9 Ways to Get More Bookings as a Celebrant

As a celebrant, getting more bookings requires a proactive approach, strategic marketing, and consistent efforts to build relationships within the wedding industry. In an increasingly competitive market, it’s essential to stand out and attract your ideal clients by showcasing your unique skills and services. This means not only delivering unforgettable ceremonies but also consistently promoting yourself and making meaningful connections within the industry.

By implementing the right strategies, you can significantly increase your visibility and get more bookings, ensuring steady growth for your business. Here are key strategies to help you get more bookings and grow your celebrant business.

1. Create a Venue Strategy

Building strong relationships with wedding venues is crucial for getting more bookings. Celebrant Tara successfully built her business by implementing a focused venue strategy. Here’s how you can do it:

• Reach Out to Venues: Start by making a list of potential venues and reaching out to their managers. A personal touch goes a long way, so pick up the phone and introduce yourself.
• Build Relationships: Write to venue managers and event coordinators, expressing your interest in working with them. Make it a priority to visit these venues in person.
• Attend Networking Meetings: Go to local networking events where venue managers and other wedding professionals gather. This helps in building face-to-face relationships.
• Visit Venues: Make time to visit as many venues as possible. Award-winning Celebrant and one of AMC’s Celebrant mentors, Tara, visited 30 venues, significantly boosting her network and visibility.

Watch Celebrant Mentor Tara’s story here

2. Optimize Your Social Media to get more bookings

Effective use of social media can dramatically increase your visibility and attract potential clients. Here are some tips to optimize your social media presence:

• Optimize Your Bio: Ensure your bio clearly states what you do, including relevant keywords like “wedding celebrant” and “ceremony specialist.”
• Use a Professional Photo: A high-quality, professional photo helps create a great first impression.
• Professionalize Your Profiles: Maintain a consistent, professional look across all your social media profiles. Ensure your profile pictures, cover photos, and descriptions are aligned with your brand.
• Add Links: Include links to your website, booking app, and other relevant sites in your bio to make it easy for potential clients to reach you.
• Post Regularly: Share celebrant-related content regularly to remind people of what you do. This could include photos and videos from ceremonies, client testimonials, and behind-the-scenes insights. You never know who’s watching or who might recommend you to a friend.

For more detailed tips, check out this Social Media Guide for Celebrants.

3. Follow Up with Every Lead

Prompt follow-up is essential for converting enquiries into bookings. When a potential client contacts you, respond quickly and professionally. If you don’t hear back, follow up more than once to show your enthusiasm and commitment.

We’ve written a whole guide on how to Master client enquiries and optimise your leads.

4. Network and Attend Events

Networking is a powerful tool for celebrants. Attend local wedding fairs, open days, and industry events to meet potential clients and connect with other suppliers like photographers and florists. Arrive early to make the most of networking opportunities and take photos for your social media.

Read how Miranda Ash, one of our rock star Celebrant Mentors, made friends, found creative partnerships and turned networking into a booking referral stream: Networking as a Wedding Celebrant

5. Market Yourself Effectively

Marketing yourself as a celebrant involves showcasing your unique selling points and consistently putting your best foot forward. Here are some ideas:

• Highlight Your Unique Story: Share your journey and what sets you apart as a celebrant. Personal stories resonate with couples and help build a connection.
• Showcase Testimonials: Positive reviews and testimonials from past clients can significantly influence potential clients’ decisions.
• Offer Valuable Content: Write blogs, create videos, or host webinars that provide value to couples planning their weddings. This positions you as an expert in your field.

For more marketing ideas, visit How to Market Yourself as a Celebrant.

6. Don’t Neglect Marketing During Busy Seasons

Summer is often a ‘silly season’ for celebrants with back-to-back weddings, but it’s also a prime time to gather referrals for future bookings. Here’s how to keep your marketing efforts consistent, even when you’re busy:

• Gather Referrals and testimonials: After each ceremony, ask happy couples for referrals and reviews. Word-of-mouth is a powerful marketing tool.
• Be Prepared: Have business cards ready to hand out at weddings or ceremonies. Make sure your contact information is easily accessible.
• Turn Lead Generation into a Process: Systematize following up with enquiries to ensure no potential client slips through the cracks. Automate as much of this process as possible.
• Stay Visible: Even when busy, keep posting on social media to remind people of your services and showcase your latest work.

Read our guide on Word of Mouth Marketing for Celebrants

7. Get More Visible with Local PR

Local PR is a powerful way to increase your visibility and get more bookings. Here’s how to leverage it:

• Reach Out to Local Media: Contact local newspapers, magazines, and radio stations with interesting stories about your work as a celebrant.
• Pitch Unique Angles: Share unique and heartwarming stories from ceremonies you’ve conducted, or discuss trends in the wedding industry, bonus points if they have a local angle!
• Build Relationships with Journalists: Regularly provide journalists with valuable content and insights, which can lead to ongoing coverage.
• Participate in Community Events: Get involved in local events and offer your services for community ceremonies, which can generate media interest and enhance your local profile.

If you’re new to getting PR, follow our step-by-step guide to getting media coverage

8. Offer alternative services

Alternative services allow you as a Celebrant to serve a larger audience, and all it takes is a bit of out-of-the-box thinking and creative marketing. If you’re a funeral celebrant, there are lots of alternative, funeral related services you can offer using your unique skillset and wedding and family celebrants are getting creative too.

Related: 7 Services Every Funeral Celebrant Should Offer

9. Be Proactive and Consistent

Success as a celebrant doesn’t come from sitting back and waiting for bookings to fall into your lap. Take consistent, proactive steps to market your services and build relationships. Celebrant Andrew D Scott booked more than 175 ceremonies in his first two years by being proactive, contacting venues directly, and leveraging every opportunity to showcase his services.

Read Andrew’s story here

Conclusion

Getting more bookings as a celebrant requires dedication, strategic planning, and a willingness to go the extra mile. By creating a venue strategy, optimizing your social media, following up with leads, networking effectively, and consistently marketing yourself, you can build a successful and thriving celebrant business. Remember, putting your best foot forward, being proactive, and maintaining confidence in your abilities is key to attracting more clients and growing your business.