Wedding Empires - Grow and Market Your Dream Wedding Business

Step into the dynamic world of the wedding industry with Wedding Empires, your indispensable podcast companion crafted exclusively for ambitious wedding professionals eager to elevate their businesses to unprecedented heights. Led by Jac Bowie, the forward-thinking CEO of The Wedding Academy, and Ben Connolly, a distinguished award-winning wedding photographer and esteemed educator, this podcast is your gateway to a wealth of invaluable insights, expert interviews, and actionable strategies tailored specifically for wedding planners, florists, celebrants, photographers, and every other wedding professional under the sun.

In each exhilarating episode, Wedding Empires delivers a meticulously curated masterclass in success, meticulously designed to empower professionals at every stage of their journey. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur seeking to carve out your niche or a seasoned veteran aiming to stay ahead of the curve, Jac and Ben have you covered. From mastering the intricacies of branding and marketing to navigating the labyrinth of legal considerations, and from unlocking the secrets of scalable growth to crafting unforgettable client experiences, every facet of wedding entrepreneurship is dissected and explored with precision and expertise.

Yet, Wedding Empires is more than just a podcast—it's a movement. A vibrant community of like-minded professionals united by a shared passion for excellence and a collective commitment to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the wedding industry. Here, you'll immerse yourself in the stories of industry luminaries, glean invaluable insights from real-world success stories, and forge invaluable connections with fellow professionals who share your unwavering dedication to creating magical moments that last a lifetime.

But the journey doesn't end with the podcast. Delve deeper into the minds behind the microphones and uncover the remarkable stories of Jac Bowie and Ben Connolly. Explore Jac's visionary leadership and groundbreaking initiatives at The Wedding Academy, and gain exclusive access to Ben's unparalleled expertise in the art of wedding photography. Visit jacbowie.com and bcphoto.com.au to explore their worlds further and connect with two trailblazers who are redefining the very essence of wedding entrepreneurship.

So whether you're a seasoned wedding planner looking to revitalize your business or a budding florist eager to make your mark on the industry, Wedding Empires is your ultimate destination for inspiration, education, and community. Subscribe today and embark on a transformative journey toward building the wedding empire of your dreams. Your journey starts here—seize the opportunity and join the ranks of those who dare to dream big in the ever-evolving world of weddings.

Contributors

Host

Jac Bowie

Jac Bowie is a serial entrepreneur, media personality, and digital marketing expert, known for her talents in event production, instruction, and radio announcing. Currently spearheading The Wedding Academy, Jac seamlessly integrates her extensive business acumen, event management expertise, and digital marketing savvy into a myriad of projects including founding international women's network Business in Heels and Australian wedding planning business, Darling Don't Panic.

With over 15 years of experience orchestrating a diverse array of events, Jac has curated over 500 memorable experiences, ranging from book tours to elaborate burlesque shows. Her meticulous attention to detail, creative problem-solving skills, and penchant for crafting once-in-a-lifetime moments have earned her recognition as one of the top 15 wedding and event stylists in Australia with her events featured in prestigious publications such as Wedded Wonderland and WedShed.

https://www.jacbowie.com

Co-host

Ben Connolly

Ben is a Queensland based, International Wedding Photographer, Speaker, Educator and Judge.

With a unique vision and ability to use creative lighting techniques to turn the ordinary into something extraordinary, Ben has risen to Master of Photography in Europe & USA. Named Asia Wedding Photographer of the Year in 2020, 2021 & 2022 and International Cosmos Awards Top 5, Ben is also a Brand Ambassador for a number of National and International photography industry companies and a Flash Masters UK Hall of Fame Inductee in 2022

Ben’s passion extends further than just catching memories, he’s driven to think outside the box and seek out magic, one off photographs to create albums and visual stories to captivate those who choose Ben to bring their unique visions to life.

Co-host

Ben Connolly

Ben Connolly is an award-winning international wedding photographer, educator, and creative force behind the lens. Based in Queensland, Ben brings a bold, unforgettable style and a world-class perspective to the Wedding Empires podcast. With titles like Master of Photography across Europe and the USA, Asia Wedding Photographer of the Year (three years running), and a spot in ProWed’s Top 50 Wedding Photographers globally, Ben knows what it takes to thrive in the wedding industry. As co-host, he shares real talk, expert insights, and inspiring stories to help photographers and wedding pros elevate their craft and build empires of their own.

https://www.bcphoto.com.au

Guests

Guest

Craig Peterman

My journey into photography started with a fascination for preserving the fleeting—moments that might otherwise be forgotten but hold so much meaning. As my skills grew, so did my curiosity, leading me to explore the world of videography. The ability to capture not just a single moment, but the flow of emotions and energy over time, deepened my appreciation for storytelling. Together, photography and videography became my way of documenting life’s most profound experiences.

This passion naturally led me to weddings, where every detail feels layered with meaning. These are days filled with anticipation, joy, and connection—moments that deserve to be captured with care and precision.My work goes beyond simply recording an event; I aim to create a visual narrative that reflects the intimacy, complexity, and beauty of the day. Whether it’s through a single image or a sweeping cinematic sequence, my goal is to tell a story that feels true to you.

https://www.petermanphotovideo.com/

Guest

Hayley Robinson

https://www.hayleyrobinson.com.au/

Guest

Kyle Meloche

10+ years of experience consulting over 1,000 businesses worldwide: helping to increase their online presence through detailed digital marketing strategies. Now focused on serving businesses that are B-Corps, sustainable, eco-friendly or doing their best to make the world a better place.

Guest

Meghan Ely

OFD Consulting owner Meghan Ely combines in-the-trenches event experience with a love of wedding PR to empower her clients to take their businesses to new heights. Her team’s publicity efforts are regularly honored by the Public Relations Society of America, and more recently, Eventex named her one of the most influential Wedding Professionals in the Industry.

A long-time industry speaker and writer, she is a WeddingPro educator with The Knot + WeddingWire. She has regularly earned clients press in such outlets at the New York Times, Brides, Martha Stewart Weddings, People, Bridal Guide, Architectural Digest and Style Me Pretty, among many others.

Meghan is a past national president WIPA and is a member of the Allied Council for the National Society of Black Wedding and Event Professionals.

https://ofdconsulting.com/