8 Ways to Support Local Wedding and Event Pros
Hey, babes! Thank you for keeping an ear out for how you can help & support small business!
I wanted to share some real ways you can help businesses during COVID! One of the industries that has been hit the hardest is the Wedding & Event Industry.
A lot of unlucky couples have had to postpone their big day, a day they have been planning for over the span of a year and dreaming about for much longer. Not only are couples having to make huge changes to their weddings, but the Wedding Planners, Photographers, Florists, Mobile Bars, Bakers, and so many more have suffered losses in bookings.
Here are some ways we can help them! Everything from a share on social media to booking that engagement or family portrait session you’ve been meaning to book will help so much. Take it from these 8 business owners!
Their websites and Instagrams are linked below. If you’re feeling like the Super Woman you are, give their IG’s a follow!
Thank you for your kind heart. Sending you and your family best wishes at this time. xx -Gina
Alexa Kritis Events // Photo by Dmitry Shumanev
Alexa Kritis | Alexa Kritis Events // IG
“Reschedule don’t cancel! We’re still open for inquiries.
I also have a special rescheduling + wedding day management package for brides who had to postpone their weddings and didn’t hire a planner.”
Tampa, FL
Andrejka Photography
Andrejka Hirschegger | Andrejka Photography // IG
“Don't stop booking! Keep inquiring and keep planning. Use this time to plan your weddings and get everything done. You can pre-book portrait sessions for future dates. After stay-at-home orders are lifted, a lot of photographers’ schedules could fill up fast with everyone rescheduling, so this is a reason to book now for the future so you can get on their schedules.”
St. Pete, FL & Northern Michigan
Ashlee Hamon Photography
Ashlee Creighton | Ashlee Hamon Photography // IG
“I second all of these ideas! Pick even just one, it helps so much.
I’d also like to add to take advantage of other offerings. Some vendors are offering gift certificates and special pre-booking offers. Taking them up on it and telling your circle is incredibly helpful to keep cash flowing toward fixed expenses. Personally, I am offering extended minis at a great price that can be used for up to 1 calendar year. They can be used for anything and it is so helpful for myself and my clients to have something to look forward to..”
Tampa, FL
By Cherry Photography
Cherry Thomas | By Cherry Photography // IG
“There are many ways to help and support! One way is to share your wedding or portrait photos and tag the photographer to give her or him a boost in exposure. Another way is to leave your photographer glowing reviews on Google, Knot, and Wedding Wire.”
Santa Barbara, CA
Regina As The Photographer
Kristen Hansen | Flawless Fêtes and The Cabooze // IG
“There are lots of ways to support your event professionals at this difficult time. First, make sure to keep them in the loop with your plans - if you're rescheduling, as soon as you can get a date locked in that is going to have a big domino effect for the rest of your team. If you unfortunately have to cancel, be upfront with them since everyone is trying to stay on top of their availability and of course, their finances during this strangeness!
If you haven't been impacted by COVID financially, try to stick with your original payment plan, even if your date is delayed. Your vendors are losing a lot of income so it can be a huge help to keep them afloat.
Find out if your vendor is branching out or evolving in some way through the chaos. Order some to-go meals from your caterer! See if your florist still has the resources to send some arrangements to brighten a friend's day!
We at Flawless Fetes have a mobile bar, The Cabooze, integrated into our business that we're taking out on "Contactless Cocktail" routes! The events industry is full of supremely creative people that will find ways to make any situation work for them - support their endeavors in any way you can!
Last but not least, give them a social media shout if they're going above and beyond and are handling the changes with grace and consideration. This is a very stressful time for us all and we're doing our very best.
A kind word can go so far!”
Tampa, FL
Regina As The Photographer
Regina Rached | Regina As The Photographer // IG
“Reschedule and postpone instead of canceling, share us, support and promote us, leave reviews if you’re past clients (for weddings it’s Google, Wedding Wire and The Knot). We are still booking for future dates but our current couples who are being rescheduled are also choosing future dates, so this is something to be aware of.
I will be offering discounted photo sessions to purchase for the future. Can be used for couples, boudoir (oh yeah!), families, businesses (branding and headshots) etc. I am also renovating a new studio in May so that I can do more one-on-one sessions to make up for lost wedding/event income.”
Tampa, FL
Southern Star Events // Photo by Jennifer Alyssa Photography
Sabrina Gordon | Southern Star Weddings // IG
“Sharing our social media pages, write reviews, like our pages. I’m also still booking for future date so virtual consultations are available!”
Tampa, FL
Citrus Press Co. // Photo by Lifelong Photography Studio
Sarka Nichol | Citrus Press Co. // IG
“A lot of potential clients are concerned that our printers are not open. On the contrary– they are open and are filling orders as per usual.
I’ve been keeping my email subscribers updated but will post a notification on my landing page on my website as well, IG and Facebook to get the message out. For those clients that I was working with and have been affected and had to postpone their wedding, I’ve personally given them a 30% discount on any reprints or future orders towards their new date so that their costs were lowered and their ‘changed the date’ announcements are 20% off until Dec 31!”
Tampa, FL
