I’ve got some wedding planner swag in my bag!
Every now and then, I come across helpful resources (aka wedding planner swag) for wedding planners + wedding pros. Some are free + some you have to pony up some cash to receive. I try to update this regularly, so you are in the know + have the latest + greatest at your fingertips.
Confession: Some of these are affiliate programs so I receive some cashola if you use my link to buy. I’ll tell you this, though, I usually only tout programs/books/online courses/whatever it is that you’re looking at because I’ve used the stuff myself, liked it + had good results from it.
SEO
Stupid Simple SEO: Most SEO experts tell you to brainstorm the keywords you think your audience is searching for + then find out how competitive these keywords are. Blah, blah, blah.
Mike comes at it from a different (+ mind-blowing) angle. BTW: This is a free email course that Mike offers so what I am about to say is not leaking any of his course information (except that the email course does include some of what he covers in his paid course — Stupid Simple SEO).
Wedding Planning Software
Aisle Planner
: If you are looking for a robust suite of tools to organize + manage your planning clients + weddings, you have found the right tool with Aisle Planner. Now you can use Aisle Planner for non-wedding events too (such as photo shoots, parties, corporate events, and personal projects)! Exciting. WISH this program was around when I was a wedding planner. My good friend Meghan at Aisle Planner gave me free access to take this baby on a spin + it is magnificent. It. Is. A. Must. Meghan also wants you to enjoy 25% off for the first THREE MONTHS on her (+me), so enter promo code WeddingPlannerCopy to save.
Templates/Contracts/Forms
The Contract Shop: One thing you want to do as a wedding planner is to make sure that you dot all you “i”s and cross all your “t”s in your client contract. The Contract Shop offers a wedding/event planner contract written and reviewed by more than 20 legal professionals. You can instantly download the contract, personalize it, and start using it right away.
The Contract Shop also has contracts for wedding photographers, styled shoots, florists, videographers, and more.
Wedding Planner Forms: These forms are the same forms Sasha Souza Events uses in their day-to-day high-end event design business but created so you can download them and use them yourself. This wedding planner form packet has taken years to develop and you can get it TODAY and start using it in your meetings with new and potential clients and vendors. Forms include: Potential client initial phone call form, Potential client intake form/questionnaire, Vendor Meeting worksheets for Catering, Cake, Entertainment, Photography & Video, Transportation, Floral Design worksheets for personal flowers & ceremony/reception flowers and decor, Venue site search worksheet, Vendor contact information worksheet, Event Timeline, Bridal Party Timeline, Budget Template, Personal Item Checklist, Ceremony Overview. This is a huge packet of wedding forms that will save you time and effort.
List Building
Sumo: I’ve been using Sumo as part of my list building for quite some time now. Some big names that you probably recognize use it, too (AirBNB, theChive, Tony Robbins, Tim Ferriss).
Sumo is a suite of tools that help automate your business’s growth. What I love about this tool is it is something that is used by some of the biggest sites on the Internet but is also easy to use + accessible for people like me and you.
Mailerlite: I use + highly recommend Mailerlite. It’s a free (or low-cost option) + easy service that allows you to manage your email list AND build + send e-newsletters + email blasts that look like a pro did it. If you’re on my list then you’ve seen how it works first hand.
Milotree: Milotree offers a pop-up that allows you to grow your social media followers on networks such as Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube + Facebook. As a BONUS, it also allows you to grow your email list so it is a pop-service that combines growing your following via email + on all your social media networks.
WordPress Themes
BluChic: This is one of my fave places to buy feminine website templates. BluChic offers WordPress templates that are perfect for any business + this includes a wedding business. I also find their templates to be super affordable, easy to install + simple to personalize + customize to fit your wedding business. BluChic also offers other types of templates so check them out to help you create your online brand + presence. BONUS: If you purchase a template with my link, send me an email with the email you used to make the purchase + I’ll send you a copy of my Wedding Biz Blogging eBook ($27 Value) FREE.
A Prettier Web: If you’re building a WordPress website for your wedding business or you’re looking to change the theme, but can’t afford to hire a designer to customize it quite yet, check out the WordPress themes from A Prettier Web. BONUS: If you purchase a template with my link, send me an email with the email you used to make the purchase + I’ll send you a copy of my Wedding Biz Blogging eBook ($27 Value) FREE.
Restored 316: Restored 316 offers a variety of feminine WordPress themes, which is perfect for wedding planners that are trying to attract brides and grooms as clients. All of the themes are pretty affordable. If you’re looking for a custom design. Restored 316 offers custom site-building too. BONUS: If you purchase a template with my link, send me an email with the email you used to make the purchase + I’ll send you a copy of my Wedding Biz Blogging eBook ($27 Value) FREE.
StudioPress: StudioPress by Copyblogger Media sells website/blog themes such as Genesis, which allows for full customization. When you choose Startup, Growth or Scale plans for hosting + use coupon code WPE3FREE, you get 3 months of hosting FREE, Genesis Framework FREE + StudioPress Themes FREE. (That’s a lot of FREE). BONUS: If you purchase a template with my link, send me an email with the email you used to make the purchase + I’ll send you a copy of my Wedding Biz Blogging eBook ($27 Value) FREE.
WPBeaverBuilder: If you have a WordPress site or are starting to build a WordPress site then WPBeaverBuilder is a great tool for taking complete control of your website pages + design. It has WordPress page templates but you can also EASILY modify the page design so your site looks + works EXACTLY how you want it to! BONUS: If you purchase WPBeaverBuilder with my link, send me an email with the email you used to make the purchase + I’ll send you a copy of my Wedding Biz Blogging eBook ($27 Value) FREE.
Domains & Hosting
SiteGround: I had my domain name, hosting + email accounts with BlueHost. After a MAJOR problem with them, I searched for and found SiteGround. I find them to be affordable and to offer all the services I need to run my business online. WordPress hosting is not a problem + they offer good customer service when (+ if ) you need it. I highly recommend checking them out if you are starting an online presence or looking to move from your existing host. BONUS: If you purchase a hosting package with my link, send me an email with the email you used to make the purchase + I’ll send you a copy of my Wedding Biz Blogging eBook ($27 Value) FREE.
NameCheap: If you need to buy your domain name, I suggest NameCheap.com. I buy all of my domain names from NameCheap.com. As their name suggests, the domain names tend to be less expensive than other places + I tend to keep my hosting + domain names at separate companies.
Social Media Management
Tailwind: Tailwind is a scheduler for your Pinterest pins. In fact, it is the ONLY scheduler for Pinterest. Pinterest + Tailwind are good buddies. I use Tailwind + I LOVE it. If you use my link, you get your first month of Tailwind for FREE. As a wedding pro, if you’re not using Pinterest, start using it now. Brides + grooms are all over Pinterest + Pinterest is the second largest search engine (second only to Google).
Recurpost: I am in L-O-V-E with Recurpost. It is a social media management tool like no other. Not only can you schedule your social media updates, but it puts your social media updates on autopilot (autopilot on steroids). You see, Recurpost stores your content in categories. You can create a schedule of your categories. Recurpost chooses content from your content library to share from the appropriate category (So you upload content one time and Recurpost uses it over and over again). You can also schedule updates for one-time use. Recurpost is my crush.
Buffer: Buffer is a social media scheduling tool. You can add your social media accounts, create an update one time, and send it out into the social media universe. The main difference between Buffer and Hootsuite is that Buffer does not allow you to monitor other people’s updates from your social media accounts (Hootsuite does). (HINT: If you’re solely looking for a tool to push updates out, then I like Buffer better. If you’re looking for something to schedule updates and monitor your social media accounts simultaneously, then Hootsuite is the better option.) Try Buffer FREE for 14 days.
Loomly: Loomly is a social media scheduler that helps you put your posting on autopilot. It also provides advanced analytics so you can measure how your posts are performing. You can try Loomly for 15 days FREE, no credit card, no obligation.
Design
PicMonkey: I love this monkey! (Maybe I just like monkeys in general because I’m a MailChimp fan too.) I use PicMonkey to create my own “teaser” photos, banners, etc. You can edit a photo online, add text, and add other embellishments. Again, you don’t have to be a design genius to figure this stuff out, but it can help you look like a genius when it comes to promoting your business.
Canva
: Canva has some free pro layouts for various types of promos. Some are Instagram posts, PDF docs, FB cover photos, Twitter profile backgrounds, and more. It offers some free layouts and embellishments and some are paid (I think they are like $1 for each one you use). Awesome way to create professional looking, well…almost anything.
Stock Photos
SC Stockshop
: Wedding Planners are always oooooo-ing and ahhhhhh-ing over my photos that I use for my blog posts, social media updates + Pinterest. SC Stockshop is one of the stock photo shops I use. If you want to pretty up your website, blog, or Instagram feed, check them out. Get 20 FREE styled stock images instantly.
Oh Tilly
: Gorgeous stock photos are so hard to find! I refuse to pay for photos, but want them to look great as part of my blog posts or my teaser banners, or whatever! Oh Tilly is a great resource, with fab photos, and it’s free. Register on the site and she delivers FREE and FAB stock photos to you on a pretty regular basis. Sock away those photos and when you need one for something, start looking at the pics you have on hand. Download the ones you need, when you need them. She also has a paid plan. Grab 15 FREE photos today!
Pinterest for Business
Tailwind: Tailwind is a scheduler for your Pinterest pins. I use it + love it. If you use my link, you get your first month of Tailwind for FREE. As a wedding pro, if you’re not using Pinterest, start using it now. Brides + grooms are all over Pinterest AND Pinterest is the second largest search engine (second only to Google).
Document Sharing & Storage
Dropbox: Oh, where do I begin with how much I LOOOOOOVVVVEEE Dropbox? First, I use two computers–my desktop + my laptop. I have Dropbox installed on both computers, so whatever I write + save on one computer is AUTOMATICALLY available on the other computer. Second, I can easily share documents with my clients by sending them a quick link, so they can access it anywhere, anytime, from their own computer. Finally, I can access my files as long as I have access to the Internet, by logging into my Dropbox account online. NEVER get stuck without access to your files again! (They don’t have an affiliate program, per se, but if you sign up, I do receive extra space in my Dropbox account–oh yeah!)
Affiliate Marketing
Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing: I have dabbled in affiliate marketing over the years, but then I decided to get serious about it. I heard a lot about Michelle’s course Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing. I researched it online. I talked with other bloggers that had taken the course + then I invested in it. I devoured the entire course in one sitting in one night while I was reading in bed. I went back later module by module to implement the strategies, tools + advice that Michelle gives in the course. She’s running a HUGE sale on Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing course April 25-29, 2019 so it’s a lot less than what I paid for the course. Check out Making Sense of Affiliate Marketing + save big now.