How Bridebook is responding to COVID-19 and its impact on the Wedding Industry
Updated 21/04/20
Please find below a resource for all the steps we’re taking to assure that you are supported during this unprecedented time.
Our belief at Bridebook is to approach every situation with C.A.R.E. It’s with this mentality that we are approaching this challenging time in our industry. Bridebook’s number one priority is the health and safety of our employees and our communities, including our couples and our business partners across the UK.
Community: Weddings are made through teamwork. Our resource hub and live community create a friendly, supportive environment that elevates the entire industry.
Ambition: In just 3 years, we’ve become the #1 wedding planning app in the UK, and we’re only getting bigger. We invite businesses to collaborate with us to accomplish their goals.
Respect: We respect the skills and expertise of everyone who works in the wedding industry – young and old, big and small, traditional and modern – and we ask you to share your knowledge with us.
Education: True excellence relies on targeted, meaningful insights. We give businesses the real knowledge they need to meet and impress couples.
Below details the measures that we have put in place so far, along with resources to help you tackle and beat COVID-19.
We understand that each business’s experience is different, therefore if you have any recommendations as to how we can support you better please contact us at [email protected]. The Bridebook Business Team are on hand and ready to support you in any way we can. We promise to listen to every request, learn from your feedback and to continuously look for ways in which we can navigate this challenge together.
How Bridebook is helping
Open letter to the Government
The CEO and founder of Bridebook.co.uk, Hamish Shephard, has sent out an urgent call to support and save our community and industry amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
This is an opportunity for all professionals, businesses and staff within the UK wedding industry as well as couples, families and wedding guests to highlight the insensitive and uncooperative behaviour of wedding insurers amidst the mass wedding cancellations due to COVID-19. Join us in asking for support from the British Government to ensure these insurance providers cover their responsibilities during this crisis.
Revolutionary Technology
Bridebook continues to be at the forefront of the industry, building advanced technology to support businesses during these unprecedented times. Since the 16th March 2020, the Bridebook product team have built and released:
COVID-19 Status Updates: Keep your current bookings, suppliers and prospective customers informed of your status during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Internal team messaging: VenuePro members are now able to interact with their team with ease and assure efficient enquiry management using instant messaging on Bridebook.
Venue Partners
Prioritised support
To support our existing VenuePro Classic and Expert members we are offering a series of additional benefits that support you and the promotion of your venue. Benefits include:
- Social shout outs
- Editorial access
- 1-2-1 consultations
- New product releases
- And more…
Your Account Manager will be in touch with further information about the above benefits.
Free tool access
To support our community through these extremely tough times, we are offering venues free access to our entry-level VenuePro Lite tier until the 1st of June. Benefits include:
- Increase your reach with Search boost
- Stand out with an enhanced profile tile
- Promote late availability & offers on your listing with Special Offers
- Completely free – no payment details required
(N.B. VenuePro Lite members will not appear above VenuePro Classic or Expert members in Search
Venue Community
UK Wedding Venue Community
The next few months are going to be tough for our industry. We must all band together as a community to share our learnings, latest news and guidance, in order to help each other get through the other side. Bridebook have created The UK Wedding Venue Slack group to serve as a space where we can discuss experiences, share latest updates and support each other.
Live video series
Amidst the whirlwind of coronavirus, Bridebook CEO and Founder of Hedsor House will be sharing updates on the ever-changing situation and its effect on our industry. Head here to see the videos covering topics including postponements & cancellations, visual show rounds – how to, and more…
New resources
By gathering insight from our community and industry specialists, Bridebook will be putting together resources that will help us gain a better understanding of the new normal. We’ve created a hub of articles which include guidance on everything from supporting your remote team to effectively managing your business through this time.
Live activitiesThis situation is difficult for all, so let’s have a bit of fun too! Bridebook will be curating a series of fun and energising activities to help you stay sane (and get fit in the process). Activities will include weekly virtual cuppas, yoga & nutrition, dance classes and more… Join the UK Wedding Venue Slack Group for regular updates.
Supporting our employees
Fully remote workforce
Bridebook is now fully remote and employees are required to work from home. We are using virtual communication tools including Zoom, Slack, Google Hangouts & email to keep the team motivated and engaged. To see our tips on remote working best practices head here.
Remote onboarding
With new members joining the Bridebook Team, we have built a virtual onboarding training plan to ensure our new team members are set up and ready for success. We take the onboarding of our employees very seriously so as to sustain our company culture.
FAQs
How do I contact Bridebook if I have a question?
Please email [email protected] if you have any questions or feedback. If you are a member of the UK Wedding Venues Slack group, you can also instant message the team directly there.
Is Bridebook available for 24/7 support?
The Bridebook team works Monday – Friday, between 9:30-5:30. We are all now working remotely, but are very much reachable and here to support.
Is Bridebook offering any additional support to wedding venues during this time?
Yes! As the article above details, the whole Bridebook team have been working hard to think of ways to further support our venues. From educational articles & videos to temporarily free premium tools to support businesses – we are here to help as much as we can.
I am a VenuePro member, who can I discuss my membership with? For VenuePro members, access your priority support by contacting your dedicated account manager at [email protected].
What does COVID-19 mean for enquiries?
Coronavirus is taking its toll on weddings, but people are very much still getting engaged! Enquiry volume will likely be more unpredictable over the upcoming weeks, but the new business is still out there. Engagement season only ended recently, and Bridebook are seeing a steady acquisition of new couples every day. Make sure you keep up your marketing!
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