Wedding planning can easily turn any reasonable family into a temporary war
zone—and that’s where bridal consultants come into the picture. With most fami-
lies spending anywhere from $10,000–$15,000 and up on the wedding extrava-
ganza itself, what’s a few extra dollars to take the headache out of the blessed
event’s planning?
Your rates would range from $50 per hour to a flat fee of $1,000
or more for the entire wedding, so it is easy to see how you could earn a sizeable
amount of money in a short period of time. But don’t think you won’t work hard
for it. As a bridal consultant, you will handle every minute detail, from the number
of guests to invite to what kind of champagne to buy. You are essentially in the
hotbed of the action, with total responsibility for every aspect of the wedding.
What You Need
You will need to develop a strong word-of-mouth network. Try forging reciprocal
referral arrangements with florists, bridal shops, and hair salons to build a good
reputation. Also, since this is a people- and image-oriented business, you will need
to make sure you look like you’re worth it. Dress professionally and carry yourself
with poise and an air of diplomacy.
The bulk of your start-up costs will be in
producing business cards and brochures in addition to placing newspaper and
bridal magazine ads (count on forking over at least $1,000 for those items). You
should also consider building a Web site that offers some general tips, preparation
checklists, and an online photo gallery of some of your best-produced weddings.
In this business, a picture is definitely worth a thousand words! Once you build
a name for yourself, you may need additional staff to help you manage several
weddings at once. You may also seek out partnerships with related services so that
all of the responsibility doesn’t fall on you. For instance, what if you become sick
the weekend of the “big day”? Your job is to be prepared for everything—and to
assure your client that all will be fine no matter what.
Keys to Success
The flash and excitement of impending nuptials can be intoxicating, as can the
power involved in directing wedding parties to perform their best. Be careful not
to offend people or step on their toes. Listen to what your customers tell you they
want, and have the good sense to make them think all of the good ideas were
theirs. While such ego-suppression is hard to accomplish in a high-profile job like
this one, remember that the customer is always king (or queen).
Start-up cost: $1,000–$3,500
Potential earnings: $25,000–$60,000 (depending on volume and location)
Typical fees: $35–$45 per hour (more in larger metropolitan areas)
Advertising: Bridal magazines (many areas have their own local
versions), bridal salons, newspapers, Web site with some
general wedding planning checklists or tips.
Qualifications: An eye for detail and a cool head
Equipment needed: Cell phone, computer
Staff required: Sometimes
Hidden costs: Keep accurate records of the time you spend with each
client, or you could short-change yourself.
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