Naturally, a lot of business growth behind-the-scenes for Capitol Romance means that this Q1 recap post is coming a few months *after* Q1 wrapped up. 2025 is off to a joyful, jam-packed start at Capitol Romance and we wouldn’t have it any other way! From prepping for our first weddings of the season (we were at St. Francis Hall and Iron Gate Restaurant in March), to connecting with fellow local vendors, our Q1 business goals kept us busy despite being the “slow” season. Whether you’re a couple gearing up for your celebration or a vendor we’ve hugged over a coffee and clipboard, here’s a look behind the curtain of a small business in the DC wedding industry.
January Goals
Goal 1: Share More
This was more of a guiding intention than a to-do item for 2025. We set out to pull back the curtain and share more from behind-the-scenes about what it really takes to run a small, independent business in the DC wedding industry—a journey we’ve been on for over a decade. Whether we succeed is something you’ll have to weigh in on as the year unfolds!
Goal 2: Update Contracts
We kicked off the year with refreshed service packages and updated rates—our first pricing change in over five years. The new structure better reflects the value we bring to our couples while still prioritizing accessibility and affordability. We believe this adjustment honors both our experience and the diverse community we serve.
Goal 3: Calendar Planning
For the first time in a long time, we zoomed out to take a big-picture look at our year. This strategic planning allowed us to map out key priorities for each quarter, giving us clearer direction and intention across all areas of the business. It’s a small shift that’s already made a big difference.
February Goals
Goal 1: Content Calendar
We kicked off the year by refining our approach to content with a clear goal: to ensure everything we post brings value to our audience. Consistency, familiarity, and strong brand identity were our guiding principles. Our content calendar carried us through the end of April, helping us prepare in advance and track what resonated most. This set the stage for more intentional, engaging social media in the months ahead.
Goal 2: Email List
Though our growth has long relied on the strength of referrals, we realized we were missing a key connection point: a dedicated vendor email list. In Q1, we began building that list from the ground up. We focused on vendors we’ve worked with since 2020 to ensure the most relevant and recent contacts. It’s a small step with big potential for staying connected and sharing value with the amazing people making magic in the DC Wedding community.
Goal 3: Seek Collaboration
Supporting and celebrating the vendors who bring DC weddings to life has always been at the heart of what we do—and in 2025, we plan to amplify that even more. In Q1, we put out a call for vendors to be featured on our channels, and we were thrilled with the enthusiastic response from longtime partners and new faces alike. These early connections are laying the foundation for meaningful collaborations and features throughout the year.
March Goals
Goal 1: Join Zola
If you’ve been anywhere near the wedding industry lately, you’ve likely heard the buzz (and discourse) around Zola. While the platform itself launched around the same time as our business, the Zola for Vendors program is a more recent addition—and one that seems genuinely focused on serving couples well. We decided to create a free profile and were thrilled to see strong matches coming in during March and April. It’s a new channel we’re excited to continue exploring.
Goal 2: Advance Notice
We’re always looking for ways to improve the client experience, and this spring we began testing a small but thoughtful change: giving couples access to key planning documents earlier in the process. Traditionally, these are shared after a deep-dive planning session, but for select clients we’re offering early access. The goal? Less stress, more time, and an overall smoother experience for everyone involved.
Goal 3: Multi-Year Projections
With our updated service packages now in place, we turned our attention to forecasting. Using data from the past few years, we built out three-year projections. These will help guide decision-making and identify strategic opportunities. This exercise not only gave us a clearer picture of where we’re headed but also reinforced our commitment to growth with intention.
Q1 laid the groundwork for what’s shaping up to be an exciting and intentional year. From refining how we communicate, to building stronger vendor connections, to making data-driven decisions for the future—2025 is off to a strong start. We’re already diving into Q2 with new goals in motion, so stay tuned for our next recap, coming soon.
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