How and When to Ask Your Couples for Reviews

As a wedding pro, you might fancy yourself a bit of a collector. Because, with more linen swatches, album samples, and vintage stamps than you would like to admit, it’s easy to wake up one day and realize that all of your extra storage space is full (cue the reorg session). But, if there is one collector’s item that you can never have too many of, it’s client reviews! As one of the most powerful marketing tools you can have, quality reviews can sometimes be the difference between a couple hitting “request quote” or leaving your Storefront(s). So today, we wanted to help you build your personal collection of 5-star reviews. Read on for our top tips about how and when to ask your couples for reviews. 

Why asking for reviews is important

First things first—sure, we told you that having client reviews is important but it is even more important to explain why they are such a valuable tool. And, in a nutshell, reviews from your couples serve as social proof, a psychological concept that explains why people are more likely to do something if others have as well (especially if they feel like the person is similar to them). So, having strong reviews will not only pique the interest of a potential couple, they also help to eliminate doubt about the quality of your services, build trust in you as a professional, and motivate people to take action and inquire.  

When to ask for reviews

Many of you know that sometimes, getting a client to send you a review can feel like chasing down an invoice, but you can increase your chances of a one and done by timing your ask. More specifically, timing it around whether or not your couple is jetting off on their honeymoon right away or scheduling it for in the future. If your couple is planning on taking their honeymoon immediately after or within a week of their wedding, we suggest waiting to ask them for a review until a week or two after they return. This gives them time to pack for and enjoy their first vacation together without having an added to-do (which is likely to be lost and forgotten).  If your couple is planning on taking their honeymoon in the future (or maybe not at all), we still recommend waiting 1 or 2 weeks after their wedding. This gives them, and you, time to work through any final details and officially close out their experience with you before asking for a review.

Pro tip: Don’t bury the ask in an off-boarding email that includes a bunch of other things you are trying to wrap up. Finish all of those tasks before asking for a review in its own email. 

How to ask for reviews

While asking for a review isn’t quite as exciting as popping the question, getting an enthusiastic “Yes!” is still what you are looking for! And, when it comes to teeing up the right review proposal, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Send your couple the official request on the platform you want them to reply. For example, if you want them to email you a review, don’t text or DM them with your ask. The goal here is to eliminate any extra steps because it increases your chances of receiving a response
• Open your ask by sharing one of your favorite moments from the planning process or from their wedding day. This will put their mind in a happy place and is also a great (and subtle) way to prompt them
• Don’t be afraid to let your couples know what you are looking for in the review! While even a generic 5-star review is great, the real impact come from having something personal to their experience and that speaks to your specific skills

Pro tip: Consider asking some of your couples for video reviews to share on social media.

Pro tip: Don’t forget that copying and pasting reviews from multiple sites could have a negative impact on your page SEO value. In other words, having duplicate content could cause search engines like Google to rank your page lower than it otherwise would. If your couples are leaving you reviews on both The Knot and WeddingWire, ask them to mention something different in each one.

Here’s swipe copy to help you ask for a review from your clients

Sample:

Hi Victoria and Jamal,

Can you believe it has already been a month since your wedding? I still can’t get over your father’s toast (probably fueled by those delicious signature cocktails, haha)! And, I hope you both are still on cloud nine after getting back from Bali—that really is one of the most beautiful places on the planet!

After all the fun we had planning your big day, I wanted to ask if you would be willing to write a few words about our time working together. Whether it’s about how we were able to bring your design ideas to life or how me and my team managed the details on wedding day, I would be so thankful if you would share your thoughts for other couples to read. When it’s convenient, you can leave your review on my profile on The Knot here.

You have so many exciting moments ahead of you and it was an absolute honor to plan your wedding with you! This is certainly not goodbye (more of a see you later) and I can’t wait to watch you build your lives together.

All of my best and cheers (that cocktail in hand) to you!

Customizable email template:

Hi Name and Name,

Can you believe it has already been length of time since your wedding? I/We still can’t get over a memory or detail from the wedding! And, I hope you both are still on cloud nine after getting back from wherever they honeymooned—share something you love about where they went.

After all the fun we had planning your big day, I/we wanted to ask if you would be willing to write a few words about our time working together. Whether it’s about first detail or option you might want them to write about or second detail or option you would like them to write about, I/we would be so thankful if you would share your thoughts for other couples to read. When it’s convenient, you can leave your review on my/our profile on WeddingWire here (link this to your Storefront)!

You have so many exciting moments ahead of you and it was an absolute honor to plan your wedding with you! This is certainly not goodbye (more of a see you later) and I/we can’t wait to watch you build your lives together.

All of my/our best and cheers (that cocktail in hand) to you!

Photo Credit: GaudiLab/shutterstock.com