Events Home-basedWeekends okSide hustle

How to start an event planning business in Northwest Territories

Everything you need: what it costs, what you can make, what Northwest Territories asks for, and every step from your first idea to your tenth customer.

Start this business with PressUp

Checked October 2026 In Canadian dollars 12-minute read

The prices and costs in this guide are estimates for Canada: researched US figures converted to Canadian dollars by price levels. Registration fees and taxes are Canada's own.

To startCA$507–1.5kLean to full setup

Per monthCA$4.8k–18kOnce established

Profit margin65–85%After insurance, software and travel

First customer3–10 weeksFrom today

DifficultyEasy to start, takes time to build a name

From homeYesOr you go to them

01Is it right for you?

A good fit if you're organized, calm under pressure and love a good party

Event planners turn a host's ideas into a day that runs smoothly: finding vendors, building the timeline and running everything on the day. You can start from home with a laptop and a phone, often with day-of coordination and parties before full weddings.

You'll like it if

You love lists, timelines and details
You stay calm when something goes wrong
You're happy working weekends and evenings
You enjoy dealing with lots of different people

Think twice if

You want your weekends free
Last-minute changes stress you out
You'd rather not handle other people's budgets
Long days on your feet aren't for you

02What it costs

From CA$507 to start

Start lean with the essentials and upgrade as customers come, or set up fully from day one.

Total to startCA$507

What	Cost
InsuranceFirst year of general liability, plus professional liability	CA$420
Client and contract appProposals, contracts and payments for the first three months	CA$0
Cards and flyersFor venues, vendors and bridal shows	CA$12
Registering your businessFree as a sole trader; more to form a company	CA$75
Total	CA$507

Once you're running: about CA$130 a month, plus about 10% of what you earn. Insurance, phone and client software every month, plus travel, supplies and card fees for each event.

03What you can make

Work out your own numbers

Move the sliders to match your plans. The chart shows a first year that builds up as word gets around.

Average price per event CA$1,800 CA$480CA$7,100

Events a week 1 14

Monthly costs CA$130 CA$0CA$520

Typical in Northwest Territories: CA$950–CA$3,550 per event, 1–2 events a week once established.

Revenue a month—

Profit a month—

Pays back in—

Your first yearTotal: —

Money inCosts

Side hustleCA$1.2k–3.6k

One to three events a month

Full-time, on your ownCA$4.8k–8.4k

Four to six events a month

With a teamCA$9.5k–18k

Assistants and bigger planning packages

04Step by step

11 steps to your first customers

Each step says what it costs and how long it takes. Most owners get through them in a few weeks.

1
Pick your kind of events
1–2 days Free

Choose where you'll start: birthdays and showers, weddings, or company events. A clear focus makes it easier to find clients and vendors.
- Your event types
- Your area and travel range
- Day-of help or full planning
2
Check the demand near you
2–3 days Free

See what local planners offer and charge, and which venues don't have their own coordinator.
- Search "event planner near me"
- Note 5 planners and their packages
- Call a few venues
3
Choose your name
1 day Free

Pick a name that fits the events you plan. Make sure no one in Northwest Territories already uses it.
- 3–5 name ideas
- Check no one else uses it
- Check the domain
Get name ideas for your businessFind a name
4
Register your business in Northwest Territories
1 day to 2 weeks CA$75–CA$300

Most owners start as a sole proprietor and register a business name with their province; incorporating costs more and keeps business debts separate.
- Register a business name: CA$75
- Incorporate in the Northwest Territories: CA$300
5
Get your Business Number (BN)
1–5 days Free

Your business's tax number from Canada Revenue Agency, for taxes and banking.
- Register with Canada Revenue Agency
- Open a business bank account
6
Sort out GST
1–3 days Free

You must register for GST once your sales pass CA$30,000 a year. The rate is 5%.
- Know when to register for GST/HST
- Keep records of income and costs
- Set money aside for income tax
7
Get insured
1–2 days Quotes are free

Insurance protects you if something goes wrong on a job. Get quotes from two or three insurers.
- General liability
- Professional liability
- Liquor liability, if you serve alcohol
8
Build your vendor list
2–4 weeks Free

Your value is who you know. Meet caterers, DJs, rental companies, florists and photographers, and learn their prices and rules.
- Venues and caterers
- Rentals, DJs and photographers
- Backup options for each
9
Set your packages
1 day Free

Offer a few clear packages, from day-of coordination to full planning, with a written contract and deposit for each. See the prices below.
- Day-of, partial and full planning
- Contract and deposit
- What's not included
10
Put your business online
1 day Included

Clients want to see real events you've run, your packages and reviews. Let them book a free consultation online.
- Website with your portfolio
- Consultation booking
- Google Business Profile
Describe your business and PressUp builds your websiteBuild your website
11
Run your first events
1–3 months Up to CA$360

Plan events for friends and family, assist an established planner or offer a discount to your first clients in return for photos and reviews.
- Friends and family events
- Assist an experienced planner
- Ask every client for a review
Ask your customers for reviews by email with PressUpSee how

05Licenses in NT

What Northwest Territories asks for

Registering, taxes, and what this business needs. Check the details with each authority: rules change.

Register a business name

Without reserving the name first. Renew every four years, for a fee.

NWT Corporate RegistriesCA$75once

Incorporate in the Northwest Territories

A named company also needs a name search and reservation, for a small fee.

NWT Corporate RegistriesCA$300once

Business Number (BN)

Your business's tax number, for banking and taxes.

Canada Revenue AgencyFree

Event permits

Public events, street closures, large tents and amplified sound can need a city permit. Agree in writing who applies: you, the host or the venue.

Your city or local councilVaries

Alcohol at events

Serving or selling alcohol needs the right license, usually held by the venue or a licensed caterer or bartender.

Your state or local alcohol authorityVaries

06Equipment

What to buy first

Buy the "must haves" to start. Add the rest when customers pay for them.

Client and contract appPer month, billed yearly

CA$35–CA$60Later

General liability insurancePer year, many venues ask for it

CA$420Must have

Business cardsFor venues and vendors

CA$12–CA$30Later

07Pricing

3 packages that sell

Simple choices make it easy to say yes. Most customers pick the middle one.

Party planning

CA$1,050 per event · Birthdays, showers and parties

Theme and vendor booking
Timeline and checklist
Setup and running the day

Day-of coordination

CA$1,900 per event · Last month plus the event day

Vendor confirmations
A detailed timeline
On-site from setup to wrap-up

Partial planning

CA$3,550 per event · Several months

Help choosing key vendors
Budget and design guidance
Day-of coordination included

Day-of coordination prices in Northwest TerritoriesTypical: CA$950–CA$3,400

Average CA$1,900

CA$0CA$1.2kCA$2.3kCA$3.4kCA$4.5k

08First customers

How to get your first customers

You don't need an ad budget. These work for new owners almost everywhere.

Google Business Profile

Hosts search "party planner near me". Photos of real events and reviews do the selling.

Free

Venues and vendors

Venues without a coordinator, caterers and rental companies refer planners they trust.

Partnership

Event photos

Ask photographers to share their shots with you, and post every event.

Free

Reviews

Wedding and party clients read reviews closely. Ask right after the event while it's fresh.

With PressUp Reviews

Company events

Holiday parties and team events come back every year.

Repeat income

09Your first 30 days

A month from now, you could be open

Week 1

Set up

Choose your name
Register your business
Buy insurance

Week 2

Get ready

Write your packages and contract
Meet 10 local vendors
Build a day-of checklist

Week 3

Go live

Website with your portfolio
Google Business Profile
Visit venues

Week 4

First clients

Book your first 2 events
Collect photos and reviews
Ask vendors for referrals

10Questions

Common questions

Do I need a license to plan events in Northwest Territories?

Usually not, beyond registering your business. Some events need permits for tents, amplified sound or street closures, and alcohol needs a licensed server. Check with your city or county.

Do I need a certification?

No. Certifications can help with corporate clients, but most hosts choose a planner from their portfolio and reviews.

How do I get experience?

Plan events for friends and family, volunteer for charity events, or assist an established planner on weekends.

How do planners get paid?

Most charge a flat fee per package, with a deposit to book and the rest before the event. Some charge by the hour for consultations.

Costs and earnings are estimates from the sources below, checked October 2026. Fees and rules change: confirm with the authorities named in this guide. This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.

Sources