From the glittering lights of Las Vegas to the enlightening buzz of over 150 sessions, the Wedding MBA 2024 was a whirlwind of inspiration and actionable insights. As wedding professionals gathered to share ideas and trends, the Peak Beverage marketing team dove deep into seminars on business growth, emerging technology, and creative strategies tailored for the wedding industry. Here’s our take on the sessions that left us invigorated and ready to elevate our services to new heights.
SHOUT IT, SAY IT, LIVE IT: Publicize and Monetize Your Reviews
You know that feeling when you’ve just nailed an event and you’re waiting for that sweet, glowing review to pop up? Well, turns out, getting those rave reviews is more than just waiting around for happy clients to sing your praises. At this year’s Wedding MBA, one speaker made it crystal clear: reviews are your golden ticket to growth—if you know how to ask for them. So let’s break down the cheeky (and super useful) tips we learned on how to make your review game stronger than ever.
- Ask Confidently: Don’t shy away—ask for reviews boldly at key moments like contract signing or after an event. A casual, “Have you seen our reviews? We’d love to hear your thoughts!” works wonders.
- Perfect Timing: Ask 2-4 weeks post-wedding, when the love-high is fresh. Set a reminder to hit that sweet spot.
- Get Personal: Skip the generic request. Mention heartfelt moments from their event to make your ask memorable.
- Surprise & Delight: Go the extra mile with small gestures or upgrades. It’s the secret sauce for glowing reviews.
- Incentivize Smartly: Reward staff mentioned in reviews to build a motivated team—but keep it classy with clients.
- Make It Easy: Use QR codes or custom links so clients can review without hassle. Convenience = more reviews.
- Give Purpose: Explain how reviews help other couples or support small businesses. Make them feel part of something bigger.
- Always Respond: Reply to every review, good or bad. It shows professionalism and gratitude.
Pro Tip: Treat your clients like VIPs, and the reviews will naturally follow.
The Un-Open House: The Death of the Open House
At this year’s Wedding MBA, one presentation captured the room’s attention in a way few others did—a dramatic farewell to the traditional open house. Delivered with flair by Ian, a former opera singer turned venue owner, the session wasn’t just a eulogy for an outdated practice but a call to action for wedding professionals to embrace data and rethink how they connect with couples.
Here’s the key takeaway: traditional open houses often create more friction than bookings.
The Problem with Open Houses
- Low ROI: Data showed no sales boost during open house months. Skipping them in 2024 slightly increased bookings.
- Unqualified Attendees: Open houses attract “just looking” couples who rarely book, leaving venue staff stretched thin.
- Overwhelming Atmosphere: Crowds and distractions create friction, pushing couples away instead of drawing them closer.
- Lack of Personalization: The chaotic nature of open houses makes it nearly impossible to connect with serious buyers.
Smarter Alternatives
- Private Tours: Focused, distraction-free tours build stronger emotional connections.
- Virtual Walkthroughs: Let couples explore your venue at their own pace with high-quality video tours.
- Exclusive Events: Invitation-only gatherings create a more intimate and targeted experience.
- Fake Weddings: Mimic the magic of a real wedding to engage couples emotionally without vendor booths or crowds.
As Ian powerfully concluded, “Rest in peace, open house. Your job here is done.” For venues ready to evolve, the future looks brighter with smarter, more intentional practices.
Crystal Ball: Next Year’s Trends
By Andrea Eppolito
One of the first sessions we attended set the trend for the rest of the conference—and the pun was definitely intended! In Crystal Ball: Predicting Next Year’s Trends, renowned event planner Andrea Eppolito unveiled her predictions for the hottest wedding trends of 2025. Here’s a glimpse of what couples and planners can expect to see next year:
- Bold Black & White Weddings: Timeless yet trendy, this color palette continues to dominate with its clean, striking aesthetic.
- Art and Imagination: AI-generated concepts are inspiring grand, creative designs—from oversized foam sculptures to opulent table centerpieces.
- Low Centerpieces: A practical trend aimed at fostering guest interaction. As couples curate seating charts to encourage mingling, unobtrusive centerpieces make conversation easier.
- Resurgence of Monograms: A personal touch is back in vogue, with monograms appearing on invitations, décor, and throughout the wedding day.
- Fashion as a VIP Guest: Couples are encouraging guests to join in the theme with unique, event-specific dress codes.
- Imagery Everywhere: Engagement photos are evolving from save-the-dates to creative wedding décor elements. Couples are incorporating their photos in innovative ways, like photo cannons.
- Dazzling Crystals: Outshining metallics, crystals are taking center stage. They reflect colors and light to elevate the ambiance in any setting.
- Central Focal Points: One standout design piece can anchor the event, drawing guests’ attention and making a memorable statement.
- 50 Shades of Grey: Grey is set to be a versatile, elegant color for weddings, perfectly complementing a range of palettes.
- Our Personal Favorite — Elaborate Bar Installations: Bars are the heart of wedding celebrations, where guests naturally gather. Eppolito emphasized the importance of large, accessible, and visually striking bar setups—a trend Peak Beverage wholeheartedly embraces as we strive to create unforgettable experiences for every couple.
Eppolito’s insights sparked endless inspiration, and we can’t wait to incorporate these ideas into our bar services to elevate the weddings we serve in 2025!
WeddingPro: Max Marketing
By Jenny Lewis
We thoroughly enjoyed Jenny Lewis’s (CMO of The Knot Worldwide) insightful session on maximizing marketing to reach more couples. Her key takeaways from 2024 served as a refreshing reminder and roadmap as we gear up for 2025. Here are the standout lessons:
- Brand Matters: Jenny emphasized that how your brand shows up and translates across all marketing channels is critical to creating a lasting impression. Consistency is key.
- Take Calculated Risks: She posed a thought-provoking question, “What would you do if you knew you would succeed?” This exercise challenges marketers to push boundaries and innovate boldly—a mindset we’re excited to bring to Peak Beverage’s strategies in 2025.
- Adapt to Change: The marketing game is evolving rapidly, and tactics that worked in the past might not be effective today. Staying flexible and learning to adapt is essential for staying ahead.
- Lean on Your Community: The wedding and events industry thrives on collaboration and positivity, including relationships with clients. Supporting and connecting with this tight-knit network can drive success for everyone involved.
- Embrace AI Thoughtfully: AI can act as your copilot, streamlining tasks and increasing efficiency, but it’s not a replacement for authentic human connection—a principle we hold close at Peak Beverage as we strive to balance innovation with personal engagement.
Jenny’s session left us inspired to refine our marketing efforts and take bold steps to ensure we’re connecting meaningfully with our clients while staying ahead of industry trends.
As we reflect on our time at the Wedding MBA 2024, it’s clear that the insights we’ve gained will help us innovate and enhance our services in the coming year. From refining our marketing strategies to aligning with the latest trends, we’re excited to elevate the experiences we offer to our clients. Whether you’re planning a wedding, corporate event, or celebration, Peak Beverage is here to help make your vision come to life with creative bar services tailored to your needs.
Stay tuned next week for our blog, where we’ll dive deeper into the latest technology trends we’ll be embracing in 2025!
Ready to bring your event to the next level? Contact us today to start planning a bar experience your guests will never forget!