6 Unconventional Ways to Book More Brides

The wedding industry is a competitive one. You may find yourself scrambling to book brides and find new clients. What’s a wedding vendor to do?

Nowadays, you’ve got to get creative. Here are a few slightly unconventional ways to get your name out there that are sure to have the brides fighting each other for your business!

#1 – Let them convince themselves. There is one particular store in the mall (which shall not be named; let’s just say that it smells really good in there) where the salespeople are super pushy. No one likes the feeling of being pushed too hard to buy, and brides are particularly sensitive to this. They have so many things on their plate, it’s easy for them to become overwhelmed and turned off by an overly-aggressive wedding vendor.

Chill out and let the couple convince themselves that they really need your services. One way to make a lasting impression on your couple without scaring them off is to…

#2 – Make yourself stand out. What do you have that those other guys don’t have?

Maybe you have a hilarious, off-the-wall sense of humor. Play up your witty side by infusing your personality into everything you do; from your e-mails to your website. Think of a funny tagline or quip and include that in everything you produce – make it part of your brand. Come up with a fun, funky logo that is sure to stand out, and don’t be afraid to be somewhat offbeat!

#3 – A little help from her friends. Once you book a bride, get to know her bridal party. Chances are, there’s at least one lady there who is either engaged or in a serious relationship – she could be the next to get hitched (keep your eye out on who catches the bouquet, too!)

You’re already in your current bride’s good graces, so make sure that you connect with the members of her wedding party. This also leads to the next point and that’s…

#4 – Word-of-Mouth and Viral Marketing. News travels faster than ever today thanks to the Internet. Think about it: when the last big news story broke, did you hear it from the nightly news or did you catch a glimpse of it on social media first?  There’s a reason news that travels via internet is called “viral”; it catches and it spreads. FAST.

Once your bride books with you, she then spreads the word not only verbally but also through Twitter, Facebook, e-mail, and you’ve got yourself a viral marketing campaign that you didn’t even really have to work for.

#5 – Live social.  Speaking of viral marketing, have you ever heard of LivingSocial or Groupon? Both companies deliver deals and bargains directly to the inboxes of millions of subscribers. Contact one (or both!) of the companies and start a campaign for your services – think about how many eyes will be on your business’ name. Even if the person opening the e-mail isn’t getting married, they may know someone who is getting married and forward that e-mail to their bride-to-be friend.

# 6 – Utilize a custom business registry. The cost of getting married these days is significant, and many brides are on a budget, meaning they tend to shop around for the most appealing deal. A lot of couples also can’t afford to pay for the entire wedding themselves, which is why wedding registries exist.

Take advantage of the ease of a registry by implementing your own custom business registry. A custom business registry works similarly to a registry from, say, Target or Bed, Bath, and Beyond but instead of registering for sheets and pillows, the bride and groom can register for wedding services – YOUR wedding services.

Getting new business can be tough, but stick to these creative and unconventional methods and your wedding vendor business will be booming in no time flat! Happy booking!

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 Natalie Green is the V.P. of Marketing at Ciderr.  A Chicago girl living in Chattanooga. She is a wife, mom, and freelance writer. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing, running, and spending time with her husband and daughter.  

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