Workcation Ideas & Tips for Wedding Creatives

Sep 13

In this blog post, I’m giving you my top reasons to take a workcation and how to go about planning one. You may be wondering: What even is a workcation? Simply put, it’s time away carved out of your calendar to get stuff done. It can be done out of town, or in town, but it’s not the same as some extra hours in your work day to check a few more things off your to do list. It's an intentional time to grow your business and work on it instead of in it.

Workations have allowed me to paint the bigger picture to where my business is going and have helped me in ways I never could have imagined. I’m breaking down the possible types of workcations you could take as well as how to plan them so that you can make some big moves in your business this year.

Why do you need a workcation?

You’re busy, overloaded and trying to chip away at a massive list of to dos that just feels never ending. A lot of the things on the list are the must-dos for others -- finalize a timeline before next weekend’s wedding, respond to that inquiry, figure out why the contact form on your website isn’t working properly. Perhaps you feel like you’re running a marathon and don’t have time to stop for a breath. Or, maybe, you feel like your business is an overgrown garden. Yes, there’s growth, but is it what you want and is it growing in the direction you desire? This is where a workcation comes into play. It’s a time to tackle some of those bigger projects or plan out some of the new business ideas you keep dreaming about. It’s time to reflect on what’s working and what’s not working within your business and outline a solid plan for growth.

What could I accomplish on a workcation?

Here are just a few of the things you could tackle:

Updating your packages and pricing
Updating your website copy
Planning out your social media for the next several months
Writing copy for an email sequence
Training yourself on the ins and outs of your CRM system
Writing out a business plan for the idea you’ve been marinating on for the past two years
Making a plan to bring on that next hire

How long are workcations and how much do they cost?

Workcations can be anywhere from one night to over a week in length. For me personally, three nights works well. I know that that might not be possible for all, and it’s not always possible for me either. When it comes to cost, this will depend on how many nights your workcation is and the cost of the hotel. The good news is that you can definitely consider this a business expense.

Where should I go for a workcation?

So where should you take a workcation? It could be a staycation at a property in the same city you live in, or it could be a short car ride away. Maybe you want to go a bit farther, and it requires a plane ride. There’s no right or wrong location. I love the idea of starting with a workcation in your own city. Staying in your own city would mean less travel and more work time because you’re staying local. It’d also be less expensive due to less travel. Plus, it’d be a great way to get your foot in the door at a new venue in town or one you’ve had your eye on for some time. I recommend making a reservation for your stay and then reaching out to the venue coordinator there. Let them know you’ll be staying onsite for a workcation and would love to meet them or tour the property while you’re there. Yes, you just combined venue research with relationship building and with focused growth on your business. WIN!

What are the different types of workcations?

Solo workcation - This is just you and some uninterrupted time. It might be right for you if you feel like you’re easily distracted and your business goals are just within reach if only you had peace and quiet to lay out some plans for them. This is the one type of the workcation that I have not taken. It doesn’t resonate with me because I need the accountability and brainstorming time that I get from taking a workcation with someone.
Business partner or significant other workcation - I’m married to a fellow entrepreneur and we have some crossover within our businesses. We combine work on things like brainstorming and business growth with a little bit of fun too. Back in 2019, we took a workcation three hours away. We booked an Airbnb just outside of Charlottesville, Virginia on a goat farm. We planned ahead to work during the day and take the late afternoons and evenings off for personal time, brainstorming, and discussion. The coolest thing about this trip was that it was where the idea for The Planner’s Vault was born. I never would have had the bandwidth or time for brainstorming to bring The Planner’s Vault to life if I hadn’t carved it out for the workcation.
Team workcation - This is a great idea if you’re looking to check in with your team, establish some group goals, and even spend some bonding and downtime together. This could be a really impactful workcation to take, especially as we’re coming out of a pandemic and getting deep into our 2022 and beyond goals. I did a mini workcation back in 2020 with my Weddings for Real and Planner’s Vault team. We stayed one night at a local bed and breakfast just thirty minutes from home. We had some group projects and content planning sessions. It was a great time to check in and hear the team’s feedback with what was working and what wasn’t with their roles.
Business bestie workcation - This is likely with an industry friend of yours. You go into the workcation knowing that you have someone to hold you accountable to your goal list. You’ll have someone to bounce ideas off of as you’re working. I did this with my fellow podcast friend and business owner, Kinsey Roberts of She Creates Business, back in April and it was a wonderful time. We spent the days working out of our rental house or in coffee shops, and we spent the evenings in deep, heartfelt and vulnerable conversations that I’m still reflecting on. It’s important that you take a business bestie workcation with someone that you respect and love within the industry and with someone that you know will push you and hold you accountable.
Group workcation - This one is a workcation with a group of peers. You may already know them in advance of the trip, or it could be a group of strangers. It could be formally organized through a leader or an organization, or it could be informally organized through your own network. This type was my first introduction to workcations back in early 2019 when I went with a group of industry peers (some I knew, and some I didn’t) to a friend’s beach house about three hours away. We all went in with some solo goals and some shared thought and brainstorming sessions built into the trip. There were choices for working in a group setting around one table or working solo in a more quiet space. There was downtime carved out as well. Everyone had their goals written out on a large piece of paper taped to the fridge, and every time someone checked a goal off, we all celebrated. It was so fun and so inspiring.

Start thinking about your own workcation and what it might look like. What can you get done and what future plans will come of it? Start a note (digital or pen and paper) about all of the big ideas or big projects you’d like to tackle with your business if only you had the time. Then, make the time. Start small with one night away, and then add on from there. Just do it! Make a plan and go for it. Then, when you have that business breakthrough or the idea that you’ve brought to life, send me an email (hello@theplannersvault.com) or a DM on Instagram (@weddingsforreal) and let me celebrate with you. There’s power in a workcation and I want you to harness it.

Learn more about workcations by listening to the full Weddings For Real podcast episode 143 today! Additionally, The Planner’s Vault hosts annual workcations for members in destinations across the US. Planner’s Vault workcations provide structured time for business planning, one-on-one mentorship, along with relaxing and refreshing leisure time. Check out all that The Planner’s Vault has to offer here!