How to Help Your Clients Save Money on Their Wedding Budgets

One of the main reasons a bride will choose to hire a wedding planner is because they expect the wedding planner to save them money to make their budget go further. In fact, great wedding planners are able to save the bride and groom more than they charge for their planning fee, making for some very happy newlyweds!

Here's a few tips you can use to help your clients save some money:

-Suggest they hold the wedding during the "off-peak" season-
Months like May, June, July, September, & October are VERY popular wedding months. That means venues and vendors often charge premium prices for weddings held during these times. Many times venues or vendors will have off-peak specials that can save the brides hundreds (sometimes even thousands) of dollars. Since weddings are hard to come by during months like December, January, and February, vendors are willing to greatly lower the prices of their packages just to fill up their schedule. If a bridal couple has a tight budget, being flexible on the actual wedding date can help them save a lot of money and make their wedding budget go further.

-Ditch the liquor-
Hard liquor, especially top shelf liquor, can cost a pretty penny by the time the final bill arrives. Instead, the bride can opt for a wine & beer bar which can help trim a large cost from the budget, especially if the guest list is quite large. If the bride and groom still wish to serve hard liquor but their budget is pretty tight, suggest having them simply serve a signature cocktail. This means guests can still indulge in a drink with hard liquor, but in a much more affordable manner for the bride and groom.

-Choose decor wisely-
The floral budget for a wedding can quickly get out of control, but if you help the bride and groom choose wisely, the wedding bouquets and centerpieces can still look amazing without costing an arm and leg. Here's the key: choose flowers that are in season and grown locally. Tropical or out-of-season flowers can cost a lot more due to the need to ship them in from another location. Instead, opt for flowers that are grown locally to help save hundreds on the floral bill. Also, focus mainly on the centerpieces because that is what the guests will see most of the night. If the budget is tight, opt for clusters of piller or votive candles placed on the gift table, staircase, or window sills instead of extra floral arrangements to help save money.

-Choose a venue that offers all-in-one services-
If the bride and groom choose a venue that offers a ceremony site along with all of the linens, plates, flatware, glasses and basic decor for the reception can help save more money than choosing a banquet hall where the bride and groom will have to supply all of these items themselves. Not only is it less work, but it can help their budget go further.

Before you take on your first clients, research the best ways in your area to help save your clients the most money without cutting out their style or theme.

Selling Your Services to Modern Brides

Most of the brides you will be serving are in their twenties or early thirties, and are considered those of Generation Y. This is a generation filled with the desire for instant gratification, uniqueness, and ease. Here are a few tips on how to market your services to brides of today:

1) Make it easy to do business with you.
Most research a bride will perform when attempting to find wedding planners and/or wedding vendors will be done on the Internet. Having an easy to use and informative website, blog, or social media profile can go a long way in getting you potential clients without you actively seeking them. List your website on local wedding directories or purchase small advertising spots on sites like The Knot, Wedding Wire, etc. Have multiple ways available to connect and contact you: phone, email, website submissions, etc. This will let people choose which means of communication will work best for them.

2) Provide a unique experience for each bride.
Bridal magazines these days are filled with informative articles on how to "personalize" the big day and make it unique to the bridal couples interests and personalities. When marketing your services, make sure you highlight your desire and ability to create a unique and personalized wedding for each client so they can truly feel special instead of just attending another cookie-cutter wedding.

3) Show them everything they will get with your service upfront.
In the age of instant gratification, it's extremely important to let a bride know everything she will get if she buys your services BEFORE you start going into details about how you will turn her dreams into reality. This lets her see all of the benefits and details she will get by hiring you and will often catch her attention before she loses interest.

4) Show them examples of weddings you've done for couples just like them.
Brides will want to see examples of weddings you've done. Show them photos of weddings you've done for couples that shared their similar budget or style. (Outdoor weddings for couples who are interested in an outdoor ceremony) This will help them envision what you will be able to do for their wedding.

The great thing about Generation Y-ers is that they love to share their good experiences with other people. Do a great job and you will receive great recommendations and references which can go a long way with finding your next clients.

Vendor Contract Negotiation

One of the biggest reasons a couple chooses to hire a wedding planner is because the wedding planners can use their industry connections & relationships, and an excellent ability at negotiating to get the couple a lower price on vendor services and packages. Here's a look at some tips for contract negotiation to help get your clients the best price possible:

Negotiate with the Right Person:
If the general manager of a venue is the person in charge of setting prices and making decisions on discounts, go straight to them. Even if you have established a good relationship with the venue design coordinator, it's harder to say "no" directly to a wedding planner who may indeed bring in more business than it is for the general manager to have the venue design coordinator just pass the "no" message on to you.

Be Knowledgable:
Before you enter into negotiation with a vendor over package and service prices, make sure you have a good understanding of the industry standard and the quality of work/amount of experience the vendor has. This will help you get a better understanding of if the price the vendor is suggesting is fair or not. Compare prices of other local vendors providing the same service and go from there.

Get Creative:
If the vendor seems to be stuck on the price they are offering, you may need to get creative. Try to get them to "throw in" something that won't cost them much for free. Or ask for a off-season discount- many vendors have special seasonal discounts during winter or the slower months of wedding season.

Be Ready to Deal:
You may have more negotiating power if you have something to offer in return. You can offer to place them on your "Preferred Vendors" list which may be displayed on your website or in your brochures/marketing materials. You may also say you can partner with them for a Bridal Show booth which will help you split the costs.

Services & Products, PT2 - How much should I charge?

Once you have figured out what services and packages you are going to offer, you will need to figure out a pricing system. Here are a few ideas:

Percentage of Wedding Budget:This type of pricing structure is quite popular among wedding planners. Typically a fee of 10-15% of the wedding budget is the common, but this will typically only work for full planning packages and for larger weddings. For instance, a wedding with a $25,000 budget and a fee of 15% will net the wedding planner $3750.00 for a full planning package, whereas a wedding with a budget of $5000 will only net the wedding planner $750.00. Even if there are only 50 guests, that's still a lot of work for a small amount of money.

Flat Fee:Flat fees are great for any type of package. This means that no matter what the budget for the wedding is, the fee will be the same. This helps brides know exactly what the price will be no matter how many times they need to change their wedding budget (and it will happen). Also, if the couple only needs some assistance and would prefer a partial planning service or Day-Of coordination, they will know exactly what it will cost them so they can work it into their budget.

While setting a full planning package at $2,999 is great for weddings under $30,000, you may feel like there is more work to be done with a wedding that has a budget of $100,000. If this is the case, you can explain to the bridal couple that because of the size and depth of the wedding, assistants will need to be brought on and so there will be an extra charge for the assistants.

Hourly Fee:
You may decided to charge hourly based on the number of hours you work on each wedding. While this will ensure you are fully paid for your time and effort, it may leave couples feeling uneasy if you are unsure of the number of hours it will take to plan a wedding. Giving an estimate at the beginning of the planning process is a must and it should be as close to accurate as possible. You may decide to charge $30 and as you get more established, move up to $40 or even $50 an hour. Some planners in large metropolitan areas actually command up to $150 per hour after years of experience!

Ultimately, it will come down to how much time and effort you put into each of your pacakges or services and what the rate is currently set at by your competitors. It helps to do some research to see how other wedding planners in your area are charging so you can figure out where you need to be with your pricing structure. As we said before, don't forget to set yourself apart and find a niche that you can take over and command a lot of business from your specialty. You'll be able to charge a premium if you offer something unique or something now one else can do.

*If you missed the first part of this series, check out Services & Products PT1*

Exhibiting at Bridal Shows

Bridal shows are great for business and can put you in front of hundreds to thousands of potential clients that are actively seeking wedding vendors, venues, & planners. As a wedding planner, using bridal shows as a tool for gaining clientele is a great way to quickly fill up your schedule with weddings. Here are some great tips for preparing for a bridal show or expo:

Find the Right Show to Exhibit at:

Many larger cities have a number of different shows throughout the year and each show can be ran by a different company. Some companies may hold two or three shows a year whereas some may only do one. The best bet is to first visit a show held by each company to see which one brings in the biggest crowd, offers the most to vendors, and is held at the best time of year (January, February, or September, October).

Once you have found a show that interests you, ask a few questions before paying your deposit. What is included in your fee (table, chairs, linens, etc)? How many vendors will be exhibiting at the show? How many of those vendors do the same thing that you do? How big is the booth area? When will you be allowed to set up? As a wedding planner, you will want to make sure that there are no more than 10 other wedding planners exhibiting or the cost may not be worth the reward of additional clients since there may be too much competition.

Make Your Booth Unique & Exciting:

You want your booth to stand out from the rest. It's best to find a location near an entrance or in a corner. Rent (or buy if you plan on exhibiting at a number of bridal shows) your own linens that are cohesive in color and theme with the rest of your booth. Invest in a sign. It doesn't have to be expensive, it just has to look nice and stand out. Balloons, lights, and plants often attract the attention of brides passing by. There will be a lot of vendors exhibiting at a bridal show so it's extremely important to stand out.

Have a Way to Capture Leads & Follow Up:

There are some great companies out there that help small businesses set up a campaign to capture lead information, and then follow up with them immediately by offering valuable free advice or tips to make a great impression. You can then begin a campaign (through emails & text messages) to build rapport with brides and grooms and keep your name at the top of their minds during their decision making process. Just because a bride and groom don't book on the day of the show, doesn't mean they won't. It's best to stay in contact with them, offering them great advice, free wedding planning worksheets, and even awesome discounts or promos to entice them to use your service. Check out 10x10 Marketing who specializes in wedding vendor marketing & follow-up campaigns for more information:
www.10x10marketing.com/pittsburgh/wedding-vendors
They are based in Pittsburgh but work with vendors all over the country.

Services & Products, PT 1- What type of packages should I offer?

Once you have taken a few courses or familiarized yourself with the wedding industry and wedding planning start to finish, you will need to start laying out your business. What types of packages or services will you offer and how much will you charge. For some, this aspect of business planning is very stressful. Trying to find a balance between what you feel comfortable doing, what you are able to offer, and how much you wish to command as a successful wedding planner can leave you with doubts as to whether that's what you are actually worth or if brides will even be willing to pay that much.

For the first part of this post, we are going to offer a few suggestions on packages, services, or products you can offer as a wedding planner. Take a look at these examples:

• Full Service Package- For this package you will plan the wedding along side the bride and groom from start to finish. Choosing a theme, color palette, decor designs, food selection, and location are just some of the tasks you will offer to the bride and groom in a full service package. While your particular details may fluctuate a bit, here's a look at an example full service wedding planning package: -Unlimited meetings, phone calls, and emails to plan and evaluate all wedding details
  -Assistance with event design, theme and décor concept development.
  -Customized budget according to your spending goals
  -Tracking of deposits, payments due and final balances
  -Décor personalized to the couple including invitations, floral design, stationary, favors, table design, etc.
  -Planning and scheduling of honeymoon and any needed flights and hotels
  -Suggested bridal wear according to personal style, figure and theme of the wedding
  -Scheduling and attendance to all dress fittings
  -Recommendations on all vendors, as well as scheduling and attending all vendor appointments
  -Contracting of all negotiations to optimize pricing
  -Reviewing of all vendor contracts and monitoring of all vendor obligations
  -Coordination of stuffing, stamping, addressing and mailing of wedding invitations
  -Ongoing phone calls, emails and meetings with vendors necessary to plan all details
  -Advice on wedding traditions, etiquette and protocol
  -Management of the guest list
  -Assistance with all wedding stationary including Save the Dates, Invitations, RSVPs, Place Cards, Menus, Programs, etc.
  -Organization of transportation needs and hotel accommodations for wedding party and out of town guests
  -Determination of availability and negotiation of discount rates for hotel room blocks
  -Scheduling of all wedding day transportation
  -Scheduling of hair and makeup for wedding day
  -Scheduling and attendance to bridal portrait, including arrangement of gown and bouquet delivery
  -Development of floor plan and seating chart for wedding day
  -Planning of ceremony and reception schedules, pew seating, processional and recessional
  -Distribution of detailed wedding itineraries to all wedding vendors
  -Pickup of all personal items for wedding day and delivery to ceremony and reception venue
  -Planning and execution of rehearsal dinner and wedding rehearsal
  -Detailed wedding day schedule and timeline for bridal party and family
  -Delivery of wedding gown to the ceremony site
  -Detailed wedding day timelines for wedding vendors, venue and banquet staff
  -Set up of chairs, arch, aisle runner, candles, programs, etc. at the ceremony site
  -Set up and decoration of reception area, including chairs, tables, and linens
  -Set up of guest book, place cards, engagement photos, bridal portrait, menus, candles, favors, etc. at reception site
  -Supervision of all vendor delivery and set up on day of wedding at ceremony and reception site, as well as any interference needed
  -Assist bride and wedding party in dressing room prior to ceremony
  -Organization and distribution of all personal wedding flowers
  -Behind the scene event management and troubleshooting, including our Wedding Day Emergency Kit
  -Coordination and timing of ushers, house party, attendants, bride and groom
  -Assistance with photographer order of pictures after the ceremony
  -Transport of personal items (and even flower arrangements) from the ceremony to the reception
  -Bustling of the wedding gown and arrangement of refreshments upon couple’s arrival to reception
  -Coordination of presentation of the bride and groom
  -Coordination of entertainment and all announcements of events (first dance, dances with family, champagne toasts, cake cutting, bouquet toss, etc.)
  -Monitoring of specially requested photographs and videography during the reception
  -Distribution of gratuities to the necessary vendors
  -Supervision of bride and groom exit and passing out exit favor to guests
  -Pickup and return of all personal items to the family at the end of the evening (gifts, cake topper and top of cake, bride’s bouquet, couple’s toasting glasses, cake serving utensils, etc.)
  -Return of all rental items including cake boards, linens, furniture, easels, etc.
  -Return of groom’s and groomsmen tuxedos to rental location
• Partial Service Package- This package is more for the brides and grooms who want to do a lot of the planning themselves but may not have the time to get everything done or they may not know where to start. You can offer vendor recommendations, a budget breakdown, a timeline/checklist, and a few consultations during the planning process. This package will highlight a few of the important services from the Full Service package but will be more budget friendly but help the bride when she absolutely needs it. You may decide to also include the Day-Of Services in this package but that will be determined by you.
• Day-Of Service Package- On the day of the wedding there will be a lot going on. Vendors will be setting up the venues, guests will need to be directed, and someone will need to ensure the day is running smoothly, handle any mishaps, and avert any disasters. Most brides DO NOT want to worry about this since they will be busy getting dressed and ready. That is where a wedding planner becomes invaluable. A Day-Of Package may offer some or all of the following:-A preliminary consultation with the couple 6-8 weeks before the wedding day to gather the information concerning vendors, wedding party, venues, etc.
  -Confirmation of vendor orders and coordination of vendor schedules for deliveries and set-up
  -Review & confirmation of Hotel room bookings for out-of-town guests and/or wedding party
  -Wedding Party Guides which will outline the day's schedule and expectations for each individual in the wedding party- these will be given to the wedding attendants ahead of time so they may look over the schedule & expectations and have any questions answered before the big day
  -Coordination & direction of the ceremony rehearsal the night before the wedding
  -Handling of all wedding day logistics & problem solving on behalf of the bride & groom
  -Running of local errands and assistance with last minute emergencies
  -Supervision and assistance with venue set-up for ceremony and reception (this includes setting up decorations, setting up guestbook & gift table, distributing favors, and other decorative details necessary on the wedding day)
  -Coordination & direction of ceremony activities such as processional, recessional, & receiving line
  -Assistance with distributing vendor fees & tips
  -Attendance at the entire reception to handle any questions, concerns or last minute tasks during the party
  -Clean up and tear down of venues as necessary. Delivery of any items that need to be returned once the reception is over.
• Hourly Consultations- Some brides and grooms may choose to hire you on an hourly basis to help them out only as they need it. It can be a great way to stick to a tight budget and still get the help and advice they require to keep their wedding planning going smoothly.
• Destination Weddings- Destination weddings take a lot more work to plan since they require planning everything from afar. Some brides just don't have the time to do all of the research and make all of the contacts with vendors that a destination wedding requires. That is why a destination wedding package can be very popular. These are essentially Full Service packages that also include travel fees and time.
• Invitation Service- Stuffing, addressing, and stamping envelopes can take a lot of time and some brides have no desire to do this with 200+ wedding invitations so this is a great additional service to offer. (Think a la carte services) You may even be trained in calligraphy which can bring in a premium since it can take a lot of time.
  
• Wedding Rentals- You may decide to purchase a number of things like pew bows, aisle runners, chair covers, centerpieces, candles, and other wedding decor (or you may just acquire them over time by donations from brides after their wedding is complete) which you can then rent out to other brides. They may or may not be actual clients which buy planning packages, so you may want to set up a different website or marketing campaign for the rentals themselves.

These are just a few ideas of the most common packages available. The possibilities and combinations are seemingly endless and feel free to leave a comment of something you would like to offer that's different from the rest! The key is to make sure you only offer what is in your comfort level.

Picking a Niche

One of the best ways to get rich from your wedding planning business is to pick a niche. While wedding planning itself may seem like a niche in the event planning industry, you can focus on a certain specialized wedding type in order to create any even more targeted niche, which can mean more money! If you become a specialist in a certain type of wedding, everyone in your area who wants to have that type of wedding will turn to you.

If you have a specialized knowledge of Indian weddings or Green weddings, you can use this to your advantage to create a niche that will turn you into an expert in no time. Here's a list of wedding niches you can work with:

• Green Weddings
• Small Weddings (under 100 guests)
• Themed Weddings
• Destination Weddings
• Budget Friendly Weddings
• Bi-Cultural Weddings
• Gay/Lesbian Weddings
• Specific Cultural Wedding (Indian, Jewish, etc.)
• Military Weddings
• Second Marriages

Once you have found a niche that you feel you can excel in, make sure to market your wedding planning business to focus around your niche. Your marketing campaign should focus on advertising to eco-friendly brides and grooms if you are choosing a Green wedding niche. Find forums, wedding planning websites, or magazines that talk about your specific niche and use that as your advertising media.

Be the Perfect Planner for Today's Bridal Couples

Each decade brings with it new trends and traditions related to weddings. Over the past few years weddings have become more one-of-a-kind and are breaking the mold of what was once considered to be age-old traditions.

Technology has played a major role in the transformation of today's brides and grooms and as a wedding planner, it's your duty to stay on top of trends and new traditions to help create a unique event that is tailored specifically for each one of your diverse clientele.

For starters, Bridal couples now use the internet to gather ideas, inspiration, and information on wedding planning. They typically will no longer rely on bridal magazines or the telephone book for locating local vendors or learning about new trends. This means you must make a presence on the internet whether it's through your website, or even a blog that offers brides free information on what's going on in the industry. When they establish your authority and wedding expertise, they will be more willing to choose you as the person to turn their wedding dreams into reality.

Bridal couples are opting for more unique and non-traditional details and themes. More couples are combining different cultural traditions, color combinations, and food and drink options that would never have been used 25 to 50 years ago. The need and desire to be unique and different will allow you to expand your creative side and have fun doing things you may have never done before.

Many couples are also opting for Green Wedding Options. Many brides and grooms have become more environmentally conscious and want to use decor, favors, or venues that are beneficial to the environment. It will be best to research local Green Wedding practices so you can offer ideas and advice for couples who need inspiration for holding a planet friendly wedding.

Also browse through monthly wedding magazines, high-profile wedding planning blogs, or even attend local seminars that detail the new trends and traditions that will be brought up over the next few years. Brides today expect you to be knowledgeable, flexible, and understanding in the desire to be unique and socially & environmentally conscious. Stay on top of these trends and ideas and be ready and willing to share them with your bridal couple.

What to Do BEFORE Meeting with Potential Clients

In order to turn Brides-to-be into your clients, you need to make a great first impression. Meeting with prospects can be very intimidating for new wedding planners. Make sure to follow these 5 steps to help you prepare for your first meeting with a potential client.

1) Prepare, Prepare, and Prepare some more!  It's extremely important to make sure you prepare your pitch and materials in advance. Set a goal for your meeting, whether that's getting your client to sign a contract or simply getting them your marketing materials and portfolio in order to show your skills and credentials so that they keep you as a top consideration if they intend on meeting with other clients. Prepare all of the forms, contracts, or materials that you want to give to them and organize them neatly in a nice folder or portfolio notebook.

2) Be early, not late! As a wedding planner, it's extremely important to show that you are great with deadlines and schedules so nothing can be more detrimental than showing up late to your appointment with your potential clients. Check out the general traffic situations en route to your meeting location and remember to leave in plenty of time to arrive early.

3) Dress professionally and appropriately! You should wear something professional and look well-groomed for any appointments you have with potential clients, clients, and vendors. Whether it's a suit, a business dress, or an office trendy outfit, you should look clean and polished. If you carry a purse, bag, or briefcase, remember to have it clean and organized so you can find things quickly and easily. If a bride-to-be feels that you are unorganized or sloppy, they may feel that you will not be able to adequately plan and organize their wedding.

4) Stay calm and relaxed during the day before your meeting! It's important to avoid all stressful situations that can cause anxiety or negative feelings. These can be projected at your meeting and can cause you to not be focused on the task at hand. It's not the time to have a debate or discussion that can end up projecting itself during your meeting with potential clients.

5) Stay free of distractions! Nothing ticks me off more than when I see someone conducting a business meeting and forgetting to turn of their cell phone. This meeting is focused on gaining a client and nothing seems more rude than being interrupted during an important discussion or finances and planning the biggest day of a couple's lives together. Turn off your cell phone, put away your laptop or tablet, and focus directly on your potential clients.

Remember, it's so important to listen even more than you talk. Answer questions as they arise but don't be afraid to say "I don't know, I will have to find that out for you". It's better to tell the truth and sound eager to help than it is to lie and deceive about your connections or abilities.

Helpful Websites For New Wedding Planners

If you are just starting out with your new wedding planning business, you'll find these following websites full of helpful and important information along with inspiration for wedding themes & ideas. Check them out:

Help for starting your business:

www.sba.gov - U.S. Small Business Administration
www.score.org - Mentors & Professionals that donate their time to help people start up and run small businesses
www.helpbizowners.com - One-Stop assistance center for individuals running a small business.

Help for building your business website:

www.weebly.com - WYSIWYG editor for website creation
www.webs.com - another WYSIWYG website editor (both sites are great for beginners)
http://www.w3schools.com/html - A few lessons in HTML & Website Coding

Help for finding a wedding planning course:

www.onlineweddingplanningcourse.com - The Institute of Certified Wedding Specialists
www.weddingsbeautifulworldwide.com - Weddings Beautiful Worldwide
www.acpwc.com - The Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants

Help for wedding inspiration & ideas:

www.pinterest.com
www.squidoo.com/topics/weddings
www.theknot.com
www.stylemepretty.com
www.projectbride.com
www.inspiredbythis.com
www.ruffledblog.com
www.projectwedding.com

Creating a Portfolio With Little to No Jobs

Potential clients will almost certainly wish to see examples of work you've done before to get a better understanding as to whether you will be a good match for their styles and tastes. This can be extremely frustrating for a new wedding planner that doesn't have many (or any) weddings under their belt. There are ways you can get a small portfolio together even before you have your first wedding.

First, if you have assisted friends and family members with planning aspects of their wedding, such as suggesting flower combinations for centerpieces, creating DIY wedding favors, or designing the tablescapes for the reception, ask to use those pictures in your portfolio. Your friends or family members may even write you a reference for the great job you did with assisting them on their wedding day.

If you haven't helped any friends or family members yet, have you planned your own wedding? If you are married, you almost certainly picked out your own flowers and maybe even did your own DIY wedding crafts. You can also use these pictures in your portfolio to help beef it up.

Still in need of more photos? Go to your local florist, pick out some amazing flower combinations and throw together an impromptu tablescape complete with your very own centerpiece. Set the table with beautifully coordinated linens, and use some well-placed candles to add to the atmosphere than snap a few photos. You can do this two to three different times with different flowers and color combos to give the brides an idea of your abilities.

What you should NOT do is use Stock photography. This will imply that you have done or created that work yourself and that would be wrong. It's much better to use your own photos to avoid legal action.

If you are putting the portfolio on your website and only have 8-10 photos, only place them in one album instead of 4-5 separate albums with only 1 to 2 pictures. If you are creating a real photo album, choose a small yet professional looking album for your first few photos. It's better to hold off on the 200 picture photo album when you only have 10 photos.

Speaking to Potential Clients for the First Time

It can be quite nerve racking when you receive your first few calls from potential clients looking for more information. I remember the very first time someone called me, I was literally shaking because I was afraid I would mess up or sounds like I didn't know what I was talking about. I'm sure the person could tell since she never called back.

Almost immediately after I fielded that call, I put a folder by my computer that contained a few things that would help me should another Bride call with questions. I included a list of all the packages and services I offered along with the prices so I wouldn't misquote what I had on my website.

I also created a call log sheet which I then stuck a few copies of into the folder. This allowed me to remember to ask the questions I needed such as when they were looking to get married, what type of services they were interested, and their contact information should they call again.

Finally, I asked my friend to call me at random (when I wouldn't be expecting it) and pretend she was a Bride calling to ask about my services so I could practice what I would say and get feedback on what worked and what didn't. One week later I had my second call from a potential bride and gained a client! I was much more confident in what I wanted to say and get across, plus I remembered to ask the right questions so that I knew exactly what the Bride was looking for the next time she called.

It helps to practice, so the best thing to do is practice your "sales pitch" to a friend or family member who will be glad to give you the constructive criticism you need to become more confident and sound like you've been doing this job for years.

Marketing Your New Business

You can spend all the time in the world setting up your office, developing your business plan, and creating excellent pricing and packages, but if you don't get the word out to potential customers, it will be hard to get any clients!

While most start-up wedding planning business aren't working with hundreds of thousands of dollars for  their advertising budget, there are a number of low cost or even free ways to advertise  & market your new business.

Check out the following ideas that I have found to be quite successful:

Online Methods
Business Website
Wedding Planning Tips & Ideas Blog
Social Media Accounts (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube)
Pay-Per-Click advertising (like Google Adwords)
Listing in Wedding Directories (Check Out www.wedpittsburgh.com for an example directory)

Offline Methods
Booth at Bridal Shows
Handing out Business Cards to Vendors or Wedding-Related Professionals
Brochures
Flyers
Ads in local newspapers
Direct Mailings
Car Window Decals
Yard Signs

Advertising doesn't have to be expensive, it just has to be effective. The best idea is to try small doses of each and decide which one works the best for you and then focus your attention to those methods.

Tips for Starting a Wedding Planning Business

Many individuals dream of owning their own business. The freedom to make your own decisions and run your business how you see fit, along with the great potential to make unlimited income is a very appealing aspect of owning your own company. If you have chosen to follow your dream and start your own wedding planning business, I've put together some tips to make the process a little easier.

1. Planning weddings is the fun part of owning your own wedding planning business, but before you can do that, you need to get the legal matters handled first. You will need to decide on a business structure (Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Corporation, LLC, etc) because this will affect the startup cost of opening your business, the taxes you will pay, and your personal liability for any of the debts the business incurs. If you need more information, visit www.sba.gov. Next, you will need to choose and register your business name. You can search the federal trademark database to see if the name you'd like to use is already registered, and also find out more about electronically applying for a trademark or "Doing Business As" classification. Visit www.uspto.gov/main/trademarks.htm
2. You will now need to decide where you want to do business. Do you plan on running a home-based wedding planning business, or do you want a storefront where people can come to your office and get a professional impression? There are benefits and downfalls to both, including expenses, professionalism, and ease of setup. Whatever you decide, you will need to set up your office space for success. Make sure you get all of the necessities you'll need for creating a successful wedding planning business:
    
   -Computer & Internet Connection
   -Private Business Telephone Line
   -Software (Microsoft Office/Open Office for word documents, contracts & Schedules, Quicken Finances/Bookkeeping Software for accounting & tracking finances, and Wedding Planning Software for tracking each of your clients personal wedding to-do and task lists)
   -Office Supplies (notepads, pens, paper, clips, stapler, empty files, blank CDs, etc)
   -Filing Cabinet
   -Wedding Planning Books & Magazines
3. Talking to an attorney about getting insurance, permits or licenses, and writing out customer contracts will go a long way in making sure you are covered against legal claims. You may find one in your area that charges less of a fee for communicated electronically via emails, but most attorneys will charge an hourly fee to assist new small business owners get on the right legal business path. In the end, you'll thank yourself for spending the little bit of time and money to ensure you are protected against claims from unsatisfied clients or even the government.

Choosing a Certification Course

While attending weddings as a guest and offering to help your friends or family members plan their big day will gain you some valuable experience, there's nothing like real world experience.

The problem is that many brides won't hire wedding planners that haven't had a proven track record of well-planned weddings & events. The best thing a new wedding planner can do is take a Wedding Planner Course to gain important industry knowledge and credentials which you can use in your portfolio to show that you are qualified to plan weddings.

There is no formal training or licensing that is necessary to become a wedding planner. It does make sense however that you should study, research, and train from professionals who have "been there & done that". It seems that there are endless options for home study courses, on-campus classes, and even training seminars that offer exceptional training for new wedding planners. If you are wondering which course is the best choice, the decision is ultimately going to depend on what type of learning suits you the best.

Here's some tips for selecting a Wedding Planning Certification Course:

1. Choose the method of learning- Do you currently have a full time job and only want to work on course work on the evenings and weekends? If so, you should choose a home study course which will allow you to download the lesson files to read on your own computer, no on-campus classes or seminars necessary.  All of the lessons can be read on your own time, whenever you are free, and the assignments and exams can be submitted via e-mail or through a student center. This method is great for individuals who want to independently work on a course, have personal attention from your trainer, and want to work around an already busy schedule.  The downfall to this is you will typically not have face-to-face interaction with your trainer as everything is done digitally. If this situation suits your needs, my recommendation is the Online Wedding Planning Course for The Institute of Certified Wedding Planning Specialists.
   
   Do you prefer to complete the course in just a few days and would like a learning atmosphere that involves discussions and face-to-face interactions? If so, you might be interested in a Wedding Planning Seminar. Most seminars run 2-5 days and can be completed over the course of one week or two weekends. These are great for people who have the ability to spend all day at a seminar for a few days straight to dedicate to learning the tricks of the trade and all there is to know about the wedding industry. The downfall to this is that it's a lot of information to handle in a very short time period and you must complete the course and work in the time frame allotted. If you feel this is the best situation for you, check out Training Course Seminars offered by The Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants.
   
   Do you like a classroom setting where you learn directly from a professor in a college-like atmosphere? If this type of setting and group projects along with student-teacher discussions are appealing to you, you should consider a wedding planning course that is offered by a local college, university, or institute. With this type of learning, you'll get hands on experience and get to participate in discussions and group projects. With a classroom setting, you'll be able to get all of your questions answered immediately and get direct feedback from your professor face-to-face. The downside to this is that it is often quite expensive compared to the other methods and can take months to complete the course. You will also need to be able to travel to and attend classes according to the school's schedule which may conflict with work or family activities for some individuals. If you feel this is the best learning option for you, check with your local community college or institute to find out if the offer a wedding or event planning course.
2. Decide what you are willing to pay for a course. Home study courses are by far the most affordable simply because they require no overhead like the renting of space, the supplies and materials, and travel & expenses for trainers and professionals. Wedding Planning Home Study Courses can start around $400-$500 and can range upwards of $1200 depending on the course. Almost every home study course will offer you the same course material in regards to the wedding planning process, wedding etiquette, traditions and customs, and starting a business. The difference will depend on what other benefits are offered with the course. A good course will offer a consulting service to help new wedding planners if they have questions, along with member promotion, and extended learning assistance in the form of something like a newsletter or blog. You should look for a course that is interested in helping you out beyond just the scope of the lessons themselves.
   
   Seminars will typically cost a few hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on the association holding the event. You will be provided with all of the course material but will most likely need to pay for travel costs and other travel-related expenses unless you find a seminar in your home town or city.
   
   College courses will cost a few thousand dollars for tuition but will gain you real hands-on experience and even sometimes internships that will help you build your portfolio when you have no weddings under your belt. Most courses are also accredited which means you can transfer the credits to other schools should you want to continue on with your education.
3. Go with what feels right. You may be on the search for many weeks when choosing which Certification course to take and that's OK. Don't buy the first on you see, always make sure to check at least 3 to 4 different course selections so you can get a feel for what will work for you. If you have questions, make sure to ask first BEFORE you purchase a course so you don't end up with buyer's remorse. A good organization will be happy to answer any inquiries and even offer recommendations from former students if necessary.

Steps to Become a Wedding Planner

So, you've decided that a wedding planning career is a perfect choice for you. Here are some helpful steps that you can take to gain the proper industry knowledge and start up your very own wedding planning business.

1. The first thing you will need to do is learn about the wedding planning industry. You may have been to a number of great weddings, and maybe have even planned your own, but do you really know every step and every last intricate detail that goes into planning a beautiful, smooth-flowing wedding? Do you know the distinct differences in traditions and customs for different religions and cultures?
   
   Taking a course will help you gain a deep understanding of everything that must go into the wedding planning process, along with differences in traditions and customs for different cultures & religions. A great course will also give you insight into how you should go about registering your new business and build clientele.
   
   I've done a lot of research on a great number of the home study courses available. I have two recommendations: the first is the best course you can get for an extremely affordable price. The Institute of Certified Wedding Planning Specialists offers a home study course (check out www.onlineweddingplanningcourse.com) that covers everything from the aspects of a wedding, the wedding planning process from start to finish, customs & traditions, etiquette, and starting your business. This course which is normally $525 is currently on a limited time discount for $399 if you purchase the course as a whole.
   
   The other course I recommend is from The Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants and is for those want and require a lot of continuing education and support once they complete the course. The fee for this course is $1295. Check it out at www.acpwc.com/courses.
   
   See my post on Certification Programs to read more on the courses available.
2. Once you have completed your course, it's time to set up your business. Stop by The Small Business Administration website (www.sba.gov) for more information on registering a business name, getting necessary licenses and permits, setting up Tax ID numbers, and creating business documents like business plans, accounting books, and more.
3. Next, you will need to set up the structure of your business. What types of packages or services do you plan to offer? What is your pricing structure? How will you set yourself apart from the rest of the competition in your area? Along with these things, you will also need to consider whether you will be working as a lone wedding planner or take on assistants. Getting a plan together before you start marketing and take on your first client is extremely important and this step should not be overlooked or taken lightly.

After you've done these tasks, it's all about getting your business name out there and taking on your first client. I've put up a number of posts on marketing and expanding your business, so make sure to check them out!

A Career in Wedding Planning

If you're just starting out looking for a career to pursue or you've decided that your current career isn't living up to your standards, choosing to become a wedding planner can provide a rewarding, dynamic, and exciting career. The diversity that you will face on a day to day basis makes planning weddings captivating and interesting. You'll never plan the same wedding twice and you'll get to use your creative flair to come up with new and fabulous design ideas leaving you with a job that never gets "old".

If you are an extremely organized person, great with sticking to schedules & to-do lists, boast a creative flair, and enjoy working with diverse clientele, wedding planning can be a job you truly enjoy and succeed at. With an industry that brings in billions of dollars a year and an average of 40,000 weddings a week, there is money to be made by planning weddings.

If you have decided that this career path is perfect for you, I have created this blog to help you become the best and most successful wedding planner you can be. If you need tips and advice on how to advance your career, grow your business, or inspiration for planning your first, second, or twentieth wedding, make sure to stop back often.