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.

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.

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!