Since these programs are unregulated, do your homework before handing over money to any organization. If you’re interested in a particular company but can’t find any internship opportunities with them, don’t be afraid to reach out. Image by Emily Roberts © The Balance 2019. How to become a wedding planner. Many people begin their careers after making their wedding arrangements or helping their friends and relatives with their affairs. Different wedding planners will tell you different things, but generally these courses aren't nearly as helpful as getting real professional experience. You can also take classes at your local community college or online. If you can’t find one, apply to a banquet or event planning internship at a major hotel to get some relevant experience. She is a former writer for The Balance Careers. I think that is enough. The wedding coordinator is on hand to make sure the couple is not bothered by the minutiae of the planning as the day draws near. Check online directories like Team Wedding and Home of Top Wedding Sites for advertising rates. The full-service wedding planner helps the couple find their venues, DJ, caterer, band, photographer, decor, centerpieces etc. You may have to start by offering your services for free to build a portfolio. To become a wedding planner, spend time reading advice, tips, and insights on wedding planning blogs, books, and websites. Expert Interview. Make sure you understand your responsibilities as wedding planner. You'll need to be able to remain calm in the face of adversity, like when the DJ cancels at the last minute, and soothe nerves (not only your own) when things don't go as planned such as the bride's dress getting ruined just before the ceremony has started. Thinking about starting a wedding planning business? 11 February 2020. Business proprietor Martin Van Keken had … 21 February 2020. Couples hire wedding planners to take care of the t… Don’t tell the couple about these issues unless it’s absolutely necessary. Weddings can be stressful and emotional, so it’s important that you stay cool, calm, and collected throughout the process. ", "Must be available for domestic and international travel. Is this enough for me to work as an event planner, or should I apply for any other course? I have completed my MBA in finance and marketing. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Graduates of these programs, for example, may work on events such as conventions, trade shows, award shows, sports tournaments, and music festivals. First of all, your preparation will be more broadly based, allowing you to work on other types of events, in addition to weddings. While wedding planners don't save lives, they do, however, serve an important role in the lives of many engaged couples. Keep in mind, business ownership involves working long hours and having many different responsibilities. Start off helping a couple more people plan events for free. See if you can get an internship or apprenticeship with an experienced wedding planner. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 206,910 times. What if I get my Associate's in Culinary Arts, can I still be a planner or should I get another degree? First up, I want to address the different roles that often get put under the heading of wedding planner as they aren’t all the same thing and can often be confused. Dawn Rosenberg McKay is a certified Career Development Facilitator. Some employers pay a commission—a percentage of clients' fees— rather than a straight salary. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. You’ll be responsible for coordinating all aspects of the wedding--rehearsals, the reception, the ceremony, and any travel arrangements--while sticking to the budget. Make sure you’re passionate about wedding planning before you commit to this career path. Last Updated: November 5, 2020 It depends on the type of certification. There are 22 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Plan events for friends. Christina Millikin. Christina Millikin is the Founder and CEO of Glow Events, an event planning agency based in San Francisco, California. This will help you develop the skills you'll need to be a successful planner. That might work, although you would have to show the ability to tackle all aspects of planning a wedding. Since it has been a while and you haven't been in the industry, that will be a good way to get your feet wet again. Do You Have to Go to College to Become a Wedding Planner? A wedding planner can help the happy couple create an occasion that they'll always remember and will likely consider as one of the most special days in their lives. Always have a backup plan, and show up with extra supplies that vendors might forget. Responsiveness is vital to keeping your clients happy. Glow Events' work has been featured in Martha Stewert Weddings, InStyle, and SanFrancisco Magazine. In addition to this, you will need to develop your taste and understanding of general trends in the wedding market. % of people told us that this article helped them. Alternatively, apply for entry-level jobs in public relations or event planning to help develop your event planning and client management skills. You'll need to be able to remain calm in the face of adversity, like when the DJ cancels at the last minute, and soothe nerves (not only your own) when things don't go as planned such as the bride's dress getting ruined just before the ceremony has started. Do your best to sort them out on your own first. Some wedding planners choose to become certified to show potential clients that they have completed some training in their field. Successful events are beautiful, memorable and as stress-free as possible for the bride, groom, and all of their guests. You don’t want to sell yourself short. By using our site, you agree to our. References. How To Become A Certified Event Planner August 1, 2020 jimmy. Not only are they about to enter into a new phase in their lives, but they are also about to throw a party that's likely larger and more lavish than any they've thrown before. It’s the best option if you want to become a part time wedding planner because you only really work on the wedding day and the night of the rehearsal. We'll cover steps to get started, things to consider, how much money you could make, challenges to expect, and how to market yourself. What degrees are useful for people becoming wedding planners? To become a wedding planner, you typically need to have completed a certificate or diploma program in wedding or event planning, or have work experience in an area that has allowed you to develop transferrable skills. You can, though you may have trouble finding clients until you have some experience. It takes years of hard work to build a reputation and strong business as a wedding planner. Hovik Harutyunyan. Additionally, the wedding planner has to attend the wedding to make sure everything goes according to plan. Some will want to be super involved in the planning process, while others will just want to discuss the big picture. At any one time you have to deal with vendors, couples, families, and finances. Don't miss all the tools and resources you'll need. ". Start small--think birthday parties--and work your way up. Couples hire wedding planners to take care of the things they prefer not to do themselves. Couples often ask for style advice. A Wedding Planner Certificate from Online Courses Australia, for example, takes an estimated 12 study hours. Make sure you maintain good relationships with all your past vendors so you have options in case of last minute cancellations. You don't have to go to college to become a wedding planner. First and foremost, you'll need to determine if this career path is a good fit for your skills, interests and personality traits. This is the ultimate guide on how to become a wedding planner! Creating a profitable wedding planning business takes time and effort. If you want to plan weddings professionally, start by interning at a wedding planning company and planning events for family and friends. Many wedding planners support themselves and their families with their wedding planning career, however it is rare to become financially wealthy through a career in wedding planning. Wedding Planner Job Description: Salary, Skills, & More, Interview Questions for an Event Planner Position, List of Wedding/Special Events Planner Skills, Top 10 Best Jobs for Communication Majors, Event Planner Job Description: Salary, Skills, & More, How to Become a Sought-After Wedding Singer, Learn How to Showcase Your Bottom Line Value in Your Cover Letter, Review Event Planner Resume and Cover Letter Samples, Need to Make Extra Money? Always dress professionally when meeting with clients. The Different Roles of Wedding Planning. Running a business isn't for everyone, so before you invest your time and energy, you should determine whether it is the right option for you.