Bridal Consultant

[usahgrad]

I am absolutely LOVING planning my wedding. I recently graduated from college and haven't really found anything that stimulates me as much, except for the wedding plans. I guess I should get to the point. If I were considering becoming a bridal consultant/wedding planner/whatever you want to call it, how would I go about doing that? I think I have a knack for it and I LOVE doing parties for people.

[Foreverweddings]

I'd love to give you some pointers on getting started. Send me a PM

[WebLady]

You can take a course or be self taught. Doing it for your wedding will give you some experience but you will not be able to make the 'big bucks' at this until you get a few more weddings under your belt.

I'd be happy to offer tips and pointers as I use to do this too.

You know how to reach me :wink:

~ WebLady :)

[delmar]

Although I am having some troubles re-setablishing my business in a new state I'd be happy to give you some industry and planner pointers. I have almost 10 years experience in the industry and 5 years experience as a planner/coordinator/consultant.

[CindySue]

I dont think I would want to do consulting work (planning my own wedding is driving me nuts, but there IS NO WAY I could afford to pay someone to do it for me around here.) But I have found several things I am good at. I can recreate most of the invitations in the catalogs on my home computer at a fraction of the cost, and I have a list of really cute and cheap favor ideas, etc.
Im thinking about looking into a part time at-home job of this type, after MY wedding, of course.

[usahgrad]

That's what I was thinking...doing something along the lines of helping those who have strict budgets to stick with. Is it possible?

[wedbyjean]

Being a bridal consultant, or wedding planner (the terms are quite interchangable) as a profession is very different than planning your own wedding, or helping a friend or relative plan hers. To do so as a profession, you need to treat it as such. Are you willing to take the time to learn what you need to know in a crediable Wedding Consulting class? Are you willing to learn what it takes to run a business (including taxes, accounting, etc.)?

If you have not learned the basics of being a bridal consultant, (not just being a bride), you will find it difficult to succeed professionally.

I've sent you a list of my FAQs. I hope they help.

Jean

[WebLady]

I agree with 'wedbyjean' in that it is harder to do this (or any other other type of business for that matter) on your own as a business than you might think. For one, you heard the old saying "you have to spend money to make money"? Let me tell you that it is true ... I spend alot of time and money in growing and promoting my business. And all the paper work in more than I ever expected. But I wouldn't change it for anything. :)

However, I think that there could be a way that you can use your experiences as a planning bride to help others and maybe make a few extra bucks along the way too. Maybe put up a little website and offer a "Former Bride's Planning Guide" kind of like a newsletter and have people pay a small fee to get it every month.

But even in that it would take some time and possibly money in research and development. To make money in the wedding industry you have to find a niche that isn't too saturated as there are wedding related services all over the place. You have to find something that sets you apart from the others.

In what I am doing now, (my primary business is not wedding related anymore) there are alot of others out there that do the same thing but not many that offer what I do for the quality and the price. So that is how I am different.

Best wishes,

~ WebLady :)

[Jenn060306]

I dont think I would want to do consulting work (planning my own wedding is driving me nuts, but there IS NO WAY I could afford to pay someone to do it for me around here.) But I have found several things I am good at. I can recreate most of the invitations in the catalogs on my home computer at a fraction of the cost, and I have a list of really cute and cheap favor ideas, etc.
Im thinking about looking into a part time at-home job of this type, after MY wedding, of course.

I'm thinking about doing somthing similar. I'm about to graduate from Graphic Design, and i;ve found that i looove designing invitations, cards, everything. I'm seriously considering this. Part time until i can get enough business to keep myself afloat with only mark's regular pay check.
I'd love you're thoughts on the cute inexpensive favours. I'm not sure what to do for our wedding.

[delmar]

It much more complicated to own a business than a lot of people think. But it can be done reasonably. Advertising and marketing is definately the hard part. If you want to live off of your income its totally different than just doing it for some extra cash. Either way you have to be totally serious to keep it going. You can specialize in Budget Brides, but then that narrows the field of who will contact you. (Even though all bride have a budget.) The broader your spectrum the more brides/business you'll get.