If you’re a new wedding planner, partnering with another planner might be a great idea but here are some things to consider before you go into business with someone else.
Question
I have a question about partnerships. I started my wedding planning business about a year ago and I’ve only planned one wedding since. I know I need to improve on my marketing, so I’m really working on it now. However, I worked with another planner this past weekend and we really worked well together. She asked if I’d be interested in partnering with her. I think what she meant was, me maybe putting my business on hold for a minute and working with her to coordinate or work at the weddings that she has lined up.
Should I work with her to gain experience?
Answer
I’m glad you recognize the need to work on your marketing. When a wedding planner struggles, it’s often not because the planner isn’t great, it’s because the planner doesn’t realize the importance of making marketing a priority and hasn’t done what it takes to attract brides.
Before you can decide whether it’s worth it to work with this other planner, the two of you need to sit down and discuss what “partnering” means. Is she really just asking you to work for her, to be her assistant? If so, would it mean you couldn’t plan any weddings on your own, without her? Also, what kind of work would you get? What kind of skills would working for her give you? How much would she be willing to pay you?
If she is asking you to be a “partner,” is it possible to work together only when one of you needs extra assistance? Then allow both of you to maintain your own separate businesses and separate lists of brides?
If you do work together in some way, be sure you’re very clear about the roles and responsibilities each of you will have and how you will divide the profits. Also, decide who owns the rights to any wedding designs and any clients in the event one of you decides to end the partnership. Get agreements in writing. A contract, written with the help of an attorney, will protect both of you and help you be clear on your responsibilities and your pay.
And if you have a pressing question about starting or running your wedding planning business, you can send me an email at [email protected]. I will answer them on this blog or in my ezine, “Wedding Planner Tips,” which you can subscribe to here.
