How I came up with the idea of becoming a wedding planner
After 28 years in the communications field, I had plenty of time to get used to demanding clients of all kinds. Passionate about decoration and weddings, I also had the pleasure of organizing different events for my loved ones for more than ten years: birthdays, christenings, weddings and more. Those were wonderful experiences, and after seeing the joy and satisfaction of the people around me, I quickly realized how deeply I enjoyed it. Organization, attention to detail and my way with people are among my strengths, so I knew that one day I would become self-employed and live a new adventure. That is why I became a wedding planner.
Tell us about your journey before getting started
An opportunity came up within my company: a voluntary departure plan. For me, it was the opportunity to launch my own business in the event world. But before taking that step, I worked on my market research and business plan. Once my project had been validated by the expert consultancy appointed by my company, I decided to create ClickEnjoy. Because I care deeply about delivering quality work, I trained in both wedding planning and wedding design at the International Wedding Institute. It gave me the foundations necessary for good organization and helped me deepen my entrepreneurial knowledge. I also made sure to train in business management, accounting and sales strategy.
What difficulties did you face before getting started and how did you overcome them?
The road to creating my company was far from smooth. There was so much to do to prepare properly as an entrepreneur. I had to work on my visual identity, my image and my credibility, and also train myself in the use of social networks. I hired a graphic designer and a webmaster, had business cards and flyers printed and distributed them in mailboxes, bought advertising placements in newspapers and on wedding and event websites, and put up posters in local shops. All of those were useful tools for getting noticed by future clients.
However, in order to manage transport and ticket bookings for my clients, I needed to register with Atout France. Unfortunately, no insurer agreed to cover me for professional tourism liability. Still, I have not given up. It is simply postponed for now.
Tell us about your agency
Certified as both a wedding planner and wedding designer, I created ClickEnjoy at the end of August 2019. I specialize in bespoke weddings and events. By nature, I am cheerful and energetic, and nothing makes me happier than making people happy.
Based in Paris, I support both private and professional clients in designing and making their events successful: weddings, birthdays, baby showers, seminars, Christmas parties, evening events and more.
By calling on my services, they can enjoy complete peace of mind, benefiting from my expertise, high-quality service, and my network of carefully selected vendors chosen for their professionalism and know-how.
My goal is to reassure them and make this special day unique and unforgettable in their image. And because every detail matters, I offer to stay by their side from conception to execution all the way to the wedding day. Nothing is left to chance.
I offer bespoke services adapted to each request. In addition, because I am also a wedding designer and have taken extra training in floral art, I can also manage the decoration for them. Whatever the theme, I advise and create the decor according to their expectations and wishes.
A first meeting is offered free of charge and without commitment so we can get to know each other and discuss the project. That meeting is essential in order to prepare a personalized quote.
My biggest day-to-day difficulty and how I deal with it
The greatest difficulty is becoming known because there is a lot of competition. You need to be very patient and, above all, find a way to stand out from agencies that have been established for years. In the first two months, I invested in Google Ads campaigns to boost my visibility. I try to update my blog as often as possible and stay active on social media. I also subscribed to listings on Mariages.net, Zankyou, Bepup and Solocal to reach professionals. I remain optimistic, I do not give up, I persevere in my actions, and the support of my loved ones gives me the energy I need in moments of doubt.
The road to creating my company was not smooth because there were so many things to think about and do in order to prepare well as an entrepreneur. After 30 years of professional life, I first had to go back to school and regain learning habits in order to earn my wedding planner and wedding designer certifications. Fortunately, I am organized and conscientious by nature, which helped me find a rhythm. I also had to work on the whole company creation process, visual identity and marketing strategy. For my logo, I chose to work with a graphic designer, and I hired a webmaster for my website.
To be able to manage transport and ticket reservations for my clients, I needed to register with Atout France. Unfortunately, after several weeks of research, no organization agreed to insure me for professional tourism liability, so that had to be postponed. Another challenge was getting familiar with social media. Not being from the digital generation, I quickly realized how important it was to develop my web marketing strategy. I had to train and create professional Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn accounts. Since then, I try to post regularly, even if it remains one of the parts I enjoy the least.
What the IWI program brought me
The IWI programs gave me a great deal in terms of knowledge and working methodology for both the wedding planner and wedding designer professions. The institute allowed me to acquire real skills that are essential for good organization and for creating high-quality weddings, while also giving me the opportunity to make wonderful encounters. I am truly glad I followed this path, and I remain convinced that without these programs, I would not have been able to start my business with confidence.