What we’ve discovered after our first year in the Pop Up wedding business and marrying 14 couples…
Who knew we’d be performing so many pop up weddings. Last year saw a few changes in our photography business here in Sudbury. I’ve been photographing professionally for 40 years, and have been at many, many weddings.
This all changed when Tina pointed to an article on the Pop Up Wedding trend from HuffPo. I admit, it went in one ear, out the other.
It wasn’t until a millenial friend Alex asked me: “Do you do pop up weddings?” that the conversation got fired up. And fired up could be an understatement.
We talked about bringing Pop Up weddings for Sudbury. We argued and debated over who would be the wedding officiant. Mostly, we sold ourselves on the idea and hit the ground running. It seemed a great idea who’s time was now and we were the team to make it happen.
We haven’t looked back. Tina became a legal wedding officiant. We started the Pink Door Weddings website, and packaged up a new Pop UP wedding service for Sudbury, Ont.
In our first season we hosted two pop up wedding events where we married up to five couples a day and hosted an additional eight one-off pop up events. Our local Sudbury Star newspaper even ran an article on us.
Here’s what we’ve discovered after one year in this business of marrying and capturing photos:
- Yes, millenials love the idea of a pop up wedding. It appears they are sensible this way. They seem to think more logical and don’t want the pageantry and expense of a huge affair. They’re practical, and a pop up wedding is in many ways practical.
- Older couples and second marriages. Many of couples have been married before. They still want a great wedding, again, without all the fuss, stress and expense. Been there, done that is what some have told us/
- Old school. Ok, vintage is big with many younger couples. A pop up wedding reminds me of the way couples got married back in say the 40’s and 50’s. They were small, elegant affairs with the immediate family and a few guests. What’s old is new?
- You’re off the hook. This one surprised me, since I didn’t expect it. Some brides would tell us: “Thank you. Now I have an excuse for not having a huge wedding and having to feel bad about not inviting everyone.” Who’d a thunk this was a thing. Apparently it is,
- People love, love love the no hassle simplicity a pop up wedding offers.
- But..they still want the elegance, creativity and respect that a wedding ceremony evokes in ones life.
- Wedding photos. This is huge for couples. They really like the idea that we work as a team, and I’ve been photographing weddings since way back. They get all their photographs from a skilled professional and when packaged in a pop up wedding it’s great value.
- It’s legal. Tina is a wedding officiant and can marry within Ontario. Her wedding officiant services is very comprehensive. She consults with couples, helps to create wedding vows that resonate with them and has many resources available to make sure the wedding day goes smooth.
- Wedding planning. I always fancied myself a planner and organizer. Tina and I seem to work well together when helping couples plan their wedding. (When I was a teen, I organized teen dances at our local church and playground….plus fundraising activities. I’ve also hosted, and still host many workshops within my industry. Organizing is in my DNA)
Whether a couple wants to get married in a park, a small hall, at the kitchen table, backyard, at the cottage, on an island in the wilderness, on a rooftop or at the midway, the possibilities to get creative, have a blast and make it memorable are virtually endless when hosting a pop up wedding. Many, many creative options open up. Stress-free. Hassle free. And still memorable. Very, very memorable.
It’s like eloping, but with some guests and many of the trimmings and lavish extras from a larger wedding. Just, smaller. Less guests. More casual and fun.
We’re excited as we head into our second season as both pop up wedding planners, wedding officiant and photographers.
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