Recently, Lou and I hosted about 15 friends for a special-occasion dinner. We planned the menu, sent the invites, tidied up the house, stocked up on groceries, and fired up Lou’s famous smashburgers on his beloved griddle.
Everything was going perfectly—until halfway through, we ran out of propane. 😳
With hungry guests hovering, we had to pivot fast. Out came our trusty cast-iron pans, and we finished frying up those burgers to perfection. Crisis averted!
So why am I sharing this little dinner-party drama?
Because preparation is everything. Sometimes we think we’ve checked all the boxes, but that one forgotten detail can throw a wrench in the whole plan.
For the record, I’m not a fan of scrubbing a greasy stovetop. But I’m even less of a fan of discovering a “hole” in my business funnel that ends up costing me money, time, or a big messy clean-up later.
Why You Need to Prepare Now
That’s exactly why we’re launching our new Facebook Live series: “From Inquiry to Booked: Your Engagement Season Success Series.”
We want you to be fully prepared now—not scrambling once the flood of newly engaged couples starts showing up. Whether you just need a few tweaks or you’re starting your honeymoon and destination wedding business from scratch, now’s the time to get ready. Waiting until January is too late.
Here’s why: nearly 40% of all engagements happen between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day. If we don’t start our “party-planning and invitations” now, we’ll miss the wave.
The Three Big Pieces Every Wedding and Travel Planner Needs
I could turn this into a whole book, but let me highlight three big pieces I believe every wedding and travel planner needs in place before the question, the ring, and the champagne pop:
🌟 A Marketing Funnel
If you don’t have a way to bring in leads while you sleep, it’s time to create one.
A funnel doesn’t have to be fancy; it’s simply the path that helps your ideal client go from “Who are you?” to “I need to book a call with you.”
Ask yourself:
- Who exactly is my ideal client?
- What’s their struggle, and how am I the solution?
- What quick win or advice can I offer that would be worth their name and email?
- What’s my plan to get them to reach out, and what’s in it for them when they do?
Don’t overcomplicate it. Let it flow from who you are. Don’t copy others. You are the reason they’ll book, so your marketing should point directly to you as the solution.
Share your opinions. Show up on social. Create the content you know they’re already searching for.
Need a shortcut? Check out our Content Hero Membership, it’s filled with done-for-you romance-travel content to get you rolling.
🌟 A Consultation Process
We don’t just want leads; we want a way to close them.
In my course, The 20K System & Toolkit, I talk a lot about how to set up a consultation process that feels natural and sells.
Here’s where to start:
- Make it easy for couples to book a call with you: add a form to your website, create a landing page that “sells” your consultation (even if it’s free), and link to an online calendar.
- Decide how you’ll conduct it—Zoom, phone, in-person.
- Prepare a thoughtful questionnaire—not just logistical questions, but ones that showcase your expertise and help you connect with couples emotionally.
(20K students: you’ll find my go-to consultation questions in your download library!)
🌟 A New-Client Workflow
A common mistake I see is nailing the consultation… then panicking because there’s no onboarding system in place.
Avoid that by having these ready:
- Decide what you’ll charge for your services.
- Create a clear list of services for each type of trip: honeymoon, destination wedding, vow renewal, etc.
- Draft a client-friendly contract and set up e-signature.
- Make payment simple with an online invoicing system.
Your future self will thank you. 🥂
Don’t Make the Smashburger Mistake
You might be thinking, “I’m almost there—I just need to fine-tune a few things.” Or maybe you’re panicking a little. Either way, don’t make the smashburger mistake—get prepared now.
Little by little is how you’ll get this done. And trust me, it’s worth it. If you’re serious about building a honeymoon and destination wedding travel business, it can’t be loosey-goosey.
Grab my free checklist to stay on track. And please let me know how you’re doing—I’d love to celebrate your wins and cheer you on!
