Wedding business listings are available on a variety of online wedding planning resource websites. To clarify, you can list your business on websites where brides and grooms are searching for wedding vendors. These resources vary greatly in services provided, listing options and in the ways you will connect with the engaged couples. Regardless of the sites you choose to participate with, it is imperative that you keep your listings up to date.
As much as we don’t like to admit it, what the internet says about your company speaks volumes to how the viewer will perceive you. Subsequently determining their choice to contact you, or not. That comment is not just for your personal website, certainly that is a conversation for another blog post. As a wedding business owner, you must also keep your listings on other websites up to date.
Your target audience is visually driven to take action. Regularly update the photos on your wedding business listings. That is to say, represent yourself as current, modern and relatable to today’s bride and groom. If last year’s trend was boho chic, but this year that is so not a thing. Then remove those photos from your listings and add photos of a more current trend. Don’t just add more photos, remove those that are no longer relevant to your current client. Styles change year to year, stay up to date on these trends and showcase your very best product and service as they represent your ability to connect to today’s client.
Also remember to look at the photos from the front-end. Be sure they are clear, properly oriented and represent who you are and what you do.
Broken links are bad for everyone involved. Most importantly it means when a potential client clicks on a link in your listing, they aren’t going to find you. Unfortunately this will reflect on your company, not the wedding planning resource site. If you get a new website URL, then immediately go update that information on all the vendor listings you have. Now that you have added an Instagram account, go add that account to your wedding business listings. In short, be sure engaged couples can find you everywhere and that when they click, they find you.
Question of the day, how can a potential client contact you if you don’t list your email address and phone number? I wish that I could say this never happens, but it happens far too often. Generally speaking, a bride or groom is searching for wedding vendors because they are getting married. Subsequently, if they have decided they want to speak with you, they need to be able to contact you. First list your phone number and include that texting is acceptable. Second, include an actual email address. Preferably with a URL instead of a Gmail or Yahoo. Next the handles for all of your social media platforms. As a result, your next client can choose to connect with you in the way they are most comfortable. If they want to email you, they need to have an email address. On the other hand, if they want to text you, they need a phone number.
I can’t end this section with out also saying set up a professional voicemail. Due to the fact that some wedding professionals use their personal phone numbers for their business conversation it is important to remind you that your voicemail also represents your company. Likewise always answer your phone professionally. Your client believes they are calling a business, show them you are their next perfect wedding professional by putting your most professional foot forward at all times. That includes your voicemail and the way you answer your phone.
That is to say, click on the contact us buttons and send yourself a test message and/or call. First make sure you receive the test. Second, review what it looks like to your clients. Third, design your future responses or your automated response around the look and information found in that contact us message. Further, click on any hot buttons or links to be sure they work properly.
Always request reviews. Reviews build consumer trust in your product and service. They also appeal to algorithms. For this reason, your listing on www.isaidyesfl.com has a “Review Us” hot button right on your listing. You can also send an email to your past client with a link to your wedding business listing requesting a review. In fact, email our team to get tips on how to get reviews and use your I Said Yes! FL listing to your best advantage.
Keep your wedding website listings consistent with your company branding. If you update a logo, update it on your web listings as well. Likewise use the same branding images, colors, slogans, tag lines. Keeping it consistent across all platforms will make you more recognizable.
Share you online listings on social media so couples know you are a reputable business. More important, add your badges to your site.
Now the question becomes, how do I keep up with all of these wedding business listings? I suggest setting a calendar reminder for the first Monday of each calendar quarter. Keep a list of each website on which you have a wedding business listing. Even better, keep a list with the links to your listings, so all you have to do is click each link. Now take this one day a quarter and review and update all of your listings. Add new services and remove services or products you no longer offer. Upload those new amazing photos and remove outdated ones. Next check all of the links to be sure they are working properly. Don’t forget to add your badge to your website and make sure the backlink works. Finally, share your badges on social. You should be adding new followers all the time. Remind them where they can find you and where they can review you by consistently sharing.
Cover photo provided by Press Play Entertainment
As a wedding expo exhibitor, you have to work your booth to make your booth work for you. That is to say, you have to work your booth with a purpose. You have to plan for success. To sum up, you have to show up ready to win.
I recently had the opportunity to join Brandee Gaar on her morning Clubhouse “The Morning Show for Wedding Pros” room. The topic was How to Win with Bridal Shows. During this conversation we discussed the Do’s and Don’ts of Wedding Expo Exhibitors. If you weren’t able to join us in the Clubhouse room, I have compiled this easy list to help you get a win at your next bridal show.
Read more about winning at wedding expos with our Easy Wedding Lead Follow-up blog. Become a wedding expo exhibitor at the next I Said Yes! Wedding Show and I DOs and BREWS event.
Photos by Dreamscape Photography
Shopping for a DJ for your wedding can be a bit overwhelming. We completely understand. Therefore, we partnered up with Our DJ Rocks – Orlando’s premier all-female DJ team. They are one of the I DOs and BREWS DJ sponsors on February 3rd at Paradise Cove. Therefore we are sharing some important wedding DJ tips. (P.S. scroll to the bottom of the page to get your tickets).
When it comes to songs and the crowd’s reaction, timing is everything. For instance, we can drop “Friends in Low Places” right after dinner. However, it will not get near as good of a reaction as it would at 10:45pm. That’s when we can dedicate it to all of your friends. This is called timing. A great wedding DJ doesn’t just play the right songs, they play them at the perfect time. As a result, your jam will get the reaction it deserves.
Looking for that perfect song? But you’re struggling to find just the right one. Maybe the intro drags on a little too long. Or the first verse talks about a break-up. No worries, your DJ has got this. She can cue it up at just the right moment in the song. And then you can have your first married kiss right when the music swells. Most importantly, at your favorite moment in the song.
Your wedding is your special day. It belongs to the two of you, as a couple. But you’re also inviting all of your favorite people to share it with you. Create moments to share with them for years to come. For example, play your favorite High School song or all 80’s. Whatever it is, make it special to you and your guests.
Speak with your DJ about doing an anniversary dance. Firstly, bring a special couple who has been married for many years to the dance floor. For instance; parents, grandparents, or godparents. Secondly, play their wedding song as a special dedication to them. Similarly, play a special anniversary song for all couples, but change it up. Start with all of the married couples on the dance floor. Next, gradually “excuse” the ones who have only been married for one year. Then five years, and so on. By the end of the song you have one married couple left. Sometimes we even like to ask this last couple to give you a little advice. It’s a guaranteed special moment for everyone.
Here is another important wedding DJ tip. Ask your DJ what other services they provide. For instance, a photo booth. You can always create moments in a photo booth at your wedding. There is a variety of photo booth options available. No matter what you choose, your guests will create lasting memories.
The average song length is about 3-4 minutes long. When you are on the dance floor with all of your guests watching, it can feel like forever! Therefore, ask your DJ if they can fade the song out after the 1st chorus. As a result, you get your special moment but it doesn’t feel like it’s going on forever.
Your music should start before you walk down the aisle. To clarify, it can be a little awkward if the first song that is played is your walk down the aisle. So make sure you book your DJ or ceremony musicians start time at least 15-30 minutes prior to that. As a result, this will give your guests music to enjoy as they make their way into the ceremony.
While you should definitely have a say in your wedding playlist, you shouldn’t be expected to do all of the work. “At Our DJ Rocks we believe that the client/DJ experience works best when we work together. For example, we will ask you about the styles and genre of music you like (and don’t like). Then you will fill out your “Must Play” list. In fact, you can make music selections for just about any point in your wedding day. From the family processional to the cocktail hour.
But sometimes, the most magical moments are the ones that nobody planned for. That’s why we ask for a little leeway to read the room. In other words, allow us to switch things up when needed to keep the dance floor full.”
We know you are all about that dance floor. But we also know that you want to mingle with the friends and family who are sharing your special day. A good wedding DJ should keep the music low during the cocktail hour and dinner so everyone can talk. And when the celebration begins, crank it up and take you on a journey. From slow jams, to high energy, and everything in between.
“At Our DJ Rocks we are like a thermometer – we feel the temperature of the room. We’ll take it up when needed and bring it back down for sweet moments like your cake cutting.”
Music plays such a huge role in your wedding day. Subsequently, it is so much more than pushing “Play” to create these moments. Make sure your DJ is creating the right atmosphere, right from the start. Above all, your DJ is keeping that vibe going all night.
“At Our DJ Rocks we believe the best weddings are the ones that reflect you, not us! That’s why we do our best to get to know you. As a result, we can craft an evening that exceeds everyone’s expectations.”
Come see Our DJ Rocks LIVE at I DOs and BREWS February 3rd, 2021 at Paradise Cove, Orlando, FL
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