The Pros and Cons of Listing Your Wedding Business in a Directory
A visually rich image grid showing six vibrant categories from the Book of Love wedding directory. The top row displays a joyful Black bride in a sequin gown under 'Bridal Designers,' a pair of tropical anthurium flowers under 'Floristry,' and a traditional South Asian wedding moment under 'Photographers.' The bottom row includes a close-up of gemstone rings under 'Jewellery,' a modern bride in a puff-sleeve dress under 'Bridal Boutique,' and a bridesmaid in a bold red dress under 'Bridesmaids.' The layout celebrates diverse, creative, and inclusive wedding suppliers in the UK and Ireland.
Written by Melissa Woods
Wondering whether listing your wedding business in a directory is the right move? You are not the only one. As someone who’s been in the UK wedding industry for over 10 years and launched the Book Of Love Directory to connect modern couples with creative suppliers, I’ve seen it from all angles. And I get it. Wedding directories aren’t a magic fix. If you think they are, then already, I would say, don’t join one because your expectation is unrealistic. But when they work, they really work. You see, any wedding directory (no matter how big or small, or how many users they have) can never guarantee your success but what they can do is increase your chnaces of getting booked by putting your business in an arean where there are couples actively using the resource to find suppliers like you.
Let’s talk about the pros and cons so you can make a decision that actually supports your goals. This post is here to help you manage expectations, spot red flags, and ultimately understand how to make directories work for you.
THE PROS OF JOINING A WEDDING DIRECTORY
1. Visibility to Your Ideal Audience
When you choose the right directory, i.e, one that aligns with your values and aesthetic, you’re putting your work in front of couples who are actively looking for what you offer. It’s a warm audience, not just a random scroll.
2. SEO Juice Without the Tech Headache
As someone who has been running a successful wedding directory for 10 years and also listed our other wedding business (I Just Called To Say) in several directories, I have always seen/known the value of a listing from an SEO perspective. Backlinks from other websites mean that your business is more likely to show up in search results too. You benefit from their hard work without having to be an SEO expert yourself. That said, the quality of the backlink is important, so as always, choose wisely.
3. Social Proof and Credibility
When couples see you featured on a trusted platform, it builds confidence. It’s a bit like getting a recommendation from someone they already trust. Being part of a curated list also signals quality and professionalism. The fact that our Book Of Love was one of the first curated supplier directories (curated specifically for our couples), instead of just letting anyone and everyone sign up and being awash with chair cover hire and scatter crystals has meant that we’ve built a solid reputation over the last decade. Whilst we can’t guarantee that our couples will find EVERYTHING on our platform, we can guarantee that they can cut to the chase and we will only represent wedding businesses that we think they will truly love.
4. Community and Networking
Being part of directories is often more than just a listing. At the Book Of Love, we’re all about connection. Whether it’s online, or at one of our events. That community vibe can be just as valuable as the leads. If you are looking to collaborate with other industry folk, you’ll have a pool of talent to access.
5. Time-Saving Marketing Support
Let’s be honest, marketing is a full-time job. A good directory helps ease the pressure. All directories work differently but most will favour their paid directory members. You’ll be first in line for features, backlinks, and sometimes even social promotion, all of which help grow your reach without taking more hours out of your day.
A modern and colourful collage of six wedding supplier categories, each represented by a striking photo: a vintage-style cake with cherries on top, colourful stationery with bold typography, a smiling woman with glitter makeup, a red gift box held against a pale background, a woman holding a retro-style phone for an audio guest book, and two people playfully holding up oversized pizza slices in front of their faces. Each image links to a different section of the wedding directory, showcasing a creative and inclusive aesthetic.
THE CONS OF JOINING A WEDDING DIRECTORY
1. Not All Directories Are Created Equal
Some are overcrowded, uncurated, or just not that well-maintained. If couples are scrolling through hundreds of listings that all look the same or are of poor quality, you could get lost. That’s why choosing a platform that fits your niche really matters.
2. Results Can Take Time
Just listing your business doesn’t guarantee instant enquiries. Like any marketing platform, it takes time to build visibility, especially if you’re new to the scene. Think of it as a long game, not a quick win. We’ve seen some suppliers generate immediate bookings in the Book Of Love and others who didn’t see any success over 12 months, despite being excellent! We’ve also had someone leave after 12 months and get a booking the day after they left, from a couple who’d discovered them in the directory months before but weren’t in a position to book at the time. It’s impossible to measure.
3. There's a Cost (But It Should Be Worth It)
Most quality directories aren’t free, and that’s a good thing. It means the platform is being properly managed. But you do need to assess whether the investment fits your budget and aligns with your business goals. At Book Of Love we want all of our suppliers to see a return on their investment (although we can’t guarantee it) But think of it this way: If you spend somewhere in the region of £300 on a 12-month listing, what’s it going to take to make that a worthwhile investment?
4. You Still Need to Do Your Part
A directory can get eyes on your business, but your profile still needs to do the heavy lifting. That means clear, compelling copy, standout imagery, and a link to a website that converts. Without that, the best platform in the world won’t work its magic. We know for a fact that many of our couples use Book Of Love as a discovery tool before going off and doing a deep-dive into the businesses that they find. So, if your own website is a lackluster, or doesn’t explain your service properly… your socials are non-existent, then you are less likely to convert the lead. Yoy’ve just lost a customer.
Final Thought
Directories are a tool, not a guarantee. But with the right mindset, strategy and fit, they can become a powerful part of your marketing strategy.
If you're a modern wedding supplier who cares about creativity, inclusivity, and helping couples plan weddings that reflect who they are, the Book Of Love might be your next best move.
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