Your Top Questions (and Answers!) About Reviews

A strong reviews section on your website or Storefront is a key trust signal that couples look for when deciding which pros to contact. In fact, 65% of couples actively seek out reviews to help influence their wedding planning choices. 

The impact of reviews goes beyond the star rating. Recent, detailed and authentic reviews can show nearlyweds what it’s actually like to work with you. If you want to accumulate high-quality reviews (and maybe even win awards along the way), this guide is for you. 

Below are answers to the questions pros most often have about reviews. Read on to find out how to ask for them, respond to them and make the most of every one you get.

Getting more reviews

What’s the best timing and approach for getting more reviews in general for your wedding business? Here’s how to navigate some of the most important parts of asking for reviews.

When should you ask couples for a review?

We recommend building in your first review request within the first few weeks after the wedding. That’s typically the sweet spot because it gives couples enough time to relax post-nuptials and keep the celebration going, while still remembering in detail what it was like to work with you. Look for a natural post-wedding touchpoint, such as a final invoice or gallery delivery if you offer it, to make the request feel like part of the conversation.

Build the review request process into your offboarding workflow. That way, you won’t be scrambling for reviews months after the big day. 

How should you ask couples for a review?

Personalization is essential when asking couples for a review. Take the time to make sure that your message feels like it was written just for them. Mention a specific moment from their wedding day that you enjoyed together—this might spark something for the couple to write about, and it’s a good way to get a meaningful response. 

Along with personalizing your review request, make it easy for couples to leave a review. After you briefly explain why the feedback matters, provide a direct link to your review page to keep it as seamless as possible. WeddingPro has review request templates to help guide you through the process.

What if a couple doesn’t respond to your review request?

It’s okay to send a friendly follow-up about one week later, keeping the reminder short and pressure-free. After that, look for a natural moment or milestone, potentially reconnecting at the six-monthmark or one-year milestone, for instance, if they still haven’t reviewed.

What should you ask couples to include in their reviews?

Reviews are most useful when they tell the story of what it was like to work with you, what happened on the wedding day and what the couple thought of the final result. Try asking questions like:

The experience

• How was the process of booking my services?
• What was the most memorable part of working with me?
• How would you describe my communication throughout the planning process?

The wedding day

• How did I help make your wedding day unique to you and your partner?
• What moment during the wedding day stands out most when you think about working with me?
• Did I help solve anything unexpected on your wedding day?

The outcome

• What did you love most about the final result?
• What would you say was the biggest benefit of working with me?
• Would you recommend my services to a fellow bride or groom?

Potential clients will look for reviews that explain why working with you is special; asking these kinds of questions should get you more detailed responses. 

Should you ask every couple for a review?

During your offboarding process, it’s important to ask every couple you’ve worked with for a review. Although it’s tempting to just ask the clients who are likely to give you five stars, an authentic and honest review section is going to build the most trust. Couples want to see what it’s truly like to work with you, not manufactured perfection. Genuine feedback, even when it’s not a rave review, also offers an excellent opportunity. It can help you pinpoint the areas to work on so you can improve the client experience. 

Once you have a review request process in place, the next step is to build your reputation across the platforms where couples are searching.

Managing reviews on The Knot and WeddingWire

Want to know more about how our review process works on our wedding marketplaces? Here are some frequently asked questions.

Should you collect reviews on both The Knot and WeddingWire?

Definitely! The Knot and WeddingWire offer two distinct experiences for the millions of newly engaged couples who use these platforms each year, so you’ll want to build your brand as much as possible on both. 

Over time, your review sections on both The Knot and WeddingWire will become comprehensive overviews of your business. One pro said, “My WeddingWire and The Knot listings hold years of reviews for my company, which I deeply appreciate.”

It’s key to ask couples to leave unique reviews on each platform; if reviews are copied and pasted to both The Knot and WeddingWire, it might negatively impact your SEO. If you send different questions for each review on each platform, it will be easier for your couples to leave two distinct reviews. 

How do you request reviews on The Knot and WeddingWire?

Pros can request reviews for The Knot and WeddingWire directly through the WeddingPro Reviews Portal. Simply log in to your WeddingPro account, click the Storefronts tab at the top of the page, and you’ll see the Reviews tab in the left-hand menu. 

How recent should your reviews be?

Couples will look for evidence of consistency, and they’ll want to know that you still deliver great experiences now. If you receive new reviews regularly, it also shows you’re an active, in-demand business. 

Aspects like the team members you have or the services you offer might change over time, and fresh reviews can highlight the current state of your company. Even if you already have lots of positive reviews, try to aim for at least seven new ones per year to keep things up to date. 

How should you respond to a negative review?

It’s never fun to get a negative review, but it’s important that you don’t immediately respond emotionally. First, acknowledge the concern, and then try to give the context behind it without attacking the reviewer. Explain what you did or what you plan to do to address the reviewer’s criticisms. You’re not just writing for the reviewer’s benefit—other potential clients will see how you’ve reacted, so try to keep your response as professional as possible!

Can you dispute a review on The Knot or WeddingWire?

You’re able to dispute a negative review on The Knot or WeddingWire, but action will only be taken if the review violates platform rules. Remember, just because a review is negative doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s invalid. 

Putting your reviews to work

Once you’ve got some fresh reviews in your back pocket, you can use them to further promote your work or gain additional recognition as a pro. Here’s how. 

How can you use reviews beyond your Storefront?

If you have a good amount of positive reviews, you’ll probably want to share them beyond your WeddingWire or The Knot Storefront. Good options include your website or socials, your sales materials or email. Think about testimonials, too, and even video testimonials for a more personal touch. 

Can reviews help you win The Knot Best Of Weddings or WeddingWire Couple’s Choice Awards®?

Reviews are part of the eligibility requirements for both awards. To be eligible, pros need at least seven reviews collected between January 1 and December 31, with an average rating of 4.5 or higher (additional terms may apply).

Winning a The Knot Best Of Weddings award or a WeddingWire Couple’s Choice Award® is a great way to compound the credibility you earn through positive reviews. According to one The Knot Best Of award winner, “Because of the 5-star reviews we received, I feel like the ‘Best of’ badge has been very well received.” After you’ve won, make sure to share your success as much as you can!

Turn great client experiences into your strongest marketing 

After you’ve delivered a few fantastic experiences for your couples and received detailed reviews, your Storefronts can really take off. The more reviews, the greater the trust, which can lead to more inquiries and ultimately, more bookings. 

Whether you’re collecting feedback from recent couples or responding to reviews you’ve already received, staying active with your reviews can help you build a stronger presence on The Knot and WeddingWire. Head to your WeddingPro account to manage your reviews and keep connecting with the couples who make your work possible.