Pro bono wedding planning services are deeds driven by passion and compassion. Aware of the fact that a wedding is a luxury not everyone can afford, a wedding planning business organise charitable weddings to extend their services to those in need. This could include planning, coordination, or consulting services.

Unlike regular, paid weddings, however, a pro bono wedding will cost you not just time and effort but also money out of your pocket. Most charity weddings are completely free. So you need to compromise to keep your financial health steady while working for good causes on the side. But don't worry, it only gets easier and the rewards are remarkable!

In this article, you'll learn:

• the definition of pro bono wedding planning
• the factors to consider when offering pro bono services
• the challenges and rewards of working pro bono

Ready to take your first charity wedding gig? Let's get the ball rolling...

What is pro bono wedding planning?

Pro bono is derived from the Latin phrase pro bono publico, which translates to "for the public good". If a wedding business offers a pro bono wedding service, they will be planning a wedding for free for chosen beneficiaries. A planner may choose to offer pro bono wedding planning services for a variety of reasons, usually pro bono wedding services are offered to couples who have undergone hardship or are struggling financially.

When wedding planners work pro bono, they have the opportunity to change a couple's lives for the better. To successfully manage pro bono weddings, a wedding planner must be...

• Compassionate. Wedding planners must recognise the unique circumstances faced by their couples. You can't demand more than what the couple can reasonably provide. For instance, if a couple expresses concerns about their circumstances, you should listen attentively, validate their concerns, and offer support without making them feel inadequate.
• Flexible. Wedding planners need to understand that plans may sometimes need to be modified to meet the needs and priorities of clients. You don't have free reign just because there is no payment. Instead, be ready to offer alternative solutions and compromises on your ideas. It is important to set clear boundaries with a couple to ensure that both parties' needs are met while staying within the constraints of the pro bono arrangement.
• Organised. If you decide to offer pro bono services then you have to make sure that you can pay them as much attention as your other paid weddings. Create separate schedules and timelines for pro bono projects, and communicate constantly with clients to keep things on the right track. This way, you can deliver exceptional service while giving back to the community.

Should my wedding business offer pro bono services?

Pro bono work is extremely rewarding, even without the financial compensation. Working pro bono, or for charitable causes, is a way for wedding planners to give back and make a difference in the lives of others.

Sarah Klingman, CEO of Gather,  intermittently donates her time to pro bono weddings and also donates a portion of her company's proceeds to Best Buddies—a non-profit organisation for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. For Sarah, the decision to do so was simple. "Pro bono work has been integral to our model from the very beginning. These are not just causes; they are commitments to making a meaningful impact. The decision to offer services pro bono was driven by a desire to contribute positively to these areas."

Wedding planners are natural givers and always want to go above and beyond for clients. But, at what personal cost? It is important to ensure that working pro bono is a viable move for your wedding planning business. Before you start taking on pro bono wedding work, assess your business' capacity and clarify boundaries for yourself to avoid putting your finances at high risk.

Three questions to ask yourself before offering your wedding services for free...

1. Does offering pro bono services align with my business goals and values?

Whilst pro bono work can be fulfilling, it should not come at the expense of your personal goals for growth. The work you do for free should enrich your portfolio and be an enjoyable experience for you both professionally and personally. Planning a wedding pro bono should be an opportunity to connect with a new roster of wedding suppliers, a new photographer, and even a new venue. The content captured can be posted across your social media channels and your website in order to attract new couples and opportunities.

2. Have I set clear boundaries and can I communicate these to my pro bono clients?

Without a clear agreement in place, pro bono projects may be susceptible to scope creep—where clients expect more services than initially agreed upon. Setting boundaries protects your time, energy, and resources when you work for free. You have to communicate the scope of work, establish limitations, and make agreements in writing. Most importantly, you need to know when to say, "No".

3. Does my wedding business have enough resources (time, finances, network)?

Offering pro bono services puts strain on valuable resources, such as time, finances, and manpower. Sarah explains, "Balancing pro bono work while ensuring financial stability is simply said, challenging. Success requires stringent financial planning and prioritising projects that ensure financial health."

The charitable weddings you take on must not compromise the profitability and financial health of your wedding business. It is also important that you don't spread yourself too thin and risk creative burnout.

To avoid financial losses, Sarah plans strategically ahead and looks for support from fellow wedding professionals. "We actively seek partnerships and grants that align with our cause-driven work. These collaborations not only provide financial support but also amplify the impact of our work."

The rewards of working for free as a wedding planner

You may not earn money from charity weddings, but there are plenty of unexpected rewards to reap from doing a good deed.

Expand your professional network

Sourcing wedding suppliers to work for free might seem like a daunting task, but it is only difficult at the beginning. After a few charity weddings, you'll find yourself attracting vendors and professionals who share your values and views. This opens up opportunities for building your ideal vendor network and working on larger-scale projects.

Collect high-quality press and marketing material

Pro bono weddings are a gold mine for stunning photos and stories that you can use for digital marketing. Additionally, charity events like this always garner attention from publications since they're always hungry for heartwarming stories. If you're lucky, you might just get featured on bridal magazines or wedding blogs!

Build your portfolio, beautifully

Pro bono weddings add a meaningful touch to your portfolio. Other wedding planners could have a long list of grand weddings, however a pro bono wedding done out of pure generosity is rare. This speaks volumes of who you are as a person and how passionate you are about not just your career, but the community as well.

Expand your clientele

Having an advocacy attracts a new wave of clients who value good deeds above everything else. When clients learn about your commitment to giving underprivileged couples a chance to get wed, clients will flock to you for their wedding planning needs in silent allegiance to your goal. It's a similar idea to how committing to sustainable practices as a wedding planner attracts eco-conscious clients.

Pro bono wedding planning at a glance

Pro bono wedding planning is a compassionate gesture where you offer your expertise and services for free to underprivileged couples. Working pro bono comes with its set of challenges, from managing finances to setting boundaries. However, the rewards are just as remarkable, as they allow you to expand your professional network and clientele and explore exciting PR opportunities.

When you start working for charitable causes, you're working to redefine success. Pro bono projects offer something that paid weddings cannot, and that is the sense of achievement and pride in giving back to the community. As Sarah says, "Success is not just measured in profit, but in the difference we make in people’s lives and in the causes we believe in."

The key to success in not-for-profit wedding planning, according to Sarah is, "creating a sustainable model where passion and pragmatism coexist."