Wedding gigs are rewarding opportunities for all involved. They’re typically high-paying, offer a chance to gain repeat clients, build your portfolio, and create lasting memories for the couple. Whether you’re a musician, entertainer, or event service provider, read on for tips on how to get booked for wedding gigs.
Types of wedding services and entertainment
You may wonder if you can be booked for weddings, and the answer is probably yes! There are many different types of entertainment and services hired for weddings. From musicians to services to specialty acts, there is a place for you on a wedding vendor list.
🎶 Musical Acts: Music is a crucial part of nearly any wedding, from the ceremony to the cocktail hour to the reception. DJs, jazz bands, cover bands, singing guitarists, string quartets, strolling violinists, and unique musical options like 80s tribute bands are often hired for weddings.
📸 Event Services: From serving food to capturing beautiful moments, various event services are necessary for an exciting wedding. Wedding photographers, bartenders, caterers, waitstaff, and photo booths are common choices for couples.
💃 Specialty Performers: Couples often hire additional performers to take their weddings to the next level. Dancers, strolling tables, and interactive performers like aerialists and stilt walkers may be hired to add exciting elements to receptions or cocktail hours.
Tailor your services to weddings
Wedding gigs are complex and unique due to the variety of moments and timeline of events. The performances or services can look very different depending on the wedding’s size, theme, and couple’s plans. To increase your chances of a couple hiring you for their wedding, plan to adjust your services to your specific client’s ideas and the general wedding structure.
Wedding Nuances
The first step to being booked for wedding gigs is fully understanding the nuances of offering services or performing for a couple’s big day. The emotional significance of a wedding, in addition to the general cost and length of time spent planning, makes it important that you are knowledgeable and on the top of your game.
Familiarize yourself with the typical wedding timeline and common themes such as vintage, modern, rustic, or bohemian. This way, you can be prepared to match your services and talents to any wedding accordingly.
🎭 Check this out: 5 Things Every Performer Should Know About Wedding Gigs
Personalization
A huge part of providing wedding services is customizing them based on the wedding couple’s desires and demographics, the season, and the wedding’s location and theme. Consider how you can meet various wedding requests.
As a singing guitarist, this may mean being open to a wide variety of song requests or the option to play as a band. As a bartender, this will mean seasonal drinks or batch cocktails for large weddings. To ensure that your clients receive exactly what they envision, ask plenty of questions and adopt a flexible mindset.
Wedding Packages
Create packages that cater to each part of a wedding day, such as a ceremony package, a cocktail hour package, and a reception package. Each package can include services tailored to the specific needs of each moment. Then, you can break these packages down by pricing, offering a few different tiers of service. Accommodate various budgets and goals with options, which will, in turn, increase your chances of a client booking you.
📝 Get tips for building your client list: How to Get Repeat Business and Why It Matters
Develop a professional online presence
An online presence is crucial for booking wedding gigs. Couples often begin their search for wedding vendors online, relying on websites, social media, and reviews to make informed decisions. A well-maintained online presence that showcases your portfolio, client testimonials, and services will help establish credibility and trust.
SEO
Ensure you are visible online when someone searches for services. SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is the practice of enhancing a website to improve its visibility on search engines like Google. Optimizing your website and online profiles with relevant keywords, high-quality content, and engaging visuals will increase your visibility to those searching for wedding services. With a GigSalad profile, you can enjoy the perks of strong SEO ranking, so you can spend more time doing what you love.
📈 Read this: 6 Tips on How to Boost SEO for Your Website
Quality Media
To attract more wedding gigs, create and post a variety of media that showcases your talents and services, professionalism, and ability to create memorable wedding experiences. Use professional, high-resolution photos and videos that capture the essence of your services. Show your energy, interaction with guests, crowd reactions, and a variety of gigs so potential clients understand your diverse range of skills.
Reviews and Additional Content
Reviews from past clients highlight how well you met their expectations and provided an unforgettable experience. Couples planning their dream wedding will definitely want to read reviews before contacting or hiring you. Be sure to always request client reviews and post them on your website and any other online profiles. Positive feedback builds trust, showing prospective clients that you are reliable and skilled at what you do.
⭐ Tips for reviews: How to Handle Reviews: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Make connections
Networking is crucial for wedding industry performers and service providers because it opens doors to new opportunities, fosters collaboration, and builds a strong reputation within the community. Connect with potential clients as well as other professionals to share referrals and gain insights into industry trends. Strong networks not only lead to more business but also to better event experiences for clients.
Wedding Expos
Showcase at local wedding expos to connect directly with engaged couples and wedding planners seeking services for their special days. Create a booth and display your work. By engaging face-to-face, you can build trust and rapport quickly. You may even walk out of the expo booked for an upcoming wedding! Additionally, wedding expos are a great place to network with other industry professionals, leading to potential collaborations and referrals.
👥 Find more tips here on setting up a booth: How to Attract Crowds to Your Trade Show Booth
Local Networking
Perform or offer your services locally, such as at farmer’s markets and restaurants, where couples may be together. Couples planning a wedding and searching for a particular vendor may spot you at a local event and decide that you’re a perfect fit! Prepare business cards or a printed QR code that is easily viewable so you can quickly provide your website and contact information.
Social Media
Promote your work on social media with high-quality videos and photos. Consider using a variety of platforms, from Instagram to Facebook to TikTok. Advertising on social media also provides an easy way for potential clients to reach out, ask questions, and even book you. Lastly, be careful with what you post, ensuring every video is professional and will not deter potential clients from hiring you for their wedding.
🌟 You might also like: Marketing Tips to Stand Out From the Competition
Exceed expectations
Go the extra mile at weddings to increase your word-of-mouth booking chances and guarantee a glowing review. Through being professional, courteous, and friendly, your client and guests will have a wonderful experience, and you’ll be filling up your wedding calendar.
Professionalism
Before the big day, discuss setup times and details so you know exactly when and where you need to be. Plan to be a little early to avoid causing unnecessary stress. Stay professional with your demeanor before, during, and after the event, and communicate clearly and often. Keep a positive attitude even if you’re under stress yourself as this can go a long way in adding to the general atmosphere at a wedding.
⬆️ Get expert advice on booking gigs: 12 Proven Strategies for How to Book More Gigs
Customer Service
Planning a wedding can be very stressful. Increase your likelihood of a client booking you by providing friendly and personal customer service from the first moment they contact you. Try to respond quickly to potential wedding clients’ contacts from the original quote request to set a precedent that you are responsive and reliable. Aim to address any questions or concerns directly and keep messages short to communicate clearly.
Grateful Appreciation
After the wedding, send a thank you to the couple and/or the wedding planner. Sending a thank you to clients after an event is a thoughtful gesture that demonstrates your appreciation for their business and solidifies your professional relationship. Your appreciation for the opportunity will encourage them to either write a positive review, consider you for future events, or ensure the wedding party recommends you to friends and family.
📱 Gigging tips: Why the Work Doesn’t Stop When the Gig is Done
Securing more wedding gigs requires a blend of a strong online presence, excellent client relationships, and effective networking. By showcasing your work, engaging with potential clients, and consistently delivering unforgettable experiences, you’ll build a reputation that speaks for itself. Stay proactive and passionate, and watch your wedding bookings soar.
GigSalad works, but don’t just take our word for it!
Check out these talent spotlights to see real stories from real GigSalad users and learn their tips for success.
🎧 Meet wedding DJ Queendoq
🎸 Meet singing guitarist Austin Ellis
🎷 Meet jazz guitarist James Apollo
🤸♀️ Meet aerialist Malin Bergman
📸 Meet videographer/photographer David N. Chico
Matt Holland is a Customer Happiness Agent at GigSalad. With 10+ years of experience performing as a jazz drummer, he has gained insights into the life of a gigging musician as well as what makes an event go off without a hitch. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, cooking, and watching the newest TV shows with his wife.