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
As I’ve been thinking about 2026 and how I want to move into this next chapter, a phrase has kept coming back to me…
Pause, then choose.
For me, this year or phrase isn’t about slowing down for the sake of slowing down. I definitely have NO intentions on doing that. Instead, it’s about creating space before decisions.
Letting things settle.
Looking at opportunities, ideas, and next steps with clearer eyes instead of reacting out of urgency or pressure to have all the answers right now.
I’m realizing that in order to grow into what’s next for me, and this space we share, I actually need to pause first.
Pause to check in.
Pause to savor where I am.
Pause to notice what’s working, what feels aligned, and what I want more of.
Pause to see what’s around me.
And then… choose. Choose with intention. Choose with clarity. Choose from a grounded place instead of a rushed one.
This feels like both a mindset shift and a practice I want to carry with me all year and I wanted to share it in case it resonates with where you are right now, too!
Have you picked a word or phrase of the year, yet? If so, share it with me and what it signifies to you! I’m dying to know. 💜
Lesson 4: Stop waiting for someone else to validate you.
This one comes up a lot.
So many talented wedding pros are waiting to feel chosen — by the industry, by a client, by someone with a bigger platform — before they let themselves move forward.
👉🏼 Where do you think you’re still waiting for permission instead of deciding for yourself?
PSA: This is part of a 31-day series where I’m sharing one business lesson a day for wedding pros as we head into 2026. These lessons are pulled straight from my 200th podcast episode, and the goal is conversation — not perfection. I’m glad you’re here.
Lesson 3: Your reputation is built in the small, unseen moments.
This is something I’ve watched play out over and over again in this industry.
How you communicate when things are easy matters — but how you show up when things are stressful, uncomfortable, or inconvenient matters a whole lot more.
👉🏼 What do you think people remember most about working with you once the event is over?
PSA: This is part of a 31-day series where I’m sharing one business lesson a day for wedding pros as we head into 2026. These are lessons pulled straight from what I’ve seen, experienced, and talked about on the podcast — and I’m loving the conversations they’re sparking. Come back tomorrow for the next one.
#candicecoppola #weddingindustry #weddingplanner #weddingbusiness
Lesson 2: You don’t grow by doing more. You grow by doing what actually matters.
This one comes up constantly in my work.
So many wedding pros feel behind, lazy, or like they’re not doing enough — when in reality, they’re doing too much of the wrong stuff at the same time.
👉🏼 If you had to pick one thing to focus on for the next few months, what would it be?
Or flip side: what’s one thing you already know you could let go of?
PSA: This is part of a 31-day series where I’m sharing one business lesson a day for wedding pros as we head into 2026. These are the ideas I come back to when I think about longevity, focus, and building a business that doesn’t require constant hustle to survive. I’d love for you to stick around and join the conversation as we go.
#weddingindustry #weddingpros #candicecoppola #2026goals #businessgrowthstrategy
All, Getting Down to Business, Growing a Business, Lessons in Business, Making Money, Mindset Series, Things to Do Better, Wedding Planning Advice
filed under:
+ show Comments
- Hide Comments
add a comment