Managing a wedding venue can feel like juggling a dozen spinning plates while walking a tightrope. Between coordinating with couples, tracking payments, managing timelines and maintaining supplier relationships, venue owners often find themselves drowning in administrative tasks. But what if there was a way to streamline all these moving parts into one cohesive system?

We sat down with Danielle Howarth from Barn 1888, a stunning wedding venue in Michigan USA, to discover how European cloud-based software Sonas helped her transition her venue operations from scattered processes into a state of organised efficiency.

Can you describe your business and the main challenges you faced before implementing Sonas?

Barn 1888 is a beautiful wedding venue located in Michigan, and before implementing Sonas, I was juggling multiple different platforms just to stay organized. As a US-based venue, it was incredibly fragmented and time-consuming to manage everything across various systems – from client communications to payment tracking.

What specific features of Sonas attracted you to choose it over other solutions available in the market?

I researched many different platforms available in the US market, and Sonas was the only one that had everything I needed in one place. It offered a comprehensive calendar system, a streamlined way to send terms and conditions, menu management capabilities, table layout tools, payment tracking and processing, and automated messaging for client reminders. Having all these features integrated into one platform was exactly what Barn 1888 needed, regardless of where the software originated.

How did the implementation process go for your team? Were there any standout moments of support or ease of integration?

The implementation went exceptionally well, even with the time zone differences between Michigan and Europe. I worked closely with Holly from the Sonas team, who was always available whenever I needed assistance. While it felt a bit overwhelming initially, Holly consistently helped me navigate any questions or challenges that came up. What's remarkable is that she's still readily available whenever I encounter something I can't figure out, despite being based in Europe. The support is truly outstanding and always accessible for us here at Barn 1888.

Could you share a particular instance where Sonas directly impacted your business operations for the better?

Previously, I had to manually send payment reminders and scheduling updates to all my couples at Barn 1888 when deadlines were approaching or due. Sonas completely transformed this process with automated messaging systems that are customized specifically for our Michigan venue. These automations handle payment reminders and final walkthrough scheduling seamlessly, saving me countless hours of manual work

How has Sonas affected your relationships with couples and suppliers?

I primarily use Sonas for managing my couples here at Barn 1888, and it has made everything incredibly smooth. The streamlined communication and organization have significantly improved the client experience for our Michigan-based couples.

In terms of sales and marketing efforts, have you noticed any significant improvements since adopting Sonas? Can you provide examples?

Honestly, I don't utilize Sonas much for marketing purposes at Barn 1888. I focus more on using it for organizational aspects of managing my couples and their events here in Michigan.

Are there any specific tools or features within Sonas that your team finds invaluable? How do they contribute to your daily operations?

Interestingly, the layout feature is actually the tool I use the least at Barn 1888.  All the other Sonas features are incredibly valuable to my daily operations.

Could you quantify the impact Sonas has had on your business, such as time saved, increased sales, or improved customer satisfaction?

Sonas has saved me a significant amount of time with everyday tasks at Barn 1888. The automations I've set up are absolutely fantastic and have become an essential part of my workflow here in Michigan.

How has our ongoing support and any updates or improvements to the app influenced your satisfaction and success with Sonas?

Sonas consistently releases updates and genuinely considers user feedback to improve the system. One of my favorite recent updates was to the inbox feature – being able to select multiple messages at once has been a real time-saver for me at Barn 1888. It's clear they listen to their users globally and continuously evolve the platform.

Finally, would you recommend us to other wedding venues facing similar challenges? Why or why not?

Absolutely! Sonas is an excellent program. Even though I'm based here in Michigan and Sonas is European-based software, it has been a fantastic addition to Barn 1888 and our operations. I highly recommend it to other US venues and international venues facing similar organizational challenges. The software transcends geographical boundaries beautifully.

Transform Your Venue Operations Today – From Michigan to Europe and Beyond

Danielle's experience at Michigan's Barn 1888 perfectly illustrates the transformative power of having the right venue management system, regardless of where it originates. From eliminating the chaos of multiple platforms to automating time-consuming tasks, European software Sonas has proven itself as an invaluable partner in streamlining wedding venue operations for US-based businesses. Despite Sonas being a European-based software company, Danielle felt completely supported by the team. They consistently went above and beyond to ensure a smooth onboarding and provide ongoing help, easily overcoming any challenges posed by the time difference.

The key takeaways from Danielle's journey at Barn 1888 are clear: comprehensive integration saves time, automated workflows reduce manual errors, excellent cross-continental support ensures long-term success, and great software solutions work seamlessly across international boundaries. Whether you're a venue in Michigan like Barn 1888, anywhere else in the United States, or internationally, struggling with fragmented systems, spending too much time on administrative tasks, or simply looking to enhance your client experience, the right venue management solution can make all the difference.

Ready to transform your venue operations like Danielle did at Barn 1888? Book your personalised demo today by clicking here and discover how Sonas can streamline your wedding venue management, save you valuable time and help you deliver exceptional experiences for your couples – no matter where in the world your venue is located.

Related Links:

• Visit Barn 1888's Website
• Learn More About Sonas Events Software
• Book Your Sonas Demo