I’ll be honest, anyone who knows me, or has spent any time in my company, knows I don’t exactly struggle to talk.
In fact, I’ve been told more than once that I should be on YouTube or hosting a podcast just to let my personality come through properly.
And yet, put me on a stage, and that’s where my confidence has always dipped slightly.
Which is exactly why, over the years, I’ve said no to speaking opportunities. Many times.
Not because I didn’t have something to say, but because I’ve always been more comfortable working behind the scenes, connecting couples, building relationships, and growing a global network organically.
But recently, something shifted.
After decades in this industry, working across destinations and building trusted partnerships, I realised I had a responsibility to share what I’ve learned.
Visibility in the destination wedding industry has changed dramatically over the years, and standing out today takes far more than simply being present online.
So I said yes.
And somehow, after years of avoiding microphones and politely declining speaking opportunities, I found myself at the front of the room at the Destination Wedding Summit in the stunning surroundings of Ravello on the iconic Amalfi Coast.
Thankfully, it was a very welcoming audience.
And if you are going to push yourself out of your comfort zone, you may as well do it somewhere like that.
A Stage Set by the Amalfi Coast
The setting was everything you would expect. Breathtaking views, world-class venues, and an audience filled with some of the most respected names in our industry.
Which led me to one immediate thought.
How exactly do you follow speakers like that?
Following World Class Talent
Before I even stepped on stage, we had already heard from some incredible voices.
There was Rui Mota Pinto, who challenged the way we think about design entirely.
For him, design is not only what you see. It is what you feel before you understand why.
It lives in light, in texture, in scale, in the way a space holds energy and emotion, not just people. Beyond aesthetics, it becomes context, concept, and the creation of bespoke artistic installations imagined and built for each story.
Light is not used to illuminate, but to provoke, to shape perception, tension, and atmosphere. Artists are more than performers, they are a living part of the concept. Every element is intentional. Every detail is authored.
He does not simply design weddings. He designs emotional landscapes.
Spaces and ambiances where people do not just attend, they become part of something.
And just when you think you have taken it all in, he ended his talk by inviting everyone to follow him outside for a spontaneous jump into the hotel pool.
A reminder that only humans, not AI, truly know how to have fun.
Not the easiest act to follow.
Then we heard from Nuno Lopes, a world class photographer whose presentation was genuinely spine tingling.
He shared a powerful piece where his imagery was perfectly timed with lyrics he had written himself, alongside music he composed in collaboration with AI.
Memories do not speak. They stay.
Some moments do not ask to be remembered. They simply remain, hidden in the pulse, resting beneath the skin, living softly inside the heart.
Years may pass, seasons may change, yet certain feelings never leave. They return in the sound of a melody, in the light of a room, in the silence between two breaths.
It was a powerful reminder that technology may shape the sound, but only the human heart can make something eternal.
We also heard from Rosi Medeiros, an interior designer who was quite clearly born to be a wedding planner.
Her passion for love and storytelling sits at the heart of everything she does. Her work blends simplicity and sophistication, always aligned with emotion.
She shared her experience working on high profile weddings and her belief that love without measure is at the centre of everything we create in this industry.
And then, it was my turn.
Why I Took the Stage
Standing there, it became very clear.
This industry is not short of talent.
It is not short of creativity.
And it is certainly not short of experience.
But what we do struggle with is visibility.
Not just being visible, but being visible in the right way.
Where It All Began
When I planned my own wedding abroad in Australia from the UK, the industry looked very different.
There was no UK contact.
No Instagram.
No social media.
Just a few random websites and no real recommendations to rely on.
So I did what most couples still do today. I asked questions. A lot of them.
It was those questions, and that in depth research, that led to one of my suppliers asking me to represent them in the UK.
Within weeks, other planners and venues from across the world were asking the same.
That was the beginning of WeddingsAbroad.com. Not as a directory, but as a trusted global network.
It is a very long story, with a few unexpected and quite funny turns along the way, and one I am always happy to share over dinner or drinks, but not necessarily from the stage.
Visibility in the Destination Wedding Industry and What Couples Really Want
One of the key messages I shared is something that has not changed over the years.
Couples want reassurance.
They ask questions.
They look for validation.
They seek recommendations.
And ultimately, they choose what feels right.
Which means visibility is not just about being seen.
It is about being talked about, recommended, and trusted within conversations.
Raising your brand, raising your name, and getting people talking about you is all part of that journey.
Especially within communities, groups, and social platforms where those conversations are already happening every day.
The Visibility Mistake
A common belief in our industry is that being everywhere will generate more enquiries.
In reality, being everywhere can dilute your brand.
You risk becoming one of many, instead of being the one people remember.
What Actually Works
From everything I have seen over the years, three things consistently make the biggest difference.
Consistency over noise.
You do not need to be everywhere. You just need to show up consistently in the right places.
Relationships over reach.
It is not about how many people follow you. It is about who trusts you and who will recommend you.
Positioning over promotion.
Stop trying to sell and start becoming the obvious choice.
Real visibility in the destination wedding industry comes from trust, conversations, consistency, and being remembered for the right reasons.
When your visibility is right, you are not chasing enquiries. They come to you.
The Power of Conversations
Visibility today is not driven by listings alone.
It is driven by conversations.
Being talked about, recommended, and trusted, particularly within communities, groups, and social platforms where couples are already engaging.
If you are not part of those conversations, you are not part of the decision making process.
A Final Reflection
After my talk, I had some great conversations and, if I am honest, a real sense of relief.
Not just because it was over, but because I had finally done it.
And I actually enjoyed it.
Following me was Jatender Heer, who brought incredible insight into cultural weddings, sharing both expertise and some very relatable stories about the realities behind wedding celebrations.
And finally, Jo Joshi, who is now a friend for life. We shared honest conversations, a few glasses of spritz, and plenty of laughter, alongside her valuable insights into visibility, partnerships, and the future of our industry.
If You Take One Thing Away
Visibility is not about being seen by everyone.
It is about being seen by the right people, in the right places, at the right time.
Because in this industry, visibility is your currency.
And if there’s one thing I’ve learned after all these years in this industry, it’s this…
Relationships matter.
Conversations matter.
And visibility matters.
Whether that happens over social media, inside a Facebook group, during a venue visit, or over a late night spritz on the Amalfi Coast.
This industry has always been built on people, personality, trust, and connections and I honestly believe that will never change.
If you enjoy conversations around destination weddings, travel, visibility, industry insights, and the occasional slightly chaotic behind the scenes story, feel free to follow along via WeddingsAbroad.com.
And if you ever want to hear the full story about how a wedding in Australia somehow led to all of this… ask me over dinner or drinks sometime.
One Response
Amazing… love the article and brillant conclusions…agree a lot with you…
This part “And if there’s one thing I’ve learned after all these years in this industry, it’s this…
Relationships matter.
Conversations matter.
And visibility matters.”
Fully agree…