How Much Does a Wedding Planner Earn?
I often get asked how much a wedding planner can expect to earn in his or her first year of business.
According to Salary.com, the median expected salary for a typical Meeting/Event Planner in the United States is $51,262. SalaryList.com reports a similar amount. These are average figures that factor in new planners who earn relatively little, to experienced planners who achieve a premium for their services.
Independent wedding planners are self-employed business people who work for a flat service fee or for a percentage of the total wedding cost.
Budget-conscious brides could find a planner for as little as $500 if they hunt high and low, but like anything, they’ll get what they pay for. More elaborate, high society weddings attract higher-charging planners who are generally worth every penny or they wouldn’t be pitching at that level.
If you, as the planner, know you can get by on an annual earning of $50,000, that’s great. Congratulations. But if you’re like 90 percent of the population that would love to earn some icing on the cake for very little effort, the “The Wedding Professional’s Guide: Make More Money (For No Extra Effort)” is the guide for you.
I wrote it in response to hundreds of brides wanting advice on how much they could expect to pay for a wedding planner. Brides are becoming more and more savvy in this economy, so it’s important that you, the planner and professional, stay ahead of their needs. By all means pitch your services at a rate they can afford, but don’t lose out on income opportunities in other areas. If you are looking for easy and new ways to improve your income, this guide is exactly for you.
The Truth for Wedding Planners During a Down Economy
During a down economy fear drives some business professionals to run for cover. Or make some silly business decisions, at least. They become frightened of the rumors spreading about what is happening in the wedding industry. Just in the last week I’ve seen two officiants in Rochester NY drop their fees to below cost, and one photographer send out a flyer with the promise, “Love your wedding photos or I’ll double your money back.”
That’s no way to make a living! In fact, they’re ways to go bust! So, speaking of bust, here are three lies BUSTED to give you confidence to move onwards.
LIE: No one hires wedding planners when times are tough.
TRUTH: No matter what the economy is doing, couples still need wedding planners. Moreso than ever, in fact, because a good wedding planner will keep the budget under control and hunky dory. You, as their wedding planner, can help them get the best venues, catering, and other professional services within their budget, and therefore the best bang for their buck. In turn they will refer you to their friends and family as someone who is reliable no matter how challenging the budget.
LIE: Wedding planners need a degree or certification
TRUTH: Mostly you just need common sense, patience, great people skills, a good head for balancing the books, and a phenomenal skill in keeping a million balls in the air at once. Having said that, the best investment you can make in your career (therefore “you” and your future) is to study whatever course you can get your hands on. Bookkeeping, marketing, negotiation skills… online, in person, through a mentor, on the job… don’t do it all at once, just step by step and you’re golden.
LIE: Wedding planners are tall, glamorous and straight from a magazine
TRUTH: My hairdresser is male and bald, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t know how to do great hair for others. Same goes for wedding planners – short, tall, fat, slim, old or young, it doesn’t matter what your profile is, only that you have a passion for helping couples enjoy their dream day together.
If you’re going to be the sort of planner who makes more than their service fee though, you’ll also need a desire to create new income streams…
Nowadays simply relying on your service fee is not going to bring your wealth or kudos. You must be smarter than that and find other ways to earn money for less effort. In my eBook, housed at WeddingPlannersKit.com (coming soon), I take you step-by-step through many ideas on how you can achieve this.
~ Maggie Magee
