A moment with 'Amanda Jensen Weddings'
ABIA meets multi-talented Amanda Jensen, a Sunshine Coast marriage celebrant, musician, MC and DJ for weddings
Cristel Jane Photography
If you can find one, a multi-skilled wedding vendor can prove a great way to simplify the wedding planning process, and given her experience as a wedding celebrant, acoustic musician, Master of Ceremonies and deejay, Sunshine Coast-based Amanda Jensen is, effectively, her own wedding package.
“I offer a combination of wedding services and do the job of four vendors in one,” Amanda points out.
Initially drawn to weddings through her musical talent, Amanda’s passion for the industry has seen her gradually expand her skills to include celebrancy, deejaying and emceeing and her couples now love the simplicity of having one multi-taking vendor to take care of so many elements of their wedding day.
ABIA sat down with the multifaceted Amanda to chat writing vows, planning recommendations and favourite wedding song requests.
Aesthete Film and Photography
Tell us about your business and wedding services.
I am an authorised marriage celebrant and also offer live acoustic music with vocals and guitar, DJ services and wedding MC hosting. Thanks to these combined talents I often sing couples down the aisle to live music just before I officiate their ceremony, which makes for a unique wedding service.
How did you get started in the wedding industry?
I started about 20 years ago doing duo and band gigs at weddings as the front woman, then with Covid all my music gigs were cancelled, and I found time to study to be a celebrant. Since then, my combined wedding services have proven a hit with couples looking for both talent and convenience.
Cristel Jane Photography
Where are you based and what locations do you service?
I’m based on the Sunshine Coast and typically service Noosa, the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Gympie, though I sometimes find myself a little further west, and south as far as Brisbane.
You cover a vast combination of wedding services, how did this come about?
Being a musician is like riding a bike to me, I literally sing with my eyes shut — although, when someone is coming down the aisle I try to make an exception so I can see what's going on — so music was my introduction to the wedding industry. When I began practising celebrancy I waited until I felt really confident in that important role before starting to offer music during the wedding ceremony. Deejaying came next, it was something I’d always wanted to do and paired perfectly with my live acoustic music. There are only so many songs that can be played acoustically that really get the music pumping, so it gave me a chance to change it up and get people dancing and having fun. Given I like organisation, love to talk and have years of experience behind a microphone, becoming a Master of Ceremonies just came naturally to me.
Black Ochre Photography
Neil Hole Photography
What advice do you have for couples starting to plan their big day?
Make sure you are planning the day for yourselves. It's nice to get other people’s input, but make sure the day is a reflection of you both and the love you share, and not based on what someone else wants.
Also, I recommend securing the ‘big things’ first. Lock in your main vendors early, then when the ball starts rolling you’re more likely to be able to enjoy the lead up to the day and not feel completely overwhelmed.
At what point in their wedding planning should couples consider booking their celebrant, musicians, DJ and MC?
My advice to couples is if you know you’ve found the one lock them in. Wedding vendors offering a unique service tend to book up quickly, especially during prime wedding months, so it’s a good idea to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Aesthete Film and Photography
Angela Brushe Photography
What should couples look for in a good wedding celebrant, musician, MC and DJ?
I think it’s important for couples to find a marriage celebrant that they ‘click with’, and to find wedding entertainers whose music they love, by listening to their demos or seeing them live if possible.
It’s important to read reviews too, to see what past couples are saying, though I encourage couples to look at the quality of the reviews, not just the volume.
Good quality gear is also a must — a sound system and microphone can make or break a ceremony and reception.
What’s popular with couples at the moment and what wedding trends are you noticing?
The ‘shoe game’ is trending at wedding receptions and a recent couple had a wedding cake piñata that was incredibly fun! I have learnt a few songs that came from Tik Tok lately and have found that there’s no ‘in-between’ when it comes to the Macarena — couples either love it or hate it. I’ve also had a few couples signing the documents after the ceremony recently.
Daniel Faint Studio
What are the most common wedding song and music requests?
With ceremony music, there are some songs that pop up a lot more than others — whether I’m singing them or pushing play on my speaker — including ‘A Thousand Years’, ‘I Get To Love You’, ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’, ‘How Long Will I Love You’ and ‘Truly Madly Deeply’. I make sure I know, and sing, all the popular songs, although I do enjoy learning songs I have never heard before too.
Coming from a background as a pub singer, I’ve also noticed at wedding receptions that the most-requested songs haven't change in 20 years — ‘Wonderwall’, ‘Sweet Caroline’, ‘Eagle Rock’, ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’ and ‘500 miles’ (I like to slow this one down and sing it as a love song) are all firm favourites.
What makes your wedding service unique?
I offer a combination of wedding services and do the job of four vendors in one. Being able to officiate the marriage, and sing the couple down the aisle live, certainly makes my service standout!
Aesthete Film and Photography
What are the benefits of booking a combined celebrant, musician, deejay and Master of Ceremonies?
I am like an encyclopaedia of wedding knowledge! The most common feedback I get from my couples is that having a multitasking vendor, like me, do so many jobs means a lot less people to deal with.
A couple also recently told me how reassuring it was not to have to worry about when the next vendor was showing up, and whether they’d make it on time. I build a relationship with my couples from the very start and I am there until the very end, to answer any questions, offer guidance and create with them, every step of the way.
What was your most interesting wedding?
I love all my weddings, and especially the fact that no two weddings are the same. I did have a standout one recently though. The couple had their wedding photos taken before the ceremony and had a pre-drink with their guests before walking down the aisle together to a song from ‘Lord of the Rings’, played by me on guitar with the accompaniment of a violinist. During the ceremony they invited their parents up to tell their love story, which was unscripted and hilarious, then they surprised their guests with an animal farm — there was a wombat and a crocodile at their wedding!
Cristel Jane Photography
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