Get All Access for $5/mo

What a Wedding Franchise Should Aspire For A wedding franchise is a company and needs to function like one, branding itself well to create a unique identity

By Zuzer Lucknowala

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Pixabay

The Indian wedding has reached the proportions of an industry. With almost $40 billion being spent annually on weddings, and an estimated 20% year-on-year growth, weddings are big business in India.

Families typically spend about 30% of their life savings on weddings — this is a big responsibility and they prefer to entrust the entire process to a wedding planner to ensure that the nuptials and all the allied activities go off without a hitch. To make a name for themselves and get a piece of that huge wedding pie, wedding planners need to be on top of their game.

Branding

A wedding franchise is a company and needs to function like one — this also means branding itself well to create a unique identity. Wedding planners could also target niche segments in the wedding market like specializing in "destination weddings' whether in India or abroad.

Teamwork

A wedding is an amalgamation of several services and requires an entire team to pull it off. Wedding planners need to have trusted vendors, who can deliver quality service and products on time and are open to innovation as every bride wants her wedding to not just be perfect but unique.

Caterer, florist, designer, music, location, priest, lighting, licenses;…the list is never-ending and needs a large team of people to work with, besides soothing the egos of both marriage parties.

Year Round Business

While typically October to March is considered the "wedding season' in India, weddings are now being planned all year round. A successful wedding-planner should be able to accommodate and create magical wedding experiences no matter what the weather. Having a solid work portfolio, with satisfied customers in Indian summer, monsoon or winter, will stand you in good stead as a wedding planner who can take on any situation.

Innovative thought

Anyone can book a hall and get in a caterer, a successful wedding franchise is one that goes beyond the basics and provides not just the food and flowers but puts it all together in awe- inspiring splendor. It is the most important day in a couple's life and as most people don't stint on a wedding, allowing the couple to live out their dream wedding is the main priority for a wedding planner.

When there are huge Indian families involved, hitches are going to present themselves. Wedding planners have to always have a "Plan B' to take care of unexpected contingencies.

Soothing pre-weeding jitters, coping with warring in-laws and ensuring the bride doesn't turn into "bride-zilla' are all part and parcel of the wedding jamboree.

Only the strong survive, but then the rewards are immense. With India poised to become one of the countries with the youngest population by 2020 and with most of the youth being of marriageable age, there is no dearth of business for the well-prepared and efficient wedding planner. After all, the wedding industry in India is one of the few that is immune from the vagaries of recession, demonetization or taxation!

Zuzer Lucknowala

Chairman and Managing Director, Party Cruisers Ltd

Mr. Zuzer Lucknowala, Chairman and Managing Director, Party Cruisers Ltd.

Almost two decades into the business, Mr & Mrs. Lucknowala are a known name not only amongst the Mumbai elite but also internationally. Very recently instrumental in designing décor for the Arpita Khan’s lavish wedding at the Taj Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad, Shahid Kapoor’s wedding in Mumbai & Delhi and Aarti Kochhar (daughter of Chanda Kochhar) wedding, amongst others.

Leadership

Why Hearing a 'No' is the Best 'Yes' for an Entrepreneur

Throughout the years, I have discovered that rejection is an inevitable part of entrepreneurship, and learning to embrace it is crucial for achieving success.

Entrepreneurs

Academic Excellence Is Not Necessary for Success in Life: Hear from the Founder of this Exciting New Digital Education Platform.

Many educational platforms are emerging these days to help people qualify for various types of entrance examinations. But what about the students who don't want to take the traditional path, the ones who don't rank among the top 10 in the classroom yet still aim high in life?

Growing a Business

You Need an Advisory Team More Than Ever. Here's Why — and How to Run One Effectively.

The right advice, particularly in a company's early stages, can be an existential matter: how to surround yourself with the right minds.

Business News

Chipotle CEO Addresses Backlash Over Portion Sizes: 'There Was Never a Directive to Provide Less'

The fast-casual chain has been under fire about inconsistent portion sizes.

Starting a Business

NFL Great Stefon Diggs Has a Plan to Change the Game in Fashion

Four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs has a burning passion for football and fashion. Here's his best advice for pursuing your dreams.

Growing a Business

You'll Never Satisfy Your Customers — or Grow Your Business — Without Doing These 3 Things

Customer feedback can be used to drive sustainable growth. Here are three approaches to how you can move past measurement to drive improvement and ultimately grow your business.