Working within the wedding venue business is exciting, compelling and demanding; however, it is also a business that needs your best attention while in years one to five, in particular. In this article, we’ll discuss the way to create a cohesive business plan for themed weddings, as well as some ideas for marketing and customer service tips along the way. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Discover.
You’ll want to first discover who your clients are and what they want or need from your wedding business. If you are seeking an engaged person who wants a themed wedding, that is the first parameter for your ideal client. What else might be included in the demographic of your clients? Does your client want a wedding within 3 months? Is the wedding to be large or small? Is your client or the family determined to create a specific theme? The answers to these questions will help define your client: those who you will contract with to assist in their special day.
Step 2: Research.
You won’t need to go to the library or stalk anyone online, but you will need to look around for those wedding planners or wedding venues that might be your competitors. Every wedding business seems to have some individualized themes; look at these and determine the prices charged, the scope of the business, etc. Answering these questions will assist your efforts because you can specialize in areas that other wedding businesses don’t. You can also craft your wedding business to answer the need for unique services that other business can’t supply.
Step 3: Build the Business Plan.
Have we mentioned how important your business plan is for your success? If so, we’ll just say it again: creating your venue business plan template offered here, is crucial to the success of your business, particularly during your startup years one through five. Inside your plan, you’ll build sections that highlight areas of importance, such as: financial projections, marketing strategies, operational plans, your mission statement and objectives. When completed, your business plan will be a presentation tool as well as your roadmap for the future. If startup funding is required, you can present your plan to investors, lenders, banks or financial institutions as a means of explaining your objectives and how you plan to accomplish them.
Step 4: Set Up the Venue.
Creating a multi-purpose venue for weddings may be complicated, however, it is crucial for the success of your business. Find and purchase the right large pieces of decor that will accompany any number of themed weddings. For example, if you purchase large wooden arches to place inside your location, they can be arranged in any configurations, draped with flowers, natural foliage, or white netting, etc. Include a photo backdrop for guests or the wedding stage itself for weddings that sparkle and shine.
Step 5: Set Operational Plans.
Have you ever observed a wedding preparation team in absolute chaos? It’s a pretty common sight, simply because no one has created an operational plan with a large scope overall or a small scope for each wedding. Weddings require extensive planning and a wedding venue business must be just as deliberate when it comes to preparation, set up, service, and clean up. You’ll want to hire experienced staff members and hire a chef and staff if you’ll be serving meals at your venue. Create meeting schedules, purchase guest furnishings, and build a linen library for on-demand tablecloths and napkins. Include the after-party for your staff: clean-up and repair.
Step 6: Venue Marketing.
Create a website that demonstrates your best work and identifies the venue in the most beautiful orientation. Add your blog with a Q & A section to answer common questions. Market your venue through the bridal parties and photos produced by their photographers, and create unique discounts or packages that you can market extensively on social media. Ask for referrals and use word-of-mouth to grow your business.
Step 7: Customer Relationships.
You’ll want to create contracts for all clients prior to beginning your planning process. The contracts will spell out all limitations, offerings, special options, and boundaries of your services. Your role in customer relationships is to be as diplomatic as possible, even when discussing why their requests can’t be met. The most important factor is to clearly discuss with the client each service, supplies, food, etc. agreed upon in advance. Ask your customer to initial the contracts in several areas to confirm these items. This can be done with respect, while indicating that you are a business person in addition to being their support for their special occasion.
Your wedding venue business can be the foundation for the most celebrated events of life. Following the steps outlined here and creating your business plan will help ensure your business enjoys long-term growth and success.
