Hey there, musicians! Have you ever thought about performing at weddings but weren't sure where to start? In today's episode of The At Last Podcast, I walk you through a step-by-step process to ensure a smooth and successful wedding performance. From the initial consultation with the couple to reflecting on your performance post-wedding, this guide will help you create unforgettable musical moments while building a sustainable career in the wedding industry.

Whether you're new to weddings or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Plus, I share a personal story about how I got started performing at weddings and the lessons I've learned along the way.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ How to confidently conduct an initial consultation with a couple

✔️ The importance of crafting a customized setlist that enhances the wedding experience

✔️ Why rehearsing, coordinating with planners, and prepping your gear are crucial

✔️ Tips for performing with confidence and engaging with guests

✔️ Post-wedding follow-ups and how to use them to grow your business

✔️ Reflecting on your performance to continuously improve

Take a moment to write down three things you'd like to start doing or researching to prepare for performing at weddings. Need help? Reach out—I'd love to support you!

Resources for Wedding Vendors:

• Download my Wedding Musician Equipment Checklist - https://www.alohaerica.com/wedding-musician-equipment-checklist

• 🎵 Honeybook: Streamline your contracts, invoices, and payments with Honeybook! Get 30% off your first year by signing up here: https://share.honeybook.com/erica8964375

• 💌 Flodesk: Simplify your email marketing and save 50% on your first year with Flodesk: https://flodesk.com/c/ALOHAERICA

• 🌐 Wedding SEO Bootcamp by Sara Does SEO: Learn how to optimize your website for Google with this wedding pro-focused program. Check it out here: https://alohaerica--saradoesseo.thrivecart.com/wedding-seo-bootcamp/

Have you used The Knot, WeddingWire, or Zola? What's been your experience? DM me on Instagram @alohaericamusic–I'd love to hear from you.

💌 Let's connect! Share your thoughts on this episode and find more tips and resources at www.alohaerica.com/atlast.

Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Let's grow together and create the wedding business of your dreams!

In this episode of At Last Podcast, I sat down with Christina Thomas, also known as RVA Harpist, to discuss the key aspects of standing out as a wedding musician. Christina shares her inspiring journey—from growing up in a musically intense household to choosing the harp as her instrument of rebellion, stepping away from music during her corporate career, and ultimately finding her way back after a decade-long hiatus.

She also shares about overcoming technical challenges, like setting up a pickup for her harp, and how musicians can learn from each other instead of feeling like they're in competition. We also dive into the importance of having a strong online presence and creating an exceptional client experience—two things that many musicians overlook but can make all the difference when booking weddings.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The pivotal moment that launched her career as a wedding harpist

• How Christina navigated the challenges of amplifying her harp and why tech isn't as scary as it seems

• Why having an online presence (a professional website, social media, and booking system) is crucial for attracting modern couples

• The underestimated power of client experience—how responding promptly and creating a seamless process sets you apart

Guest Spotlight: Christina Thomas, RVA Harpist Christina Thomas (RVA Harpist) is a wedding harpist based in Richmond, Virginia who caters to fun-forward couples who LOVE music. After almost a decade away from her instrument, she reconnected with the harp as a way to find herself again after having children. Christina builds relationships with her clients over their favorite songs and creates a custom musical experience for each wedding. As a life-long fan of electronic dance music, she is on a journey to perform the music she loves and create an emotional experience for listeners.

Connect with Christina Thomas: Instagram: @rvaharpistFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/rvaharp/ Website: https://rvaharpist.com/

Resources for Wedding Vendors:

• 🎵 Honeybook: Streamline your contracts, invoices, and payments with Honeybook! Get 30% off your first year by signing up here: https://share.honeybook.com/erica8964375

• 💌 Flodesk: Simplify your email marketing and save 50% on your first year with Flodesk: https://flodesk.com/c/ALOHAERICA

• 🌐 Wedding SEO Bootcamp by Sara Does SEO: Learn how to optimize your website for Google with this wedding pro-focused program. Check it out here: https://alohaerica--saradoesseo.thrivecart.com/wedding-seo-bootcamp/

💌 Let's connect! Share your thoughts on this episode and find more tips and resources at www.alohaerica.com/atlast.

Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Let's grow together and create the wedding business of your dreams!

Are The Knot, WeddingWire, and Zola actually worth it for booking more weddings? If you're a musician or creative wedding vendor wondering whether to create a listing, this episode breaks it all down for you.

In this episode, we're covering:

• The key differences between The Knot, WeddingWire, and Zola

• Who actually uses these platforms and what kind of clients you can expect

• The real pros and cons so you know what you're signing up for

• How much these platforms cost and whether paying for a premium listing is worth it

• SEO benefits of having a free listing, even if you don't get a ton of leads

• The must-have elements for an optimized listing that attracts couples

• How to manage leads, follow up effectively, and turn inquiries into actual bookings

• Why texting is the game-changer for getting responses and securing more weddings

Key Takeaways:

• A free listing can help with SEO and give you some visibility, so it's worth setting up

• Paid listings may be worth it, but only if you're getting at least a three times return on your investment

• Many leads from these platforms are cold, meaning couples may not have actually seen your information before inquiring

• Texting your leads after they message you, instead of just emailing, can increase your chances of booking

Resources for Wedding Vendors:

• 🎵 Honeybook: Streamline your contracts, invoices, and payments with Honeybook! Get 30% off your first year by signing up here: https://share.honeybook.com/erica8964375

• 💌 Flodesk: Simplify your email marketing and save 50% on your first year with Flodesk: https://flodesk.com/c/ALOHAERICA

• 🌐 Wedding SEO Bootcamp by Sara Does SEO: Learn how to optimize your website for Google with this wedding pro-focused program. Check it out here: https://alohaerica--saradoesseo.thrivecart.com/wedding-seo-bootcamp/

Have you used The Knot, WeddingWire, or Zola? What's been your experience? DM me on Instagram @alohaericamusic–I'd love to hear from you.

💌 Let's connect! Share your thoughts on this episode and find more tips and resources at www.alohaerica.com/atlast.

Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Let's grow together and create the wedding business of your dreams!

Feeling overwhelmed trying to manage inquiries, follow-ups, contracts, and social media—all while performing at weddings? In this episode of The At Last Podcast, I'm sharing 7 essential tools that will help you streamline your wedding music business, book more clients, and create an incredible experience that leads to more referrals.

These tools will help you track leads, automate emails, manage client communication, and even edit eye-catching video content to attract more bookings. Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up your business, these tools will help you stay organized, save time, and make a lasting impression on couples and vendors alike.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

1. How to use Google Sheets to track inquiries, follow-ups, vendor relationships, and booking trends.

2. Why Flodesk is a game-changer for email marketing—helping you nurture leads and stay top-of-mind with vendors.

3. How HoneyBook makes contracts, invoices, payments, and scheduling seamless.

4. Why Google Voice is perfect for texting couples at the right moments without using your personal number.

5. How to use InShot to edit reels and TikToks that showcase your performances and attract more bookings.

6. How Google Drive keeps all your wedding photos and videos organized for easy content creation.

7. Why having a Gmail with a personalized domain makes you look more professional and builds trust with clients.

Resources for Wedding Vendors:

• 🎵 Honeybook: Streamline your contracts, invoices, and payments with Honeybook! Get 30% off your first year by signing up here: https://share.honeybook.com/erica8964375

• 💌 Flodesk: Simplify your email marketing and save 50% on your first year with Flodesk: https://flodesk.com/c/ALOHAERICA

• 🌐 Wedding SEO Bootcamp by Sara Does SEO: Learn how to optimize your website for Google with this wedding pro-focused program. Check it out here: https://alohaerica--saradoesseo.thrivecart.com/wedding-seo-bootcamp/

💌 Let's connect! Share your thoughts on this episode and find more tips and resources at www.alohaerica.com/atlast.

Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Let's grow together and create the wedding business of your dreams!

Have you ever found yourself at a crossroads, where the career you spent years training for takes an unexpected turn? Imagine being on the verge of starting your orchestral career, only to have wedding gigs take over and lead you down a completely different path. That's exactly what happened to Andrea Levine, founder of Miss Musique. In this episode of The At Last Podcast, Andrea shares her inspiring journey from pursuing a professional orchestra seat to becoming a full-time wedding violinist and business owner. Tune in to hear Andrea's journey and gain practical insights on:

• How she transitioned from classical performances to a successful wedding music business

• Unique ways she elevates her client experience, including automating her systems to send anniversary messages a year after their wedding

• The biggest marketing lessons she's learned—what worked, what didn't, and what gets the most bookings

Whether you're a musician wanting to break into the wedding scene or a vendor looking to refine your business, Andrea's wisdom will give you the tools to grow with confidence.

Connect with Andrea Levine: Instagram: @missmus1queFacebook: facebook.com/MissMus1que/Website: missmusique.com

Resources for Wedding Vendors:

• 🎵 Honeybook: Streamline your contracts, invoices, and payments with Honeybook! Get 30% off your first year by signing up here: https://share.honeybook.com/erica8964375

• 💌 Flodesk: Simplify your email marketing and save 50% on your first year with Flodesk: https://flodesk.com/c/ALOHAERICA

• 🌐 Wedding SEO Bootcamp by Sara Does SEO: Learn how to optimize your website for Google with this wedding pro-focused program. Check it out here: https://alohaerica--saradoesseo.thrivecart.com/wedding-seo-bootcamp/

💌 Let's connect! Share your thoughts on this episode and find more tips and resources at www.alohaerica.com/atlast.

Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Let's grow together and create the wedding business of your dreams!

Ever wonder what's going on behind the scenes of a wedding musician's performance during a ceremony? It's not just about playing gorgeous renditions of the couple's most important songs—it's about reading the room, timing everything perfectly, and making sure you're supporting their big moment without being a distraction. In this episode, I'm taking you behind the scenes of a wedding ceremony from a musician's perspective.

We'll talk about how to prepare well, what to do once you arrive (hint: connecting with the planner is the key), and how to adjust your music on the fly when things don't go as planned. Plus, I'll share some simple ways to connect well with vendors so they actually want to refer you for future weddings.

Hit play and let's chat about how to make your wedding performances seamless, stress-free, and totally unforgettable.

Resources for Wedding Vendors:

• 🎵 Honeybook: Streamline your contracts, invoices, and payments with Honeybook! Get 30% off your first year by signing up here: https://share.honeybook.com/erica8964375

• 💌 Flodesk: Simplify your email marketing and save 50% on your first year with Flodesk: https://flodesk.com/c/ALOHAERICA

• 🌐 Wedding SEO Bootcamp by Sara Does SEO: Learn how to optimize your website for Google with this wedding pro-focused program. Check it out here: https://alohaerica--saradoesseo.thrivecart.com/wedding-seo-bootcamp/

💌 Let's connect! Share your thoughts on this episode and find more tips and resources at www.alohaerica.com/atlast.

Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Let's grow together and create the wedding business of your dreams!

If you're a wedding musician looking to book more weddings, stand out in a competitive market, and attract your dream clients, this episode is for you! Today, we're diving into the essential marketing strategies you need to build a thriving wedding music business. Whether you're just getting started or looking to refine your marketing approach, you'll walk away with actionable steps to grow your bookings and elevate your brand.

🎯 Identifying Your Ideal Client

• Why defining your audience is the key to effective marketing.

• How to tailor your message to attract couples who truly value your music.

• Practical ways to refine your ideal client profile to connect with the right people.

🌟 Building an Authentic Brand

• The importance of storytelling in your brand (and how I infused my Hawaiian roots into Aloha Erica Music).

• Defining your signature music style and showcasing it in your visuals and messaging.

• How to create a brand that resonates with engaged couples looking for the perfect wedding experience.

💻 Building an Online Presence

• Website must-haves: Contact forms, music samples, testimonials, and SEO basics.

• Why video content is a game-changer for booking more weddings.

• Social media strategies to increase visibility and attract engaged couples.

🤝 Networking & Building Referrals

• The power of vendor relationships and how to become a musician that planners and venues love to recommend.

• Why performing at open houses and styled shoots can boost your credibility.

• How to network authentically and build meaningful industry connections.

📢 Investing in Paid Advertising (When It's Right!)

• When to consider running ads to reach more couples.

• The best platforms for wedding musicians (Google, Instagram, and Facebook).

• Budget-friendly tips for testing and scaling your ads.

💡 Action Steps to Implement Today: ✅ Define your unique brand and ideal client profile. ✅ Update your website and social media to showcase your music and personality. ✅ Reach out to three wedding vendors this week to start building referral relationships.

This episode is packed with practical tips to help you take your wedding music business to the next level! 🎻✨

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• 🎵 Honeybook: Streamline your contracts, invoices, and payments with Honeybook! Get 30% off your first year by signing up here: https://share.honeybook.com/erica8964375

• 💌 Flodesk: Simplify your email marketing and save 50% on your first year with Flodesk: https://flodesk.com/c/ALOHAERICA

• 🌐 Wedding SEO Bootcamp by Sara Does SEO: Learn how to optimize your website for Google with this wedding pro-focused program. Check it out here: https://alohaerica--saradoesseo.thrivecart.com/wedding-seo-bootcamp/

💌 Let's connect! Share your thoughts on this episode and find more tips and resources at www.alohaerica.com/atlast.

Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Let's grow together and create the wedding business of your dreams!

Have you ever thought about how your unique story could set you apart in the wedding industry? In this episode of The At Last Podcast, I'm joined by the incredibly talented Lindsay Knight of Lindsay Knight Piano. Lindsay's journey is nothing short of inspiring—after a childhood filled with piano lessons and big classical music dreams, an unexpected injury led her down a different path. Years later, a friend's wedding request reignited her love for music, and Lindsay now creates unforgettable, custom wedding experiences in the DFW area.

🎧 Tune in to hear Lindsay's story and gain actionable insights on:

• How following unexpected opportunities led Lindsay to her dream job as a wedding pianist.

• The unique offerings she brings to her clients, from custom wedding songs to a mini grand piano aesthetic.

• Her journey to mastering marketing, standing out through visuals, and building a thriving business in a competitive industry.

• Essential advice for up-and-coming wedding musicians and vendors looking to find their place and make an impact in the wedding world.

Whether you're just starting your wedding business or looking for ways to elevate your client experience, Lindsay's story is packed with inspiration and practical tips to help you bring your dream to life as a wedding creative.

Connect with Lindsay Knight: Instagram: @lindsayknightpiano Website: LindsayKnightPiano.com

Discounts and Offers Just for You:

• 🎵 Honeybook: Streamline your contracts, invoices, and payments with Honeybook! Get 30% off your first year by signing up here: https://share.honeybook.com/erica8964375

• 💌 Flodesk: Simplify your email marketing and save 50% on your first year with Flodesk: https://flodesk.com/c/ALOHAERICA

• 🌐 Wedding SEO Bootcamp by Sara Does SEO: Learn how to optimize your website for Google with this wedding pro-focused program. Check it out here: https://alohaerica--saradoesseo.thrivecart.com/wedding-seo-bootcamp/

💌 Let's connect! Share your thoughts on this episode and find more tips and resources at www.alohaerica.com/atlast.

Thank you for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Let's grow together and create the wedding business of your dreams!

Have you ever wondered what it takes to turn your passion as a musician (or other creative) into a thriving wedding business? In this debut episode of The At Last Podcast, I'm sharing my personal journey from growing up in beautiful Hawaii to becoming a full-time wedding musician performing across the globe. You'll discover how my background as a certified product marketing manager helped me create a business I love—and how you can do the same.

We'll also dive into the foundations you need to start or elevate your wedding business: - Learn what today's couples are looking for in vendors and why defining your brand is the secret to standing out. - Get practical tips for crafting your brand story, setting up essential systems like contracts and invoicing, and covering the legal must-haves to protect your business. - Walk away with three actionable steps to get your business up and running—or fine-tune your current setup for long-term success.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up, this episode is packed with insights to help you build a business (and life!) you'll love. Tune in now to start your journey to success!

Discounts for Marketing Software Just For You:

• Honeybook - Start easily sending contracts, invoices, and getting paid using Honeybook and get 30% off your first year with this special discount. Go to https://share.honeybook.com/erica8964375 to claim your discount!
• Flodesk - Make email marketing simple with Flodesk and get your first year 50% off with this discount link. https://flodesk.com/c/ALOHAERICA
• Sara Does SEO - Get an inside look at how to optimize your website to rank on page 1 of Google with Sara's program SEO Bootcamp. https://alohaerica--saradoesseo.thrivecart.com/wedding-seo-bootcamp/

💌 Let's connect! Share your thoughts on this episode and find more tips at www.alohaerica.com/ATLAST