Coordinators' Corner News

How to Start a Wedding Consulting Business

As professional wedding consultants, we constantly get inquiries about how to become a wedding planner. Therefore, I'd like to outline the process.  
 
However, first you need to know that this is not a profession for the faint of heart or easily offended. When you are a working wedding consultant, you will be caught in situations that have to be fixed on the fly. This could require you to physically have to move something or carry something that you are not prepared for.  
 
I have had many situations where I wondered how I did that since I've had three back surgeries and that brings many physical limitations. Even so, I've run from a ceremony site to the reception site in Olympic speed in order to grab the bride’s bouquet that she left in the dressing room. I've been down on the floor mopping up water to keep a band from being electrocuted when a rain storm hit so hard it was driving the rain in under the sides of the tent. The band was set up on asphalt and of course, didn't think to platform, so their instruments were sitting right in the water. I mopped up water on my hands and knees for over 2 1/2 hours trying to keep them playing so the reception wouldn't be ruined. Another instance had me running an extension cord from one home to the other through gardens under decks, etc. because the band was blowing circuit breakers. You do whatever it takes to make the day the best the bride could ever want.  
 
Training  
 
You'll either need start up money or great credit card limits, because you have to invest in training. This training should come from one of the associations for wedding consultants (I will list my recommendations below) and will cost approximately $1000. You can start without the courses but I highly recommend you invest in one at least. There are no real requirements on wedding consultants therefore, many starry eyed individuals who have had the idea that it's a fun profession, start up by buying business cards and go right out and find out it's not a way to be at a party every weekend.  
 
Advertising  
 
You'll need to advertise your business so that potential clients can find you. This is a very big investment which could cost at least $1,000 to advertise in one bridal magazine for one year. And as you'll soon find out, your competition is in all of the magazines.  
 
Web Page  
 
Today's bride is technologically savvy and is using the internet to research vendor choices and options. You will need to plan to spend at least $1,000 for this item also. There are many offered free websites that look just like that FREE. You want to give the professional impression, not one that is cut and pasted.  
 
Office Equipment  
 
With the brides using computers to work on their weddings, of course, you'll need to have one also so that you can send and receive emails. You'll need a fax machine so that you can send and receive copies of contracts, floor plans, etc. You'll need a printer so that you can create documents to maintain a paper trail for legal purposes.  
 
Insurance  
 
To protect your personal property, you'll need business liability insurance. Be sure if you are seeing clients in your home, that your local zoning provides for this legally and be very sure to get insurance to cover the possibility that a client could somehow injure themselves while on your property.  
 
Legal  
 
You should consider having a lawyer review your contracts that you will be presenting to your clients before you find yourself involved in a major lawsuit.  
 
Licensing  
 
Although licensing is not required to become a consultant, many localities require licensing. Check your local Licensing Department to determine their requirements.  
 
Education  
 
Any formal education in marketing, business management, the hospitality or food and beverage arenas are plusses to your professionalism.  
 
Resources:  
 
Weddings Beautiful Worldwide – www.weddingsbeautiful.com  
June Wedding, Inc. – www.junewedding.com  
Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants – www.acpwc.com  
 
These are my recommendations based on personal and obtained information.  
 
 
Nancy Tucker, www.AnEventExtraordinaire.com Richmond, Virginia  
 
Also Christina Hagan of Extraordinairy Occasions in Laurel, Maryland adds:  
 
Apply for Internships or offer to work for a local Consultant:  
Step 1. Send your resume and cover letter to local consultants. Explain your situation and that you would like the experience - paid or unpaid. Be sure that the entire package is spelled correctly and personalized for each company. Presentation is everything - use nice paper and be professional.  
 
Step 2. Follow up with a phone call or email. The local Consultant might give you some tips or offer to meet with you.  
 
Step 3. Final follow up with a thank you note.  
 
Wedding Consulting is all about presentation. If you would like to be taken seriously follow the proper steps, be polite, and give that Consultant something to remember you by. Remember, he/she may not have work for you now but could in the future.