As the first ever wedding PR firm, it’s safe to say we’ve done our fair share of wedding submissions! Trust us - We’ve been sorting galleries and putting together wedding blog pitches for over 14 years. We’re here to share the mistakes you have to stop making if you want more of your weddings to start getting picked up. These are all-too-common mistakes, and you’ll be able to stand out from the competition if you avoid these at all costs!

Mistake #1: Not Including Enough Detail Shots

This is probably the most common wedding submission mistakes, and it can be detrimental to getting your wedding picked up. While your couples hire a photographer to mostly take photos of them on their wedding day, wedding blogs and magazines specifically look for unique details that will inspire their readers. Make sure you include photos of all of the details of the day, including the stationery suite, the table settings, the cake, and the bouquet! Detail shots should make up at least 50% of your submission.

Mistake #2: Skimping On The Wedding Description

While you don’t need to write a 5-page essay on the entire wedding, it’s important to include a detailed write-up that highlights what makes your submission unique. If the couple put their own twist on classic traditions or if the reception was actually their plan B, include those notes in your description! Similar to mistake #1, if you leave out details in your description, you risk an editor not seeing what makes your submission so feature-worthy.

Mistake #3: Leaving Out Key Vendors

This one might just be the worst wedding submission mistake you can make! Double check your vendor list before you click “submit” to be sure you don’t leave anyone out. While some publications are helpful when you need to make edits after a feature is published, others won’t make any changes once a wedding feature is live. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

Mistake #4: Not Submitting To The Right Blog

When working on a wedding submission, it’s important to be realistic! If you’re not sure which wedding blog is right for your business, check out our recent blog post where we help you break it down. For our wedding PR clients, we usually hand-select 3 submission options to start the process. When choosing which blog to submit to, make sure they do the following:

1. Cater to your ideal client.

2. Feature work similar to yours.

3. Feature vendors in your price range.

4. Publish content in your market.

All too often we see wedding professionals submit to a blog that isn’t their style or only features weddings from a certain region or price point. Do your research, and you’ll start getting better return on your submissions!

Mistake #5: Failing To Follow Directions

We talk to wedding editors almost every day, and this is a big one! Failing to follow directions can mean that your submission is declined before an editor even lays eyes on the photos. Every wedding publication has different requirements, and some are more strict than others. Read them thoroughly and submit accordingly! If the outlet requests only Dropbox links, submit via a Dropbox link. If they ask for vendor credits with both website links and Instagram handles, make sure you include both! The more you follow directions, the more likely you are to have your submission accepted.

If you need help managing your wedding submissions, ask us about our Petite PR options! Each Petite PR package comes with a guaranteed number of features for a flat rate, and we’ll handle the submission process for you from beginning to end. If you just want some further direction on how to handle them on your own, a coaching session may be just what you need. We’re here for you! Thanks for reading our wedding PR blog, and stay tuned for more submission and social media tips!