The Ultimate Guide to Book Your FIRST Wedding Client
Starting a wedding calligraphy business (or truly – any wedding business!) is always so exciting! Honestly, I still feel like quitting my job to pursue this crazy entrepreneurship ride to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Today, I want to share a little bit more about what it takes to book your first couple as a wedding pro! I know from experience that while you may have a passion for beautiful lettering and a desire to serve couples on their special day, you might not know where to begin when it comes to securing your first customer. In this post, I’ll share some of my top tips on how to showcase your work and land your first customer in the wedding industry.
Ask your family and friends if they know anyone getting married
Firstly, tap into your network and see if you know anyone who’s getting married. Offer to help with their stationery and signage. This will not only give you valuable experience but also provide you with plenty of opportunities to capture photos of your work. Don’t forget to ask the photographer for the professional shots when the time comes. These images will be crucial in showcasing your talent – trust me! I always ask my couples who their photographer is so I can reach out after the wedding.
Participate in a Styled Shoot
A styled shoot is a collaborative event in the wedding industry, which usually involves a variety of vendors coming together to create a photoshoot. Styled shoots are great for gaining visibility and showcasing your work. Photographers, florists, planners, calligraphers and other creatives all come together to create stunning settings (resulting in stunning images!) that vendors can use in their portfolios and on social media.
As a new vendor looking to book your first couple in the wedding industry, reaching out to participate in a styled shoot offers plenty of benefits. You will get exposure to the right audience (wedding planners, photographers, venue owners etc.), gain valuable experience working with professionals in the industry and most importantly beautiful images of your work that you can show future clients. Plus, participating in a styled shoot as part of a larger team allows you to network with other industry professionals who could potentially refer you to their future clients!
If you’re getting married yourself, take advantage of the opportunity!
If happen to be getting married yourself, why not seize this incredible opportunity to showcase your calligraphy skills and create bespoke calligraphy details for your own wedding? By adding a personal touch to your special day, not only will you make it truly unique and memorable, but you’ll also gain experience and (hopefully!) have photos to showcase your work to future couples. This is a chance to leave a lasting impression and create cherished memories, all while demonstrating your incredible talent. Take it!
If the above three options don’t work, create signage and stationery for a “fake” wedding
Now, let’s say none of the above options are feasible at the moment. In that case, consider creating signage and stationery for a “fake” wedding. You can still make it look as realistic and beautiful as possible, and have fun with the design elements. Plus, you’ll be able to practice all aspects of calligraphy from envelopes to place cards, and get some great photos for your portfolio in the process! It’s a win-win situation! So gather up your supplies, grab a few friends to help out, and have some fun putting together a lovely wedding that only exists on paper. This way you can hone your skills and show the world what you can do. And have fun while you do it!
Essentially, I believe in building your portfolio first in order to book your first client.
Being a wedding service provider is more than just marketing. The key is to have a portfolio of work that you can confidently showcase to prospective clients and couples. Once you have an impressive collection of examples (trust me – this does not need to take as much time as you think!), you can leverage platforms like Instagram or create your own website to market your business. However, it’s important to remember that securing your first customer usually occurs after you have tangible proof of your expertise and exceptional work.
I’m cheering you on! So go out there, showcase your talent, and confidently take the first steps towards booking your first customer in the wedding industry. With determination and a strong portfolio, you’ll soon find success in the wedding calligraphy industry. In the meantime, comes find me on Instagram where I’m always sharing advice and insight behind the scenes. I love to network with and mentor new vendors in the wedding industry!
