We were lucky to catch up with Xuan Mcmartin recently and have shared our conversation below.
Xuan, appreciate you joining us today. What do you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry? Any stories or anecdotes that illustrate why this matters?
I think that there is a lot that Corporate America gets wrong about the wedding industry and what weddings are really like, especially the one size fits all approach. What they’re getting wrong is that they believe every couple wants the exact same thing for their wedding. An example of this could be a venue having standardized wedding layouts, vendors, timelines, etc. that you must choose from for your wedding. Couples want the unique and personal touch for their big day that speaks to who they are as a couple.
Another thing large companies do wrong is leaving out the emotional aspect when it comes to weddings. This is the biggest day of a couples’ lives and will be their biggest commitment to love and each other. There’s a wild misconception that most weddings are just these lavish and over-the-top events where you’re just trying to impress people. I find this concept to be far from the truth for many of the couples I’ve worked with throughout the years. Rather than large guest counts and following trends, couples are in reality putting thought behind their guest list and opting for meaningful touches when it comes to their décor. Some media companies want to treat the timeline like a run-of-the-mill production to a point where it feels less and less like a wedding day and more like a styled photoshoot and production schedule for the couple. I’ve seen a shift in couples now seeking candid wedding day photographers rather than the standard staged wedding photography that we have gotten used to.
Something else that Corporate America gets wrong in the wedding industry is that weddings have to be extravagant and expensive for it to be a meaningful day. From engagement rings to the set expectations set on what is considered essential to weddings, couples are often stressed from the very beginning on what they need and how much they need to spend. Businesses sometimes completely miss the mark when it comes to estimating how many couples are planning weddings on “real life budgets” while still having beautiful and meaningful days – without going into debt. My biggest advice to couples is not to get so caught up in the small details of the wedding and planning that they lose sight of what really matters: and that is each other.
Xuan, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I first got into the wedding planning business when I still had a full time marketing job. I loved being creative and thinking outside of the box, but I always had a passion for weddings and working with people. One reason I love wedding planning is the ability to build a relationship with the couple over the course of their engagement. During the planning process I really work with them to give them the wedding day they’ve been dreaming of. One of my mottos is “I don’t get stuck on the problem, I’m already working on the solution.” Wedding days will inevitably have unexpected things arise and my role is to completely take that stress off of the couple and handle every situation on the big day.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Coming from a marketing background, one thing I excel at is marketing my business. I understand my clientele and what sources they would use to find a wedding planning business. I make sure to list my business on the industry’s leading platforms like Zola and the Knot. I also utilize social media like Instagram and TikTok. In early 2023 I didn’t even know how to make a TikTok / Reel so I took an online course for social media. It was AMAZING and taught me so much as well as help me gain a bigger vision and dream for my business. Through social media I’m able to connect with couples in real-time and showcase my expertise in the industry.
We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.
I brand my business as being the bride’s best friend during the wedding planning process. I try to make myself as accessible as possible to the couple, so they’re able to text and even FaceTime me to go over inspiration photos and ideas they have for their weddings. Couples feel less stressed during the process when they know they can rely on me for professional advice and guidance.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.soontobeweddings.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soontobeweddings/
- Linkedin: https://www.instagram.com/soontobeweddings/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/soon-to-be-wed-riverside-2
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@soontobewed
Image Credits
Photo 1: MCP Photography
Photo 3: Alejandra Scott Photography