To start an event planning business, pick one event type, register and insure the business, build a bench of vendors you trust, and use written contracts with non-refundable deposits. You can run it from home at first. The assets that matter are your vendor relationships, your portfolio of past events and a process that keeps every detail on schedule.
This guide explains how to start an event planning business in the US, the UK and Nigeria, including startup costs, permits, pricing and how to keep bookings coming between peak seasons.
Key takeaways
- Specialize by event type. Weddings, corporate events and social celebrations are different businesses.
- Deposits and clear cancellation terms protect you more than any insurance policy.
- Your vendor list is your product. Reliable caterers, decorators and AV teams make you look good.
- Permits and alcohol rules vary by venue and city. Check them for every event, not once.
Is event planning a good business to start?
Demand is growing faster than average in the US, and a meaningful share of planners already work for themselves.
- 172,100 meeting, convention and event planner jobs in the US in 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025
- $61,160 median annual pay for event planners (May 2025) US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025
- 6% projected job growth, 2025–35 (faster than average) US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025
The employer mix tells you where the clients are: associations and nonprofits, venues and hotels, and businesses that outsource events. One in ten planners is self-employed.
Which event planning niche should you choose?
Choose by who pays and how often they book. Your target market shapes your pricing, your vendor list and where you advertise.
| Niche | Who pays | Booking pattern | Typical lead time | What they value most |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weddings | Couples and families | Once, but referrals follow | 6–18 months | Calm, taste, vendor quality |
| Corporate (conferences, launches, offsites) | Companies, associations | Repeat, yearly calendars | 2–9 months | Reliability, budgets, reporting |
| Social (birthdays, anniversaries, owambe parties) | Families | Occasional, seasonal | 1–3 months | Creativity, value |
| Nonprofit and fundraisers | Charities, foundations | Yearly | 3–6 months | Cost control, donor experience |
| Virtual and hybrid | Companies, educators | Repeat | 1–3 months | Tech reliability, engagement |
Corporate work pays more steadily because the same client books again every year. Weddings pay well per event and generate referrals, but each client books once.
What does it cost to start an event planning business?
| Cost item | US (USD) | UK (GBP) | Nigeria (NGN) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registration | EIN free; state filing fee varies | Sole trader free; company £100 | CAC fee (check current fee) |
| Public liability insurance (yearly) | $400–$1,200 | £100–£450 | ₦50,000–₦250,000 |
| Website and portfolio photos | $500–$3,000 | £400–£2,500 | ₦200,000–₦1,500,000 |
| Planning software and templates (yearly) | $150–$600 | £120–£500 | ₦80,000–₦300,000 |
| Starter kit (emergency kit, signage, basic decor) | $300–$1,500 | £250–£1,200 | ₦150,000–₦800,000 |
| Styled shoot or showcase event (optional) | $500–$2,500 | £400–£2,000 | ₦300,000–₦2,000,000 |
Registration figures are from the official sources below. Other ranges are estimates from typical quotes we’ve seen, not survey data. Get two or three local quotes for each item before you commit to a budget.
How do you register and insure an event planning business?
United States. Register as a sole proprietor or LLC with your state, and check city and county licensing (SBA licensing guide). Get a free EIN. Many venues require you to show liability insurance before you can work on site. Alcohol, fireworks and street closures usually need separate permits, often held by the venue or caterer.
United Kingdom. Register as a sole trader once you earn over £1,000 a year from self-employment (GOV.UK), or as a limited company (Companies House). If an event at an unlicensed venue will sell alcohol, a Temporary Event Notice costs £21, covers fewer than 500 people including staff, and must be given at least 10 clear working days before the event (GOV.UK).
Nigeria. Register a business name with the CAC. For large public gatherings, check with the venue, your state government and local authorities about safety and noise permits, and get it in writing who holds them.
How do you price event planning services?
Most planners use one of three models: a flat package fee, a percentage of the event budget, or an hourly rate for partial planning and “day-of” coordination. Whichever you choose, collect a non-refundable deposit at booking.
Worked example (illustrative) for a full-planning wedding in the US:
- Your estimated time across nine months: 120 hours.
- Target rate: $50 an hour → 120 × $50 = $6,000.
- Add 10% for unbillable travel and site visits: $6,000 × 1.10 = $6,600 package price.
- Deposit at signing: 30% = $1,980, non-refundable. Balance in two installments before the event.
If you plan 12 weddings a year at $6,600, revenue is 12 × $6,600 = $79,200. Add day-of coordination packages in the off-season to smooth cash flow.
In Nigeria, many planners charge a coordination fee separately from vendor costs, and ask clients to pay vendors directly. That keeps large sums off your books and reduces your risk if a vendor fails to deliver.
How to start an event planning business: step by step
Your launch plan
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Choose your niche
One event type and one city or region for year one.
-
Get real experience
Assist an established planner or volunteer at events. Document what you learn.
-
Build your vendor bench
Two options each for catering, decor, photography, AV, venue and transport. Ask about their cancellation terms.
-
Register and insure
Business registration, public liability insurance and a business bank account.
-
Write your contract
Scope, payment schedule, deposit, cancellation, force majeure and vendor responsibility.
-
Create a portfolio
Photograph every event (with permission) and write short case notes: budget, guests, what you solved.
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Launch your website and listings
Service pages per event type, a gallery and an inquiry form.
How do event planners find clients?
- Referrals from vendors. Caterers and venues meet couples and companies before planners do. Send them work and ask for the same in return. A simple referral marketing program helps.
- Local search. People search “event planner near me” and “wedding planner in Lekki” or “conference organizer Manchester”. A Google Business Profile with reviews and a site with location pages helps, which is what our local SEO service focuses on.
- Instagram and TikTok. Event work is visual. Post the setup, the details and the client’s reaction.
- Corporate outreach. Contact office managers and HR teams before budget season with a simple offsite or end-of-year party package.
- Paid ads in peak season. Short paid campaigns around engagement season or the run-up to December can fill gaps.
Event planning is sold on trust, and trust comes from proof people can see. Before spending on ads, I'd put three finished events on your site, each with the brief, the guest count and photos of the setup. Then ask your vendor partners to link to you. Paid campaigns work better once there is something convincing for people to land on.
Myth vs fact
- MythYou need an office and a big budget to start.
- FactMost new planners work from home and meet clients at venues or online. Spend on insurance, a portfolio and a good contract before you spend on an office.
- MythBeing creative is the main skill.
- FactCreativity wins the first meeting. Budgets, timelines, vendor management and calm problem-solving on the day are what earn referrals.
Before you take a client's deposit
- Niche and service area chosen
- Business registered and business account open
- Public liability insurance in place
- Contract with deposit, cancellation and force majeure terms
- Vendor bench with backups for each category
- Event timeline and run-of-show templates
- Day-of emergency kit packed
- Website or portfolio with at least three events
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start an event planning business?
A home-based planner can start with a few thousand dollars or pounds, mostly for insurance, a website and portfolio photos. In Nigeria, many planners start with less by building a portfolio through assisting and volunteering first.
Do I need a license to be an event planner?
There is usually no specific event planner licence in the US, UK or Nigeria, but you must register the business. Individual events may need permits for alcohol, noise, fireworks or road use, usually arranged with the venue.
How do event planners get paid?
Through flat package fees, a percentage of the event budget, or hourly rates for partial planning. Take a non-refundable deposit at signing and schedule the balance before the event date.
Can I start an event planning business with no experience?
Yes, if you build experience before you charge full price. Assist other planners, run small events for friends at a discount, and document everything for your portfolio.
What is the most profitable type of event planning?
Corporate events tend to give the steadiest income because clients book every year. Luxury weddings pay the most per event but book once. Pick based on your network.
If inquiries have dried up and you can’t tell why, a growth audit checks your site, search visibility and inquiry flow.
