| Have you ever helped plan a friend or relative's | | | | Starting any business takes time and money. Before |
| wedding and thought to yourself, "I wish I could do this | | | | you quit your day job it's important to consider how |
| for a living!" Or you may already be in the event | | | | much money you will need to get started. Some |
| coordinating business and just want to expand your | | | | wedding planners save a few thousand before they |
| repertoire to include weddings. If so, you may be | | | | get started and others save a year's worth of |
| happy to know that anyone who has passion for | | | | expenses. You may need to volunteer or work with a |
| weddings, savvy business skills and organization | | | | mentor at the beginning so make sure that you saved |
| abilities to boot, can open their own wedding planning | | | | enough money to survive for days when you won't |
| business. | | | | get paid in cash but in experience. Training also can |
| Your first question may be, "Is there a real need for | | | | cost anywhere from $500-1,000 depending on where |
| wedding planners in this economy?" Gone are the | | | | you obtain it from. In addition, research online, borrow |
| days of wedding coordination solely for the wealthiest | | | | books on the subject and network with others to |
| couples. There is actually a high demand for wedding | | | | figure out how much you need to save. |
| planners who focus less spending and more on saving. | | | | Now that you know you have what it takes to be a |
| A good wedding coordinator could for example, save | | | | successful planner, the next steps include getting |
| a couple thousands of dollars on flowers or favors by | | | | education and/or experience in this area. There are a |
| finding the best vendors for their budget. In addition, a | | | | variety of online courses that provide information on |
| lot of couples work full-time and do not have enough | | | | how to start your own business and that give you first |
| time or energy to spend planning a wedding. Wedding | | | | hand advice from those who work as wedding |
| planners like you have the ability to help them with | | | | coordinators. You might also contact wedding vendors |
| large projects such as choosing their wedding site to | | | | such as florists, caterers or wedding coordinators and |
| the smallest ones like their wedding favors. Wedding | | | | ask if you could work for them as an assistant. Attend |
| coordinators also have event planning skills that give | | | | any wedding events and bridal fairs and make sure to |
| them the ability to plan a variety of events. This gives | | | | have your business card ready. You might also think |
| you the potential to expand your business to assisting | | | | about printing your own brochures and flyers offering |
| with bridal showers, graduations, anniversaries and | | | | your services. Use this as an opportunity to network |
| office holiday parties. | | | | with those in the field as well as help you get ideas on |
| Now that you know that wedding coordinators are in | | | | wedding planning. |
| demand, you might ask yourself, "Do I have what it | | | | Tell friends and family that you are interested in |
| takes to be a successful wedding planner?" Here are | | | | becoming a wedding consultant and volunteer to help |
| a few questions you should ask yourself: Do you like | | | | them with everything and anything event related. If you |
| working with people? Are you organized? | | | | are currently working full-time, offer to help plan your |
| Detail-oriented? Creative? Patient? If you answered | | | | office holiday events and corporate outings. |
| yes, you are on your way to becoming a successful | | | | Remember any experience you get planning an event |
| coordinator. A successful wedding coordinator is all of | | | | counts. Then, make sure to take pictures of the event |
| these and more. Being able to network with other | | | | that you helped coordinate and add them to a portfolio. |
| wedding vendors is important as well as being a great | | | | This will help potential clients get a good feel for your |
| entrepreneur. If marketing, bookkeeping and overall | | | | work. Gaining experience in the field is a great way to |
| financial management is not your cup of tea, you might | | | | network, learn about wedding coordination and is a |
| want to consider taking courses or hiring someone to | | | | definite step in the right direction to becoming a |
| assist you. | | | | successful wedding coordinator. |