“I Do” Make Money—Wedding Planning as a Business

If you’re looking for a fun and exciting venture, the wedding planning and coordination business might just be the thing for you.

If you have talent in organizing events, can work in extreme conditions and crazy timelines, and keen on details, then you could put up a wedding coordination team.

The wedding industry is a profitable business. Even when the economy is bleak, most brides and grooms would still want a wedding in style. They would save hard-earned money to have a memorable wedding day.

However, if your idea of being a wedding planner is just to enjoy attending parties, then wait a minute, because wedding coordination is a business. Although there are some part-time coordinators, most are full-time wedding planners, who consider this job as a career.

Wedding planners are alternatively called bridal consultants, wedding coordinators, or wedding consultants. Here is a step-by-step guide to become a reputable wedding planner.

1. Prepare good concepts. Have brilliant and unique ideas on how weddings may be celebrated. Your unique ideas and creativity will make you popular in the industry. There are some who created concepts and themes like “Star Wars”, “Under the Sea”, Moroccan, Greek and period themes like the 20s, 50s and 80s . Once perfectly executed, they make the newly-wed couples very happy, while the wedding coordinators run happily to the banks, too.

2. Find your location. You may look for a business office, but you may also start small, by converting a small room in your house for your business transactions. Set-up your office. Aside from the usual desk and chair, you should have a computer, internet access, telephone, and printer.

3. Register the business. You may register as a sole proprietor. But depending on your preference, you may also opt to establish as a partnership or corporation. Register your business name, and make sure you get your necessary permits and licenses to operate. You may also secure the services of a bookkeeper.

4. Be accessible. Have all forms of communications available – landline, cellphones, emails, fax machine. Whatever form of communication is important, as your clients and suppliers will surely be frequently calling you.

5. Get good suppliers. Have a wide variety of contacts, from printers of invitation cards, gown designers, florists, caterers, photographers, make-up artists, souvenir suppliers, honeymoon destinations, and events places. Make sure that they are reliable, and able to meet your clients’ expectations. Negotiate for discounts and rebates.

6. Marketing. Have your own website. Print portfolios, and have nicely printed calling cards. You may also join bridal trade events, to showcase your services.

7. Be respectable. Honor your commitments, and always be on time! If the experience was positive, then your former clients will give you good referrals.

8. Join associations. Show your professionalism by being a member of professional bridal associations.

The wedding planning business is a good opportunity to make money. It is quite rewarding if you can properly handle the event. If you want to gain more information on how to be a wedding planner, Businesscoach Inc., a leading business seminar provider, offers a one-day seminar on the topic.

Click here to view details of the training program: Wedding and Debut Planning and Coordination >>>

*Originally published by the Manila Bulletin. Written by Ruben Anlacan, Jr. (President, BusinessCoach, Inc.) All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or copied without express written permission of the copyright holders.