As an organisation that interacts with literally thousands of wedding suppliers from around South Africa, we are often asked for our opinion with regard to Marketing within the wedding industry. We have personally successfully started 3 wedding venues over the last 10 years and are hugely experienced within the hospitality and wedding industries – so herewith our opinion of some do’s and don’ts when it comes to Marketing your Wedding business.

  • Register on as many  WeddingWebsites as you can – most decent websites command some kind of fee, but you get better value by spending some money – usually if something is for free you get nothing.
  • Make sure you have an appealing Website with lot’s of wedding pictures – Brides love to see what you look like.
  • Make sure you have Links which are pertinent to your business on your website.
  • Ensure your website is SEO friendly, you must talk about weddings, brides and your location, for example. What makes your wedding or wedding service different from other suppliers.
  • Ensure you join at least Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest social media networks. ‘Like’ as many friends as you can and make sure they ‘Like’ you. Facebook is a very powerful medium through which you can network and help your product or business obtain traction.
  • The major growth in marketing is with young people who are getting married. They are the demographic who are consistently connected to the web and social media. We know for example that over 80% of Brides start planning their wedding using the web – so make every effort to ensure you get your message out to them – if you need help please ask us at ABIA.
  • Fish where the fish are – an old but very true marketing or sales adage. How to do this? Naturally, as I have said above, use the Web – it works. Then consider where else Brides go for information..many Brides each visit Wedding Expos each year because they can easily obtain information and contact with many wedding suppliers in one place. My choice is The Wedding Expo at the Coca Cola Dome which is twice each year.
  • Lastly, and if only if you have the budget consider some print media advertising, but to ensure you get noticed it is worth spending decent money for a fairly large advert in a well know magazine such as Bruidsgids. Don’t waste money on small adverts, they dont get seen.
  • Network, Network, Network – make sure you connect with as many other wedding professionals as you can. They will help you to get your name out there. Use the website Linkedin – it’s a great site for building a business platform, especially the wedding business.
  • Have some eye catching brochures printed – they help create the right image for your wedding service.
  • Don’t waste money. Your wedding business will only get going if you are dedicated and have a product that Brides want. In the beginning it is much better for you to focus your marketing efforts on your website and social media, combined with an effective social media campaign. Brides & Grooms spend hours on the web search for ‘The Wedding Venue’ or for ‘affordable weddings’ so you best advised to position your wedding product in such a way that attracts the bride-to-be attention.
  • Be sincere, honest and pleasant in your dealings – this seems so natural, but how often do we get really friendly service. Brides and Grooms are excited and that want to share that excitement, not have it dampened by grumpy service. The Wedding Industry is a highly competitive one and you will not survive unless you give Brides and Grooms the best service possible.
  • Should you require any information or assistance in marketing your wedding business, please feel free to email us at info@abiaweddings.com
  • For further information on how ABIA can make the difference to your wedding business and ensure you obtain a high profile amongst Brides-to-be please browse our website – we are different to any other wedding website, so we are very confident in our ability to assist in marketing your wedding service anywhere in South Africa.
  • For costs of promoting your business on the ABIA weddings website please click on cost of Accredited Membership – it’s much less than you think and is certain to have future Brides and Grooms knocking your door down.
  • To compare our service also visit our Australian partners website at www.abia.com.au