Blog Marketing

The Vendor’s Edge: Your Complete Engagement Season Checklist

By Jeffra Trumpower

It’s officially engagement season! Can you believe how fast this year has flown by? We’ve been working hard behind the scenes, gearing up for these next few months—the time when so many couples say ‘yes’ and take that exciting first step toward planning their wedding. With 80% of newly engaged couples diving into wedding planning within the first two months, and approximately 827,500 couples joining The Knot and WeddingWire between November and February, now is your golden opportunity to make a memorable impression and stand out. 

We know it takes time and energy to market your business, especially with the holidays around the corner (you deserve that break!). So, our team has created a must-have checklist, full of practical tips and easy steps to get your storefronts in top shape, boost your visibility, and help you reach couples eager to find pros just like you.

This essential guide outlines exactly what to do—and when—to make this engagement season your best one yet – and as always, we’re here if you need us!

Get engagement season-ready now

Here are the top things you need to do to make sure your business is ready to stand out this engagement season.

1. Prepare your marketing for engagement season.

Engagement season is your moment to shine, so make sure your business is prepared. By updating your Storefronts and online presence, you’ll ensure couples understand your unique offering and feel confident reaching out to you. .

Update your Storefronts.

Start by making sure your Storefronts on The Knot and WeddingWire look fresh and up-to-date. Update your photos to showcase your latest work, adjust your bio to highlight recent achievements and ensure any video content reflects the quality and style couples can expect. Refreshing your Storefronts lets couples see your best work and feel your unique personality.

Audit your website.

Your website is often the first stop for couples checking out your business, so make sure it’s optimized with popular keywords that couples are searching for. Update any outdated information, and align your messaging with the kind of couples you’re hoping to attract.

Showcase your awards.

Highlight any awards you’ve won in the last year. Showing that you’ve won industry awards builds trust, showcases your expertise and helps give you a competitive edge. 

2. Leverage social proof for maximum impact.

Social proof is incredibly powerful. In fact, 62% of couples say reviews are a critical part of their decision-making process because it helps them envision what it’s like to work with you.

Request reviews from past clients.

Now is also a great time to ask your past clients for a review. Make it easy by providing a template they can customize, and be sure to follow up if they need a reminder. Not only do recent reviews boost your credibility, but they also keep your Storefronts fresh and help you qualify to win awards.

Feature your best review.

You can feature a top review on your Storefronts, so make sure it showcases your professionalism, responsiveness, the quality of your service and/or your willingness to go the extra mile. These types of reviews will help you stand out to couples comparing multiple vendors and reassure them that you’re the right choice. 

3. Create your engagement season content strategy.

Planning your content around engagement season trends helps you connect with couples right when they begin their planning journey and gives you more opportunities to be discovered online.

Align your content with trends.

Share content that reflects the latest trends. For example, if intimate celebrations or sustainability are trending, create content that showcases how you’ve brought these elements to life for your clients. Aligning your content with trends shows couples you’re current and in tune with what they’re looking for.

Show behind-the-scenes content.

Authenticity resonates with couples, so give a glimpse of the real people behind your business with behind-the-scenes content that shows you or your team in action. This connection can make all the difference when couples are deciding which vendor to hire.

4. Enhance your communication and responsiveness.

Being prompt, clear and personal in your communications can make a huge impact during engagement season. Couples who receive quick replies are more likely to feel valued and continue engaging with you. Create a template to make sure you’re providing the info couples want and need to make their decision.

Set up automated responses.

Set up automated replies for initial inquiries in order to make sure your couples receive a response right away. Make it personal by customizing the message to include a warm welcome, an invitation to chat and a brief mention of what makes your service unique.

Refine your follow-up strategy.

Follow up within 48 hours of initial contact, and offer to answer questions or provide additional details about your services. A structured follow-up process helps you stay top-of-mind, especially during engagement season when couples are reaching out to multiple vendors. It also shows them that you’re engaged and responsive—characteristics that stand out.

Highlight responsiveness in your profile.

If you have quick response times, mention it in your bio to set expectations and build trust. Couples will appreciate knowing that you’re easy to reach and communicate with.

5. Showcase your flexibility and personality.

Couples want vendors who not only understand their vision but also have the flexibility to personalize their offerings. Highlighting your adaptability and unique qualities can be a huge advantage.

Add a personal touch.

Consider completing the “Team Profile” section on your Storefront that shares a bit about your team members and your approach. This helps couples feel connected and gives them a sense of your brand’s personality.

Adapt based on client feedback.

If you’ve adjusted your services based on feedback—like offering elopement packages or eco-friendly options—make sure to mention it. Showing that you listen to clients and are willing to make adjustments builds trust and positions you as a vendor who truly cares.

6. Use analytics to improve and iterate.

Tracking your Storefront engagement and traffic insights helps you identify what’s working well and what needs adjustment. 

Monitor your WeddingPro insights.

WeddingPro’s Insights feature helps you track your Storefront engagement and see which aspects of your profile resonate most. Use these insights to refine your profile and align it with couples’ interests. Remember, data can reveal trends in couple preferences and guide you toward the most effective strategies.

Evaluate your organic social and web traffic.

Identify which posts or pages drive the most traffic to your Storefronts and focus on creating similar content. This approach allows you to hone in on what’s resonating with your audience and maximize engagement.

Make monthly adjustments.

Make it a habit to review your Storefronts and analytics monthly. Engagement season is dynamic, and keeping your profile fresh and aligned with current trends can help attract your ideal couples.

Your checklist for engagement season

Use this timeline to tackle each phase of engagement season with confidence.

Early to mid-November: Prep your business.

• Update your Storefronts: Update photos, bios and videos to reflect your latest work.
• Audit your website: Optimize with keywords and ensure the messaging is aligned with your target couples.
• Request reviews: Reach out to recent clients for testimonials that showcase your best qualities.

Mid- to late November: Get strategy-focused.

• Establish your content strategy: Plan content that aligns with trending themes and captures attention.
• Set up automated responses: Create welcoming, prompt replies that personalize the client experience.
• Refine your follow-up strategy: Develop a structured follow-up process to keep couples engaged after their initial inquiry.

Early December: Add the finishing touches.

• Highlight any custom packages: Showcase flexible, personalized offerings that stand out.
• Focus on personalization: Share behind-the-scenes content or “get to know us” posts to build a connection.
• Monitor your engagement metrics: Use WeddingPro Insights to fine-tune your efforts as the season progresses.

Make the most of this engagement season

Remember, engagement season is an exciting time to connect with couples who are ready to start planning their big day. By following this checklist, you’ll be able to put your best foot forward, strengthen your Storefronts to help them stand out and build meaningful connections with potential clients. 

The team at WeddingPro is here to support you every step of the way. Now, let’s make this engagement season your best one yet!

Photo credit: Kir2Ben