The Ultimate Engagement Season Checklist for Wedding Venue Owners

As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, engagement season rolls in, marking one of the most popular times for couples looking to tie the knot.

With about 40% of couples getting engaged between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day, this season offers venue owners a prime opportunity to increase bookings and highlight their space.

Here’s how to get your venue ready for engagement season.

Enhance Your Online Presence

With many couples starting their wedding planning online, a strong digital presence is essential.

• Update Your Website: Ensure your website is up-to-date with high-quality images — don’t forget to credit the photographers — along with current pricing, available packages, and inclusions. It is also helpful to include testimonials from past clients to build trust. Do a final website audit to double-check that all of your links work, so that you don’t frustrate any potential clients as they look for information. 
• Engage on Social Media: Share photos from events at your venue, behind-the-scenes content, and planning tips. Use relevant hashtags to increase visibility, and make sure to tag all the necessary vendors so that you can give them credit and increase their awareness.
• SEO Optimization: Use keywords related to engagement and wedding venues in the content on your website to improve your search engine ranking, which will help couples find you more easily. It can also be helpful to engage an SEO consultant to help optimize your website technically to improve your rankings. Creating blog posts for unique content that you want to be ranked for is a great way to attract new leads. For example, if your venue is dog-friendly, create a blog post about the best dog-friendly venues in your area to help couples as they search (like this).
• Refresh Listings: Take the time to refresh your venue’s information and pictures for any third-party listings, including affiliate sites such as  WeddingPro, Here Comes the Guide, Zola, Party Slate, and more. 
• Reviews: As you head into engagement season, make sure you have strong reviews across all the major platforms (Google, Yelp and any affiliate sites you are listed on). You should target a 4.5 rating or higher, and at least 15 reviews per platform so that you can build trust with couples. It is recommended that you respond to all reviews – both positive and negative – which will also help foster trust with future couples. 

Elevate Venue Aesthetics

First impressions matter, so make sure your venue is in top shape.

• Maintenance: Conduct a thorough walk-through to ensure everything is functioning properly. Create a punch list of items that need attention, including any paint touch-ups. 
• Seasonal Decor: When couples walk into your venue, you want it to feel warm and inviting. Consider incorporating seasonal decorations that highlight the beauty of your venue during this time of year. 
• Welcoming Environment: It is helpful to have a clean, quiet and comfortable space where you can sit down with couples during or at the end of the tour. Some soft music and comfortable seating will help put couples at ease. You could think about using a ready room, which likely already is a fun and welcoming space. 

Streamline The Booking Process

Ease of booking can significantly impact your conversion rates.

• Communication: Be responsive to inquiries and don’t forget to follow up to keep your venue top of mind. More than likely, couples will be reaching out to get information to upwards of 10+ venues. Prompt and consistent communication can set you apart from competitors.
• Availability Calendar: If you haven’t already, update your online tools to include an availability calendar where couples can see what event dates are available at your venue.

Create Attractive Packages

Consider developing new packages that cater to couples looking for unique and more turnkey experiences.

• Packages: Create packages that align with seasonal trends, like Fall-inspired décor or Winter wonderland settings. You can also bundle planning, in-house decor, and bar packages to provide a more turn-key experience for clients.
• Offer Incentives: Discounts on bookings made during engagement season can encourage couples to choose your venue. Another option is to include an extra service, such as decor, at no cost, to add value to your space versus discounting the price.

Prepare for Tours

Couples will want to tour your venue before booking, so ensure the experience is welcoming.

• Welcome. Putting couples at ease as they enter your venue will help create a relaxed atmosphere as they tour. Consider offering couples a welcome drink or displaying brochures to look through as they enter the space. 
• Tour: It’s helpful to outline the key points you want to highlight to make sure you touch on what differentiates your venue. Even more importantly, listen to the couple and understand what is critical to them. Customize the information you share to include the information they’re looking for.
• Create an ‘Instagrammable Moment’. Couples will be touring a lot of different spaces, so you will want to find a way to stand out. One way to make your venue memorable is to set up an area where couples will want to take a picture and hopefully tag you on social media. Consider having a local artist create a backdrop or install a light wall, and don’t forget about your showcasing your in-house services like a photo booth if this is one of the amenities you offer couples.

Host Open Houses or Venue Showcases

Showcasing your venue all “dressed up” as if you are going to host an event can help couples envision what their wedding may look like at your venue.

• Schedule Events: Organize an open house or wedding showcase during January when you have an influx of new couples interested in touring your venue. You can partner with florists, caterers, and photographers to showcase a complete wedding experience.
• Community Involvement: Consider hosting community events or charity fundraisers at your venue to increase visibility and goodwill.

Get Your Venue Ready for More Couples This Season

Engagement season is a golden opportunity for venue owners to shine. By enhancing your online presence, creating attractive packages, and ensuring your venue is ready for visitors, you can set yourself apart even in a crowded market. With thoughtful preparation, you’ll not only attract engaged couples but also create memorable experiences that will resonate long after their special day. Embrace the season and watch your bookings soar!

Need some additional help or support to prepare your venue for engagement season? 828 Venue Management Company operates event venues across the nation and are experts in the venue management space. We bring expertise, unparalleled customer service, and a team of professionals dedicated to your venue and its success. Contact us today, we’d love to learn more about your unique venue and how we might partner together.