Guide to Starting a Wedding Consultant Business

Become a certified wedding consultant

Take classes and get enough practical experience to become a certified wedding consultant. Certification enhances your credibility, which is a key to building your client base.

I recommend: Earn a certification from the Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants or the American Academy of Wedding Professionals. Both organizations offer courses that you can complete at home. You can also take courses from The American Bridal Association, which will present you with a professional designation when you complete its courses. The organization also holds seminars throughout the country.

Find the best caterers, photographers and more

Visit deejays, florists, photographers, limousine services and other local professionals you may be working with. Evaluate their services and fees. If you’re not sure who to contact, get referrals from friends and acquaintances who have hosted weddings in recent years.

I recommend: On The Knot  and All Wedding Companies you can search for vendors as well as sites to hold weddings. Be prepared to negotiate with the vendors so that you can keep the expenses within your client’s budget. Business consultant Alan Weiss offers tips to help you polish your negotiating skills. Business.com provides a list of suppliers for the wedding industry.

Know what’s hot and what’s not

Is it passé to hand out disposable cameras at wedding receptions? Are hip brides now walking down the aisle to Jimi Hendrix songs? Your clients will look to you for the last word on what’s in and what’s out.

I recommend: Subscribe to the top three bridal magazines: Elegant Bride, Modern Bride, and Brides. Peruse trade journals such as Party and Paper Retailer, Catering Magazine and Event Solutions. Attend bridal shows where vendors display their wares.

Market your wedding consultant services

As soon as you start your business, spread the word among family, friends and colleagues. When you talk to wedding vendors, hand them extra business cards and ask them to keep you in mind when customers ask about wedding consultants. Be visible on the Web.

I recommend: Your business-card should reflect your good taste. 123 Print offers a selection of basic business card designs that are stylish and refined. Get your company listed on Web sites such as The Knot and PartyPop.com where brides go to start planning their weddings. Hire a Web-site designer who has experience creating sites for wedding-industry professionals. Two firms that fit the bill are Weddingband and My Wedding Site Designs. Another option: if you join the American Academy of Wedding Professionals you get your Web site designed and hosted for free.

Manage your wedding consultant business

If you’re not a numbers person, don’t despair. Take advantage of the many software programs that help you plan, calculate and strategize.

I recommend: Develop a business plan. Palo Alto Software, makers of Business Plan Pro, provides a sample business plan for wedding planners. Frogware Software’s Event Magic Pro and Elm Software’s i Do Wedding and Event Professional Edition help you manage wedding details and monitor expenses. When a client gives you the green light, be ready with a contract. Frogware’s Event Magic Pro software includes four sample contracts.