In this module, we’re talking about a topic that is on the forefront of all our minds: the growing trend toward elopements and small weddings. We’ve seen this coming for over 2 years and the COVID crisis has just put a bright line around the fact that these kinds of events are going to make up a much larger portion of the pie than anyone had thought pre-pandemic. We're talking about how to make sure your venue is ready for these events.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN WHEN YOU DIVE INTO THIS MODULE:

THE 411 ON ELOPEMENTS AND SMALL WEDDINGS

2020 VBBC • MODULE 6

Refer to the time-stamped show notes below when you want to revisit any particular portions of the episode.

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

SHOW NOTES:

1:46 Even before COVID-19, small weddings and elopements were
trending up.
2:40 How COVID-19 has affected couples wanting to have these
smaller events.
3:53 Why some event venues hesitate to lean into these smaller events.
8:01 Smaller guest counts will be in play through 2021.
8:34 Why it might turn out to be a great thing that venues are going to be shifting their attitudes about these smaller events.
9:41 Defining terms like “small weddings”, “micro-weddings”, intimate weddings, etc.
13:25 The “how” of hosting these smaller guest count weddings.
14:40 Why getting an “extra pair of eyes” on your venue might open up
big opportunities.
16:14 Creating packages for these smaller events.
18:44 Why the critical factor is not cost but “ease” of planning.
20:20 Why you should have a package that is as “all-inclusive” as it can be.
21:21 Misconception: small weddings = small budget. Not always true!
23:03 Potential pitfall of those all-inclusive packages - and how to deal with it.
24:25 Why we created the Event Profit Spreadsheet.
25:36 Three examples of venues getting these small event packages right.
32:29 How you can use creativity to help you book these events.
35:01 Now that you’ve created these great small-guest-count events, here’s how to shout them out.
35:41 Meredith’s personal experience of planning her own elopement.
36:23 How to make sure your website tells couples you want to do these kinds of events. (Which is different than just doing them!)
38:25 Why capacity info of your various spaces is key in marketing these kinds of events.
40:01 How to make sure that you’re optimized for these kinds of events in the places you are advertising.
40:54 Make sure you invest in great photography of your small guest
count weddings.
41:56 How to amplify these events in all your social media.

There's the element of cost, but there's also the element of ease. With small weddings and elopements, the critical factor is the effortlessness for the couple. Anything that you can take off the couple's plate is going to make it that much more appealing for them.

This worksheet will help you work through your various small guest count offerings in detail.

THE PACKAGE BRAINSTORMING WORKSHEET

SPREADSHEET

YOUR TOOLS FOR THIS MODULE

Denise Martinez joined Here Comes The Guide in 2006 after spending several years coordinating weddings and events for popular venues in the San Francisco Bay Area. Over the past 17 years she's spent her time growing departments and revenue streams for the company. She is passionate about building a company that we want to see more of in the world and helping support her team to be the best they can be.

DENISE MARTINEZ

Hayley Forsburg came to Here Comes The Guide in 2019 as a Regional Account Manager, after having been a Director of Private Events, Catering Manager, and Wedding + Events Coordinator. She is passionate about helping wedding venues reach their potential, and she attacks her work each day with fierce intention. She also just so happens to have the cutest family around, complete with a bevy of animals.

HAYLEY FORSBURG

Meredith Monday Schwartz started at Here Comes The Guide in 1997 (we didn't even have a website back then—there might also have been dinosaurs running around!) and was a wedding venue specialist for 10 years before taking over as Chief Bossypants in 2007. In the years since she joined HCTG, she's learned a lot about wedding couples, wedding venues, and running a company profitably—and well.