How to Start a Wedding Planning Business in 9 Steps

With the power of the internet and social media, people have become aware of the various means by which they can make money. From online hustles to bootstrapping a wedding planning business, abundant resources are available online, giving you step-by-step instructions on building a startup from zero and growing it to a six-figure income stream. 

More couples place a high value on their wedding and want it to be memorable by hiring planners and coordinators. If it’s something you want to help them with, today is the best time to learn how to start a wedding planning business due to the high market demand. If you’re interested and ready, roll up your sleeves and follow these steps outlined to build your dream business successfully.

How Do I Start My Wedding Planning Business?

The worldwide wedding services market is forecasted to grow to $414.2 billion by 2030 from $160.5 billion in 2020. With an evergreen industry like this, there’s a space for you to trade your wedding planning skills for extra income. But if you don’t have any experience, no worries, as it’s easy to learn and you’ll soon find yourself working with incredible clients. Before that, here are actionable steps to kick off your business. 

1. Decide What Services to Offer

As wedding planners offer a range of services, choose whether you want to be a week-of or day-of coordinator, month-of coordinator, full wedding planner or event designer. Each role is only slightly different from the other. Still, you’ll be more credible if you have a specialization or a niche, like an event designer who only handles the wedding design and aesthetic — not the logistics or vendors.

When you work with your first client, you’ll get to collaborate with other wedding professionals behind the scenes. You’ll learn a thing or two about their work. If you develop an interest in expanding your service profile in the future, you can get training for it. But initially, you’d want to focus on one particular area of wedding planning. 

2. Take a Formal Wedding Planner Training

Although you can start a wedding planning business at home without a certification, enroll in a course to get an idea of the ins and outs, such as how to handle guests and communicate with vendors. It must be your second step to familiarize yourself with how to service clients and incorporate their ideas and visions into reality. 

Wedding planner training can span weeks to months, depending on the institution and what you want to specialize in. Once you’ve decided what to pursue, research an online curriculum relevant to your focus. After the training, you may get a certification, recommendation letter and a “professional” wedding planner designation you can attach on your business cards. 

3. Pick a Catchy Business Name

The name of your business is part of your branding, so it must make an impression. Think of a catchy name that piques people’s interest. 

If you need an idea, search online for patterns in other wedding planners’ business names. Many include their names in creating the business title to add a touch of personality to it. 

4. Handle Legal Matters

To avoid trouble, take care of the legal documents for setting up a business. It can include registering it as an entity in your state, securing an employer identification number and opening a business bank account. 

Ensure you handle pre-operation legal requirements before even marketing or getting clients. People trust wedding professionals who are transparent with their business. 

5. Create a Business Plan

Like other businesses, a plan will help you make a positive impression on clients. What should your business plan include? Craft your mission statement, story or background and the array of services you offer. Identify the people you serve, conduct a market analysis and collect other relevant information. You’ll need these to provide a solid foundation for your business and show clients you’re a professional and a legitimate entity.

6. Secure Your Funding

While setting up a wedding planning business is affordable, especially at home, you need funding to pay for other associated expenses. For instance, you’ll need a website and pay for hosting, graphic designer and writer to get it live on the web. 

Registering the business also incurs costs, including printing business cards and brochures, advertisements or marketing and purchasing software. You can use your savings or take out a loan to pay for these. 

7. Explore Networking Opportunities

Even if you say you’re an introvert, make an effort to attend wedding shows, church activities, exhibitions, conferences or concerts. Meet as many people as possible to get leads and connect with vendors. 

Networking will open up various opportunities to get to know vendors you could work with in the future and develop a good relationship with them. If you’re lucky, they may know someone who’ll need your service and offer an introduction. 

8. Set a Price Structure

On average, a wedding planner charges around $2,000 for one event, but other factors can increase costs. As wedding planning services are customized to fit the needs of the couples, your price structure can vary. For example, one couple may only need the day-of wedding coordination service as they can prepare for the rest, while another may require help from the start of the planning until the big day. 

Create a price structure that gives couples an estimated figure in case they inquire. This way, they’ll know if it fits their budget. 

9. Build a Client Base

A wedding planning service thrives with word-of-mouth marketing, so do your best to satisfy the clients and make them happy during the most important day of their lives. Build a relationship with them, and they will tell others how lucky they were to work with you. They will rave about how great you are — and this will help you meet your next client.

Additionally, market your business continuously. Get testimonials from previous clients. Their compliments and positive experiences dealing business with you are powerful marketing assets you can take advantage of to develop your brand and build a client base. 

Starting a Wedding Planning Business Is Simple

Ultimately, it’s better to learn how to start a wedding planning business if you like the idea. Suppose you’re drawn to marriage ceremonies and want to help couples make their big day a memory to remember — this kind of business may suit you. 

A wedding planning business is simple to start. It’s worth trying if you have a passion for this area. With these nine steps, you can begin serving couples and help them realize their dream wedding.