Celebrating Women in the Wedding Industry: An Interview with Cath Philpott

The wedding industry is filled with talented, hardworking women who bring beauty, creativity, and heart to every celebration. This International Women’s Day, we’re shining a light on some of the incredible women behind the scenes who make your dream weddings a reality.

Meet Cath Philpott, the warm and wonderful celebrant behind Coastal Ceremonies. Cath’s journey into the wedding world began later in life, but she’s made an unforgettable impact with her heartfelt ceremonies and deep passion for creating personal, meaningful wedding moments. Known for her energy, authenticity, and ability to craft ceremonies that truly reflect each couple, Cath has built a reputation as a celebrant who goes above and beyond.

In this interview, Cath shares her experiences as a woman in the wedding industry, the power of community, and the joy of helping couples celebrate love in their own unique way.

Celebrating Women in the Wedding Industry

As a woman in the wedding industry, what has your journey been like?

Jumping into the wedding industry at 43 was a bit daunting at first. But once I dipped my toes in and started connecting with other wedding suppliers, my confidence grew—not just in myself, but in my role as a celebrant.  Walking into a wedding and seeing a team of like-minded, talented, and passionate suppliers coming together to create the best day ever for our couples is an absolute buzz. I’ve been so lucky to have met some truly incredible personalities in this industry—people who make me excited to go to work, even on weekends! So, to every single one of you amazing women who make this journey as a celebrant so fricken awesome—thank you!

Have you had any female mentors or role models who have inspired you along the way?

I’ve lost count of the incredible women—both older and younger—who have inspired me in this industry. Everywhere you look on the South Coast, there’s another kickass woman absolutely nailing her craft at every single wedding. No two ceremonies or receptions look the same because these talented women listen to each couple’s vision, and bring it to life with their creativity and skill.

I love supporting other suppliers and, in turn being inspired by them. Watching small businesses grow and thrive over the past 10 years has been amazing. In my early days, I was lucky to cross paths with some incredible women who cheered me on and supported me.

Tia from Absolute Hair by Tia, Megan from Makeup by Megan, Rosie from Rosemary Johnson Celebrant, Shoshanna from Curator of love stories, Cindy from Live Photography Australia, Michele and Ash from Terara Tiverside Gardens, Elyza and girls from Ivy Lane Collective, Vanessa and girls from the Wedding and Event Creators, Monica from Hoorah Events and Jo from Garnish Catering.

Thanks, chicks—you’re all legends!

How have you seen the role of women in weddings (both as vendors and as brides) evolve over the years?

We are absolute powerhouses in the wedding industry—no doubt about it! Women are creative geniuses, and when a couple shares their vision for their big day, we bring it to life like magic. Beyond creativity, we’re also incredibly resourceful, with strong connections across the industry, always ready to collaborate and lend a hand when needed.

Today, women are more self-sufficient and confident than ever—running their own businesses, taking on physical roles, and creating breathtaking WOW moments. Whether as vendors or brides, women are leading the way, shaping the industry with innovation, passion, and pure talent.

What challenges have you faced as a woman running your own business, and how have you overcome them?

Being the sole employee of my own business can feel a little lonely at times. That’s why collaboration, connection, and simply catching up with other women in the industry is so important. Whether it’s a coffee, a wine, a lunch date or a group chat, these moments help build relationships, spark creativity, and keep the passion alive.

For celebrants especially, spending time with others in the field is essential for growth. Hearing how fellow celebrants run their businesses, refine their styles, and handle different situations is invaluable. It’s a constant learning process—one that helps develop your professionalism, confidence, and approach to this ever evolving industry.

What advice would you give to young women looking to enter the wedding industry?

Be prepared to put in the extra hours when you’re first starting out! There’s a lot to set up—websites, CRMs, social media, branding, admin, and, most importantly, building connections. But take your time, evolve at your own pace, and trust the process.

You’ll learn something new from every wedding you work on, and before you know it, you’ll find your rhythm in this industry—doing what you love as a job. And that’s pretty amazing!

Most importantly, don’t be shy about reaching out to experienced vendors for advice. We are all more than happy to share our experiences and help you along the way. This industry thrives on connection and support!

Empowering couples through your work

How do you ensure that couples feel empowered and confident in creating a ceremony that reflects them?

The legal part of a ceremony takes just five minutes—so I always encourage couples to wipe the slate clean of any expectations or traditions they ‘think’ they have to include. Instead, together we design a ceremony that’s completely them—one that feels personal, meaningful, and authentic.

I love transforming old-fashioned traditions into modern, couple-focused moments and reminding my couples that they don’t need to follow what others have done. Their wedding should be a celebration of their love story, in a way that feels right for them.

My goal? To craft a ceremony so unique that, by the end, every guest is saying, “That was so them.”

What are some of the most meaningful moments you’ve experienced as a celebrant?

Families can be complicated, and sometimes, those dynamics create tension on the big day. When I sense that, I make a point to acknowledge and compliment individuals—making sure they feel seen, valued, and included. It’s incredible how a small moment of kindness can shift the energy, easing tension and creating a more positive atmosphere.

I’ve had couples come up to me after the ceremony, laughing, saying, “What did you do to my dad? He was so calm and compliant!” The truth is, weddings can be stressful, and when family members don’t get along, the last thing I want is for the couple to feel anxious about it. A little praise, positive reinforcement, and just the right amount of charm can go a long way.

One of my favourite moments is when everyone finally realises—the day isn’t about them. It’s about celebrating the couple and their love. That shift in perspective is magic.

Have you officiated any ceremonies that felt particularly special in terms of celebrating strong, independent women?

Absolutely! One ceremony that stands out was for two incredible women whose parents initially struggled to accept their relationship. Despite the tension, I was determined to make sure their wedding day was everything they had ever dreamed of.

It was a difficult chapter in their family’s history, but on the day, something shifted. As the brides stood together, saying their vows with pure love and confidence, I saw a lightbulb moment for their parents. They witnessed firsthand the strength of their daughters' love—unshaken, undeniable, and deeply beautiful.

I was beyond proud of them. They didn’t let outside opinions define their happiness. In that moment, it was just them—strong, independent, and completely in love. And that’s exactly how it should be.

What’s your favourite part about working with brides?

Hands down, it’s witnessing their excitement and unique personalities shine through in the lead-up to the big day. I love seeing a bride’s vision come to life—whether she’s meticulously planned every detail or is just going with the flow. Each bride brings her own energy, and it’s so special to be part of her journey.

I also love the moment when nerves melt away, and she fully embraces the joy of the day. Whether it’s a deep breath before walking down the aisle, a tear-filled vow, or a burst of laughter during the ceremony. Those real, raw emotions are what make every wedding so magical.

Being able to support and uplift brides, making sure they feel confident, empowered, and completely themselves, is what makes me love being a celebrant.

Women Supporting Women

What role do community and collaboration play in your work?

Community and collaboration are absolutely invaluable in my work. I’m lucky to be part of a fantastic group of celebrants who catch up every few months for lunch or coffee, and once a year, we take a trip together to complete our annual professional development. Having these incredible, talented women to lean on is something I truly cherish.

If I can’t officiate a wedding because I am already booked, I know I can pass it on to one of them with full confidence that they’ll do an amazing job. And if I ever need someone to step in last minute for me, I’m completely covered.

More than anything, we lift each other up—supporting, encouraging, and celebrating each other’s businesses without hesitation. It’s not just a network; it’s a sisterhood, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Are there any other female vendors in the wedding industry that you love working with?

Ahhh… absolutely! Every single one of them! Truly. The South Coast is full of powerhouse female suppliers, and they are all incredible.

I get so excited when I see a wedding run sheet and realise I’ll be working alongside like-minded, talented, and passionate women. It turns the day into an absolute blast! Having such strong, creative, and supportive women in this industry makes my job even more amazing—and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

In saying that – I do love all the men I get to work with too!

International Women’s Day & Personal Reflection

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

To me, International Women’s Day is a moment for us to hit pause in our crazy busy lives and say to ourselves—and to the incredible women around us—“Look at you, babe! You are awesome!”

It’s a bit like Mother’s Day. We spend so much time working our asses off, juggling life, careers, families, and businesses, that we rarely take a moment to appreciate just how much we’ve achieved. This day is about high-fiving ourselves, celebrating our wins—big and small—and recognising the strength, resilience, and brilliance of women everywhere.

 How do you personally celebrate and uplift other women in your daily life and business?

Always praise and promote! When a florist has worked her butt off creating a stunning floral display, or a planner has seamlessly pulled everything together, it takes zero effort for me to acknowledge their talent and hard work—but it means everything to them.

Weddings are a masterpiece of many moving parts, and every vendor plays a crucial role in making the day magical. So, if I can show appreciation, give a shoutout, or simply take a moment to say, “You absolutely nailed it!”—then I’m all for it. Uplifting the incredible women in this industry is something I’ll always do with pride!

 If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

As Mel Robbins says… “Let them.”

That simple phrase covers so much about being a woman. People will judge, doubt, and have opinions—let them. It doesn’t define you.

Even as a strong-minded woman, I still catch myself second-guessing things. But why should we? That self-doubt has been ingrained in us from such a young age. Thankfully, we’re slowly but surely breaking free from that and learning to own our power, trust ourselves, and be unapologetically who we are.

So to my younger self: Keep being your kick-ass, authentic self. “You’ve got this!”