• About
  • Advertise
  • Guest post
  • Contact
  • Privacy policy

Make Money Your Way

Choose the way. Earn more. Start today.

Side hustle series: Make money with weddings

October 29, 2013

Side hustle series: Make money with weddings. The wedding industry is BIG, and if you look around, it is pretty easy to get a share of the pie. Here are a few ideas of how you can make money with weddings.

Before we get started, no, I won’t tell you to resell your wedding gifts to make money, although I am partial to selling one’s dress, after only one use :).

The wedding industry is BIG, and if you look around, it is pretty easy to get a share of the pie. Here are a few ideas of how you can make money with weddings.

Cater

I went to a wedding where the bride had made her own pie, and it was pretty awesome. But most brides don’t have the time to cook themselves, and many don’t have the budget to get a professional caterer. If you know how to cook, you are good to go.

Be a waiter

I used to be a waitress for weddings thanks to a local temp agency in the UK. It was fun because all the customers were happy, drinking and eating for free, dancing around… and the rate was pretty good, although we didn’t get tips. I would make around $150 for the whole night. It is also generally a Saturday afternoon gig so you can sleep on Sunday and be back in class or at work on Monday.

Be a DJ

I had a guest post recently from Evan, talking about how he made $50,000 as a DJ. Check it out for details, now that you can get all your music in a small mp3 player, and prepare the playlists at home, DJ-ing has never seemed so easy.

Make wedding dresses

If you know how to saw, how about trying to make the maid of honor’s dresses? My mum used to make the same dress for her, my sister and I, which would drive me crazy, but it was really about going to buy a nice piece of fabric and putting pieces together. Well, it looked that easy, I am completely useless with my hands so I won’t go into details. I know a few gifted people who could try it as a side hustle though.

Make flower arrangements

Another thing that is pretty expensive for the bride and groom is the decoration of the room. For a spring or summer wedding, you can easily pick up nice flowers and make bouquets and arrangements yourself.

SoulmatesDressesGiveaway

One of the best part of working a wedding is that your work will be shown to at least 100 people, many of which about to get married, like the bride and groom’s friends who are the same age. When you reach your mid 20s it is like there is an epidemic of weddings all around and it lasts for about 10 years. Enjoy. Bring presentation cards, and if you hear someone complimenting your work, leave your details with them.

On a related topic, you can make money by renting your car to the newly couple!

This post was featured on the PF Pro, thank you!

Pin98
Share8
Tweet
108 Shares

Filed Under: Make More Money, Side Hustles

« Previous post
Next post »

Lovely comments

  1. My Wealth Desire says

    October 29, 2013 at 1:38 am

    I agree on making wedding dress is one of the big potential to make money. Our dressmaker who made my bride (wife) dress earned huge money. She made all sets of dress from the sponsors to the maid of honor and including to my mother and my mother in-law’s dress. It’s whole package for our wedding.
    My Wealth Desire recently posted…The Best Reasons to Live in a Small HouseMy Profile

    • Pauline says

      October 29, 2013 at 10:01 am

      Sounds like a great side job if you are talented, I know I am completely useless lol.

  2. Liquid says

    October 29, 2013 at 2:08 am

    Great ideas. Being a DJ is a viable option for many people because technology has made it so accessible now. Another option is to perform live music. It could range from a violin solo to a group presentation. I have a friend who’s in a local band. He’s always on the look out for gigs at weddings 🙂 The wedding industry has grown to an empire of $40 billion a year in the US alone so yup, it’s pretty big.
    Liquid recently posted…Wedding Cake Cost and GiveawayMy Profile

    • Pauline says

      October 29, 2013 at 9:54 am

      Thank you for providing the data I was too lazy to research 🙂

  3. DC @ Young Adult Money says

    October 29, 2013 at 5:26 am

    Great to be co-hosting with you on this giveaway! My wife and I both really want to own a wedding venue someday. It seems like a lot of work but you can also bring in so much revenue each year that we should be able to turn a decent profit. That’s down the road, though 😉
    DC @ Young Adult Money recently posted…Four Useful Resume TipsMy Profile

    • Pauline says

      October 29, 2013 at 9:54 am

      I know a guy who started with a big backyard and a few tables and he was hosting basic weddings, then with the money started building toilets, a gazebo etc, now he is booked solid and has zero commute!

  4. Kara says

    October 29, 2013 at 6:10 am

    I’m surprised you didn’t tell people to go buy a camera and start taking wedding photos, too.

    *sigh*

    As someone who makes her living in the wedding industry, lists like this – how to make “easy” money in weddings – always depress me. It just feeds fuel to the fire that all wedding vendors are scammers who are out ot make a buck and don’t actually care about their clients or the industry. We’re just a bunch of hacks who have “side hustles” to make more money.

    OR … Possibly, DJs put a lot of time and thought into playlists and how to manage a party and keep things going and MC the events of a wedding and spends thousands upon thousands of $$ on equipment and backups in case of failure in the middle of a reception or ceremony. Possibly caterers don’t just “know how to cook” but they know how to portion food for large groups at a reasonable cost, how to keep food safe, how to simultaneously serve 100 people, and spend thousands upon thousands of dollars getting all the professional cooking equipment they need and the proper health and safety licenses.

    I’m not saying that you can’t find some good side jobs in the industry, but be realistic please and don’t tell people “if you can cook you can cater” or “if you like music you can DJ”. There’s more to it than that.

    • Pauline says

      October 29, 2013 at 9:53 am

      Hi Kara, you are right, if you want a professional wedding, hiring your cousin to DJ and your brother in law to take pictures is not a good idea. However this post was meant for people looking to make a little extra money here and there, not to start a career in the wedding industry. I know many couples who hired a relative to take care of part of their wedding, and were more forgiving with the few glitches because the rate was low, they had lower expectations.

  5. Well Heeled Blog says

    October 29, 2013 at 6:11 am

    If you enjoy planning, look into being a wedding coordinator. I think more and more weddings are having day-of coordinators who direct all the vendors so the bride can relax and enjoy herself.
    Well Heeled Blog recently posted…6 Days in London: A Recap of My Scone-Filled AdventureMy Profile

    • Pauline says

      October 29, 2013 at 9:49 am

      A friend of mine does that, charging 10% of all purchases. If you think an average wedding costs $20,000 she makes $2,000 per wedding (after a few you just hire the same flowers, caterers etc so it has to be easier), one wedding per week from April to September makes $48,000 annually!

  6. Matt Becker says

    October 29, 2013 at 7:09 am

    Nice point about a wedding being a good place to feature your work. It’s always nice to be paid and be able to market to new clients, all at the same time.
    Matt Becker recently posted…Make Your Money Grow Faster: Investing Better vs. Earning MoreMy Profile

    • Pauline says

      October 29, 2013 at 9:47 am

      It is like a free trade show! The only thing is how many guests are locals and able to hire you, nowadays many people travel to a wedding.

  7. Daisy @ Prairie Eco Thrifter says

    October 29, 2013 at 7:13 am

    Weddings are great places to feature your work. I have a friend that broke into photography by doing weddings. It really worked out for her. Like Matt has said, many of the guests at the wedding are potential clients or at least referrals.
    Daisy @ Prairie Eco Thrifter recently posted…How To Be HappyMy Profile

  8. Holly@ClubThrifty says

    October 29, 2013 at 7:14 am

    My mom did most of the flowers and food for my wedding and I really do think she could do it for a living. She did an amazing job and did most of it really cheap. She even designed our cake.
    Holly@ClubThrifty recently posted…Failure is a Bitch: What My Injury Taught MeMy Profile

    • Pauline says

      October 29, 2013 at 9:45 am

      If she had fun doing it that would be a great side hustle!

  9. lyle @ the Joy of Simple says

    October 29, 2013 at 7:41 am

    Cool post Pauline 🙂

    As a full time musician, I’ve had my share of playing at weddings and for the most part, a great time is had by all. It’s a great way to enjoy some good food and have plenty of fun, plus the pay is quite decent. If you are in a top-notch wedding band that is playing a lot you could make a very decent living akin to a full-time mid-manager level salary.

    Take care and all the best.

    Lyle
    lyle @ the Joy of Simple recently posted…On How David Coverdale of Whitesnake Inspired Me To Live The Life I Wanted!!My Profile

    • Pauline says

      October 29, 2013 at 9:45 am

      The rate is really good but there is a lot of practice to be had before, although if you have a basic set for all weddings after a while you just do it automatically. I can see how it is a great way to make more in just one night per week and have time to work on your own music the rest of the time.

  10. Shannon @ The Heavy Purse says

    October 29, 2013 at 10:26 am

    Weddings are definitely big business and offer quite a few different ways to make money. And like you said – a great, happy captive audience to showoff your skills too. There does seem to be a 10 year span where everyone gets married. Then another span where everyone has kids! LOL! I don’t know if I could sell my dress though. I know plenty of people do but I guess I’m too sentimental. 🙂
    Shannon @ The Heavy Purse recently posted…How to Handle The “I Want’s”My Profile

    • Pauline says

      October 29, 2013 at 12:27 pm

      A few of my friends wore their mother’s dress so you could pass it on too!

  11. Stefanie @ The Broke and Beautiful Life says

    October 29, 2013 at 11:03 am

    I wonder if you could “rent” your wedding dress. I guess everyone needs different alterations so that could get tricky fast.
    Stefanie @ The Broke and Beautiful Life recently posted…GIVEAWAY!!! And the Etiquette of Midweek Weddings.My Profile

    • Pauline says

      October 29, 2013 at 12:26 pm

      With dry cleaning, delivery etc I guess you are better off just selling it and the next person can deal with it. I would freak out if I rented a dress that the person would bail at the last minute and if there is another rental the previous weekend you can’t have it before!

  12. Martin says

    October 29, 2013 at 3:25 pm

    I make money from weddings by not getting married! Okay, but seriously, I have two friends that make a killing playing at weddings.
    Martin recently posted…I Just Want to Help You Achieve Your Goals in Your 20sMy Profile

  13. Hayley @ A Disease Called Debt says

    October 29, 2013 at 4:15 pm

    I just wanted to add about wedding make up services. I used to be a bridal make up artist and it can be quite a lucrative business. If someone has flair for applying make up, they could start off doing make up for friends in order to build a portfolio. Qualifications aren’t that necessary (here in the UK anyway!). This is how I got started and once I had a few happy brides in my portfolio, it was quite easy to get bookings!
    Hayley @ A Disease Called Debt recently posted…Frugal Feast #2My Profile

    • Pauline says

      October 29, 2013 at 8:29 pm

      I have a friend who does that for a living full time. She is booked solid by referrals, and often does bridesmaids and other attendants so one wedding can get really lucrative.

  14. anna says

    October 29, 2013 at 10:38 pm

    I have every intention of re-selling my dress – I don’t plan on wearing it again, and if it can make someone else happy, then that would make me happy. Great ideas, Pauline – I loved planning mine, so after it’s done I would consider exploring options going into the industry (or event planning in general).
    anna recently posted…Wedding Update: Cupcakes and CoordinatorsMy Profile

    • Pauline says

      October 30, 2013 at 7:55 am

      You can definitely start helping your friends who are getting married, if you save them a ton of time, they won’t mind a fee.

  15. Digital Personal Finance says

    October 29, 2013 at 10:53 pm

    What a great avenue to make money. People willing to spend tons of money, whether they can afford to or not, based on the notion that this is the most special time of life where what they want matters more than what they need!
    Digital Personal Finance recently posted…10 Tips to Keep Income Flowing!My Profile

  16. Demaish @ Borrowed Cents says

    October 30, 2013 at 6:23 am

    You forgot the side hustle that brings me side income. Wedding videography/filmmaking . Believe me as much as some people do not get videos at their weddings, there is still many who do invest in a wedding video. And also photography. However, these hustles need skills but you can easily train yourself.
    Demaish @ Borrowed Cents recently posted…My job hunting woesMy Profile

  17. EL @ Moneywatch101 says

    October 30, 2013 at 7:19 am

    Photographers make anywhere from 500-5000 for weddings. I always found photography interesting, I just never really pursued it as a side gig. Getting the right equipment, training on how to shoot pictures, and marketing yourself might be a great future side gig with weddings.
    EL @ Moneywatch101 recently posted…The Debt RulesMy Profile

    • Pauline says

      October 30, 2013 at 7:53 am

      I always wonder how much is true now that everyone has a decent camera on their phone, and people just want pics to upload on instagram. I went to a few weddings where the photographer would just be there for mass and half an hour shoot in a park after that, but not at the dinner or party.

  18. Michelle's Finance Journal says

    October 30, 2013 at 8:18 am

    I think if you’re organized and love helping people and good with people, you can be a wedding planner or coordinator. If you don’t have the time to plan the whole wedding, maybe you can offer only day of coordinator service.
    Michelle’s Finance Journal recently posted…Expensive WeekendMy Profile

  19. This Life On Purpose says

    October 30, 2013 at 9:05 am

    All very good points. I don’t like the idea of the wedding industry and how it’s gotten out of hand, but if you can at least work it to your advantage then you are golden!

    You could also register to be the wedding officiant. I’m performing the ceremony for my friends who are getting married next year, and I’m obviously not charging them. But you can make a side hustle just out of actually marrying people once you have the license.

    Also, photographer is a big one! People pay big bucks for the photographer so if you have the skills, it’s a great way to make money.
    This Life On Purpose recently posted…The Living Wallet and Other Ways to Curb Your SpendingMy Profile

  20. Terry @EasyFinancialTips says

    October 30, 2013 at 11:42 am

    Another great way to make money in the wedding industry is to film weddings! People are willing to pay a lot of money to relive their special day in high quality, and it’s especially great to see how satisfied they are with the results!
    Terry @EasyFinancialTips recently posted…How to Attend College For FreeMy Profile

  21. Christina @ Easy Financial Tips says

    October 30, 2013 at 12:37 pm

    Waitering at weddings sounds like a good weekend gig for people with busy schedules. However, it does sound like it could be exhausting. Maneuvering in and out of a huge catering hall and trying to deliver quality service in a timely manor is probably harder than it seems! But I thoroughly agree that working an event such as a wedding is indeed a great networking opportunity.
    Christina @ Easy Financial Tips recently posted…5 Actions you can Take in College to Prepare you for your Financial FutureMy Profile

  22. Levi Blackman says

    October 30, 2013 at 1:31 pm

    My sister is a professional photographer and has done many weddings in the past. It can be good money, but it takes a good bit of equipment to get started. Plus, since this is a very important day for most they expect really high quality pictures.

    I think the idea of filming a wedding is great for someone looking for a side income. You can get great quality video recording equipment for pretty cheap these days, and since everything is digital you can do the editing on your home computer.
    Levi Blackman recently posted…7 Things you can do to Restore The United States as a World LeaderMy Profile

  23. Lisa E. @ Lisa Vs. The Loans says

    October 31, 2013 at 4:58 pm

    I’m going to be the day-of coordinator for my friend this month. It’s another good way to make money at weddings!
    Lisa E. @ Lisa Vs. The Loans recently posted…Klay Thompson: Too Old for an Allowance?My Profile

    • Pauline says

      November 1, 2013 at 10:07 am

      It is, thank you for the suggestion!

  24. MoneyAhoy says

    November 1, 2013 at 7:43 am

    Those are great ideas. With the advancements of DSLR cameras, you could also throw Photographer onto your list!
    MoneyAhoy recently posted…How To Get Paid for Your HobbyMy Profile

  25. Tony Nguyen says

    November 24, 2013 at 7:50 am

    The service is available every where nowadays, so we forget that we can do many thing ourselves. It is good to make our own wedding dress or arrange the wedding flowers ourselves.
    Tony Nguyen recently posted…Get to know 9 home remedies for neuropathy that will help to calm your nerves effectively!My Profile

  26. home business data entry says

    May 13, 2014 at 9:00 am

    Thank you for another informative website. The place else may just I am getting that kind
    of info written in such an ideal way? I have a venture that I am simply now working on,
    and I’ve been on the glance out for such information.
    home business data entry recently posted…home business data entryMy Profile

Trackbacks

  1. How I make money as a DJ says:
    November 17, 2014 at 9:12 pm

    […] warmer months I would put on a suit, drive to a nearby winery or hotel and provide the music for weddings. In winter I would DJ for blue-light discos and occasionally at a local pub. When starting out, my […]

  2. Ways to Earn Extra Money for Your Wedding | The Budget Savvy Bride says:
    March 3, 2015 at 7:17 am

    […] you considered picking up a part time job or side-hustle? You could even get extra work in weddings! Perhaps your wedding planner needs an assistant to set up on some of her other weddings, or your […]

Subscribe by email!

Enter your email address:

Airbnb voucher code

follow MMYW in feedly

Follow MMYW on Bloglovin

RECENT POSTS

  • 3 Ways to Use Your Unlimited PTO
  • 6 Essential Benefits and Perks You Should Look for When Applying for Jobs
  • Taking care of yourself while working on your side hustle
  • 4 Types of Properties You Can Invest In For Profit
  • What to do when there is no money?
Peratree Investment Philippines

Worth Reading

  • How I made $1,500 renting my house to travelers
  • Make money with your parking space
  • Achieving a 100% saving rate
  • Discover new ways to make money from home
  • How does currency trading work?
  • Archives


    Thank you for reading! Please let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Never miss another post and subscribe via Pinterest RSS feed or email. Or come and say hi on Facebook and Twitter

    Copyright © 2023 Make Money Your Way · Site by Moonsteam Design