CASE STUDY: Socialite, Canterbury. Transforming a restaurant into a wedding ready destination.
- Kayleigh Wild
- Apr 23
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 11
Client: Socialite, Canterbury
Location: Canterbury, Kent
Project: Wedding Offer Creation & Pre-Launch Strategy
Timeline: 2 months (To the handover stage)
THE STARTING POINT
Socialite wasn’t a wedding venue.
There were no packages, no pricing, no wedding branding and importantly, no plans to become a traditional wedding venue.
What they did have was:
A striking, design led restaurant and cocktail space
Strong food and drink credentials
A forward thinking team open to new revenue streams
The brief was clear:
Create a wedding offering that aligns with Socialite’s identity as a modern, food led space not a country house copycat.
THE STRATEGY: BUILDING FROM ZERO
This wasn’t about tweaking an existing offer. It was a full build from scratch wedding concept, tailored to fit within a working restaurant.
1. Defining the Wedding Identity
Positioned Socialite as a restaurant that hosts weddings, not a wedding venue with a restaurant bolted on
Shaped a bold, modern identity: stylish, fun, and food focused
Wrote messaging that cut through the clichés, no rustic barns or chair sashes here
2. Strategic Foundations
Curated a lead wedding package designed around intimate celebrations, bold menus, and slick service
Set realistic price points to reflect the brand’s luxury edge without alienating modern couples
Worked with the chef team to bring the menu to the forefront as a USP
Developed detailed floor plans, SOPs, P&L insights, and internal documentation for full operational clarity
3. Systems & Sales Enablement
Built an automated enquiry to conversion journey: brochure downloads, email flows, CRM tracking
Created copy and layouts for a new weddings webpage
Wrote all email templates, FAQs, and team playbooks ready for launch
4. Visual Identity & Styled Shoot
Directed and supported an epic styled shoot that captured Socialite’s unique wedding aesthetic: bold, sleek, intimate
Delivered a brochure design that mirrored the interiors, elegant with an edge
Advised on shot selection, usage strategy, and rollout for future marketing
THE SHOOT
The styled shoot was a major turning point. It delivered:
A clear visual brand for weddings at Socialite
Scroll stopping content ready for social media, brochure, and website
Proof of concept that yes, this could absolutely work
The suppliers:
Donna Ripley - Flowers
By Blossom - Wedding Stationary
First Class Kent Events - Décor
Meg Mari Photography - Photography
Temptation Towers - Entertainment
Simply Ceremonies UK - Celebrant
Bennetts Menswear - Suits
Kent Crockery - Tableware
Amore Brides - Wedding dresses
Bridal Artistry - Hair and Make-up
Georgie Taylor - Singer
DELIVERABLES
Full wedding brand identity, tone of voice, and positioning
Wedding package design and pricing
Styled brochure and lead magnet
Website structure and copy
SOPs, sales flows, and CRM guidance
Team onboarding and enquiry handling framework
Shoot creative direction and delivery
RESULTS BEFORE HANDOVER
Internal team confident and ready for launch
Sales, branding, and operational assets delivered in full
Positioned for a successful wedding launch, without losing sight of the venue’s core brand
IS YOUR VENUE WEDDING READY (EVEN IF YOU’RE NOT A ‘VENUE’)?
If you’re ready to unlock new revenue from weddings without compromising your core business, I can help you build a system that fits your brand, team, and audience, from scratch.