Let’s be honest – with the number of marriages in Ireland continuing to decline year on year, doing things the way you’ve always done them and hoping for the best simply won’t cut it anymore. The venues that will thrive in the coming years are those that embrace change, invest in technology, leverage data, and adapt with purpose.

The good news? If you’re reading this, you’re already moving in the right direction. Seeking insight is the first step towards staying ahead. By harnessing the power of data, you can make informed, proactive decisions that not only protect your market share but also grow it.

From Guesswork to Growth: Making Data Work for You

There’s more data at our fingertips than ever before, but the real question is, are you using it to its full potential? Ciara Crossan, Founder and CEO at WeddingDates.ie and the entrepreneur behind WedPro (The Wedding CRM), believes the difference between good venues and great ones often comes down to how well they interpret the numbers.

"It’s not just about collecting data – it’s about knowing which data matters, why it matters, and how to act on it," Ciara explains.

From pinpointing exactly where your enquiries are coming from to uncovering why certain bookings take longer to close, the answers are already in your business. It’s about asking better questions, spotting patterns, and connecting the dots. When you decode industry trends and track the metrics that matter, you’re no longer reacting to the market – you’re anticipating it.

"In today’s market, data isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s your competitive advantage," says Ciara Crossan. "It tells you where you stand, where opportunities lie, and how to take action before your competitors do."

If you’re ready to move away from guesswork and start thinking (and acting) like a top performer, the following four-step framework will help you turn insight into action.

Here is Our Four-Step Guide to Maximising Your Wedding Venue's Potential:

Step 1: Assess Your Market Share
Start with the facts. Use this year’s CSO marriage data to determine the number of marriages taking place in your area. Compare this with your own booking figures to understand your current position - ie. What % of the market do you have? Set achievable targets based on both past performance and untapped opportunities.

Step 2: Analyse the Competition
Look beyond your own walls. Identify how many venues operate in your catchment area, then divide the number of marriages in the area by the number of venues to get a rough benchmark of average market share. If you’re above the average – fantastic, but don’t get complacent. If you’re below, you’ve just identified room for growth.

Step 3: Understand Couples' Preferences
WedPro’s 2025 Wedding Industry Report is the definitive bible for any serious venue in Ireland and offers valuable insights into what today’s couples are looking for – from lead times and budget priorities to the features that make them say “yes”. Aligning your packages, pricing, and communications with these expectations will put you ahead of competitors who are still guessing.

Step 4: Strategise and Differentiate
Armed with this information, you can fine-tune your positioning. Double down on your unique selling points, whether that’s exclusive hire, award-winning food, or spectacular photo locations. Build packages that speak directly to your ideal couples and make your venue the obvious choice.

"The venues that win are the ones that don’t just react – they plan ahead," Ciara adds. "By using data to guide your strategy, you’re making decisions based on reality, not assumptions."

WedPro’s CSO Marriage Analysis Report – your go-to resource for understanding the latest trends in Ireland’s wedding industry

We believe data isn’t just numbers – it’s knowledge, and knowledge is power. This year’s report unpacks the official 2024 Marriage Data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), breaks it down into an easy-to-read read digestible format, giving you a clear picture of what’s happening in the sector and how it’s evolving.

This comprehensive report, along with WedPro’s 2025 Wedding Industry Report, will help you align your team and wedding business for success. Use these insights to shape your strategy, make smarter decisions, and confidently navigate what’s next.

Download your copy of WedPro’s Marriage Analysis Report here.

Contact details

Ciara Crossan
Founder & CEO

 087 957 7733
 ciara@weddingdates.ie
Web www.theweddingcrm.com