Mastering Wedding Business Seasons
Understanding the business side of wedding season and knowing how to prepare
Every business deals with constant ebbs and flows. Despite the obvious differences between busy and slow seasons, most companies can operate in a “business as usual” style throughout the year.
However, in the wedding industry, Wedding Business Seasons are everything.
Though every couple is different, there are remarkable similarities in when people get engaged, book our services, and get married. As a result, wedding professionals need to be prepared for every season—both busy and slow. It can be challenging to get your ducks in a row, making using an online business manager, or OBM, a big help during the process.
Here’s everything you need to know about business cycles in the wedding industry, how to prepare for them, and when to call in the professionals.
Engagement Season (November – February)
Ever noticed your Instagram feed exploding with engagement announcements during the holidays? That’s not just a coincidence—it’s engagement season!
Engagement season kicks off around Thanksgiving and runs through Valentine’s Day. It’s the perfect time for couples, surrounded by family and friends, to announce their plans to tie the knot. This means they’re eager to start planning their dream weddings, and that’s where your wedding business can truly shine during key Wedding Business Seasons.
To make the most of engagement season and other Wedding Business Seasons, ensure your website and social media profiles are up-to-date, visually appealing, and ready to capture those leads. Consider offering special promotions or packages to attract newly engaged couples. Here are some strategies to boost your wedding business during engagement season:
Targeted Advertising: Invest in advertising and marketing campaigns for engaged couples within your ideal demographic.
Fresh Content: Regularly update your website, portfolio, and social media profiles with new content and testimonials from happy clients.
Streamlined Booking: Prepare sample proposals, contracts, and pricing packages to make booking easy.
An Online Business Manager (OBM) can be a game-changer during these crucial Wedding Business Seasons. They can help craft and implement effective marketing strategies, manage inquiries, and ensure your business systems run smoothly to handle the increased activity. This helps you stay productive and focused on what you do best—creating unforgettable wedding experiences.
Resources:
How to Prep Your Wedding Business Website for Engagement Season-https://emilyfostercreative.com/wedding-business/
100 Powerful Wedding Business Marketing Ideas: The Complete Guide https://evolveyourweddingbusiness.com/wedding-business-marketing-ideas/
Booking Season (December – May)
Once couples have celebrated their engagement, they start getting serious about planning their big day. They’ve pictured their perfect ceremony and begin booking vendors and venues. This is called “booking season”. It typically runs from December through May, with peak booking times occurring in January and February.
During booking season, it’s crucial that your wedding business has a streamlined booking process to lock in clients in a timely manner. Here’s how:
- Create an efficient booking system to secure client contracts quickly.
- Offer incentives, such as discounts or packages, to stand out from your competitors.
- Prioritize client communication, follow-ups, and customer service to convert leads into solid bookings.
An OBM can be a powerful tool in your arsenal. They can help you set up automated systems for bookings, manage client communication and ensure that all contracts and payments are processed quickly and smoothly.
Resources:
Elevating Your Wedding Business: 8 Strategies to Attract Luxury Clients https://bodabliss.com/2024/04/17/strategies-to-attract-luxury-wedding-clients/
Creating Wedding Packages for Your Business
Wedding Season (May – October)
Once the planning is over and the pieces have all fallen into place, wedding season has officially begun. The industry is in full swing from May through October, when all of our hard work comes to fruition. It’s the busiest time of the year for wedding vendors. Your services are in a high demand and schedules are packed to the brim.
For a successful wedding season, it’s imperative that you have a well-organized schedule and a strong, knowledgeable team capable of handling the workload. Preparation is key, so set your business up for success:
- Create a detailed calendar, shared with your team, to manage all bookings and events.
- Delegate tasks to a reliable team to ensure everything runs smoothly and deadlines are achieved. You can’t do this by yourself!
- Be prepared for long hours and lots of stress, but know that it will be well worth it in the end.
As mentioned, you shouldn’t face wedding season alone. Though not there in person, an OBM can be a valuable ally that oversees scheduling, helps manage your team, and even handles unforeseen issues that may arise. Like the rest of your team, an OBM gives you the freedom to focus on delivering exceptional, white glove service to your clients during wedding season.
Slow Season (November – January or June – August)
After the whirlwind of wedding season, the wedding business seasons naturally slow down, giving you a chance to catch your breath. The slow season typically occurs from November to January, aligning with engagement season. In warmer climates, it might be from June to August.
While you might have fewer bookings and revenue during the slow season, it’s an excellent opportunity to reflect and plan for the year ahead. Here’s how to make the most of it and keep your wedding business productive:
- Performance Analysis: Review your performance from the previous wedding season, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.
- Invest in Training: Use this time for professional development and training, especially if you’re onboarding new team members.
- Plan Marketing Campaigns: Prepare marketing strategies to attract off-season customers and get ready for future marketing efforts.
Even during the slow season, an OBM can be a valuable asset. They can help you analyze performance metrics, identify weak points, set goals for the upcoming season, and implement marketing strategies to keep your wedding business thriving year-round.
