Having a wedding featured in a recognized magazine, blog, or website is a common goal for many couples. Securing a publication feature provides a lasting, professionally curated memory and offers significant recognition to the talented team of vendors involved. Understanding the specific standards and processes required by editorial teams is the first step toward achieving this industry exposure.
Understanding the Editor’s Criteria
Editors seek celebrations that stand out from typical submissions, looking for fresh content that resonates with their readership. A wedding’s aesthetic appeal is judged on the cohesion of its design elements, often favoring events with a strong, singular theme or distinctive stylistic point of view. This might include a unique location or a highly personalized application of color palettes and textures.
Successful submissions weave a compelling, authentic narrative that provides deeper context than visuals alone. Editors look for stories highlighting how the couple’s background, shared interests, or cultural traditions informed their planning choices. Freshness and originality are important; a celebration showcasing a new trend or reinventing a classic look gains favorable attention over traditional formats. Since the goal is to present aspirational or instructional content, the quality and execution of the styling are major deciding factors.
The Crucial Role of Professional Photography
The greatest determinant of a wedding’s publishability is the quality and scope of the photographic documentation. Editorial teams rely exclusively on high-resolution images demonstrating technical mastery, including consistent exposure, sharp focus, and sophisticated composition. Publications prefer working with photographers whose established aesthetic aligns with their brand, reducing the need for extensive post-production.
A comprehensive visual submission must provide a complete story of the day through a diverse collection of images, moving sequentially from detailed close-ups to expansive wide shots. This requires detailed images of the stationery, floral arrangements, and reception settings, alongside atmospheric portraits and candid moments. The photographer must utilize consistent lighting and editing techniques across the entire gallery to ensure visual continuity. Most reputable publications only accept submissions directly from the professional photographer, or with their explicit written consent and direct involvement.
Preparing Your Submission Assets
Before initiating contact, couples or their planners must compile all administrative information required for a complete submission package. Compiling a full and accurate list of all vendors is mandatory, including the company name, primary contact, website, and social media handles for every participant. This comprehensive list ensures proper credit is given, which is a requirement for any editorial feature.
Securing explicit permission from the photographer is the most important administrative step, as they own the image copyright and must authorize publication use. It is also beneficial to confirm permissions from other major vendors, such as the planner or florist. Finally, a strict exclusivity check must be performed, confirming the wedding has not already been posted or featured on any other blog, magazine, or website. Lack of exclusivity is a frequent cause for rejection.
Selecting the Right Publication
Success depends on targeting publications whose aesthetic and audience match the wedding’s style. A celebration with rustic details should be directed toward a publication specializing in DIY or bohemian themes, not one focused on formal, high-luxury events. Researching past features allows the submitter to understand the publication’s brand identity, preferred demographic, and the typical size and scope of events it showcases.
Specific submission guidelines are found on the publication’s website or through industry platforms like Two Bright Lights or Matchology, which centralize the process. These portals provide detailed requirements regarding image quantity, file type, and narrative information. It is a non-negotiable industry standard to submit the wedding to only one publication at a time, strictly adhering to exclusivity until a decision is formally rendered.
Mastering the Submission Process
The actual submission requires translating the wedding day into a carefully curated package that is visually stunning and narratively engaging. The first step involves selecting a concise gallery of 50 to 100 high-resolution images that tell the entire story without overwhelming the editor. These files must be free of distracting watermarks and formatted precisely to the publication’s specifications regarding size or naming conventions.
Crafting a compelling narrative is equally important, providing the “love story” that makes the celebration unique and relatable. This written component should be concise, focusing on the couple’s journey, the inspiration behind the design choices, and memorable moments from the day. Editors look for genuine personal details that provide depth beyond the decor.
The submission is initiated via a professional and brief cover letter or email, serving as a formal introduction. This initial communication should clearly state the wedding date and location, confirm the photographer’s involvement, and highlight the event’s unique selling points in a few sentences. Following the exact procedure outlined by the publication, whether through an online portal or email, demonstrates professionalism and respect for the editorial workflow.
Following Up and Managing Exclusivity
Once the submission package is sent, patience is required, as editorial review periods often take six to twelve weeks. It is appropriate to send a brief, polite follow-up email only after the maximum expected waiting time has passed, inquiring simply about the review status. Handling rejection with grace is important; a “no” from one publication means the event did not fit their current editorial calendar or style, not that it is unpublishable elsewhere.
If the submission is declined, the wedding can be resubmitted immediately to the next publication on the researched list, ensuring the content is never simultaneously under review. Absolute adherence to exclusivity rules is mandatory once acceptance is confirmed. This means the couple, planner, and all vendors must refrain from sharing the full gallery, vendor list, or any detailed description of the event on their platforms until the feature is officially live.