I could talk all day about strategy and frameworks and pricing formulas, and I believe in all of it. But what I believe in most is results. Real people, starting from scratch, building businesses they’re proud of. Here are some of the stories I’m most grateful to have been part of. Victoria: From Zero Experience… Read more »
I was 47 years old when I launched my wedding and event planning business. I didn’t have a business plan. I didn’t have a marketing budget. I had just been laid off, I had a severance package, and I had a burning belief that I was meant to do something more. That’s it. And somehow,… Read more »
Once you know your income goals and minimum hourly rate, the next question is: how do you actually charge clients? There are five main pricing models in the event planning industry, and the right one depends on your niche, your clients, and where you are in your business. Let’s break them all down. Pricing Model… Read more »
I can’t tell you how many aspiring event planners have told me they’re not ready to launch because they don’t have a website yet. Or they’re waiting on business cards. Or they want to take one more course first. I understand the impulse, but none of those things will get you your first client. Let’s… Read more »
If you’ve been dreaming about starting a wedding or event planning business but keep telling yourself you need more time, more experience, or a perfect plan, this post is your wake-up call. You can launch in 60 days. Not someday. Not when everything is perfect. Now. Why Most Aspiring Planners Never Launch The number one… Read more »
Pricing is the topic I get asked about more than anything else in my 30+ years in this industry, and it’s the area where I see the most talented planners make the most costly mistakes. If your prices feel uncomfortable, if you regularly discount to close clients, or if you finish events feeling like you… Read more »
Have you ever felt like a brand was speaking directly to you? Like their message was written just for your situation, your desires, your frustrations? That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because the business knows exactly who their ideal client is, and speaks directly to them. Why ‘Everyone’ Is Never the Right Answer When… Read more »
You don’t need 10,000 Instagram followers to book your first client. You don’t need a Google ad campaign, a viral reel, or a feature on a wedding blog. Your first client is almost certainly already in your network, you just haven’t told them you’re open for business yet. Your Network Is More Powerful Than You… Read more »
Starting a business is one of the most vulnerable things you can do. You’re putting your name, your dreams, and your time on the line, and doing it in an industry where other people’s most meaningful moments are in your hands. Of course there’s fear. Here are the six most common fears I hear from… Read more »
I’ve been in the event industry for over 30 years. I’ve produced corporate galas, destination weddings, large-scale non-profit events, and everything in between. I’ve made mistakes, pivoted strategies, rebuilt from difficult seasons, and built a business I’m genuinely proud of. Here’s what I know now that I wish someone had told me at the beginning…. Read more »
I hear it constantly from new planners: ‘I just need to get started, so I’ll take any client who comes my way.’ I get it. When your calendar is empty and the bills are real, beggars can’t be choosers, right? Here’s the thing: that mindset, left unchecked, creates a business that works you to the… Read more »
When most people think about marketing, they think about paid ads, influencer partnerships, or a big social media following. Those are all tools, but they’re not where your first clients are coming from. Your first clients come from intentional, structured outreach to the people who already know and trust you. And it can happen in… Read more »
Choosing the right venue is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when planning an event. The venue sets the tone, influences the guest experience, and can make or break the overall success of the occasion. While traditional event spaces like banquet halls and hotel ballrooms are great options, thinking outside the box can… Read more »
Many people dream of becoming a wedding or event planner. They imagine designing beautiful celebrations, working with creative vendors, and helping clients celebrate some of the most meaningful moments of their lives. Then reality hits. Most aspiring planners quickly start asking themselves questions like: “Do I need experience before I start?” “Where do I even… Read more »
Starting a wedding or event planning business is exciting. You set up your Instagram, tell your friends, and maybe even design a logo. Then you wait. And wait. And wait. Weeks pass…sometimes months…and no one hires you. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. After coaching hundreds of planners, I’ve noticed the same patterns over… Read more »
Starting an event planning business is exciting, but many beginners jump into marketing before they’ve built the basic structure of their business. That’s like building a house without a foundation. Before you book your first client, there are five essential pieces every planner should have in place. 1. Your Event Planning Niche One of the… Read more »
One of the most common questions aspiring planners ask me is whether they need a certification to get started. It’s a fair question; in many industries, credentials are the price of entry. But wedding and event planning isn’t one of them. The short answer is no. Unlike medicine, law, or finance, there is no governing… Read more »
Getting your first client is often the hardest part, not because opportunities don’t exist, but because most new planners don’t know where to look. The good news is that you don’t need a large following, a big advertising budget, or years of experience to land your first booking. You just need to start where you… Read more »
Planning a charity gala during the spring and summer is a fantastic opportunity to combine the vibrant energy of the season with your fundraising goals. From choosing a beautiful venue to curating seasonal experiences, a well-organized event can leave a lasting impact on your guests while raising significant funds for your cause. Here’s a roadmap… Read more »
The difference between the conference social where you had those delicious canapes and loved the wine so much you had to ask the bartender for the name and that family reunion where all that was left after half an hour was a bowl of peanuts and where Cousin Cletus did cannonballs in the hotel fountain… Read more »