Starting a wedding consultant business can be a very exciting endeavor, but one that requires much accountability among the many employees, clients and vendors involved. Many people consider the entrepreneurial route, but it is a risky road to take, especially if you don't set yourself up for success. You don't have to sell a unique product, but you should offer a one-of-a-kind service.

Anyone can open her own wedding consultant service with the right attitude and financial backing. Competition will be fierce. You can't expect to put your feet up because it's your own business. On the contrary, you should expect to work very hard in the beginning. Before quitting your full-time job in the hopes of becoming your own boss and opening your own wedding expert service, ask yourself the following:

1. Are you committed? It takes more than just a good idea to launch a wedding expert business. It takes time, money and hard work.

2. If applicable, do you have the right partners? Friends are are not always good business partners. Vet potential partners as objectively as possible.

3. Have you done your research to make sure there's demand for your product or service? You may have a great idea, but how many others have the same idea?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Launch your wedding manager business with credibility, and get licensed

All businesses are legally required to obtain some type of government license. Other official documents include seller's permits, federal and state employer tax id numbers, and trade name certificates. There are many online resources and state departments available to help you file these documents. If you decide to open your business at home, you will need to also file zoning permits.

I recommend: BusinessNameUSA.com is a fee-based online resource that can assist you in determining which licenses and permits your business must obtain. Additionally, the U.S. Small Business Administration is federally maintained site for small businesses. It provides a list of state agencies where business licenses can be obtained, including zoning permits.

Join an association and build industry credibility when you launch a wedding coordinator business

As a new business owner, you don't have to go it completely alone. Consider joining wedding coordinator association for support. Organizations bring together professionals with the same goals and challenges. As a member, you'll have access to certification and educational opportunities. Professional organizations also organize networking events, so you can meet industry peers, vendors and suppliers.

I recommend: The Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants offers a training and certification program for new consultants. The Association of Bridal Consultants' staff conducts catering seminars and workshops.

Partner with reliable vendors when you launch a wedding consultant service

As a business owner desiring to open a wedding coordinator business, it's imperative that you partner with vendors who can assist you in your endeavor to be successful. Your vendors must be dependable, accommodating and reasonably priced. You want to build a long-term relationship with your suppliers and they must also share your interest in pleasing your clients. Additionally, they should offer a wide variety of products.

I recommend: WeddingVendors.com is an online resource featuring all aspects of the wedding coordinator industry, including bakeries broken down into states. Wedding Paper Divas offers a large variety of wedding invitations, stationary and other wedding essentials.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Marketing your services is a very significant step in building your own wedding coordinator business. Consider advertising in trade magazines and newspapers to begin, and think about publishing a website.

Wedding consultants have a knack for calming frantic brides. They’re adept at hammering out contracts with vendors. And, they have the know-how to size up tuxedos and reception halls with equal authority. You can start a business as a wedding consultant without much start-up capital. But to thrive in this competitive field, you need an agreeable personality, a passion for meticulous organization and stamina that won’t quit.

To get started:

1. If you’re new to the wedding business, offer to serve as an unpaid intern for an established wedding consultant or planner. Make it clear that no task is too mundane. You need to learn the business from the ground up
2. Expand your knowledge base by taking courses offered by one of the wedding industry associations.
3. Get to know the vendors who service weddings in your area.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

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.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don’t just market to brides. Include the bridal couple’s parents in your marketing plan. This is especially important if you live in an area where couples stay put for decades. Their adult children may have moved away, but they’re likely to return home for the wedding.
• •  Consider establishing a merchant account at your bank so that your clients can pay you with a credit card. It will help ensure that you get paid on time.
• •  Before establishing your fees, find out how much wedding consultants in your area charge. Your fee can be a percentage of the wedding budget, or you can charge a flat fee or an hourly fee.

Wedding consultants have a knack for calming frantic brides. They’re adept at hammering out contracts with vendors. And, they have the know-how to size up tuxedos and reception halls with equal authority. You can start a business as a wedding consultant without much start-up capital. But to thrive in this competitive field, you need an agreeable personality, a passion for meticulous organization and stamina that won’t quit.

To get started:

1. If you’re new to the wedding business, offer to serve as an unpaid intern for an established wedding consultant or planner. Make it clear that no task is too mundane. You need to learn the business from the ground up
2. Expand your knowledge base by taking courses offered by one of the wedding industry associations.
3. Get to know the vendors who service weddings in your area.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

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.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Don’t just market to brides. Include the bridal couple’s parents in your marketing plan. This is especially important if you live in an area where couples stay put for decades. Their adult children may have moved away, but they’re likely to return home for the wedding.
• •  Consider establishing a merchant account at your bank so that your clients can pay you with a credit card. It will help ensure that you get paid on time.
• •  Before establishing your fees, find out how much wedding consultants in your area charge. Your fee can be a percentage of the wedding budget, or you can charge a flat fee or an hourly fee.