If I were starting a wedding planning business in 2025, I would do things very differently, and here’s exactly what that looks like.

Before we dive in though – Hi, friend! I’m Candice Coppola, former wedding planner turned business coach, and founder of The Planner’s Playbook. I’ve built, scaled, and sold a successful wedding planning business. And over the last decade, I’ve coached thousands of wedding planners just like you, helping them launch with confidence and build a business that actually books.

So when people ask me, “Candice, what would you do if you had to start all over again?” This post is my answer. Because here’s the truth: the wedding industry has changed. A lot. And if you’re starting a wedding planning business this year, you’re stepping into a space that looks nothing like it did when I began in 2007. Between rising costs, AI tools, Gen Z couples, and shifting client expectations, today’s market calls for a smarter, more intentional strategy from day one.

In this post, I’m walking you through the exact steps I would take if I were starting from scratch. Let’s talk about it.

Get Clear on Your Why and Your Who

Before you choose a business name, post on Instagram, or even book your first client, you need to pause. If you’re starting a wedding planning business in 2025, your very first step is getting clear on your why and your who.

This is foundational work too many planners skip. But without it, every decision you make (from pricing to branding) will feel like guesswork.

Start with Your Why

Ask yourself:

• Why do I want to become a wedding planner?
• What does success look like for me?
• What kind of impact do I want to have on my clients?

Your “why” is what will carry you through the challenges and set you apart in a saturated market. I’ve talked a lot about this on my podcast, The Power in Purpose. That clarity helped me grow my business during one of the hardest seasons of my life. I want to save you from that kind of burnout. 

Then Define Your Who

Next, get specific about the clients you want to serve.

Couples today are more intentional than ever. They don’t just want a planner. They want someone who gets their vision, speaks their language, and aligns with their values.

Ask yourself:

• What kind of weddings do I want to plan?
• Do I love the creative side, the logistics, or both?
• What kind of couple lights me up
• What problems am I best at solving?
  

Even if you’ve only planned your own wedding or helped friends, you can still reflect on what parts you loved. That’s your secret sauce.

Invest in Education ASAP

If you’re starting a wedding planning business in 2025, you’ve probably already realized how noisy the internet is. There’s no shortage of blog posts, podcast episodes, and YouTube videos claiming to have the answers. Some of them are helpful, while others leave you more confused. And when you’re trying to DIY your way through every decision, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

I’ve been there. That’s why one of the first things I’d do if I were starting a wedding planning business today is invest in education.

Education Gives You a Shortcut

There’s a difference between collecting random advice online and actually getting the tools and support you need to grow.

The right education will help you:

• Skip the trial-and-error phase
• Avoid costly mistakes
• Build confidence in your decision
• Get your first client faster
• Create real momentum in your business
  

Trying to do it all alone isn’t a badge of honor. It’s a fast track to burnout. And while you may not be ready to hire a business coach or a designer right away, you can start by learning from someone who’s already built the kind of business you want.

When I was growing my business, having guidance changed everything for me. That’s why I’ve created resources to make this process easier for you:

• The Wedding Planner Business Blueprint: This course will help you launch your business in 30 days or less, with a clear, actionable plan.
• The Planner’s Playbook: My monthly membership is for wedding planners who want ongoing coaching, expert tools, and real-time support.
• The Candice Coppola Shop: Templates, copy kits, and design tools to help you skip the guesswork and start strong.
  

Build a Brand That Looks Like Someone You’d Hire

The next thing I would do if I was starting a wedding planning business in 2025 is I’d make sure my brand looked like someone I’d actually want to hire.

This may sound simple, but trust me, it’s an underrated tip that makes a huge difference. Your brand is your first impression. And in this industry, first impressions matter more than ever.

Your Brand Needs to Build Trust Fast

Couples today are skeptical. They’ve seen the horror stories. They’ve read the Reddit threads. And they want to know “can I trust you with one of the most important days of my life?”

That means your brand needs to:

• Look polished and professional
• Feel aligned with the weddings you want to plan
• Speak to your ideal client’s personality and values
• Build trust at first glance, even from a distance
  

In short, your brand should make someone stop scrolling and say, “I need to hire this person.”

But remember, at the end of the day, you’re not just building a brand for your clients, you’re building one for yourself. 

Create a Website That Converts Visitors into Clients

If I were starting my wedding planning business in 2025, I’d make sure I had a website that actually books clients, not just something pretty to look at.

It doesn’t matter if your portfolio is small. You can still create a site that looks professional, builds trust, and makes it easy for someone to say yes to working with you.

Your Website Should Be Beautiful and Strategic

A wedding planning website in 2025 needs to:

• Be mobile optimized.
• Clearly state what you do, who you serve, and why you’re the right fit.
• Feature images that reflect the weddings you want to book.
• Guide people toward taking action, whether that’s filling out your contact form or scheduling a call.
  

This is not about having a massive portfolio or paying five figures for custom design. It’s about showing up professionally with the tools you have.

Add a Blog

Blogging is still one of the best ways to improve your SEO and attract couples in your area. If I were starting a wedding planning business in 2025, this would be a must. Your blog is where you can share helpful tips, highlight real weddings, and position yourself as a trusted expert. It’s also how you start showing up in search results, and that means more inquiries without having to dance on Instagram.

Stop Working for Free As a Wedding Planner

When you’re just starting out, it’s tempting to take on full-service weddings for free just to gain experience or build your portfolio. But I want to lovingly challenge that.

Yes, you need experience. But you don’t need to give your services away to get it.

Here’s what happens when you plan weddings for free:

• You give your energy to weddings that may not reflect your ideal style.
• The experience is often DIY-heavy and disorganized, which means fewer portfolio-worthy moments.
• You set a precedent that your work isn’t worth paying for (and that’s not the message we’re sending in 2025).
  

You don’t need to build your business on unpaid labor. You just need smarter strategies to get the experience you’re craving.

Here’s what I’d do instead:

• Assist another planner during wedding season
• Work at a wedding venue to learn how events run
• Plan a styled shoot that reflects your dream clients and aesthetic

Want help with that? I’ve got a full playbook on styled shoots in my shop!

If you must start with a discounted rate, charge something. Even a small fee builds mutual investment and helps you feel more confident.

Get Yourself in the Room

Next, if I were starting my wedding planning business in 2025, one of the most important things I’d do is get myself in the room.

This is something I did when I started and it made all the difference. I went to a conference in Indianapolis early in my business, and that experience changed everything for me. I met people, had real conversations, and finally stepped out of my little bubble. That room, those people, were catalysts for the business I built.

Community, collaboration, and connection are non-negotiables in this industry. Especially now.

You Need Real Relationships 

I believe that nobody should do business alone, but networking doesn’t have to mean awkward small talk or passing out business cards. It means intentionally putting yourself in spaces where:

• You can learn from planners and vendors who are a few steps ahead of you.
• You build trust with professionals you might one day collaborate with.
• You grow your confidence just by showing up.
  

Look for opportunities like:

• Local wedding vendor networking events
• Small business associations
• Conferences or workshops geared toward creative entrepreneurs

Even if you feel like you don’t belong, you do. Those rooms are exactly where you need to be.

When you invest in your growth, you instantly shift your energy. You haven’t even opened the course or walked into the event yet, but the decision alone moves you forward.

That’s what happens when you commit to getting in the room. You absorb the mindset, habits, and momentum of the people around you.

If you’re looking for rooms to grow in, I’ve created a few:

• The Wedding Planner Business Blueprint to help you launch your business in 30 days.
• The Planner’s Playbook is my coaching and education community for wedding planners who are growing and scaling.
• WeddingPro Insiders is my mastermind for seasoned wedding pros ready to scale beyond six figures.
  

And if self-paced is more your thing? You’ll find templates, playbooks, and shortcuts inside the shop to help you get started right now.

Learning how to coordinate a wedding as a planner starts with building the business behind the scenes, and that includes building a network that lifts you higher.

Starting a Wedding Planning Business in 2025

Starting a wedding planning business in 2025 isn’t just about timelines and to-do lists (though those matter!). It’s about building a business that reflects your values, speaks to your ideal clients, and gives you the foundation to grow.

From getting clear on your why and who, to investing in your education, building a brand that earns trust, creating a website that converts, and getting in the room with the right people, this is the work that sets you up for long-term success.

And if you’re looking for a tool to help you actually coordinate the wedding day? Grab my free Wedding Coordinator Checklist PDF, it’s packed with the exact steps and responsibilities you need to pull off a seamless, stress-free event your clients will rave about. Enjoy!

Explore More Wedding Industry Resources

• Plan The Perfect Brand Photoshoot As A Wedding Planner
• How Much Does It Cost to Become a Wedding Planner?
• Is It Even Possible To Make 100K As A Wedding Planner?
• Is It Time to Rebrand Your Wedding Business? 5 Signs Your Brand Is Looking Stale
• How to Create a Consistent Brand Experience (And Why You Need To) With Alicia Bauer
• If You Want To Make Six Figures You Need This Wedding Industry Marketing Plan
• How To Build A Wedding Business Brand That Doesn’t Compete
• Honeybook Review: The Pros, Cons, And If It’s Worth It
• Wedding Industry Branding: How to Create A Recognizable Brand in the Wedding Industry with Brand Strategist Nicole Yang
• How Your Website Creates The Client Experience With Alex Collier
• How To Become A Wedding Planner With No Experience
• The Ultimate Guide to Creating Systems and Processes in Your Wedding Business
• The Ultimate Wedding Planner Templates
• Honeybook vs. Dubsado 2024 Review: Which CRM Is The Best?

For more business tips and a look into my island life, follow me on the ‘gram

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