The Do’s and Don’ts of Networking with Wedding Planners and Venues
How to Build Relationships That Grow Your Performance Business
Networking is one of the most powerful tools for singers and musicians performing at weddings — but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. Building genuine, lasting relationships with wedding planners and venues can lead to consistent bookings, referrals, and long-term partnerships. But the difference between being remembered and being ignored often comes down to how you approach it.
Here are the key do’s and don’ts to help you master professional networking in the wedding industry.
DO: Lead With Value, Not Self-Promotion
The biggest mistake performers make is jumping straight to “Can you book me?” Instead, lead with how you can make their job easier.
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Offer a short, polished promo video or EPK (electronic press kit) that shows how seamlessly you fit into an event.
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Highlight how you’re flexible, professional, and low maintenance on the day.
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Mention how you help keep guests entertained during tricky transition moments (like drinks receptions or room turnarounds).
💡 Example: Instead of saying, “I’d love to perform at your venue,” try:
“I’ve worked with a few similar venues and know how important flow is on the day — I’d love to offer something that complements your guest experience.”
DON’T: Send Mass, Generic Emails
Planners and venue coordinators receive dozens of cold emails every week. If yours reads like a copy-paste template, it’ll be ignored.
Take time to:
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Personalise the email — mention something specific about their venue or a recent event they hosted.
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Use their name, not just “Dear Wedding Team.”
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Keep it short, conversational, and focused on how you can fit their aesthetic or clientele.
DO: Show Up Where They Are
Networking doesn’t just happen online. Wedding professionals hang out in specific spaces:
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Local wedding fairs or showcases (great for meeting planners face-to-face).
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Facebook and WhatsApp groups for wedding suppliers.
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Instagram hashtags like #UKWeddingPlanners or #WeddingVenuesUK — follow, comment, and engage.
Engagement is your first impression. Be visible, helpful, and genuine — not pushy.
DON’T: Forget You’re Representing Your Brand
Everything you post or message is a reflection of your professionalism. Avoid:
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Complaining about clients or other vendors online.
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Oversharing personal drama on your professional pages.
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Being too informal in early communications.
Keep your tone friendly but polished — venues want to know that when they recommend you, they’re backing someone reliable.
DO: Follow Up (The Right Way)
One polite follow-up after a week or two is totally fine — and often necessary. But how you follow up matters.
Instead of “Just checking in to see if you got my email,” try something that adds value:
“I recently recorded a new acoustic version that might suit your venue’s vibe — happy to share a clip if you’d like.”
This keeps the conversation active without coming across as desperate or pushy.
DON’T: Ignore Relationship Maintenance
Networking isn’t about a single message — it’s about long-term connection.
Keep in touch even when you’re not asking for work:
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Congratulate planners on events they’ve posted.
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Tag venues in social posts when you perform there.
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Send a thank-you message or share professional photos after a gig.
You’ll be amazed how much goodwill that builds over time.
DO: Present Yourself Like a Partner, Not a Performer-for-Hire
The best relationships in the wedding industry are collaborative. Position yourself as someone who enhances the overall guest experience.
Talk about how you can:
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Match your set list to the venue’s atmosphere.
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Help with transitions between ceremony, drinks, and evening.
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Work in sync with planners and other suppliers to keep the day smooth.
Planners want trusted partners, not just talent.
DON’T: Undervalue Yourself
Being friendly and flexible doesn’t mean lowering your worth. Confidence in your pricing, process, and quality tells planners you’re professional and consistent — which is exactly what they need.
Final Thoughts
Networking in the wedding world isn’t about hard selling — it’s about building trust. The more you can position yourself as reliable, easy to work with, and a joy to have at an event, the more you’ll be recommended.
Start small: pick two local venues or planners you admire, reach out with a thoughtful message, and follow up with value. Over time, those connections can grow into partnerships that keep your calendar full all year long.
