The Qualities You Must Have to Run Your Own Wedding Events Company

Becky Martin, writer

Published at 19/11/2018, Updated on 04/05/2022 , Reading time: 5 min

The Qualities You Must Have to Run Your Own Wedding Events Company — Photo © wedding-company.jpg

Weddings are often the most special event in an individual’s entire life. Consequently, anyone providing wedding services needs to ensure that they’re at the top of their game every time they go to work. Some people thrive in an intense environment, whereas others can’t rise to the pressure. If you’re a hopeless romantic looking to make a living from a weddings events company, then read on to see if you have the qualities needed to succeed in a competitive, yet exciting industry.

It’s been found that couples spend an average of £31,974 on their wedding (Hitched), and what with the dress, venue, cake, live band, florist and everything else to consider, it’s not surprising that it can soon reach this cost. So, why not consider entering an industry worth an incredible £10 billion and make a positive impact on one of the 221,169 weddings that occur each year (redsevenleisure, based on figures from 2018)? Read on to find out whether starting a bridal boutique, wedding dress shop or wedding photographer business should be your next career move.

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The top 5 qualities that anyone who works in the wedding events industry should possess

An ability to work under pressure

It’s widely considered that, under the stress of wedding planning, the behaviour of the happy couple can change significantly. Obsessing over everything being perfect can even lead to brides becoming overly demanding and labelled as ‘bridezillas’. According to Hitched, many brides and grooms suffer anxiety due to the pressure of the period having to being the ‘happiest time of their life’. Not only is this taxing for them, but it can also become overwhelming for those with wedding company jobs.

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There's enormous pressure on those employed to design, prepare and set up the event just right. This means that you'll have to be comfortable working in high-pressure environments and be able to deliver the goods on a tight schedule. While you may think you'll thrive in such a situation, no one knows until they’ve experienced it for real. So, before running your own business in the industry, consider working for another wedding planning company for a while.

Excellent organisational skills

Weddings are complex events composed of many intricate elements. The perfect wedding depends on every aspect of the event going as planned and transferring seamlessly into the next. With the service, reception, meal, speeches, dancing and music to consider, those in charge need to be capable of organising themselves and others if they’re to satisfy the bride and groom. Almost all wedding events franchisees would agree that organization is the key to success in this industry, so when it comes to planning a wedding, make sure you're using organisational binders, saving all your invoices, bills and receipts, using spreadsheets, using automation to save time and using timelines.

An understanding of marketing

As the owner of a wedding business, one of the most critical aspects of the job is attracting customers. While referrals from previous work will help generate some custom, it's also necessary to have a firm grasp on how to market yourself and your business.

According to a bridal boutique expert, a wedding events company’s website should have the ‘wow’ factor, and this can be achieved by being updated regularly and having seasonal photos and videos of real weddings. Brides want to know exactly how their wedding might look, so the better you convey this on your website, the more likely they are to choose your business. She also suggests having cheaper package prices midweek and showcasing limited availability to entice custom.

The ability to realise a customer’s vision

Whatever part of the wedding industry you cater to, you’ll need to be able to work closely with the client to ensure that their vision is fully realised. In this respect, excellent communication skills are essential.

Whether it’s taking photos, styling the venue or supplying the bride and bridesmaids with the perfect dresses, you’ll need to listen, pick out important details and provide a service that fulfils the client’s demands. This is by no means an easy skill to master and individuals often require the help of franchise training to get it right.

Being empathetic and understanding

Clinical psychologist Dr. Barbara Bernstein, Ph.D., M.P.H suggests, “Whatever anxieties may exist about marriage (Am I making the right choice? Is this the right time?) may get displaced onto the day itself.” Therefore, showing empathy and understanding on the big day is essential. When there are bumps in the road, you will need show compassion and even be a shoulder to cry on. It truly is an emotional process for the bride and groom, so you need to be tactful and know how to deal with situations the right way. Showing initiative and being able to solve problems is crucial if a wedding events company is to succeed.

Types of wedding events company jobs

The wedding industry is diverse, and events depend on a host of different professionals if they’re to run smoothly. This is reflected in the wide range of businesses involved in the wedding industry. Here, we take a look at some of the most common types of wedding company jobs.

Wedding planner. Wedding planners are responsible for arranging and organising some of the most important parts of the event and ensuring that they run to schedule. For creative types, this can be a remarkably rewarding job. You’ll have to be a competent networker and capable of managing a large team to be a successful wedding planner.
Wedding photographer. A wedding photographer is responsible for capturing irreplaceable moments. You’ll have to meet with your clients and discuss what types of photos they would like, and then, after the big day, choose the best pictures and retouch any that need it.
Bridal boutique. Running a bridal boutique is another way to work in the industry. This supplies brides and bridesmaids with the dresses and accessories they require to look their best on the big day. With a bridal boutique, the shopping experience is almost as important as the dress.
Venue styling. Finally, venue styling is a growing business and a popular franchising option. Ensuring the client's chosen venue looks as spectacular as possible requires both creative and organisational skills, making this a role that's ideally suited to all-rounders who can visualise a customer's vision and execute it flawlessly.

Should I say ‘I do’ to running my own wedding events company?

By reading this article, you should have a better idea of whether you possess the five main qualities needed to run your own wedding events company. There are plenty of different types of jobs in the wedding industry, so be sure to consider which you’re best suited to. We have one wedding franchise opportunity(/our-franchises/S2-wedding-franchises) in our books at the moment, portrait photography company, Venture Studios.