Like many wedding planners, you probably dream of seeing their work as a two-page spread in a leading wedding industry publication. Not only will your wedding look amazing on the glossy pages of a magazine, but having your wedding published is a beautiful way to celebrate your hard work, bolster your reputation as a professional in the wedding industry, and draw potential clients to your wedding planning business.
Aside from industry magazines, digital wedding publications and wedding blogs are also great places to get your work published and advertise your wedding business to a whole new world of couples. However, getting published as a wedding planner is no walk in the park. You'll need to craft the perfect pitch to editors that not only highlights the beauty of your design work, but the story behind the wedding design too.
Don't let this deter you. A lot of wedding planners think twice about pursuing publication of their work for fear of wasting time and effort. But we're here to convince you that you can get published. Start by learning...
- The benefits of getting your weddings published as a wedding planner
- The publication process
- Insider tips for writing a flawless pitch to wedding publications
Your debut in a wedding publication is just one e-mail away...
Benefits of being published as a wedding planner
Newly engaged couples flock to wedding magazines and blogs for inspiration—your work is sure to catch their eye. Getting your wedding published is a stamp of approval that validates your creativity, your expertise, and your professionalism to prospective clients.
Four benefits of getting a wedding published as a wedding planner:
- Enhance credibility and authority. Getting published consolidates you as an expert in the world of weddings, which is sure to set you apart from competitors and signal to potential clients that you're the real deal.
- Increased visibility. Wedding publications catapult you into the spotlight in front of engaged couples seeking planning services just like yours. You may also benefit from increased exposure to fellow wedding industry professionals such as florists, photographers, and other wedding suppliers.
- Boost SEO. As readers engage with your content in publications, they are likely to visit your website, thereby driving traffic to your wedding business' website. When your site is linked within high-ranking content, you climb the SEO ladder, making your planning services more discoverable for couples searching online.
- Increased business. The combined power of increased exposure, enhanced credibility, and improved SEO leads to a surge in inquiries and bookings for your wedding planning services.
How do wedding planners get published?
Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to be a renowned wedding planner to land a spot in your favourite wedding publication. Play your cards right, and even your first wedding could get published by a reputable wedding industry media outlet.
Before you submit a wedding for publication, you first need to conduct thorough research. Research wedding-related publications—both print and digital—and compile a list of platforms you'd like to target that align with your style and dream clientele. It is a good idea to pick an array of publications to target from small scale online blogs, to wedding industry heavy-weight print magazines such as Vogue Weddings.
From here, you should identify the key contact at each publication—the person who handles submissions or editorial content. Look for editors, content managers, and submission coordinators. Try to familiarise yourself thoroughly with the type of features each publication covers, and what content the editors tend to prefer.
How to write the perfect pitch for wedding publications
Once you know where and who to contact, it is time to craft your pitch. This is not a matter of one-size-fits-all. Each pitch must be tailored to the publication's audience and editorial style.
Pitching to professional platforms might seem intimidating. But it is accessible to wedding planners at all stages of their careers. All you have to do is say, "I DO".
( I ) : Include captivating visuals
Don't just say it, show it! Your wedding design was made to be eye-catching and emotive, so let it do its job.
Attach high-quality photos, or short video clips if appropriate, to every email pitch you send.
Select an array of shots which showcase the details of your, from stunning close-up portraits to wide-shots of the ceremony and decor. It is also wise to send an assortment of portrait and landscape imagery—publishers love options!
Lastly, if you're photographs were taken by a professional wedding photographer, then be sure to credit the photographer in your correspondence with editors from the outset—this exposure benefits them too!
Remember: attention to detail matters. Be intentional with the photos you send in your original pitch—five is enough. But those five should all be of the utmost quality and serve to tell a cohesive story.
( D ) : Dive into detail
Editors crave details! So when pitching your ideas or expertise, don't shy away from diving into detail. Share your values, what sets you apart from others, the specific topics you plan to cover, and any relevant insights or trends you can offer. Be as detailed as possible—publishers love adding the small details that make a story unique!
Don't forget to list every single vendor you worked with on the wedding from florists to wedding assistants. Some publications, like Brides, like to include this list in the feature for the readers to view. Plus, this shows appreciation for all the people who contributed to the success of the event.
Highlight your unique selling points, such as your creative style, your expertise, or any recent trends or insights you can offer. Include high-quality images or examples of your work to showcase your talent and grab the editor's attention.
( O ) : Offer narratives and testimonials
Include testimonials from satisfied clients or industry peers to further validate your skills and professionalism. These personal anecdotes and endorsements help humanise your pitch and make it more attractive for editors who are looking for content that resonates with their readers.
Suggested article: https://www.visualistapp.com/blog/how-to-collect-great-client-testimonials-wedding-planners
Publications usually respond after one or two weeks, sometimes more. If you don't hear back after your initial pitch after then, don't be afraid to follow up politely. A brief, friendly follow-up email or message can serve as a gentle reminder and demonstrate your continued interest in collaborating with the publication.
Get your wedding published: the bottom line
Wedding publication is a stamp of approval that validates your expertise and establishes you as a go-to expert in the field. It can enhance credibility and authority, increase visibility, boost SEO, and ultimately drive increased business.
Despite common misconceptions, even inexperienced wedding planners can get featured. To succeed, you have to do your research, nail your pitch, and send a follow-up as needed. Don't forget the I DO secret formula to writing the perfect wedding planning pitch: incorporate captivating visuals, dive into detail, and offer narratives and testimonials.
