The Knot Worldwide’s Post

I’ve recently learned that many couples struggle with the overwhelming process of finding reliable wedding vendors within their budget for their big day. But here’s the thing: It's challenging because the wedding industry can be vast and daunting, making it tough to know where to start and who to trust. A good strategy is to begin by drawing up a checklist of of what vendors you need for your big day and taking it one at a time, researching thoroughly, seeking recommendations, and checking reviews to ensure you're making informed choices. Speaking of which, I offer a comprehensive wedding vendor curation service that can help you connect with trustworthy vendors and alleviate the stress of this process. DM me for more info! #LaHeiressWeddings #nigerianweddingplanner #LagosPlanner #eventplanning #nigerianwedding

IT IS HERE! The Knot Real Weddings 2024 Vendor Report! With data and insights from almost 10,000 recently married couples, this report is full of everything you need to know about today’s couples, from how they’re popping the question to their vision of a love-filled reception. Here are some highlights: 75% of couples say guest experience is most important Couples are hiring an average of 14 vendors for their wedding Small businesses were the most sought out type of wedding pro, and couples are spending more with pros across almost every category. This is the industry’s longest-running report, compiled exclusively for vendors like you. Check it out! https://lnkd.in/eyEFsadr

Deciding on a business partner feels a lot like choosing the Best Man for your wedding. Why is this relevant? Allow me to explain… This weekend, I had my stag-do, organised by the wonderful Ryan Birse—both my business partner and Best Man! We had an amazing time in Whitstable and Margate, soaking in the sun with a big group of friends. The organisation, thought and understanding that went into the weekend was impressive. It was clear that someone who knew me and my values had planned it all. As I re-enter work mode, it had me thinking about the parallels between the two roles. 🔄 We’re in sync: During our business ideation sessions, we frequently have the same thoughts on what’s next. Clients often comment on how well we work together with invaluable synergy. The same goes for this weekend, such as when I thought it was time for bed, Ryan agreed. Unfortunately for us, some other friends did not, so we stayed out past our bedtimes. 🤝 Complete trust: I can rely on Ryan completely. Whether it’s leading a meeting solo or helping steer a tricky situation, I know he’s got it covered. That kind of trust is rare and incredibly reassuring in both friendship and business. Kind of similar to how I trusted him in organising a non-traditional stag-do that was inclusive and didn’t involve heavy drinking or silly surprises. Ironically (or perhaps not so), others disagreed on this approach, and I found myself wearing a lovely purple dress and drinking tequila shots in a Wetherspoons. 💡 Complementary skills: While we share the same values and goals, and a lot of our strengths overlap, we’ve found that our skillsets are complementary. Ryan’s much more technical than I am, while I enjoy putting on my marketing hat and writing posts like these. This balance is another aspect that makes our partnership so solid. One moment during the stag do really brought this one home for me—I was rounding up the troops to move on to the next place, while Ryan was on his phone, meticulously finding a pub big enough for our group. Choosing Ryan as my best man was a no-brainer, just like going into business with him. If you’ve worked with Ryan before, you’ll understand why he’s such a great partner. And if you haven’t, well, you’re missing out. Thank you, Ryan, for the stag weekend—it was great fun! Photo of Ryan and I from the big weekend.

In case you missed it 👀 5 Things that are frustrating your couples Drawing from insights gleaned from our latest Wedding Industry Report, let’s delve into the top five frustrations faced by engaged couples and explore how we can address them effectively. Explore our proactive solutions here: https://lnkd.in/eFEnVYgk 💬 Were you shocked to hear this? Let us know! #WeddingPlanning #IAmAWedPro #WeddingEnquiries #WeddingWednesday

This is the most realistic wedding report we have seen in our 25 years+ in the business! Well done WeddingDates!!!! Finally a report that is representing the industry as a WHOLE!! And yes, 70% of weddings are planned on a budget of 15K OR LESS! #weddingreport #weddingstats #weddings #sustainableweddings #ecoweddings #beautifulweddings

Want to secure luxury clients? Then don't do this... Don't neglect your language choice! The language you use has the biggest impact on - the clients you attract - the sales you make - your reputation So here's some examples of words NOT to use 🙅♀️ and what to use instead... “Package” - use “collection” or “experience” instead “Guarantee” - use “promise” or “commitment” instead “Limited” - use “exclusive” instead “Free” - use “complimentary” instead “Cheaper” - use “more affordable” instead “Discount” - use “exclusive offer” instead “Standard” - use “signature” instead “All in” - use “bespoke” or “customised” instead Remember it’s all about perception and presentation 🙌🏼 Want to become a luxury planner? Register your interest in a career in wedding planning below: https://www.theweded.com/ Laura Shepherd Hannah Matthews

Planning a wedding is always a task and hence finding the perfect vendors is the key. Here's a simple guide to help you out: First, do some online research. Look at different vendors' work and read reviews from other couples. This will give you an idea of what to expect. Next, figure out your budget for each vendor. You want amazing vendors, but you also want to keep costs in check. Then, meet with your top choices. This is your chance to ask questions and see if you click with them. Don't forget to check references. Talking to past clients can give you insight into what it's like to work with a vendor. Once you've found the right fit, review the contract carefully. Make sure everything you discussed is included. And most importantly, trust your gut. If something doesn't feel right, keep looking. By following these steps, you'll find the perfect vendors to make your wedding day truly special!

🆕 New on the blog: Best practices for responding to wedding leads Shockingly, our 2024 Wedding Industry Report reveals that many engaged couples feel underwhelmed during the enquiry process. From swift responses to unwavering professionalism, from personalised touches to crystal-clear communication, we’ve unlocked the secrets to top-notch client interaction. View our expert advice here: https://lnkd.in/e6b8E3xS 💬 Share your thoughts with us in the comments below! We'd love to hear what you consider the most crucial aspect when it comes to responding to your wedding leads. #IAmAWedPro #EnquiryEtiquette #LeadNurturing

As the Director of Vendor Engagement for The Knot Worldwide, I've had the privilege of speaking in person with over 500 wedding pros in the past four weeks. It's clear that the wedding business remains as vibrant as ever. However, with the generational shift that is happening, the current state of the economy, and the great wedding reset, it's crucial for wedding pros to reassess and adapt their businesses to thrive in these changing times. Those who've weathered previous generational shifts understand the importance of reevaluating their pricing, products, services, advertising, and marketing strategies to connect with the next generation. Throughout my conversations and the privilege of speaking to members of WIPA, NACE, Wedding Pro CEO Summit, and Wedding Venue Help Desk, I heard from all wedding categories and markets that things are changing no matter the category or market. However, there are still 2 million weddings taking place in 2024, and even younger millennials and older Gen Zs have money to spend! How can I help you get a piece of that $100 billion wedding business in the United States? It is an honor to be chosen to speak around the country and meet so many talented Wedding Pros and Artists. How can I help and learn from you? #weddingindustyspeaker #WeddingIndustry #BusinessStrategy #GenZ #TheKnotWorldwide #weddingpro #NACE #WIPA #VendorEngagement #BusinessAdaptation #MarketTrends

It's National Wedding Month! Peek in on our media posts throughout the month. We will share preparation advice (not just for your special day), some local vendors, and a few other topics. Happy Planning! 💍💖 #candicestrykerstatefarminsurance #nationalweddingmonth #insuranceplanning