When it comes to diving into the wedding planning industry, one big question often looms: Should you start your own wedding planning business or gain experience working for someone else first? After all, maybe you found this post because you were looking to get a wedding planner job?
In this article, we’ll break down both options, helping you weigh the benefits and challenges of going solo versus learning the ropes under an established planner. By the end, you’ll have a clearer sense of which direction might be the perfect fit for your wedding planning dreams.
Spoiler alert: Before we even get started, I want you to know there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Everything we talk about today is subjective – but don’t worry, I’m here to help you figure out which path might be right for you. So grab your notebook (or, let’s be real, open another tab on your already overcrowded browser), and let’s dive in!
(And if you want to skip getting a wedding planner job and jump right into starting your own business, you’ll want to register for my free masterclass: How To Launch Your Wedding Planning Business THIS Year – And Book Your First 5 Clients!)
Option 1: Starting Your Own Wedding Planning Business
When you think about starting your own wedding planning business, there’s a lot of pros. Time freedom, making tons of money, everything else you see online, right? But if I’m being honest, there’s more to starting your own wedding business than posting on Instagram that you’re open for business (or lurking around in Facebook groups that you joined when you were getting married). In fact, I always say the moment you open up your own wedding planning business, you become a business owner, and wedding planner second.
Let’s talk about the quick pros and cons of starting your own wedding planning business…
Pros:
- You’re in charge
- All the profits go straight into your pocket (hello, designer shoes fund!)
- Creative freedom to build your brand and style
- Flexibility to work with your dream clients
Cons:
- It’s sink or swim, baby – no safety net here
- You’ll be wearing ALL the hats (CEO, accountant, marketer, therapist…)
- Steeper learning curve
- The buck stops with you (pressure, much?)
Now, let’s talk about trying to get a wedding planner job at an established company instead!
Option 2: Trying to Get a Wedding Planner Job
If you want to learn the ropes from a seasoned pro (with a steady paycheck in hand, without the stress of running the whole show), it might be worth it to you to head out and search for a wedding planner job that already exists. But let’s talk about the pros and cons of that…
Pros:
- Learn from someone else’s mistakes (and successes!)
- Steady income while you figure out if this is really your jam
- Network and build connections in the industry
- Focus on honing your skills without the business headaches
Cons:
- Less creative control
- Smaller piece of the financial pie (probably the biggest reason people choose to start their own business)
- You might outgrow your role with no place to advance
- Zero time freedom (you’ll likely have set hours if you’re working for a company)
It can be hard to find a wedding planner job
The other con that nobody talks about? It can be kind of hard to find a wedding planner job. Everyone talks about “gaining experience” by working for another planner, but here’s the kicker: Those jobs are rare.
Most wedding planning businesses are small operations. We’re talking about solo entrepreneurs or tiny teams. They’re not exactly lining up to hire fresh faces off the street. The few positions that do exist? Often filled by long-time team members who’ve clawed their way up from intern to assistant to planner.
If you’re set on getting a wedding planner job (instead of going out on your own), I recommend looking at venues to see if they are looking for venue coordinators. While it’s not exactly the same role, it’ll get your foot in the door and there are more positions available.
I Started My Wedding Planning Business With ZERO Experience
Now, let me let you in on a little secret. When I started my wedding planning business, I had exactly zero experience. Nada. Zilch. The closest I’d come to event planning was being a hostess at a restaurant. (Spoiler: Seating hangry couples is NOT the same as planning their wedding.)
But guess what? I did it anyway. I launched that business, learned as I went, and eventually sold it. Now I’m here, teaching fabulous people like you how to do the same.
The moral of the story? If one of the reasons you’re looking to find a wedding planner job is that you’re nervous to start your own business, don’t be. Yes, it’s a lot of work but you’ve done hard things before. Sometimes, you’ve just gotta take the leap and trust that you’ll figure out how to fly on the way down.
So, What Should You Do If You Want to Be a Wedding Planner?
1. Assess Your Risk Tolerance
Becoming a wedding planner often means diving into the unknown, especially if you’re starting your own business. Are you someone who thrives in uncertain environments, or do you prefer the security of a steady paycheck?
Understanding your comfort level with risk is crucial. If the thought of unpredictable income or dealing with last-minute changes fills you with dread, it might be worth considering whether this career is the right fit. On the flip side, if you’re energized by challenges and excited by the idea of being your own boss, wedding planning could be a great opportunity for you to thrive.
2. Check Your Local Wedding Industry Market
Before you jump into the wedding planning industry, take a good look at what’s happening locally. Research whether there is a demand for wedding planners in your area. Are there already established planners with strong reputations, or is there room for someone new? If the market is saturated, don’t get discouraged. You might need to get creative with your niche or consider relocating to a more promising area.
There’s ALWAYS room for someone new, trust me.
Conversely, if there’s little competition but a strong market, you could have a golden opportunity to establish yourself. Understanding the local landscape will help you make an informed decision and avoid potential pitfalls.
3. Be Honest About Your Skills
Wedding planning isn’t just about organizing beautiful events; it also involves running a business. Take a hard look at your skill set. Do you have the necessary organizational skills, creativity, and business acumen? Are you confident in your ability to handle finances, marketing, and client relationships?
If you feel you’re lacking in any of these areas, consider seeking mentorship or further education before diving in. A solid foundation of skills can make the difference between a successful business and one that struggles to get off the ground. Join me inside the Planner’s Playbook, my membership for wedding planners, if you want ongoing support as you start this new venture!
And if you’re looking to START your wedding planning business, make sure you sign up for my FREE masterclass. Click here to register for free now!
4. Trust Your Gut
Sometimes, no matter how much research or planning you do, the decision comes down to what feels right. Your intuition can be a powerful tool in making decisions. If every fiber of your being is telling you that wedding planning is your calling, it’s worth listening to that inner voice.
Just remember to keep your instincts in check with reality; while it’s important to trust your gut, make sure your dreams are grounded in a solid plan. You can download my FREE business plan template to help you get started.
The Bottom Line on Getting a Wedding Planner Job
Whether you choose to launch your own wedding planning empire or set out to find a wedding planner job, remember this: There’s no “right” way to become a successful wedding planner. It’s all about finding the path that works for you, your goals, and your fabulous personality.
And hey, if you do decide to start your own biz, I’ve got your back. Sign up for my FREE live masterclass, where I’ll teach you how to start your wedding planning business this year and book your first five clients – even if you don’t have a portfolio, experience, or a clue where to start!
Explore More Wedding Industry Resources
- How to Start a Wedding Planning Business
- How To Build Your Portfolio As A Wedding Planner When You’re Just Starting Out
- 8 Free Ways To Market Your Wedding Planning Biz
- How To Go From Side Hustle To Full Time Wedding Planner
- Creating Wedding Planner Packages for Your Business: How To Find the Best Way To Position Your Offer
- 6 Things You Need to Include In Your Wedding Planner Pricing Guide
- Here’s What Every Wedding Planner Needs To Include In Their Wedding Design Proposals
- Wedding Planner Pricing: How Much Should You Charge As A Wedding Planner? Learn How To Figure Out Your Price
- Pricing Mistakes You Can’t Afford To Make In Your Business As A Wedding Pro
- 6 Ways Wedding Planners Leave Money on the Table
- 5 Ways to Make More Money As A Wedding Planner
- Why Honeybook Is The Best CRM for Wedding Planners
- How Much Does It Cost to Become a Wedding Planner?
- Wedding Planners – Should You List Your Wedding Planner Pricing Packages On Your Website?
- Day of Coordination: The Pros and Cons as a Wedding Planner
- How To Sell Your Wedding Planning Services: The 7 Stages Of The Sales Cycle
- 5 Contracts Every Wedding Planner Must Have To Be Legally Set
- How To Get Wedding Clients When You’re Just Starting Out
- Are Your Wedding Industry Sales Down? Here’s How To Figure Out What’s Wrong
- 9 Mistakes to Avoid When Starting Your Wedding Planning Business
- How to Book Destination Weddings And Elopements In Your Wedding Business
- Why You’re Not Attracting The Right Clients and How to Fix It
- How To Become A Wedding Planner With No Experience
For More Wedding Planner Business Secrets Follow Me On Instagram
Here’s one of my favorite things about being a business owner...
You don’t have to wait for permission to make more money.
You don’t need to ask for a raise.
You are the raise.
In this week’s episode of The Power in Purpose, @erinn_bridgman and I talked about one of the most empowering parts of being a wedding pro and that’s the ability to create income on demand.
When you understand your numbers, you realize how much control you actually have. You can double down on your most profitable offer, take on one or two more weddings at a higher rate, or make small shifts that directly impact your paycheck.
If only someone would show you the way, right?
My hope is that this conversation will light a fire under you to stop waiting for “someday” and start acting like the CEO your business needs today.
Comment 197 and I will send you the link to listen (and an invite to a FREE masterclass Erinn is hosting next week to help you too!).
#candicecoppola #weddingindustry #weddingindustryexperts #weddingpro #weddingpros #weddingpodcast #weddingbusiness #thepowerinpurposepodcast #weddingindustryeducation #weddingplanner
You keep waiting for that future version of yourself (you know, the one who’s confident with money, pays herself first, and runs a business that feels calm, sustainable, and profitable).
But she’s not coming.
You aren’t just going to wake up and “become her” someday. You need to start building her now.
In this episode, I brought on @erinn_bridgman to talk all about building WEALTH as a wedding pro, and this future self exercise is truly just the beginning.
I know firsthand that when you start identifying as that version of yourself now, everything changes. You stop operating from survival mode and start leading from security and abundance.
I want that for you and Erinn does too!
Next week, she’s hosting a free masterclass where she’s sharing her 4-part framework to help you ditch the money stress and pay yourself first every month.
Comment 197 and I will send you the link to listen to this week’s episode (and sign up for the masterclass).
I will see you there ⬇️
#candicecoppola #weddingindustry #weddingpros #weddingpro #weddingindustryexperts #weddingpodcast #weddingbusiness #thepowerinpurposepodcast #weddingindustryeducation #weddingpodcast #weddingbusiness #weddingindustryeducation
💸 Last year, I spent $60,000 on my own education and business development.
Courses. Masterminds. One-on-one coaching. All of it.
And while those numbers sound big (and they are), I also love investing in my business. I’ve worked with a coach since 2017, and I can confidently say while not every investment I make is a winner, many of the investments I’ve made are a major reason my business looks the way it does today.
But here’s what I’ve learned along the way:
✨ Not every investment gives you the same ROI.
✨ Where you are in your journey matters when deciding which style of education and support is right for you
✨ Growth happens when you’re the smallest fish in the room
In this week’s podcast episode, I’m breaking down exactly what I learned from investing $60K into my growth and more importantly, how you can use those lessons to make smarter decisions about YOUR next investment.
Think of it as a buyer’s guide to business education, told by someone who’s been on both sides: student and coach.
Comment 196 and I will send you the link to listen.
#candicecoppola #weddingpros #weddingpros #weddingpro #weddingindustryexperts #weddingpodcast #weddingbusiness #thepowerinpurposepodcast #weddingindustryeducation
Over the weekend I celebrated another birthday, and this year, it was amazing ✨
Thank you for all the texts, calls, voice messages, DMs, and comments. Between my friends, my clients, my colleagues, and my students I really felt all the love.
To a fresh year filled with love, gratitude, and beautiful sunsets with friends.
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