How to Start a Career as a Wedding Planner
If you love helping couples celebrate the biggest day of their lives, then becoming a wedding planner could be the perfect career for you. People who love coordinating events and helping make dreams come true can succeed in this field. Here’s how to start a career as a wedding planner.
1. Gain Experience in Event Planning and Management
Before you start as a wedding planner, it’s important to understand what the role entails. You’ll need to know how to bring it all together on a day-of timeline and understand the fundamentals of wedding planning. To gain this experience, consider these options:
- Shadow a wedding planner Mentor or Co-Work with an Experienced Wedding Planner
- Volunteer to help plan events at local charities, schools, churches, and other non-profits
- Start an internship in event planning and management at a hotel, corporate event company, or community center
2. Establish Your Business
Once you have some event planning experience, it’s time to start your business. To get started, you’ll need to:
- Choose a name for your business.
- Set up a Legal Entity and obtain your business permits, licenses, and insurance.
- Find out whether you need a Business Bank Account or a merchant account to accept electronic payments.
- Determine your marketing strategy to attract new clients or join wedding planning networks.
- Create a website or portfolio that shows off the qualities that make you the right choice for wedding planning clients.
3. Find Clients and Gather Referrals
Once you’re in business, your goal should be to keep your calendar full year-round. Get clients through networking, referrals, and word of mouth to ensure that your services are in high demand. Take advantage of online resources, such as membership in wedding industry organizations and wedding-related social media accounts.
4. Develop Your Wedding Planning Skills
You can expand your skill set in the wedding planning field by taking courses, attending webinars and seminars, and reading books about the wedding industry. To stay on top of the latest trends and information, consider joining wedding-related organizations and joining conversations on social media.
5. Further Your Education
Take time to further your education in wedding planning or event management. There are some excellent professional certifications and degrees available in wedding planning, event management, or hotel management. Having a degree or certification in this field can help you when it comes to networking, and it’s an asset when applying for jobs.
Conclusion
Becoming a wedding planner can be a very rewarding career. With the right combination of experience, marketing, education, and networking, you can succeed in this field. If you’re passionate about helping couples bring their dream wedding to life, then a career in wedding planning is worth considering.
