Ireland’s #1 Wedding Planning Platform
Project Overview
Wedding Suppliers approached VE in 2021 to build a platform for connecting couples, event planners, with premium venue owners, caterers, and other suppliers. Our developers approached the task with a plan, systematically tackled the challenges, and handed our client a fully functional website made from scratch. Impressed with the work, the client requested an additional project for a wedding planning application.
Services
Website design, UI/UX, Website development,
and App development.
Industry
Event Management
Duration
8 weeks
Application
iOS, Android and Web
About Wedding Suppliers
Wedding Suppliers is Ireland's #1 wedding planning platform. Founded in 2018, the business focuses on finding new and innovative approaches to streamline the entire planning.
The wedding planning platform serves as a comprehensive resource for all necessary services, and is utilized by thousands of couples worldwide to plan their weddings in Ireland.
VE’s tried and tested approach
Phase 1: Discover
Combing through client’s brief
We went through the creative brief sent by the client and highlighted areas where we required more input. A stakeholders meeting was held where the following pointers were discussed.
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How are we grouping the suppliers and how many such supplier groups will be there?
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Do you want us to incorporate any payment gateway?
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How many website pages and app screens do you want?
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What additional functionalities will the website have?
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What would be the differences among the sign-up forms for suppliers, venues, and clients?
Phase 2: Design
Bringing it all together in design
Executive intent:
The platform aims to streamline the wedding planning process by bringing all necessary suppliers and service providers together in one convenient location for the benefit of the planner or the bride and groom.
Target audience:
Wedding planners, event management companies, bride and groom, catering service providers, venue owners, bridal shops, cake designers, wedding wear, and other related suppliers.
General tasks:
Presenting services, paying the entry fee, rating and writing reviews, browsing through different service categories, and communicating via in-built inbox, etc.
Tools Used:
Figma
Photoshop
Designer:
Manish Kumar
UI/UX Designer
Created wireframes for website pages and app screens.
Phase 3: Develop
Replicating the design in code
Database creation:
Considering the present and future functionalities, our developer designed database tables using MySQL. Database creation was an important part of this process as storing various supplier and client choices was crucial for functioning of the platform.
Backend development:
Once the design was finished, our developers used Laravel to integrate it with code, programmed APIs, back-end logic, and website architecture. The process was streamlined using Agile methodology and Asana was used for updates.
Additional functionalities:
1. SMTP integration for email updates
2. Chat facility to communicate with suppliers
3. Different log-in for suppliers and clients
Tools Used:
Laravel
jQuery
HTML
CSS
MySQL
Developer:
Vishank Tyagi
Web Developer
Responsible for managing website navigation & layout and security architecture.
Challenges we encountered
01. Enlisting the suppliers without any bias
Problem:
Given the large list of suppliers that would be shown on the platform, it was possible that users would only choose the ones at the top. It would be unfair to the remaining suppliers who might appear on the second page. We wanted to ensure that every supplier has an equal chance to be chosen by the client.
Solution:
Our developers used the random function to ensure that the suppliers displayed at the top change every time the page is refreshed. Now every supplier will have an equal chance to be displayed at the top of the list and be chosen by the users.
02. Keeping a record of user choices
Problem:
The platform is a common point for many different groups and individuals and it is necessary that their actions are recorded accurately. Keeping records is essential for follow-ups and billing purposes.
Solution:
Our developers designed specific database tables for each supplier and then arranged them in a hierarchy based on the type of actions to ensure that the data can be easily retrieved. This process took considerable time, but we had to get it right.
More to look out for
We came up with an idea to organize a one-of-a-kind marketing campaign for our client. We developed a voting page where users would vote for their favorites in each category. The most sought-after suppliers would be shortlisted this way and asked to participate in an event open for all. Attendees would buy tickets from the Wedding Suppliers website. The event would be hosted by Sarah Kennedy, an Irish wedding blogger, and Keith Barry, a mentalist.
