So much of marketing yourself as a wedding professional is showcasing your work and spreading the word about your brand and services. Getting featured in print or on a blog is a great way to do that. However, some of the most in-demand publications have put real wedding features behind a paywall due to the almost insurmountable influx of submissions. So it begs the question, is it worth paying for, or would your time and $$$ be better off spent somewhere else? Let’s take a look…

Sign up for all of the free memberships and keep them updated!

Before we dive into paid memberships, we’d be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge that most wedding publications have free membership options. Some even let you create a profile page on their site! If there is a specific publication or publications that speak to your brand we HIGHLY recommend signing up for a complimentary account! While the free advertising can be great for business, it’s important to keep your profiles updated with recent/relevant work, otherwise, it could actually repel potential clients. We understand that it can be time-consuming, but just say the word, and it’s something our team at Masterfully Managed would be happy to take care of for you. 

When and where to pay

Whenever you meet a potential client, the first question you should ask is, “Where did you hear about us?”. This simple question is the most valuable marketing resource you have, and it’s absolutely FREE! This will help you gauge where to put your money. If you find that one publication’s name keeps coming up, or you notice a surge in new followers or inquiries after a feature is published, if and when you have the extra marketing budget to spend, that’s where you want to put it.  

For increased bookings

While they often go overlooked, local publications can be very effective, if you’re looking to increase your bookings. Now we’re not talking about the tiny 1” square ad in the back of the local wedding magazine. The only print feature worth paying for is a full advertorial spread. Ads that don’t look like ads always work best. Local publications are also great for e-mail and social media marketing. Couples who are looking for vendors in a specific area often sign up for their email lists or follow them on social media, so it’s a great, easy way to get connected with couples who are actively searching. Before you sign up for any packages, always ask for a trial or temporary membership. Even if it’s a bit pricier when all is said and done, at least you won’t be locked in, and you can see if it’s worth the cost before you commit. 

For increased visibility/reach 

If it’s more followers you’re looking for or increased brand recognition, then you’ll want to go with a publication that has a great reach on social media. Here are the stats on some of our favorite online publications to submit to:

Style Me Pretty

The originator of the “light and airy” aesthetic, SMP is a powerhouse rocking 1.2m on IG and 6.4m on Pinterest! 

Paid Membership: $99/year

Here’s what’s included:

• Strengthen your marketing efforts with a landing page on
• Style Me Pretty that works with your Real Wedding submissions.
• Link to your Website
• Your Logo & Profile Image
• Location Listings
• Social Media Links
• Enhanced Submission Visibility
• Custom Galleries
• Premium Feature Placement
• Other Services & Amenities

Wedding Chicks

With just under 1m (979k) followers on IG and 4.9m on Pinterest, Wedding Chicks is one of the most diverse wedding publications out there, this is a great way to spread the word about your brand and get followers.

Paid Membership: 3 Tiers to Choose from ranging from $144-$420/year 

Here’s what’s included:

• Flexible one-off direct-to-audience package add-ons
• Vendor Profile
• Built-in Blog Where You Can Upload Entire Blog Posts
• Promote your Instagram
• Portfolio with photos/videos
• Add and request reviews
• Links to features on Wedding Chicks and outside websites
• Connect with the newly engaged
• Add emails to your email lists
• Promote specials
• And More

Carats & Cake

Carats & Cake has an Instagram following of 687k and a Pinterest following of 35.6k. Like Style Me Pretty, Carats & Cake also offers a free vendor profile with some basic features. 

Paid Membership: $420-$540

• What’s Included:
• Enhanced Profile
• Manage Featured Weddings
• Expanded Bio and Portfolio
• Priority Search Placement
• Testimonials
• Inquiry Form
• Priority Wedding Review
• Exclusive Media Opportunities 
• Vendor Spotlight
• Request a Wedding Tool

These publications lean more toward mainstream, but if you have a more niche publication that appeals directly to the specific aesthetic or audience you’re trying to build, that may be worth considering as well. 

We know that keeping tabs on all of your subscriptions, profiles, and submissions can be overwhelming, but just say the word, and we’ll take care of it for you! At Masterfully Managed, we can keep your profiles updated on a monthly basis and manage your submissions. Just schedule a quick call with Katie to go over the details, and let us take care of the rest! If you are one of our clients and you do pay for a membership or listing to any publication, let us know, and we will prioritize submitting there, as your chances for features will go up significantly.

Let’s Stay Connected!

Follow us on Instagram for encouragement, BTS, and more as we share tips, client work, and more. Wondering where our clients have been featured? Check out our client press success here. Stay tuned for our newsletter coming SOON with insider knowledge, freebies, & more!