How to Create an Event Planning Marketplace

Whether it's a wedding, corporate meeting, or private party, planning an event can feel like juggling a hundred pieces in the air. Finding a venue, booking vendors, managing logistics, and working within a budget can often turn the most exciting ideas into logistical nightmares. That's where event planning marketplaces come in. These digital marketplaces for events make this process seamless, transparent and stress-free with just a few clicks, connecting clients with the best event professionals.

Online event services planning have broken new ground in today's world where convenience and access to them are driving consumer behavior. They give users an easy way to compare options, read reviews, and book services. Similarly, they allow suppliers to reach a larger audience without having to spend a lot on marketing. Whether you want to create a platform that makes event planning easy, or you just want to understand what works for these marketplaces, this article-guide will walk you through some of the most important steps in making your idea a reality.

Event planning goes online: the platforms leading the way

Gone are the days when organizing an event for some vendors meant an eternity of phone calls and dumpster diving. Today, people use other websites that allow them to reserve venues, contract services, and put it all together in a matter of minutes. Not surprisingly, this market is skyrocketing - the global events industry was valued at nearly $1227 billion in 2024 and is very likely to exceed $1930 billion by 2029.

Here are some of the top platforms that have upended the industry:

• Eventbrite: a ticketing and event management platform that allows event organizers to create, promote, and sell tickets for small to large events. It also provides in-depth analytics for better marketing to increase event attendance.
• Peerspace: marketplace for unique event spaces, from modern lofts to outdoor gardens, it streamlines the booking process with instant reservations and detailed venue descriptions.
• Tagvenue: an online search and booking platform for event venues in major cities around the world. The site allows users to easily sort by venue type, capacity and budget.
• WeddingWire: everything for a wedding from venue to photographer, florist, and other vendors in a comprehensive wedding planning site, including planning tools, checklists, and reviews from real couples.

Why do these platforms work? Eventbrite, Peerspace, Tagvenue, and WeddingWire have already proven that people want fast, transparent, and hassle-free event planning. They give users instant access to pricing, event service reviews, and bookings, while helping vendors find customers without high marketing costs.

Another marketplace like GigSalad makes it easy to hire performers, whether it's a live band, magician or comedian. The Vendry caters to corporate events, connecting businesses with top venues, caterers and event designers. Evendo provides a full-service marketplace for event rentals, activities and services, simplifying everything from team-building exercises to large-scale parties.

As more businesses and individuals turn to online event planning, the demand for these platforms continues to grow. If you're thinking about building your own event marketplace, investing in online marketplace development services can help you create a seamless, scalable, and competitive platform. Now is the perfect time to make your vision a reality.

Key features of a successful event planning marketplace

Event planning should be exciting, not overwhelming, but without the right tools, it often devolves into a logistical headache.

A marketplace that creates seamless booking, clear communication, and vendor support turns an experience where everything falls into place. When users can find what they need, book online event services in seconds and vendors are able to manage their businesses without friction, the platform becomes indispensable. Explore the marketplace features that make this possible and bring users back for more.

User-friendly interface

If a user needs a manual to navigate your platform, you've already lost them. The interface should be clean, intuitive, and mobile-friendly so customers and providers can easily browse, book, and manage. A seamless user experience will keep visitors engaged and coming back for more.

Key elements of a user-friendly interface:

• Fast and intuitive navigation;
• Mobile-first design;
• Smart search and filters;
• Minimal clicks to booking;
• Visually appealing layouts.

Eventbrite is a good example of smooth interaction: it takes several minutes for organizers to create and publish an event, while attendees can find it and purchase tickets with few actions involved.

Source: Eventbrite

Communication channels

Bad communication ruins great events. Inbuilt messaging, file-sharing, and even video calls keep everyone on the same page and eliminate misunderstandings.

Key communication features:

• Instant chat between vendors and clients;
• Email and push notifications;
• File and contract sharing;
• Conversation history;
• Video call integration.

With Bark, vendor-client communication is made easier through its integrated messaging system. Clients can inquire, quote, and discuss event specifics within the platform, ensuring a seamless and efficient booking experience.

Vendor listings and profiles

A vendor profile is a virtual storefront - it should sell the service there and then. High-quality images online, event service descriptions, pricing, and real-time availability make all the difference. A good profile will help the users make confident decisions.

Key elements of vendor profiles:

• Detailed service descriptions;
• Pricing transparency;
• Photo and video galleries;
• Calendar availability;
• Past client testimonials.

Peerspace is particularly great in this area because it enables vendors to advertise their venues with high-quality images, descriptions, and availability calendars. They make the customer's comparison and booking process smooth, sans the back-and-forth that is so common.

Source: Peerspace

Customer support and dispute resolution

Things go wrong: vendors cancel, clients change plans, misunderstandings happen. A strong dispute resolution system ensures issues get solved fairly and fast.

Key customer support features:

• 24/7 live chat and email support;
• Dispute escalation center;
• Clear refund and cancellation policies;
• Vendor-client mediation system;
• AI-powered helpdesk for FAQs.

Eventbrite also has a clearly defined process regarding customer support and dispute resolution. For event cancellations or any problem that a ticket holder may face, the website provides clear policies for refunds, with direct support given to the customer.

Event planning tools

Planning an event is organized chaos, and the right tools turn that chaos into clarity. Budget calculators, checklists, and guest list managers keep users in control and cut down on last-minute stress.

Some must-have event planning tools:

• Budget tracker;
• Guest list organizer;
• Vendor comparator;
• Task checklist;
• Automated reminders.

WeddingWire shines with its built-in event management tools. Couples can build checklists, track their budget, and even create seating charts, making the process of wedding planning so much more convenient.

Source: WeddingWire

Booking and scheduling management

Nobody likes emailing back and forth about availability. Automated confirmations through a real-time booking system make life easier for both customers and suppliers.

Key elements of the booking system:

• Instant availability updates;
• Calendar synchronization with Google/iCal;
• Automated booking confirmations;
• Flexible cancellation options;
• Rescheduling functionality.

Tagvenue makes booking venues much easier by allowing the customer to check availability and secure their seat in an instant with booking automation. With very transparent pricing and scheduling, an event planner is able to confirm bookings with just a few clicks.

Source: Tagvenue

Review and rating system

Nobody trusts a vendor with zero reviews. Verified customer event service reviews build up trust and are helpful for users in decision-making.

Key review system features:

• Rating with stars and detailed feedback;
• Verified customer reviews;
• Sort vendors by highest rated;
• Vendor review response capability;
• Photo/video proof of work done.

The review system at GigSalad plays an important role in helping clients choose the best entertainers. Each performer's profile at GigSalad comes with detailed feedback from past clients to ensure transparency and trust before booking.

Source: GigSalad

Vendor dashboard

Vendors need some tools to manage their business with much efficiency. A dashboard comprising analytics, history of bookings, and customer insights will definitely help optimize the services.

Key features of the vendor dashboard:

• Tracking of bookings and revenue;
• Client management tools;
• Performance analytics and reports;
• Marketing and promotion tools;
• Service listing management.

The Vendry offers vendors an all-encompassing dashboard comprising booking analytics, revenue tracking, and performance insights. This enables event professionals to understand their business growth and make data-driven decisions.

Secure payment system

If the payments aren't safe, users won't book. A secure, multi-option payment system builds trust and prevents fraud.

Key payment system features:

• Multi-payment options (cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, etc.);
• SSL-encrypted transactions;
• Escrow system for vendor security;
• Automated invoicing;
• Refund and сancellation policies loud and clear.

With Vendry, companies can book event vendors with protection through secure payment methods for their services. Clear cancellation policies and automated invoicing protect clients and vendors, ensuring secure transaction processing and payment.

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Your ultimate 7-step guide to building an event planning marketplace

The future of event planning is digital, and a well-executed marketplace can redefine how people book venues, hire vendors, and manage every detail with ease. Backed by Codica’s marketplace expertise, we create platforms designed with the user in mind. And we know what it takes to create a platform that is lightning-fast, scalable, and user-centric. This 7-step strategy will guide you through building a best-in-class event planning marketplace that sets new industry standards.

Step 1: Discovery and planning

Before development begins, a thorough discovery process is essential to ensure your event planning marketplace is built on real market demand and user needs. This step helps define the core objectives, technical feasibility, and business model, reducing risks and unnecessary expenses down the line. Codica’s experts emphasize the importance of this phase in aligning the platform’s vision with a clear execution strategy.

Main discovery phase actions:

• Market research & industry analysis. Understand the competition by analyzing other existing event planning marketplaces-outlets like Eventbrite, Peerspace, and Tagvenue, pinning up opportunities and differentiators.
• Target audience identification. Describe your users - event organizers, vendors, users, and corporate clients - and what pains them, including how your platform is going to perform better.
• Business model validation. The monetization strategy will include commission-based monetization, subscription plans, highlighted listings, and freemium models.
• Prioritizing features for MVP. Identifying 'must-have' functionalities for launch, such as vendor listing, booking automation, and secure ways of paying for the services.
• Project scope & roadmap. Defining development timelines, budget estimates, and milestones to ensure efficient execution.

A well-structured project discovery phase helps eliminate guesswork and aligns your marketplace with real market demands. If you want expert guidance in validating your idea, conducting research, and creating a clear execution plan, consider product discovery services to accelerate your marketplace’s success.

Step 2: UI/UX design

A seamless and intuitive design is the backbone of any successful event planning marketplace. Users should be able to browse, compare and book suppliers with ease and without frustration. A well-designed UI/UX will ensure that event organizers and vendors enjoy a frictionless experience, increasing engagement and conversion rates.

Key UI/UX design actions:

• User-centric navigation. Ensuring an intuitive flow where users can easily search for suppliers, filter results and make bookings with a minimum of clicks.
• Mobile-first approach. Optimizing the mobile-friendly event marketplace interface for smartphones and tablets, as most event planning happens on the go.
• Smart search & filters. Integrating AI-powered recommendations, keyword search, and advanced filters by location, availability, budget, and reviews to enhance the user experience.
• Visual-first design. Make the most of high-quality supplier images, interactive venue tours, and rich media galleries that help users make informed decisions.
• Smooth booking & checkout flow. Offer a seamless, one-click booking and payment process to reduce abandonment and increase conversion rates.

An attractive design ensures that users stay engaged, complete their bookings, and return again and again. Investing in expert UI/UX design services in the early stages of development increases user satisfaction, reduces churn, and strengthens your marketplace's competitive edge.

At Codica, we created PlanMyKids - a place where it's easy to search and book classes and activities for kids after school. Quite literally, every tiny little detail of UI/UX was designed to bring about a seamless and intuitive user experience - from very intuitive navigation with smart filters through to seamless booking. By going mobile-first and making design much more visually appealing, we made sure parents can find the best activities for their kids in no time, while providers can manage bookings with ease.

Step 3: Choosing the right software architecture

The architecture of your event planning marketplace will directly influence its performance, scalability, and flexibility. The choice of approach means how efficiently your platform will be able to cope with real-time bookings, secure transactions, and growing user demand.

Key software architecture considerations:

• Scalability & performance. The architecture should support high traffic, especially during peak seasons of the events.
• Modular development. Microservices-based marketplace architecture enables faster updates of features and integrations with third-party services, such as payment gateways, live chat, and calendar synchronizations.
• Security & compliance. Use of data encryption, fraud protection, and GDPR compliance to safeguard user data and transactions.
• Flexibility for future growth. Selection of an architecture allowing for effortless upgrade, feature extension, and deployment on the cloud for optimal performance.

MACH architecture vs. monolithic architecture

When building an event planning platform, one of the most important decisions is to choose between monolithic and MACH architecture, considering long-term platform scalability and maintenance.

Here are the main differences:

• Monolithic architecture. Traditional all-in-one system where all features and components are tightly connected. While it is easier and faster to develop initially, it becomes difficult to scale and modify as your platform grows.
• MACH architecture. This is a modern, flexible approach where different services operate independently, making it more scalable, agile, and adaptable to future integrations. Although it requires a higher initial investment, it offers greater long-term efficiency.

Experts at Codica make sure each marketplace is built with the most efficient and future-proof architecture, making it robust yet adaptable. And that’s why we always recommend transitioning from monolithic architecture to MACH for platforms seeking to scale efficiently.

MACH does an excellent job of improving performance and scalability, allowing for much more powerful integrations. This means choosing the right architecture from the very outset prevents pricey reworks and makes sure your marketplace stays agile and competitive.

Step 4: Technology stack selection

Technology stack selection is very important for developing an event planning marketplace that is fast, secure, and scalable. Performance, integration capabilities and long-term flexibility depend on the tools and frameworks used.

Key technology stack components:

• Frontend.React, Vue.js, or Angular for dynamic and responsive user experiences.
• Backend.Node.js, Ruby on Rails to handle transactions and API connections.
• Database. PostgreSQL or MongoDB for secure and scalable data storage.
• Cloud hosting.AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure for high uptime and performance.
• Payments. Stripe, PayPal, or Braintree for seamless, secure transactions.
• Security. SSL encryption, GDPR compliance, fraud prevention mechanisms.

By choosing proven, flexible technologies from the start, you can avoid costly migrations down the road and build a future-proof event marketplace that scales with your users' needs.

Step 5: Development process

Having a reliable plan, intuitive design, and the right technology stack, it's time to bring your event planning marketplace to life. So, in the development stage, all key components will be combined together, such as frontend, backend, integrations, and security measures, into a fully functioning event planning platform.

Key development phases:

• Frontend and backend development. The development of the marketplace's interface, its business logic, and database connections for smooth interactions.
• Core functionality development. To provide a rich user experience, build vendor listings, a booking engine, different payment integrations, and real-time messaging.
• Integration with third-party services. In order to provide a seamless experience, integrate Google Maps, Stripe, PayPal, and other messaging services.
• Security and compliance. Bake security into the platform by providing SSL encryption, fraud detection, and GDPR compliance for data protection.
• Scalability measures. Ensure the marketplace is scalable to handle increased traffic, high-volume transactions, and feature enhancements in the future.

Well-structured development means that development approaches are capable of quicker deployment with a minimum level of technical debt.

Codica's experts stick to agile development principles for continuous testing, smooth iterations, and efficient delivery. With us, the marketplace works from day one with maximum performance guaranteed by all efficient steps at each stage of its creation.

At Codica, we recommend starting with MVP development services to build your marketplace. This approach allows you to test your solution with real users with minimal effort.

Step 6: Testing and quality assurance

Even the most sophisticated event planning marketplace can be a flop if it is not thoroughly tested. Bugs, slow loading times, or other vulnerabilities will alienate your users and destroy your reputation. That is why rigorous QA before launch is extremely important.

Key testing and QA processes:

• Functional testing. Verifying that all core features - vendor listings, bookings, and payments - work as expected.
• Performance testing. Ensuring fast load times and smooth operation under high traffic.
• Security testing. Identifying vulnerabilities and implementing data encryption and fraud prevention.
• User acceptance testing (UAT). Gathering real user feedback to refine the marketplace experience.

A well-done testing phase means fewer problems after launch, increased user confidence, and a stable, scalable, and smooth event planning marketplace, which means quality assurance services are about long-term success. Codica's experts follow comprehensive testing strategies to ensure bug-free, fast and secure events.

You may also like: How Automation Testing Increases Execution Speed, Test Coverage, and Effectiveness

Step 7: Launching the marketplace

More than just the act of going live, launching an event planning marketplace should be about creating a seamless user experience, attracting early adopters, and building momentum for growth. A well-designed launch strategy puts your platform at the forefront of visibility, engagement and credibility in the marketplace.

Key steps for a high-impact marketplace launch:

• Phased rollout and beta testing. A release to a small group of users provides an opportunity for real-world feedback, feature fine-tuning, and performance validation before a full rollout.
• User acquisition strategy. Use SEO, paid advertising, influencer partnerships and content marketing to drive event planners and vendors alike to the site.
• Vendor onboarding and engagement. Establish standardized onboarding, automated tutorials, and dedicated support for vendors to list their services, manage bookings, and interact with customers.
• Real-time monitoring and iteration. Use data-driven insights, A/B testing, and user behavior analytics to iterate on the product to quickly resolve issues and improve the overall experience.

At Codica, we take care of strategic deployment, smooth onboarding, and further improvements so that from day one, your marketplace operates at full force. After going live, support and maintenance will be guaranteed by us for seamless performance, timely updates, and effortless platform scalability.

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3 best monetization strategies for your event planning marketplace

Monetizing an event planning marketplace is a matter of striking the right balance between revenue generation and supplier accessibility. The most successful platforms balance commission fees with subscriptions and paid promotions to maximize marketplace revenue without discouraging vendor participation.

Marketplaces such as Peerspace, WeddingWire and Tagvenue have refined these models to ensure that sellers clearly see the value in paid features that increase visibility and drive more bookings. The choice of monetization strategy depends on your market stage, seller expectations, and positioning the platform for sustainable growth while keeping sellers engaged.

Commission-based model

A commission-based marketplace earns revenue by taking a cut of every transaction that goes through. This model aligns your success with the success of your sellers, making it low-risk for onboarding service providers because they only pay when they sell. Key benefits of commission-based monetization:

• Scalable revenue: the more transactions processed, the more your marketplace earns.
• Seller-friendly: low barrier to entry as sellers only pay when they earn.
• Performance-based: you have an incentive to improve functionality and attract traffic, as your revenue is directly tied to the number of transactions.
• Ideal for service-based marketplaces: event planning fits well into this model, as vendors can have a wide range of different rates depending on the scope of work.

Example: Peerspace is a marketplace for event venues, and it's based on a commission model where the company takes a cut of every successful booking. This keeps suppliers active while ensuring that the platform covers its costs as bookings scale.

Subscription fees

In the subscription-based model, the vendors pay to the marketplace on a recurring basis - a monthly or yearly subscription fee, for access and exposure of their services. This will ensure predictable income for the platform, with extra benefits accruing to paying vendors. Why do subscription fees work?

• Predictable income: guarantees an even cash inflow, irrelevant of every transaction.
• Encourages long-term vendor commitment: vendors are more invested in maximizing their presence and bookings.
• Enables tiered pricing: platforms can offer multiple plans with different benefits, such as premium visibility or access to analytics.
• Best suited for high-demand vendors: works well for service providers with recurring bookings, like photographers, caterers, or event decorators.

Example: WeddingWire follows the subscription model where wedding professionals pay on a month-to-month basis to list their services. While the vendors enjoy increased visibility and tools for promotions, the platform ensures a regular stream of revenue.

Featured listings and advertisements

By allowing sellers to pay for featured visibility, this model opens up another revenue stream while creating more engagement on the platform. Sellers who want to be at the top will enhance their listings to ensure they appear at the top of search results or in sections dedicated to promotions.

Featured listings/ads features:

• Flexible monetization: integrate with commission or subscription-based models for additional revenue.
• Encourages competition among sellers: encourages providers to invest in marketing their services.
• Customizable options: publishers can pay for different levels of visibility, such as home page placement or category-specific ads.
• Non-intrusive revenue model: ads are targeted to users already searching for event services, making them highly relevant.

Example: On Tagvenue, venues can buy featured placements to always appear at the top of search results. This gives them more exposure to quality suppliers and becomes an additional revenue stream for your platform.

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3 main event marketplace challenges and how to solve them

The biggest hurdles in an event marketplace aren’t just technical - they’re strategic. Let’s dive in and see how they can be fixed.

Vendor acquisition and retention

A common challenge for event planning marketplaces is attracting and keeping high-quality vendors. Many hesitate to join due to fears of competition, unclear pricing structures, or uncertainty about whether the platform will generate enough bookings. Without a solid vendor base, users will struggle to find reliable services, leading to low engagement and poor retention.

Case in point: The Knot - a popular wedding planning site - was accused by its vendors of being monopolistic and very aggressive in its pricing policies. These issues are just a few that illustrate the importance of positive vendor relationships for a platform to survive.

Solution

Offer low-risk onboarding options where vendors only need to pay by commission, if they secure bookings. Besides this, programs for the success of vendors, analytics tools, and promotional incentives help the suppliers in the best ways to exploit their listings to better engagement. A dedicated vendor support team for the vendors would also improve vendor experience and will increase long-run retention.

Balancing supply and demand

A marketplace is all about a balanced ecosystem where the growth of vendors and users is proportional. Too few sellers lead to limited service options and thus reduced user engagement, while too few buyers lead sellers to question whether the platform is worth their time. Most marketplaces struggle with this, resulting in stagnant growth.

Case in point: the UK festival market epitomizes the challenge of the supply-demand imbalance, with over two million people chasing Glastonbury tickets in 2024, but only 200,000 getting them. Smaller festivals such as Green Man and End of the Road have also sold out quickly, while rising costs have forced some, such as Nozstock and Towersey Festival, to close. These closures have a knock-on effect on local economies, reducing opportunities for suppliers and artists.

Solution

Create an initial balance by targeting the niche market or focusing on a specific geographic area. Targeted marketing campaigns ensure that the acquisition of sellers and customers happens in tandem. AI-driven matching and personalized recommendations are seen as key to balancing bookings and keeping sellers convinced of the value of the platform to stay on.

Secure transactions and payment management

This brings in a set of risks in handling payments for high-value event services: disputes, chargebacks, and fraud. Customers expect secure and flexible payment options, while vendors require assurance that they will get paid on time. A lack of transparent payment policies can result in trust issues and abandoned bookings.

Case in point: event management platforms have become prime targets for cyberattacks, including data breaches and fraudulent transactions. For example, event management software company Canapii stresses the importance of robust data encryption, role-based access control, and secure transaction processing to protect sensitive information. They point out that without adequate security measures, platforms can fall victim to fraudulent activity, resulting in significant financial and reputational losses.

Solution

Integrate trusted payment gateways like Stripe, PayPal, or Braintree for problem-free transactions. Also, an escrow system will hold the funds until the service is delivered to avoid financial risk for both vendors and customers. Well-defined refund and cancellation policies, along with automated dispute resolution, will help to avoid disputes and build trust in the platform.

The future of event planning starts with you

Building an event planning marketplace goes beyond simply launching a website. It has to do with creating an experience where vendors thrive, customers book with confidence, and events come to life in a snap. It includes seamless supplier onboarding and event service monetization strategies - all it takes is the right approach for a marketplace to dominate the market.

But success doesn't stop at checking off development checklists. Scalability, trust, and innovation are the differentiators that separate good platforms from category leaders. The best marketplaces are constantly evolving to meet user needs, streamline the user experience, and outperform their competitors. Whether it's perfecting your payment system, balancing supply and demand, or fine-tuning search and booking flows, every detail matters in creating a great experience.

At Codica, we don't just build marketplaces - we build high performance platforms that change the face of industries. With expertise in custom marketplace development, intuitive UI/UX, and scalable architecture, your marketplace is built not for launch, but for long-term success.

Ready to turn your marketplace idea into a real product? Scalable, secure, and high-performing - your future marketplace, built by Codica. Contact us today, or let’s chat. Explore our portfolio with case studies to see how we help companies turn their ideas into successful products.