Wedding planning is a booming market, and starting your own wedding planning business can be an exciting adventure. Unlike other businesses that rely on mass production, wedding planning requires an intimate knowledge of the potential clients and their tastes and preferences. 

It also heavily depends on your ability to network and market yourself successful wedding planners.

You are here because you are thinking of starting a wedding planning business. Congratulations, the decision makes you an entrepreneur!

Doesn’t matter if you are a new business trying to pursue a wedding planner career or an experienced business owner looking to expand your service; starting a new venture can be intimidating.

It will take a lot of hard work and perseverance for your business to succeed. Taking the first step is sometimes the hardest part, but it’s essential to plan before starting anything.

I see a lot of new wedding pros asking, “how do I start a wedding planning business?” or “Is wedding planning a profitable business?” on wedding planning forums.  It is a smart move to ask these kinds of questions because it will help you set your mind to achieve your goal.

This isn’t just a blog; I have penned down my years of experience and knowledge in running a multi-million dollar wedding planning business.

So, time to learn from my experience!

Before we get into the logistics of how to start a wedding planning business, I want you to understand that your passion and entrepreneurial spirit will be key to your success.

As a wedding planner, you will work directly with clients and spend a great deal of time developing the perfect package for them. Your job is to make sure that everything is planned according to their taste and budget.

But first things first.

To start your own wedding planning business successfully, you must have the right mindset.

• You are here because you are passionate about wedding planning.
• You have an eye for detail and have always loved being part of other people’s weddings.
• You are an organized person who is up for a challenge. You know how to meet deadlines and can effectively manage your time.
• You also have the ability to communicate and connect with people.

These are just some qualities that all wedding service providers must possess. These qualities will help you to succeed in the wedding planning business.

Now, let’s get started to explore!

Step 1: Research the Business Market

There are many different styles of wedding planning, and each one has its own target market. You need to consider your strengths and weaknesses before you can jump into the business.

You need to know exactly who your target market is and how you can differentiate yourself from the crowd.

I believe that one of the most effective ways to research the wedding market is to go online and look at wedding planning forums.

These forums are a great place where you can get huge amounts of information on all things related to wedding planning. You can learn a lot from other professionals who have been in the business for quite some time.

You can directly understand the pain point of your target audience. What discussions are they having on these consumer forums? What are their concerns? What are they looking for in a wedding planner?

Just type “wedding forums” on Google, and you will see a whole list of wedding planning and related forums.

For example, let’s say that you want to market yourself as an affordable wedding planner. You can search for “wedding planning forums” on Google with the keywords wedding planning forums.

Online forums are excellent places to start your research. You can ask questions, read about their experiences, and understand the wedding planning industry.

Even if you are not targeting specific people, you should read other people’s business experiences.

You can also learn a lot by reading about other wedding planners, their successes and failures. Many wedding magazines, blogs, and news sites can be useful for wedding planning business leaders. Don’t be afraid to explore!

Step 2: Make a Business Plan Before You Start

Before you officially start your business, I strongly recommend that you sit down and create a detailed business plan.

As a wedding planner, your plan will guide you to know exactly what you need to do when.

A business plan is the most effective way for you to capture all of your ideas, goals, and plans in one place.

Successful entrepreneurs and business owners know this: planning is the key to success.

When you want to start your own wedding planning business, ask yourself some questions such as:

• Do I have what it takes to become a wedding planner?
• How will I finance my business?
• How do I start a wedding planning business without breaking the bank?
• What are my business goals as a wedding planner?
• How much am I willing to spend on marketing and advertising as many wedding planners do?

These are just some of the questions you need to ask yourself before even thinking about becoming a wedding planner.

Your answers will define the steps you need to take and how far you can go with your business.

Fortunately, we live in the digital world, where there are no huge startup costs; wedding professionals have so many platforms to start your own business and conduct market research, and explore what your competitors are up to.

Once you have your answers, you are ready to move on to the next step.

Step 3: Create a Visual Brand That Stands Out

Now that’s what I really like about this process to become a wedding planner…the more I can do myself, the faster my business will grow!

Your brand is very important because it sets you apart from your competitors. It will also show your target market how you are different from the rest of the pack, so they know why to choose you over your competitors.

The thing is: nobody wants to hire just wedding planners when it comes to planning their dream wedding. Branding is essential because hundreds of other wedding planners do exactly the same.

So, why you? Why should someone choose you?

This is where your branding comes into play. Create a visual brand that gets noticed – that gets attention. That makes your target market say, “Wow! I need to get in touch with her!”

Getting noticed is the name of the game. When you have an excellent visual brand recognized, people will notice it – and you – everywhere they go.

People are busy, so how do you cut through the clutter to get noticed?

Here are some essential aspects of your brand that you need to incorporate:

• Creating a logo that looks professional and is something that you can own. You need to brand yourself as the best, so what makes you stand out from the crowd?
• Create a gorgeous website that is mobile-friendly and showcases your work.
• Create a consistent look and feel across your marketing material, such as brochures, landing pages, and business cards.

Think about the words you use to describe yourself – it’s important to be spot on with your messaging. Most wedding planners say they are a “professional wedding planner,” but what does professional really mean? If you ask 100 people to define it, you will get 100 different answers.

You want to be unique, so think about using a different wording that makes you stand out from the crowd.

When it comes to your business website, it needs to be professional but also have a “wow factor” that makes people say, “Wow! This is amazing!”

Remember, your brand is all about you. It’s your own business, and you are the face of your business, so make sure it looks good!

Step 4: Invest in Business

Your brand must look professional when you want to start a wedding planning business. The truth is: when people see your brand, they will associate that with the quality of your work.

If you want to start a wedding planning business taken seriously and recognized as the best, invest in your brand!

As an entrepreneur, your investment is time and money. If you don’t know, time is money!

Don’t invest in cheap tools that are lackluster. Invest in your brand with high-quality products that show off your hard work.

Your branding is just as important as your work, so don’t skimp out. Invest in things that look good and are useful for your target market. For instance, invest in winter-themed marketing materials if you are planning a winter wedding.

Forget the startup fee – the best thing about this process is that you can start your business with no startup fee.

Your target market is out there; all you have to do is get in touch with them and let them know what you can do to help them plan their dream wedding.

Step 5: Invest in Mentorship Programs

Everyone has the choice; either you invest in yourself or do things the hard way.

What do many wedding planners choose?

The hard way! There is nothing wrong with investing in yourself because you get a good return on that investment.

You need to invest in yourself if you want to be successful. There is no such thing as an overnight success, so stop looking for it!

No matter what industry you are in, there will always be someone that has done it before.

Take advantage of this by learning from them and earning the coveted title: industry expert yourself!

There are so many ways that you can do this. You could listen to podcasts, read blogs, check out YouTube videos…the list is endless!

But above and beyond is to invest in mentorship! Don’t reinvent the wheel. Learn from people who have been there and done that before you! Sometimes, it’s just about knowing where to start.

As a new wedding planner, you can’t just jump in and start. Every industry has some learning curve, but new business owners overlook many.

You get step-by-step instructions on what you need to do to succeed by investing in mentorship. You also get a mentor who is there for you whenever you have questions throughout your journey.

Step 6: Network Yourself with the Right People!

Who do you know in the wedding planning business? That’s a question we hear time and time again. But the key to everything is knowing the right people.

Remember: the more people you know; the more success is achieved.

The wedding industry has been leveraging from word-of-mouth marketing for years, so leverage it too!

Let’s say you are a to-be bride; who would you choose as your wedding planner, your friend recommends, or the one you know nothing about?

The answer is always the one your friend recommends because every bride wants a stress-free wedding, and trusting a friend is preferred. So it’s vital to be connected with them!

There are so many benefits you can get by networking yourself with the right people, such as:

• Getting referrals and recommendations
• Having someone to bounce ideas off of
• Learning from other people mistakes
• And so much more…

I could go on and on, but the point is: network yourself with the right people!

If you don’t know where to start, go back to step 5 and invest in a good mentorship program. You’ll get all the contacts you need with a mentor at your side!

The great thing about networking is that it never stops. If you want success, you need to network yourself with the right people!

So get out there are start networking. You will be surprised how quickly you can connect with people when you have a good mindset and are genuine about your interests!

But the question is: How exactly can you start networking?

Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Join Facebook groups
• Go to networking events
• Talk with people at the gym or in your local community center
• Attend local networking events and business expos –
• Do some research on industry experts and get in contact with them.
• Hangout on wedding business forums

Remember: it’s about building relationships, not contacts. You need to treat every business interaction with the right intention if you want people to gravitate towards you.

People buy from people – so act like a human, not a robot!

Step 7: Register with City + State

So you have been networking yourself with the right people, getting a mentor, and even getting referrals from your friends.

But do you realize that you need to be registered in the city where you want to start your business?

When you register with the city, you are a legal entity with a business number. This is basically your identification as a sole proprietor, freelancer, or small business owner.

It’s super easy to register with the city and state, so you should definitely take advantage of it.

Registering yourself with the city gives you an identity, a presence, and a sense of credibility. Register with the city and state if you want to become a business owner!

The sooner you do it, the better. The longer you wait, the more time you lose in your journey towards success!

Step 8: Hangout Where the Brides Are!

Now imagine you have a business website, know how to market, have a mentor, and even register with the city and state.

So what’s next? Will brides automatically flock towards you and give you their money?

No, that’s the wrong mindset. You need to be where your target market is at!

If you are in the wedding planning buisness, hang out where all the brides are!

It’s as simple as that.

If you are in the wedding industry, go to expos and bridal shows! This is where you’ll get in touch with your target market.

The great thing about these events is that they are always happening! –

You can also go to weekly seminars or even bridal meetups.

Bridal seminars are super valuable because you get to speak with other planners and suppliers. You get to learn from them, create friendships and even refer business to each other!

And remember: don’t wait for business to fall in your lap. You need to be proactive and get out there where the target market is!

Step 9:  Manage Your Cash Flow!

That’s where newbie small business owners really struggle.

And that’s understandable. You are juggling various wedding vendor contracts, mentor/coaching fees, and business expenses simultaneously!

Running a wedding planning business is super exciting but scary at the same time… It’s so easy to lose track of your cash flow when new to this industry.

But if you ever want to become successful in the wedding planning business, you need to manage your cash flow!

You need to be able to pay your bills on time, manage your expenses and stay in control. Never spend more than you are earning.

You’ll first need to figure out how much you can spend and your daily/weekly financial limits. It takes discipline, but if you stay committed to your budget, you’ll enjoy the benefits of financial freedom.

You’ll sleep soundly at night knowing that you control your business’s financials.

Remember: cash flow management is key to success!

Step 10: Leverage Social Media to the Max!

Social Media – hands down  – is the best social media platform for wedding planners!

Just think about it for a second:

Facebook:

You can create related Facebook pages and target specific audiences where you can share your content. A stellar Facebook profile is a perfect marketing strategy. It can help you stay top-of-mind with local brides and act as your business landing page.

Pinterest:

Let’s be honest here: Pinterest is huge! Almost all brides search Pinterest for event planning and wedding planning inspiration. It’s one of the biggest social media platforms for the wedding planning business, making it a virtual goldmine! Just type in the best wedding planners and see how many pins there are!

Instagram:

Instagram is one of the biggest visual platforms right now, and since weddings are all about visuals, Instagram is a no-brainer for wedding planners!

TikTok:

TikTok has been the most popular social media platform in 2022 for event planning inspiration. It has even surpassed Google to become the fastest-growing social media platform. 61% of Tiktok users are females, which means that there are a huge number of brides on TikTok!

If you are starting out on social media, I suggest prioritizing Instagram or TikTok as it has the highest potential for engagement.

And if you are struggling with content for your social media posts, be sure to check out my Content Fuel for Wedding Pros!

Step 11: Start a Podcast!

In 2018, podcasting was the biggest thing in social media. And this trend has continued to grow faster than ever before.

Wedding planners, think about it – if you want to get more clients, then what’s the better way than to launch your own show?

You can talk about wedding planning services, ideas on how to become successful wedding planners, latest wedding trends, which will attract many loyal brides.

Also, you can do a roundup show where you interview other experts in the wedding industry. By partnering up with experts who are further ahead than you, they will share their secrets and strategies because they want to help!

Podcasts stand you as a wedding planner expert in your industry. When your potential clients hear you talk about the event planning business, and various how-to’s, they will know you are an expert.

It helps to establish your expertise in the industry and enables you to build a loyal following.

Step 12:  Make Your First Sale!

Remember where you came from at the start of this article? You just graduated, didn’t have any brides, had no idea what you were doing, and just registered with your city.

You are now at the point where you have a website, know how to market yourself, and even at bridal shows and seminars.

You’ve learned so much along the way, and it’s time to put your hard work into action.

That’s where you make your first sale!

It doesn’t matter how small your first sale is. As long as you get that first sale, then congratulations! You’ve already made a big step in your wedding planning business journey.

It’s time to celebrate your first sale and remember this moment. It will motivate you to continue working hard and learning from other wedding planners.

Remember: it’s possible to become a successful wedding planner! All you have to do is follow these 10 steps and stick to them!

FAQs – Wedding Planning Business

Now since we have covered everything in our guide to launch and succeed as a wedding planner, let’s see the most frequently asked questions.

Q1: How much does it cost to start a wedding planner business?

It depends on your particular niche, market, and the kind of clients you want to attract. I wouldn’t give any rough idea to start a successful wedding planning business. Suppose you are a new wedding planner; you have to build your name and market first.

In the wedding planning business, you have two options: either you land in the market without any practical experience at your hand. Or you first invest in mentorship and then start your business.

Is wedding planning a profitable business?

That’s what I can vouch for! Wedding planning is one of those few professions where you can make a huge profit. However, it’s not easy to start a wedding planning business, as I mentioned earlier. To become successful, you have to keep working hard and learning from experienced wedding planners.

Ready to Get your First Lead?

The wedding planning business has so much potential, but it needs a lot of effort and time to make it work.

The hardest part about wedding planning is starting from scratch, from absolutely nothing.

That’s why I suggest investing in mentorship programs. Mentorship helps you get started, but it also gets the ball rolling!

My sure-shot strategies have helped my students generate their first sales with minimal marketing efforts.

If you’ve tried everything and nothing has worked, I suggest enrolling in my latest mentorship program. It’s the only way to get started with your wedding planning business fast! Ready?

Thanks for reading my guide! Let’s do this!