Full-Service wedding planner

Engaged couples with limited time, and often family members who help fund the wedding.

A flat fee or a percentage of the wedding budget, paid in instalments from booking through to the day. Some planners also earn referral fees from suppliers, which should be disclosed to clients.

• Budgeting and negotiation
• Design taste and attention to detail
• Sales and relationship building
• Problem solving when things change

• Commercial general liability insurance, and consider coverage for event cancellation advice or errors and omissions
• Check your municipality's rules on home-based businesses and when you must register for GST/HST
• Handling client deposits and supplier payments carefully, with clear records and written contracts
• Quebec has its own rules and French-language requirements, so check them if you work there
• Long sales cycles and seasonal income, so keep a cash buffer for quiet months

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on your insurance, equipment and how you set up your home studio. Commercial general liability insurance is one item to check and budget for.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on how many weddings you take on and your fees. Sales cycles are long and income is seasonal, so keep a cash buffer for quiet months.

Check your municipality's rules on home-based businesses and when you must register for GST/HST. Handle deposits and supplier payments with clear records and written contracts, and check Quebec's own rules and French-language requirements if you work there.