In this episode of Engage Your Brand™, I sit down with Whitney and Daniela of Wedding Industry Ads to unpack paid advertising for wedding professionals. What channels to use, how to set budgets, what to put on your landing pages, and why a simple nurture flow can double the impact of your ad spend.

🎧 Listen to this episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts or play it directly below.

Paid advertising for wedding professionals doesn’t have to feel complicated, intimidating, or “bro marketing” in disguise. In fact, it can be one of the most relationship-driven ways to grow your business when you understand how to make ads that connect like a conversation. Whitney and Daniela are on a mission to make digital ads approachable and profitable for wedding pros, and in this episode, they shared everything from their start in the events industry to the strategies that have helped their clients (and their own brand) scale sustainably.

Why Paid Ads Deserve a Spot in Your Marketing Plan

If you’ve ever wondered whether paid advertising is “worth it,” this episode will change your perspective. Most wedding professionals rely on a mix of referrals, social media, and SEO, and while that works beautifully when it’s flowing, it often leaves big gaps during quieter months or when algorithms shift.

Whitney and Daniela remind us that paid advertising isn’t about replacing what’s already working, it’s about stabilizing your marketing so you can plan with confidence. Paid ads create consistent visibility, helping you stay top-of-mind when couples are actively searching, narrowing down options, or finally ready to book.

Think of it like this: organic marketing builds awareness, but paid advertising builds predictability. With both working together, your business can run on intention, not luck.

The key is remembering that couples make decisions over time. Ads allow you to stay present in that decision cycle, even when you’re not posting daily or sending constant newsletters.

The Power of Meeting Couples Where They’re Searching

Whitney and Daniela talked about how Google Search and Meta Ads work like complementary tools, each designed to reach couples at a different stage of their journey.

Google Ads meet couples when they’re ready to take action. If someone types “Portland wedding venues” or “Seattle wedding planner packages,” they’re already in decision mode. Being visible in that exact moment creates an opportunity you can’t always guarantee through organic SEO alone.

Meta Ads, on the other hand, work like a friendly reminder. They keep your brand in front of couples after they’ve visited your website or interacted with you on social media. Retargeting on Facebook or Instagram means that instead of disappearing after one click, your business becomes the one they keep seeing and remembering.

The magic happens when you combine both: Google brings them in, Meta helps them stay connected.

Inside a “No Bro-Marketing” Funnel

One of my favorite parts of this episode is how human Whitney and Daniela make the ad process feel. They’ve built what they call a “genuine, not bro-y” funnel, a process that builds real relationships while guiding leads toward action.

Instead of bombarding couples with salesy language or endless follow-ups, their system feels natural and thoughtful:

1. An optimized landing page that focuses on one clear call to action.
2. A thank-you page that reinforces their decision and tracks conversions accurately.
3. An instant email response with value like pricing, next steps, or a personal video.
4. A warm SMS follow-up that invites connection (“I just sent your details—text me if another time works for your tour!”).
5. A 7–10 day nurture sequence filled with real galleries, testimonials, and relatable content.

Every step feels consistent with the brand’s personality because it is. The automation doesn’t replace connection; it reinforces it.

Understanding the Real Cost (and ROI)

Many wedding pros shy away from ads because they assume it’s expensive or hard to track. But as Whitney shared, even small budgets can make a big difference when used strategically.

Their benchmark?

• $500/month for Google Search (to gather consistent, learnable data)
• Several $1/day retargeting campaigns on Meta (to stay visible)
• $500+ for Meta conversion campaigns (to actively generate inquiries)

The biggest shift comes from how you measure results. Instead of asking, “Did I book someone this week?” start asking, “How many qualified inquiries came from ads this month and how many booked within the next 30–60 days?”

Paid advertising for wedding professionals isn’t a quick fix, it’s a momentum builder. The longer your campaigns run and learn, the smarter and more cost-efficient they become.

When to Start Running Ads

Timing matters almost as much as budget. Daniela explained that some of the best results come from launching ads during these moments:

• After a rebrand or website refresh, when you want to maximize visibility.
• Heading into engagement season, to reach newly engaged couples early.
• During slower months, when organic traffic dips and leads slow down.
• When you want to expand markets, like promoting destination weddings or new service areas.

Many pros assume they need to wait for a “perfect time” to start. But Whitney’s perspective is simple: start small, track results, and scale what works. The best time to begin is when you’re ready to attract more qualified leads than word-of-mouth alone can provide.

The Role of Automation (That Still Feels Personal)

The duo’s LeadLock platform is a game-changer for wedding pros who want to save time without sounding robotic. Built on GoHighLevel, it manages everything from lead capture to nurturing—and does it in a way that feels completely custom.

They shared how automation doesn’t mean losing your personal touch. It actually gives you more space to show up authentically because you’re not buried in repetitive admin tasks. You can record a personal video, send a thoughtful reply, or spend more time serving booked clients all while knowing that no inquiry is slipping through the cracks.

It’s about blending systems with heart.

Rethinking “Cheap Click” Mindset

We’ve all seen ads claiming “$1 a day” can change your business. While there’s truth in starting small, Whitney and Daniela clarify that results depend on what kind of ads you’re running and who they’re reaching.

If your goal is brand awareness, yes—a few $1/day campaigns can help keep you visible. But if your goal is conversions (real inquiries and bookings), you need enough budget for algorithms to learn. A $500/month minimum ensures your ads gather enough data to optimize effectively.

Paid advertising for wedding professionals isn’t about finding the cheapest clicks, it’s about finding the right ones.

Why Freebies Rarely Work in the Wedding Industry

It’s tempting to copy online business models that rely on list-building or freebies. But Whitney and Daniela caution that wedding pros play by different rules. Couples hire you once, not repeatedly so “slow nurture” strategies don’t always convert.

Instead, use content to qualify and educate your ideal client:

• A venue can offer “Top 10 Questions to Ask Before Touring.”
• A planner might share “Your First Three Steps After Getting Engaged.”
• A photographer could create “How to Choose a Wedding Style You’ll Love Forever.”

The difference? These are decision-based resources, not “DIY” ones. They meet couples where they are, ready to book.

How Paid Ads Strengthen Your Organic Strategy

Whitney shared a powerful example from their own journey. When their team paused posting on Instagram to focus on internal projects, engagement plummeted to 20–30 views per post. But after turning on even modest paid campaigns, everything changed—views, reach, and inquiries all jumped.

Paid ads didn’t just drive traffic, they helped their organic performance bounce back, too. Once the algorithm recognized renewed activity, their organic reach improved across the board.

This is one of the most overlooked benefits of paid advertising for wedding professionals: it doesn’t replace your existing marketing. It amplifies it.

The Branding Connection: Consistency Wins

No matter how strong your ad strategy, it won’t work if your branding isn’t cohesive. Whitney and Daniela admitted that even with clear brand guidelines, different designers interpret their visuals differently—and that affects how consistent the message feels.

That’s why every campaign should feel unmistakably like you. From your color palette to your headlines, consistency builds trust. When couples recognize your tone and visuals across every touchpoint, conversion becomes effortless.

Before you spend on ads, invest in visual and verbal clarity. Ads only magnify what’s already there, so make sure it’s strong.

The Human Side of Paid Advertising

What stood out most in this episode was how much heart Whitney and Daniela bring to the conversation. They aren’t here to turn your business into a data machine, they’re here to make sure you connect with the right couples in ways that feel aligned with your values.

They remind listeners that ads aren’t cold. They’re simply another form of connection. When your messaging reflects empathy, transparency, and real experience, every click feels like the start of a relationship, not a transaction.

Metrics That Matter

To simplify the overwhelm, Daniela shared how they measure what actually counts:

• CPL (Cost per Lead): Only valuable if the lead is qualified.
• CPQL (Cost per Qualified Lead): The best measure of efficiency.
• Booked Tours or Consults: The ultimate KPI for wedding pros.
• Close Rate by Source: Which platform brings your highest-value clients.
• Customer Acquisition Cost: How much it costs to book one paying client.

If you track these five, you’ll always know what’s working and where to adjust.

Sustainable Growth Through Smart Advertising

The long game of paid advertising isn’t just about filling your calendar this year, it’s about building brand equity. When you show up consistently in search results and social feeds, you become the default choice for couples planning their weddings.

Daniela described how ads allow you to grow with intention: no more feast-or-famine cycles, no more panic posting to get inquiries. Instead, you can plan revenue, manage your workload, and stay fully booked without burnout.

That’s the real power of combining brand strategy with ads that feel authentic.

Final Thoughts + Resources

Paid advertising for wedding professionals works best when it’s built on clarity: a clear message, a consistent brand, and a confident strategy. Whether you start with Google Search, Meta retargeting, or both, the goal isn’t just visibility, it’s connection.

🎧Listen to this episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts or play it directly here.

✨ Want your website ready for conversion?
Inquire with Emily Foster Creative to design a brand and website that’s optimized for ads—so every click feels intentional and every inquiry feels natural.

🧠 Bonus Resource: Whitney and Daniela shared additional templates and resources for Engage Your Brand listeners.
Access them here: