The wedding industry is evolving. The businesses leading it showed up.
300 wedding businesses filled a room at W Melbourne for a day of ideas, connection and momentum for the future of our industry.
One day. One city. One industry.
Wedding businesses, together in one room.
For the first time in Evolve history, we brought the best, most innovative, and brightest businesses in the Australian wedding industry into one room. Previously spread across multiple cities, Evolve 2026 was intentionally different — we consolidated our energy into a single, high-velocity national summit at W Melbourne.
By bringing a mix of suppliers and venues into one space, we created a rare opportunity for national-level networking, deeper connections, and a collective look at the future of our craft. And the day delivered — 300 wedding businesses walked away with something to take back to their own.
Our industry is evolving quickly and Easy Weddings has never been more committed to walking through that change with our suppliers, and never more excited about where it takes us.
- Matt Butterworth, CEO
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Evolve 2026 by the numbers
A day worth celebrating
01
300 wedding businesses
One national room, full of people ready to learn, connect and grow.
02
Industry veterans
For those who have been in the industry for years — this is the national-level room you've been waiting to walk into.
03
New entrants & the curious
Just starting out or considering a shift — this event has you in mind. Learn from the best and build your network from day one.
We are about connecting the experienced with the curious to create a network of Australian wedding professionals that sets the standard for the next generation of business.
The details
What to expect in 2026
408 Flinders Ln Premium event spaces in the heart of Melbourne's CBD.
Moments from last year
The energy from Evolve25 still carries
From Evolve 2025
What the industry said
The venue
Located in the heart of the CBD on Flinders Lane, W Melbourne is the ideal backdrop for our biggest Evolve yet. Sophisticated, bold and professional-grade, it reflects the evolution of our industry.
W Melbourne is a proud venue partner for Evolve 2026 and part of the premium event experience on the day.
- Accommodation We have secured a dedicated discount code for Evolve attendees. This will be provided exclusively to those who secure a ticket, allowing you to stay in the heart of the action.
- Getting there 408 Flinders Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000. Centrally located and easily accessible via public transport and CBD parking. Final travel details can be confirmed closer to the event.
Voices of Evolve 2026
The speakers
— Keynote Speaker
Amanda Stevens
Consumer Futurist & Author
Radical Customer Obsession
Radical Customer Obsession
Amanda Stevens is Australia's leading authority on consumer trends and the customer experience. A sought-after futurist with a background in consumer psychology and marketing, Amanda blends powerful research into buying behavior with global trends to help businesses connect more deeply with their clients. She has consulted for organisations across Australia, Asia, and the US and is the author of six best-selling books, including her latest release, Radical Customer Obsession. Renowned for her captivating storytelling and commercially practical strategies, Amanda will provide Evolve attendees with the actionable insights needed to turn modern couples into passionate brand advocates.
— Speaker
Matt Butterworth
CEO & Founder
Easy Weddings & Venue Crew
Easy Weddings & Venue Crew
As the Founder of Australia’s No. 1 wedding planning ecosystem, Matt Butterworth has spent over 25 years at the forefront of industry innovation. Leading a team of over 60 professionals across Australia and the UK, Matt has navigated every market shift from the rise of social media to the current AI revolution. Beyond his role at Easy Weddings and Venue Crew, Matt is a mentor within the Entrepreneurs’ Organisation, coaching founders on how to scale with purpose and precision. Known for his straight talk and data-backed strategies, Matt’s session is a must-attend for any business owner looking to move from accidental entrepreneur to high-performing CEO.
— Speaker
Darcy Allen
General Manager
Easy Weddings & Venue Crew
Easy Weddings & Venue Crew
Darcy Allen brings over a decade of elite industry experience to her role as General Manager of Venue Crew and the Easy Weddings supplier marketplace. Having held senior leadership positions at Melbourne’s most iconic institutions, Darcy possesses a rare, 360-degree understanding of both venue operations and consumer expectations. She is a specialist in driving tangible results for wedding businesses by bridging the gap between a couple’s vision and a supplier’s delivery. Darcy is dedicated to helping businesses modernize their processes while maintaining the high-touch service the industry demands.
— Speaker
Lauren Samuels
B2B Sales Manager
Easy Weddings
Easy Weddings
Lauren Samuels is a wedding and events industry growth leader, sales strategist, and founder passionate about helping businesses turn potential into real results. As B2B Sales Manager at Easy Weddings and Founder of The Vibe Tribe, Lauren works at the intersection of strategy, sales, and people, supporting teams to grow revenue, strengthen partnerships, and build businesses that genuinely thrive. Known for being equal parts commercial and human, Lauren brings big-picture thinking, practical action, and a genuine love for the wedding and events industry and the people in it.
— Speaker
Sarah Ripley
Marketing Manager
Easy Weddings
Easy Weddings
Sarah Ripley is a seasoned marketing leader and brand builder with over 17 years of experience driving revenue and engagement across events, hospitality, retail, sport, and digital ecosystems. As the Marketing Manager for Easy Weddings, Sarah specialises in bridging the gap between data-driven insights and human connection. Her true passion lies in the psychology of consumer behaviour. A deep understanding of the modern buyers’ motivations and decision-making habits helps shape the customer experience. At Evolve 2026, she will share actionable frameworks to help business owners look past dry metrics and build marketing strategies deeply rooted in human psychology.
— Speaker
Kate Florio
Social and Creative Manager
Easy Weddings
Easy Weddings
Kate Florio is an expert multimedia storyteller and digital strategist with a proven track record of building high-velocity, global social media campaigns. Holding a Master of Communication (Digital Media), Kate looks after the creative and social strategies for Easy Weddings across Australia, the UK, and international markets. Alongside her career in corporate, Kate has held tenure teaching at Deakin University, helping the next generation of digital marketers capture attention in an overcrowded feed. At Evolve 2026, she breaks down the mechanics of modern digital footprints, how social media is part of the larger buyer journey, and how all elements of marketing feed into this.
— MC
Tommy Casha
Founder
Wedding Chats
Wedding Chats
Tommy Casha is a storyteller, filmmaker, and conversation expert who knows how to find the “human heart” in any room. With a background in radio and over a decade of experience creating conversation-led content for global brands like TikTok and LinkedIn, Tommy has mastered the art of making guests feel comfortable enough to open up. Through his business, Wedding Chats, he has captured the voices and stories of over 7,500 guests at weddings across Australia and overseas. As our Emcee for Evolve 2026, Tommy brings his signature warmth, curiosity, and storytelling prowess to ensure our national summit is as engaging as it is insightful.
The program
Run of the day
01
Morning Sessions & Registration
Arrival & Registration
Collect your name tag, grab a coffee from the cart.
Welcome Address
Kickstart the day with our official event opening.
Industry Update
The State of the Industry
Keynote 1 | Amanda Stevens
Radical Customer Obsession
Rapid Fireside Spotlights
Quick, high-impact industry case studies featuring W Melbourne, Little Wolf, and Botanics of Melbourne.
02
Mid-Day Sessions & Networking Lunch
Networking Lunch
Refuel and connect with fellow industry peers, pre-arranged growth clinic appointments.
Session 2 | Darcy Allen & Lauren Samuels
People-First Sales: Turning Enquiries into Inevitable Bookings
Keynote 2 | Matt Butterworth
AI Efficiency
03
Afternoon Sessions & Wrap-Up
Afternoon Tea
Recharge with a brief catering break and pre-arranged growth clinic appointments continued.
Fireside Chat
An exclusive industry sit-down with the team from Dan Murphy’s.
Session 3 | Kate Florio & Sarah Ripley
Decoding the Modern Buyer’s Journey: The Psychology of How Couples Book
Prize Draw & Closing Wrap-Up
Prize winners announced and event closing remarks.
04
Networking Drinks, beginning at 5pm
Networking Drinks
The Wind‑Down with Dan - Held at Curious at W Melbourne
Got questions?
Frequently asked questions
In 2026, we are focused on "High-Value Connection." By bringing the entire country into one room at the W Melbourne, we are facilitating a rare opportunity to connect and network on a national level. This is your chance to step out of your local bubble and engage with the top industry professionals nationwide.
Absolutely! The more innovators in the room, the better. Once tickets are
live, please register your ticket, then refresh the browser to register a separate ticket for your
guest. This ensures we have the correct details for every "Human-Verified" name tag on the day.
Yes. W Melbourne is a fully accessible venue. If you have specific
requirements, please reach out to the team once your ticket is secured.
Yes. Photography and videography may take place throughout the event for documentation, promotional, marketing and future content purposes. By attending, guests acknowledge that they may appear in event imagery or footage that could be used across digital channels, social media, websites, marketing materials and future event communications.
We always aim to capture the atmosphere and experience of the event respectfully and thoughtfully. If you have concerns about being photographed or filmed, please speak with a member of the event team prior to or during the event where possible.
We always aim to capture the atmosphere and experience of the event respectfully and thoughtfully. If you have concerns about being photographed or filmed, please speak with a member of the event team prior to or during the event where possible.
We are taking over the premium event spaces at W Melbourne, 408 Flinders Ln,
Melbourne VIC 3000.
We anticipate a full house with a significant waitlist. If you can no longer
make it, please cancel your spot via Eventbrite (using the login of the person who booked). This
allows your ticket to be freed up for the next professional in line.
A ticket for Evolve 2026 is $149. For suppliers listed on Easy Weddings, you will be provided with a discount code, so keep your eyes out, or chat to your PM.
For ticket holders, you’ll be issued a discount code for the W Melbourne that will come through after you’ve made your purchase.
We recommend public transport to the venue as there is no parking on site at W.
If you do need to drive in, parking is suggested at Secure Parking (376 Flinders Street, Melbourne Victoria Car Park); you can pre book online here. Alternatively, Wilson Car Park (172 - 192 Flinders Street, Melbourne | Flinders Gate Car Park), which you can also pre book here.
If you do need to drive in, parking is suggested at Secure Parking (376 Flinders Street, Melbourne Victoria Car Park); you can pre book online here. Alternatively, Wilson Car Park (172 - 192 Flinders Street, Melbourne | Flinders Gate Car Park), which you can also pre book here.
By the numbers
One room. Real impact.
Watch the day
Evolve 2026 in two minutes
Evolve26 was one of those days you had to be in the room for. Three hundred wedding businesses, a dance party before 9am, signature cocktails, a perfume stand, and conversations that kept going long after the last session ended. We didn't think two minutes of video could do it justice — but TC Weddings proved us wrong.
Voices of Evolve 2026
Presentation replays & highlights
Missed a session, or want to watch it again? Every Evolve 2026 talk is available below — grab the highlight reel for the key moments, the 10-minute cut for a quick catch-up, or the full session for the whole thing. Full-length videos are exclusive to Evolve26 attendees, as a thank-you for being in the room.
Captured on the day
The moments
Relive the day through the lens of Rebekah Bianca Studios - from the keynote stage to the conversations happening in between. Browse the full gallery below, or find yourself in the crowd.
On the day
Evolve, drawn by Debbie Wood
If you spotted Debbie Wood working away throughout the day, you'll know how special this was. As the sessions ran, Debbie captured the ideas, insights and mood of the room in real time - no brief, no notes prepared in advance, just what was happening in front of her. Here's a look at how it came together.
Testimonials
What the room thought
The best measure of a day like this isn't what we thought of it. It's what the people in the room walked out saying. So we asked.
Our partners
