What Do You Need to Start a Wedding Planning Business?

Starting a wedding planning business (really any business) is equal parts exciting and overwhelming. You’re probably brimming with ideas, dreaming of gorgeous events, and picturing yourself working with couples who trust you to bring their vision to life. But then the practical questions hit—what do you actually need to get started? If you’ve been Googling what do you need to start a wedding planning business, you’re in the right place.

As a former wedding planner turned Pinterest marketing strategist for wedding professionals, I’ve been in your shoes. I know how daunting it feels to balance the logistics of running a business with the desire to create stunning weddings. That’s why I want to break it down for you: the non-negotiables you need to launch your planning business the right way, plus the marketing strategies that will make you visible to the clients you want most.

Why This Matters for Wedding Professionals

Here’s what I’ve learned: running a wedding planning business isn’t just about curating pretty details or organizing timelines. It’s about building a business foundation that clients trust and then creating visibility so those clients can actually find you.

Too many planners start with gorgeous branding but forget about marketing, or they spend hours on social media only to realize their content vanishes after 24 hours. If you want to actually book weddings (not just admire styled shoots), you need a clear plan for both business essentials and evergreen visibility.

Key Insights: What You Need to Start a Wedding Planning Business

1. A Clear Business Foundation

Before you dive into design boards, you need the basics. This is where many planners stall because they’re unsure what do you need to start a wedding planning business from a legal and operational standpoint.

• Business structure: Decide if you’ll register as an LLC, sole proprietor, or another entity (pro tip: check your local regulations).

• Contracts: Protect yourself and your clients with clear agreements. Templates are a great place to start, but have a lawyer review them if possible. If you don’t know where to begin, I highly recommend checking out The Contract Shop for customizable, attorney-drafted wedding industry contracts that save you time and stress.

• Pricing & packages: Don’t wait to “figure it out later.” Define what services you’ll offer (full planning, partial planning, day-of coordination, virtual planning) and price them in a way that reflects your expertise.

When I launched my planning business, getting clarity on these pieces gave me confidence and it gave couples peace of mind that they were hiring a professional, not just someone who liked weddings.

2. A Portfolio That Speaks to Your Ideal Client

You don’t need dozens of weddings under your belt to launch. Thankfully you just need examples of your style. Start by:

• Partnering with vendors on styled shoots.

• Offering planning support for a friend’s wedding in exchange for professional photos.

• Documenting your work in a way that reflects the kinds of weddings you want to book.

Remember: the images you share attract the clients who want that style. Be intentional with what you showcase from the very beginning.

3. Marketing That Works While You Sleep

Here’s the biggest mistake I see: new wedding planners rely solely on Instagram. The problem? Content disappears after 24 hours, and algorithms keep you on a roller coaster of constant posting.

This is where Pinterest comes in. Unlike Instagram, Pinterest works like a search engine. Couples who get engaged in November are already typing things like “luxury wedding planner in Charleston” or “fall wedding ideas” into Pinterest. If your boards and pins are optimized, you show up without having to post daily.

Want to skip the guesswork? My Styled Pin Collection gives you done-for-you Canva templates designed specifically for wedding pros, so you can create pins that attract your dream clients without spending hours on design.

Frequently Asked Questions about Starting a Wedding Planning Business

Q: Do I need a certification to become a wedding planner?
A: Certifications can be helpful but aren’t required. Experience, professionalism, and marketing matter far more to most couples.

Q: How do I get clients when I’m just starting out?
A: Leverage styled shoots, vendor relationships, and Pinterest to get visible. Your first inquiries often come from showing up consistently online.

Q: Should I invest in branding right away?
A: A simple logo and color palette are fine to start. Focus on your portfolio and visibility first—those book clients faster than fancy fonts. When you are ready to invest in branding that elevates your business and speaks directly to your dream clients, I always recommend my friend Emily Foster Creative. Her work is strategic, timeless, and designed to help wedding professionals stand out.

Q: What’s the most important thing to focus on early?
A: Your visibility strategy. Without it, even the best-planned packages will sit unseen. That’s why Pinterest should be part of your plan from day one.

Real-Life Example: My Transition from Planner to Strategist

When I started my own wedding planning business, I quickly realized that the hardest part wasn’t the planning—it was being found. I poured hours into styled shoots, networking, and social media, but inquiries were inconsistent. Learning what do you need to start a wedding planning business early on made the difference between spinning my wheels and booking clients with confidence.

Once I started using Pinterest intentionally, everything shifted. My pins kept working long after I posted them, and inquiries started coming in from couples who had already fallen in love with my boards and aesthetic. That’s what inspired me to create my Pinterest strategy business because I know firsthand how powerful evergreen visibility is for wedding professionals.

Action Steps for Wedding Pros

• Decide on your business structure, contracts, and pricing.

• Build a starter portfolio (styled shoots count!).

• Set up a Pinterest business profile and create at least 5 keyword-rich boards.

• Repurpose your galleries, blogs, or Instagram posts into pins.

• Use tools like The Styled Pin Collection to stay consistent without burning out.

Starting a wedding planning business doesn’t require perfection or endless resources—it requires clarity, intentional visibility, and tools that help you attract clients without running yourself ragged.

The truth is, you don’t need a big budget or years of experience to book your first clients. You need a strong foundation and a strategy that makes your marketing work harder than you do.

Ready to make Pinterest the engine behind your visibility? Grab The Styled Pin Collection for ready-to-use templates, or book a strategy session with me to build your personalized roadmap. Either way, you’ll walk away with the confidence and clarity to start your wedding planning business the right way.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through them—at no additional cost to you. I only recommend resources and partners I personally trust and believe will genuinely benefit wedding professionals.