AWARD-WINNING wedding planner Tammy Bateman says most people are unaware of the economic importance of the wedding industry to the Kempsey shire.

The wedding industry was largely unaffected by the recent economic downturn, and brings in hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars to the Macleay Valley economy.

Mrs Bateman’s company Red Jaffer, at South West Rocks, was honoured at the 2009 NSW Australian Bridal Industry Awards in Sydney.

Red Jaffer placed second State wide in the independent wedding planner category, and fifth in the decoration section.

The second place in the wedding planner category makes the business eligible for the national bridal industry awards.

Mrs Bateman was ecstatic at her company’s success.

“When my husband Darren and I started a little more than four years ago we could not have dreamed of this,” she said.

“To beat a company like Decorative Events (a leading Sydney-based wedding planner) who are the absolute best in the business and are my idols is unbelievable.

“To even be considered to be in their league is still a bit overwhelming.”

Mrs Bateman said she had worked hard at marketing the Macleay Valley as an ideal location for what are known as ‘destination weddings’.

“The idea is that if you are going to ask people to travel a long distance from interstate or overseas for your wedding you can reward them by enabling them to combine it with a bit of a holiday,” she said.

“It also makes it a bit more special for the bride and groom.

“The natural beauty of the Macleay Valley coast makes it perfect for this type of event. South West Rocks is a big selling point.”

The financial benefits of a wedding are not just confined to the wedding planner.

“Other business people in the town tell me they know when we have a big wedding by their increased sales,” Mrs Bateman said.

“We have held more than 30 weddings for non-residents; they bring in 80 to 100 guests each who stay for several days at least, spending a few hundred dollars a day.

“The pharmacy sells more make-up, the hair salon has more appointments, and the surf club bar serves more lunches.

“The fruit shop, the bakery, the newsagent, they all benefit. It doesn’t take long to add up.”

Source: www.macleayargus.com

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