How I Accidentally Found Myself in the Wedding Industry (And Why I Never Left)

If you'd told me back in 2013 that I'd spend the next decade performing at weddings, I probably would've laughed.

Truthfully, I didn't have some grand plan to become a wedding musician.

I kind of just stumbled into it.

One gig turned into another. Someone heard me play at a friend's wedding and booked me for theirs. Then that couple referred me to another couple. Before I knew it, I found myself right in the thick of the wedding industry.

And here I am, more than a decade later, still loving it.

As a Canberra-based wedding musician, I've somehow found myself playing in just about every setting imaginable. I've played at wineries, on farms, by the water at lakeside ceremonies and in plenty of backyards. Some of my favourite weddings haven't been at fancy venues at all. They've been at family homes where everyone already feels relaxed and connected. Every wedding has its own personality, and that's probably one of the reasons I've never gotten tired of it.

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The Things Guests Actually Remember

After all these years, I've noticed something.

Guests rarely remember what colour the napkins were. They probably won't remember the exact menu. They may not even remember the flowers. But they absolutely remember how a wedding made them feel. They remember the ceremony song that gave them goosebumps. They remember seeing the couple's faces as they walked down the aisle. They remember singing along with friends late into the evening. They remember the moments. And music has a funny way of attaching itself to those memories.

I've lost count of how many times couples have told me they can't hear a particular song without instantly being transported back to their wedding day.

That's a pretty special thing to be part of.

The Best Weddings Feel Like the Couple

One of the biggest lessons I've learnt since 2013 is that the best weddings aren't necessarily the biggest or the most expensive. They're the weddings that feel genuine.

The weddings where the couple stop worrying about trends and what everyone else is doing and simply create a day that feels like them. Sometimes that's a formal winery wedding. Sometimes it's a relaxed celebration on a family farm. Sometimes it's a backyard wedding with food trucks and lawn games. There's no perfect formula.

The common theme is always authenticity. When a wedding reflects the couple's personality, everyone feels it.

Why I'm Such a Fan of Audio Guestbooks

Over the years I've seen wedding trends come and go. Some disappear pretty quickly.

Others stick around because they're genuinely meaningful. One of my favourites has been audio guestbooks.

I might be a little biased because I also run Call Me Nostalgic Audio Guestbook, but I've seen firsthand how much couples love hearing those recordings after the wedding.

There's something special about hearing people's voices. Your grandparents sharing marriage advice. Your friends leaving messages after a couple of drinks. Your parents telling you how proud they are. The laughter. The stories. The emotion.

Those recordings often become some of the most treasured keepsakes from the entire day.

Unlike a traditional guestbook, you don't just read the words. You hear the voices behind them.

Weddings Don't Need to Be Perfect

If I could give couples one piece of advice after spending years around weddings, it would be this:

Try not to spend your wedding day chasing perfection.

Something almost always goes slightly off schedule.

The weather changes.

Someone arrives late.

A speech runs longer than expected.

The flowers aren't exactly where they were meant to be.

And honestly?

Nobody cares. What people remember is the atmosphere. They remember whether the couple looked happy. They remember whether people were laughing.

They remember whether the day felt relaxed and joyful. The weddings that leave the biggest impression are rarely the perfect ones. They're the ones where the couple are fully present and enjoying every moment.

Why I Still Love Weddings

After all these years, there's still something special about being trusted with such an important day. I never set out to become a wedding musician I certainly didn't think that one booking back in 2013 would lead me here. But I'm glad it did. I've had a front-row seat to hundreds of love stories, incredible celebrations and unforgettable moments. And I still get excited every time I receive a new enquiry.

Thanks for Stopping By

If you're currently planning a wedding and looking for live music, I'd love to help.

Whether you're getting married at a winery, on a farm, by a lake, or in your own backyard, my goal is always the same:

To help create moments you'll remember long after the last song has been played.

And if you're looking for a unique way to capture memories from your guests, have a look at my audio guestbook business, Call Me Nostalgic Audio Guestbook.

Thanks for reading.

Mickey