WedPro by WeddingDates, a leading wedding software provider, recently unveiled its ninth annual Wedding Industry Report – and we’re excited to share some crucial insights. Ciara Crossan, Founder and CEO at WeddingDates has pinpointed the top three things you need to focus on to make 2024 your best year yet for bookings:
Create Personalised Experiences
74% of engaged couples told WeddingDates they feel underwhelmed during their venue enquiries. That’s a lot of missed opportunities! Couples want to feel special and valued right from the first interaction. So, go the extra mile to personalise their experience. Make them feel like their wedding is as important to you as it is to them. There are great tools out there to help you personalise but at scale so this doesn’t have to be manual.
Make Every Viewing Count
Couples are picky and rightfully so. Our report shows that 68% of couples visit three or fewer venues before making a decision. This means should be converting 1 in every 3 couples that have a tour of your venue. This stage is critical, so you’ve got just one shot to WOW them. Ensure every showround or venue tour is unforgettable. From the initial greeting to the farewell, every detail matters. Make it count.
Be Transparent and Flexible with Pricing
With the current economic climate, couples are feeling the pinch. Our findings reveal that 58% of couples have had to adjust their budgets due to rising living costs. Be upfront about your pricing and offer flexible packages. Show them that you understand their situation and are there to help them plan a beautiful wedding within their means. Couples are wary of venues that aren’t clear and upfront with their pricing.
Despite the economic challenges, couples are still dreaming big, and a rising trend is multi-day celebrations. This is a fantastic opportunity for venues to get creative and cater to these evolving needs. Ciara Crossan shares, “The data in this report offers hope to wedding venues. While couples are tightening their purse strings, they are still planning weddings and even pre-wedding rehearsal dinners or day 2 barbeques! It’s now up to venues and suppliers to leverage this knowledge to boost their bottom line and improve their offerings.”
This year’s report is packed with insights from over 1,000 newly engaged couples in the UK, making it an invaluable resource for anyone in the wedding and hospitality industry.
Want all the details? You can download the full 27-page report for free here.
Let’s make 2024 the year your venue stands out and wins hearts!
About WeddingDates
For 16 years, WeddingDates has been dedicated to supporting wedding venues in Ireland and the UK. They are proud to present their flagship product, WedPro, a sales pipeline management software solution designed to simplify operations and boost revenue in the bustling wedding industry.
With WedPro, hotels and event venues can manage their wedding business with confidence. This robust platform simplifies communication processes and provides sophisticated reporting tools for managers and owners, eliminating manual work and enhancing efficiency. WedPro excels at nurturing leads, driving conversions, and boosting revenue.
WedPro was named the “Best Hotel Technology Product” at the 2023 Boutique Hotelier Awards.
