The number one consideration for a majority of newly engaged couples planning their wedding is budget. If a wedding planner chooses not to be upfront about how they price their services, they might be turning down a huge percentage of potential clients without even realising it.
According to the UK's top wedding business marketing expert Becca Pountney: if you've not embraced pricing transparency for your wedding business, you're seriously outdated!
With expert advice from Becca, this article unpacks:
First things first, it's important to identify why so many wedding planners don't share their prices upfront. Let's talk about it.
There are a lot of factors that affect how you price your planning services: season, date, time, wedding size, etc. Naturally, the pricing would differ for a couple who want a 2-day extravagant wedding ceremony on a Saturday in June, versus a couple who opt for an intimate mid-week celebration in January. Therefore, you may be hesitant to list a price on your site knowing that the final fee could be vastly different—the last thing you want is to mislead your clients.
For many wedding planners, the solution lies in expanding and diversifying offerings. For example, instead of having one full-service package at a fixed price, a wedding planner might list all the services associated with a as separate elements and allow clients to pick the services they require. The exact figure may still fluctuate, but your clients have a clear guide price to base their understandings on.
This is why face-to-face consultations are key. They give you, the planner, an opportunity to assess a couple's budget and tailor packages to their needs. There's also the opportunity to explain the value you bring to the table and convince clients why you're worth the investment.
Becca reaffirms this notion, confirming that pricing transparency is best for both you and your clients, "I am a huge advocate for clear pricing on your website - this not only gives clients all of the information that they need upfront when making a decision but it will also separate off any people who cannot afford to work with you, before you spend any of your time on their event."
Weddings are expensive—that we all know—but couples are still willing to invest in the right options. Becca explains, "In 2024 couples are budget savvy—this doesn't mean they want cheap, however they do want to make sure they are getting the best option for the budget that they have."
Couples prefer to work with wedding planners and vendors who are upfront about how much things will cost right from the start. As a wedding planner, you are here to make things easier for your clients and being transparent in your prices is one of the many ways to do so. But don't worry, this doesn't only benefit the clients but your wedding planning business as well!
Three benefits of pricing transparency to wedding businesses:
When sharing prices, your main goal is to provide potential clients with a benchmark that will help them better understand how your prices stack up with other services. You have to find balance. Share too little, and couples might be scared off before a conversation even begins. Share too much, and you risk underselling your expertise or sparking uncomfortable price comparisons.
Five tips on how to effectively share your service prices:
Pricing transparency is a business strategy that every modern wedding planner should embrace. While setting rates may be challenging due to the personalised nature of weddings, pricing transparency fosters trust, attracts ideal clients, and streamlines your business communication altogether.
To effectively share prices, it's important to communicate context, justify rates with testimonials, and be prepared to explain your prices and stand by them. It's also essential to include disclaimers for additional services on your wedding business website and to never get peer-pressured into cutting down your prices. Always remember—your skill and time deserve a fair price!
Becca's parting advice: "Let's take the mystery away from our pricing and make it clear from the moment a potential couple lands on our website."
It is traditional for wedding guests to shower the bride and groom with gifts on their big day—but should wedding planners do the same throughout the wedding planning process?
Client gifting has become a popular way for wedding planners to elevate the client experience and adda touch of luxury to their planning services. These gifts can range from small tokens of appreciation to more elaborate gestures, and they're designed to show gratitude, strengthen relationships, and enhance the overall wedding experience for clients.
How do you know whether client gifting is right for your wedding planning business? This article explores:
Let's unwrap the secret to better client relationships for your wedding business...
Client gifting is a wonderful practice to have for your wedding planning business. However, it's not mandatory.
You have to remember that although wedding planners work in the same industry, circumstances differ. Some planners have more capacity to offer gifts, whilst others may prefer to show their love in a different way. That could be the case for you—and that's perfectly fine!
If you've always had a knack for choosing gifts, however, then client gifting is a great tradition to practice for your business. There are a lot of benefits of sending clients gifts such as...
It's good to be reminded that amidst the river of benefits gift-giving has to offer, it also comes with its own share of risks. Consider these challenges before deciding to say 'yes' to sending gifts to your clients...
Before deciding on a gift to give your clients, you have to get to know them and tailor your choices to their lifestyle. There's never a right or wrong answer—it always differs. A chef bride would love a customised cutting board. While a constantly travelling couple would swoon over a personalised travel journal.
Second, think about what stage they are in their relationship. If they're getting engaged, then a customised engagement photo session would naturally be better than a honeymoon gift basket. On the other hand, if they're about to have a bachelor and bachelorette party, then a self-care gift set would hit the mark.
Remember, the main purpose of client gifting is to show appreciation. The second, is to contribute to the overall messaging of your brand. Make sure that the gifts you give align with the style and narrative you are building for your wedding business.
Running out of ideas? Explore four wedding client gift ideas...
When is the best time to send client gifts? There are three key moments when it's best to send a gift to your clients: during onboarding, within the week of their wedding, and after their first anniversary.
Sending a welcome gift is a nice way to kick off your wedding planning journey together. This could be something simple like a small guidebook to help them start planning, along with some chocolates or a bottle of champagne to celebrate the beginning of their wedding journey.
As the big day gets closer, couples can become nervous. Sending a gift is a thoughtful way to show that you're thinking of them during this busy time. You could put together a little self-care package with bath salts, candles, or snacks to help them relax, or, you could give them something practical like an emergency kit filled with things they might need on the day of the wedding.
A nice touch for maintaining client relationships is to send a gift to your couple on their first anniversary. It's a way to show that you remember and value their relationship, and it helps increase the likelihood of positive reviews and referrals for years to come.
While client gifting is not mandatory, it is a beautiful tradition to practice in your wedding planning business. It can improve client satisfaction, generate positive testimonials, differentiate yourself from competitors, and increase sales through referrals. However, there are also some challenges to consider such as budget limitations, time constraints, and client perception.
When choosing gifts, tailor them to the couple's preferences and wedding stage. A few client gift ideas that we highly recommend are couple items, customised gifts, self-care packages, and experiences.
To budget effectively for client gifts, set aside 1-3% of your annual sales and consider limiting the number of recipients or gifting in tiers. As soon as the gifts are ready, the best times to send them are during onboarding, the week of their wedding, or after their first anniversary.
As couples increasingly turn to the internet to research, plan, and execute their dream weddings, the significance of a strong online presence cannot be overstated. This means that your wedding planning business needs to look good from all angles (website, social media, press), and at all times.
A successful wedding planning business needs a strong, consistent message across all their digital platforms to sell couples on their services.
It is super important that you're pressing a clear, consistent message across all of your digital platforms—first impressions count, and they could come from anywhere! In this article, you will learn...
The Bridebook Report 2024 reveals that couples look at at least three social media sources before enquiring with a wedding planner. All your digital platforms are readily available to couples, and they will check them all.
As a wedding planner, you have to establish a stable online presence for your business so you don't miss out on a long list of opportunities. Four best social media platforms for wedding planning businesses:
Just like how humans can be identified with voice alone, businesses also stick out from the competition by establishing a unique voice with consistent messaging.
Consistent messaging is when you set the tone for your business. It speaks about who you are, what you offer, and what makes you different from other wedding planners.
Key elements of consistent messaging:
Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out in the wedding planning business, enhancing your virtual presence is essential for growth and staying ahead of the curve. But how exactly can you do that?
We spoke to leading wedding industry educator Becca Pountney about her guide to enhancing the digital presence of your wedding planning business....
Always choose a responsive web design that adjusts seamlessly to different screen sizes. Many couples use their smartphones to search for wedding planners and services. So having a mobile-friendly website will make it easier for them to scroll through your site anytime, anywhere. Plus, you won't have to waste a stunning web design!
"Ask yourself if you are clear on who you are trying to serve, you can't be the perfect choice for everyone. In business, the best way to stand out is to be the 'go to person' for something specific," says Becca. Whether it's destination weddings, eco-friendly weddings, or cultural celebrations, your niche should be at the forefront of your brand messaging across all platforms—helping youto show up in search results for couples tat align with your interests and expertise.
Whether it's your website, Instagram, Facebook, or any other platform you use, consistent messaging is paramount. Becca emphasises, "Couples will often look across multiple platforms when researching you." You are only as strong as your weakest platform." So having a picturesque Instagram feed won't matter if your business website is all over the place. Always remember, inconsistency can dilute your brand's impact and confuse potential clients!
"Take a look at your images and copy across each platform, are they all speaking the same language or are some looking better than the others?"
Becca advises scheduling constant reviews of all your social media platforms. Keep your website and social media profiles up to date with fresh and relevant content. This could include blog posts, portfolio updates, client testimonials, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of your work. Regularly updating your content not only keeps your audience engaged but also signals to search engines that your website is active and relevant.
As couples increasingly turn to the internet for wedding planning, establishing a strong online presence is a must. Consistent messaging across all platforms is key—your website, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok should all reflect your brand's voice and values.
To enhance your virtual presence, ensure your website is mobile-friendly, niche down, maintain consistent messaging, and regularly update your content across all platforms. Remember, you're only as strong as your weakest platform, so keep all your digital channels up to date to maximise your reach and engagement.
As a wedding planner, it's essential to establish clear client boundaries to keep your client relationships healthy. While every couple deserves the type of wedding they've always dreamed of, it shouldn't have to come at the cost of your mental and physical well-being—after all, you have a wedding business to run!
Client boundaries are the parameters you set between you and your clients. It ensures that both parties understand their roles and responsibilities throughout the wedding planning process. In other words, it's the secret to achieving a healthy work-life balance.
Three steps to setting clear boundaries with your wedding clients:
To better understand the three steps to healthier client relationships, we asked three wedding panning professionals to weigh in on how they define and maintain clear boundaries with their couples...
It is essential to me as a business owner and leader that my team is provided with a safe and respectful working environment. We have protections in place in our contract to ensure our entire team is entitled to defined standards for the environment and manner in which business is conducted. Whilst onsite, I am protective of that right for our team and all of the vendors working on the event.
We are fortunate to work with clients and vendors who share our values. Though it is rare that there is an issue, I feel it's important to establish these expectations, and the mutual terms of reciprocity, up front as a non-negotiable.
With any boundaries or guidelines, it is most helpful to reiterate and revisit those guiding principles throughout the planning process. We discuss expectations at the point of being engaged on a project, during planning meetings when a specific example may arise that can be referenced to illustrate the potential circumstance, as well as onsite throughout the execution of the event and with our teams. While planning the event, we keep these standards at the forefront and take care to be mindful that the details we are putting into place are supportive of those requirements.
Advice from Cassie LaMere, owner of Cassie LaMere Events.
Early on in my career, I would work all the time, whether it was during my business hours or not. I very quickly discovered that was a recipe for burnout. Weddings are big, important, emotional things—but they are not life and death emergencies.
Unless it is the day of or day before a client's wedding, I am not on call and I generally do not respond to texts, emails, phone calls or anything else outside of my regular hours anymore. Sometimes, I have clients whose schedules don't mesh well with my hours, and I will, from time to time, make an exception for an after-hours meeting. But the one thing I absolutely will not do is work on the day after a wedding! Weddings are long, hard days with many on our feet and full use of our brain power. We need the rest—both mental and physical!
The key to upholding boundaries with clients is setting and communicating expectations from the start. We have a very detailed and carefully thought out process for our clients, and we always make sure that they know what's expected and what's coming up next. That eliminates a lot of the excess communications that I know many planners experience.
Our office hours and communication standards are included in our contract as well as reiterated during our onboarding process. We do offer our clients many ways to reach us—email, phone, text, a private Slack channel, and messaging within our project management software—so they are welcome to start a conversation at any hour of any day. It is rare that our clients don't respect our boundaries because we enforce them from the very beginning by not responding to any communications outside of office hours. They quickly get used to expecting a response when we are at our desks. One thing that really helps is using technology to our advantage. By silencing notifications and utilising autoresponders, we aren't tempted to respond when we aren't at work. If our clients send an email or text outside of our regular hours, they get an automated reply that we're out of office and will respond when we return.
As far as other boundaries go, I think one of the biggest challenges wedding planners face with clients is scope creep: asking for or expecting services that are not included in their packages. For this, I prefer to be direct and will simply let them know that it's not included in their package and, if it's something we offer, that it can be added on for an additional fee. They can choose to pay the fee and add the service or not.
Advice from Cindy Savage, owner of Aisle Less Traveled.
Setting boundaries with clients is absolutely necessary for your sanity and the success of the event. From my experiences, let me tell you, boundaries are not just nice-to-haves; they're your business's lifelines.
First off, clarity is your best friend. From the get-go, make sure your contracts are as clear as possible. Highlight what you do, what you don't do, and what falls into the realm of "extra charges apply." This isn't just about covering your bases; it's about setting expectations. Because let's be honest, no one enjoys surprise chores or costs.
Next, communication is key. You've got to be more straightforward than a GPS. If a client or their entourage starts veering off the agreed path, gently but firmly guide them back. Remember, you're the expert they hired for a reason. It's not about being inflexible; it's about steering the ship to its destination without unnecessary detours.
And then there's the delicate dance of dealing with demands that stretch beyond the horizon of reasonableness. It's important to remember that you're a professional, not a magician. If requests start to pile up that weren't part of the original agreement, it's perfectly okay to say no or to discuss additional compensation. It's not about being difficult; it's about respecting your time, expertise, and the boundaries of the client relationship.
In the end, boundaries are about respect—respect for your clients, respect for yourself, and respect for the beautiful event you're collaboratively bringing to life. And remember, the right clients will respect your boundaries and appreciate your professionalism all the more for it.
Advice from Jamie Wolfer, owner of Wolfer & Co
Wedding planners set client boundaries to safeguard their well-being and client relationships. By communicating these limits early on, you can establish better transparency and prevent larger misunderstandings along the way.
The four rules for setting and maintaining healthy boundaries with your wedding clients:
And remember, the right client for you will always respect your boundaries—never lower your standards.
On the surface, weddings are romantic, glamorous, and enchanting. Behind the scenes, though, weddings demand an unimaginable amount of hard work and dedication. Wedding planners, we get it: you deserve to be compensated for your hard work!
Pricing your services as a wedding planner is no easy feat. Can I raise my prices? Why should I? When is it fine to do so? How will my clients react? When it comes to evaluating your prices and increasing your fees, the questions and concerns can quickly pile up. As intimidating as it may seem, making the right pricing decisions is necessary to succeeding in the wedding planning industry.
First things first: no, your clients will not run away if you raise your rates. Understanding that inflation is affecting all of our lives is the first step to having confidence in your pricing. Sure, your new prices may seem expensive now, but they will soon become the new normal to both you and your clients. The reality is the cost of doing business is no longer what it was when you launched your wedding planning business.
With every passing season, wedding planners also gain experience. Taking inspiration, honing in on your craft, and learning valuable lessons from each wedding you organise makes you better qualified for the next. Your prices and fees should reflect this.
Handling increasing demand, dealing with competitor pricing, and making your wedding planning business profitable are all the more reason to re-evaluate your pricing strategy frequently.
Cindy Savage is the founder of Seattle-based wedding planning service, Aisle Less Traveled. Cindy has been planning events since 1995. From stage management, to party organisation, to wedding planning—Cindy has done it all.
Year after year, Cindy unapologetically raises their rates to combat the increasing costs of running these events and, of course, to secure the salary they deserve. You get better at your job every year—why shouldn’t your pay reflect that?
We spoke to Cindy about why their pricing strategy is the way it is, and why yours should be the same.
Cindy: Yes. I think we can trace this to being "women's work" and, as with everything in that category, there is an expectation that women will do it with no or minimal compensation. Yet event planning is consistently ranked as one of the most stressful jobs there is! It is a lot of work with a lot of pressure to get it right.
Planners can spend 40-50 hours for a service widely known as "day-of-coordination"—a term that grossly minimises the skill and time required and as much as 300 hours for start-to-finish wedding planning and design. But when you look around, you see the average spend on wedding planners reported around $1500, with planners charging as little as $300-500 for that 40-50 hour service. When you break it down, that's barely $10 per hour before expenses and taxes—which means those planners may not even net minimum wage!
This is not an entry-level job that any 16-year-old can pick up and do successfully on the weekends; it's a uniquely skilled profession that warrants considerably higher pay.
Cindy: I have raised my rates every single year that I have been in business (so 13 years and counting!)
Inflation absolutely affects us and all small business owners as well. Our expenses continually increase; we have to raise our rates in order to maintain the same standard of living. This has been especially true during COVID with the historically high inflation and we are seeing significantly higher costs across the wedding industry as a result.
Also, I think that people forget this is a career for us; like anyone, we want and should expect an increasingly higher salary as time goes on! Unlike being an employee in a large company, where there are new levels to be promoted to, as a wedding planner and the owner of my business, I started at the top. There is no title bump available to me, but I get better at my job with every wedding and so, I deserve a higher rate of pay.
I really don't worry about what anyone else is charging. After thirteen years, I know that I am an exceptional wedding planner and, as many of my clients have told me, I am worth every penny. My only concern is that with rising inflation, the cost of having a wedding may become out of reach for all but the wealthiest people, which could limit the pool of potential clients and cause the market to become much more competitive.
I would advise them to really do the math! It's easy to gloss over the expenses we all have—a lot of which is monthly subscription software to make our businesses run. Maybe each of them is only $30-40 every month, but when you have email, planning software, invoicing/billing, client management, floor plans/design, timelines... it can add up to quite a lot if you aren't paying attention.
So, my suggestion is to go through a full year of expenses, figure out how much you are truly spending, add onto that how much you need to take home, and then add 30% for taxes. Then divide by the number of events you want to work in a year to get an average price you need to charge. It's not that hard to do, but many people skip it, instead looking around at what other people are charging and matching that. And then they end up undercharging (which devalues the rest of us), working too many events to make ends meet, and getting burnt out.
So, next time you're due to evaluate your pricing structure, remember: you're worth it!
Sustainable, eco-conscious weddings are an ever more popular request from modern couples. Couples today want to work with wedding planners who share their sustainable values, and want vendors who uphold these standards too.
How then can wedding planners build a network of sustainable wedding suppliers? And how can they ensure that those vendors are certified eco-friendly? Luckily, there are easy ways for wedding planners to identify an eco-conscious vendor.
When connecting with new wedding vendors and suppliers, remember these tips in order to certify that they’re in keeping with sustainable, eco-friendly practices.
Most eco-conscious wedding vendors will have certifications. Certifications act as badges of honour, so it’s rare to see such vendors without them. Usually, they’ll be clearly and proudly displayed on their website or other digital channels.
You may want to look for companies that are certified B Corporations—these meet high social and environmental performance standards. Different kinds of vendors will also have certifications specific to their industries. For example, organisations such as LEAF, the Soil Association and the Rainforest Alliance monitor ethical flower farming in the UK. In the same way that a florist might be a part of one of these organisations, a bridal fashion suppliers might be a member of the Sustainable Wedding Alliance. Educating yourself on the certifications available to vendors can help you better understand their requirements.
Finding vendors certified in sustainability is only the first step in the process. Unfortunately, greenwashing is a problem in the wedding industry. So, it’s important to take the time to confirm that your suppliers’ products and services align with their (and your) values.
Are they sourcing local, in-season flowers? Are their personalised centrepieces made with eco-friendly materials? While certification regulations are strict, oftentimes, a vendor doesn't have to be perfect to get one. To ensure that your vendors are going the extra mile, it’s best to take a closer look at their day-to-day practices.
Any eco-conscious wedding vendor should be happy to talk about their commitment to the cause and answer any questions you have. Fostering this kind of transparency between planner and vendor is key to ensuring a smooth planning process.
Don’t see a sustainability certificate on your vendor’s website? Ask them if they’re in the process of obtaining one. If you’re working with a client who's requested sustainable materials and services, communicate this with your vendors to ensure the project meets yours and your client's visions.
You also have to option to communicate with your clients on ways they can boost the eco credentials of their special day. For example, you could work with them to set up a charity fund, or suggest options for sustainable entertainment. Not only does this help bring their dream of an eco-friendly wedding to life, but also gives you an opportunity to collaborate and further strengthen the client-planner relationship.
In this day and age, we're seeing a lot of designers practising client gifting as a strategy to elevate their interior design business. Through little gifts, they build a healthy client relationship that lasts.
Gift-giving has long been an act of appreciation and love. During holidays, birthdays, and special occasions, we never fail to prepare gifts for our loved ones. It shows them that you think of them, care for them, and value their existence. In the interior design industry, client gifting has become a way to develop a healthier connection with clients. This eases collaboration and allows for a deeper understanding of their project needs, wants, and vision.
In this article, you will learn...
Find out if it's the right time to start client gifting for your interior design business...
Client gifting is giving tokens of appreciation to clients as a gesture of goodwill. These gifts can be anything from small personalised items like stationery to more luxurious items like home decor or special experiences, all chosen to match their tastes and preferences.
While client gift-giving is not mandatory for every interior designer, it's a great tradition to practise in your interior design business. It's a way to let your clients know you care about them, pay attention to their needs, and appreciate their support.
However, it's important to remember that it's not for everyone—and that's okay! Gifts can be expensive, and for some, being able to afford to give gifts is a luxury in itself. At the end of the day, the most meaningful gift you can give is exceptional service and dedication to creating spaces they love.
The first question you should ask yourself when brainstorming for gift ideas for interior design clients is: who are they? As an interior designer, you have to get to know your clients—their interests, dislikes, allergies, and so on—to know what gifts you should be looking for.
Clients can be anything from a bachelor to a parent of three kids and naturally, their interests and priorities would differ from one another. For instance, someone who works from home might appreciate practical items like organisers, while a retired clothier would love unique textile art pieces.
Additionally, you also have to think about the nature of your interior design business. As much as possible, your gift should resonate with your craft so it reminds the clients of you. If you give them a very common gift, for example, a shirt or a bracelet, then chances are that it won't stick out to them.
Three gift ideas for interior design clients:
Pro Tip: Never give gifts with your logo on them and overly extravagant or impractical items. These can come across as impersonal and make clients feel uncomfortable.
The holidays are not the only time you can send gifts. Be unpredictable. You can send them gifts on their birthdays, during milestones like weddings, or even on a random Sunday to show your appreciation.
As an interior designer, two of the best times to send interior design clients a gift are during onboarding and the final walk-through. The onboarding signals the start of a collaboration and this in itself is something worth celebrating. Not because you landed the project, but because the clients have finally taken that one big step towards achieving their dream space.
Then of course, we have the big reveal or the final walk-through when the clients' space is finally finished and ready to be occupied. A gift is a brilliant way to officially close the project and at the same time, celebrate this new milestone with the clients.
There is no one-size-fits-all budget when it comes to client gifting—it's all up to you! It depends on how much room you have to spend and what impression you want to leave to clients. You can spend more if you're able to, or stick to budget-friendly yet valuable gifts.
Three tips when budgeting for client gifting...
Client gifting is a popular strategy among designers to strengthen client relationships. Although it's not mandatory, it enhances collaboration and understanding between the two parties.
Client gifts should reflect clients' interests and background, and the nature of business. As an interior design business, three of the best gifts you could give are niche gifts, customised home decor, and experiences such as tickets to museums and events. Avoid gifts with logos or overly extravagant items.
The best times to give gifts include project milestones, holidays, and onboarding or final walk-throughs. Budgeting for gifts is flexible, but ideally, you should set aside 1–2% of your total sales for client gifts.
At some point, every interior designer has dreamed of having their own interior design studio. But with the proliferation of inexpensive and convenient online collaborative platforms and tools—is it worth it?
A studio is more than just a place where designers work—it's a hub of creativity and collaboration that can't be replicated online. You can put up a wall of fabric, flooring, and colour options that clients can see and touch, or set up a mini library of interior design inspiration, moodboards, magazines, and references.
But even with the myriad of benefits, there are still some significant challenges with such a large investment. In this article, you'll learn...
Should you invest in an office space for your interior design business? Let's find out...
In 2024's interior design landscape, investing in a design studio is one of the best ways to grow your interior design business. Not only does it serve as a designated workspace for the team, but it also enhances your brand image and changes the way you welcome your clients for the better.
Here are four benefits of having a studio as an interior designer...
As Drew Hablam, president of Fairview Custom Homes, emphasises, a studio fosters "enhanced creativity, collaboration, and productivity"—all crucial aspects of success. It acts as a central hub that houses all your essential project files, materials, and inspirational content, so it's easier to access during meetings, client consultations, and solo work.
The studio environment itself is also designed for work comfort. Ergonomic furniture, proper lighting, and designated zones all cater to different work styles. Think quiet areas for focused work, collaborative spaces for brainstorming sessions, and dedicated areas for client presentations—all within the same professional environment. This fosters a sense of belonging, especially for new team members, who can fit in by interacting and collaborating in person rather than relying solely on virtual platforms.
Cherry on top, spontaneous bursts of inspiration can be instantly captured and discussed with colleagues right when they strike. No need to wait for a scheduled meeting or hope someone remembers a fleeting idea.
An interior design studio walks a client through a space that embodies your craft. It sets the atmosphere for the client—one that you cannot achieve by just meeting online or at a random coffee shop.
Artem Kropovinskyi, founder of Arsight, reasons that because of the "tactile presentation of materials, finishes and portfolio samples" it's easier for clients to communicate their preferences, understand the design process and prevent misunderstandings along the way. Looks can be deceiving. In some cases, a client might like how something looks in pictures but hate how it feels on their skin.
Drew also highlights that investing in a studio unlocks the potential of high-tech design tools like 3D rendering software. These powerful programs create realistic digital models of clients' visions and show how they will manifest in real life. This way, you can avoid the "expectations vs. reality" disappointment. However, such software is tech-heavy with complex setups that are only feasible for interior designers with large designated workspaces.
In contrast with other interior designers, having your own studio tells potential clients that you're serious about your career.
Think about it like this: when customers walk into your store or office, what do they see? If it's a cosy and well-organised workspace that reflects your brand's style and values, they're sure to be impressed. An immersive studio like this makes your business seem more professional, creative, and trustworthy. It's like your brand has its own special air that people can connect with and remember.
"This immersive experience," says Drew, "simply cannot be replicated in a virtual setting or across emails and calls." Thus, clients will most likely choose designers with comfortable spaces for discussions instead of those who conduct strictly online consultations.
One of the most important advantages of having a dedicated workspace is the ability to keep your work and home life separate.
While remote work has its benefits, distractions are everywhere. At home, there's unwashed laundry, dirty dishes, and for some, children crying for attention. That, on top of the pressure of pending work tasks, is a recipe mental exhaustion and burnout.
A dedicated office, as Artem points out, is a "boundary between personal and business life." At work, you can focus solely on your work tasks without being distracted by household responsibilities, and vice versa. For example, instead of feeling like you need to do laundry, you can concentrate on sending quotes to potential clients.
By keeping your work and home priorities separate, you can avoid feeling confused or overwhelmed by trying to juggle both at once. This can help you stay more organised and productive, ultimately lead to a healthier work-life balance.
It's important to remember that an interior design studio is a large investment that can take a lot of financial and mental preparations to make possible. You need to prepare a large sum of capital, choose the right location, and learn how to increase sales. Otherwise, you might not be making as much as you need to keep your studio running.
Three challenges of having an interior design studio...
An interior design studio is more than just a place where designers work. It can boost team productivity, help create immersive client experiences, and paint a better brand image for your interior design business. While having your own interior design studio may seem like a dream come true, it's important to realise that it also comes with its share of challenges. This includes financial strain, upkeep, and long-term commitment.
So, before taking the leap into owning a studio, carefully assess your readiness, both financially and mentally. Ensure that you have a solid plan in place, realistic expectations, and a clear understanding of the challenges ahead. Always remember that at the end of the day, it's your talent and passion that will set your interior design business apart.
Interior design is a rewarding and highly creative process. Once you’ve established a name for your business, you may have more work than you can imagine. On the other hand, some areas are oversaturated with freelance designers or there is lower demand for them. Diversifying your services to related niches gives you additional options to keep income flowing, even during the lean times.
Adding other branches to your interior design business offers more than simply another income stream. Other benefits include:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average interior designer makes around $61,590 annually. Growth is around 3% per year—about average compared to other job types.
If you want to reach six figures, you need elite clientele or to offer additional services. Here are some ideas to branch out that still make sense for a professional interior designer.
You’re already working as a designer, but adding an online component expands your reach beyond your driving radius. The BLS lists the number of jobs available as 94,900, with a mere 4% growth rate per year, so it makes sense for most designers to freelance. Pick up extra work by consulting with clients online. For example, you might offer a series of design concepts to a doctor’s office in Japan or a homeowner across the country.
Some people wish to avoid the expense of letting the designer do the legwork, and want only a plan for what furniture to purchase and where to place it. Forbes estimates a consultation runs between $450 to $1,500 per room, whereas a designer buying and placing furniture costs between $2,000 and $12,000. Adding two consults a week could increase your earnings by $12,000 yearly.
Get started by adding a tab to your existing website or social media page. Let followers know about which services you’ve added and how they can get more info. Additionally, ask them to share posts telling others about you and why they’ve enjoyed working with you. Word-of-mouth is one of the most powerful marketing tools available — people tend to trust peers’ feedback more than what a business owner they don’t know has to say.
According to the National Association of Realtors, 81% of agents said viewing a well-staged home helped buyers picture themselves living there. Develop close relationships with real estate agents in your area and let them know about your services in getting homes showroom ready.
In the meantime, practice staging rooms and take photos for a portfolio to showcase your work. Learn to use items the person already owns and find unique pieces from unlikely places, such as swap meets and auctions. Find out who will lease furnishings for staging and take them away after the home sells unless the buyers desire to buy a piece. Alternatively, you could rent storage space and keep items for a future staging gig. A bonus of working as a home stager is referrals to new buyers who might want a redesign when they move into their house.
The amount you'll earn as a home stager varies. Factors impacting your salary will depend upon your area and the demand for services. For example, stagers in San Jose, California, saw a 97% wage increase, while those in Las Vegas, Nevada, saw zero growth. Salaries range from
$23,636 to $209,896 and may depend upon demand. Keep in mind working part-time as a stager may reduce the amount you’ll make, as your time is limited. You could hire additional employees to move the furniture on your behalf and free up your days for more clients.
Figuring out what treatments to put on a home’s windows, where to find the right size blinds and which curtains look best can overwhelm those who need design experience. Some people may lack the funds to hire a professional designer for an entire room but will pay you to help them with window treatment options.
Highlighting beautiful windows can sell a home by letting in more light and displaying the natural beauty. Start by cleaning windows, then drape curtains that showcase the architecture. You could also get certified to install window blinds and earn a commission on sales. Salary.com lists a blind installer's salary as between $69,260 and $87,369, depending on the compensation and how many hours you work.
The right designer can make a room look fantastic inside while providing privacy from outside prying eyes, such as using long, flowing curtains to create the illusion of high ceilings. Pull on your design skills to give any room personality through the subtle impact of window treatments.
As an interior designer, you can showcase what the finished project will look like. By offering management services, you bring your ideas to life by pulling on the relationships you’ve formed. As a contractor, you serve as the project manager and help connect the homeowners with the right experts. You might need to work with excellent electricians, plumbers, framers, installers, painters and more.
Contractors base their fees on the cost of the project. Some manage the entire job from start to finish, handing the homeowners a turnkey product. Others seek out the best quotes and workers to finish, and charge a fee for their consultation. Talk to the homeowner about their budget, decide together how much of the checklist you’ll take on and determine your fee.
People often feel overwhelmed when they look at a home and try to figure out how to get organised. One example might be a family living in a home for decades—they’re ready to sell and downsize but have so much stuff they need help figuring out where to start.
Interior designers can utilise their layout skills to create innovative storage solutions for closets and rooms, and place everything so it looks like a model home. They can reduce clutter and encourage packrats to give up the things they no longer need. If an item’s been in the attic collecting dust for 40 years, perhaps it can go to charity or another family member.
The best place to start organising is with a storage plan. Encourage homeowners to make three piles of items — keep, throw away and donate. Lay out the closet like a puzzle, creating space for each type of item. Place all the “keep” things back in an orderly fashion. Label every space so the homeowner knows where to put things back for the long term. Such solutions help current residents and a future buyer organise from the first day.
As you gain more clients and confidence in organising, you’ll also attract more customers through referrals. Work through your list of former interior design customers, and ask if they need help organising or know someone who does. Tell your connections you’re offering organising as a side service so they can tell their new homebuyers and sellers about you. Angi's List estimates hiring a professional organiser costs around $250 to $833 per area. Of course, the size of the job and your experience can impact your rates. You can fill your schedule with organising tasks during slower interior design periods.
You’re already an expert at creating beauty inside homes, so go ahead and expand to the exterior as well. Designers can develop hardscapes or landscape works of art with plants, rocks, or other designs. Zippia estimates landscape artists make about $22 per hour, but your skills can impact how much you earn.
Work with real estate agents to stage the outside of homes. Both buyers and sellers want to have excellent curb appeal as the outside is the first impression upon pulling up to the house. You don’t have to do landscape work to come up with the design. You can also focus on adding colour with potted plants, designing the porch area, or adding outdoor furnishings to expand the living space and make the backyard more enjoyable.
The above ideas should get you started on which services you might offer to diversify your interior design business and make it recession-proof. As you work with clients, listen to their needs. You may find the best side hustles spur from an unresolved problem to which you can figure out the solution.
The key to success is flexibility. When your salary falls short as an interior designer or you feel a little burnt out from all the creative designs, it’s time to look for a side hustle to break up the monotony and keep funds rolling in. The more streams of income you bring in, the less you’ll rely on a handful of clients. You’ll find success no matter what the market does or how saturated the interiors industry becomes.
Evelyn Long is an interior design expert passionate about improving the businesses and services of professional interior designers. She is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Renovated Magazine, where she shares interior design tips for renters and homeowners. Subscribe to Renovated for more posts by Evelyn.
Think wedding, think traditional white dress, vows at the altar, and a three-tiered cake. Or not. This conventional wedding narrative is a little outdated.
Couples' reasoning for marriage today has transcended mere tradition, and so their weddings must follow suit.
For this new generation of wedding clients, personalisation, intimacy, and sustainability take centre stage. In order to stay relevant to a changing clientele, wedding planners and their business model must too evolve.
In order to understand how wedding planners can best adapt to the needs and wants of modern day couples, we asked three wedding industry insiders with an innovative approach to wedding planning to recount how their wedding business has evolved in the last year—and explain how yours can too.
Today marriage is a profoundly personal milestone rather than a purely religious or conventional one. Without traditional constraints and expectations, couples are able to view their wedding day as a celebration of themselves as individuals.
Gone are the days of stuffy ballrooms with hundreds of distant attendees. Instead, couples want more intimate celebrations with a focus on creating joyful memories. They need a planner who understand them as individuals and is happy to guide, not to impose.
Jamie Wolfer is the CEO of Wolfer & Co—a modern wedding planning service for modern couples. For Jamie, embracing the individuality of her couples is second nature, "I like to think of myself as a wedding planning chameleon, adapting to the unique colours of each couple's needs."
A wedding planner today needs to rip up the rulebook—shunning convention in favour of listening and responding to the couple in front of them. The results are bound to be a lot more fun, for the couple and the planner alike—think: pets walking down the aisle, wedding dresses in vibrant colours, street food vendors, and unexplored venues.
Beyond individuality, modern couples want ease. And what is easier than dialling in to your wedding from your sofa?
Micaela Beltran is the co-founder and CEO of Courtly—a leading provider of virtual legal marriage ceremonies. Courtly has seen huge growth over the last few years, which makes sense when , according to Micaela, "easygoing," "quick," and "seamless" are the most common requests from clients these days.
For a generation of digital natives, a virtual wedding is almost second nature. Our world is becoming increasingly interconnected, with more people living and loving across borders than ever before. Micaela rightly points out that the number of individuals residing outside their native countries has tripled since 1960; with families spread out across the world, the demand for virtual weddings where distance is not a barrier to attendance was bound to increase. There is no doubt the increase in virtual weddings was also spurred by the pandemic, but Micaela attributes their sustained popularity to two factors: : high flexibility and autonomy.
Even if the ceremony itself doesn't occur online, an increasing number of couples are keen to keep the planning process strictly virtual. Sarah Klingman, CEO of virtual wedding planning service Mostest, has not been surprised by the trend, Sarah explains, "Our couple uses Uber and Amazon, and are working remotely—of course they seek flexible, remote-friendly options for their wedding planning needs."
So, modern couples are not adverse to taking their weddings online, and they want weddings that are vibrant expressions of individuality—that is, if they want a wedding at all. "Over the last 50 years, the marriage rate in the U.S. has dropped by nearly 60%," explains Micaela.
Financial strain is a huge contributing factor to this statistic. Those who do choose to get married often do so with the caveat of a restricted budget. Therefore, Micaela sees the popularity of her service as no surprise, "Since marriage itself is less of a priority, it makes sense that many people who decide to make that commitment would go with a less costly and lower stress option like at-home marriage or online platforms."
According to the Get Wed Pro 2023 UK Wedding Industry Report, 43% of couples prioritise budget-friendly weddings. Sarah echoes this sentiment, "There's an increased focus on 'savvy spending'—balancing cost with quality—amongst modern-day couples," Sarah observes. To cater to this demographic, Sarah separated the traditional full-planning service into individual components and offered them up in an à la carte menu. here couples can pick and choose the level of assistance they want, and save money on services they don't want nor need. Sarah's clients can pick and choose the level of assistance they want, and save money on services they don't want nor need. —a build your own wedding planning service, if you will.
This level of customisability is not only budget-friendly, but also addresses the modern day couples' preference for independence. The Wed Pro 2023 report also revealed that 26% of couples are happy to tackle the big day themselves—in other words, a quarter of a wedding planner's potential clients are considering foregoing a planner altogether.
In order to remain relevant to this growing number of DIY-brides, Jamie Wolfer has adopted a more hands-off approach. Jamie explains, "For the fiercely independent clients, I've tailored packages that are less about hand-holding and more about empowerment." This method of planning suits Jamie too, "I'm all about that partnership vibe, working alongside my clients rather than doing every little thing for them—that's just not my style." This toned down approach to wedding planning benefits both parties—planners are freed from the heavy workload while couples are empowered to put their personal stamp on their celebration.
Even after adopting a more hands-off approach, Jamie noticed that some couples were still slipping through the cracks—and she gets it: "Let's be real, not everyone wants to drop a small fortune on a planner." But rather than close the door on hyper-independent couples, Jamie came up with a solution: expand offerings, scale back involvement.
Jamie has developed a digital course to equip couples with everything they need to plan their own wedding, titled The Master Plan. Jamie explains, "This is a resource designed to guide couples through the planning process in a more actionable way than just weekly tips – it's like having a wedding planner in your pocket!" By offering a (paid) digital resource, Jamie has created a new income stream for herself, expanded her potential clientele, and addressed the evolving needs of modern day couples.
Similarly, Sarah updated the Mostest website to host easy-access digital tools for newly engaged couples, such as a budget calculator. The design was also given a modern makeover to speak directly to the next generation of wedding clients. Font, colours, the written word—Sarah uses all the tools at her disposal to convey her understanding of a modern day client's needs and tastes. Sarah explains, "Our communication and branding emphasise flexibility, inclusivity, and modernity, reflecting the values of this next generation of couples. We’ve also tailored our social content to engage younger audiences with editorial visuals, real stories, and modern wedding planning tips."
In today's wedding scene, couples are departing from traditional norms, opting instead for low-cost, intimate celebrations that reflect their unique personalities. Whilst many couples are opting for a DIY approach, there is still a need for expert assistance, presenting an opportunity for planners to creatively adapt their services and present their expertise in new ways.
To thrive in this evolving landscape, wedding planners must offer flexible, affordable, and personalised options. Strategies include rethinking packages to offer à la carte and project-based services, providing comprehensive online resources, prioritising client values over tradition, and supporting online weddings with virtual services and resources.
Today, everything is posted online—images, videos, learning materials, and even creative interior designs. But once online, how do interior design businesses prevent others from wrongly claiming ownership of your images?
Interior designers are both artists and entrepreneurs. They need to get active online to attract clients, build a reputation, and network with other professionals. But, once these images hit the internet—be it on social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, in press features, or on directories like Houzz—these images become vulnerable to misuse, replication, or outright theft. Sadly, a single right-click is all it can take for someone to download your images without your consent.
This vulnerability has heightened the awareness of image ownership and copyright among interior designers. To protect your intellectual property, let's discuss...
You take pride in your work, and only you can take credit for them!
While it's a hard pill to swallow, interior designs are not subject to copyright under the U.S. intellectual property law. Only the images of them are.
This is because the law only recognises the images of a design as artistic property and not the design itself. This means that even after dedicating your time, effort, and expertise to a project, the photographer legally owns the rights to the captured images.
Photographers usually grant designers a license or permission to use these images as a part of their service. But even so, this doesn't stop other people online from misusing these images and credit-grabbing. This poses a threat to photographers and interior designers alike, but more so to designers who do not own any legal rights to these images.
Image theft can manifest in various forms. While reposting can be acceptable in certain situations with proper credit, it's vital to always seek the creator's consent and provide clear attribution. Unfortunately, practices like using "ctto" (credit to the owner) or omitting credit altogether are widespread, despite violating the designer's rights and control.
Two of the most common forms of image theft are unauthorised image posting and credit grabbing. These two usually come hand in hand together—a person or entity posts a design on their page, crops out or removes the watermark, and claims it as theirs.
This, unfortunately, happens all too often, as exemplified by Lindsay Black, a Tennessee-based interior designer. In her experience, a vendor had cropped out her fixture on a photo of her home revamp and posted it as a listing for budget lighting on Bed Bath and Beyond. Worse, after posting about her experience, her followers sent her more examples of her photos getting reposted on Lowe's, Amazon, and even eBay. Marissa Nelums, CEO of Glass House Interior, also had a similar experience. Except, it was regrettably done by another interior design studio.
Another form of image theft is image doctoring. This is the unauthorised altering or manipulating of images to use them for advertisements, listings, videos, and so on. An infamous example was when Home Depot created an advertisement out of replicated images from other designers' portfolios.
If you find out that someone has stolen photos of your interior design project, then you have to act fast. Make sure to give a quick call to your photographer since this issue will affect them as well.
There are several ways to address this issue. The most basic and obvious thing to do is to carefully read the fine print. Clearly outline the terms of use for your designs and specify how they can be used to prevent disputes down the line. This will also serve as vital proof should you need to take the issue to court.
Another solution is to use AI for image recognition and monitoring. While generative AI poses a problem among designers due to some people using it to create replicas of existing designs, some AI tools can help you track the use of your images online and identify instances of unauthorised use. This way, you'll know who to reach out to or who to file a case against. In addition, you can also use AI tools to watermark your images with your logo or invisible signatures which can later prove ownership of your work.
Moooi, a Dutch furniture brand, has also developed a new tool that verifies authenticity called the Button. This tool is shaped as a small white disc with a raised pattern containing a microchip. By downloading the app on a smartphone or tablet and scanning the Button, you receive a product description that lets you know who the creator is. To register a product on the Button, all you have to do is tap the Button and you'll be redirected to the Moooi website.
Last but not least, own it! Make sure that your media is louder and more established than other reposts. This way, your followers become familiar with your work and can help you track down other entities who have stolen or reposted your images. If possible, you should also take time to check if photos of your designs have been reposted anywhere and see to it that you and your photographer receive credit for it. If not, send emails or messages to them to reinforce this or ask them to take it down.
Every day, interior designers are challenged to protect their work from image theft. Since the U.S. intellectual property law only subjects the image to copyright, you have to work with your photographer to protect your design from unauthorised use.
Image theft manifests in various forms, from unauthorised image posting to credit grabbing and image doctoring. These practices not only violate the creator's rights but also undermine their control over their work.
To address image theft, designers should combine technological solutions, like AI, with traditional approaches like careful contract crafting and assertive ownership. AI can be used for image recognition and monitoring. While innovations like the Button by Moooi offer novel ways to verify the authenticity of designs and provide information about their original creators.
Colours, textures, lighting, fabrics, and furniture—what more does an interior designer need? London Design Week 2024 is the ultimate celebration of all things home. Bursting with opportunities for networking, inspiration, and discovery, the five-day event will offer an inside look into global interior design trends and practices in 2024.
From March 11-15, Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour will host a plethora of panels with interior design industry leaders, workshops with world-renowned designers, and showrooms featuring luxurious collections. The all-encompassing design event with over 100 unique programmes caters to designers and creative minds alike in search of a source of inspiration.
In such a competitive and demanding sphere, designers are always expected to be at the top of their game. London Design Week will present attendees with the invaluable tools and resources needed to grow their interior design businesses in 2024. For interior designers, London Design Week offers...
“Find out what sparks connection and gain valuable advice on creating spaces that feel right."
Speakers: Flora Soames and Kathryn Ireland
“A discussion of practical tips from across the industry to be more sustainable.”
Speakers: Jules Haines (founder of Haines Collection) is joined by experts from Kirkby Design, Hagen Hinderdael, Soho Lighting and Edward Bulmer Paint
“What is it that really sets you apart and how do you communicate it in a way that feels authentic?
Speakers: Suzy Hoodless, Adam Bra, and Mimi Shodeinde
“Discover her secrets to creating boutique hotel vibes from the comfort of home that focus on a warm, welcoming ambience.”
Educator: Susie Atkinson, Atkinson Studio
“A fast track to the latest design directions for spring/summer 24, from the tropical to the whimsical, and the styling secrets that brought them together.”
Educators: Arabella McNie, creative director and Rebecca Gleeson, head of public relations, Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour
“Whether you are creating a calm space or a vibrant interior, discover the impact of colour, not only on the space itself but also those who occupy it.”
Educator: Marianne Cotterill, Esther Patterson, and Stefan Ormenisan
“Enjoy muffins and mimosas as you browse the refreshed showroom filled with new style sure to inspire.”
“Join Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour’s concierge and discover the most talked-about product debuts at London Design Week 2024 with a tour into the showrooms.”
"Sanderson and Giles Deacon invite you to view and experience their sublime collection of fabrics and wall coverings"
Can't get enough? View the full London Design Week 2024 programme.
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