When Should You Expand Your Team?
For many wedding professionals, the idea of hiring help can feel both exciting and overwhelming. After all, most of us start out doing everything ourselves—marketing, client management, service delivery, and beyond. But as your business grows, so does the demand on your time. And knowing when to expand your team can make all the difference between sustainable growth and burnout.
The challenge? Many pros either wait too long to hire and miss out on clients or hire too soon without a solid strategy in place. So how do you know when it’s right? We sat down with a handful of industry leaders who shared key signs your business is ready to take the next step. Here’s what they had to say.
You’re stretched too thin
One of the biggest challenges wedding professionals face is knowing when to step back and bring in help. Many business owners fall into the trap of thinking they have to do everything themselves, but spreading yourself too thin can lead to missed opportunities and a decline in service quality.
Craig Peterman, owner of Craig Peterman Photography & Videography, knows this struggle firsthand. “Expanding your team is a big leap. For wedding professionals like us, it’s hard to let go of the ‘I can do it all’ mentality, but there comes a point when it’s not just about you anymore; it’s about your clients and the experience they’re getting.”
A clear indicator you’re ready to hire is when administrative tasks take up more time than work you genuinely enjoy. Peterman recalls, “For me, the moment came when I realized I was spending way more time in my inbox than behind the camera. If emails, scheduling, or managing timelines are eating your day, you’re probably ready for someone else to step in so you can focus on the part of your business you actually love.”
Spending more time on busy work than on the creative side of your business is a sign it’s time to look for help. With extra support, you can focus on what you do best while ensuring your clients get the exceptional experience they deserve.
You can afford to hire—or can’t afford not to
Hiring is a big step, and it’s important to strike a balance—waiting too long can be just as costly as hiring too soon.
Jaime Coast, owner and artist at Cotton and Bow, emphasizes the need for financial readiness. “Can your business afford to hire? Some early hires won’t directly impact the revenue of your business for some time, so you need the cash reserves or the recurring monthly revenue in order to afford the hourly pay or monthly salary of hiring help.”
Some roles, like an executive assistant, lighten your workload but can take longer to generate returns. Others, like a second photographer or marketing assistant, can bring in revenue quickly. “These hires might result in a direct revenue lift within a few weeks or months of hiring, so you could potentially bring them on sooner, and their role will pay for itself almost immediately,” says Coast.
The key is recognizing when hiring will move your business forward rather than weighing it down. Whether freeing up your schedule or bringing in more revenue, the right team member at the right time can be a game-changer.
You’re standing in the way of your growth
Letting go of responsibilities can be tough—you’ve built your business from the ground up, and no one knows it better! But as your workload grows, trying to do it all can actually hold you back. Delegating, whether by hiring or outsourcing, frees up your time for what truly matters.
Michael Coombs, owner of Michael Coombs Entertainment, experienced this himself. “It really comes down to realizing that you don’t need to touch everything,” he says. Many solopreneurs think hiring means bringing on a full-time employee, but Coombs offers another perspective: “You don’t necessarily need to hire someone, but subcontractors can work really well.”
For Coombs, outsourcing a key part of his workflow transformed his performance. “As a DJ, this past year, I finally found a production company that shares my standards, and I’ve been using them to set up all my equipment. So when it’s show time, I’m rested and fresh and ready to perform at a high level instead of moving road cases and speakers around and setting up gear for 2-3 hours before show time.”
By offloading time-consuming tasks, Coombs can do what he does best—deliver an unforgettable client experience. Regardless of the role you choose, delegating certain tasks gives you more time to work on what matters and where you make the biggest impact.
You’re losing business because you can’t keep up
A major sign it’s time to hire? You’re turning down work, missing opportunities, or struggling with client inquiries. If you’re constantly overwhelmed by the volume of leads coming in and can’t respond fast enough, you may already be losing business without realizing it.
Vijay Goel, COO of 440 Elm, stresses that when demand exceeds what you can handle, the cost of not hiring can be much greater than the cost of adding a team member to your roster. “If you're losing money because you don't have enough people to respond quickly or book business that wants to book...then it's high ROI to hire someone good to step in and help fulfill.”
Those turning down potential clients because of bandwidth should know it’s likely time to search for team members or subcontractors who can help manage the workload.
Building a team that supports your success
Expanding your team isn’t just about having too much on your plate—it’s about making intentional choices that set your business up for long-term success. Before bringing someone on board, take a close look at your finances and make sure you’re hiring with a clear purpose.
Bringing in the right people allows you to grow while maintaining the high standards that got you here. With thoughtful planning, you can build a team that enhances your efficiency, strengthens your client experience, and helps your business grow in new ways!
