Tag: wedding planner tips

Wedding Industry Biz

Top 5 Software Programs Every Wedding Planner Needs in 2022

By Erin Giberson on

Most wedding planners would agree that producing a successful event comes down to organization and creativity. 

The good news is that today’s planners have a range of software options to help with how they set up their systems and explore their artistic visions! 

And while we might think it would be nice to have just one app or program that does everything, the truth is that the most effective planners use a selection of tech options that are best suited to their businesses. 

So, to help you stack your tech deck, we’ve compiled the top 5 software programs that every planner needs in 2022.

Top 5 Software Programs for Event Planning 

Best Software for Creating Timelines

Timeline Genius is a smart software that thinks through the wedding day details with you – keeping you organized, confident, and calm. With numerous features and tools to communicate with vendors and clients, it will save you time while letting you customize and personalize event timelines.

Best Software for Digital Billing and File Management

Rock Paper Coin is an online billing platform that lets you manage contracts, invoices, payments, and documents all in one place. With its streamlined system, you don’t have to deal with the stress and guesswork of traditional paperwork.

Best Software for Planning + Designing Venue Layout

Merri is an all-in-one, 3D visualization platform that provides all the tools you need to envision, plan, and design events. Since it includes everything from inspiration to seating charts and vision boards, you can see how floral and décor details will come to life in selected venues.

Best Software for Customer Relationship Management 

REFINE for Wedding Planners offers education, community, and support for wedding professionals who want to grow their businesses. Specifically, The Refine Portal is a CRM designed for weddings planners that is made by wedding planners. In addition to not having blackouts, it allows you to both back up and restore your work. It also offers a variety of event tools and is even available offline. 

Best Software for Color Palette Creation

PANTONE Studio is a design app that lets you build and create palettes with 3D application. You can also customize any look with full design tools and use built-in features to share your vision.

Invest in Yourself + Your Business

All things considered, trying out new software for your business can at first feel a little scary. But, ultimately, it pays off in time saved and long-term growth.

It’s equally important to remember that these software options are more user-friendly than ever and provide responsive technical support when you need it. 

In fact, we’ve even gotten to talk with planners about investing in wed-tech options and automating existing business systems.

So, try one out. Or, better yet, create the software stack that best supports you and your business needs!

 

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 089: Savannah Kilpatrick and Brooke Bowenschulte Empower You to Try New Tech Options for Wedding Planners

By Erin Giberson on

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Do you want to use software programs in your business yet aren’t sure how? Are you using certain apps but want to try something new?

Maybe you’re hesitant to leave what generally works or are worried about onboarding. Perhaps you feel strapped on time. 

In fact, we understand the reasons. We know it’s an investment to try new tech options. And that’s exactly why we’re using this episode to talk about what you can do to get the most out of technology for your business!

So, be sure to tune in!

Savannah Kilpatrick is the Director of Operations for Timeline Genius, a smart software that creates customized wedding day timelines. Savannah began her industry career after interning with CeCe Todd and ultimately launching her own wedding planning and floral design company. She was also previously the Director of Customer Success at Aisle Planner. Now, she oversees the way that Timeline Genius serves its planners as well as how it executes its #smartwithheart mission.

Brooke Bowenschulte is Timeline Genius’ Account Development Manager. Brooke holds a degree in hospitality management and is herself a Certified Wedding Planner. She was also a former Event Coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs before working as a Sales Director for a rental company. In her current role with Timeline Genius, Brooke directly demos our software and helps planners learn the specific ways it can support their businesses. 

In this episode, Savannah and Brooke talk about the intersection of the wedding industry and tech software. Specifically, they encourage you to invest in your business by trying out what today’s wedding tech companies have to offer.

Read More “WII 089: Savannah Kilpatrick and Brooke Bowenschulte Empower You to Try New Tech Options for Wedding Planners” →

New Feature

[New Feature]: Streamlined Editing from Every Timeline View

By Erin Giberson on

 

Timeline Genius now lets you make edits in any timeline view!

As you may know, our TG software gives you four planning views: Edit, Assign, Collaborate, and Remind. Previously, you could only make changes from within Edit. But now the Enhanced Editing Feature allows you to simply click and make edits from any view! Read More “[New Feature]: Streamlined Editing from Every Timeline View” →

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 085: Dixie Bagley Talks about How to Say “no” and Stand Your Ground

By Erin Giberson on

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If you find it hard to say no, then you’re not alone. Especially in the event industry, it can be difficult to set boundaries, even when you deserve them. 

That’s why this guest shares the powerful way that she determines what she wants and says “no” when something isn’t right for her. 

Want to hear how you might apply the same strategy?

Be sure to tune in to this podcast episode!

Dixie Bagley is the Founder of The Southern Wedding Collective, a boutique online wedding marketplace, as well as Dixie Lee Events & Designs, an event coaching and consulting firm.  Additionally, she owns the wedding venue The Farm and co-owns a bakery called The Sweet Bar. She is also a certified wedding planner, mentor, and national speaker.

In this episode, Dixie talks about why it’s critical to say no to what isn’t right for you. Specifically, she shares how she gets clear on her no list in advance and effectively sets her boundaries. Ultimately, she explains how this approach benefits her business and creates the space for new opportunities.

Read More “WII 085: Dixie Bagley Talks about How to Say “no” and Stand Your Ground” →

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 084: Alison Laesser-Keck and Bryan Keck On the Driving Force of Hospitality

By Erin Giberson on

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For this planning-duo couple, a background in hospitality reinforced deeply held beliefs in the value of service and of kindness. In fact, it led to developing the confidence that allowed them to make critical decisions for their company that ultimately paid off.

Want to hear how you can apply these principles to your own wedding planning business?

Be sure to tune in to this podcast episode!

Alison Laesser-Keck and Bryan Keck are the owners of Alison Bryan Destinations, a high-end wedding planning company. Alison serves as Event Producer & Creative Director while Bryan manages operations as Director of Events & Travel. In addition to their extensive hospitality experience, they have produced weddings globally since 2008. For their work, Alison Bryan Destinations is named one of the best wedding planners in the world by Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, BRIDES, and Over The Moon.

In this episode, Alison and Bryan share the way that they approach wedding planning from a place of being all-in. Specifically, they address the way that serving others and treating everyone with kindness leads to choosing couples who trust them to take the risks that create an elevated experience. Above all, they share why hospitality is their driving force. 

Read More “WII 084: Alison Laesser-Keck and Bryan Keck On the Driving Force of Hospitality” →

Wedding Industry Biz

The Value of Using Digital Storage Options to Capture Event Memories

By Jeff and Shea Cohen on

Easily Commemorate Every Wedding

As a planner, one of the most important elements of helping couples is making sure that everything from their Wedding Day gets commemorated. After all, they are going to want to look back on the memories of their special day and even share it with their family and friends.

This generally means two things. First, you help them with hiring an amazing photographer to capture all of the day’s beautiful photos. Secondly, you help them with hiring a phenomenal videographer so all of the day’s moments are always remembered.

But there’s another emotional component of the wedding that oftentimes gets forgotten when it comes to commemorating them forever… and that’s the cards that are received from all of the guests. Many of these cards include personal and sentimental messages from family and friends, but what does the couple do with these cards? Do they get stored in a shoebox? A drawer? A folder? In an era of never-ending new technology, isn’t there a way to save these digitally?

Well, now there is, and it’s E-Bration! Based on our own wedding experience, we created this perfect digital solution!

E-Bration is an online platform that saves the memories of every card and message collected from important life event celebrations.

And when it comes to important celebrations, weddings are right at the top of the list!

Why it Helps to Offer Your Clients Digital Solutions

So, how can E-Bration help you and your clients? There are two ways that you can offer couples this digital card storage solution.

Read More “The Value of Using Digital Storage Options to Capture Event Memories” →

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 083: Troy Williams on the Role of Artistic Intuition in Designing Moments Your Guests Will Feel

By Erin Giberson on

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Whether it’s a detail designed for the guest of honor or one sitting off to the side, this industry leader says the key to producing events that keep people talking is to bring joy to planning each moment the guest will experience.

To hear more, be sure to tune in to this podcast episode!

Troy Williams is the Principal + Event Designer at Simply Troy Lifestyle + Events, where he designs and produces events for celebrity, corporate, social, and charity clients. With over 20 years of industry experience, his background includes working as a Senior Publicist for Warner Bros. Pictures on over 450 premieres and special events. He is also a national speaker, television host, and lifestyle expert. Additionally, he was recognized in BizBash 500 Most Influential Event Professionals, and he is listed as a top wedding planner by Harper’s Bazaar, PartySlate, and Brides.

In this episode, Troy talks about the roles that gratitude, kindness, and intimate details play in designing events filled with unforgettable moments. Specifically, he says to listen to your intuition so that what you create will be authentically felt by others. 

Read More “WII 083: Troy Williams on the Role of Artistic Intuition in Designing Moments Your Guests Will Feel” →

Wedding Industry Insider Podcast

WII 082: Lindsay Landman Shares Her Handbook for Scaling Your Wedding Planning Business

By Erin Giberson on

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Is expanding your business one of your goals? Do you want to learn more about how to do it? According to this guest, the first step is to figure out the numbers that reflect not only where you’re at but also where you want to go.

So, be sure to tune in for this podcast episode!

Lindsay Landman is the President and Creative Director of Lindsay Landman Events, a planning, design, and production firm that executes events in New York and around the world. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2021, Lindsay Landman Events has its own complete in-house production team, as well as headquarters in both New York and California.  BizBash even named Lindsay in The BizBash Top 1000 People in the U.S. Event Industry.  She also has been recognized as one of the world’s best wedding planners by VOGUE, Harper’s BAZAAR, and BRIDES.

In this episode, Lindsay challenges common misconceptions about pricing and explains why scaling requires more than booking a client with a larger budget. Specifically, she breaks down what you can do to successfully scale your wedding planning business.

Read More “WII 082: Lindsay Landman Shares Her Handbook for Scaling Your Wedding Planning Business” →