Wedding Connect: My Vision for Supporting Local Wedding Venues and Vendors
As the owner of Aspen Country Hills, I have experienced firsthand both the joys and challenges of running a wedding venue. We’ve worked hard to create a beautiful space where couples can celebrate one of the most important days of their lives. However, the journey to get our venue noticed—especially online—hasn't always been easy. Competing against large platforms like WeddingWire often made me feel like we were losing our voice in a sea of big names. That’s why I decided to create Wedding Connect—a platform built by venue owners, for venue owners, with a commitment to supporting the local wedding community.
What is Wedding Connect?
Wedding Connect is a local, community-focused platform designed to help wedding venues and vendors across Alberta gain the visibility they deserve. It’s more than just a directory—it’s a tool that helps venues like Aspen Country Hills connect directly with couples looking for their perfect wedding day setting, while also supporting vendors who make these celebrations unforgettable. Wedding Connect was built with a passion for promoting local talent and celebrating the unique offerings that Alberta venues bring to the wedding industry.
Why I Created Wedding Connect
As a venue owner, I know how important it is to get your name out there, especially in today’s digital age. With most couples searching for wedding venues online, ranking high on Google and other search engines is crucial to being discovered. However, many of the larger platforms use "no-follow" backlinks, which means their directory doesn’t help improve your website’s SEO. They also tend to keep leads on their platform, making it harder for venues to build a direct connection with potential clients.
I wanted to create something different—something that empowers venues and vendors to take control of their online presence. Wedding Connect uses "follow" backlinks, which directly contribute to improving your website’s SEO. This means that every couple who clicks through your listing helps increase your visibility online. Plus, Wedding Connect sends couples directly to your website so that you can control the conversation and booking process from the start.
How Wedding Connect Supports Local Venues and Vendors
With Wedding Connect, we’re leveling the playing field for local venues and vendors. Here’s how we do it:
- SEO and Marketing Benefits: When your venue joins Wedding Connect, you’ll benefit from valuable follow backlinks, which help boost your ranking on search engines like Google. As someone who has seen the difference that SEO can make, I wanted to ensure that every venue and vendor on Wedding Connect has access to tools that help them grow.
- Direct Connections with Couples: Unlike larger platforms that act as a middleman, Wedding Connect prioritizes direct connections. This means that couples visiting Wedding Connect are taken straight to your website, where they can learn more about your offerings and contact you directly. You have the chance to present your brand, tell your story, and engage couples without distraction.
- Support for Wedding Vendors: Although we’re starting with wedding venues, we’re soon expanding to include local wedding vendors. This will help couples find everything they need for their big day—from florists to photographers—all in one place. Each wedding vendor class will have its own dedicated page, ensuring that their services are highlighted and easy to discover.
Our Journey So Far
I’m thrilled to share that in just a short time since launching Wedding Connect, we’ve already started ranking on Google and gaining traction. It’s a testament to the power of community and local support. As an early adopter of SEO tactics, Aspen Country Hills has already benefited from the increased exposure, and I’m excited to see how much further we can go as more venues join.
We’re also offering free advertising for early adopters until we rank on Page 1 of Google for “Edmonton wedding venues.” Plus, the first five venues to sign up will receive a free blog post highlighting everything their venue has to offer, which will be featured on Wedding Connect and shared across our social media channels.
A Community-Focused Approach
Creating Wedding Connect has been a journey of passion for me. I know that when we work together as local businesses, we can achieve much more than when we compete against each other or let the big corporations dominate. My hope is that Wedding Connect becomes a platform that brings our community together, giving every venue and vendor the opportunity to shine.
If you’re a venue owner or a wedding vendor looking for a better way to get noticed, Wedding Connect is here to help. It’s about helping you market your venue, improve your online presence, and connect with couples in a meaningful way.
Thank you for supporting Wedding Connect and being part of this journey. Together, we can create a thriving wedding industry in Alberta that truly celebrates local talent and helps every couple find their perfect match.