Surefire Ways to Improve Your Wedding Planning Business Right Now

By: Tracey Manailescu

We are right in the middle of wedding season, and that means that your social media outlets are full of gorgeous images from your peers and those you admire in the wedding industry. Does this inspire grand ideas, with dreams of what your future will be like, or does it inspire a wee bit of jealousy with feelings of low self-esteem and hopelessness for your wedding planning future? Are the only parties that you are planning nightly pity parties?

Stop right there and get out of your own head! I mean it. SNAP OUT OF IT.

Everyone feels ups and everyone feels downs throughout their career in the wedding industry. Some seasons you will have dream clients with dream budgets (as well as dream photos to show for it), and other times you will have clients and budgets that may not fit into your ideal vision (with photos that you would never share in a million years). Maybe some seasons you won’t have any clients at all.

Below are some surefire ways to improve your wedding business right now.

Get a Vision Board. Start manifesting the type of couples, venues, themes and budgets that you want to work with.  Think about how you want to look, dress, and feel when you are working with these clients. What type of car do you want to drive next year? Where do you want to live? Where do you want to travel? Print out photos and add them to your vision board. Start focusing on how to make those photos a reality.

• Update Your Work Appearance. Ladies, those clothes, shoes, jewelry and purses that you have in your closet may need an update.  Get rid of them. Go to your nearest clothing drop-box and make a donation. Get a new haircut and touch up those highlights in your hair. Gentlemen, new cufflinks, a new suit, a great blazer, watch, and shoes can go a long way to instill confidence.  Give up your Starbucks daily fix, and put that money into your savings account. Think of a monthly expense that you can get rid of, and put it towards something that can help your career.
• Brainstorm.  Make lists. You are a planner, this should be easy. Where are some areas that you can improve your company? Branding?  Having a booth at a wedding show?  Advertising? Volunteering? Learning a new skill?
• Get Financial Savvy. Stick to a budget. Pay off your debts and invest wisely. You cannot be everywhere, nor should you. Think about what you want to accomplish this year.  Is it promoting your company at a wedding show? Investing in your company’s brand? Advertising? Styled Shoots? Attending a high-end wedding conference? Travelling to build your knowledge and connections for destination weddings and/or becoming a travel agent?
• “Weducate” Yourself.  Are you WPIC certified yet? Find out why 7300 others from around the world are. After that, there are a ton of amazing ways to keep learning. Attend a conference or tailor-made seminar that fits your niche (we have a handy list that is WPIC approved right here!) Take a class to update skills or expand your services into travel (we have a program in place with Travelonly), small business accounting, basic floral arranging, photography 101, etc. Sometimes a smaller and more intimate setting is just the thing.

“Nothing is more attractive than someone with a passion for something, who looks at things positively and is always seeking to better themselves”.

• Define Your Brand and Invest In It. Know your value, believe in yourself, define your services, and truly think about what type of clients and weddings you are comfortable around, then you will know who your clients are. Professional headshots, professional website, professional logo and a professional approach are key.
• Get a New Website. Yes, I said it above, but I am saying it again. Keep it fresh and modern. If you have had the same old website for more than 3 years it may be time to make a change. You have grown, evolved and learned over the past few years. Show it!
• Update Your Logo. Have it professionally designed by a graphic designer to ensure it looks great and feels like you.
• Professional Headshots and Photos: I can’t stress this enough. Professional photographers are in high demand for a reason. No matter what you do, you cannot make a photo look the way a professional photographer can. Crisp, clear and polished. Put your best foot forward when representing your company and brand. I promise you will not regret this.
• Work Your Social Media. Pick two or three that you enjoy and work it! Yes, we say this all of the time, but it really works. This is how potential couples can see what you and your company are all about. Make sure to infuse your personality into it! Again, the best way to show off your couples and their weddings is with professional photos.
• Network. Did you know that the #1 way to get clients is by word of mouth? Really! Your professional reputation will speak for itself, so make sure that it is a good one. Build relationships with other wedding professionals who complement your brand and keep your current and past clients happy.
• Set Goals. Set goals for the day, week, month and year.

Keep at it and don’t give up!