Meghan Ely

Richmond, United States

Industry speaker and Writer at Freelance

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Articles

Should You Have a Post-Wedding Brunch?

1 week ago | bridalguide.com | Meghan Ely

Photo: Rebecca Love PhotographyA post-wedding brunch is often a great way to wrap up the party and give your thanks to guests. That said, it might be up in the air when considering if it's something you'd like to invest time and money into planning in addition to your big day. Luckily, we have some experts ready to share their top tips for making the decision. "Between the welcome party, rehearsal dinner, ceremony, and reception, it's easy to feel burnt out with wedding planning.
Getting Transparent with Your Clients About Pricing in an Unstable Market

1 week ago | specialevents.com | Meghan Ely

Entering a new era of change within the economy and industry landscape as a whole always presents a challenge when it comes to communicating pricing with your clients. We know that the reported average cost for a wedding is not a one-size-fits-all, flat fee. But for newly engaged couples, it can be understandably frustrating to be out of the loop on why prices are fluctuating so greatly, even from just last year.
How Social Media Can Warp Event Planning Expectations

3 weeks ago | specialevents.com | Meghan Ely

Close the gap between client expectations and realitySocial media is arguably one of the best ways to grow your business, establish your brand, and connect with potential clients—you virtually (pun intended!) can’t go without it to run a successful event company. However, social media can also, in turn, work against event pros in the sense that it can spread misinformation and shape unrealistic expectations in the eyes of your target audience.
Green Flags to Notice During the Hiring Process

1 month ago | catersource.com | Meghan Ely

The wedding and event industry is notoriously sink or swim—long event days, back-to-back booked weekends, high stakes, and that’s only scratching the surface. The wheels turning behind the scenes are just as important as the client experience, so having a team on your side that knows how to pull it all together without missing a beat is crucial to your business’s success. Spoiler alert: it all boils down to the hiring process.
How to Handle Negativity During Wedding Planning

1 month ago | bridalguide.com | Meghan Ely

Getting engaged is an incredibly exciting time, and in taking your relationship to the next level, you (understandably) want nothing but positivity as you plan your celebration. But with wedding planning often comes unsolicited advice and negative opinions, and sometimes from those you wouldn't expect. Here, experts share how to navigate. Photo: DeLine Photography"The truth is, whenever we are doing something exciting or something that is important to us, there are going to be voices of negativity.
Throwback Wedding Trends That Need to Make a Comeback

1 month ago | bridalguide.com | Meghan Ely

Photo: Colton Simmons PhotographyWhen it comes to planning your wedding, you may be wondering what's "in," what's "out," and what's coming back around. We rounded up some industry experts to share their favorite throwback trends that they'd like to see make a comeback. "I believe that documentary wedding photography should make a comeback. We can see a lot of couples creating moments in order to achieve specific-looking photos, turning their wedding day into a styled shoot.
Collaborating Seamlessly with Your Fellow Vendors

1 month ago | specialevents.com | Meghan Ely |Amanda Nicklaus

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or still finding your groove in the industry, good vendor relationships can change the game. In the wedding and events industry, working well with other vendors isn’t just a bonus—it’s a must. A special event brings together a whole crew of pros, from florists and photographers to coordinators and DJs, all hustling to make the host’s vision come to life. And when things aren’t clicking? Everyone feels the pressure. Smooth teamwork can make or break an event.
What are Your Next Steps?

2 months ago | catersource.com | Meghan Ely

Getting that dreaded call from a client is something that no event pro ever wants to experience, but unfortunately, it’s often an unexpected reality. Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all guidebook for how to move forward after a cancellation, especially given that some circumstances may be much more sensitive and require a delicate approach. Let’s start from square one — what are your next steps?
Your Pre-Busy Season To Do List

2 months ago | catersource.com | Meghan Ely

How can event pros make the most of the time left before things ramp up? I remember my first year in weddings—specifically as the season started to wind down and we headed into the post-holiday winter slowdown. Yes, as a venue, we were inundated with newly-engaged couples, but there was enough of a slowdown that we could focus on the business itself. That time, however, comes to an end quickly, and suddenly, one is thrown back into a sea of Saturdays.
When a Wedding Party Member Drops Out Last Minute

2 months ago | bridalguide.com | Meghan Ely

Photo: Rosy and Shaun Wedding PhotographyPicture this: you carefully pick your closest loved ones to be in your wedding party, and they happily accept the invitation. All goes well; you continue planning, and then suddenly, they have to bow out due to unforeseen circumstances. You're so close to the big day — so, what now? "It's okay to feel disappointed or frustrated when someone steps down, especially if it's unexpected. Give yourself a moment to process before reacting.