My gift to you!
Wedding Industry Maven and a Marketing and Conversion Strategist.
She works with overworked wedding professionals to increase their profitability and cut their workload in half using her Endless Engagement method, so they can have long term success without scrambling to get couples and getting lost in the weeds of running their business.
Hi, fellow wedding pros! I am back with one more piece of advice for those of you looking to make a career in wedding planning. If you have been following my previous articles, you probably already have a good idea of what it takes to hold a successful wedding planner career. But today, I want to take a more specific approach and talk about some major dos and don’ts that can make or break your career as a wedding planner.
Before I go ahead, let me share an interesting event that happened to me recently. I was coordinating a wedding for a couple and things were going smoothly until the day of the wedding. As soon as I arrived at the venue, I noticed that the centerpieces were completely different from what the couple had requested. It turns out that my assistant made some last-minute changes without consulting the clients or me. Needless to say, it caused quite a bit of chaos and upset both the clients and myself.
This incident made me realize how important it is to have clear guidelines and boundaries in this industry. Sharing this experience with you all, I have compiled a list of major dos and don’ts that every wedding planner should follow to ensure a successful and long-lasting career.
The key to success in any service-based business is clear and effective communication. From the very first consultation with your clients, make sure to establish a clear line of communication. This includes setting expectations, discussing budget, and maintaining open channels for feedback and updates throughout the planning process.
Take it as a rule of thumb – never assume anything, always communicate. This not only helps in building trust with your clients but also prevents any last-minute surprises or misunderstandings.
People hire wedding planners to take the stress away from their big day. This means that they expect you to be on top of everything and keep things organized and running smoothly. Create a detailed checklist for each event, keep track of deadlines, and have contingency plans in case of any emergencies.
Being detail-oriented also means paying attention to small details that can make a big difference, such as checking for spelling errors on invitations or making sure all the guests’ dietary restrictions are taken care of.
Building strong relationships with vendors is non-negotiable for a wedding planner who aims for excellence. Your vendors are your allies; they help bring your vision—and your client’s dreams—to life. Engage with them regularly, understand their strengths, and recognize their challenges. Simply put, treat your vendors with the same respect and professionalism as you do your clients. Build a network of trusted vendors you can rely on to deliver quality service time and time again. This not only assures a seamless event but can also lead to collaborative opportunities, discounts, and referrals.
Let’s move on to the don’ts. If you want to stand out for the right reasons and not the wrong ones, here are some behaviors to avoid at all costs.
One of the quickest ways to tarnish your reputation as a wedding planner is by overpromising and underdelivering. Always be realistic about what you can achieve within the given budget and timeframe. It’s tempting to say yes to everything your clients desire, but it’s far more responsible—and ultimately more appreciated—to set clear boundaries and manage expectations from the get-go. Remember, delivering on a modest promise will always be better than falling short of a grand one.
Wedding planning can be incredibly demanding, both physically and emotionally. Late nights, high-stress levels, and constant multitasking can take a toll on your health if you’re not careful. It’s essential to prioritize self-care so you can consistently perform at your best. Take regular breaks, maintain a healthy diet, and don’t hesitate to delegate tasks when necessary. A well-rested, healthy planner is far more effective than one running on empty.
Feedback—whether positive or negative—is invaluable for the growth of your career. It’s crucial to listen to what your clients and vendors have to say about your work. While positive feedback can serve as a morale booster, constructive criticism offers opportunities for improvement. Make it a habit to request feedback after each event, and use it to refine your processes and services. Embrace criticism as a tool for continuous growth rather than as a personal attack.
In an effort to please clients, you may find yourself saying yes to unreasonable requests or unrealistic timelines. However, learning to say no is a critical skill in wedding planning. Whether it’s turning down an impossible last-minute change or explaining that a particular request is outside the budget, declining with grace and professionalism protects both your credibility and the quality of the event. Always aim to provide alternatives that balance client desires with practical constraints.
By keeping these dos and don’ts in mind, you’ll position yourself to not only meet but exceed your clients’ expectations, ensuring a thriving and fulfilling career in wedding planning. These guidelines are not just theoretical—they come from firsthand experience, both mine and many of my colleagues in the industry. So take them to heart, put them into practice, and watch your wedding planning career flourish.
I’d like to share an experience that truly encapsulates the importance of adhering to these major dos and don’ts in the wedding planning career. Early in my career, I once took on a wedding with an exceptionally tight budget and an almost impossibly short timeline. Against my better judgment, I overpromised on what I could deliver, hoping my hard work would make up for the unrealistic conditions. Inevitably, the strain caught up with me; the vendors couldn’t meet the tight deadlines, and the stress affected my health, leading to subpar service and disappointed clients.
From this experience, I learned the invaluable lesson of setting realistic expectations and prioritizing self-care. Embracing these fundamental principles has since allowed me to deliver exceptional weddings consistently and sustain a thriving business. What I learned is that while a successful wedding planner needs to be confident and assertive, it’s equally crucial to stay humble and continuously strive for growth.
So remember, always communicate, stay organized, build relationships, don’t overpromise, prioritize self-care, solicit feedback, and don’t be afraid to say no when necessary. These are the keys to unlocking a fulfilling and successful career in wedding planning.
Ahh, the world of wedding planning. It’s a dynamic and rewarding career that requires a unique blend of creativity, organization, and communication skills. As a wedding planner, you have the opportunity to create unforgettable experiences for your clients while turning your passion into a thriving business.
But as with any career, success in wedding planning doesn’t come easy. It takes hard work, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to providing exceptional service. If you’re up for the challenge, armed with these dos and don’ts, and a confident, assertive tone of voice, you’ll be well on your way to a successful wedding planning career.
Remember to always keep learning, adapt to industry changes, and never stop striving for excellence. The world of weddings is ever-evolving, and as a wedding planner, it’s your job to stay ahead of the curve.
With passion and determination, you can turn your love for weddings into an incredibly fulfilling career that brings joy not only to yourself but also to countless couples on their special day. So go forth confidently, build strong relationships with clients and vendors alike, and create magical moments that will be cherished forever. Happy planning!
I’m on a mission to help as many wedding pros and creatives become highly sought after in their market while providing a “WOW” client experience that sets them apart and ultimately has their ideal brides, grooms or couples throwing money at them to book them.