Meet the Manager — Sarah Simmons, Weddings & Events
MEET THE MANAGER
Sarah Simmons, Weddings & Events Manager
Talk me through your career leading up to Mona Farm. What was your hospitality background?
I started out working in corporate events. Planning major conferences, international incentive trips and gala/awards nights. These ranged from a 5-day conference with more than 10,000 guests attending, an awards night with exclusive use of Luna Park to a product launch in 6 cities around Australia and New Zealand. As amazing as the travel and fast paced life of corporate events was, I knew I always wanted to work in weddings and when the opportunity presented itself I went for it. I worked in weddings for over three years in the Blue Mountains before joining the incredible team at Mona Farm. Weddings is my place, I love my job!
Out of the MANY weddings we’ve done here at Mona Farm, do any in particular stand out to you? Which ones?
So many favourites! A few that stand our are; Michele & Josh’s Mona Riviera Wedding – an intimate summer delight, the tablescape, you can see the fun and love beaming from the photos. Eloise & Marco – Eloise & Marco put so much love and thought into the food for their wedding and what a treat for their guests. There was cake and a gelato van (yum!). In addition, the styling by ivy lane collective for this wedding was a beautiful compliment to Mona Farm. Cherie & Rob – I promise this isn’t biased, but Cherie & Rob’s wedding weekend was an incredible way to showcase all that Mona Farm has to offer! A three-day wedding weekend is a MUST, an intimate welcome dinner on the arrival day, with all guests settled and relaxed by the time the wedding rolls around the next day and then a recovery day to debrief on the main event. I think that every couple should take a note out of their book!
In your opinion, what’s the best season at Mona Farm and why?
As much as I love a summer on the farm, the gardens in spring and a night by the fire in winter, autumn has to be my favourite season at Mona Farm. Watching the leaves turn to hues of red and orange and fall from the trees adds to the magic of the property. With the sun setting in the late afternoon it also means starting your wedding day that little bit earlier (who doesn’t love getting in a little more time on the dance floor!). Autumn at Mona Farm has the best of everything, crisp mornings, sunny days and balmy evenings.
Your favourite ceremony location?
The Paddock, a new addition but an absolute showstopper.
A reception in The Marquee or The Restaurant? Why?
Summer/Autumn I would say The Marquee, it’s the perfect way to create an outdoor setting but still have a closed space. Winter/Spring I would say The Restaurant, it’s perfect to create the cosy and intimate atmosphere and still has the beautiful windows to look out over the grounds.
Three wedding Instagram pages we should be following
The Make Haus (for all styling inspo … styling extraordinaire)
Wedshed (for all of the help when planning your wedding and some laughs)
More Life Films (for videos that will get you hyped up for your wedding day)
You’re getting married soon yourself! How has your role here impacted your wedding planning?
I have so much respect for every couple planning their wedding, it is hard work and almost becomes a full-time job … and that’s coming from a wedding planner! My role has definitely helped me along the way with planning (it helps to know what to expect in the planning process and understand how everything works behind the scenes), in addition all of our beautiful couples have given me ideas and inspiration for my own wedding (it’s almost like a live pinterest board!). It’s also nice to feel like I’m on the journey with my couples, it’s great to be able to relate (who doesn’t love a chat about wedding dress shopping).
Highlight of your role to date..go!
In a non-cheesy way, every day working for Mona Farm has been a highlight. I start each week thinking it can’t top the last, but it does and that is kudos to the incredible team behind Mona Farm as well as the couples and guests I interact with every day. As I work remotely in the Blue Mountains, when I go down to visit Mona Farm I feel like I’m seeing it for the first time all over again, definitely a highlight! I tell people constantly that I have the best job in the world, every day I get to help plan one of the best days of your life.
The contemporary artworks, accommodation and grounds are spectacular, however what makes Mona Farm a world-class destination is the exceptional service delivered by our team of hospitality experts.
If you would like to work alongside team members such as Sarah, please feel free to get in touch and tell us about yourself — Romy Besnard, General Manager, romy@monafarm.com.au