There is never a dull moment in the wedding industry. This year, in particular, has been weirdly slow for many wedding professionals, both new and experienced alike. Did you just breathe a sigh of relief knowing it’s not just you? If you’re finding yourself in a slower season than you’re used to, don’t worry—this can be the perfect time to refocus and elevate your business. As a business coach for wedding pros, I’m going to share seven actionable strategies to make the most of a lull in your wedding planning calendar. Consider this your guide for what to do during a slow wedding season!
1. Plan Styled Shoots
While styled shoots have typically taken place during slower seasons, now is a perfect time to take advantage of the summer backdrops at some of your favorite venues (if you find they are less busy than usual). If you’re new around here, you should know that I love a good styled shoot. It’s the perfect opportunity to let your imagination roam free and showcase your talent (without needing to cater to client preferences). By collaborating with local vendors, photographers, and venues, you have the opportunity to create a dream wedding scenario that not only highlights your skills but also builds a strong network within the industry.
A little extra tip? As you plan these shoots, try to incorporate themes that reflect current trends as well as your unique style. This will ensure your work stands out and resonates with potential clients looking for someone just like youl. Plus, don’t forget to capture behind-the-scenes moments—they offer a candid look at your process and add a personal touch to your marketing efforts. Don’t forget about B-roll for Reels!
If you’re curious about styled shoots (but have no idea how TF to get started), make sure to grab my Styled Shoot Rulebook. This guide is packed with tips, checklists, and insider secrets to help you plan and execute stunning styled shoots that will leave a lasting impression (and hopefully get published!).
2. Network and Reach Out to Venues
Networking isn’t just for the busy season. If you are trying to fill a slow wedding season, use this time to build and strengthen relationships with venues and other industry professionals. Schedule coffee meetings, attend local events, or even host a small networking gathering (but be mindful that it might not be a slow wedding season for everyone, so be careful to not take busyness personally).
The connections you build now can translate into invaluable referrals and collaborations down the road. Plus, staying top-of-mind with venues can lead to opportunities when the wedding season picks up again (or when one of their couples decides at the last minute they DO want to hire a wedding planner!).
3. Work on Your Sales Skills
Next, let’s talk about your SALES skills. The ability to sell your services confidently is crucial for any wedding planner so if this is an area you have been avoiding, there’s no time like the present. There are plenty of online courses (like the one INCLUDED in the Planner’s Playbook), books, and webinars focused on selling strategies tailored specifically for the wedding industry. Practice your pitch, refine your consultations, and role-play different scenarios to become a more persuasive, confident salesperson. Plus, if you want a little wedding-specific help, I have plug n’play sales scripts for you right here!
4. Improve Your Branding and Website
If you find that one of the reasons you are having a slow wedding season is that your brand and/or website is outdated, there’s no time like the present for a refresh, friend! Your website is often one of the first impressions potential clients get. Take some time to do a thorough audit of your branding and online presence. From there, update your website with recent photos, client testimonials, and more blog posts. Take some time to make sure that your branding is consistent across all platforms and that it truly reflects who you are and what you offer too!
5. Offer Smaller Packages
Ooops – there’s my unwillingness to give you BS advice again. While this is likely something you do NOT want to hear, the truth is that you might want to consider diversifying your services to include wedding management or day-of coordination packages. While I know most of the women I coach want to book full planning and design services exclusively, and I don’t blame them, the truth is that these smaller, more affordable options can attract clients who might not be ready for full-scale planning but still need assistance.
By opening your calendar to these smaller gigs, you keep yourself busy and broaden your client base, potentially nurturing them to refer full-service clients in the future. Plus, you’re far more likely to book a last-minute event management client than you are full-service. If you need cash in the door now, this can be a great strategy for even the most experienced wedding pros.
6. Revisit Systems and Processes
When is the last time you really evaluated your systems and processes? You know that efficiency is key to scaling your business, but it doesn’t take long for your workflow to spiral out of control, right?
While in the past we have seen inquiries slow down in the summer, it’s a great time to review your current systems and processes to identify areas for improvement. Whether it’s upgrading your project management software, creating templates for common tasks, or automating your client onboarding process, small tweaks can lead to significant time savings (AND elevate your client experience in the process!).
7. Take a Break and Enjoy Yourself
Last but not least, have you tried taking a break and just enjoying having a free Saturday in the summer for once? Let’s face it, wedding planning is intense, and you deserve some downtime. Use this slower period to recharge your batteries. Whether it’s a short getaway, spending quality time with loved ones, or simply indulging in hobbies you love, if you can swing it financially I want to encourage you to just take a break.
“Down” years are NORMAL in the wedding industry (and in EVERY industry). Just because you are having a slower year does not mean you need to burn your business to the ground and work 120+ hours a week to prove that you’re working hard enough.
You Can Still Make The Most Of A Slow Season
Remember, a slow wedding season does not have to be a setback—it can be an opportunity. Not every summer is going to be your “busiest summer yet”, especially if you plan to be in business for the long haul. By taking steps to improve your business now, you are setting yourself up for greater success when the pace inevitably picks back up. So, embrace the downtime, get creative, and prepare to shine even brighter in the busy times ahead.
Ready to take your wedding planning business to the next level? I would love to take a moment to invite you to join The Planner’s Playbook, a membership community designed specifically for wedding planners who are serious about their craft and growing a profitable wedding planning business. With access to expert advice during office hours, insider tips, and a supportive network of wedding planners just like you, The Planner’s Playbook provides the tools and strategies you need to thrive in the wedding industry.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your skills, this is your chance to learn, grow, and connect with like-minded individuals. I would love to support you inside the next time doors open! If you want access to special bonuses when we open the doors next, get on the waitlist now! See you inside!
Explore More Wedding Industry Resources
- Are Your Wedding Industry Sales Down? Here’s How To Figure Out What’s Wrong
- Kara Duncan On How Solopreneurs Can Balance Doing “All the Things” with Fast & Slow Marketing
- The ‘Looming Recession’ And How Wedding Pros Should Prepare Their Business With Michelle Loretta
- Everything You Need To Know About Wedding Pro Engagement Season
- How To Avoid Wedding Season Burnout
- Creating Wedding Planner Packages for Your Business: How To Find the Best Way To Position Your Offer
- 6 Things You Need to Include In Your Wedding Planner Pricing Guide
- Here’s What Every Wedding Planner Needs To Include In Their Wedding Design Proposals
- Wedding Planner Pricing: How Much Should You Charge As A Wedding Planner? Learn How To Figure Out Your Price
- Why Honeybook Is The Best CRM for Wedding Planners
- How Much Does It Cost to Become a Wedding Planner?
- Wedding Planners – Should You List Your Wedding Planner Pricing Packages On Your Website?
- Day of Coordination: The Pros and Cons as a Wedding Planner
- How To Sell Your Wedding Planning Services: The 7 Stages Of The Sales Cycle
- 4 Wedding Blogging Mistakes Almost Every Wedding Planner Makes
For More Wedding Planner Business Secrets Follow Me On Instagram
There are certain people you meet in business who just get it.
Who love the work they do, the clients they serve, and have a deep passion for the wedding industry.
Frances Ledgewood is one of those people.
She’s the heart and hands behind @ledgewoodfinestationery, but more than that, she’s a visionary.
A long-time podcast listener, private client, and someone I’ve had the absolute joy of mentoring as she’s taken bold steps to grow a brand that’s as intentional as it is iconic.
In this week’s Behind the Brand, I’m sitting down with Frances to talk about building a business rooted in heart, legacy, and excellence.
We talk about her early days, how she’s built her brand, grown a team, and stepped into a bold new season of leadership.
You’re going to feel so inspired hearing about Frances journey — and I can’t wait for you to tune in!
Comment 191 and I’ll DM you a link to listen! 💜💜
Photography:
@c10ike
@madisonmartinphotography
@marcielanephotography
@peterson.design.photo
#candicecoppola #ledgewoodfinestationery #weddingstationery #weddingstationer #weddingindustry #weddingpodcast #weddingindustryexperts #weddingindustrypodcast #weddingpros #weddingpro #stationery
PSA for my OGs ✨
You’ve got the talent and the experience... but you already know… it’s not as easy as it used to be. And it’s only getting harder.
The pros who will actually survive the next generation of business are the ones prioritizing visibility.
I’m seeing insanely talented and experienced OGs in our industry being overlooked because they’re not showing up.
And if that’s you, I have a question...
👀 What are you going to do about it?
Comment 190 and I will send you the link to listen to this week’s episode of The Power in Purpose where I’m sharing the 5 ways I see wedding pros playing small (and what it’s costing you).
Everyone’s talking about how AI is making everybody sound the same.
I’m here to tell you they’re wrong.
Once you know how to train ChatGPT on your brand voice? It can quickly become your unfair advantage.
In this week’s episode, I’m talking about:
👉 What “training” AI really looks like
👉 How to make it sound exactly like you
👉 Why this is the skill that will set you apart from your competition this year
And if you’re ready to go beyond listening and actually do the work?
Join me later this month for my live workshop where I’ll walk you through the exact process of training ChatGPT on your brand voice so it becomes your full-service marketing assistant.
Wedding pros, don’t sit this one out. Comment 189 and I will send you the link to listen now (and workshop details so you can register!)
#candicecoppola #weddingindustry #weddingpros #weddingpro #weddingindustryexperts #weddingpodcast #weddingbusiness #weddingindustryeducation #thepowerinpurposepodcast #weddingplanner
Over the last few months, I’ve taught hundreds of wedding planners how to use ChatGPT like an actual planning assistant — not just a caption writer.
And every time, I hear the same thing:
💬 “Why didn’t I do this sooner?!”
Because once you know how to train ChatGPT to sound like you, think like you, and support your business like a real team member… things get a LOT easier.
✔️ Timelines
✔️ Budgets
✔️ Client communication
✔️ Design briefs
✔️ Vendor emails
✔️ Rehearsal schedules
✔️ Wedding weekend logistics
I’ll show you how to do all of it in my AI Masterclass for Wedding Planners — and it only takes 90 minutes.
👇 Comment MASTERCLASS below and I’ll DM you the link!
#aiweddingplanner #weddingplannerlife #weddingpros #plannersplaybook #chatgptforplanners #weddingbusinesscoach #weddingplannereducation #worksmarternotharder #creativeceo #weddingbiztips
All, Getting Down to Business, Growing a Business, Lessons in Business, Making Money, Mindset Series, Things to Do Better, Wedding Planning Advice
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