Barbara Collins: Secrets To Wedding Planning Success

Barbara Collins' book, *How to Be a Wedding Planner*, is a comprehensive guide for anyone who wants to start their own wedding planning business or get a job in an established wedding planning company. It provides an overview of the wedding market, wedding styles, wedding law, and customer expectations. The book also covers the process of setting up a successful wedding planning business, designing services, and managing finances. It also includes the different activities needed on the wedding day and pre-wedding.

Wedding market overview

The wedding industry is a diverse and dynamic market, encompassing various sub-group service providers who collaborate to create memorable wedding events. From invitations and cakes to jewellery, transportation, photography, catering, and venues, the industry offers a wide range of specialised services.

The global wedding services market was valued at $160.5 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $414.2 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 4.8% from 2021 to 2030. The demand for wedding services is largely dependent on the personal income of the couple and their families, as well as their preferences. The average wedding cost is over $70,000, and catering services make up a significant portion of this expense.

Destination weddings are becoming increasingly popular, especially among millennials, with one out of four couples opting for this option in the American region. New York City, California, Florida, and Nevada are top destinations within the US, while Mexico, the Caribbean, and Hawaii are popular choices outside the country.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the wedding industry, with many weddings postponed or downsized. However, the industry is dynamic and adaptable, with new products and services, such as virtual weddings and realistic venue walk-throughs, being introduced to meet the changing needs of couples.

The wedding industry is highly competitive, with businesses offering multiple services or specialising in specific niches to stand out. Wedding planning services play a crucial role in coordinating the various elements involved in creating a couple's dream wedding, ensuring that their big day is a success.

Wedding styles

The book "How to Be a Wedding Planner" by Barbara Collins provides an overview of wedding styles, among other topics. It is an instructive guide for aspiring wedding planners, offering an overview of the wedding market, wedding law, and customer expectations.

• Classic Formal: This style is elegant and sophisticated, often featuring traditional elements such as formal attire, elegant table settings, and sophisticated decor. The colour palette is typically neutral or pastel, with attention to intricate details.
• Rustic: Rustic weddings are all about embracing the beauty of nature and creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. They often take place outdoors or in venues like barns or wineries. Decor may include wooden elements, burlap, and wildflowers, with a focus on creating a relaxed and cosy ambiance.
• Bohemian: Boho-chic weddings are characterised by a free-spirited, eclectic style. Think flowing dresses, floral crowns, and a mix of vibrant colours and patterns. These weddings often incorporate natural elements, dreamcatchers, and unique, personalised details.
• Vintage: Vintage-style weddings draw inspiration from past eras, such as the 1920s or 1950s. The theme can be reflected in the attire, decor, and music choices. For example, a 1920s-themed wedding might include art deco details, feather accessories, and a live jazz band.
• Modern Minimalist: This style embraces simplicity and clean lines. The colour palette is often neutral or monochrome, with elegant, understated decor. Modern minimalist weddings focus on creating a sleek and sophisticated ambiance.
• Cultural or Destination-Inspired: Many couples choose to incorporate their cultural heritage or a favourite travel destination into their wedding style. This could mean incorporating traditional customs, colours, or symbols into the ceremony and reception. For example, a Mexican-inspired wedding might feature vibrant colours, papel picado banners, and festive music.

As a wedding planner, it is essential to be versatile and adaptable to the unique styles and visions of each couple. Understanding the latest trends, as well as classic styles, will help you create memorable weddings that reflect your clients' personalities and dreams.

Wedding law

• Marriage Requirements: Understanding the legal requirements for a valid marriage is essential. This includes factors such as the legal capacity of the couple, their consent, and any necessary licenses or certificates. For example, in the Philippines, the legal age for marriage is 16 years for males and 14 years for females.
• Officiants and Solemnization: Different jurisdictions have specific requirements for who can officiate a wedding and where the ceremony can take place. For instance, in the Philippines, marriages can be solemnized by specific judicial officers, priests or ministers of recognised denominations, and chaplains of the Army or Navy.
• Marriage Licenses: In many places, obtaining a marriage license is a prerequisite for a legal marriage. The process for obtaining a license can vary and may involve applications, fees, and waiting periods.
• Recognition of Common-Law Marriages: Common-law marriages, also known as non-ceremonial or informal marriages, are recognised in some jurisdictions. These are marriages that result from the couple's agreement to consider themselves married and subsequent cohabitation, rather than through a formal process. However, the requirements for recognising such marriages differ across states and countries.
• Annulment and Divorce: Understanding the legal grounds for annulment or divorce is crucial. This includes factors such as fraud, force, mental capacity, and physical incapacity.
• Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements: These are legal contracts entered into by the couple before or after marriage, outlining the division of assets and financial arrangements in the event of a divorce.
• Inheritance and Property Rights: Wedding planners should be aware of the inheritance and property rights of spouses, especially in cases of common-law marriages or where prenuptial agreements are involved.
• Same-Sex Marriages: Same-sex marriages are now legally recognised in many places, but this has been a relatively recent development in some jurisdictions. Wedding planners should be aware of the legal status and requirements for same-sex marriages in their region.
• International Marriages: When dealing with cross-border marriages, it is important to understand the legal requirements and recognition of such marriages in both jurisdictions.
• Marriage Ceremonies and Customs: While not always a legal requirement, certain ceremonies and customs are often observed in weddings. As a wedding planner, understanding these traditions and their significance can help create a meaningful experience for the couple and their families.

Customer expectations

Barbara Collins' book, *How to Be a Wedding Planner*, provides an overview of customer expectations in the wedding planning business. It is imperative to have an overview of the role, the business, the highs and the lows.

Collins' book provides templates to support wedding planners during the early stages of setting up a wedding planning business. It can be referred to over and over again, wedding after wedding.

Collins' book also covers the different activities needed of a wedding planner on the wedding day, as well as understanding the pre-wedding activities that are needed to ensure that the wedding day is a success.

Barbara Vanni of Bweddings, a Chicago-based wedding planner, only accepts a limited number of weddings each year. This allows her to provide the highest level of client service and attention to detail to every one of her clients.

Barbara Hearne of Barbara's Brides, an Austin-based wedding planner, has been helping couples turn ideas and dreams into reality for more than a quarter of a century. She believes that every couple deserves a celebration that reflects their unique style and love story.

Barbara Vanni and Barbara Hearne both emphasise the importance of understanding and realising their clients' unique visions.

Setting up a successful wedding planning business

Barbara Collins' book, *How to Be a Wedding Planner*, provides an overview of the wedding industry and shares ideas, experiences, and thought-provoking questions to help aspiring wedding planners establish their business. The book also includes templates to support those in the early stages of setting up a wedding planning business.

When setting up a wedding planning business, it is important to consider what services the business will offer and how to design them to be unique and affordable. It is also crucial to determine how to charge for the services provided.

A successful wedding planning business should be well-organised and able to manage the various activities and logistics involved in wedding planning, ensuring that the wedding day is a success.

Frequently asked questions