Today I'm chatting with Catherine Ramm, owner of Dorset Dried Flowers, as she discusses her personal experiences as a second-time bride. We delve into the importance of inclusivity and empathy within the industry, particularly for second-time brides and older couples. Catherine shares anecdotes from her own wedding, highlighting the emotional and practical challenges she faced, and we discuss how these experiences can inform and help wedding pros offer a better solution. Find out more about Catherine here: https://www.dorsetdriedflowers.co.uk/ Follow Catherine on Instagram Time stamps: The celebration of second marriages (00:00:00) Embracing second marriages, considering ideal clients, and celebrating love at any age. Introduction to the podcast (00:00:32) Becca Pountney introduces the "Wedding Pros Who Are Ready to Grow" podcast and its purpose. Catherine's journey into the wedding industry (00:01:50) Catherine Ramm shares her accidental entry into the wedding industry and the start of her dried flower business. Finding the first wedding client (00:03:16) Catherine's first wedding client found her on Etsy, leading to her first wedding styling experience. Challenges and joys of serving clients nationwide (00:05:20) Catherine discusses the mix of local and nationwide wedding styling, highlighting the challenges and joys. Catherine's love story and recent marriage (00:06:45) Catherine shares the heartwarming story of meeting her now-husband and their unique proposal and wedding experience. Navigating the wedding industry as a second-time bride (00:09:58) Catherine discusses the challenges and experiences of being a second-time bride in the wedding industry. The wedding dress experience (00:12:08) Catherine shares her positive experiences and the importance of being open-minded when choosing a wedding dress. Negative experiences in wedding planning (00:15:05) Catherine recounts a negative experience during the wedding registry appointment and the impact it had on her and her partner. Learnings for wedding professionals (00:19:19) Becca reflects on the shared experiences and emphasizes the importance of understanding and accommodating diverse couples in the wedding industry. Understanding the Overwhelm (00:20:00) The importance of understanding and empathizing with overwhelmed wedding couples. Learning from the Client Experience (00:21:16) Insights gained from being a bride and how it can improve one's own wedding business. Sticking to Your Vision (00:23:14) Encouraging brides to be assertive in making their wedding their own, learning from past regrets. Communication and Expectations (00:25:09) The need for clear communication and asking the right questions to understand the couple's vision. Representation and Niche Market (00:26:09) The importance of representing diverse demographics in the wedding industry and identifying niche markets. Support for Second-Time Brides (00:29:24) The value of providing support and resources for individuals getting married for the second time.