Hi, I'm Michaela.

Just a gal that likes pretty things and making others feel joy.

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First things’s first, If you’re wondering wtf I even know about the wedding industry as a website and branding designer, allow me to tell you. I spent 9 years in the wedding industry as a weding photographer. I know the ins and out from being in it + designing for wedding pros. Now that’s established so let’s get back to the point of the blog post.

If you’re a wedding industry professional you’ve probably noticed a large dip lately. Lot’s of you have been like its GHOST down over here. And when you do get an inquiry you’re hoping and praying for a response… amiright? Luckliy you’re not alone… although we’d rather all be thrivin, booking. But you’re probably wondering why it’s felt harder attracting wedding clients in 2025.

Bookings are a little slower. Inquiries are more thoughtful. Couples are more selective.

If you want to keep attracting wedding clients in 2025, you can’t rely on just posting images on instagram and hoping that brings inquiries. You’ve gotta meet today’s couples where they are now.

Here’s what I’m seeing, and how you (yes YOU, whether you’re a photographer, planner, florist, stationer, or venue owner) can adapt to these wedding industry changes:

1. Today’s couples want connection over perfection.

Have you noticed that already? Maybe yes, maybe no?

What you are probably noticing is these things when you get an inquiry:

→ Couples asking more personal questions
→ More inquiries that start with “We love your vibe” or “You seem so fun!”
→ People booking based on personality, not just portfolio

Why? Because today’s engaged couples (hello, mostly millennials + Gen Z!) are over the stuffy, ultra-curated vendor vibe. After spending so much time in isolation they (we) are CRAVING connection. They want to work with real humans they trust, not faceless businesses that look good on Instagram but feel cold.

These buyers are buying for the experience, the people, they care about who is surrounding them on their wedding day.

So here’s what to do to connect with them:

Show more of YOU on your site and socials (behind-the-scenes, personality, team)

Before you eyeroll about having to show your face on social media, just know there’s a reason that your comeptitor who shows up constantly sharing their life, their face, and bts is booking out further. They built trust and connection with their people. They feel REAL.

You can do this by starting small sharing your life share your to-do list, your favorite recipe you just made, literally act like you’re texting your bestie.

ps. If the reason you’re not doing this is because your worried about so and so seeing it, BLOCK EM. This is your business, your livelyhood. If what’s holding you back is those people, remove them.

Write website copy that sounds like you talk… not generic or overly formal

Why? Because it needs to be an extension of YOU, the brand. Be yourself and be your brand EVERYWHERE. Don’t just pour all of your energy into instagram. Your website should be the #1 poilshed place for your business.

Yes I know it’s an investment, but it’s one that truly pays off. ( Hi just me plugging myself (; View our packages)


Infuse your values + approach into your brand visuals

Doing this by making the way your branding looks be exactly how it should feel. Weird thought, but it’s true. Are you calming, are you electric, are you bold, or are you soft? All of this can be reflected properly with your branding visuals.

As a designer when I design your logo and put together your color palette, these are the #1 things running through my mind. ( View our logo design packages)

When you lean into connection, you start building trust before that inquiry ever lands in your inbox.

2. Transparency builds trust (and more bookings).

2025 couples want to know what they’re getting into, and fast. If your website or Instagram leaves them guessing about your pricing, process, or availability? You’ve probably already lost them.

This generation of clients has grown up expecting transparency. They don’t want to waste time chasing vendors who might not fit their budget or vibe.

Key thing to note: chasing. They are not chasing anyone these days!

Easy things you can do right now to do that for them:
– List starting prices (or full pricing) on your site
– Map out your process visually (timelines, steps, what happens after inquiry)
– Write clear FAQs to handle common questions
– Keep your contact page friendly, clear, and inviting

Remember: transparency isn’t about “giving away too much” it’s about making it EASY for dream clients to say YES.

Featuring my besite who recently got married talking about trying to find a venue and not finding any info on their site. Not even a pricing starting point! Not givng them info leaves them FRUSTERATED…aka they’re gone.

3. Couples want vendors whose brands match the experience they provide

Can I tell you something….
A lot of wedding pros I work with are AMAZING at what they do… but their brand and website are holding them back. Truly..

In 2025, couples are researching harder than ever. They’re bookmarking vendors, saving Instagram posts, stalking Pinterest, comparing 5-10 vendors before inquiring. ( They’re comparing, so are you ready to stand out in comparison?)

If your logo, website design, colors, or messaging feels out of date, disjointed, or… honestly, just meh… you’re losing dream clients to competitors who look more polished even if you do better work.

I’ve seen it.
→ That gorgeous florist with a logo from 2010 and no clear brand
→ Luxury photographer using a the same Squarespace template as everyone else
→ Venue with an amazing in-person experience but a clunky, dark, hard-to-navigate website

Today’s clients notice. And they’re choosing vendors whose online presence matches the elevated experience they’re looking for.

When they feel you put the effort in to take care of your website, brand, experience, they feel like you took care of THEM. It’s actually personal to them.

What to do:
– Invest in a brand refresh (logo, colors, fonts that match YOUR style), you can do that easily right here (;
– Uplevel your website design so it looks polished + functions beautifully, can do that here too!
– Make sure your brand feels cohesive everywhere (website, Instagram, pricing guide, email signature, etc.)

4. Trends in what today’s couples want:

Here’s what’s hot with 2025 couples and where I’m seeing shifts in how they choose vendors:

Personalization: They want their wedding to feel like THEM, not like every other wedding on Instagram. Showcase how you personalize your services and collaborate with couples.

Experiences over “things”: Couples care more about the experience they’ll have with you than how big your floral install is or how trendy your flatlay looks. Tell stories about real client experiences.

Sustainability and intention: More couples are seeking eco-conscious vendors or those who support local businesses/artisans. If that’s your jam say it loud and proud!

Real voices: 2025 clients can smell copy-paste marketing a mile away. Write like YOU. Talk to them the way you would in person.

5. Your website should do the selling for you.

Inquiries are down across the industry right now, but here’s the thing: couples ARE still booking… they’re just booking from vendors whose websites do a better job answering their questions and building trust.

If your website:
🚩 Looks dated
🚩 Has broken links or confusing navigation
🚩 Doesn’t reflect your brand
🚩 Doesn’t show your personality
🚩 Doesn’t explain your process…

…it’s costing you clients.

What to do:
✅ Audit your website (or hire someone who will!)
✅ Make sure every page is intentional, clear, and easy to navigate
✅ Show personality in your copy, especially on your About and Contact pages
✅ Make your portfolio easy to browse and updated for this year’s trends

The bottom line?

Attracting wedding clients in 2025 is all about:

→ Showing up as YOU
→ Being transparent and approachable
→ Creating a brand and website that match your experience
→ Speaking to what this new wave of couples really wants

If your online presence feels stuck in the wrong era (no shame we’ve all been there!), NOW is the time to refresh and get ahead of these trends.

And if you need someone who knows the wedding industry, speaks fluent wedding pro, and can help you bring your brand + website to life?

Hi. You know where to find me. I’d love to help you uplevel this year.


But Before You Go…

If we haven’t officially met yet …. hey, hi! I’m Michaela. I work with business owners ready to invest in a brand and website that do more than just look good, they convert, connect, and grow with you.

If you’re into honest business advice, kind encouragement, and the occasional “okay but let’s be real” moment you’re gonna feel right at home here.

Here are a few ways we can hang out more:

→ Need a website that doesn’t make you cringe?
I design Showit websites that are both strategic and scroll-stopping—so you can finally have a site that feels like you and works like magic.
Check out my Showit design services here.

→ Just need something simple that still gets the job done?
My Bite-Sized Website is a one-page powerhouse: perfect if you need something quick, professional, and built to convert—without going full custom.
Peep the Bite-Sized Website option here.

→ Want to DIY your site but need a solid head start?
Templates are coming soon! I’m creating Showit templates for business owners who want beauty, strategy, and simplicity without the custom price tag. Stay tuned!

→ Love this post? The blog is full of more goodness.
From branding clarity to website tips to running a business when your brain feels like scrambled eggs… I’ve got you.
Catch up on recent posts here.

You can also always reach out directly—send me a DM on Instagram or email me at thedunndesignco@gmail.com. I’d love to hear about what you’re building.

Talk soon,
Michaela

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behind the brand

about
Michaela

designer, strategist, and your go-to for making business easier. I help business owners create brands, websites, and workflows that feel effortless and actually do the heavy lifting. No stress, no fluff-just smart, streamlined systems that help you show up and scale with confidence.