Tips for Creating Your Event Planning Portfolio
I’ve seen so many different types of portfolios from planners and wedding professionals. Most wedding planning companies have their creative work shown on their website and blog. You can create professional photo albums from weddings you have planned (get permission from the photographer and from your clients).
Some planners create a physical portfolio book that includes sample timelines, stationery pieces, and photos from client’s weddings. You could have an online slide show or have a slide show on your laptop or iPad with images from weddings you have done. Since wedding planners provide an intangible service, it is important to show potential clients what we can do and create. Read: What to Include in your Wedding Planner Portfolio.
Here are four way for building and expanding your event planning portfolio:
1) Plan and organize a styled photo shoot
A photo shoot is a mock setup of a wedding. It typically includes a guest table with linen, stationery pieces, place settings, a centerpiece, and guest chairs. Sometimes photo shoots include a model bride, a cake or dessert display, and a place card display.
A photo shoot gives you the opportunity to show your creativity and teaches you how to work with vendors. The cost of the photo shoot is minimal since each vendor would provide complimentary details or services for the photo shoot. Once you determine the location and possible date, confirm your photographer who will take pictures of the setup. Then you can work on securing vendors for the tables, chairs, linens, flowers, cake, and stationery.
After the shoot, ask the photographer for digital images that you can use on your website and in your portfolio. Share the images with all of the participating vendors so they can use the photos in their portfolios.
If you are just starting out in your wedding planning career, look for other vendors professionals who are also just starting their businesses. They will need images for their portfolios and might be more willing to participate than someone who has been established for years. You may want to submit the images for publication as well.
2) Help a friend, friend of a friend or family member with their wedding
Not only will this give you valuable experience, it will also give you photos for your portfolio and real timelines to show potential clients. If your clients were happy, ask for a written testimonial to use on your website. Read: 4 Ways to Fast-Track Your Career as an Aspiring Wedding Planner
3) Show off education certificates and professional memberships
Whether you have a certificate from an online certification program, a membership certificate from a wedding industry association, or a diploma from a design class, don’t be afraid to put these in your portfolio. This will help potential clients see that you are serious about education and your business.
4) Create sample inspiration boards and wedding day timelines
If you already have experience, show potential clients what you can do by showing off photos and production schedules from weddings you have done. If you are just getting started, create sample inspiration boards and sample wedding day timelines to show prospective clients. The Wedding Planner’s Toolbox has timeline templates to help you get started.
What has been the best way for you to show off your work to potential clients? Online photos, a slideshow, photo albums, social media outlets, or something different?
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[…] online version of your wedding planning portfolio is great if you are doing all your consultation virtually or if you are looking for something more […]
[…] and friends (birthdays, weddings, anniversaries). Any prior experience will help you build your wedding planner portfolio. Working for a catering company, a hotel, an event venue, or at an event rental company will give […]
I tried inspiration boards, it works great!
That is great Steve! Glad those are working for you.
I am very grateful for your advice in regards to wedding planning. What you said about having stylized photo shoots to show different clients online of what you are capable of is really important, especially when you are trying to get more publicity. With that being said, reaching out to other bloggers and artists would not be a bad idea either! Thanks again!
So glad this article was helpful. Thank you for commenting!
[…] a new planner, I was struggling with adding photos to my website and to my wedding planner portfolio before my bookings picked up. I found that a great way to get those much-needed photos was to […]
[…] 2) Do a styled photo shoot […]
Wow!!!!! Very Nice info thanks for share.
Thank you!
[…] This article on the Planner’s Lounge lists several tips when creating your wedding planner portfolio […]
Hi, my name is Jean Ann. I am still in high school. I am the president in FCCLA at a career tech in Oklahoma, I am in a competition of Life Planning Event (District is second Friday in November) and I have picked weddings to use, and I have found your website from I still have no idea how to really put it in a portfolio form, is the anyway you give me ideas of how to start it?
Good luck Jean! This post might help: https://plannerslounge.com/wedding-planner-business-tips/. Also, using a binder might help where you can include inspiration boards, timelines, photos, etc.
[…] Creating a wedding planner portfolio – Planner’s Lounge – How to build a portfolio when you are just starting out as an event planner […]
Hi Debbie I’m just starting out and I would like to know if I could send you some photos of a 50th birthday celebrations I planned
and I did the design and décor for the event? I would like your hones opinion on my work although it was done with items from
Party City and not an rental company. I still would like your take on the concept and the overall design.
Hi! Thank you so much for your comment. I could certainly do this as part of either an email coaching session or a one-on-one coaching session. You can find the options here:https://plannerslounge.com/event-planner-coaching-and-mentoring/
In your post you mentioned starting a blog. What types of things should be blogging about since we are just getting started. I loved the advice.
Hi Trista. This post will help you with blog topics: https://plannerslounge.com/20-blog-topics-for-wedding-planners/
Thank you so very much for your very thoughtful and wonderful suggestions. I was looking for something to guide mew here to start and how to start. I help so many friends and family have their days of joy. I am so exited to starting something of my own with my experience. Once again thank you soooo very much.
Good luck Vilshu!
I was the day-of coordinator for a wedding. Can I ask the photographer to use pictures from the wedding?
Yes, most of the time, the photographer will share professional images with the planner as long as you credit the photographer anywhere you use the images.
What is a good site for your portable online portfolio?
I think having a blog is one of the best ways to display it since you can include photos, text and links. This can also help brides find you online since it is a website. You could also upload and share photos with your potential clients through websites such as Smugmug or Shutterfly.
Thank you for posting this helpful information on how to start a portfolio! I am a working toward starting my own wedding planning business and I am a little confused when it comes to requesting for permission for use of a wedding photographers images. Would you suggest that I sign a separate contract with the photographer stating that he/she will provide me with images to use for marketing on my website? Should these images be free since I have provided them business by providing them the client? Thank for clarifying as I see many photographers images on wedding planning sites, however, I am not sure how to go about getting access to the images the right way. Much thanks!
Thank you for commenting Tiffany. Most photographers will let you use the images complimentary as long as you give them credit wherever you use them. Ask each photographer what their policy is. Most will share with you.
Hi Debbie,
I find your site very helpful, thank you for sharing you advice with us planners!
I have also recently started a business, I find getting enough clients for the month is not very easy.
So true Michelle. Keep with it. It will get easier as you get more experience and get your name out there.
Hi! I am still in college and was wondering if there is anytime and point when I should start making a portfolio for myself. I have been on pinterest and getting some ideas from there. I want to take pictures for myself. I don’t really want to pay for a photographer yet. What I read in your blog is awesome. It helped a lot. I guess I am a little confused on where to start. Please Help me. Thanks, Liz
Elizabeth, thank you for your comment. It is never too early to start making a portfolio. You can take photos yourself for now and start building your portfolio either online (such as with your own blog) or with a folder/binder/album.
Hi, thanks for the tips am just about starting my wedding planning business and putting things together for my portfolio. Please if you have any more advise they would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your comment Komi. You may want to check out our short online course which has a ton of great information about building your portfolio and getting experience when you first start out: https://plannerslounge.com/wedding-planner-course/
[…] Do a styled photo shoot. Even if you are just starting out as a planner, you can work with other vendors to design a […]
hi, i am starting my event planning business although i have been doing it un-officially for a few years. IM trying to build my portfolio and i have done a lot of staging and designing for another planner in my town. Is it appropriate to ask her for the photos of my work? Thanks for your advice.
Hi Celeste. You can ask the other planner if she will allow you to use the photos. Since you were working for her company at the time, she may consider those her work only and not share them.
Hi! I have to, like Celeste have been event planning un officially for the last 10 years! And definitely working on making it a secure business this year.My question is…should I have a portfolio that shows all the different vendors I can work with for their event ex: caterer, florist, make up artist etc My friend suggested having a tablet that the client can look at, scroll and zoom even. What’s your advice on that? Thanks in advance 🙂
A tablet with photos of your work and experience is a great way to show off what you can do to potential clients.
[…] Additional resources to help with your wedding and event planner portfolio: Tips for creating your wedding planner portfolio […]
This is great! Thank you for sharing this piece of information.
Thank you for being part of the community here Geri!
[…] Do a styled photo shoot. Even if you are just starting out as a planner, you can work with other vendors to design a […]
Was just reading your other post and found this one. I love it! Like I said, I’m taking event management courses at Kendall College and I can’t wait to start my career. I’m bookmarking this !!
Thanks Sarah! I love your comments!
[…] great advice — recent topics include, “7 Strategies to Recover from Burn Out“, “Tips for Creating Your Event Planning Portfolio“, and other great tips and […]
This is great information! It is so easy for future planners to start doing this, thanks for sharing all of these tips!
Thank you for the comment!