Want to run a wedding venue? Running a wedding venue is not a part time job! It’s easy to get caught up in all the “excitement” of providing a beautiful landscape for wedding events, after all, a wedding is a happy occasion full of joy and fun. While this is true, a lot of work goes on behind the scenes.
Running a wedding venue is quite time consuming if you plan to make it a profitable business. There are many puzzle pieces that go into running a wedding venue, and as a family run business you will find that most of the puzzle will be put together by you! This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it is something that needs to be thought through.
Do you want to run a wedding venue? Let’s examine a few business owner “must-do’s” that will need consideration.
Marketing
Google search on marketing:
“Marketing is an expansive area of expertise that encompasses many different areas, skills and job descriptions. … Working in a marketing position involves showcasing a company in a positive light, showing why customers should purchase products and drawing in a targeted audience to consider goods and services.”
“A marketing manager is someone who manages the marketing of a business or product. They can be responsible for several services or products, or be in charge of a single product. A marketing manager needs to have an outgoing, gregarious, and spontaneous nature.”
I love that, “needs to have an outgoing, gregarious, and spontaneous nature.” I was trying to think of things that would fall under this category: Advertising, updated website, and all those social media platforms that will have to be kept up to date.
Sales
Google search on sales:
“Sales representatives sell retail products, goods and services to customers. They also work with customers to find what they want, create solutions and ensure a smooth sales process. Sales representatives will work to find new sales leads, through business directories, client referrals, etc.”
In my business this would be first contact through venue tour and follow up questions and concerns. That would include addressing phone calls, website contacts and emails that need responded to as soon as possible. These contacts are important. They come at all times during the day and evening. I always try and respond to these excited brides, like I said, ASAP because this is a very important time in their lives. I want each and every one of them to feel special and important.
Running a Wedding Venue
Customer Service
Google search on customer service:
“Keeping a customer happy means being responsive to their needs and wants. A good customer service experience can turn a one-time customer into a lifelong repeat customer. People like to share their good experiences. Excellent customer service can turn into positive word of mouth.”
When I think of customer service, I think of wedding day. It starts with rehearsal the night before the wedding; to the “lights out” at the end of the evening the next day. There will be instructions to obtain from the bride, chairs and tables to set up and take down, decor to place, garbage to remove, bathrooms to clean, problem resolutions to manage and much more.
Maintenance & Repairs
This category will need to be addressed during the wedding season as well as before the season gets started. The lawn and flower garden areas will need constant care, especially if you have those naughty deer trying to eat all your beautiful flowers that you lovingly planted. Tables and chairs will need a good cleaning before the start of wedding season and before each event. Replacing broken tables and chairs or ruined linens fall into this category as well.
Improvements
Now this is a fun one! However, it can become very time consuming and maybe even expensive. Every year we add something new. This year it’s a hand wash station so we do not have to pay a monthly fee anymore to rent one. I have a bench that needs to be built and some old closet doors that will be made into a back drop for photos. Some flowerbeds have needed attention for a long time. We did re-do them by removing old plants and planting new ones.
Accounting & Administration
If you mention the word accounting to me I almost break-out in hives! Thank goodness my husband has mastered the Quick Books program and takes care of all that “math” portion of the business. Our tax information goes to the accountant every year, we want it done correctly. There will be licenses to keep up, as well as contracts to adjust and maintain. Oh, and don’t forget the website hosting fees.
At first glance owning a venue can seem very overwhelming! Now you understand why I said running a venue is not a part time job. Planning is essential if you want to run a wedding venue. Remember, keeping things simple and organized will make everything more manageable. If you are ready to start that journey you can purchase the eBook: How to Start and Run a Wedding Venue – In Your Own Backyard to get started today. There is a download link with purchase, no waiting!
