Do you want to start a business and make money on weekends in the wedding industry? If YES, here are 50 best unique wedding related business ideas.
One of the most memorable days in the life of any individual is their WEDDING DAY. According to the Association of Bridal Consulting, 2.4 million weddings are held every year in the united states and weddings make up billion in the United States.
According to a market research firm, the money spent on weddings has increased by 47% since 2009. It went up from $995 per weddings to $1,466 in 2012. The expansion witnessed in the industry is as a result of stronger economic conditions.
With increased disposable income, it is expected that couples will be encouraged to get married and spend more money on services that are related to wedding activities. The industry growth is expected to accelerate in the next five years if the economy keeps on getting stronger.
The industry cannot be said to be saturated because if you find a niche that you can occupy, you will continue to attract lots of clients for your business.
The factors and incentives that encourage people to go into this line of business is the ability to get good returns on little investment in the business as long as you are passionate about the job. It is a cost effective business that can be started with little initial investment. Here are 50 business ideas in the wedding industry you can tap into;
Best Unique Wedding Business ideas
A professional who assists with the design, planning and management of a client’s wedding. As the name suggest, a wedding planner assist in totality the realization of a wedding programme. A wedding planner handle things from the beginning to the end, designing the look and the feel, keep things organized, find and manage vendors, and coordinate everything on the actual day.
They might attend meetings with or without the couples, make decisions on their behalf, and find many ways to make things easier for the intending couples. Simply put, a wedding planner eliminate the stressful and energy consuming part of planning a wedding leaving the couples with only the fun and exciting part.
Based on the foregoing, it is evident that wedding planning is a good business in this part of the world. The wedding business especially in the United States is a gigantic one, two millions wedding takes place annually with over 80 billion dollars spent.
Starting salaries with wedding and event planning companies are around £16,000 to £20,000 a year. With experience, senior wedding and event planners can earn £25,000 or more. Self-employed earnings will depend on your fees and the amount of weddings you organize.
A makeup artist is someone who uses cosmetic techniques and processes to create beauty upon the human body. In its simplest form, it enhances a person’s appearance, bringing out color and features and hiding or smoothing out flaws, using cosmetic products. Makeup artist are one of the top earners in the entertainment, bridal, and beautification industry.
Their level of income is a factor of their pedigree, experience, and network. Makeup artist training programs vary in length. One course may take several weeks to complete, and a whole program can take several months. Every bride likes to look unattractive on her big day.
Brides spend a lot of money on make-up for their big day to make them look their best on their big day. However, the wedding make-up business is a little saturated right now, so if you want to become a make-up artist, you must make sure you are very good at it.
That is the only way you can rise above the competition and survive in this business. There are also various opportunities for a makeup artist outside the wedding industry.
Food and drinks served to guests usually takes up a huge chunk of the wedding budget. Because food taste and quality of service are becoming serious issues to consider, more couples prefer to have professional caterers prepare and serve the food during the wedding event.
Catering for wedding events has become quite popular due to the wide range of menu options that are possible. Most menus now include small chops, hors d’oeuvres, cocktail receptions, multiple courses and dessert.
Starting a catering service business is a great idea for entrepreneurs who are well-organized, hardworking, creative and able to accommodate and adapt to changing customer needs and demands. It’s a business that can be done part-time while you gain experience, build a client base and buy equipment.
For those who love baking, this is the business for you. Express your creativity by starting a specialized wedding cake business. Make a photo gallery of your customized sample cake designs which will serve as your online brochure. Post your advertisement to different social networks leading back to your site.
Offline, begin offering wedding cakes to your relatives and close friends for minimum cost and pass out your business cards with your e-mail and web address. Cutting the wedding cake in front of friends and family is one of the main highlights of the wedding day.
Cakes are usually central to the theme of most weddings and most couples like to take the time to choose special and unique designs, flavors and colours for their wedding cake. There are different types of cakes for couples to choose from depending on their preferences and budget.
Traditional wedding cakes have several tiers (or layers) and usually feature creative decorations and designs. If you have a flair for baking and the creativity to design eye-catching and tasty wedding cakes, starting a wedding cake business might just be the right idea.
To start up a wedding gown business, all you have to do is post pictures of the different gowns online because this is usually where the bride looks for designs. You don’t need to invest a lot of money for brand new gowns; instead, offer the newlyweds the whole set of their entourage gowns for a lesser price.
This way, they can save on some of their expenses and you will have your gowns for rent or sale for a much cheaper amount. Anyway, brides spend a lot on their dream wedding dress to create that perfect look on their wedding day.
You can expect the figures to go even higher if it’s a celebrity wedding. If you have eyes for fashion and top quality, you can start helping brides by selling wedding dresses, bridesmaids’ dressings, tuxedos and suits for the men, lingerie and corsets, wedding shoes, tiaras and cosmetics.
If you do not have too much capital to invest in the business, you can cater to the money-conscious couples like me and start a wedding dress rental service-with few dresses, a business telephone and a website, you are good to go.
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WEDDING BLOGGER
Weddings are usually a very hot topic especially among young unmarried women. This customer segment is always interested in the latest trends in wedding gown/dress fashion, wedding themes, rings, cake designs, flowers and many other things.
Above all, brides-to-be always need all the help and information they can get to make their dream wedding a huge success. Publishing a wedding blog is usually easy and cheaper to start than publishing a magazine.
We advise that you start out with a blog first before you consider print media like magazines. Most blogs are free to set up and you can get started with your blog in less than 30 minutes. These websites provide lots of useful info on the latest wedding trends, styles and fashions.
Even though capital intensive, you can start a wedding magazine. Start publishing bridal magazines and in no time you will be popular. Not only will you be popular but you will always smile to the bank whenever you issue an edition of your magazine.
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EVENT CENTER
On the average, about 30 percent of wedding budgets are spent on the reception or wedding venue. This often makes it the most expensive part of nearly all weddings. Couples look for venues with adequate seating capacity for their guests, enough room for parking, security and a location in a very accessible part of town.
Other features that make a venue more attractive are beautiful landscapes and surroundings (that will be great for photographs), toilet facilities, air-conditioning and good sound systems. Typically, most wedding venues are open air spaces, hotel conference rooms, government buildings or purpose-built and dedicated event centers for weddings and other celebrations
Although wedding venues may require significant capital to build and ready the facility, they can be very lucrative ventures if they are set up in the right location in a densely populated part of the city.
Because most couples typically pay for the venue well in advance to reserve their preferred dates, this business can be a significant source of revenue for its owners. Entrepreneurs can also use wedding venues to cross sell other wedding services to clients.
When it comes to dancing, people tend to either love it or hate it. For engaged couples in the “hate it” category, private dance lessons could help create a simple, yet elegant first dance. You can even offer classes for the entire wedding party, so they’ll be ready to hit the dance floor on the big day.
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WEDDING MINISTER
Thanks to the destination wedding trend, this role is becoming more prominent. Also, as more interfaith marriages take place, non-denominational ministers are the obvious choice. If you’re willing to travel, enjoy public speaking and have a knack for story-telling, this could be the fit for you.
Becoming a wedding videographer is yet another easy business idea and can be a lot of fun. Basically, you get to spend your professional life at parties where people are energetic, positive and excited. You also get to engage with the challenge of turning one of the most important events in someone’s life into a visual souvenir that they’ll be happy to watch over and over again.
If you’re a videographer who’s passionate about pursuing your own creative ideas, starting a wedding business can be an excellent way of earning some money while avoiding taking on the commitment of a day job. In fact, most weddings happen on the weekend, which means that you’ll have time during the week for art.
To make a wedding videography business successful, you’ll need a vehicle so that you can travel freely, as well as the space and equipment necessary to editing – either at home or, if you choose, in an office or studio.
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WEDDING FAVOR SHOP ONLINE
If you’re a creative ‘people person’, selling wedding favors is an easy business idea you should really consider! Unlike other industries, the financial viability of which tend to ebb and flow depending on the economic climate, the wedding industry is always in fashion.
In fact, the average Australian wedding costs around $36,000. So, once you’ve established a loyal client base, you’re likely to have a steady stream of work. It’s also the perfect job for anyone who enjoys meeting people, playing a part in the organization of special events and bringing a touch of creativity to their job.
What’s more, it’s an occupation that offers plenty of flexibility – you can decide whether you want to focus on a particular theme or niche market that interests you or take a more general approach. A wedding favor business can be run online, from a home office or through a bricks and mortar shop front.
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POWERPOINT BUSINESS
Many weddings, parties, memorials, and receptions now offer Power Point presentations to share with guests. Presentations usually just involve using photos with brief text and movies. If you do not have the skills involved, you may consider garnering some skills in this regard.
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WRITE INVITATIONS AND WEDDING VOWS
If you have excellent writing skills and are a good listener, consider writing wedding vows for couples. You can offer these services in person, over the Internet, or by telephone interviews. You can also apply your writing talents to create personal invitations and announcements.
What could be more essential for a wedding than flowers? Why not opt to be a wedding florist? Assemble a portfolio featuring pictures of your bouquet for brides and bridesmaids, corsages for mothers and boutonnieres for the gentlemen of the bridal party.
A good way to get your start as a wedding florist is to provide your services for a friend or relative’s wedding at cost. Be sure to take pictures to help build your portfolio.
Services usually include a bouquet for the bride and bridesmaids, corsages for the mothers and boutonnieres for all the gentlemen in the bridal party. Couples typically request two arrangements for the ceremony site and some simple flowers on the sides of the aisle.
At the reception, florists can make a statement with beautiful centerpieces, arrangements on cocktail tables and petals on the cake and cake table.
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BRIDAL TRANSPORT BUSINESS
If you love cars, you can operate a bridal transport business. You can rent out limousines, party buses, classic cars or even a motorcycle. There will always be a need for the proper type of vehicle to suit the couple and their wedding party.
Couples love to use sleek rides for their dream wedding. You can start a car rental service that focuses on weddings and when there are no wedding engagements, you can rent out your car to tourists and other people who are interested in renting cars.
You can turn a love for cars into a wedding business by renting limousines, party buses, classic cars or even motorcycles to couples looking to make a grand entrance. Most companies charge by the hour and offer extras like special lighting, music and drinks.
All wedding venues will require chairs, tables, glass plates, cutlery, backdrops, table and chair covers, tents, portable toilets, power generators and sound equipment. Some smart entrepreneurs run rental businesses that provide all these items and much more.
Depending on the wedding venue, rental companies charge for delivery, room set-up and pick-up the following day. Some rental businesses also provide refrigerated trucks that store and chill all the drinks to be used during the wedding event.
Often times, wedding event centers provide equipment rental services as an add-on. Furniture items can be charged on a per-item basis or a flat daily fee. A rentals business requires some startup capital to buy chairs, tables, tents and all the other items that are needed for weddings.
You would also need to have (or hire) a large truck to carry these items to and from the venues. Labour is also required to load and unload the trucks, set up tents and arrange furniture at the venue.
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WEDDING INVITATION PRINTING
Invitation cards usually create the first impression of a wedding. It usually indicates the theme and overall feel of the celebration. Couples around the world spend up to $2 billion every year on wedding stationery like invitation cards, wedding programs and thank-you cards.
There are lots of possibilities for creative entrepreneurs in this space. If you are artistic or have a flair for print design, this will be a great business for you.
If you lack printing and design software abilities, you could use a professional designer to create templates that your clients can choose from. Anyone who wishes to excel in this business must also have a reliable, experienced and professional printer who produces very high quality print.
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MASTER OF CEREMONIES
The Master of Ceremonies (MC or Emcee) is the host of the wedding and should make sure everyone is having a good time. More often than not, the success of the wedding depends a lot on the quality of the MC. A good wedding MC is more than someone who is good at public speaking or can tell a few jokes.
A professional MC makes sure the wedding reception runs smoothly by coordinating everyone including guests, the catering staff, the photographer and video camera-person, plus the DJ, band and entertainers.
Brides and grooms consider the photographer one of the most important vendors since they capture the day’s special moments.
Most photographers offer different packages depending on a couple’s budget. A deluxe package might include an engagement session, bridal portraits, two photographers for the wedding day, a sign-in book with engagement images and a wedding album. Some couples prefer to choose services a la carte.
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WEDDING DJ
From first dances to father-daughter songs, get everyone on the reception dance floor with great music and entertaining wedding DJ skills. Employ your compilations of music from a variety of eras to please every generation in music.
The wedding DJ can make or break the event. If you have a lot of energy, knack for detail, love for music and personality, this could be the perfect role for you. Some DJs also serve as the wedding planner. By learning both trades, you can make yourself more valuable to your clients.
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WEDDING BAND
Couples with bigger budgets are springing for both a DJ and a band and having them alternate during the reception. For instance, they may want their first dance song to be played live, but prefer a DJ later in the evening for a nightclub atmosphere.
Or some may stick with the live band all night. Create a CD of your band’s best jams and send it to wedding planners in your area.
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MAKE ICE SCULPTURE MASTERPIECES
Ice sculptures make a dramatic addition to any reception. Whether placed near the front entrance with the couple’s monogram, in the corner as a cake stand or by the bar as a drink luge, ice sculptures can take any shape. This is also a business that can be incorporated into other types of celebrations and corporate events.
Make hearts melt with by using your artistic skills creating ice sculptures for weddings. Couples seek unique decorations for their receptions and ice sculptures are a tried-and-true showstopper.
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BECOME A DAY-OF COORDINATOR
A day-of coordinator differs from an actual wedding planner in that their sole responsibility is making sure the wedding day is free of disasters. This is the perfect option for a bride wanting control of her wedding, but who can’t do everything on her actual wedding day by herself.
Day-of coordinators typically meet with couples a month or so before their big day to catch up on plans and get vendor lists. Wedding planners can also offer day-of coordinating as an additional service.
Since couples are spending more money on their wedding day, they’re also risking a lot more should a natural disaster ruin their plans. Wedding insurance typically protects against bad weather, death or an illness that forces a cancellation. For $25,000 worth of coverage, brides and grooms typically pay around $300.
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BECOME A HONEYMOON PLANNER
According to The Knot, the average honeymoon budget is $4,200. That means some couples are taking shorter, simpler trips, while others are choosing exotic, luxurious destinations.
Either way, your role as a travel agent and honeymoon planner is to find options that fit into their budget while still meeting the criteria on their wish list. If a couple loves golf, schedule a tee time for them. Special white-glove touches will help you stand out from traditional travel agencies.
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MAKE HONEYMOON KITS
With the hectic pre-wedding schedule, most engaged couples don’t start thinking about what to pack on the honeymoon until a few days before the wedding, making it likely they’ll forget something. Create fun honeymoon baskets based on popular destinations like Hawaii or Tahiti.
For example, for Hawaii, you could include reef shoes for scuba-diving, sunscreen, after-sun lotion, beach cover-ups and flip-flops. These make great shower gifts and save the couple time and money.
If you can’t tell a newlywed couple by the way they look at each other, these shirts and hats will confirm they’re recently hitched. Featuring words like “bride,” “groom,” “newlywed, “Mr. and Mrs.,” “Mrs. Smith” and “Mr. Smith,” they’re a fun way for a couple to show off their new marital status.
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RENT PHOTO BOOTHS
Capture the fun by providing wedding guests with unique photographic keepsakes and an entertaining wedding reception activity with your photo booth rentals business. This trend has caught on over the past few years, and it’s just as much fun for wedding guests as it is for the bride and groom.
The newlyweds can get some great black-and-white snapshots inside the booth and then open it up to guests. Guests can choose their favorite image, cut it out and paste it into the sign-in album, and take their remaining pictures home.
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DESIGN PERSONALIZED FAVORS
Brides and grooms are growing tired of typical favors and instead are looking for unique items that go along with their wedding theme.
For instance, Emmanuel says favors involving the beach are hot right now. Some couples are choosing to forgo a favor altogether and are instead donating money to a charity. In that case, you could design an elegant card to display at each place setting explaining where the donation is going.
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PAINT WEDDING RECEPTION PORTRAITS
This is a relatively new trend brides and grooms are starting to request. And it’s no surprise. If you don’t know, today’s weddings are about personalization; and what’s more personal than a painting of the reception, done by an artist who was there while it happened?
It’s also a nice feature for guests, who’ll enjoy taking a peak as you create your masterpiece. So if you are a fine artist, there is a niche in the wedding business you can make a living out of.
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RENT CLASSY PORTABLE TOILETS
Since weddings are about food and drink, there will be a need for toilets. For destination or outdoor weddings, portable toilets are the way to go.
The classy loos usually feature cabinetry, marbled sinks, rugs and a black-tie attendant. Companies typically charge about $3,500 for an eight-hour rental. So you can also make a good income from your mobile toilets by renting them out at weddings.
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PROVIDE LIGHTING TO SET THE MOOD
Lighting can make a big difference in a room. When done effectively, it can transform a mundane ballroom into a winter wonderland or an undersea paradise.
It’s best to pair with a venue so that clients will be more inclined to use you. In many cases, if you have an agreement with the venue, couples will be charged an additional fee if they use a different provider. As a lighting engineer, the wedding is also another venue to make some bucks.
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FURNITURE RENTALS
Furniture rental companies are giving some receptions a lounge-like feel by providing couches and other unusual plush seats set in designated areas. Some couples are also springing for an after-party–a chance for the bridal party and family to unwind and make sure the night lasts as long as possible.
This option typically falls under the “If we have the budget for it” category for most engaged couples. Covers are the most common way to give a chair some spunk. Chiavari chairs are an option for more formal weddings. They come in various colors, including gold, brown, silver and white. Most companies charge for delivery, room set-up and pick-up the following day.
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CREATE PET WEDDING APPAREL
Don’t forget the pets. Pet boutiques can stake their claim in the wedding industry as pet wedding experts. With more and more Americans choosing to include pets in their wedding celebrations, it’s a growing market. The wedding ceremonies of celebrities like Gwen Stefani, Tori Spelling and Adam Sandler all featured their canines.
Once they’ve found the perfect dress, brides want to accessorize with the perfect tiara, veil, necklace, earrings, purse and shoes. An online site offering all of the above would be a nice one-stop shop. Or, if making necklaces and earrings is your forte, focus on that. You can also ask local bridal shops to display your jewelry at trunk shows.
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ORGANIZE ON-LOCATION SPA PARTIES
As the wedding day approaches, brides and their bridesmaids are in need of some R&R. So why not bring the spa to them? Provide massages, pedicures and manicures, but don’t forget the mimosas. Along the same lines, “passion parties” are also a popular “girl’s night in” event in lieu of a bachelorette party.
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OFFER BRIDAL BOOT CAMP
Looking great when you get married is a goal of many couples about to take the plunge. Use your personal trainer skills to help grooms and brides-to-be get in great shape for their big day. From the moment a bride-to-be puts the ring on her finger, she’s probably already thinking about how she’s going to fit into the perfect dress.
That’s where you come in. By offering fitness training and dietary advice, you can fill a growing niche of the wedding industry. Other popular aesthetic treatments include teeth whitening, cellulite-reduction therapy and hair removal.
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START A MARRIAGE PREPARATION COURSE
Couples may think love is all they need. But a marriage preparation course is invaluable to couples before they take the next big step. If you and your partner have a loving, long-lasting relationship and are willing to share your triumphs and tragedies, this business could end up making a difference in countless marriages.
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MANAGE BRIDAL REGISTRIES
According to the experts at Wedding Channel, people spend between $3 billion and $5 billion each year on bridal registries.
A majority of that money is spent at department store chains like Macy’s, but what about smaller stores? Give smaller retailers a national online presence for their bridal registry offerings by including them on your website. This service also allows brides to find everything they need in one spot.
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BECOME A WEDDING CALLIGRAPHER
Once you master the art of calligraphy, this business doesn’t have much overhead. Though some brides have their envelopes printed, calligraphy is still the traditional way of addressing wedding invitations. Services include personalizing the inner and outer envelopes of the invitation, as well as place cards, menus and programs. The going rate for a handwritten invitation set is about $4.
Once grooms-to-be have the proposal planned, the ring education process begins. And they’re doing their research. Many brides and grooms are becoming more interested in conflict-free diamonds. There currently aren’t many diamond retailers who offer them exclusively, so you might be able to fill this niche before it’s saturated.
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PERFECT PROPOSAL ADVISOR
Since every girl want that perfect and romantic proposal, you can cash in on this idea if you are creative and can always think outside of the box. Many grooms are looking for a memorable way to get down on one knee.
By acting as their advisor, ego-booster and source of inspiration, your goal is to create the most romantic, personalized proposal. You can get as creative as their budget allows, including proposing in a hot-air balloon or at the top of the Eiffel Tower.
Manage the social media presence for couples throughout their wedding so that their fans, followers and guests unable to attend have a front row seat to pictures and commentary during this memorable day.
Since you are a hairstylist, be ready to start your own bridal hair. In the US couples spends an average of $30,000 on their wedding according to Theknot.com. A few simple steps will ensure that you build a bridal beauty business bustling with happy brides singing your praises.
The easiest way to book your first bridal client is the have pictures of your work. You immediately build trust when potential clients can view various types of styles that you are able to create. This is one of the top reasons why a bride-to-be will choose you over another hair or make-up artist.
Brides want to know that you will listen to their desires for their big day and trust that you can deliver. Put together a portfolio comprised of pictures of hair you’ve done for other brides or special events. This will show the range of your work and also give the bride hair styling ideas.
Don’t have any photos? Use clients, students or models that have special events to attend. Style their hair for the event and take pictures of your work. Use the photos as place holders in your portfolio until you can get more professional pictures of your work.
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MARRIAGE COUNSELLOR
The couple even though are deeply in love are always scared and worried about some aspect of their marriage. You can start a marriage counseling business and charge couples per hour.
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DESTINATION WEDDINGS PLANNER
There has been an increase in what is known as destination weddings – those weddings held where neither the bride nor the groom lives or necessarily has family. It has been estimated the one in ten weddings are destination weddings – a massive increase over the last decade.
Modern couples are often older than they were 15 or 20 years ago, they are often more well-traveled, and/or they may want something more exotic.
Top destinations for U.S. couples include Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico, and in Europe, southern France and Italy. Resorts and hotels in hot areas are becoming increasingly proactive in their wedding business by putting together packages and offering more services for those seeking wedding services.
Carve out an area that you can use to run your home-based wedding decorating business. At minimum the area should have a computer, phone, desk, enough seating for you and your clients, several storage solutions, such as bins and a large table for assembling decorations.
Research the wedding industry to find out the types of services wedding decorators provide and to identify trends. Scour your area for other wedding decorating businesses who are your direct competitors. Come up with ways to differentiate your business.
Determine the types of wedding decorating services you want to provide engaged couples and associate a price with each. Come up with a Business Name and tag line for your home-based wedding decorating business. Ensure that customers can easily identify the type of business you run when they see or hear the name and tag line.
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COOLING VAN BUSINESS
Nobody want to drink warm drinks, you can tap into this idea by starting a cooling van business. You will help couples ice their drinks with your cooling van, this business is mobile and with the right marketing strategy you will have a wedding to attend every week.
The wedding business is one of those evergreen industries that never go out of style. With the global population creeping up with each passing year, you’ll never want for customers if you’ve got a fresh approach to your niche.
Despite its status as an ancient institution, marriage and the practices associated with it never stop evolving over time. If you can learn to roll with the punches and respond to new market realities, it’s not difficult to operate a long-lived wedding business that rakes in the green.