I help your hotel bring fresh energy to wedding sales
ABOUT CIARA
I’m Ciara Crossan, CEO of WeddingDates and founder of WedPro.
Whether I’m giving a keynote, leading a workshop or working closely with a wedding sales team, I’m there for the same reason: to help hotels win more weddings.
It’s a world that’s been part of my story for a long time…
Photo by Peter Sweeney
Both sets of my grandparents ran hotels, so I’ve always said hospitality is in my blood
At 25, I found my own way into the industry.
I launched WeddingDates, an online wedding directory built to help hotels connect with couples in a smarter way.
It was 2008. There were those who thought I was mad starting a business during a recession. (And maybe I was, a little.)
But I had a vision.
It didn’t matter that at first people would practically pat me on the head as if to say, ‘Good for you, starting your nice little wedding website.’
I knew hotels needed a better way to manage wedding enquiries.
So I kept going
Without quite realising it at the time, I became that rare creature: a female tech founder. And I haven’t slowed down since.
Today, WeddingDates spans Ireland and the UK, with two platforms and more than 900 venues listed between them.
Along the way, I’ve appeared on Dragon’s Den, built a brilliant multi-person team, published annual Wedding Industry Reports and hosted Ireland’s first Wedding Venue Awards.
A major milestone came in 2021 with the launch of WedPro, a wedding CRM built for hotels that want stronger pipelines and more control over their wedding sales.
All from that ‘nice little wedding website.’
Starting a business in a recession was hard enough
Then, just as WeddingDates was taking off, I was surprised by an unexpected pregnancy. Not just one baby. Twins.
They arrived nine weeks early and spent the first six weeks in incubators. So the start of their lives was a blur of worry, joy, exhaustion… and trying to keep a business moving at the same time.
Not long after, I became a single mum. I still am and I’ve never looked back.
My boys are my best adventure and my greatest achievement. They’re also the reason I know more than a thing or two about staying organised and thinking on my feet when life doesn’t go exactly to plan. Great business lessons too.
A few lovely things I’m proud of
Over the years, it’s been a huge honour to have my work in business, hospitality and leadership recognised.
Among the highlights that mean the most are:
Vital Voices Global Ambassadors Programme, 2018
Thought Leader in International Hospitality Marketing, All Star Business Foundation, 2019
Businesswoman of the Year, Network Ireland Cork, 2019
Dominick Lewis Excellence in Leadership Award, LIFT Ireland, 2021
EY Winning Women EMEIA Class of 2024
Networker of the Year, Network Ireland Cork, 2026
All reminders of just how far I’ve come since 2008.
I love helping hotels win more weddings
I’m here to bring fresh energy and expert support with wedding sales.
Put me in a room with your team and I’ll dive into the numbers, spot what’s getting in the way and help everyone get clear (and excited!) about what needs to happen next.
That’s the work I love. Ready when you are.