When it comes to standing out in a competitive market, wedding PR can be one of the most powerful tools in a venue’s marketing toolkit. Great wedding publicity can instantly elevate your venue’s reputation, strengthen your SEO, and open doors to new relationships within the industry.
But while the benefits of press are clear, getting consistent media coverage as a wedding venue comes with its own set of challenges. Unlike other wedding pros, venues often have to balance showcasing their space with telling a compelling story that appeals to editors and audiences alike.
From real wedding features to industry awards, the right wedding publicity strategy can help your venue earn the kind of press that drives both visibility and bookings. Below, I’m breaking down how to get published as a wedding venue and make every feature work double-duty for your brand’s credibility.
Set Your Wedding PR Goals
Before diving into wedding publicity opportunities, take a step back and define what you actually want from wedding PR. Are you hoping to attract higher-end clients? Build more awareness in your local market? Or strengthen your reputation so other pros refer you more often?
The truth is, press for wedding pros isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your approach should be shaped by your goals. A venue focused on positioning itself as a luxury destination will pursue different media coverage than one hoping to boost weekday bookings or highlight inclusive events.
When you’re clear about what success looks like, it becomes much easier to find opportunities that will move the needle.
Create a Media Plan That Fits Your Venue
Once your wedding PR goals are in place, the next step is to craft a targeted media plan. Think of this as your roadmap to getting published and earning meaningful media coverage.
You’ll want to begin by aligning your PR efforts with your audience. If your ideal couples are reading wedding blogs and local magazines, focus your outreach there. Submit real weddings, pitch story ideas to writers who cover wedding trends, and collaborate with planners who frequently get featured.
If your goal is to expand your industry presence and attract referrals, you may want to look for opportunities that speak to your peers, like podcast interviews, styled shoots, or expert roundups for wedding business outlets.
When building your list of target publications, ask yourself:
- Does my ideal client or referral partner read this outlet?
- Does the publication accept venue submissions or expert commentary?
- Does its editorial style align with my venue’s brand and strengths?
Remember: major wins like Vogue or The New York Times are great for credibility, but they won’t necessarily reach your core audience (especially if you’re focused on local bookings). The best wedding publicity for venues comes from placements that connect you directly with your ideal couples and partners.
Start With Real Wedding Submissions
Real wedding features are the foundation of strong wedding PR. Beyond showcasing your property at its best, these features create long-term visibility and drive SEO through backlinks and referral traffic.
It’s a common misconception that only photographers can get published through real wedding submissions. In truth, many venues successfully lead this process. You simply need to collaborate closely with the photographer to secure permission for image use and align on where and when the feature is submitted. Done thoughtfully, it’s a win for everyone: your venue gains media coverage, your creative partners gain exposure, and your couple gets the joy of reliving their wedding in print or online.
How to Choose Where to Submit
Start by finding publications that align with your venue’s goals and audience. It’s tempting to dream big (and by all means, do!), but strategic alignment matters more than name recognition.
A feature in a well-read local publication often does far more for your brand than a fleeting mention in a national magazine. Aim for outlets where your next booking is likely to come from, whether that’s a regional blog or a niche style platform.
What Editors Look For
Editors receive hundreds of submissions each month, so a little preparation goes a long way. The most successful submissions typically include:
- A compelling story: How did the couple meet? What made their day unique? Editors love emotion, personality, and details.
- High-quality, diverse imagery: Include everything from venue shots and décor details to emotional moments and guest interactions.
- A complete vendor list: Always credit your creative partners with URLs. It builds goodwill and boosts everyone’s SEO.
- Proper permissions: Ensure your couple and photographer are comfortable with the submission.
With thoughtful planning and a collaborative spirit, getting published can become a consistent part of your wedding PR strategy.
Diversify Your Wedding Publicity Opportunities
While real wedding submissions are the cornerstone of wedding PR, they’re just one part of a well-rounded wedding publicity strategy. The media landscape is constantly evolving, and venues that stay visible are the ones embracing a mix of traditional and new opportunities to get published.
Today’s editors, podcasters, and local journalists are hungry for fresh voices and unique stories. That’s great news for venues, as you’re sitting on a goldmine of content—love stories, design inspiration, and event expertise that’s both visual and newsworthy. Here are a few ways to expand your visibility.
1. Pitch Yourself for Podcasts
Podcasts have quickly become one of the most engaging ways to share your expertise and personality. They allow you to connect with listeners in a deeper way, especially if your ideal clients or referral partners tune in.
Look for podcasts that align with your brand. These could be wedding industry shows that speak to creative pros or local lifestyle podcasts that feature community stories. Craft a short, compelling pitch that outlines what makes your venue unique or what insights you can offer (think “behind the scenes of hosting 100 weddings a year” or “how to plan an unforgettable guest experience”).
The best part? Each podcast episode you appear on lives online indefinitely, often with a backlink to your website (another win for your SEO and wedding PR footprint!).
2. Apply for Industry Awards
Awards are an underrated powerhouse of wedding publicity. They offer third-party validation and add an instant layer of credibility that prospective couples trust. Whether it’s The Knot Best of Weddings, Zola’s Vendor Awards, or local recognitions like Best of [Your City] Weddings, these accolades boost your reputation.
Avoid limiting yourself to strictly wedding awards, also. Broaden your reach with small business or design-based honors, like “Top 40 Under 40” or local chamber recognitions. These credentials can improve your image while opening up new PR angles for storytelling.
3. Get Featured on “Best Of” and “Top Venue” Lists
Online “best of” lists and roundups are SEO gold. They’re a blend of media coverage and social proof, helping both search engines and couples see your venue as a trusted choice.
Make a list of outlets that publish regional or national venue roundups. For example, “Best Outdoor Wedding Venues in [State]” or “Most Romantic Spots to Get Married Near [City].” Submit your venue or reach out to the editors behind these lists with professional imagery and a short pitch highlighting what makes your property special.
These articles often rank highly in Google searches, meaning a single feature can drive steady traffic to your site for months (or even years!).
4. Don’t Forget Traditional Local Media
Though we live in a digital-first world, local news outlets, magazines, and TV segments can still deliver incredible wedding publicity results. A human-interest story about a unique couple or your involvement in community events can easily catch a local journalist’s attention.
Think beyond the wedding itself. Maybe your venue is hosting charity galas, offering sustainable upgrades, or creating innovative packages for micro-weddings. Local media love stories that blend emotion with relevance.
To start, draft a short pitch and send it directly to lifestyle reporters or editors at your regional paper or station. The coverage you gain often includes a link to your website, reaching couples in your market while improving your SEO.
Establish Yourself as a Media Expert
One of the smartest ways to elevate your wedding PR is by positioning yourself as a trusted media expert. When journalists and editors see you as a credible source, you open the door to media coverage that builds authority for your brand.
Start by defining your niche. What’s your area of expertise beyond being a wedding venue? Maybe you’re known for destination-style weddings, historic properties, or inclusive celebrations. A clear focus helps writers understand where you fit into their stories and makes you more quotable.
From there, build credibility before you pitch. Regularly share helpful insights on your blog or social media and collaborate on industry content. This way, when a journalist researches you, your expertise is already evident.
Then, find writers and editors who cover weddings or lifestyle topics and reach out with a thoughtful introduction. Offer useful commentary (rather than generic advice) and always be quick to respond when they reach out.
Promote Your Press Wins
Securing wedding publicity is only half the equation. The real magic happens when you share it. Every time your venue gets published, that feature becomes a strong piece of content that keeps working for you long after it goes live.
Be sure to celebrate each feature across your social channels. Tag the publication, thank the editor or journalist, and recognize your vendor team. A simple acknowledgment can go a long way in strengthening relationships and opening the door for future media coverage.
Don’t stop at social media. Create a dedicated Press Page on your website to showcase your features. Keep it current by updating it quarterly and removing anything outdated. Include recognizable publication logos, link directly to each feature, and set up a dedicated media contact email like press@yourvenue.com to make inquiries simple.
Finally, remember to manage your press expectations. Wedding PR takes time. Not every pitch will get picked up, and that’s okay! Be patient and focus on consistency rather than instant results.
Wedding PR That Builds Legacy, Not Just Buzz
Wedding publicity makes for an incredible addition to your venue’s marketing mix, especially as you make plans for a busy booking season. The key is simply choosing wedding PR strategies that align with your goals, audience, and available bandwidth.
That might mean starting small with a few well-chosen submissions, or going all in with a more comprehensive media plan. Whatever your path, consistency and clarity will always win over volume.
And if your plate already feels full, you don’t have to do it alone. A seasoned wedding publicist can help you find the right opportunities, manage submissions, and build lasting media relationships, so you can focus on what you do best: creating unforgettable wedding experiences.
With the right strategy, getting published is the next step toward positioning your venue as one of the most sought-after names in the market!
