The wedding industry is truly massive today, so if you’re looking for a business opportunity, it’s an industry worth dabbling into. There will always be weddings that need organizing, so if you manage to keep up with the trends, the demand will be there. Besides event planning, there are also countless wedding-related services you can offer and if you pick well, you may fill a market gap and achieve great success. However, with so many options at your disposal, where should you even start? Here are a few ideas as well as practical tips if you’re interested in starting a wedding-related business this year.
The wedding industry at the moment
After a noticeable plunge in 2020 due to the pandemic, it is safe to predict that 2021 is going to take this industry to new heights. While many of the weddings that were planned were still held, with some modifications to accommodate for safety precautions, according to shocking statistics, almost half of the receptions planned for last year were postponed for 2021. This means that wedding businesses will have their hands full this year and it’s an opportune time for you to break into the industry as well. However, it’s important to note that even now, placing your bet on massive receptions might not be the smartest move. Keep the new way of things in mind: guest lists have got considerably shorter and destination weddings are still far off, just to name some examples.
Wedding business ideas
Photography and videography
Every couple wants their big day to be immortalized, therefore, becoming a wedding photographer or videographer can be a lucrative idea. Of course, you need to have some knowledge about as well as talent for these jobs. If you don’t already have the necessary equipment, you will also need to invest some money to get started. In this day and age, people have high expectations when it comes to quality. However, if you do know a thing or two about photography and have a distinct style, put together your portfolio as soon as possible and couples who resonate with your photography will gladly entrust this task to you.
Bespoke wedding cakes
If you have a talent for baking, you can consider starting a wedding cake business. A great advantage of this option is that it does not require you to make huge investments to get started. As long as you’re only taking on as many commissions as you can handle, you can even run this business by yourself and from your own home. That said, your kitchen needs to be prepared for this endeavor. Still, don’t get discouraged. Start small and once your business hits off, you can use the money you made to upgrade your kitchen and take your business to the next level. With some creativity, you can even come up with unique cake designs and find your niche market.
Accessories retail
Accessories can completely transform an outfit and brides know this well, too. Wedding accessories are an important part of a wedding ensemble, so specializing in this category can be a great business idea. Whether you will be reselling pieces hand-picked by you or you plan on making your own unique jewelry and accessory pieces, opening an online store will be your best bet. This is also the most affordable option for now, but if things go well, you can later open a showroom where brides can look at the pieces in person, too.
Wedding favors
Every couple wants to show their gratitude to their guests through wedding favors. However, preparing them is time-consuming and amidst the chaos of organizing their wedding, they often decide to outsource this task. Wedding favors come in many shapes and sizes, so if you have a good creative sense, you can come up with countless unique concoctions.
Stationery and writing
The next wedding-related business idea is perfect for the creatives out there. Do you have artistic talent? Are you great at graphic design? Have you always excelled at writing? Offering wedding stationery and, particularly, custom wedding invites might just be what you’re looking for. Be sure to have samples of your work so that customers know what they can expect.
Montage business
Today, PowerPoints and touching montages are included in many events, and weddings are no exception. Therefore, another low-investment wedding-related business you can start right now is offering these services to couples. Do they want a simple slideshow of their best moments together to play in the background? Or do they want an awe-inspiring montage that will be a tear-jerker? Study how to put together either of these and you can start your business at once.
How to get into the industry
Getting into an industry with no prior experience can seem daunting, so use all the tips and tricks you can. Firstly, doing a ton of research is paramount. Be aware of both the current wedding trends as well as the particular preferences of brides-to-be where you live. You can do so by observing recent weddings, engaging in conversation, and visiting forums and social media. See what people are talking about: are they thinking about a fancy wedding car hire instead of regular transport? Or are they considering an alternative to a traditional wedding cake? Knowing all these things will help you avoid backing the wrong horse.
Secondly, start making connections within the industry. Visit trade shows and exhibitions, if there is a possibility, since this is where you will find your future business relations! It’s also a good idea to join an association since it can provide you with guidance while you’re still new to the industry. If you’re lucky enough to meet someone who would complement your business and services, think about teaming up.
Lastly, in this industry, staying in the loop is extremely important. No one wants last year’s fashion so you cannot afford to lag behind. Make sure you subscribe to wedding magazines to stay up-to-date with the current and oncoming trends and you will be able to cater to the wishes of brides-to-be even before they know what they want themselves.
Getting your business up and running might be a lot of work –after all, it’s not enough to just have a good idea. However, the wedding industry truly has a lot of opportunities for those who are ambitious to enter it this year. Hopefully, you can find an idea that fits both you and your audience. Good luck!
