If you’re facing a surge of events this season (not to mention all those 2023 inquiries!), then you probably need all the help you can get! We connected with a few of the industry’s top pros across the country to uncover the latest tech platforms and services that are helping to shave time off of an already very busy schedule.
1. AI for Photo Editing
With 1000s of images to cull, some wedding photographers are turning to AI for help. Systems like AfterShoot are helping photographers do their initial edit, and technologies like Imagen AI, are helping photographers color-correct their images. To put it simply, AI is giving photographers the ability to deliver images faster and more efficiently than *ever* before. “I just can’t get over how much it has expedited my already fast workflow. It literally edits everything faster than I can upload and download the photos,” says. Emilia Schobeiri of Emilia Jane Photography.
2. Maroo for B2B Payments (NEW!)
You can’t deny it… the weddings & events industry runs on freelancers! Whether it’s second shooters or freelancers to help produce and manage events, they are essential to most of the businesses in the industry. This is why we’re excited to announce that we’ve simplified the way freelancers are paid through our B2B payments portal. Gone are the days of Zelle and Venmo because finally, all of your payments are consolidated into one spot. Note: B2B payments launches this week and if you want to be one of the first to try it, send us an email to [email protected] and we’ll put you in the first launch group!
3. Trello for Tracking To-Dos
It may not be new, but Trello is a favorite amongst wedding pros! “For someone who is “not techy,” it’s got zero fluff and enables me to get things done and know what is going on in my life!” says Courtney Wolf of Invision Events. It’s available on mobile and desktop, making it easy to shift from in the office to on the go or at an event.
4. Zapier to Automate Your Workflow
Think of Zapier as a magic connector––a connector of manual entry tasks that you shouldn’t have to do over and over again. “If you want to make your life easier through automation, it can help!” says Gretchen Culver of Rocket Science Events. She and her team set up a series of “zaps” to help connect their systems and cut down on busy work. “Zapier lets us choose the best tools for the job and then put them together to create a customized system that works exactly the way we need it,” says Laura Adler of Rocket Science Events. (By the way, there is a Maroo Zapier integration and you can find it here!)
5.Virtual Assistants for All the Rest
The number of wedding pros hiring virtual assistants (ie, VAs) has grown exponentially over the past year and it’s no wonder: VAs can help pros stay on top of inquiries, emails, scheduling appointments and even preparing real wedding submissions to send off to blog platforms and publications. Elizabeth Wexler, founder of emlan events uses a VA to help streamline her work processes. “Hiring a VA was the best thing I did for my business. I originally hired her for my own wedding and honeymoon so I could have eyes on my emails without working. I ended up loving her so much that I kept her past my honeymoon!” she says. Her VA also helps to organize her freelancers’ schedules––managing the calendar and availability and at times also assists with client work and collecting venue and wedding business availability.
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