What Couples Want
Stagione 1
From TikTok to ChatGPT: 5 Places Couples Are Actually Finding Their Wedding Vendors in 2025
di North + South Agency LLC
#2: In this episode of What Couples Want, we are getting real about where couples are actually finding their wedding vendors in 2025. If you have ever wondered why Instagram feels slow or why your content is not hitting the way it used to, this episode is going to feel like a deep exhale. We walk through the five places couples are searching right now and how you can put your energy into the spots that truly move the needle. We start with Kim’s engagement story and the unexpected way referrals played a role in her ring journey. It sets the tone for the entire conversation because referrals are still one of the strongest booking channels in the wedding world. When people love you, they talk about you. From there we dive into TikTok and why it has become the secret search tool for couples planning weddings. We talk about the quick tweaks that instantly make your videos more discoverable like adding locations, using natural voiceovers, creating searchable titles, and letting TikTok read your captions as SEO. We also talk about why TikTok content stays alive longer than Instagram and how vendors can use it to bring in consistent traffic. Then we go into ChatGPT and other AI tools. Couples are searching for vendors in ways that look nothing like Google. They type in very specific long form questions which means your brand needs to be easy for AI tools to understand. We explain how brand signals work, why consistency matters, and why blogging is one of the strongest ways to become citeable inside AI search. Google is still a major player so we break down what actually matters right now. We talk about real SEO basics like accurate H1 tags, fresh portfolios, alt text that actually helps you rank, and the power of venue based searches. We also share the easiest website upgrades vendors can make during slow season to show up higher. Instagram is still the place for connection. We talk about showing your personality, strengthening your DM relationships, and how some of your best bookings will come from the people who have quietly watched you for months. We talk about why personality beats perfection and how your energy online filters in the people you will genuinely love working with. Finally we get into referrals. We talk about how to build natural relationships with planners, how to show up for venues in a way that feels authentic, and how vendors can grow through community rather than cold outreach. We wrap the episode with this week’s trending wedding planning searches inside ChatGPT. Couples are using AI to plan budgets, write vows, navigate family etiquette, find LGBTQ friendly vendors, and come up with creative ideas. We break down the top topics across all regions of the United States and why this matters for your content strategy. If you want to learn how to become the vendor couples actually discover in these places, our live visibility masterclass is linked in the show notes. Total beginners are welcome. We made this for every creative who wants to be easier to find without burning out on daily posting. IG: https://www.instagram.com/northandsouthagency/ WEBSITE: northandsouthagency.com
#1: In our very first episode, we take you behind the scenes of how North + South began, the wild story of how we met, Kim’s underwater engagement in the Maldives, and why we finally launched the What Couples Want podcast after dreaming about it for years. We also dive into current wedding industry trends, 2025 couple behavior, TikTok SEO, ChatGPT recommendations, and what today’s wedding vendors need to know about diversifying their lead sources. This one is personal, educational, and absolutely chaotic in the best way. What You’ll Hear in This Episode 1. The Origin Story: How Caroline Found Kim on Instagram 2. The In-Person Meeting That Changed Everything 3. Why They Waited Years to Launch This Podcast 4. Kim’s Underwater Engagement Story This is the core of the episode and it is incredible. 5. Kim’s Thoughts on Being Newly Engaged as a Wedding Creative 6. 2025 Wedding Market Trends They’re Seeing Right Now 7. The Real Talk About Marketing Burnout Why social media feels exhausting What SEO optimized TikToks actually are Why older 2023 TikToks are still blowing up How TikTok SEO affects ChatGPT recommendations Why vendors need lead diversification Evergreen platforms versus short shelf life platforms YouTube, blogs, Pinterest, websites, and ChatGPT as lasting assets Instagram as a great but high effort funnel 8. Their First ChatGPT Lead The moment they realized ChatGPT could produce clients The lead who told them “char” recommended them Website analytics showing ChatGPT leads spending double the time on their site Why being visible to AI tools is now essential for wedding vendors 9. The Importance of Rejection Resilience in Business The follower who came from an ad, got messaged, and instantly unfollowed Why entrepreneurship requires building your “rejection muscle” The 20 percent rule from Caroline’s automotive days How this mindset helps them handle cold outreach and partnerships Episode Quotes to Pull for Social “You do not need a fancy microphone to start anything. You just need to start.” “Your marketing tool belt needs more pockets. That’s what lead diversification looks like.” “ChatGPT is a search engine now. If it can’t find you, your couples can’t either.” “Half the battle in business is getting comfortable with rejection.” “Your wedding should look like you, not like Pinterest.” Where to Find Us Instagram: @northandsouthagency Website: northandsouthagency.com AI Visibility Tools: AI Visibility Report AI Wedding Vendor Assistant If you loved this episode, please subscribe so other wedding vendors can find the show.DM us anytime with questions, topic ideas, or personal stories you want featured <3