If you’re tired of chasing leads and constantly wondering where your next inquiry will come from, there’s one marketing strategy that is going to change everything for you: referrals. Whether it’s from venues, other wedding vendors, or your past clients, referrals are the easiest and most trust-building way to get more wedding leads without constantly marketing yourself.
But here’s the struggle—as wedding planners, we do a LOT of the referring. We send clients to florists, photographers, and venues all the time, but how often are those referrals coming back to us? If you’re wondering how to get more wedding leads through referrals—and not just give them out—this blog post will show you exactly how to set up referral relationships that work in your favor.
As a wedding industry expert and business coach who helps wedding planners build profitable, sustainable businesses without burnout, I’ve seen firsthand how strong referral partnerships can fill a wedding planner’s calendar with high-quality, pre-qualified leads. In this post, I’ll break down how to get more wedding leads from referrals, how to build relationships with venues and vendors, and how to create a referral system that brings new dream clients to your inbox consistently.

Why Referrals Are the Best Way to Get More Wedding Leads
Would you rather spend hours on Instagram, hoping the algorithm works in your favor, or book high-quality, ready-to-hire couples—just because a trusted vendor sent them your way? The answer is obvious—that’s why referrals are one of the most effective lead-generation strategies in the wedding industry.
Referrals aren’t just nice; they completely shift the dynamic of how couples find you. Instead of you chasing after leads, referrals bring warm, pre-qualified couples directly to your inbox. These clients are coming in with a level of trust already built, making the sales process smoother and significantly increasing your booking rate.
Basically? Unlike social media marketing—where couples might stumble upon your profile but still hesitate to reach out—referred leads already have confidence in your expertise before you even speak to them.
On top of that, referrals have a higher lifetime value. Couples who come through referrals are more likely to refer you to their friends, continuing the cycle of word-of-mouth marketing that can sustain your business for years. This means you spend less time proving your value and more time booking clients who are ready to say yes.
But how do you become the planner that venues and vendors refer first? Let’s talk about it.
1. Build Strong Relationships with Venues (So They Send Couples Your Way!)
Listen, I know sometimes it can feel like venues are competing for your business (hello venue coordinators), but the truth is that venues are one of the best sources of referrals for wedding planners. Almost every couple books a venue before hiring any other vendors, which means the venue coordinator is often the first point of contact for couples starting their planning journey. If you can get venues to recommend you, you’ll have a steady stream of warm leads without spending hours marketing yourself.
How to Get on a Venue’s Preferred Vendor List
Many venues maintain a preferred vendor list, which is a carefully curated selection of planners, photographers, florists, and other vendors they trust and love working with. Couples often ask for these lists when they book a venue, meaning your name could be placed in front of couples before they even start searching for a planner anywhere else.
Here’s how to build a venue relationship that leads to referrals:
Step 1: Identify Your Dream Venues
Make a list of local venues that align with your brand and ideal clientele. If you specialize in luxury weddings, focus on high-end estates and ballrooms. If you love boho outdoor weddings, look at barn venues and garden spaces. The key is to position yourself where your dream clients are already booking. I talk more about how to do that inside the Client Cocktail (so definitely grab that if you haven’t already!).
Step 2: Make a Great First Impression
If you haven’t worked with a venue before, take the time to introduce yourself professionally. Schedule a visit, tour the property, and meet with the venue manager. Be genuinely interested in their space and ask about their ideal wedding clients. Show them that you care about their venue, not just about getting referrals.
Step 3: Offer Value First
This is my #1 rule of networking. Instead of immediately asking to be referred, find ways to support the venue first. Write a blog post featuring their space, tag them on social media when showcasing past weddings, or send clients their way when a couple needs venue recommendations. The more value you provide upfront, the more likely they are to refer you in return.
Once you’ve built a solid relationship, ask about being added to their preferred vendor list or whether they have an internal referral system.
2. Strengthen Your Vendor Network (and Actually Get Referrals in Return!)
Like I said at the beginning, as a wedding planner, you likely refer a lot of vendors to your clients—but are they returning the favor? If not, it may be time to rethink your vendor relationships and take a more intentional approach to getting referrals. Here’s some advice.
Step 1: Be an Amazing Planner to Work With
OK, duh, but it’s true. Vendors refer planners who make their jobs easier, not harder. If you are organized, communicate well, and plan a fabulous wedding, vendors will want to work with you again and again.
To stand out as a planner vendors love referring wedding planners who:
- Provide clear timelines
- Don’t micro-manage
- Respect their time
- Are kind and appreciative
One of the highlights from my interview with Kayla of MaddenMade for our “Behind the Brand” series was hearing how she started by asking vendors for their honest feedback on what they liked—and didn’t like—about working with a wedding planner. That’s great advice!
Step 2: Create a Vendor Referral Exchange
If you really want to get more wedding leads from vendors, you have to build a system where referrals flow both ways.
- Set up referral partnerships where you agree to refer each other when the opportunity arises.
- Keep track of who you refer and follow up to see if vendors are returning the favor.
- Create co-marketing opportunities like styled shoots, workshops, or blog collaborations to cross-promote each other.
By nurturing strong vendor relationships, you ensure that your business remains top-of-mind when they have a couple in need of a planner.
3. Turn Past Clients Into Referral Machines
One of the most overlooked referral sources is past clients. Couples who have already worked with you know and love your process, making them ideal ambassadors for your brand.
Step 1: Create a Referral-Worthy Experience
The best way to encourage referrals? Deliver an exceptional experience that makes clients want to rave about you.
- Make planning stress-free with clear timelines and consistent communication.
- Go above and beyond with thoughtful gestures like a handwritten note or a small gift.
- Stay in touch post-wedding so they don’t forget about you.
Step 2: Ask for Referrals at the Right Time
The best time to ask for a referral is right after the wedding, when emotions are high and clients are feeling grateful. Send a follow-up email thanking them and mentioning that if they know any engaged friends, you’d love an introduction.
Step 3: Incentivize Referrals
Some planners offer referral incentives, like gift cards or discounts on future services. While this isn’t necessary, it can encourage more referrals, especially from past clients who loved working with you.

Building a Referral-Based Wedding Planning Business
At the end of the day, referrals should be a major part of your lead generation strategy, not just an afterthought. By focusing on venue relationships, vendor partnerships, and past client referrals, you’ll spend less time chasing leads and more time booking high-quality clients who already trust your expertise. Instead of relying on unpredictable social media algorithms or constantly reinventing your marketing strategy, a strong referral network creates a steady pipeline of inquiries that fuel your business year after year.
If you’re ready to consistently get more wedding leads and build a profitable, referral-based business, join The Planner’s Playbook—the go-to membership for wedding planners who want to book dream clients, refine their business strategy, and grow without burnout. Inside, you’ll get expert guidance and access to a supportive community of planners who are scaling their businesses successfully (just like you!). I’d love to welcome you inside!
Explore More Wedding Industry Resources
- Is Month-of Wedding Coordinator A Niche? The Truth About This Wedding Planning Service
- Top Networking Tips for Wedding Planners
- How Much Does It Cost to Become a Wedding Planner?
- 4 Tips for Creating a Preferred Wedding Vendor List as a Wedding Planner
- How To Find Your Niche In The Wedding Industry: 5 Steps For Niching Down
- The Ultimate Checklist for Wedding Coordinators
- How To Get Wedding Clients When You’re Just Starting Out
- Wedding Gifts for Couples: Meaningful Gift Ideas for Wedding Planners
- What Does A Wedding Coordinator Do? Here’s Everything They’re Responsible For
- 7 Wedding Planner Canva Templates You Need Right Now
- Why You Should Write A Business Plan In 2025 For Your Wedding Business
- How to Start a Wedding Planning Business
- The Best Wedding Planner Podcasts To Grow Your Business
- A Complete List of Wedding Planner Expenses
- 7 Wedding Planner Canva Templates You Need Right Now
- How To Get A Wedding Planner Job In 2024
- 9 Mistakes to Avoid When Starting your Wedding Planning Business
- How To Become A Wedding Planner in 2025 With No Experience
For More Wedding Industry Business Secrets, Follow Me on Instagram
You know that moment when someone really sees you?
That’s what the WPI retreat felt like, over and over again.
Yes, there were strategy sessions. Yes, there was hot seat coaching. Yes, there were breakthroughs you could feel in your bones.
But the real magic? Happened in the in-between.
On the couch, over coffee, in those late-night convos where your guard drops and the truth comes out.
There’s something powerful about getting in a room with women who just get it.
Who’ve been where you are.
Who aren’t here to compete, but instead to remind you of what you’re capable of.
You deserve moments like these. Find the space, the time, and the means to invest in yourself.
You ARE worth it.
Love you, mean it.
Xo,
Candice
Photography by the amazing awesome @c10ike

✨ Real talk, wedding pro… is your season already giving ✨wrong fit energy✨?
If you’re feeling drained, resentful, or already counting down the days until it’s over… it might be time to take a look at who you’re booking and why they keep slipping through the cracks. 👀
You can’t attract dreamy, aligned, magazine-worthy clients if you’re too busy people-pleasing the wrong ones.
If your gut is telling you something’s off, you’re not alone… and you don’t have to stay stuck.
Inside my special training, The Client Cocktail, I’ll teach you my 4-part formula for calling in better clients. Clients who respect your process, trust your vision, and are genuinely excited to work with you (and pay your rates 💅🏽).
It’s time to stop adjusting yourself to fit clients who were never meant for you.
Drop the word COCKTAIL below and I’ll send you the link. 🍸💻

Eating protein is like a full time job I swear to God 🤣 how do people do it?!
#imaginehatingonme #perimenopausesupport #candicecoppola #weddingindustry #weddingpros #weddingindustryexperts

This week’s Behind the Brand episode is a special one.
I’m sitting down with someone I’ve had the honor (and joy!) of mentoring: Lindsey Kleidman, founder of @wildflowereventsdesign and the creative force behind @campwildflower.co 🌸🔥
If you’ve ever scrolled her feed and thought, “Damn, I want to go to that wedding…”
Same!!
Lindsey has built a brand that’s bold, personality-driven, and beautifully refined… and in this episode, we dive into how she did it and why it works.
We’re talking:
✨ Styled shoots that built her confidence
✨ What it means to take “big swings”
✨ Saying yes and knowing when to say hell no
✨ Her big rebrand and what it taught her
✨ Finding her creative spark again through Camp Wildflower
✨ And what it really takes to build an iconic brand
If you’ve ever wondered how to show up more boldly, stand out in your market, or evolve without losing who you are, this one’s for you.
And if you recognize the theme song playing over this post you’ll understand what Linds and I discussed HEAVILY before any coaching call or Voxer message 🤣
Comment “188” and I’ll DM you a link to this episode so you can listen in!
Gorgeous images by:
@amandayoung_photo
@ggabriella
@elliemae.photo
@lizandolinaphotography
#powerinpurposepodcast #candicecoppola #weddingprocoach #creativeentrepreneur #brandstrategy #weddingplannerlife #weddingbranding #wildflowereventsdesign #campwildflower #businesspodcast #weddingproinsiders #showupboldly

Some of the links used in this blog post are affiliate links. When you purchase something, our company receives a small compensation at no cost to you. This compensation helps to maintain the cost of creating helpful content, like our podcast, so you can build a profitable business with purpose.
All, Building Your Brand, Ideal Clients, Starting a Business, Vendor Relationships, Wedding Planning Advice
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