Real Wedding Submissions: 5 Tips for Getting Published

By Meghan Ely, OFD Consulting

It’s no secret that getting your work published and in front of engaged couples can be tremendously impactful. The challenge? Your colleagues and competitors have also come to this conclusion and the submission pool is now overflowing with real weddings.

So how do you catch the editor’s eye and increase your chances of getting published?

Below, you’ll find our top tips and tricks:

1. Do your due diligence. Research is the cornerstone of any good wedding PR campaign and the same can be said for real wedding submissions.

   Take the time to create your wedding media “wish list” and review their current features. The goal is to match your work with media outlets that feature complimentary content and the only way you can ensure this is by studying up.

2. Follow the rules. Want to get on an editor’s bad side?  Skip reading the submission guidelines.

   That’s right- every editor has their own specific rules for how to submit to their magazine or web site and things can go downhill pretty quickly if you send along images in the wrong size, or neglect to include requested information.

   Review the rules when you start gathering the necessary information and then review it again before you hit “send” to ensure nothing has changed. Following the rules is a sign of respect and a gesture that will no doubt be appreciated.

3. Embrace the details. The majority of our clients’ real wedding submissions are heavy on the wedding day elements, including cakes, flowers, fashion and stationery.

   The typical goal for most wedding blogs and magazines is to inspire newly engaged couples with fresh details so keep your people shots to a minimum. Instead, offer a variety of angles of the very best details from the Big Day.

4. Tell a story. While the wedding day images make up the majority of a real wedding submission, don’t forget to take a few minutes to share the couple’s story.

   Do they have a cute engagement story? What inspired them while planning the wedding? Do they have any particular favorite wedding day moments?

   Editors often enjoy hearing the story behind the photos, so be sure to include it when sending along the images.

5. Think niche. There are countless fabulous wedding blogs and magazines eager to feature lovely work.

   These days, niche blogs that focus on more specific audiences are on the rise. While they may have a smaller audience then some of the large national blogs, they can offer you a more direct route to your ideal audience.

And above all, remember to say thank you. Good manners will never go out of style and editors will appreciate the fact that you took time after a feature to express your gratitude.

Want to learn more about getting press with Real Weddings?

Join us for this FREE presentation of “How to Get Free Press With Real Weddings” on March 31st!

Meghan Ely is the owner of wedding marketing and wedding PR firm OFD Consulting. She is the exclusive Wedding PR Education Expert for WeddingWire and is a highly sought after speaker in the wedding industry.