5 Reasons Why Wedding Bookings are Down for Wedding Vendors in 2024…. and What You Can Do About It

Raise your hand if you have been personally victimized by the downturn in wedding bookings for 2024.

Everyone? Yep, it’s just about everyone.

As a brand & web designer for wedding vendors, almost every single wedding pro I’ve spoken to has had their wedding bookings be WAY down for 2024. So if bookings are down… YOU’RE NOT ALONE! After a killer 2021 and 2022 (and for many, 2023), bookings are below pre-pandemic levels and a lot of vendors are freaking out (to put it lightly).

If you’re freaking out, take a few deep breaths. We good? Okay, now let’s dive into why this is happening, and HOW you can revamp your digital strategy to improve your bookings for 2025.

WHY Wedding Bookings Are Down…

1. The Economy is Suffering and Election Season is Upon Us.

First, the economy. I’ve talked to more people who have had record low years this year than I ever have, and when you’re an entrepreneur relying on others’ finances to fund your own business, that’s gonna hit hard. Inflation is literally bananas (RIP the price of eggs circa 2018) and the first things to go in people’s budgets are often the less essential things… like wedding spending.

Next, the election. No matter which side of the aisle you’re voting, a lot of people are holding their breath during an election year, wondering if a particular candidate will help or hurt their pocketbooks. So when it comes to weddings, a couple who might otherwise lean towards a higher budget may reduce their spending juuuuust in case the election swings in a way that affects their finances.

2. Wedding Trends are Shifting (ahem, shrinking).

We’ve seen this coming: micro-weddings and elopements. Couples are craving more meaningful, personal experiences, which means more intimate gathers are on the rise. What does that mean for you? There is a smaller pool of brides looking for a large team of vendors for a large budget wedding. The trends we saw for big blowout weddings in 2021-2023 are going to change, and while the number of people getting married might not be changing drastically, the number of XL budget (and XL sized) weddings certainly is.

3. The Market is Oversaturated. 

I hate to say it, but I do think it’s true: the wedding vendor market is oversaturated. Post-Covid, a lot of people don’t want to return to a corporate office, and they’ve found that they can monetize their passions in the wedding industry like never before! What does that mean for you? Chances are you know about a couple dozen others in your niche who are fighting for the same ideal client, making it increasingly difficult to bring in inquiries, let alone turn leads into bookings.

4. Wedding Budget Priorities Are Changing.

Today’s couples are thinking long-term. Instead of spending big on one day, they’re investing in their future—whether that’s travel, a house, or something else. Especially with the rising cost of housing (and don’t get me started on home mortgage interest rates), for many people it simply is not realistic to have a higher budget wedding.

5. DIY is on the Rise!

Technology has made planning a wedding easier than ever, but it’s also given couples alternatives to traditional vendors. Especially with the rise of platforms like TikTok focusing on easy-to-digest video content and Pinterest graphics giving some serious how-to’s, brides have the ability to DIY everything from their wedding planning to their signage to even their florals. The information is out there, so many brides are saying – why not DIY?

 

How to Change Your Strategy to Get More Bookings in 2025…

Not time to panic– time to PIVOT! Albert Einstein said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” So it’s time to make a change, right?

Here are five steps to make the most of slow 2024 season and optimize your booking strategy, so you can ultimately increase your wedding bookings for 2025…

 

1. Make changes to your offerings.

First things first, it’s time to take a look at what your wedding services are… and how you can potentially update them. No, I’m not saying to stop being a wedding photographer and pick up plant photographer (although, you do you). What I am saying is that if you want to stand out, your services may have to do it for you.

If you’re in a sea of identical photographers/florists/makeup artists/etc, think through how you can update your offerings to appeal to this changed market…. namely, how can you offer LOWER COST options for brides? Think: smaller packages, elopement services, virtual consultations, courses, or even done-with-you offerings.

 

2. Revamp your Brand & Web Design.

In this market, you literally cannot afford for your logo/branding and website to be scaring your ideal brides away. And honestly, if they’re not working for you, they’re probably working against you.

Take this slower season to really dive into honing in on your brand & web design! If you are particularly design-oriented (go you!), you may be able to DIY your website using one of your favorite Showit templates. If not, you can start to look into hiring someone to update your brand & web design for you! Either way, don’t skimp on this!

 

3. Choose 1-2 Social Media Platforms, and Grow Your Social Media Presence!

I know, I know. Social media can cue an immediate eye roll from vendors (and me too, honestly), but I think the trick here is identifying the platform(s) you are the most skilled in and you most enjoy, and going from there!

If you, like me, want to claw your eyes out when you use Instagram, focus on another platform! TikTok is my favorite personally, but there’s also Pinterest, Facebook, and heck, even Threads. What’s most important is that you START and you’re CONSISTENT. (Yes, I am also talking to myself right now)

 

4. Draw From Your Current/Previous Brides!

First, lets talk about the brides who have already booked you for an upcoming wedding in 2024 and 2025. Look… people know people. Oftentimes, it’s someone’s lived experience with you that is the best marketing for your business. That’s why it’s so important that you leave each and every bride feeling so special – not just because you adore them (and I hope you do), but also because your experience with them is the continued marketing of yourself.

Next, the weddings you’ve already shot. In what ways are you continuing to nurture those relationships? Here are a few things I recommend doing AFTER you’ve worked with a bride on their wedding…

• Send them a post-wedding gift! I was a June 2024 bride and my wedding venue, The Trillium Venue, sent us a cutting board with our last name engraved on it. We LOVE it and it really was the icing on the cake of an excellent experience with them as a venue! Even if it’s as small as a 5×7 frame photo from the ceremony or a bouquet after the couple returns from their honeymoon, I’m telling you – it’s these things that make you stand out as a vendor.
• Keep up with them on social media! Make sure you’re following them on Instagram/TikTok, and then tag them in your posts you share about them (and of course, encourage them to tag you too!).
• Ask them to write you a review! I highly recommend this on your Google Business profile (I talk about how Google Business can help your SEO in this blog post), but it can also be beneficial on The Knot, Facebook, etc!

 

5. Network with Other Vendors!

Now is ALSO the time to be networking with your fellow vendors. You can join an in-person wedding industry networking group like WIPA, or even hit up Facebook groups for wedding vendors in your area or across the country. Also, if you yourself are not a wedding venue owner, you can look into attending any upcoming venue open houses! Get in touch with local wedding venues, introduce yourself, and see if they have any events coming up. Essentially, do ALL the things to connect with fellow vendors so you can help each other out and succeed together!

 

In Conclusion: TLDR…

Yes, 2024 is different—but that doesn’t mean it’s all doom and gloom. If wedding bookings are down and you want to increase bookings for 2025, it’s time to change your strategy. Update your offerings, revamp your online presence through your website and social media, and network both online and in person. You’ve got this and I’m in this with you!