Are You Ready to Scale? Hard Financial Truths Every Wedding Pro Should Know

Master Certified Wedding Planner, Certified Educator and Co-Founder of The Event Ledger, Matt Mitchell joins the CWP Society's COO, Krisy Thomas for this episode of the Wedding Planner Pro Files to talk about a topic that’s often glamorized but rarely unpacked with honesty—scaling your wedding planning business. Together, they dive deep into what sustainable growth really looks like, and why it’s not always about doing more, but doing better.

The wedding industry buzzes constantly with talk about scaling, but few stop to ask whether your business is truly ready for growth. Matt shares a refreshing perspective: sometimes, the smartest move isn't expanding, but strengthening your foundation first.

"Being fully booked doesn't automatically mean your business is thriving," Matt reveals, identifying the three common culprits that drain profitability for wedding planners: underpricing services, maintaining unprofitable packages, and taking on too many time-intensive projects with inadequate returns. This reality check resonates with planners who find themselves working constantly yet wondering where the profits have gone.

The conversation digs into practical financial foundations every wedding business needs before scaling—from deposit structures and payment terms to revenue goals and expense forecasting. Matt walks through the critical process of conducting pricing audits, suggesting that planners regularly evaluate which services actually bring both profit and joy. "If you're dreading when someone books a particular package," he notes, "why are you still offering it?"

Perhaps most surprising is Matt's perspective on marketing and team building. Rather than immediately hiring associate planners when feeling overwhelmed, he suggests first outsourcing tasks that don't require your expertise but consume significant time—like administrative work or bookkeeping. Similarly, before investing heavily in advertising, ensure your message and offerings are completely dialed in. "Ads simply amplify what you're already doing," Matt explains. "They can't fix fundamental issues with your service offerings."

The episode concludes with guidance on avoiding burnout and unnecessary expenses—both silent profit-killers in the wedding industry. By adopting what Matt calls a "profit first mindset," planners can make intentional decisions about where to invest resources for maximum impact.

Ready to build a more financially sound wedding planning business? Schedule a "right fit call" at TheEventLedger.com and start creating the solid foundation your business deserves before your next growth phase.

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