WedPlanner Pro

Use software to create a guest list

Adriaan — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 08:00:30 +0000

When a wedding is being planned it is essential to have a guest list that can be easily managed and edited. People that want to make sure that can create a list easily should take the time to get the right software for the job.

Some people make use of the well known programs like Microsoft Excel, but this only one of many options that planners have when they are composing spreadsheets. There are many freeware alternatives like Calc (part of the Open Office suite) and King Soft spreadsheets that give users lots of different options.The software programs may be different, but the creation of the spreadsheets is basically the same. It is important to divide the names and addresses into different columns. It is good to actually have first and last names in different columns. Planners can then sort the spreadsheet by last name in ascending or descending order. It doesn’t matter how they type the guest names in. Everything can be sorted after the names are typed by using the sort button.Once this is done it is good to create a border around the table. It is also good to have software that makes it easy to change the color of table cells. Microsoft Excel may be the best option for people that want to do this. It allows users to actually sort the spreadsheets in a way that will be easier to view.

When the list is created it is important to decide if the document will be in landscape or portrait style. It is relevant for everyone that is trying to create a guest list to know that there are templates out there that make the job easier. Again, Microsoft Excel is the software that is most commonly used to create spreadsheets for those that want to download some type of template.

Everyone that has used a spreadsheet before is aware of how important it is to save changes once the sheet is created. In some applications there are multiple workbooks. People that are creating the guest lists may want to use different tabs to create copies of the spreadsheet and alter it in different ways. It is important to make sure that there are fields for the address and phone numbers. Planners that create these spreadsheets also need to be certain that they have fields to denote who has responded to the invitations.

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Building relationship with vendors

Adriaan — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 19:01:29 +0000

If you’re a wedding planner, you may think that the relationships you have with your brides-to-be are the most important. However, the business relationships you form with other wedding vendors are just as integral to your success. Think about it – if you get along with a lot of people in the wedding business, they’re more likely to recommend your services to engaged couples. Create a network with wedding vendors when you’re first starting out and continue to maintain and build that network as your business expands.

Meet Them in Person

Just because everybody in the wedding business has a website and e-mail address, that’s not an excuse to avoid personal contact. When you can, show up and introduce yourself in person. It’s easy to drop by or set up an appointment with catering companies, makeup artists, hair stylists, florists and other types of wedding vendors. Giving them a face to put your name with means that you’ll stick out more when they’re asked for referrals.

Offer Something to Each Vendor

In order to get wedding vendors interested in you, there has to be something in it for them. Think about what you can do for each vendor you meet, aside from simply referring couples to them. For example, when you meet a florist, mention that you often get fresh flowers for your home and that you’ll be back for a bouquet. If you meet a photographer, tell him that you know new parents who may want pictures of their baby.

Keep Vendors In the Loop

Things are bound to change during the wedding planning process. The bride may decide that she actually wants a blue sash on her dress instead of an off-white one. The groom may say that he actually can’t stand red velvet cake and wants coconut instead. When this happens – and it will – inform wedding vendors right away. Remember that they’re in the same wedding business you are and that last-minute changes are difficult to accommodate.

Avoid the Urge to Micro-Manage

By nature, wedding planners are organized and used to taking everything on their shoulders. Doing your own job doesn’t mean doing everybody else’s, though. If you want to stay on the good side of wedding vendors, let them go about their business the way they want to, not the way you think they should. Remember, you have these vendors in your circle because they’re good at what they do. Let go of the reins a bit and trust them to get the job done right.

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Ultimate List of Wedding Planner Associations

Adriaan — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 14:54:24 +0000

Should I join a wedding planner association? That is a very common question among beginner wedding planners. Joining a wedding planner association will give you a lot of benefits including credibility, educational wedding seminars, media opportunities etc.

Also remember that when joining a wedding planner association you should participate and take the initiative and volunteer to be active, that way you will get the most benefit out of your wedding planner association.

Which wedding planner association is right for you depends on your needs and your wedding business. Do your research before joining one, and evaluate every year if you need to switch to a different association as your business needs change.

Here is a list of prominent wedding planner associations:

Wedding Business Plan Made Easy

Adriaan — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 16:01:20 +0000

Anyone who is beginning work as a wedding planner must come up with an effective wedding business plan before getting started. This is the first step on the road to a career as a wedding planner. Before proceeding, a business plan needs to be drafted. It is first necessary to determine how the wedding planning business will be structured. The name of the business should be established and then whether an individual, two people or a group of people will run it. If there are to be multiple owners of the business, each owner must note his or her full name and contact information on the business plan. Along with this information, a description of experience in the field of wedding planning must be provided.

Once these tasks have been accomplished, the next step in forming a wedding business plan is to determine the goals of the business and the projections for the future of the business. Wedding industry trends must be discussed as well. Following that discussion, the next course of action is describing the specific services the business will provide for its customers. The description of services offered must be very detailed and thorough.

The next step is to target the market that will result in the most profit for the business. Then a marketing strategy must be developed that will allow the business to compete with rival companies.

When it comes to financing the new business, the owner must write up a cash flow forecast that will state how much cash the business will need in order to operate. This is a crucial step in the process because it will allow the business owner to anticipate financial problems that may be encountered if the business is not profitable enough. This can help prevent financial disaster later on. Business owners must make sure they can afford to pay for supplies and pay salaries to employees if necessary.

The last step in creating a wedding business plan is to write a summary of the entire plan, especially if the business is looking for investors.

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How to Use Social Media for Your Wedding Business

Adriaan — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 03:42:52 +0000

When starting your wedding business, there are a few key ways to promote and succeed in the wedding world while competing with other vendors and companies. Luckily, with the advancement of the Internet, you’re much more able to better promote your services by using social media in a professional and positive way. You’ll be able to reach thousands of brides across the country, and even the world, who may have otherwise never been exposed to your business.

Although there are a few staple social media websites to promote your wedding business, like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, there are dozens of more social media websites that can expose other people to who you are and why you stand out among your competitors. Use a website that will post the same message to all of your social media accounts, like TweetDeck or Hootsuite. This will increase your exposure substantially — most of it costing you little to nothing.

When promoting your wedding business, you have to ask yourself how you’re going to stand out. Think outside of the box and get creative. Create a brand that is unique, yet still romantic and classic for the every day bride. Choose a name that stands out and is easy to remember, but fun to read or say. You also want to use attractive visuals when posting images or graphics and strive for perfection when advertising to your readers. If your brand looks perfect, you’ll expand your audience and attract more clients to your business on the sites.

Don’t be afraid to become everybody’s best friend on your social network accounts. Requesting your great aunt’s sister on Facebook with your wedding business account isn’t a bad idea and will allow your business to grow with the more people you can connect with. Many businesses become popular by word of mouth, and if your great aunt’s sister has a daughter getting married, then you just won a new client by taking a chance.

Keep it consistent. If you’re going to promote your business, you’ll need to keep the content current and up-to-date to engage your readers and keep them interested. If your services were featured on a new website, blog or post about it immediately. Won an award? Shout it on the rooftops with humility to prove you have what it takes and your talents are being recognized. With a bit of exposure and consistency, you’ll have the recipe to success for your business.

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Long tail SEO for your wedding marketing campaign

Adriaan — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 05:50:22 +0000

One of the lesser known techniques to improve your organic search engine traffic is to use long tail SEO. Here is an infographic from HitTail explaining the hidden value of long tail SEO. This will give your wedding marketing a boost. More brides will find your website because you will rank higher in search engines, and more brides will contact you.

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How to price your wedding planning services

Adriaan — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 04:22:48 +0000

You’re finally at the helm of your dream career of being a wedding planner. You won’t make a profit or be able to support your business, let alone yourself, without the proper rate for your wedding services, though. Since you’re just starting out, you know you don’t have the background or experience to ask for too high an amount. You can’t price your wedding planning services too low, though, because you won’t make enough money or be valued highly by consumers. Follow this strategy to learn how to price your wedding planning services so that you’re both profitable and inviting for clients.

1. Figure out what you need to earn to survive. This means adding up your monthly budget, including both fixed and variable expenditures. Since you’re technically a freelancer, make sure to add in the money you’ll have to pay toward taxes every quarter or year. Then, pad your budget by about 30% so that you’re not living paycheck to paycheck, so to speak.

2. Next, figure out how many billable hours per year you’re going to be working. Account for vacation time, weekends and any other time you know you won’t be working, like during the holidays or other slow seasons. Don’t forget, you’ll be putting in more total hours than billable hours. Freelancers tend to spend a portion of their time catering to their business but not actually earning any money.

3. Do the math to figure out how much you have to earn hourly, daily, weekly, etc. You need a bottom line to start from.

4. Think about each type of service you offer. How long does a consultation take? How many hours or days do you have to devote to helping the bride find her wedding gown? How long will finding a reception venue take you? Once you have a basic time window for each service, multiply by your “bottom line” rate. For example, if you’ve figured out that you need to earn $75 per hour to live your life without begging for meals, and it will take one hour for a basic consultation, then your rate for a consultation is $75. That is, if you’re going to charge for a consultation, which many wedding planners do not. You get the idea, though.

5. Compare your rates for each service to market rates. If your rate is much higher or lower than the standard rate for your area, re-think it. Otherwise, start from there and make sure to take a look at your rates from time to time to make sure they’re still on point.

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Top 10 wedding marketing ideas

Adriaan — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 04:00:09 +0000

Developing a marketing strategy for your wedding planning business is critical to the growth of your client base. If you’re just starting out as an independent planner, you need to start your marketing plan immediately. Begin expanding your client base with a strategy that utilizes both online and offline wedding marketing ideas.

1. Create a Website

A professional website for your wedding planning business can play a crucial role in your efforts to attract new clients. To impress your future clients, hire an experienced web designer to create a stunning and memorable website. Your website should highlight important information about your business, including your location and phone number.

2. Add a Blog

A weblog provides a functional and easy way to keep your visitors and clients updated about your business. In addition to using a blog to spread important news, you can also use it to share interesting information about the wedding industry. Through a built-in commenting system, you can even encourage your visitors to interact directly with you on your website. Your helpful responses might encourage a few brides to hire you.

3. Participate in Social Media

Social media networks give you a free way to advertise your business and interact with prospective customers. Start cultivating your presence on these networks by creating a brand with a memorable name and logo. Be sure to link to your social media profiles on your website so that potential customers can easily find you. Keep monitoring your social media profiles so that you can respond to an inquiry from a new contact immediately.

4. Attend Wedding Expos

You can use wedding expos to network with a diverse crowd of brides. If your city is hosting an upcoming bridal expo, make sure to reserve a booth. During the expo, you’ll likely meet plenty of overwhelmed brides in need of your services. Keep a stack of business cards at your booth to hand out to each passing guest.

5. Partner with Vendors

Throwing a successful wedding relies on the work of many different vendors, from photographers to caterers. You should devote time to forming relationships with some of the wedding vendors in your local area. If you and your partners agree to recommend each other to new customers, you can expect to find even more clients for your services.

6. Encourage Online Reviews

A collection of glowing reviews for your business may encourage a bride to hire you. Ask your previous clients to leave reviews for your business on the Internet. Potential clients will likely use these reviews to guide their decision on a wedding planner. Be sure to monitor these online reviews so that you can gauge the success of your business. You might even find a few suggestions to help you improve your business.

7. Learn about Search Engine Optimization

Search engine optimization can help brides pick out your website from the stack of competitors. To optimize your site, be sure to include relevant and important keywords on each page of your website. These keywords should include the location of your business and the specific services you provide.

8. Offer an Online Portfolio

Even if you don’t want to create a full website, you should invest in an online portfolio that displays your work. Your pictures should include recent wedding events that you coordinated, complete with pictures of the wedding party and the decorations. Invest in a good digital camera so that you can take these pictures yourself.

9. Use Print and Online Advertising

Brochures, mailings, magazine ads and business cards are a great way to let more people know about your business. You can also try online advertising to target brides in your area. Look for popular wedding blogs that focus on your region. You can usually rent a small space on these sites for your advertisements.

10. Ask for Referrals

Your past and current customers can be a source of future work for your business. As you work with a bride, don’t hesitate to ask her if she knows a friend or relative who is in need of your services. If you develop good relationships with other wedding vendors, you can also ask them for referrals.

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The Best Wedding Business Ideas

Adriaan — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 18:53:34 +0000

Whether you have always wanted to have your own wedding catering business or a wedding decoration business, starting your very own wedding company is a great way to generate an income and to get creative while helping others enjoy their special day. If you want to run a successful wedding business, brainstorming the best wedding business ideas can help you to find the right path depending on your own interests and experience.

Becoming a Wedding Planner

Becoming a wedding planner is one of the best wedding business ideas as it often includes the planning process of all of the sections of the wedding a client has in mind. Wedding planners are required to book venues, research entertainers and even find the most suitable food and catering options based on the bride and groom’s own requests, needs and the budget they have available to spend.

Wedding planners are in charge of keeping track of budgets and finances throughout the planning process while also seeking out decorations, designers and even musicians and DJs available to be booked for the wedding that is being planned.

Working as a wedding planner is a way for you to create the wedding of others’ dreams while understanding how to budget and get the best deals possible for your client. As a wedding planner, you may also be in charge of seating arrangements and the entire layout of a reception venue varying with your clients and their requests. Wedding planners are also often in charge of ensuring the night progresses as planned and that guests are always satisfied.

Decorating Weddings

Decorating weddings is another possibility if you want to run your very own wedding business. You can simply create themed weddings using a variety of color schemes and decorations. Wedding decorators are often required to design layouts of the receptions, instructions for where decorations belong and creativity to design centerpieces and an atmosphere that is fitting to any requests the marrying couple may have in mind.

Catering Weddings

Being a wedding caterer is another business idea that can help you to generate an income while also being able to provide delicious meals to large groups of people at once. Catering weddings requires the ability to plan and prepare meals in a set amount of time for groups ranging from a few people to over a few hundred, depending on the client you are working for and their own specific requests.

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How to market your wedding business

Adriaan — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 03:51:14 +0000

Any business marketing strategy requires a business owner to be proactive. Many starting business owners spend too much time and resources on planning various strategies only to just put them on the file and never get to work on them. Hence, when it comes to marketing your wedding business, you need to create a plan first, and then review and update it, and above all, act upon it.
Here are a few tips on how to market your wedding business. These marketing tips will only take 30 to 60 minutes of your time, just choose one task each day.

Write blog posts about weddings. Take ideas from the weddings that you have worked on and write about them. If you don’t have a blog account yet, create one that is easy, quick, and free such as Tumblr, Posterous, Blogger, TypePad, and WordPress.
Update your business portfolio. Gather all the photographs you have from the latest weddings that you have worked on and lay them out neatly on your book.
Set up a fan page on Facebook. Make sure that the blog that you created is linked to your Facebook fan page so all your posts will appear on that page. Also, post valuable information on your page like money-saving tips and wedding ideas. You can also post some links to other wedding vendor’s blog posts that provide valuable information to your fans. Make sure that your fan page creates the impression that you are an everything-about-wedding expert.
Contact your former clients and ask them to post their testimonials on your website.
Attend a business or social event that includes brides-to-be or individuals whom you can exchange referrals with. Make it a rule, at all times, that each person you meet is a prospective client. The people you meet may either know or have someone that might need your service. Hence, when you talk to someone, make sure that, at some point during the conversation, you mention your wedding business and give a business card. If they show interest, briefly explain your wedding business.
Look out for new wedding vendors and add them to your network. Contact them and suggest meeting them. It allows you to learn and share business strategies with each other and possibly exchange referrals with them.
Build relationships with people who would be able to refer you to others. Many wedding business owners got their start by developing relationships with local jewelers and club managers.
Always keep in touch with your former clients. Drop handwritten notes on their mail to let them know that you still remember them. This will also help remind them about you, and they will remember you whenever they have new events or friends who are about to get married.

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