Starting a wedding planner business can be one of the most rewarding and fulfilling things that a young professional can do. It will take a ton of dedication and plenty of drive, but if you are willing to put in the work, it can be quite lucrative. Many people feel that you have to be an expert in all things about weddings to succeed as a wedding planner, but this is not necessarily so. Many people succeed in the business of wedding planning simply by being business smart and knowing how to network. This article is designed to give you the basics that you will need to do if you are going to start a business as a wedding planner.
Am I Cut Out to Have a Wedding Planner Business?
Wedding planners have a tough job. It is up to the wedding planner to ensure that the wedding goes off without a hitch. Everyone will be looking to the wedding planner to provide the guidance and direction on a day when everything is completely crazy. Can you handle this stress? Are you a good enough planner to have all things in order? If not, do you know anyone that can provide this for you? Knowing what a wedding planner must go through is the first step to figuring out a wedding planner business. You do not want to go into a business without knowing that you are a good fit for the job.
What Does a Wedding Planner Do?
In a word, everything. A wedding planner is one of the first people to arrive at the wedding, and almost always the last to leave. The reception, wedding, and rehearsals are all done by the wedding planner. Every single detail of the wedding falls into the wedding planners area of expertise. The flowers, decorations, invitations, food, clothes, and entertainment are only a few of the details that a wedding planner handles. And then there is the execution of this plan. A wedding planner is also a director. They must ensure that everyone is where they should be, and doing what they should be doing. Finally, a wedding planner must be a masterful networker. Weddings can not be planned without weddings. You must get out there and find clients!
How Do I Start My Wedding Planner Business?
Once you are aware of what it takes, and you feel good about your ability to do it, becoming a wedding planner is not all that difficult. The hardest part is to get out there and establish a working relationship with several people in the field. A wedding planner needs to have resources to be effective. They should get a caterer, a photographer, a chef, a DJ, a florist, a priest, a rabbi, and at least five solid locations that they can work with. These are the minimums and having more contacts in the wedding business is advised. The more contacts, the more options you can provide your clients with.
Once you have those contacts, then you want to figure out if you are going to have a physical location right out of the gate. Some people work from their home in the beginning to get started less expensively. Others want a physical location for the business right from the start.
Go to your local courthouse and find out what business permits and so forth that you need to become a wedding planner and be in business for yourself. It is also advisable that you hire an accountant to take care of your finances and taxes.
This brings us to funding for your wedding planner business. Are you going to fund the business or are you going to get financial backing? Are you going to get a loan from a bank or individual? All of these questions must be answered before you get started as a wedding planner.
Once you have all of these things done you are set and ready for your wedding planner business. Get out there and find your first wedding!
