16 Wedding Venue Marketing & Advertising Tips to Increase Bookings
For many people, a wedding is the biggest party they’ll throw in their entire lives. There’s no detail too small when it comes to planning these soirees — from napkin colors to sparkler length. So, it’s no surprise that weddings are some of the most profitable events a venue can host. Because of this, many venues have a whole separate strategy for how they market their wedding venue compared to other events.
One of those venues is El Chorro. Nestled near Camelback Mountain in Paradise Valley, Arizona, this venue has created special social media accounts and website pages to highlight its wedding offerings. We talked to Lindsey Rendon, their senior sales manager, to learn more about the marketing strategies that have led El Chorro’s wedding business to thrive.
Wedding Venue Marketing Tips: An Interview with El Chorro
1. Optimize Your Wedding Venue’s Instagram Page
Instagram is #1 for the El Chorro team. “We put a lot of focus on Instagram and social outlets,” Rendon said. “People are so social-driven — how they’re shopping, through photos and tags. We put a lot of attention into Instagram photos, Stories, and wedding features so people can visualize their own wedding here.”
Clearly, it’s working. Not only does El Chorro’s separate wedding Instagram page have more than 10,000 followers, but they now host approximately 80 weddings a year.
They’ve found so much success with Instagram that they don’t even buy ads. “Instagram is our most effective marketing tool, and it’s purely by us being consistent,” explained Rendon. “Being thoughtful about what and how we post has been our biggest source of getting (couples to book with us). So many people come to do a tour already knowing what it looks like and what we do.”
2. Leverage National Publications That Feature Weddings
As far as publications go, Rendon said her team goes for placement in national brands over local ones. “Our target is on a national level,” she said. “Arizona is destination-driven, so we want to have our reach further than just local.”
There are a few ways to be featured in national publications. You can purchase ads, of course. But most industry publications (both print and online) also do wedding features of past nuptials. Work with your couples and their photographers to see if they’re game to have their wedding photos submitted to these magazines. It’s win-win: you get the exposure, and the couple gets to see their big day in print!
3. Partner with Local Wedding Vendors
Wedding industry pros know how crucial it is to form good relationships with local vendors. This gives you a whole extra set of advocates. These businesses can also recommend your venue to planners and engaged couples, and vice versa.
While it’s good to be connected to all types of vendors, it’s especially wise to target those that couples look to at the beginning of the planning process. Think jewelry stores, restaurants that host engagement parties, and even bridal shops. You can create specific marketing materials to be featured at these places (like business cards or postcards with a special offer). The result: you’re top of mind when the venue-shopping process begins.
Rendon added that, to keep these vendor relationships strong, don’t forget to credit them when you post past weddings. “Tagging is really huge,” she said. “When posting another photographer’s work that also features a vendor, those businesses want to be recognized. It goes a long way — they’ll probably repost and tag it as well.”
This, in turn, provides your venue with even more exposure.
4. Showcase Past Weddings at Your Venue
Great photos of your space are one thing. Great photos with cake, happy newlyweds, twinkly lights, and smiling guests are another. One of the most effective ways to attract people to your venue is to show off the stunning weddings you’ve hosted in the past.
Particularly for newer venues, being proactive about getting photo galleries can help you build a solid portfolio.
“For anyone newly starting out, you definitely have to reach out to photographers, because not all of them are great about sharing photos,” said Rendon. These photos can be showcased on your website, social media pages, and other promotional materials (with the photographer’s and couples’ consent, of course).
5. Promote Your Wedding Venue at Tradeshows
Publications are a quality resource when it comes to marketing your wedding venue. But the go-to sites like The Knot, Wedding Spot, and WeddingWire are not to be overlooked. Make sure that your venue is also listed on directory sites like EventUp. These online sites get tons of traffic from brides-to-be, and it’s a chance to get more exposure for your space.
There are plenty of benefits to joining an online marketplace. Not only does it help more qualified leads find you, but it can also enhance your company’s credibility and boost your online presence overall.
6. Leverage Pinterest to Market Your Wedding Venue
Wedding industry pros both new and seasoned know the impact of Pinterest. It’s one of the biggest online platforms for event planning.
Pinterest has reported that over 40 Million users use the platform for planning their weddings. That means it’s a great place for your venue to be present. But with millions of pins relating to every topic under the sun, how do you make your brand stand out?
This may come as a surprise (wink-wink), but images are key here. They’re the biggest factor that’ll determine whether someone clicks, likes, or shares your hyperlinked photo, otherwise known as your “pin.” Once you’ve amassed a roster of stunning photos, include a caption and a link back to your website before publishing them. It’s also a good idea to follow other industry Pinterest accounts and show their pages some love — they’ll probably do the same for you.
If you want to get even more tech-savvy, you can add Pinterest’s own share button to the photos on your site. This makes it easier than ever for your team and visitors to your site to share your images on the platform.
7. Promote Your Wedding Venue at Tradeshows
No matter where you are, there’s probably at least one bridal expo or tradeshow happening in or near your city each year. To boost your business, make it a point to participate! You can opt to buy a spot as a vendor, or simply attend for networking purposes.
Tradeshows are a great way to check out what others in your area are offering, and it’s the perfect time to strike up a conversation with a vendor you don’t know. These meet-and-greets can blossom into valuable connections, both for your business and as a potential industry resource.
8. Create a Blog Full of Topics About Weddings
We know, we know — the wedding business is so chaotic, who has the time to blog?! But even if you or a team member can invest just a bit of time every few weeks into publishing posts on your website, it can do wonders for your traffic.
You don’t have to be a wordsmith or publish thousands of words. For more wedding blogs, it’s all about the ceremony photos and, of course, a little background on the couple’s love story. Pair these details with your vendors’ names and any fun asides you want to include, and boom, you’ve got a post!
9. Don’t Be Afraid to Try Something New to Market Your Wedding Venue
Trying new things is one of Rendon’s biggest philosophies when it comes to marketing your wedding venue.
“We were one of the first Arizona venues to personalize our account,” she said. “We also do corporate events and have a restaurant, but we created a separate account for our wedding clients because we knew there was a market.”
“Everyone is looking at what’s online, so the more that you put out there and the more you stand out, the more chances you have to reach potential clients.”
Bonus Wedding Venue Marketing & Advertising Tips
10. Use Google My Business to Boost Your Wedding Venue’s Visibility
If your venue is not already listed on Google My Business, this is a step you need to take immediately. Google is often the first place engaged couples search for wedding venues, and having a well-optimized listing can boost your visibility on local search results.
Ensure that you provide key details such as your venue’s address, phone number, photos, and a link to your website. Encourage satisfied couples and guests to leave positive reviews, as these will influence future clients. This free tool can be invaluable for your venue’s SEO efforts and credibility.
11. Create Targeted Wedding Venue Ads
While Instagram may be your main social media driver, targeted Google and Facebook ads can help you reach specific demographics, such as couples within a particular geographic area or those at a certain stage in their wedding planning.
Use detailed targeting features to advertise your venue to people who are engaged or likely to be planning a wedding. When done right, these ads can drive traffic directly to your website or Instagram page.
12. Host a Virtual Venue Tour for Prospective Couples
In the digital age, offering a virtual tour of your venue can be a game-changer, especially for destination weddings. A professionally filmed 360-degree tour, or a virtual immersive walkthrough such as Tripleseat Floorplans, allows couples to explore your space from the comfort of their homes, giving them a feel for the layout, ambiance, and charm of your venue.
You can also schedule live virtual tours with a sales representative to give couples the personal touch they would get during an in-person visit. This offering may tip the scales in your favor for couples who cannot physically visit the venue.
13. Offer Exclusive Discounts & Packages for Off-Season Weddings
Many couples are looking to save money while still having the wedding of their dreams. One great way to entice them to book with your venue is by offering exclusive discounts for weddings that take place during the off-peak season, on weekdays, or on less popular dates.
Create packages that bundle different services like catering, photography, and decorations at a reduced rate, giving couples an all-in-one solution while increasing your bookings during slow times.
14. Build a Wedding Venue Email List & Nurture Your Leads
Email marketing may seem old-fashioned, but it’s an effective strategy for staying top of mind with engaged couples. Build an email list from inquiries or from couples who have visited your website and send them personalized content.
This can include a series of emails highlighting different aspects of your venue, testimonials from couples, or even exclusive offers. Automating an email drip campaign can help nurture these leads and move them closer to booking.
15. Collaborate with Wedding Planners & Influencers to Expand Reach
Wedding planners and influencers have a significant impact on where couples choose to hold their weddings. Establish partnerships with local planners and offer them incentives to recommend your venue to their clients.
You can also collaborate with wedding influencers by offering them free access to your venue for their own events or photoshoots in exchange for exposure. These collaborations can significantly boost your venue’s visibility and credibility in the wedding industry.
16. Leverage Reviews & Testimonials to Build Trust
Nothing is more powerful than hearing from couples who have had a great experience at your venue. Encourage your past clients to leave reviews on popular platforms like Google My Business, The Knot, and WeddingWire.
For an even stronger impact, collect video testimonials from happy couples who have celebrated their special day at your venue. Positive reviews help build your venue’s credibility and give prospective couples confidence in their decision to book with you.
Ready to Take Your Wedding Venue Marketing to the Next Level?
Once you start generating awareness and bookings for your wedding venue, take a look at how Tripleseat can take your weddings to the next level. If you’re not a Tripleseat customer and you’re interested in learning more about Tripleseat’s features, schedule a demo at your convenience to take a closer look.
For more inspiration, check out our blog on how to start a wedding venue.