Wedding Venues - The couple's booked - yay ... but what happens next?

So you’ve booked a wedding couple - YaY excellent, well done. Happy Dance!

...But what happens next?

Do you send out a welcome pack?

Do you keep in contact with them?

Or do you think that’s it for a while?

Studies show, most couples average length of engagement is 33.7 months, with 49% of couples booking within 3 months of getting engaged.

(Bridebook UK Wedding Report 2021 - you can find the full report here)

Now if this is the norm and most venues hold their planning meetings around the 4-6 months before the big day, then that's a looooooong time between booking and their planning meetings.

This means the couple has gone from having a LOT of contact with you in the run up to booking as they follow the sales journey (how’s that looking by the way - do you have a clear process from getting in front of couples, enquiry to booking??)

to nothing … nada … except maybe an invite to wedding fair / showcase or an interim invoice?

Not the greatest experience for your couples.

So, how do we;

♤Make our couples feel special at each and every step,

♤Answer questions they may have along the way,

♤Without them feeling awkward about having to ask,

♤ And also introduce those up sell ideas to entice?

If they don’t know about that late lounge option you have … how are they going to add it to their booking?

So, let's jump in at the booked, signed and deposit paid stage.

The perfect time to send over a beautiful looking welcome pack.

The Wedding Welcome Pack

Includes;

☆FAQ’s,

☆What happens next,

☆What do they need to do,

☆Recommended suppliers,

☆Recommended order of the day,

☆Key information they need to know / you get asked for like local accommodation, taxi companies..

… helping out with all of those questions they have.

You are the expert in weddings at your venue, you may see several a week, but for the couple they don’t and they have a LOT to think about and a LOT of questions.

Help them out by demonstrating that expertise and reconfirming that they chose the right venue and team to take care of their special day.

But that’s it right …

... nope- that still gives months of time between that point and their planning meeting, and although we have given them a lot of information to digest and answers to their queries. We still want to be ‘there with them along the way’.

A monthly newsletter or chat is the perfect way of popping into their inbox and staying present.

The Wedding Newsletter

Use this space to chat to your couples sharing ideas that will excite and inspire;

♡Exciting news from the venue - gardens in bloom, history of the house, any new additions to the building.

♡Food & Drink additions - new menus, chef’s favourites, new drinks packages.

♡Behind the scenes - meet the team, food or venue photoshoot, putting the Xmas decorations up.

♡Share the love - highlight favourite suppliers - venue dresser, cake supplier, wedding photographer.

♡News of an event - Wedding Fair, Spring or Xmas market coming up? Let them know and invite them to visit bringing their loved ones.

Remember also, if any of these have an up-sell option, don't forget to add a P.S. at the bottom with "add this to your special day for"

Still struggling to work out how to stay in touch with your booked couples?

Drop me a line and let's chat.

Sarah x