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.