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Why Intimate Weddings Are Booming: Roxy Hotten on Alter Albion & Modern Celebrancy
Roxy Hotten has delivered over 900 weddings since becoming a celebrant in 2011 — and this year she opened Alter Albion, her own wedding venue in Brisbane. In this episode, Roxy joins Christine to talk about why she built a "registry office alternative" that's affordable, luxurious, and stress-free, and why intimate weddings are having a real moment.
The shift toward smaller, more personal ceremonies since COVID, what makes a wedding feel authentic instead of "conveyor belt," and how the right synergy between couple and vendor changes everything. Roxy also breaks down her $995–$1,095 stress-free wedding package, the photo opportunities hidden throughout her converted mill venue, and what she's learned running both a celebrant business and a brand-new venue concept at the same time.
About Roxy Hotten
Roxy Hotten began her celebrant career in 2011, delivering over 900 weddings in Australia and overseas. She is also a mentor and local leader for The Celebrant Society and, more recently, opened her own wedding venue, Alter Albion, offering registry-style weddings in a truly unique space.
Connect with Roxy:
Website: www.alteralbion.com
Instagram: @alteralbion
Visit https://www.justasplanned.com.au/
DISCLAIMER: Intended for entertainment purposes ONLY. seek medical or professional advice or certified professionals only, before making any decisions.
7 Jul 2026
Destination Weddings, Personal Vows & the Truth About Celebrants | Mandi, Married by Mandi
Ever wondered what a marriage celebrant actually does — and why they might be the most important vendor you book? In this episode of Just As Planned, Christine sits down with Mandi, a Brisbane-based marriage celebrant with 20 years of experience and a specialist in destination weddings and romance travel.
Mandi shares the real talk behind the wedding industry — from why celebrants are chronically undervalued (yes, even compared to the cake), to how reality TV shows like Married at First Sight are warping couple's expectations before they've even booked a venue.
They dive into personal vows — why Mandi believes they're the most important moment of any ceremony — and she shares some genuinely funny examples, including the very specific promises she made to her own husband.
The conversation shifts to destination weddings: why they're booming, the surprising legal hoops for getting married in Bali, Thailand, and Fiji, and why many couples opt for symbolic ceremonies overseas and handle the paperwork at home.
Mandi also drops some no-nonsense planning advice — including who to book first (celebrant, photographer, venue — in that order) and why September Saturdays disappear faster than you'd think.
Whether you're planning a first wedding, a second chance at love, or a blended family celebration, this episode is packed with warmth, wisdom, and a few laughs.
In this episode:
Why celebrants are undervalued — and how to think about their worth
How personal vows can be simple, funny, or deeply meaningful
The legal reality of destination weddings in Bali, Fiji & Thailand
When to book your vendors (and what happens if you wait)
How wedding expectations shift for later-in-life couples
Why the pronouncement moment never gets old after 20 years
Connect with Mandi:
Website: www.marriedbymandi.com.au
Facebook: facebook.com/Marriedbymandi.marriagecelebrant
Visit https://www.justasplanned.com.au/
DISCLAIMER: Intended for entertainment purposes ONLY. seek medical or professional advice or certified professionals only, before making any decisions.
16 Jun 2026
Wedding DJ & MC: Why You Should Book Direct (Not an Agency) with Alex Pisani - Unity Entertainment
Your wedding DJ and MC can make or break the vibe on the day — so how do you find the right one? In this episode, Christine sits down with Alex from Unity Entertainment, a wedding-focused DJ and MC based in Australia, to talk about what really goes into creating an unforgettable wedding reception experience.Alex covers why having one person handle both DJ and MC duties is a game-changer, the difference between booking direct versus going through an agency, and the modern wedding trends reshaping what couples actually want on their big day. He also shares practical advice on vendor communication, what questions you should be asking before you sign anything, and why a 5-minute phone call is worth more than a dozen emails.In this episode:* Why hiring a combined DJ & MC creates a smoother, more connected eventDirect booking vs. agencies — and the due diligence every couple should do* How modern couples are ditching traditional elements (cake cutting, formal aisle walks) to make weddings their own* The vendor coordination mistakes that cause awkward pauses on the day* How to handle conflicting music requests from family members* What wedding vendors actually cost — and why backup equipment matters* Practical advice: think in ballpark budget ranges, not strict limitsConnect with Alex:Website: www.unityentertainment.com.auInstagram: @Unity_Ent_AuVisit https://www.justasplanned.com.au/DISCLAIMER: Intended for entertainment purposes ONLY. Seek medical or professional advice or certified professionals only, before making any decisions.
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