What is your wedding business, and when did you start it?
Our wedding business is an online wedding directory that is aimed at brides to be getting married in Loch Lomond in Scotland, and provides them with information on local and national wedding suppliers who can supply to that area.
We came up with the idea in 2007, as a means of expanding my husband’s links page, which was getting too full, and also from discussions with other wedding suppliers who felt advertising costs were too high.
What makes your service unique?
We are unique in that we offer free advertising to all wedding suppliers who can provide to the Loch Lomond area. We are passionate about supporting wedding suppliers to grow and develop their businesses, regardless of their hours of work, where they work and how long they have been in business.
What is the best thing about doing what you do?
Definitely the numerous “thank you” messages that I get from wedding suppliers who have had bookings through our website. In fact, one small wedding supplier told me a few days ago that in the 3 months since she joined our directory, she has had more bookings than ever before and she wouldn’t go anywhere else!
What can you offer your clients to use your services?
For brides to be, we offer:
- A wide variety of wedding suppliers in each category to choose from.
- Discounts and special offers
- Wedding fairs where they can meet our suppliers face to face
- A discussion forum where they can post questions and chat to other brides to be.
- A Facebook page where we provide regular updates, as well as 6 other social media pages.
- A printed brochure
For suppliers we offer:
- Free advertising – this will never change. While other directories may have a yearly fee, ranging from £10 per year up to £300, we will remain free.
- The opportunity to share news and discounts with our brides to be
- Regular newsletters
- Inclusion in our printed brochures
- Adverts placed on a first come, first served basis, not in order of preference, or on what you pay.
- The opportunity to take part in our wedding fairs
- The opportunity to submit a ‘guest blog’ article to our blog, to further promote themselves to our brides to be.
- Regular opportunities to meet with us and with our other suppliers, to develop the sense of ‘team’.
What has been you're favourite moment in your business?
In 2010, we were nominated for six awards. We’ve already started to be nominated for awards in 2011.
I also enjoy getting to know other wedding professionals, networking and helping each other grow.
Do you have anyone you aspire to?
I read a lot of fantastic blogs out there which give me lots of ideas and I’m good friends with other directories and we also swap ideas. In fact, I am collaborating with some on a few projects this year.
Where do you hope to be in five years time with your business?
I have a lot of ideas that I am keeping to myself right now, but we will definitely still be around in five years time.
Twitter: www.twitter.com/wedatlochlomond
Facebook: Your Wedding at Loch Lomond
