hi, i'm
jac.
Planner turned business owner turned the person running the school that trains the planners. I talk straight, I love a spreadsheet, and I believe beautiful work deserves a business that pays properly.
the short version.
Before weddings, I spent twenty years producing: burlesque tours, theatre festivals, Mardi Gras entertainment and 500+ events, plus founding Business in Heels and working in radio. Then I brought all of it to weddings, growing Darling Don't Panic into a team of 18 planners. Couples trusted me with vineyard weddings, marquee weddings and weddings on the other side of the world.
In 2022 I bought The Wedding Academy, which has been training wedding and event professionals since 2004. My goal is simple: the most practical wedding education in the world. Real skills, real numbers and a straight answer when someone asks what actually works. I've also written it all down in eight books: The Wedding Planner's Handbook, The Wedding Stylist's Handbook, The Wedding Florist's Handbook, The Wedding Business & Marketing Handbook (2026 Edition), The Micro, Intimate & Destination Wedding Handbook and The Couple's Wedding Planning Handbook. Browse the books.
Today I coach wedding business owners, still plan weddings, speak at industry events and co-host Wedding Empires. The thread through all of it? Wedding businesses that are brilliant and built to last.
from mardi gras
to marquees
Two decades of producing shows, building businesses and working in media before I bought a wedding school. It's why my advice is practical: I've sold the tickets, filled the rooms and paid the wages.
child actor
On set from age eight, with roles in Home and Away, Heartbreak High and GP. The stage has always felt like home.
the burlesque ball
I created and produced The Burlesque Ball, an Australian tour with international headliners, and brought Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School to Sydney in 2007.
mardi gras & beyond
Entertainment co-ordinator for Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras. 500+ events for clients like Cirque du Soleil, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Wintergarten Berlin and Pacha Moscow. The Courier Mail called me a "PR Supremo".
theatre producer
Appointed producer of Short+Sweet Theatre, Dance & Music, "the biggest little play festival in the world", for Sydney and Canberra.
business in heels
I founded Business in Heels, a networking community for women in business, grew it to around 50 branches across 9 countries, then sold it at the end of 2014.
radio & media
AFTRS graduate. Drive host on Mix 104.9 Darwin, digital roles at Grant Broadcasters and News Corp's Geelong Advertiser, then content director and mornings host at ARN's Hitz 93.9.
darling don't panic
Owner and head planner of Darling Don't Panic, grown to a team of 18 planners, with weddings featured in Wedding Chicks, WedShed and more.
the wedding academy
Owner and CEO of The Wedding Academy, author of eight books in the Wedding Academy Handbook series and co-host of Wedding Empires.
the receipts.
what i believe.
profit isn't a dirty word
Beautiful work deserves a business that pays you properly.
education should be practical
Templates, numbers and real scenarios beat theory every time.
calm is a service
The best weddings feel effortless because the planning wasn't.
we rise together
Sharing what works makes the whole industry better.
“Her shows have always been well thought out and have always displayed the highest and most professional of production standards. They have been well run, well publicised and well attended, which is very much the name of the game!”
twenty years of people saying nice things.
“There is a reason why Jac Bowie is at the top of her game: she is the hardest working woman in the business. Thinking outside the box, forward thinking, she does it all, and she does it all in a fabulous pair of heels no less!”
Kangaroo Valley Chamber of Tourism & Commerce
“Jac is a genius who brings to the table great experience and expertise coupled with a dramatic flair and great creativity. Excellent service and excellent value for your dollar!”
Partner, Taylor and Scott Lawyers
“Jac Bowie is the slickest, swankest PR whiz on the planet. Before her first session of Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School, she was already getting major national press, including radio and TV. Her aesthetics are dazzling, her taste impeccable, and her promotion top notch.”
Dr. Sketchy's
“I've had the pleasure of knowing Jac Bowie for 12 years. I have worked with Jac on various occasions and she has always been very professional, dedicated and passionate in all areas of her work.”
Personal Fashion Stylist, Founder of Styled by Jade & Co
“During our time working with Jac over the past 7 years, she has shown to be an extremely diverse and energetic manager, artist and events operator. Her connections within various areas of media have allowed some of the most prolific external PR and marketing campaigns we have been involved in.”
ArtHouse Hotel
“Thanks @jacbowie for your great talk today. Inspiring, fresh and my favourite of the day.”
Entrepreneurial Leadership in Action, University of Tasmania
“Very professional with an eye for execution detail. She delivered what was promised, all with a healthy level of passion and fun.”
Heineken
“Jac is reliable, her entertainers were of the highest quality and her rates were very reasonable. I would not hesitate in recommending Jac to anyone who needs corporate entertainment or event management.”
Managing Director, mivision Magazine
“Jac Bowie is an energetic, attention-to-detail producer who invokes a lot of enthusiasm into her projects.”
Looking Through a Glass Onion
“Jac Bowie is a well-disciplined, creative, enthusiastic and efficient producer of all the events I have attended as a sponsor and participant. She is a pleasure to work with professionally and personally.”
Dr. Sketchy's Byron Bay
“All of our dealings with Jac have been a pleasure. She's a hard working person that gets results! She's fun, energetic and very helpful. In fact, she will actually go out of her way to help you.”
Sales & marketing strategist
“Jac has the ability to conceptualise an entire event, plan, market and deliver it with great attention to detail, creating an inviting and exciting experience for the audience.”
“Jac has a vibrant personality and a can-do attitude. I worked with her at PASH and was also involved in an event she ran. It was a great success and Jac put everything into making it so.”
PASH Parties
“Fun, innovative, with clipboard always at the ready. If you need something and no one else can help, then you need Jac Bowie.”
Prima Nocta
“Jac brings energy, pizzazz and creativity to every project she touches. You will love working with her.”
“Jac is a great operator, full of energy fun and creativity.”
Director, Events Management & Festival Director
“Jac Bowie is a powerhouse of the rejuvenated Australian and international burlesque and cabaret movement. She is a highly motivated, organised entertainment producer, networker and performer. I would recommend her services to anyone.”
“JB is a media darling. She is the gloss queen of spin, goss, promo and pop. She is too much fun to work with.”
Presence Films
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