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I believe that entrepreneurs who lead with their purpose are more successful, less likely to burn out, and deeply connected to why they do what they do. 

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Starting a Business

9 Mistakes to Avoid When Starting your Wedding Planning Business

May 23, 2023

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I'm candice!

I'm Candice, your new tell-it-like-it-is BFF (and purpose cheerleader). Are you ready to grow and scale a profitable business with purpose–and one that gives back to your meaningful life? Thought so!

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What's your brand cocktail for success?

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*cues up to the bar* Let's start the tab, shall we? Take the quiz and find your brand cocktail for success.

Okay. Buckle up, friends! With over 15 years in the wedding industry under my belt, I'm going to share with you ALL the mistakes you have to avoid as a wedding planner. I have seen certain mistakes be made – by wedding planners – over and over again. As a business coach, I want something different for you. I want you to have the business that you want, and I want to make sure you're not believing some of the lies that marketers in our industry are screaming from the rooftops. Like you already know – it's not all good advice on the internet. I'm going to break down just 9 of the biggest wedding planner mistakes I see people make (and give your some advice on what to do instead!).

With over 12 years in the wedding industry under my belt, I'm going to share with you ALL the mistakes you have to avoid as a wedding planner. I have seen certain mistakes be made - by wedding planners - over and over again. As a business coach, I want something different for you. I want you to have the business that you want, and I want to make sure you're not believing some of the lies that marketers in our industry are screaming from the rooftops. Like you already know - it's not all good advice on the internet. I'm going to break down just 9 of the biggest wedding planner mistakes I see people make (and give your some advice on what to do instead!).

Wedding Planner Mistake #1: Not Doing Market Research.

Before you start ANY business, you do your research.

So why do so many planners enter the wedding industry skipping this step?

Market research is literally investigating the marketplace you're getting into. Like, who are the established planners in your area, what services do they offer, and how successful are they?

Although I don't think you should jump down a rabbit hole of comparison when you start to research your competitors, you should definitely know who you are and what makes you different. If you can't tell me why you're different, who can?

Why would clients want to book with you over the competition?

Don't make this mistake. Do your research. If you have no idea where to start (or just want a little direction), you can download my free business plan outline here.

Wedding Planner Mistake #2: Thinking your Ideal Clients are perfect (or worse – not really even knowing who the heck they are).

I could go on and on about this. I believe that most businesses fail because they just don't know who they're talking to.

Understanding who your ideal clients are and what they want from you is *critical* to being successful in the wedding industry. Don't make the mistake of not knowing who your business exists to serve.

And listen, I know you're thinking…

“Candice, I've done 1,000,000 ideal client avatar exercises, I know exactly who my ideal client is!”

Hmm, you sure? I would say that if this profile you wrote sounds like the perfect human being (with every personality trait that's desirable and a bank account to match), you haven't done enough.

If your ideal client sounds like a “25-35 year old who loves designer labels and regularly shops at JCrew”, you can do better, and I've created a small but mighty resource to help you get through this work in just one weekend. The Client Cocktail has absolutely EVERYTHING you need: from identifying who your ideal clients are, attracting them in real life, and even the world's best rum punch recipe. Grab it for just $37 here.

Wedding Planner Mistake #3: Booking Weddings for Free to Get Experience

Storytime. I talked to an accountant before I opened my wedding planning business (like I mentioned – I am a PLANNER), and he was very honest with me and said something along the lines of:

“Candice, I don't know a lot about the wedding industry, but I do know about the home building industry. And one of the mistakes I see home builders make is taking on lower-priced work to try to gain experience. What ends up happening is they start to build a portfolio that will never get them the clients they want.”

Ouch – who can relate to that? You are not going to book million-dollar weddings by taking weddings for free to gain experience. Those weddings are not going to attract the clients you want, and you're better off spending your precious time on other avenues.

With over 12 years in the wedding industry under my belt, I'm going to share with you ALL the mistakes you have to avoid as a wedding planner. I have seen certain mistakes be made - by wedding planners - over and over again. As a business coach, I want something different for you. I want you to have the business that you want, and I want to make sure you're not believing some of the lies that marketers in our industry are screaming from the rooftops. Like you already know - it's not all good advice on the internet. I'm going to break down just 9 of the biggest wedding planner mistakes I see people make (and give your some advice on what to do instead!).

Wedding Planner Mistake #4 Pricing Yourself into Poverty by Undercharging to Gain Experience

Don't make the mistake of pricing yourself into poverty. Price yourself to make a living wage.

Wedding Planner Mistake #5: Using Images of Other People's Work in Your Portfolio.

Consider using stock photos instead! When I started my wedding business in 2008, stock photos were JANKY. Like, not good AT ALL. But I made it work and sifted through whatever I could to make it work. Now, we have so many more options. I personally love using Haute Stock or Styled Stock Society.

Better yet, network with other vendors and plan some styled shoots that are a true reflection of your work. These might cost you a little bit of money – oftentimes, florists and other vendors will want to get paid for any hard goods – but it is worth it as you start to invest in your business. I'd rather you pay for a styled shoot that reflects weddings you want to book than do ten free styled shoots where the vendors don't bring their best work.

PS: Want my advice on how to design a killer styled shoot? Grab my free guide here!

Wedding Planner Mistake #6: Not Having a Legal Contract

I don't really need to beat a dead horse after the year we just had, do I?

I know that having a legal contract is not one of the sexiest things about owning a business. Trust me, I get it. However, not having a legal contract only needs to be a big mistake in ONE SITUATION for it to cost you so much more. I know that sitting down with a lawyer to draft a contract can be pricey, but there are so many affordable template options. I personally recommend Legally Set (she has a few different options depending on your wedding business needs!).

Stop getting your advice from Facebook groups and just invest in a good contract, okay?

Wedding Planner Mistake #7: Not Understanding the Scope of Work You've Been Hired for

When you first start your wedding business, you'll do almost anything to get the sale. But being crystal clear in the beginning is the absolute best way to avoid any future issues.

Oftentimes, we talk about scope creep, but we never talk about overpromising and under-delivering (which can be your customers' perspective – if you aren't careful!). Be crystal clear on what should be expected from both sides before the contract is signed.

You need to be careful about balancing your client's requests and what you've actually been hired to do. Scope creep is when clients ask you to do things that you haven't technically been paid for–and it can be a real buzz kill.

It starts off innocent enough. “Hey Candice, can you make this phone call for us?” But it can quickly spiral into a long list of “Can you do this?” – and you haven't been paid for it.

Make sure your contract outlines EXACTLY what work you're doing for your client–and note an hourly rate for additional work OUTSIDE of what you've been contracted to do.

But listen to me, and listen to me carefully: you've got to enforce it. Don't say yes to your clients' every wish and demand. If they're asking you to do work that is outside the scope you agreed upon, CHARGE THEM.

Wedding Planner Mistake #8: Thinking that Your Success Will Happen Overnight

Business takes time y'all. You'll hear the story about someone who launched their wedding planning business and got picked to plan Obama's anniversary party in the same week.

I'm 99.9% positive that won't happen to you.

And listen, it SHOULD happen to you because you're that talented.

It takes time for your business to get its footing. To build brand awareness, gain experience, and make your mark. Overnight success is a myth that marketers love to convince you is real.

I don't know about you, but I am so sick of this “make 100K in six months” kind of marketing. I would much rather you build a business that is profitable and gives you both the business and life that you want for the long haul, then convince you to try to make as much money as you can, as fast as possible. I've fallen victim to this kind of advertising before, so I know that it often ends up with you just feeling discouraged and defeated. I don't want that for you!

And when I tell you to invest in long-term strategies like SEO, Pinterest, and blogging, I'm assuming you're in it for the long haul. So, recognize that good things take time. And you're not here for a short time–you're here for the long game.


Wedding Planner Mistake #9: Doing Day of Coordination

I know you want to get your feet wet ASAP, so your gut reaction is to offer Day of Coordination and charge a low rate to get money flowing.

But please, reconsider.

Day of Coordination is a headache. Take it from me–your wedding planning mentor. It's filled with low-budget clients, a shit load of problems, and comes back to not only building the type of portfolio you want but also understanding the value you bring to the table.

If you're offering day-of coordination, you're not going to make much money AND you're going to deal with a lot of headaches. Plus, it doesn't show what you can really do… which is plan, design, and coordinate a kick-ass wedding.

Instead, consider offering Month of Coordination to start.

Want to read more about my opinion on day of coordination? Check out this blog post: The Pro's & Con's of Day Of Coodination

That was a LOT, so let me quickly recap. As someone who has been where you are, here are the top 9 wedding planner mistakes I see couples make when they start their wedding businesses:

  1. Not doing market research
  2. Not knowing who your ideal clients are
  3. Taking weddings for free to get experience
  4. Pricing yourself into poverty by undercharging to get experience
  5. Using images of other people's work in your portfolio (use haute stock or styled stock society instead)
  6. Not having a legal contract
  7. Not understanding the scope of work you've been hired for
  8. Thinking your success will happen overnight
  9. Doing Day of Coordination

Ready to grow your wedding planning business the right way? I'm so glad to hear you say that. The Planner's Playbook is here–and it's going to be your new secret weapon to plan, design, and coordinate high-end weddings like a pro.

Seriously, my new coaching program *only* for wedding planners was created to teach you everything you need to know about HOW to plan, design, and coordinate weddings. Want to grow your wedding planning business? Well, you've got to become the best in the game. And The Planner's Playbook is here to show you how!

Explore More Wedding Industry Resources

For More Wedding Planner Business Secrets Follow Me On Instagram

If you're into business advice, cocktails, #islandlife, real housewives memes, #teamariana, skincare, and houseplants– then you're definitely following me for all the right reasons!

In case you need a refresher - I'm Candice! And I believe you shouldn't have to do business (or happy hour) alone.

I help wedding pros of ALL kinds build a profitable business with purpose. 

I've been mentoring wedding pros since 2011, mostly while I was growing my renowned wedding planning & design company.

In 2019, I sold my 6-figure business so I could help you build the kind of business that you want. There are so many ways we can connect to help you grow your business! Here are a few:

🎙 Check out my podcast, The Power in Purpose
📹 Watch my YouTube channel if you're five years or less into your business
📗 Join me inside my community for planners, The Planner's Playbook
💡Apply to be inside my high-level mastermind for women in the wedding industry, WeddingPro Insiders

Building the kind of wedding business you want doesn't have to be hard. In fact, growing your business can be easy.

The secret to growing your business quickly is working with someone who has been where you want to go. And I'm that guy! 😉

Thanks for being here 🥰❤️ and thanks to @tyzwilson for the photo 😘

#fridayintroductions #candicecoppola #honeybook #weddingpro #weddingpros #weddingindustry #weddingindustryeducation #weddingindustryexperts #weddingmba #businesscoach #eventprofs #weddingplanner #weddingplannerlife #lifeofaweddingplanner #risingtidesociety #therisingtidesociety #theplannersociety #plannersplaybook
One of the most common questions I’m asked is, “Candice, should I raise my price?”

I know this is a struggle point for most business owners, makers, and service providers. No matter if you’re brand new to business or you’ve been in business for a gazillion years, we feel really self conscious about our price.

We hem and haw over whether we should increase it or keep it where it is, and start asking questions like...

👀 How do I know if I am ready for a price increase?
👀 What should my pricing be??
👀 What does it mean if I start charging more money?
👀 What will happen if I raise my rates? Will my clients abandon me?

I have to admit - the answer to whether you should increase your price isn’t as straight forward as I’d like it to be, which is why I recorded today’s episode!  

While it is a process to raise your rates, this episode of The Power in Purpose podcast will help you understand better when it’s smart to raise your price - and the strategy behind raising your rates. 

I also talk about the repercussions of a price increase - because I know you’re scared of that, too.

I can’t wait to hear your thoughts on todays episode!
#candicecoppola #weddingpro #honeybook #weddingplanner #lifeofaweddingplanner #weddingplannerlife #weddingphotographer #weddingplannereducation #weddingphotographers #weddingindustry #weddingindustryeducation #weddingindustryexperts #weddingindustrypodcast #weddingmba #eventprofs #pricingstrategy #pricing #businessquotes #businessstrategy
🤣🤣🤣🤣

First, what did you think of my analogy about ‘tweaking’ your brand into something that becomes unrecognizable?

On the podcast this week I’ve got a special guest: my own brand designer and strategist, @nicoleayang!

Nicole and I are talking about HOW to create an instantly recognizable brand, WHY it’s important to your success - and branding trends with think are TIRED 🥱.

It’s an episode filled with branding gems from one of the smartest and most talented branding strategists I know!

👉🏼 I’d love to know what your take away is from this episode - and if I should have Nicole back for another round of branding truth bombs?! 💣

Tell me below! 

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#theplanersplaybook #candicecoppola #weddingpro #weddingpros #dayofcoordinator #weddingplanner #weddingplanning #thepowerinpurposepodcast #weddingpropodcast #weddingindustry #weddingindustrypodcast #branding #brandingtips #brandingpodcast #weddingindustryeducation #honeybook #risingtidesociety #nicoleyang

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Each week, we explore how to build a profitable business with purpose—and the stories behind successful entrepreneurs who have. Get ready to dig in and have meaningful conversations about business and life, as we explore the strategies and techniques that build the kind of business you want. 

I believe entrepreneurs who lead with their purpose are more successful, less likely to burn out, and deeply connected to why they do what they do. 

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