As planners, we’ve all had those moments where we think, Am I doing this right? Should I be making more money? What the heck is that other planner making anyways? Starting your own small business is no small feat, and, with the overwhelming nature of the job, sometimes it can be comforting just to know what’s going on with others in the industry. So, we decided to kick off 2018 with a little something we’re calling “Salary Talk.” In a toast to transparency, we asked our community of wedding planning pros three money-related questions. Read on for the results. 
What was your take home salary the FIRST YEAR you planned weddings professionally?
Over 80% of respondents made less than $10,000 the first year they planned weddings. Keep that number in mind the next time you’re beating yourself up about having to maintain a full-time job and plan weddings on the side. The wedding planning struggle is real—especially when you’re first starting out in the industry. It’s all about delivering a great client experience and slowly building to a place where you can turn planning into your full-time gig—be OK with the fact that this can take years. 
How much in total wedding budgets did you manage in 2017?
The wedding budgets planners managed throughout 2017 varied. Just under 20% of respondents managed $50,000 or less, while over 40% managed budgets ranging $100,001-$500,000. 
What was your take home salary from your wedding planning business in 2017?
While over 80% of respondents made less than $10,000 in their first year of planning (our first question), we learned that, in 2017, only 27.9% of respondents made under $10,000. What this tells us is that your income does increase as you go along—it’s all about gaining experience, making connections, and refining your client experience and workflow. Didn't participate in our survey but want to share your thoughts? We'd love to hear them in the comments below!
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