| Have you ever helped plan a friend or relative's | | | | to begin. Many event planners save a few |
| party and thought, "I wish I could do this for a | | | | thousand before they start their business and |
| living!" Or you may already be in the event | | | | others save a year's worth of expenses. You |
| coordinating business and just want to expand | | | | might need to volunteer or work with a mentor |
| your repertoire to include weddings. If so, you | | | | at the beginning so make sure that you saved |
| may be happy to know that anyone who has | | | | enough cash on hand to survive for months when |
| passion for weddings, good business skills and | | | | you won't get paid with money but in experience. |
| organization abilities to boot, can open their own | | | | Training also can cost anywhere from $300-$800 |
| wedding planning business. | | | | depending on where you go. You can also talk to |
| The first question you may be asking yourself is | | | | professionals in the wedding industry or retired |
| "Is there really a strong need for wedding | | | | wedding coordinators to get their prospective on |
| planners?" There is actually a strong need for | | | | how much you will need to get started. |
| wedding planners who focus on finding inexpensive | | | | Now that you know you have what it takes to |
| wedding services. A skilled wedding planner could | | | | be a successful planner, the next steps include |
| for example, save a couple thousands of dollars | | | | getting an education and/or experience in this |
| on flowers or favors by negotiating with vendors. | | | | area. Look for reading material, classes, and |
| Additionally, a lot of couples are busy and lack the | | | | information on business and weddings in general. |
| time to spend planning a wedding. Wedding | | | | You should also contact bridal shops such as |
| planners like you have the time to help them with | | | | florists, caterers or even other wedding planning |
| large projects such as selecting their reception | | | | companies and ask if you can work for them as |
| site to the smallest ones like selecting their | | | | an assistant. Attend any wedding events and |
| wedding favors. Wedding coordinators also | | | | bridal fairs and make sure to have your business |
| develop event planning abilities that allow them to | | | | cards ready. Think about all the marketing |
| plan a variety of events. This means you can also | | | | opportunities and consider things like networking, |
| expand your business to include assisting with | | | | forming relationships with vendors, and word of |
| bridal showers, birthday parties, anniversaries, and | | | | mouth. Network with those in the field as well as |
| office holiday parties. | | | | to help you form ideas on wedding planning and |
| The next question you should ask yourself is, | | | | promotion. |
| "What training do I need to be successful as a | | | | Finally, be sure to let all your friend know what |
| wedding coordinator?" Ask yourself these | | | | you are planning on doing so that they can help |
| questions: Do you like people? Are you well | | | | and support you. Sometimes the people you |
| organized? Detail-oriented? Creative? Patient? If | | | | know will be able to refer others to your business. |
| so, you could become a good planner. A skilled | | | | If you have a full-time job, offer to help plan your |
| event planner has all of these qualities and more. | | | | office holiday events and corporate picnics. |
| Your ability to network with other wedding | | | | Remember, any experience you obtain planning an |
| personnel is important as well as being a great | | | | event helps. Be sure to document everything that |
| entrepreneur. If marketing, accounting and overall | | | | you performed to successfully organize the event. |
| financial management is not your expertise, you | | | | This will help potential clients get a good idea of |
| may want to consider taking classes or hiring | | | | your skills. Gaining experience in the field is a great |
| someone to assist you. | | | | way to network, learn about wedding planning and |
| Starting any business takes time and money. | | | | is a positive step in the right direction to becoming |
| Before you leave your career it's important to | | | | a successful wedding coordinator. |
| take into account how much savings you will need | | | | |