Planning Your Wedding During The Wedding Boom | Insights from a Wedding Photographer
Last month, wedding planner Rachael Solomon of Bad Boss Bride shared on Instagram that her company was booked solid through 2022.
That means, she’s now only taking on couples planning their weddings for 2023 and beyond. And we’re not even halfway through 2022!!
This is what the insiders are calling a “wedding boom.”
What IS a wedding boom? It’s a combination of: 1) all of the postponed weddings that couldn’t happen because of the pandemic, and 2) all of the couples who got engaged over the last two years who couldn’t begin planning until now because of such uncertainty.
Think about it: we missed an entire 18 months of “normal” weddings and events.
Now that couples feel safer gathering with their guests, they’re ready to host their weddings. And that’s not just because many restrictions have lifted, it’s that guests are finally comfortable to travel, book a hotel room, fly on a plane AND be in a room with 150+ people, without worrying it will be a super-spreader event.
Le Chateau, a gorgeous wedding venue in Westchester, NY, used to book Fri–Sun for weddings. Now, and for the foreseeable future, they’re booking those days, PLUS weekdays to be able to accommodate more weddings.
Almost every vendor I know and follow has been saying they’re booked up for 2022 and focused on 2023 and beyond. I personally have had several calls for Thursday weddings in 2022, because weekends are already booked at their venue of choice. I’m getting calls for weddings 19 months out – meaning, I’m having conversations with couples about their wedding in November 2023!
You might have friends and family who just got engaged and are starting to plan weddings during this boom. Please share with them these two pieces of advice:
- They’ve got to act as quickly as possible. If they want the vendor they’re speaking with, know that 2022 is pretty much booked up already, but 2023 may still be an option! Inquire as soon as you know what you’re looking for, and secure a contract as soon as possible. Couples who value photography need to work as quickly as possible in order to get the photographer they truly want to work with.
- They should look for a great experience, in addition to great flowers, photos, music, etc. That means they should read real reviews on those vendors and look for words about kindness, empathy, compassion, professionalism and great communication.
Kindness, professionalism, ease of working with the vendor, knowledge, experience, how they offer suggestions, how they listen to what’s most important to you… these can be harder qualities to find, so make sure YOU introduce your friends and family to the vendors YOU trust most!
You can always refer my wedding photography to a friend or family member. Tell them to get to know me a bit and inquire early about their wedding.
My business has always grown from heartfelt referrals from clients, friends and colleagues. I’m so grateful to have a busy year ahead, and I look forward to filling more of my 2023 calendar with people you know and trust!