What Wedding Editors Look for Before They Open Your Submission

Sending a wedding submission to an editor can feel a little like a shot in the dark at times. You know the wedding is beautiful and worth a feature, but editors are sorting through countless submissions every day, so you only have a few seconds to make them want to keep reading.  

The good news? A strong submission isn’t about being the loudest in the inbox. It’s about making an editor’s job easier while giving them a reason to care. 

Here’s what can help your next submission stand out… 

I. Your First Impression Matters

Before an editor sees a single image, they’re seeing your subject line. 

Keep it clear, specific, and intriguing. Include the elements that make the wedding unique, such as the location, design concept, or a particularly timely trend.   

Instead of: Italian Wedding. 

Try something more specific: An Italian-Inspired Garden Wedding in California. 

Incorporating a subject line that is more descriptive gives the editor a better idea of the wedding they’re about to read about and a greater reason to open.  

II. Make Sure It’s a Fit 

Not every beautiful wedding belongs in every publication.

Before submitting, take a look at what the publication actually features. Do they regularly publish destination weddings? Editorial design? Real weddings with a particular aesthetic?  

The best submission isn’t just beautiful. It’s right for that particular publication. 

A little research can make the difference between an editor scrolling past your email and opening it.  

III. Give Editors a Reason to Care

A beautiful wedding is a great starting point, but editors are also looking for a story. 

What makes this wedding different? Is there a unique design detail, meaningful tradition, unexpected venue, or trend worth highlighting?  

And don’t forget the vendor team. A thoughtfully crafted submission should make it easy to understand who brought the celebration to life and why their expertise matters.  

IV. Make the Editor’s Job Easy

Once the editor is interested, don’t make them hunt for what they need.  

Your submission should have:  

• A complete, curated gallery 

• High-quality images 

• Organized files and clear image credits 

• A strong description of the wedding 

• Full vendor information  

• Any important details or links  

The easier you make the process, the easier it is for an editor to say yes.  

V. Timing Can Make a Difference

Great work can become even more compelling when it’s timely. 

Editors are often planning content around seasons, holidays, trends, and upcoming editorial calendars. A colorful summer wedding might be perfect for one story, while a cozy winter celebration could be a better fit several months later.  

Pay attention to what publications are currently covering and think about where your wedding fits into the bigger conversation. 

VI. Know What Editors Are Loving 

Right now, editors are drawn to weddings that feel personal and intentional…not simply designed to look good in photos.  

Think:  

• Meaningful, personalized details 

• Unique venues and destination celebrations 

• Fashion-forward bridal looks 

• Unexpected color palettes 

• Elevated guest experiences 

• Thoughtful cultural traditions 

• Fresh takes on classic wedding styles 

The takeaway? Don’t just submit a pretty wedding. Submit a wedding with a unique angle. 

And This is Where Relationships Matter…

You can have a beautiful gallery and a great story, but understanding what a specific editor is looking for can make all the difference.  

That’s one of the biggest advantages of working with a PR team that has established relationships with wedding editors. Knowing editors personally means understanding their preferences, editorial calendars, and the types of stories they’re excited to see, which ultimately helps you craft stronger, more strategic submissions.  

At Be Inspired PR, those relationships are at the heart of our work. As the first-ever wedding PR firm, we've spent 18 years building trusted, world-renowned relationships with top wedding editors, helping wedding professionals get their best work in front of the right editors at the right time.

Because sometimes, getting published isn’t about having a better wedding. It’s about knowing how to tell the story.