Wedding and event designer Preston Bailey gives his expert advice in every issue of Event Solutions magazine. In the December/January issue, he answered a question about entering the wedding and event industry in Dubai. I thought his answer provided excellent advice not only for someone wanting to enter the business in Dubai, but anywhere in the world.
Here are 5 of the tips he offered to new wedding planners, I’ve added some comments:
1) Get experience
Even if you have a degree or certification in wedding planning or design, you need to get as much “real world” experience as you can. Plan events for family and friends, work as an intern for an experienced planner, florist, wedding photographer or caterer to gain insight into what brides want and how different types of wedding professionals work. The more you know, the more you have to offer to your brides.
2) Find out who the most successful planners are in your area
Learn what makes them successful and figure out how you can also be successful in your own, unique way.
3) Find out the price range for wedding planners in your area
What is is low in some areas might be considered high and out of the question where you plan to do business. Or the opposite might be true. You want to know the general price range so you don’t price yourself so low that people think you give poor service, or so high that brides in your niche cannot afford you.
4) Attend bridal shows in your area
This will give you the opportunity to mingle with brides and meet new vendors. You will be able to see what products and services attract brides at shows and “eavesdrop” into their conversations to find out what interests them.
Attending shows will also give you an opportunity to decide if you want to get involved in a show and be an exhibitor in the future.
5) Work daily on creating your unique identity
In order to attract brides, you will need to be able to stand out in a crowd. Learn what your greatest strengths are and develop them so you become an expert who can help brides with your unique abilities.
And if you want to learn more about becoming a wedding planner, sign in to get my free report, “7 Steps to Becoming a Top Wedding Planner.”
