Why Your Energy Is the New Currency in the Modern Wedding Industry
Written by Melissa Woods
The Modern Wedding Industry Is Changing
Any modern wedding supplier in the UK, and Ireland, has definitely felt it… probably even the world over. The pace, and the pressure to keep up is A LOT. And it often feels like the wedding industry rewards those who appear endlessly visible, available, well-connected, and always on top of every trend.
But something has definitely shifted, and I’ve been aware of it ever since the Book Of Love Directory launched in 2016, followed by The Un-Wedding Show began back in 2019. Modern couples are asking for more meaning, more connection, more care. It’s not just about hiring the right suppliers anymore, they want to know the people behind the business before they make a decision. They want to work with suppliers who see their day not as a transaction, but as a collaboration… creative suppliers who bring something new to the table… and to put it quite simply, are the kind of people that they would quite happily go to the pub with!
That all comes down to energy. The energy that they feel when they meet ‘the one’… kinda like a partner.
And just in case that sounds too ‘woo’, here’s what I mean by that:
Your energy – how you show up, create, communicate, and hold space for the people you work with. THIS… (your energy)… is your most valuable currency as a wedding supplier. It shapes your brand, your reputation, and ultimately, your ability to run your business in a way that will attract the right people into your world… the couples who will become your faviourite clients, and your network of like-minded supplier pals too… like a magnet.
What ‘Energy’ Really Means In The Modern Wedding Industry
Energy isn’t about being upbeat or endlessly positive. Some people are naturally more chipper than others, so don’t feel bad if that’s not you. Although, no one likes a rotten egg, so it’s best to keep bad vibes, and bad moods away from work situations. Everyone is entitled to a bad day - but don’t allow that to be the energy you put out.
After over a decade in the modern wedding industry, and over 6 years of that dealing with both sides of it… (couples and suppliers)… face-to-face, at The Un-Wedding Show, trust me when I say - your energy, and how you choose to show up in your business will be the difference between you getting booked, or someone else getting the job instead. It has nothing to do with your price, your ability, or how saturated the market might be - it has everything to do with the energy you put out and what you can expect in return for it.
Disclaimer: You do still need to be good at what you do! And showing up with A-game energy is still NOT A GUARANTEE for success, but showing up with bad energy IS A GUARANTEE for no success.
Your Energy is Your Business
Running a small creative business in the wedding industry is like a roller-coaster, and it can be all-consuming. One good month could be followed by several bad ones… and bad season… or even a bad year. There are no guarantees for anyone, and not everyone can handle that. The best gift you can give to yourself is to focus on yourself, and the positive output that sets you apart from everyone else - your energy.
These are my recommendations for honing your energy in order to be the kind of wedding supplier that couples want to book for their modern wedding and maybe even grab a pint with:
Always look at yourself in a situation. Do you look on the brightside, or are you always the one complaining? If it’s the latter, then ask yourself - who would you rather be?
Be a problem-solver as opposed to someone who just wants to create or highlight problems. This is literally the essence of our jobs as wedding suppliers.
Take accountability for the energy you are putting out. If it’s bad, take a deep breath, or even a day off. Your business, and others, deserve the best version of you.
Work with people who respect you and match your energy. It needs to be a 2 way street.
Learn how to say ‘no’. Even to jobs - if they don’t feel right.
The Energy You Bring Shapes the Experience
When it comes to modern weddings, every supplier you work with, or every couple who books you, is looking for more than a service. They’re looking for a connection. The confidence and calmness in your presence, the thoughtfulness in your work, the care in how you listen, and the way you make them feel - that’s what they remember.
In a world of identical Pinterest images, your energy is what sets you apart. It’s the intangible quality that turns a good supplier into someone unforgettable, or someone to forget about.
I wrote this in a LinkedIn post recently, and although I was talking about our events, specifically, I think it applies to everything:
‘‘I'd love for all of our events to be stress-free and profitable, that's never been my measure of success.
A successful event to me is a room full of good people... suppliers and attendees alike... a great atmosphere that's comprised of the energy from the people... the conversations... the connections made... the knowing that it made people feel something... feel welcome... feel inspired... feel part of something.’’
I’ll always be proud of the good energy that this community attracts. I have no doubt that this is the reason we’ve managed to keep going for so long. Good energy is what keeps businesses moving, even when times are tough. And it always comes back around.
If you are a modern wedding supplier in the UK or Ireland with good energy that deserves to be experienced we’d love to add you to our iconic, Book Of Love Directory - a trusted wedding planning resources for modern wedding suppliers across the UK and Ireland, built to connect you with couples who are actively searching for something more personal, more creative, and more aligned with their values.