We recently connected with Bretta Thompson and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Bretta thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s easy to look at a business or industry as an outsider and assume it’s super profitable – but we’ve seen over and over again in our conversation with folks that most industries have factors that make profitability a challenge. What’s biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?
One of the biggest challenges to profitability in the wedding industry is the misconception that what we do is simple or the same for everyone. Many people see the final result, a beautiful wedding day, and assume it was easy to make happen. What they do not see are the hours of planning, communication, travel, writing, and emotional energy that go into each event.
There is also constant pressure to defend pricing. Couples sometimes compare what we offer to others without understanding the value of professionalism, experience, and the level of service we provide. That often leads to requests for discounts on services that already have tight profit margins.
Another factor is the seasonal nature of this work and the high level of competition. Add to that the influence of social media and fast changing trends, and it becomes even more challenging to maintain steady income and meet client expectations at the same time.
One issue that has become especially harmful is the rise of local Facebook wedding groups. These groups allow couples to ask for vendor recommendations, but what has happened over time is a flood of underpriced and unqualified individuals offering services far below industry standards. I spent time in those groups and saw firsthand the damage it causes. Many of these individuals are not running real businesses. They are not insured, they have no contracts, no website, no formal training, and no long term track record. And yet they are bidding for the same clients as those of us who do this full time and take our work seriously.
The constant race to the bottom on pricing in those groups is doing real financial harm to professional vendors who rely on this work as their full time career. Cheaper is not always better, and unfortunately, we are seeing more and more stories of couples being scammed or disappointed by people who should never have been hired in the first place.
These groups are not helping the industry. They are encouraging a culture where the lowest price wins, and where real professionals are drowned out by noise. It is frustrating and discouraging, and I truly believe the wedding industry would be stronger and more sustainable if that type of platform disappeared altogether.
Profitability in this field takes more than passion. It takes business skills, professionalism, years of experience, and a commitment to doing things the right way. That should never be undercut by someone looking to make a quick dollar at someone else’s expense
Over the years, I have had dozens of couples reach out in complete panic after being ghosted by a vendor they found through social media groups. In many of these cases, the couple handed over their hard earned money without a real contract in place, or worse, with no contract at all. These situations are far too common, and they continue to happen because couples place trust in individuals who are not running legitimate businesses.
The truth is, many of these so called vendors are not professionals. They do not have legal protections in place. They do not carry insurance. They have no systems, no experience, and no commitment to continuing their education or growing their business the right way.
Social media groups have become one of the worst places to find experienced wedding professionals. Too often, people believe they can plan or officiate a wedding just because they have done it once. But that is not what defines a professional. A real wedding professional brings years of experience in the industry, invests in education, attends workshops and trade shows, and stays informed on best practices. They guide couples, educate them, and help them understand what matters and what to avoid.
The damage caused by underqualified individuals is real, and I see it more often than I should. Couples deserve better. They deserve vendors who take their work seriously and run their businesses with honesty, professionalism, and care.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I did not grow up in the wedding industry. In fact, I did not get started until I was 39. I was a late Business Bloomer! My very first connection to weddings began when I drove a limo for a local wedding venue. Week after week, I watched couples on their wedding day and something about the energy, the fast paced environment, the details involved in the day and watching it all come together drew me in. I started to fall in love with the industry from the driver’s seat, literally!
About 3 months after starting this job as a limo driver, a friend asked me to officiate their wedding. I said yes, (with a lot of hesitation) not fully knowing what I was stepping into. This was NEW Territory! But once I did it, I was hooked! I officiated weddings for four years and realized how powerful that role was. Then another friend asked me to help plan their wedding. That was it. I was officially bit by the wedding bug.
I jumped in with both feet. I studied everything I could about wedding planning. I took professional certification courses, asked questions, did the work, I was a SPONGE… and kept showing up to learn more. Eventually, that passion turned into a full time business. Today, my team and I provide officiant services, elopements, wedding day coordination, and planning support across Central Indiana.
What sets us apart is that we are real people doing this as a real business. We do not cut corners. We show up early, we stay late, we treat every couple with respect, and we run a fully licensed and INSURED, Professional company. Every script is written just for that couple. We do not believe in copy and paste weddings.
What I am most proud of is the number of couples who walk away feeling heard, understood, but FULLY supported. We are there for their questions, concerns, worries, fears. Our goal is to give them their Best Day Ever! I built this business on relationships and trust, and we have worked with thousands of couples who know that we care about them as people, not just as clients. Not just a paycheck.
This work is not just a job. It is something I feel honored to be a part of every single day! I don’t take a single for granted. Running a business is HARD. It’s not 9-5, it’s 24/7. But I know that We are the lucky ones, most small businesses fail within the first 7 years, and here we are, 13.5 years later, still going strong!
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
The best source of new clients for me has absolutely been investing in a professional company to build and maintain my website. They not only created a beautiful and user friendly site, but they also handled all of the behind the scenes work like SEO, marketing, and getting my business seen on major platforms like Google, Bing, and Yahoo.
Having a team that understands how to get your business on page one changed everything for me. It took the guesswork out of online visibility and allowed me to focus on what I do best …..serving couples. The right digital presence attracts the right clients, and for me, it has been a game changer.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
I started my business without loans, investors, or outside financial help. I built it from the ground up using my own money and a lot of hard work. Early on, back in 2012, I worked a second job as a school bus driver for about six years. I took those paychecks and poured them into my business little by little.
There were no shortcuts. I bought what I could afford, reinvested every chance I got, and slowly grew my business. Over time, that effort paid off. We have never taken out a loan or owed anyone a single dime. My business is fully owned and built by me.
It taught me that you do not need to have it all figured out or have a huge budget to begin. You just need determination, patience, and a willingness to work for it. And DRIVE! You HAVE TO WANT IT! It can be frustrating, exhausting, and challenging. Watching what I built grow from nothing into what it is today has been one of the most rewarding parts of being a business owner.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.justthetwoofusweddingservices.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justthetwoofusweddingservices/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justthe2ofusweddings
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bretta-thompson-204b64112/
Image Credits
I took all of these photos with my Iphone for our marketing.