Matrimoni
Matrimoni, our responsive wedding planning site, is designed to simplify the wedding planning journey for couples. Utilizing our venue search feature, users can effortlessly narrow down their options based on preferences, eliminating the need for multiple in-person visits. Additionally, we provide comprehensive details on catering, clothing, cake, photography, and decorations, effectively reducing stress for newlyweds.
Overview
Planning weddings can be both joyful and challenging for couples. Amidst the excitement and dreams of a perfect day, the reality of managing numerous details and budget considerations can bring stress. Couples must navigate decisions about venues, catering, flowers, photography, and officiants, each contributing to the complexity of the wedding process. This task is not only time-consuming and potentially expensive but also involves considering cultural traditions, particularly if families adhere to specific traditional practices.
The Problem
Many couples, especially those under 30 with a budget of $25,000 or less, encounter difficulties in efficiently tracking their wedding budget and organizing tasks. A 2022 survey by The Knot found that 47% of couples struggled with budgeting, and 36% faced challenges with guest list management. The complexity of coordinating multiple tasks and expenses can lead to overspending and difficulties in prioritizing, making it challenging to plan and execute a successful wedding without effective tools or systems in place.
How might we make it easier for newly engaged couples to plan for their dream wedding within their target timeline and budget, reducing the planning time, expenses, and stress?
Solution
Based on our user research, we have implemented two key features. The first feature, venue search, allows users to explore venues without the need for a login. Users can choose to log in if they want to save their searches. The second feature is a budget planning tool that enables users to calculate their budget. Advanced features are accessible to logged-in users, allowing them to save their budget calculations.
User Research
Research Goals
To develop a single, streamlined solution that simplifies the wedding planning process for couples, particularly those under 30 with a budget of $25,000 or less. The goal is to create a tool that:
Enables efficient budget management without compromising the couple’s vision.
Simplifies the process of finding and booking venues and vendors.
Facilitates seamless communication and collaboration between couples, vendors, family, and friends.
Reduces the time, stress, and costs associated with wedding planning.
Ensures that couples can achieve their dream weddings, regardless of their budget.
Enhances the overall wedding planning experience, making it enjoyable and stress-free.
User Pain Points
After speaking with users and gathering insights from our secondary research, we identified the following pain points:
Users frequently encounter difficulties in locating suitable venues and vendor options when planning their weddings, leading to frustration and increased planning time.
The absence of a unified tool for collaborative budget tracking, task management, and idea sharing has resulted in challenges during wedding planning, as the couple seeks a solution that streamlines their efforts and reduces cognitive load.
Research Insights
User Interviews
To understand user needs, we conducted interviews, uncovering challenges and desires. Users seek a comprehensive solution for expense tracking, idea organization, vendor management, and a detailed wedding calendar.
Wedding planning challenges involve communication, budget limits, and a desire for better family relationships.
Key aspects include venue and vendor search, budget control, task management, effective communication, and finding inspiration.
Ultimately, users aim to create beautiful memories, capture joyful photos, and ensure a stress-free wedding day with smooth task delegation.
Wedding Planning Hurdles
Top Wedding Planning Priorities
Desired Features for Simplified Wedding Planning
Findings
After reviewing the interview responses, I noticed key trends: users want an all-in-one solution for tracking expenses, organizing ideas, and managing vendors. They value a detailed wedding calendar, clear communication, budget management, and strong family connections.
“I'm unsure about what kind of wedding I can afford on a $25,000 budget, I want to review venues and vendors' services and costs to choose the right ones for my wedding.”
Kana’22
“We want a memorable wedding for our guests but are worried about exceeding our budget. We need to monitor and track our spending to stay within our means.”
Kenta’30 & Mina’23
“I'm getting married for the first time, can't afford a wedding planner, and I'm unsure where
to start. I want venue recommendations and services within my budget so I can save time and have
more options to consider.”
Miki’27
User Survey
To gather a diverse range of quantitative data, I used surveys and shared the Google Forms link via WhatsApp with 21 participants aged 25-40, including those actively planning their weddings or recently married. This approach helped me collect valuable insights from a relevant audience.
At the top of the list is the search for a suitable venue.
72%
Users refrained from using any apps for wedding planning.
65%
Users used an Excel sheet to track wedding expenses and activities
62%
Users reported that wedding planning tools did the job
55%
Users indicated that planning a wedding took longer than six months.
38%
Wedding planning is often seen as an art where personal expression takes precedence over societal norms, though the process can be simultaneously exciting and stressful. It involves numerous decisions, gratitude toward guests, and a need for creativity and responsiveness in the planning process.
Overcoming budget constraints and aligning personal preferences with guest expectations were the most significant obstacles faced during wedding preparations. These challenges were compounded by external factors such as the COVID pandemic and the need to coordinate with various parties involved in the event.
Enhancing the planning experience often centered around the desire for more autonomy in decision-making. Many participants expressed a need for a comprehensive wedding planning app, while others sought greater family support and financial assistance.
Competitive Analysis
A comprehensive wedding planning platform that is budget-friendly, simple, visually appealing, and intuitive could greatly simplify the wedding planning process.
The competitive analysis reveals that while all three platforms offer robust planning tools, each has distinct strengths and weaknesses. The Knot excels in providing inspiration with a visually appealing interface but faces challenges with pricing limitations. The Big Day offers an intuitive and affordable experience, though it lacks depth in content. Planning Pod prioritizes functionality, leaving room to enhance its content and user interface for broader appeal.
Platforms
Strength
Weaknessess
Opportunities for
our product
The Knot
The Big Day
The Planning Pod
Comprehensive planning tools with a focus on inspiration and content.
User-friendly interface with visual appeal.
Flexible pricing options (free and premium plans).
Affordable lifetime subscription with a free trial.
Well-designed, intuitive user interface.
Prioritizes functionality over aesthetics, catering to users who need robust planning tools.
Subscription-based pricing with multiple tiers.
Free version has limitations.
Premium pricing may be too high for budget-conscious couples.
Limited inspirational content compared to The Knot.
May lack advanced features for professional users.
Limited international presence, primarily in Japan.
Faces competition within the Japanese market.
Offer enhanced budget tracking and task management features.
Focus on an intuitive and accessible mobile experience.
Provide comprehensive inspirational content while maintaining affordability.
Add advanced planning features to appeal to a broader audience.
Enhance user interface and mobile app for a more appealing experience.
Expand reach beyond Japan with content that resonates with international users.
Secondary Research
Upon conducting secondary analysis, we were able to conclude:
Rushali Attal: UX Research Project
Rushali Attal's project focuses on creating an intuitive wedding planning system to address issues like disjointed checklists and communication gaps. The goal is to develop a unified platform that enhances efficiency for planners, couples, and guests, reducing confusion and improving the planning experience.
Haley Sprankle: "Be Your Own Wedding Planner With Help From These Apps"
Haley Sprankle’s article highlights practical apps such as Airtable, Trello, and Discord, which offer effective solutions for task management and communication in wedding planning.
Selena Hoy: "5 Japanese Wedding Traditions"
Selena Hoy’s exploration emphasizes the integration of traditional customs with modern practices, showcasing how these elements create unique and meaningful wedding experiences while highlighting the importance of family and friends.
These sources collectively offer a comprehensive perspective on wedding planning, addressing challenges and presenting innovative solutions. They provide practical tools and deepen our understanding of the cultural richness that contributes to each wedding's uniqueness and memorability.
User Persona
After completing our research, we developed two distinct user personas for this project. The first persona is Krystal, a 27-year-old who prioritizes wedding planning services that focus on client satisfaction. Krystal's main frustrations include difficulty finding dress vendors, challenges in locating suitable venues and vendors, struggles with budget and task management, and reliance on vendor checklists. Her primary goal is to efficiently find the perfect venues and vendors for her wedding to align with her vision.
The second persona is Tom, a 30-year-old who envisions a joyful and efficient wedding celebration within a tight timeframe of six months or less. Tom faces frustrations related to budget communication, venue, and vendor search challenges, as well as coordinating a wedding with a spouse in a different country. He is looking for an app that enables him to efficiently discover suitable venues and vendors while focusing on budget and task management.
For this project, we will be moving forward with Krystal's persona due to its alignment with our core objectives.
User Persona
Krystal
About
Age: 27 Years
California, USA
Martial Status: Single
Gender: Female
Education: MBA
Bio
Krystal, a 27-year-old bride-to-be, is preparing for her first wedding and her top priority is finding a beautiful dress to make her special day even more memorable. She believes the wedding will be a success if the guests are happy and they can enjoy a meal with their family members. With a budget of $25,000, she is seeking services or a platform that prioritizes client satisfaction.
Frustrations
Difficulty locating the best and readily available dress vendors for the wedding.
Challenges in finding suitable venues and vendors.
Struggles with managing budget and task priorities effectively.
The need to rely on vendors and their checklists, which can be frustrating.
Motivations
Desires a planner or platform that genuinely cares about clients and their preferences during the wedding planning process.
Wants more visual content and presence on the platform to aid decision-making and provide a clearer picture of available options.
Users want to efficiently and effectively find suitable venues and vendors for their wedding to ensure everything aligns with their vision.
Users aim to successfully manage their wedding budget and prioritize tasks to ensure a smooth planning process.
Users wish to have more control and flexibility in planning, reducing their reliance on vendor-provided checklists.
Users seek a personalized and client-centric wedding planning experience that aligns with their preferences and desires.
Goals
Personality
Fashion
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Health & Fitness
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Family Oriented
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Social Connections
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Extrovert
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Technology
Social Networks
IT and Internet
Brands
SiteMap
After completing our storyboard and analyzing the data, we developed a site map with adjustments based on our observations. Each element is strategically placed to ensure a seamless and intuitive user experience.
Task Flows
With the site map in place, we developed user and task flows to depict how users would navigate and complete tasks visually. This process provided valuable insights into the user journey, allowing us to identify any challenges or potential areas for improvement. Based on the insight, we successfully designed the task flow:
How does “Find a Venue Feature” work?
Users land on the landing page with two options: the "Find a Venue" button in the hero section or the same option in the navigation bar.
Clicking the "Find a Venue" button takes users to a venue search screen for different cities.
Users can apply filters based on their preferences and view the search results.
To save the search, users must click the "Save Search" button, which requires them to log in.
Users can click on any venue in the search results to access a page with venue descriptions and service details.
Clicking the "Request Quote" button on the venue page takes users to a contact form.
Users complete the form, submit it, and receive a confirmation of submission, marking the end of the task.
Mid-Fidelity Wireframes
After completing the initial sketches, we digitally transformed them from paper to a digital format, taking into account valuable feedback and making necessary adjustments. Through an iterative process, we refined the design and made enhancements to optimize the overall user experience.
Brand System
In crafting our designs, we chose Playfair Display for its elegant, timeless serif style, adding a touch of sophistication to the overall design. Paired with Lato, a clean and modern sans-serif, the typography balances traditional elegance with contemporary simplicity. The dirty pink and blue colors evoke warmth, romance, and trust—perfect for creating a welcoming and visually appealing experience for couples planning their big day.
Typography
Playfair Display
Heading 1
Heading 2
Heading 3
Heading 4
Heading 5
Lato
Body 1
Body 2
Body 3
Body 4
Buttons
Captions
Color Palette
Primary
Secondary
Neutrals
Buttons
Primary
Search
Secondary
Sign Up
Icons
2
0
0
Filters
Outdoor Venues (2)
$ Price (1)
Support Diversity (2)
More Filters (6)
Wedding DJ
Wedding Dress
Clear
Outdoor Event Space
Covered Outdoor Space
$$ - Affordable
Asian owned Business
Black owned Business
Wedding Bands
Library
Ballroom
51-100
Wedding DJ
Wedding Dress
Clear
Black owned Business
Wedding Bands
Library
Ballroom
51-100
Graphics
Card
Long Island, NY
The Foundry
The Foundry in Long Island City offers a unique industrial-chic atmosphere, versatile event spaces, personalized event planning, in-house rentals, a picturesque outdoor courtyard, professional staff, catering flexibility, and stunning photo opportunities. With convenient city access and often exclusive venue use, it's a favored choice for unforgettable weddings. Contact for precise details and pricing.
100-250 Guests
.
Starts at $10,000
Request Quote
Text Fields
First Name
Jane
Last Name
Doe
Search Bar
Venues in New York
04.
Users complete the form, submit it, and receive
a confirmation of submission, marking the end
of the task.
02.
Clicking the "Find a Venue" button directs users to a city-based
venue search screen, where they can apply filters and
view tailored results.
01.
Users land on the landing page with two options:
the "Find a Venue" button in the hero section or the
same option in the navigation bar.
03.
Users can click on any venue in the search results to view
its description and services, and then click the "Request
Quote" button to access a contact form.
Role
UX/UI Designer
Team
Product Manager,
Front-End Developer, &
Back-End Developer
Tools
Figma, Figjam, Usability Hub,
Optimal Workshop,
Trello, Discord, &
Google Suite
What I did
User Interviews,
User Research,
Prototyping, Wire framing,
Usability Testing,
and Information Architecture
Timeline
Sep 2023 - Nov 2023
Problem Statement
Based on our research findings, we were able to define and reiterate our problem statement as follows:
How might we make it easier for newly engaged couples to plan for their dream wedding within their target timeline and budget, reducing the planning time, expenses, and stress?
What's next for Matrimoni?
In the second week, as our original product manager transitioned from the team, I took the initiative to ensure smooth project dynamics during the arrival of a new product manager. This experience required adapting to new communication methods and overcoming challenges with developments. Our commitment to delivering a functional product remained steadfast. Although the focus on Matrimoni has shifted for now, we remain open to exploring future collaborations on exciting new projects.
Learning & Key Takeaways:
In my first team project, I've come to appreciate the critical importance of clear communication, effective leadership, and collaborative teamwork, especially in a remote work context. During the second week, when our product manager stepped back, I took on additional responsibilities to ensure the team stayed on course. This transition proved to be a significant catalyst for both personal and team growth.
Close collaboration with developers underscored the necessity of understanding feasibility. As I explored various design concepts and made adjustments considering constraints like feasibility and time limitations, my perspective on design and development broadened significantly. Managing a substantial design workload and contributing to research efforts provided valuable insights, demonstrating the crucial role of clear communication in preventing conflicts.
Overall, this experience reinforced the value of effective collaboration and leadership, highlighting how practical insights into design feasibility can drive personal and professional growth. I'm eager to apply these lessons to new opportunities in the dynamic field of design and development.
Brainstorming & Ideating:
Based on our user research, we planned to implement two key features. The first feature, venue search, allows users to explore venues without the need for a login. Users can choose to log in if they want to save their searches. The second feature is a budget planning tool that enables users to calculate their budget. Advanced features are accessible to logged-in users, allowing them to save their budget calculations.
User Stories
Venue Search
As a user, I want to search for venues without logging in and have the option to save my searches for later when I do log in. This way, I can explore the website and decide if I want to continue using it, without the frustration of mandatory sign-ups or losing my progress.
Budgeting Tool
As a user, I want a feature to calculate my wedding budget without logging in and save my progress for later, so I can manage my budget more easily and decide whether to continue using the website without the hassle of mandatory sign-ups.
Pivot
Our initial plan included developing two features for our MVP:
1) a venue finder
2) a budgeting tool
Due to time constraints and technical feasibility, we couldn't proceed with the budgeting tool. Consequently, we focused our efforts on finalizing the venue feature, which encompasses various sub-features such as filtering and sorting. As a team, our main goal was to deliver a fully functional feature that represents our Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
Design, Test, & Iteration:
Low-Fidelity Wireframes
Once we completed the information architecture, we moved on to the interaction design phase, where we created sketches and low-fidelity wireframes. These initial sketches were essential for visualizing interface ideas and served as a starting point for refining the design, exploring layout options, and testing different functionalities.
High-Fidelity Wireframes
After honing the mid-fidelity wireframes to perfection, our focus shifted to crafting high-fidelity counterparts. These advanced wireframes not only encompassed all the essential refinements and enhancements but also reflected our dedication to precision and detail.
Prototype
After fine-tuning our high-fidelity wireframes, we entered the final stage of prototype development to test our product.
Usability Testing
Based on usability testing feedback:
80% of users found the design to be user-friendly, with positive perceptions of its simplicity, appealing layout, appropriate color choice, and clear text.
However, 20% of users suggested that the design might have a more feminine feel and could experiment with color options.
Users also pointed out some confusion on the landing page and inconsistencies on the "Find a Venue" page.
Valuable suggestions from users included adding catering options suitable for vegetarians, vegans, and those with allergies, as well as providing a map or landmark for directions.
Overall, feedback was largely positive, and with minor adjustments, we can create a more intuitive interface. A visual feedback summary is available for reference.
Matrimoni Target & Results
User Engagement
Users found the navigation more intuitive and
straightforward, resulting in increased confidence
when performing actions within the design.
Target
7%
Results
10%
Layout
Users found the design user-friendly, highlighting its simplicity, appealing layout, well-chosen color palette, and clear text.
Target
60%
Results
80%
Content Clarity
Users praised the design for its clear layout
and abundance of valuable, well-organized
content.
Target
10%
Results
15%
Iterations
Our product manager carried out usability tests with random participants to gain insights. While the tests were generally successful, we gathered valuable feedback that could enhance usability further.
Before
Users find the copy to be unclear and ineffective.
After
Redefined the copy for clarity and better understanding.