How to Become a Reception Designer

Become a reception designer and enjoy a career making dreams come true.

Friends rave about your events, proclaiming them festive, fun and impeccably planned. Additionally, you've got a knack for organization, the patience of Job and your picture appears in the dictionary under the term "multitasker." It's time to abandon the job you're not wild about to do what you love. Becoming a reception designer is more than a great career move -- it's a gift to brides in no shape to order a cupcake, much less choose the venue in which to serve it.

Instructions

1. Get more education. Sign up for classes in party planning, public relations and catering, so you feel confident about your ability to come up with themes, coordinate table linens, hire DJs or set up a wedding cake sampling. Your time and/or obligations may preclude you from attending a regularly scheduled class, so turn to "study at home" CD or DVD courses that allow you pursue your studies on your own schedule.

2. Check out the competition. If you happen to live in a major metro area, you'll find plenty of reception designers and planners in the phone book, but don't get paranoid. The bigger the city, the larger the number of brides in need of assistance. Unearth as much financial information as possible about the fees these reception designers charge, so you neither price yourself above the market nor lowball your quotes. Once you've gathered your research, decide whether you want to charge brides by the hour or bundle your services for a single fee.

3. Set up office space. If you earmark a room in your home, you won't have a place to meet with prospective clients, and first impressions mean a lot. It needn't be fancy -- a simple office with a conference table or couch and coffee table work nicely. Come up with a clever business name -- make it elegant and classy, or flip and fun, if that's your personality. Complete an online search to make sure the name isn't being used; if a website is on your list, snap up a matching domain name. Order business cards, letterhead and a brochure detailing your services.

4. Become a savvy marketer. Rather than paying for full-page ads in bridal magazines, placing brochures in floral shops and supplying bakers and caterers with flyers, use social networking to your advantage. Twitter, Facebook and other communications networks will spread the word about your new business, and you can make additional connections by contacting local tux, gown, catering and floral shops to introduce yourself. It makes perfectly good business sense to mention donating five percent of the cost of a reception to a church or temple as a result of their referral. After all, this business is all about relationships.

Tips & Warnings

• Diversify once you've become an established reception designer. There's money to be made organizing receptions for corporations, clubs, institutions and organizations.

References

• African Sisters.com: 10 Steps to a Job as a Wedding Planner
• Entrepreneur: How to Become a Wedding Consultant
• Institute of Professional Wedding Planners: Syllabus
• Association of Certified Professional Wedding Planners