If You've Started Your Own Wedding Planning Biz...

Re: If You've Started Your Own Wedding Planning Biz...

• JJwritergirl member

  

  September 2011

  I wanted to go into wedding planning and talked extensively with local wedding planners (where I used to live). They were very honest with me and say it's a cut throat business with massive turnover. One lady had been in business for 20 years and she could afford to work full time on her credibility and track record. Almost everyone else still worked 2 jobs even though they'd been in the wedding planning business several years! I think what you're going through is normal and expected, especially in this economy when people are on tighter budgets. I do know that going to bridal shows is helpful because brides are more inclined to work with someone they have a personal connection to. I only considered wedding planners I met at shows. (I ended up not using one though).

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• MarcyLT

  September 2011

  Regarding independent event planning in general, business creates business. In order to get more weddings, you need to get more weddings. I know that sounds crazy, which is why so many people burn out in the independent business and choose to go in-house as an event or meeting planner rather than owning their own business. In weddings, specifically, 90% of business comes from word-of-mouth. People talk to their friends and families about recommendations. So you really have to get yourself out there, build your portfolio and offer referral incentives.

  I pursued something similar to you a number of years back. I'd had a number of years of in-house event experience and parlayed it into what was, at the time, a pretty successful wedding business. But even at that time, there's no way I could have supported myself with it. To start out, I did a lot of weddings gratis to get my word-of-mouth business in order.

  I guess that's not much help, but if you can, get people you've already worked with talking about you. 
  

  New Name, Old Nestie Blog: Career Girl Network

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• Catalina17

  September 2011

  Thank you for the advice ladies! I know it takes time, and I don't want to give up because this is my long-term dream. I'm really focusing on Fall 2012-2013 as far as building up my calendar with weddings so right now I am offering some discounts on winter 2012/13 weddings to try and drum up some more business. It just gets frustrating sometimes when I think 'omg, this may never get off the ground.'

  A Seasoned Greeting
  

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• bellebride116

  October 2011

  I started by business before I was even engaged {fresh out of college}... I worked at another job for 2 years before my business grew enough to take over full time. I find most of my business comes from word of mouth. Local bridal shows are really great to network with others, both in the industry and with brides, and while I don't book a lot based on bridal shows, it's nice for them to just see my company's name, what we offer, etc. The local paper helps. Online advertising {The Knot - although I find them to be very expensive} is good. Wedding Wire is pretty great as it includes multiple websites - project wedding, martha, etc... they have a free listing, but their feature listing will put you in prime locations. Tweeting and blogging about your business, showing off pictures of events you've done, and creating a Facebook page is nice. Reaching out to community events, while it may not bring you direct business will get your name out there. I've learned that you have to spend money to make money. You have to be flexible. You have to have a passion for it that your clients can see and feel... it will make them feel comfortable and recommend you. It takes time, especially in this economy, and wedding planning is a hard sell to some brides... but it's a necessity and if you believe in it they will too! Good luck!

  
  

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• Catalina17

  October 2011

  bellebride116:

  I started by business before I was even engaged {fresh out of college}... I worked at another job for 2 years before my business grew enough to take over full time. I find most of my business comes from word of mouth. Local bridal shows are really great to network with others, both in the industry and with brides, and while I don't book a lot based on bridal shows, it's nice for them to just see my company's name, what we offer, etc. The local paper helps. Online advertising {The Knot - although I find them to be very expensive} is good. Wedding Wire is pretty great as it includes multiple websites - project wedding, martha, etc... they have a free listing, but their feature listing will put you in prime locations. Tweeting and blogging about your business, showing off pictures of events you've done, and creating a Facebook page is nice. Reaching out to community events, while it may not bring you direct business will get your name out there. I've learned that you have to spend money to make money. You have to be flexible. You have to have a passion for it that your clients can see and feel... it will make them feel comfortable and recommend you. It takes time, especially in this economy, and wedding planning is a hard sell to some brides... but it's a necessity and if you believe in it they will too! Good luck!

  Thanks!

  So far The Knot as done well for me, I've booked a few from only being on there a few months so it has already paid for itself. I've also been doing this mailer thing using the mailing list The Knot provides monthly...havent gotten much response from that yet, but I know I have to look long-term with this stuff...meaning a bride could get my information now, but will wait a few weeks or even months before contacting me if they are only interested in "Day of" planning.

  I've made a great deal of progress within this past year, so I am hoping if I keep at this it will only get better from here as well.

  A Seasoned Greeting
  

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• bellebride116

  October 2011

  Catalina17:

  bellebride116:

  I started by business before I was even engaged {fresh out of college}... I worked at another job for 2 years before my business grew enough to take over full time. I find most of my business comes from word of mouth. Local bridal shows are really great to network with others, both in the industry and with brides, and while I don't book a lot based on bridal shows, it's nice for them to just see my company's name, what we offer, etc. The local paper helps. Online advertising {The Knot - although I find them to be very expensive} is good. Wedding Wire is pretty great as it includes multiple websites - project wedding, martha, etc... they have a free listing, but their feature listing will put you in prime locations. Tweeting and blogging about your business, showing off pictures of events you've done, and creating a Facebook page is nice. Reaching out to community events, while it may not bring you direct business will get your name out there. I've learned that you have to spend money to make money. You have to be flexible. You have to have a passion for it that your clients can see and feel... it will make them feel comfortable and recommend you. It takes time, especially in this economy, and wedding planning is a hard sell to some brides... but it's a necessity and if you believe in it they will too! Good luck!

  Thanks!

  So far The Knot as done well for me, I've booked a few from only being on there a few months so it has already paid for itself. I've also been doing this mailer thing using the mailing list The Knot provides monthly...havent gotten much response from that yet, but I know I have to look long-term with this stuff...meaning a bride could get my information now, but will wait a few weeks or even months before contacting me if they are only interested in "Day of" planning.

  I've made a great deal of progress within this past year, so I am hoping if I keep at this it will only get better from here as well.

   

  Good to know about the mailing list... I always get emails advertising for the email blasts... it's $450 for my area which I think is outrageous but I'm always tempted... lol 

  
  

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