Should you work for free to gain experience in the wedding industry? That’s what I thought when I first started my wedding business. As a business coach for wedding planners, I've seen this debate from every angle, and it’s not always black and white. Sometimes offering your services for free makes sense, while other times, it’s important to stand firm on your value and financial integrity. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the tricky question of when it pays off to work for free and when it’s best to just say no, and I’m going to share my thoughts (and kind of unpopular opinion) when it comes to whether or not you should work for free.
The Problem With NEVER Working for Free
Let me back up a second. For many years, the wedding industry has demanded a steep learning curve. New wedding professionals often work for free to gain experience, build portfolios, and establish connections. This practice, almost a rite of passage, leads countless newcomers to offer their services at no charge, hoping to break into the competitive field. Unfortunately, many new wedding pros get taken advantage of, ultimately burning out and leaving the industry.
However, in recent years, there has been a pretty significant shift in the desire to work for free. The pendulum has swung hard in the opposite direction, and now it seems that the willingness to work for free has all but disappeared. And hey, I get it. Like I mentioned above, this change is, in part, a reaction to the exploitation and burnout experienced by many bright and ambitious wedding planners who felt undervalued and overworked.
The truth is, though, that refusing to do ANY work for free can hinder the growth of a wedding planning business (especially in its early stages). While it is important to value your time and expertise, there are strategic instances where offering free (or discounted) services can provide big returns. We will talk more about this below, but participating in styled shoots, collaborating with other vendors, or assisting in high-profile events for free can open doors to new opportunities, enhance your portfolio, and build a network of industry connections.
These experiences can lead to paying clients and long-term success, proving that, sometimes, working for free is a worthwhile investment in your future.
When You Should Say NO To Working for Free
That being said, there is some free work that you should absolutely say no to. When I was starting my business, I sat down with a financial advisor to discuss my goals and the vision I had for my wedding planning company. During our conversation, he asked me how much I was planning to charge for my services. I told him I was going to do some work for free to build my portfolio and then offer my services at a very competitive, below-market rate to get more weddings through the door. This is the same song and dance many new wedding planners follow, believing that working for free or at very low margins is the way to kickstart their careers.
My advisor then asked me what types of weddings I hoped to plan. I enthusiastically described my ideal clients: those with big budgets, a keen attention to detail, and a sophisticated sense of style. He pointed out that by working for free or at such low rates, I was setting myself up to attract clients with low budgets or no budgets at all. If I wanted to work on high-end projects, I instead needed to position myself accordingly from the very beginning.
If that’s you right now, resist the urge to post in those wedding Facebook groups offers to plan a wedding for free “for experience”. Trust me when I say that you will rarely get the kinds of weddings that you can actually use in your portfolio or get the experience you really want out of a wedding day (ie. be prepared to assemble a hundred DIY projects the week of the wedding).
When Wedding Pros SHOULD Work For Free
I’m never going to make you work for free, but here are some examples that might make sense for you and your business.
First, one prime example of when it makes sense to say yes to free work is when it offers an opportunity to truly build your portfolio. As a new wedding planner, having a strong portfolio is essential for showcasing your skills and attracting potential clients.
Participating in styled shoots, for example, can offer an incredible ROI. I truly believe that styled shoots have been a big part of why I was so successful as a wedding planner, and if you’re interested, make sure to grab the entire Playbook I wrote on them. These collaborative projects allow you to work with photographers, florists, and other vendors to create a visually stunning event setup (and network with one another, too!).
The other time I think it makes sense to say yes to free work is when it helps you network and get into rooms you want to be in. Attending industry events, offering your services for industry events (and venue openings), or assisting seasoned professionals can help you network with people who will be invaluable over the course of your career.
Basically, these opportunities not only allow you to learn from experienced peers but also enable you to establish relationships with key players in the industry. It’s cliche to say that your network is your net worth, but it’s kind of true. Relationships are huge in the wedding industry.
My Experience Saying Yes to Free Work
I want to shift the idea that everything has to be paid work. There are so many awesome opportunities that can help you in other ways, even if you're not getting paid. And I know what I’m talking about here because while I never offered to plan weddings for free, I did say yes to plenty of free opportunities (and still do!).
For example, early in my career, I collaborated on a styled shoot for a magazine. While it wasn’t a paid gig, it turned out to be a huge catalyst for my business. This experience allowed me to meet and network with the vendors I knew I wanted to work with and to design the types of weddings I wanted to plan.
Had I turned down that opportunity simply because it wasn’t paid, I would have missed out on the invaluable connections and portfolio-building experiences that came from it. I’m so glad I didn’t!
Should You Work For Free to Gain Experience?
To sum up, the question of whether to work for free in the wedding industry is a complex one with no one-size-fits-all answer. There are times when offering your services for free can be a strategic move, helping you build your portfolio, establish valuable connections, and gain experience. However, it's also important to know when to say NO to working for free to stand firm on your worth and to avoid undervaluing your expertise.
If you want honest advice on growing your wedding business, I would love to invite you to join the Planner's Playbook. Each month, I host office hours where I dive into topics just like this, offering my insights and honest advice (even when it’s unpopular and not what you want to hear). Let's work together to build a thriving wedding planning business! Hop on the waitlist now!
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For More Wedding Planner Business Secrets Follow Me On Instagram
It’s time for a come to Jesus moment…
If you want a wedding business in two years, you’ve got to stop letting Threads hijack your brand.
You’re drowning in hot takes from people who’ve never managed a 200-guest wedding, handled sensitive family issues with care, or built a real business ROOTED in hospitality.
And worse? You might be reposting their stuff.
Every time you drag a client, mock a fellow vendor, or echo some out-of-touch “truth” that doesn’t reflect how you actually work… you chip away at your credibility.
Your future clients are watching. So are your peers. And the people you want to refer you.
You don’t have to sanitize your voice.
But you do need to be intentional about what you’re amplifying.
I’m all for an occasional gos session or needing to vent about real frustrations. But GIRRRRLLL, that’s what your best friend and momma are for!!
Swipe through if you’ve been feeling off lately. This might be why.
And a good test to run any “hot take” through is something my friend @c10ike says a lot:
✨ Is it necessary?
✨ Is it kind?
✨ Is it true?
Reputation isn’t built in the spotlight. It’s built in the quiet moments when you choose not to take the bait.
In this clip from the latest episode, I’m breaking down one of the most overlooked but powerful ways to build a brand that commands respect: staying out of the bullshit.
👉 That means stepping away from the gossip-filled group chats.
👉 That means not chiming in when someone starts bashing another vendor.
👉 That means not running to threads when you see another vendor f*cking up.
Reputation isn’t just what you say about yourself. It’s what others feel safe saying around you. And if people feel like you’re a safe space to gossip, chances are they’ll feel just as safe gossiping about you.
This episode is your reminder to keep it clean. Stay client-focused. Surround yourself with good people. Let your reputation speak louder than any tea ever could.
Comment 187 and I will send you the link to listen to this week’s episode.
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#candicecoppola #weddingindustry #weddingpros #weddingpro #weddingindustryexperts #weddingpodcast #weddingbusiness #weddingbusiness #thepowerinpurposepodcast #weddingindustryeducation #weddingplanner
Success leaves clues 👏
I used to think successful people had something I didn’t.
More confidence.
More clarity.
More certainty.
But then I looked closer.
And here’s what I saw:
They weren’t waiting to feel ready.
They weren’t waiting to be chosen.
They weren’t waiting AT ALL.
They moved with the fear.
They spoke up despite the self-doubt.
They gave themselves permission before anyone else ever did.
Because success? It’s not about perfection. It’s about boldness.
✨ This week’s podcast episode is all about that shift — the one that luxury clients can feel when they’re deciding whether to trust you. And the one that might be keeping you stuck.
Comment 186 and I will send you the link.
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#candicecoppola #weddingindustry #weddingpros #weddingpro #weddingindustryexperts #weddingpodcast #weddingbusiness #thepowerinpurposepodcast #weddingindustryeducation #weddingplanner
You didn’t start your business because it was safe.
You started it because something deep inside you said yes—even if no one else could see the vision.
That was audacity.
That was courage.
That was you, betting on yourself.
This week on the podcast, I’m inviting you back to that version of yourself.
The one who launched the site.
Named the business.
Started marketing without a roadmap.
Took bold action before you felt ready.
Because she didn’t disappear. She’s just buried under the pressure, the fear, the expectations. And it’s time to call her back.
Comment 186 and I will send you the link to listen 🫶
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#candicecoppola #weddingindustry #weddingpros #weddingpro #weddingindustryexperts #weddingpodcast #weddingbusiness #thepowerinpurposepodcast #weddingindustryeducation #weddingprofessionals #becomeaweddingplanner #startaweddingbusiness #weddingmba
All, Building Your Brand, Getting Down to Business, Goal Setting, Growing a Business, Mindset's To Fix
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