Wedding & Event Business Trends & Tips for 2023

With the year coming to an end and a new one upon us, it's time for wedding and event professionals to think about the business practices and goals they want to implement in 2023. In fact, it can be the key to a successful year, with a Harvard Business study finding that people who set goals are 10 times more successful than those without them. Not sure where to start? Here are some trends and tips to inspire you!

Focus on Sustainability

All businesses are making sustainability a priority in 2023—and event pros should definitely look for ways to make events more environmentally friendly. In fact, a poll from The Knot found that 70 percent of the 15,000 couples surveyed said they want to include eco-friendly activities on their wedding day.

But as Gauri Manglik, CEO & co-founder of Instrumentl, an institutional fundraising platform, points out, it’s not just about using recycled paper and compostable plates. “People want to know that when they go to an event, they're making a difference—and while they don't necessarily have to be saving lives or building houses, they do want to know that they're doing something positive with their time and money,” says Manglik.

Incorporate Technology

We live in a tech-centric world and that isn’t changing anytime soon, so planners might as well use it to their advantage. The right tech can make your occasions more efficient and enjoyable for guests, such as utilizing event management software to streamline the planning process and offering contactless payment options for vendors and clients. And encouraging the use of apps can also make it easier for guests to find event info, registry details, book hotel rooms, and more. This also means using and making the most out of technology that can set you up for success, like the Aisle Planner all-in-one suite of tools that can help you organize, streamline, and manage every aspect of your business!

The increase in technology also goes beyond the planning stages. Virtual reality is a huge trend that many clients want to incorporate into their events to give guests an immersive experience they’ll never forget, notes Davin Joseph, marketing manager of MyEnamelPins. The pandemic also brought live streaming to a new level, and people are still offering it so that guests who can’t attend in person are still a part of the special day.

Boost Social Media

Social media is more important than ever for promoting your business, as well as upcoming events. Make sure you have a strong social media strategy in place to reach as many people as possible, including high-quality photos, tagging vendors and business partners, coming up with effective hashtags, and making it easy for potential clients to get in touch.

Make a Good Impression Online

The design of your website should be appealing and easy to navigate, says Abdullah Prem, event marketer and founder of Bloggersneed. Be sure to use creative title tags that are keyword rich and list contact information prominently on pages such as event descriptions or RSVP forms.

Get Creative With Marketing

While the past year has been busier than ever for event pros, it’s still important to keep promoting your business and attracting new customers. Social media is important, but you can also get creative with your marketing efforts. This could involve partnering with local businesses and influencers, as well as offering unique incentives such as early bird pricing or complimentary tickets. 

Set Up a Security Plan

Unfortunately, we live in a world where security cannot be an afterthought. Showing clients that you have a firm security plan in place for all types of events will make them feel more secure about entrusting you with the logistics of their event. Read Security & Safety at Events: Planning for Worst-Case Scenarios for more details on security plans. 

Hero photo courtesy of Maggie Moriah Photography