Is your venue's Instagram helping or hurting your brand?

Instagram is one of the most powerful tools available to venues and event businesses. It’s where couples get inspired, event planners browse for their next space, and where first impressions are made, often in seconds.

But while Instagram can be a major source of enquiries and brand awareness, it can just as easily send potential clients in the other direction.

Here’s a practical, no-fluff audit to help you assess whether your venue’s Instagram is helping your business or quietly holding you back.

1. Are your photos doing your space justice?

Lighting, angles, and photo quality all matter. If your feed is full of grainy images, dark rooms, or clashing filters, it’s time for a refresh.

Common pitfalls:

• Posting dimly lit or overexposed photos

• Using inconsistent or harsh filters

• Relying only on mobile photos when you have access to professional event photography

Quick fix: Use a consistent editing style (you don’t need filters, just good light), and share real event images with permission from photographers or couples. Highlight your space in different lights and seasons to show its versatility.

2. Do your highlights help or confuse?

Instagram Highlights are the modern-day equivalent of a website menu. They help potential clients quickly understand your venue, packages, and experience.

Common pitfalls:

• No highlights at all

• Vague titles like “Stuff” or “Info”

• Mismatched colours or icons that clash with your branding

  
  

Quick fix: Create clear, purposeful highlights like:

The Venue | Weddings | Setups | Testimonials | Availability

Keep your covers on-brand with simple icons or colours aligned to your visual identity.

3. Is your brand voice consistent?

Whether you're laid-back and rustic or high-end and luxury, your tone of voice should reflect that consistently.

Common pitfalls:

• Using random hashtags with no strategy

• Captions that sound rushed or generic

• Switching between ultra-formal and overly casual language

  
  

Quick fix: Write how you’d speak to your ideal client. Keep captions warm, welcoming, and informative. Use hashtags your audience is searching for, not just what’s trending.

4. Do your posts feel repetitive or unbalanced?

It’s easy to fall into the trap of only posting one type of content (e.g. tablescapes or ceremony setups). But variety keeps followers engaged.

Common pitfalls:

• Reposting the same angle or setup too often

• Not showing people in the space

• Ignoring behind-the-scenes or supplier collaborations

  
  

Quick fix: Aim for a healthy mix:

• Real event moments

• Behind-the-scenes prep

• Team introductions

• Testimonials or reviews

• Tips for couples or planners

• Supplier spotlights

This not only shows your venue in action, it builds trust and personality.

5. Is there a clear next step for someone who’s interested?

Imagine someone lands on your profile and loves what they see. What now?

Common pitfalls:

• No link in bio (or a broken one)

• No call to action (CTA) in captions

• No mention of how to enquire, visit, or book

  
  

Quick fix: Use a link-in-bio tool to direct people to:

• Your website

• A contact form

• A brochure or availability calendar

• End captions with a clear CTA like: “Tap the link in bio to book a tour” or “Message us for our latest availability.”

  
  

Instagram is more than just pretty pictures, it’s often the first glimpse someone gets of your venue. And it plays a big role in shaping your brand perception.

Take 30 minutes to do a quick Instagram audit using the questions above. Tweak what you can, and consider how you can use the platform more intentionally.

If you’d like help creating a content plan, updating your branding, or managing your social media, we work with a range of beautiful venues and event businesses.

Get in touch with our team to find out how we can help your space stand out online.