Guide · 5 min read
Deposits, vendor commissions, day-of fees, and travel — financial management for planners and event designers.
Big deposits land 6–12 months before events, then expenses spike right before the wedding. Without separation, you can't tell if you're profitable or just sitting on someone else's deposit money.
Route every payment to one checking. Move 50–70% of each deposit to a 'client funds' savings until you've earned it — protects you from spending the money before the wedding.
Bride/groom name, date, line item. Year-end you'll see your average wedding revenue, margin, and which packages are most profitable.
If you book florals or rentals on behalf of the couple, track those as both income and expense. Your real revenue is your planning fee — not the gross.
25–30% of net income to tax savings. Pay quarterly. Open a SEP-IRA — you can shelter up to ~20% of net earnings tax-free.
SnapBooks tracks every deposit, vendor payment, and venue trip — and tells you the real margin per wedding.
Start freeOn cash basis (most planners), it's income the day it lands. On accrual, you defer it as 'unearned revenue' until the event. Most planners stay cash basis — simpler, less paperwork.
Yes. Whether labeled commission, referral fee, or kickback, it's income on your Schedule C. Same for any platform finder's fees (Zola, The Knot, WeddingWire).
Yes — mileage to venues, vendor meetings, and rehearsals. Wedding-day travel is also deductible. At 70¢/mile (2026), a typical planner deducts $4–8k/year.
Generally no — if it's street-wearable, IRS calls it personal. The exception: branded apparel (with logo) or a uniform style only used on event days. Same for shoes.
Strongly recommended — weddings have a lot of liability exposure (canceled events, vendor disputes). LLC + good liability insurance keeps your personal assets safe.