by Mat Churchill


Port Douglas has long been recognised as a truly magnificent spot for weddings. Couples and their families travel from all over Australia, and occasionally from around the world to tie the knot in our town.

The wedding industry is thriving in Port Douglas with over 220 weddings taking place in St Mary's Church alone each year.

So what makes it so successful, and what can other arms of the tourism industry learn from the industry which is responsible for pouring millions of dollars into the local economy?

The Newsport Daily spoke with Cathy Alexander and Chris Morgan of Port Douglas Catering and Events who have built a reputation for delivering wedding experiences that live up to notoriously high expectations.

"People look at Port Douglas as an ideal tropical destination. It's a perfect honeymoon destination and makes a perfect holiday destination for their family and friends," Ms Alexander said.

"It's a great place to reunite, and there is something here for everybody and all budgets."

Despite a tourism industry that continues to struggle in the wake of the Global Financial Crisis, the wedding industry seems to have been relatively unaffected.

"The wedding industry is quite resilient," Ms Alexander said, estimating that Port Douglas Catering and Events managed around 70 weddings in 2009 despite the economic downturn.

"Even with the GFC it didn't slow down. Historically people get married in tougher times."

With an average guest list of 50 to 60 people per wedding, that translates into big dollars for accommodation, tour, and hospitality providers.

"People underestimate how much money wedding bring in (to town)," she said. "The tourism industry in general underestimates the power of the wedding industry."

Mr Morgan said that the flow on effect to these providers is significant.

"There's lots of variety in terms of activities (for guests). Guys will golf or go fishing which the ladies will get beauty treatments on the day before the wedding. We get fantastic feedback, It's the best word of mouth advertising for the town," he said.

Mr Morgan and Ms Alexander both expressed some concern regarding the upgrade and maintenance of infrastructure in one of Port's prime wedding locations, Rex Smeal Park.

They said despite the Cairns Regional Council receiving $760 for each two hour use of the area, a distinct lack of irrigation, antiquated toilet facilities, and even a lack of watering in dryer months is putting the idyllic location at risk of becoming unusable.

When it came to imparting knowledge to others in the tourism industry, they both agreed that adapting your product to suit the market is essential.

Executive Retreats were one such business to make changes to better cater for the booming industry.

"We've built cabanas and made a helicopter pad so people can fly in," said owner Wendy van der Woolf. "It's a real destination for weddings."