8 DIY Website Mistakes Wedding Professionals Make That Cost Them Bookings
Dec 27, 2025
10 min read
0
26
0
You help to create beautiful, unforgettable weddings for your dream clients. You love what you do. You're great at it. But your booking rate is not reflective of your skills. Your website is likely scaring off potential clients, and you probably don't even realize it's happening.
Couples land on your site, scroll for 5 seconds, and bounce. They don't fill out your inquiry form. They don't check your pricing. Or read your FAQ, or check your availability. They just go straight to your competitor.
And you have no idea what's going on. Your work is better than the competition. You have more experience and talent. Yet for some reason, they're successful and you're not.
As someone who analyzes wedding vendor and service provider websites almost daily (because I find it fun), I see the same critical mistakes over and over. And they're all costing you bookings.
The good news is, all these mistakes are fixable. And once you correct them, your website goes from repelling your dream clients to booking them.
Now before I start with my 8 points, I actually have an extra point to make. Consider it a bonus tip. It's the most important, but I only need to say one sentence about it. For the love of all things holy, PUT THE LOCATION(S) YOU OPERATE IN ON YOUR WEBSITE.
Now let's dig in!
MISTAKE #1: Your Mobile Site Is Broken (And 70% of Your Potential Clients Are Visiting From Their Phones)
What it looks like:
Menu doesn't work, is glitchy, overlapping or unclear
buttons aren't clickable or go to a 404 error page
Images don't load properly, are missing, or cover text
Weird empty spaces or cluttered, squished content
Inquiry form is impossible to read or fill out on a phone
How it costs you bookings:
An engaged couple scrolls Instagram, sees your work, clicks your link, and lands on a website that doesn't work on their phone or looks like your 10-year-old niece made it. They're not checking it later on their laptop. They're not giving you a second chance. They're gone. They've already moved on to the next photographer/planner/florist whose site actually works, looks high end, and gives them confidence they can deliver.
If you can't even make your own website look good, how could you possibly convince potential clients you can make their wedding look good?
The hidden cost:
You have no clue how many couples tried to inquire but gave up because your form wouldn't work on mobile. You're sitting there wondering why no one's reaching out. Meanwhile, they already booked someone else.
What you should check:
Pull up your website on your phone right now. Try to:
Navigate the menu
View your gallery
Click every button
Fill out your inquiry form
If any of that is frustrating to use, awkward, or broken, fix it immediately.
How to fix it:
Use your website's mobile editor and actually go through every page. Don't assume it looks fine just because it works on desktop. This is almost never the case (especially with wix). Make sure your galleries load and look beautiful on mobile, buttons are easy to tap, text is readable, nothing overlaps, and everything has adequate breathing room (space).
MISTAKE #2: Your Homepage Doesn't Show What Makes You Special/Unique/Different
What it looks like:
Generic "Welcome!" or "Making your dreams come true" headline
Vague, generic descriptions about your industry or profession
No clear style, unique talents or specialty
No photos of your actual work on the homepage, or no current photos showing your skill level
Looks exactly like every other wedding vendor website
How it costs you bookings:
Couples are hiring you for YOUR specific style. If they land on your homepage and can't immediately tell what makes you different, they can't figure out if you're the right fit. So they leave and check out someone else whose specialty is unmistakable.
They're scrolling through a dozen photographer websites. Yours better stand out in the first 3 seconds or you're not even making it into their shortlist.
Do you love working with LGBTQ+ couples? Say so! Have experience with planning destination weddings on a budget? Make it crystal clear.
The hidden cost:
You're either getting zero inquiries because no one can tell what you actually do, or you're getting inquiries from couples who want something completely different from what you offer. Either way, you're wasting time and losing money.
What you should check:
Show your homepage to someone who's never seen your work before. Can they tell what you do, who you work with, and why it matters to potential clients? If they say "Umm, weddings?" your homepage is too vague.
How to fix it:
Your homepage needs to immediately show your best work and tell couples exactly what you do and if they're who you want to work with.
Examples:
"Romantic Photography for Intimate Outdoor Weddings"
"Bold, Colorful Florals for Couples Who Want to Make a Statement"
"Full-Service Planning for Luxury Destination Weddings in Europe"
Be specific. Show your personality. Make it impossible to confuse you with anyone else.
MISTAKE #3: Your Site Has Placeholder Content, Stock Photos, or Outdated Portfolio
What it looks like:
Lorem ipsum text anywhere
Generic stock photos of random couples (not your work)
"Click here to add your text" still showing
Template content you forgot to change
Old portfolio photos that show the skills of someone inexperienced, not your current level of expertise
How it costs you bookings:
Nothing kills trust faster than placeholder content on a wedding professional's website. Couples are trusting you with one of the biggest days of their lives. If you can't even finish your own website, why would they believe you'll show up prepared for their wedding?
And if you're using stock photos pretending they're your work? Couples can tell. Because that one real wedding cake you decorated looks completely different. It screams laziness and dishonesty.
The hidden cost:
Couples assume you're unprofessional, inexperienced, or you don't care about details. In the wedding industry, that's a dealbreaker. They're gone before you even knew they were there.
What you should check:
Do a Ctrl+F search for "lorem" on every page. Go through every image and make sure it's YOUR actual work. Read every line of text. If it sounds generic or like it could be on anyone's website, rewrite it.
How to fix it:
Replace everything with YOUR content. Use YOUR real photos. Write about YOUR process and style. If you need more real work to display, create it and show it. You don't need a 'real' wedding to prove your skills.
Go second-shoot a wedding. Do a giveaway. Offer a discounted session. Collab with other wedding vendors. Make practice cakes. Design concept bouquets. Anything is possible!
MISTAKE #4: Your Pricing and Booking Process Are a Mystery
What it looks like:
Zero mention of pricing anywhere (no starting price, no range)
Inquiry process is unclear, confusing or inconsistent
Contact info is impossible to find
No explanation of what happens after they fill out your form
How it costs you bookings:
Engaged couples are comparing 5+ vendors in each category. If they can't figure out whether you're in their budget or how to actually book you, they move on to someone who makes it easy.
They're not going to hunt through your entire website trying to figure out your pricing. They're not going to email you just to find out if you're $2,000 or $20,000. They'll just skip you entirely.
The hidden cost:
You're losing qualified couples who would've booked you if they knew you were in their price range. Or you're wasting hours responding to inquiries from people who can't afford you because you gave zero pricing guidance upfront.
What you should check:
Can someone figure out in 30 seconds if you're in their budget and how to contact you?
If the answer is no, you're making it way too hard.
How to fix it:
You don't need to list exact prices for every possible scenario, but give some guidance. "Packages starting at $3,500" or "Investment begins at $5,000" helps couples self-qualify before they waste your time and theirs.
Make your inquiry button/form easy to find. Put it in your menu. Link to it multiple times throughout your site or even at the bottom of every page. Be as clear as possible.
And tell them what happens next. "I'll respond within 24-48 hours with my full pricing guide and availability." Set expectations. Build trust. And follow through with what you say you'll do.
MISTAKE #5: Your Packages and Services Are Vague
What it looks like:
Generic descriptions like "full wedding planning" with no details
No breakdown of what's included vs. what costs extra
Vague language like "custom packages available"
Can't tell the difference between your tiers/options
How it costs you bookings:
Couples need to know exactly what they're getting for their money. If your services page just says "wedding photography packages available," they have no idea if you shoot for 4 hours or 10, if you give them digitals or prints, if you include an engagement session or not.
They're comparing you to other vendors who clearly spell out what's included. If they have to email you just to understand what you actually offer, they're hiring someone who makes it easier.
The hidden cost:
You're either getting zero inquiries because couples can't figure out what you offer, or you're going back and forth answering a million questions because you don't give enough info up front.
What you should check:
Can someone read your services page and know exactly what they get at each tier? Or do they have to guess and email you for details?
How to fix it:
Break down your packages clearly. What's included? How long do you work? What do they walk away with?
Examples:
"8-hour coverage, two photographers, all high-res digital images, online gallery"
"Full planning from 12 months out: unlimited emails/calls, vendor management, day-of coordination, timeline creation"
"Bridal bouquet, 5 bridesmaids bouquets, 6 boutonnieres, ceremony arch flowers, head table centerpiece"
Be specific. Clear. Leave no room for confusion.
MISTAKE #6: You Have Zero Testimonials or Social Proof
What it looks like:
No testimonials anywhere on your site
No reviews linked or embedded
No real wedding photos showing happy couples
No proof you can do what you say
How it costs you bookings:
Couples are spending thousands on wedding vendors. They're planning their special day for a year or two, or more. There are no do-overs. They need to know other people hired you and loved it.
If there's zero proof you've done this successfully, they assume you're brand new, inexperienced, or past clients weren't happy enough to leave reviews.
They're going with the photographer who has 50 five-star reviews and a testimonials page full of happy couples gushing about their experience.
The hidden cost:
Even if you're amazing at what you do, couples don't know that. You look risky compared to vendors who have obvious social proof.
What you should check:
Do you have testimonials on your site? Are they specific and genuine? Can couples see proof that real people hired you and loved working with you?
How to fix it:
Ask past clients for testimonials. Make it easy by sending them specific questions like "What was your favorite part of working with me?" or "How did I make your day easier?"
Put testimonials on your homepage, your about page, and your services pages. Use real names and photos if possible. And if you don't have any real reviews, find a way to get them. Offer something free or discounted in exchange.
Link to your Google reviews, Wedding Wire, The Knot, or wherever you have reviews. Make it visible.
MISTAKE #7: Your FAQ is Missing or Doesn't Answer the Questions People Are Asking
What it looks like:
No FAQ page at all
FAQ that answers nothing useful
Generic questions that don't address what couples actually want to know
FAQ buried in a random page where no one can find it
How it costs you bookings:
Weddings have a lot of moving parts. Couples have questions before they're ready to inquire. If they can't find answers on your site, they either email you basic questions (wasting your time) or they just move on to a vendor whose FAQ actually answered what they needed to know.
Common questions couples want answered before reaching out:
Do you have my date available?
Do you travel?
What's your cancellation policy?
How many weddings do you shoot per weekend?
Can we see full wedding galleries?
What if it rains?
What if we have to postpone the wedding due to unforseen circumstances?
What if you get sick or have to cancel?
If your FAQ doesn't answer these, couples are left guessing.
The hidden cost:
You're losing bookings from couples who had a simple question, couldn't find the answer, and didn't bother reaching out. Or you're wasting time answering the same 10 questions over and over.
What you should check:
Do you have an FAQ? Does it actually answer the questions couples ask you most often?
How to fix it:
Make a list of every question you get asked repeatedly. Answer them thoroughly on your FAQ page. Link to your FAQ from your menu so it's easy to find. Update it as you get new common questions. If you can't think of what to include, ask ChatGPT or Claude what the most common questions are.
MISTAKE #8: You're Using a Free Builder Domain (Like .wixsite.com or .weebly.com)
What it looks like:
"This website was built on Wix. Create yours today" banner at the top
Any free subdomain instead of a custom domain
How it costs you bookings:
Couples are comparing you to other wedding professionals. When they see a free builder domain with "/wedding-photography" tacked on the end and a Wix banner screaming at the top of your site, it screams "I'm too broke or too inexperienced to invest $15/year in my business."
It instantly puts you in the "amateur" category, even if your work is great. They're thinking: "If this person can't afford a real domain, can they afford professional equipment? Will they show up? Are they even legit?"
Meanwhile, your competitor with the exact same skills (or worse skills than you) has a custom domain (like elliphotography.com) with no builder branding anywhere, and looks like a real business. Guess who gets the booking?
The hidden cost:
You're losing clients before they even look at your portfolio. The free domain and Wix banner killed your credibility in 2 seconds. They've already mentally categorized you as "not professional enough" and moved on.
What you should check:
Does your website URL look like this: yourbusiness.com? Or does it have .wixsite, .weebly, .godaddysites, or any other builder name in it? Do you have a "This site was built on Wix" banner at the top?
How to fix it:
Buy a custom domain. It costs around $10-20/year. Connect it to your website builder. The banner disappears automatically once you upgrade to a paid plan. Done.
If you can't afford $15/year for a domain, you're not ready to run a business yet. And if you just "never got around to it," fix it today. You're losing bookings every single day you wait.
The Bottom Line
You don't need a $10,000 custom website to book dream clients. You just need to make sure you're not making these 8 mistakes.
Your website should be attracting ideal couples, showcasing your best work, and turning inquiries into bookings. If you just realized your site has any of these problems, you're missing out on potential bookings. Real couples who would've hired you are booking your competitors instead.
The good news is, it's fixable. If you're making multiple mistakes and overwhelmed with fixing them, pick one that's easiest to fix and start there.
Need help?
I specialize in transforming DIY wedding vendor websites into polished, professional sites that convert. Designed and delivered in a week or less. Contact me if you have questions.
Check out my redesign packages here
Want to chat about your project? Book a free, no-obligation Intro Call
