Women’s Wedding Network

By Rebecca Barnes, Publisher, Brides & Weddings and Director, Women’s Wedding Network If you have been in the wedding industry for any length of time, you know the market changes. Couples change how they plan, where they find vendors, what they spend money on, and even how they define a wedding. As business owners, we have learned to adjust right along with them. There is another change worth paying attention to now: there may simply be fewer weddings to compete for. The Wedding Report projects approximately 1.98 million weddings nationwide in 2026, compared with approximately 2.01 million in 2025, a decline of about 1.5%. Its September 23 Wedding Market Minute projects fewer weddings in 46 of the 50 states plus Washington, D.C. Here in our region, the numbers are particularly interesting. The Wedding Report projects Maryland weddings to decline 2.7% …

By Rebecca Barnes, Publisher, Brides & Weddings When Sherise Campbell started Sweet Sage in 2018, she was looking for more than a new career direction. She wanted to build something that belonged to her and use her talents to create something meaningful for other people. That same year brought an early sign that she might be onto something. Campbell competed in and won DC Cupcake Wars. Now, eight years later, cake competition is becoming part of the Sweet Sage story again. Campbell is one of eight bakers and dessert professionals competing in the 2026 Brides & Weddings Cake-Off on Sept. 9 at Sweeney Barn in Manassas, and she is coming with the same philosophy that has shaped Sweet Sage from the beginning: make it beautiful, but make sure it tastes every bit as good as it looks. Building Something of …

When some of the area’s talented bakers gather at Sweeney Barn on September 9 for the 2026 Brides & Weddings Cake-Off, one familiar bakery will be there in a different role. Rather than competing, Cakes by Happy Eatery is helping make the competition possible as a Cake-Off sponsor, with Victoria Wu serving as one of the judges and the Cakes by Happy Eatery team creating lunch for the wedding professionals attending the event. It is a role that makes sense for a business that understands both the skill required to create beautiful desserts and the importance of supporting other professionals in the wedding industry. Supporting the Bakers Behind the Cakes The Cake-Off gives participating bakers an unusual opportunity. They aren’t exhibiting alongside dozens of other types of wedding businesses. For this event, the bakers are the stars. Wedding professionals will …

For Engy Ghabryal of Divine Dine & Decor, a beautiful wedding cake has only done half its job if the flavor doesn’t live up to the presentation. It is a philosophy shaped by more than 30 years in five-star hospitality and a career spent thinking about how food, service, presentation, and design come together to create an experience. Ghabryal will bring that perspective to the 2026 Brides & Weddings Cake-Off on Wednesday, September 9, at Sweeney Barn in Manassas, where Divine Dine & Decor will be one of the participating bakers competing for this year’s Cake-Off honors. While the competition gives Ghabryal an opportunity to showcase her cake and dessert work, it also gives wedding professionals a chance to discover a company that approaches weddings from a broader perspective. Divine Dine & Decor brings together food, desserts, decor, and hospitality, …

When wedding professionals gather at Sweeney Barn on September 9 for the 2026 Brides & Weddings Cake-Off, Dana Henry, CTA, will bring a destination marketing perspective to the judges’ table, along with an appreciation for both beautiful presentation and exceptional flavor. Henry is Social Sales & Client Services Manager for Visit Loudoun, where her work includes group services, weddings, social events, and connecting couples with the venues, accommodations, and wedding professionals that help make Loudoun County a popular wedding destination. As part of the Cake-Off judging panel, she is looking forward to seeing what the participating bakers create. “I’m really looking forward to seeing the creativity each baker brings to the competition,” Henry said. “I love seeing the different designs, details, and decorating techniques displayed.” But presentation will only be part of the equation. “When it comes to the actual …

A wedding cake may be one of the most photographed desserts a couple will ever choose, but for the owner of Sweet Wishes Patisserie, looking beautiful is only half the job. She believes it should taste every bit as good as it looks. Sweet Wishes Patisserie will bring that philosophy to the 2026 Brides & Weddings Cake-Off on Wednesday, September 9, at Sweeney Barn in Manassas, where wedding bakers and dessert professionals will showcase their creativity for judges and members of the local wedding industry. This will be Sweet Wishes Patisserie’s first Brides & Weddings Cake-Off. Where Pastry Technique Meets Personal Celebration Sweet Wishes Patisserie grew from a passion for pastry, creativity, and creating desserts that become part of life’s most meaningful occasions. With a professional pastry background and experience in high-end hospitality, the owner wanted to build a business …

By Rebecca Barnes, Publisher, Brides & Weddings There will be plenty of beautiful cakes at the 2026 Brides & Weddings Cake-Off, but someone has to make sure all that creativity is captured before everyone starts tasting. Danielle Towle of Danielle Towle Photography is returning as the Official Photographer for the 2026 Brides & Weddings Cake-Off, taking place Wednesday, September 9, at Sweeney Barn in Manassas. For Towle, photographing the Cake-Off combines several things she loves: creative details, genuine interactions, and, of course, cake. “I mean, do we need another reason besides cake?” Towle said. “It’s so fun to see bakers showcase their work, and we get the benefit of trying so many amazing flavors!” She also loves that no two competitors approach their creations quite the same way. “I really loved how different the cakes all have been in years …

By Rebecca Barnes, Publisher, Brides & Weddings If you’ve spent any time on social media, you’ve probably heard the advice: “Charge what you’re worth.” It’s become one of the most common pieces of business advice in the wedding industry. It’s meant to build confidence and remind business owners not to undervalue themselves. I understand the intention. But after more than 30 years working alongside wedding professionals and watching how couples actually make buying decisions, I think it’s time we retire that advice. Not because your work isn’t valuable. Because your worth and your pricing are two completely different things Your worth is personal. Your pricing is strategic. Your Couples Aren’t Shopping for Your Self-Worth Every couple planning a wedding has a budget. Some know exactly what it is. Others discover it as they start collecting proposals. Either way, they aren’t …

By Rebecca Barnes, Publisher, Brides & Weddings There is a difference between education that sounds good and education that changes how you operate every single day. Wedding professionals are busy. You are serving clients, managing vendors, balancing creativity with logistics, and trying to grow profitably in a market that keeps shifting. Time away from your business has to produce a real return. That is exactly why the upcoming Wed 2 You Annual Retreat, happening March 2–5 in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, stands out. This is not a conference. This is not a lecture series. This is real-time work on your business, where strategic paths and clarity-driven time are intentionally built for wedding professionals who want stronger systems, smarter marketing, and better long-term business structure. A Small Room on Purpose The retreat is intentionally limited to eight attendees working alongside four educators. …

Every wedding tells a story — a moment in time filled with meaning, emotion, and love. What many wedding professionals overlook is that these moments can continue working for them long after the last guest leaves. By turning real celebrations into Real Wedding features on Brides & Weddings, planners, photographers, and venues can create lasting, inclusive, and collaborative marketing that benefits everyone involved. Why Real Weddings Matter A Real Wedding feature does more than show beautiful images. It highlights real love stories — the kind that inspire couples planning their own weddings and showcase the talent behind the scenes. When your work is published on Brides & Weddings, it lives online permanently. Each feature is shared across our website, social media, and newsletters — creating evergreen marketing that keeps building visibility month after month. For the couple, it’s a keepsake …

You capture the magic—let us amplify it. The Real Brides & Weddings program is where beautifully photographed weddings, elopements, and styled shoots become high-visibility editorial features that drive inquiries, strengthen vendor relationships, and grow your brand. “Photographers are the heartbeat of our Real Brides & Weddings program. You bring the story; we make sure the right couples—and the right vendors—see it,” says Rebecca Barnes, Publisher of Brides & Weddings and Founder of Women’s Wedding Network. “Our goal is simple: turn your best work into lasting visibility and real bookings.” What You Get (and Why It Works) Editorial Feature (600–900 words): A dedicated online article that showcases your images and the couple’s story. Permanent Portfolio Page: Your feature lives on-site for long-term SEO value and future client proof. Full Vendor Credits & Links: We list your full vendor team with websites/IG—fueling …

A follow-up to our May Women’s Wedding Network session, “Creating an Inclusive Wedding Business” By Rebecca Barnes, Publisher of Brides & Weddings In May, the Women’s Wedding Network explored what it truly means to create an inclusive wedding business. We examined how thoughtful branding, intentional language, and inclusive policies can help create a safer, more welcoming space for all couples. But inclusivity isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s also a powerful driver of growth, trust, and profitability. Now, armed with the latest market data and actionable strategies, we’re continuing the conversation with a sharper focus on what it means for your business. The Market Has Shifted—Have You? According to data from The Wedding Report, the demographic makeup of marrying couples in the U.S. has undergone a significant transformation over the past 15 years: White/Caucasian representation dropped from 77.8% in …

What AI-Driven Search Means for Wedding Businesses in 2025 By Rebecca Barnes, Publisher of Brides & Weddings If you’ve noticed a dip in your website traffic lately—but your rankings haven’t changed—it’s not your imagination. It’s Google. The way engaged couples are searching online is changing dramatically. With the rollout of AI Overviews and search summaries, Google is increasingly answering user questions before they ever click on a link. That means your website could technically “rank” but still be overlooked. The Shift: Google Now Answers Before They Click Google’s AI Overviews now pull answers directly into the search page. Instead of a list of blue links, users get conversational summaries. Great for users. Not so great for small businesses—especially in visually driven industries like weddings. If your content doesn’t make it into the AI-generated summary, you’re likely not being seen at …

Here’s What’s Changing—and What You Can Do to Stay Visible By Rebecca Barnes, Brides & Weddings Publisher Have you noticed fewer inquiries, slower website traffic, or a dip in bookings, even though you’re still ranking on Google? You’re not imagining it. The way couples search online is changing fast, and if your wedding business isn’t adapting, you could be missing out on your ideal clients. Let us explain why and how to pivot. What’s the Problem? Google’s New Search Prioritizes AI Answers Over Your Website In the past, couples typed in “wedding venue near me” or “best bridal boutiques in Northern Virginia” and clicked through to your website. Not anymore. Today, Google often answers users’ questions right on the search results page using AI-powered summaries called AI Overviews. These summaries pull information from multiple sources to instantly answer a question, …