

After signing the documents their family and friends enjoyed congratulating them and having some wonderful photos with Rebecca from Compose Photography.

Later on they all enjoyed a wonderful reception in the Joondalup resort Ballroom where they partied the night away.

Wedding Celebrant:  Brad Whitelock, Perth Marriage Celebrant.

Wedding Venue:  Joondalup Resort

Wedding Photos: Rebecca from Compose Photography

Reception Music:  The DJ.

The newly married couple

Brad Whitelock, Perth Wedding Celebrant.  Ph: 0431 974 608

Loton Garden, Belvoir Homestead

The Belvoir Homestead is a beautiful Wedding Venue in the Swan Valley and will again open up its doors for you to see the magic of this wedding venue.

The Belvoir Homestead Wedding Open Day will be on Sunday 10th of June 2012 from 11am to 5pm in the main function rooms of the Homestead.

It is a great opportunity to walk through the grounds and see the Shaw Gazebo or the Loton Ceremony area, have a look at the Limousines outside and then walk inside to see their beautiful rooms dressed up ready for weddings:  spectacular.

Belvoir Homestead

You can also mingle and chat to many of the Belvoir Homesteads preffered suppliers such as Marriage Celebrants, Musicians, DJ’s, Cake decorators, Wedding Photographers, Videographers, Wedding Decor specialists, Wedding Stationers, DJ’s and much more.

Admission is free and I look forward to see you there from 11am to 4pm on Sunday 10th of June.

For more information on the Belvoir Wedding open day you can contact Tanja the Event Co-ordinator on 9296 3033.

Belvoir Homestead is located at 1177 Great Northern Highway, Upper Swan – Perth.

Brad Whitelock, Swan Valley Wedding Celebrant. Ph: 0431 974 608