Becoming A Wedding Planner: Post-College Career Options

If you're a recent college graduate and are interested in becoming a wedding planner, you may be wondering if you can dive straight into the field. While it is possible to become a wedding planner without a degree, there are several steps you can take to increase your chances of success and build a solid foundation for your career.

First, it is important to gain hands-on experience in the industry. Consider interning or volunteering with a wedding planner or event planning agency, or helping people you know to plan their weddings. This will allow you to learn the ins and outs of the industry and develop valuable skills.

In addition to gaining practical experience, building a network of contacts within the industry is crucial. Networking will not only help you advance your career and meet potential clients, but it will also allow you to practice your communication and people skills, which are essential for wedding planners.

Another step you can take is to pursue a certification in wedding planning. While it is not required, earning a certification will demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in the field, setting you apart from other planners.

Finally, if you plan to start your own wedding planning business, creating a comprehensive business and marketing plan is essential. This includes defining your services, niche, target audience, organizational structure, sales strategy, and financial plan.

By following these steps, you can increase your chances of success and establish yourself as a wedding planner, even if you are just starting out after college.

Do you need a degree?

While a degree is not strictly necessary to become a wedding planner, it can certainly help. The most common degrees for wedding planners are bachelor's degrees, with 71% of wedding planners holding one. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also states that meeting, convention, and event planners (a category that includes wedding planners) typically need a bachelor's degree, with common fields of study including business, communications, and social science.

However, it is also possible to become a wedding planner with an associate's degree, a high school diploma, or no degree at all. In fact, one source states that you don't need any certification or license to become a wedding or event planner in the United States, except for a business license if you own your own business.

If you are considering a degree in event planning, business, sales, catering, or hospitality management, these will all help you learn the skills needed to become a wedding planner. Local community colleges often offer these types of classes, and there are also many online options. Having a certification or education shows that you are serious about the industry and advancing your career.

If you are not interested in pursuing a degree, you can still become a wedding planner by gaining hands-on experience. You can do this by interning at an event planning agency or volunteering to help people you know plan their weddings. It is also beneficial to find a seasoned mentor who can help you see the day-to-day realities of the job.

In addition, you can pursue a professional certification to expand your knowledge of the wedding planning industry and signal your expertise to potential clients. The American Association of Certified Wedding Planners and Longevity's Wedding Planning Institute both offer certification courses.

So, while a degree is not required to become a wedding planner, it can be advantageous, and there are several options available to those who are interested.

What skills do you need?

Wedding planning is a complex role that requires a range of skills, from creativity to organisation. Here are the key skills you will need to become a successful wedding planner:

Creativity and an Eye for Design

A love for weddings, romance, and people is a must for aspiring wedding planners. It is important to be able to turn a couple's abstract vision into a concrete reality, and this often requires a creative mindset and an eye for visual design. From the wedding theme and colour palette to the decor and attire, a wedding planner should be able to create a cohesive and beautiful event.

Organisation and Attention to Detail

Planning a wedding involves juggling many moving parts and keeping track of numerous details. Strong organisational skills and attention to detail are crucial for wedding planners to ensure nothing is overlooked or forgotten. Creating schedules, managing budgets, and coordinating multiple vendors and their timelines require excellent organisational abilities.

Communication and People Skills

Wedding planners need to communicate and collaborate effectively with various individuals, including the couple, their families, vendors, and the wedding party. Active listening skills are essential to understanding the couple's vision and expectations, while strong written and verbal communication ensures everyone involved is on the same page. People skills are also beneficial when it comes to negotiating contracts and problem-solving.

Leadership and Decision-Making

Wedding planners often need to make quick decisions and guide the couple through high-pressure situations. Leadership skills are vital for keeping calm under stress, delegating tasks, and confidently leading the couple and wedding party through the wedding planning process and the big day itself.

Time Management

Wedding planners often juggle multiple weddings and clients simultaneously, so effective time management is essential. Planners must be able to manage their time efficiently, from the initial planning stages to finalising contracts and attending meetings and events.

Problem-Solving and Adaptability

Wedding planning rarely goes exactly according to plan, and unexpected changes or issues often arise. Problem-solving skills and a calm, adaptable mindset are crucial for addressing last-minute changes and finding creative solutions without becoming flustered.

Budgeting and Financial Management

As weddings often involve working within specific financial constraints, wedding planners need to be adept at budgeting and financial management. This includes negotiating contracts, managing expenses, and fulfilling the couple's requests while staying within their budget.

Industry Knowledge

A solid understanding of the wedding industry, including the different types of weddings (e.g., small, large, destination), vendors, and current trends, is essential. This knowledge can be gained through research, internships, and hands-on experience.

Empathy and Emotional Intelligence

Wedding planning involves dealing with people during an emotionally charged time in their lives. Empathy and emotional intelligence are important for building strong relationships with clients, understanding their needs, and providing support throughout the planning process.

A Willingness to Learn

The wedding industry is constantly evolving, and successful wedding planners must be willing to learn and adapt. This includes staying up-to-date with industry trends, attending workshops and conferences, and continually seeking out learning opportunities to expand their knowledge and skills.

While some of these skills may come naturally, others can be developed through education, training, and hands-on experience. Gaining practical experience through internships, entry-level positions, or volunteering is an excellent way to build the skills needed to become a successful wedding planner.

How do you get experience?

Experience is key to becoming a wedding planner, and there are several ways to get it. One way is to intern at an event planning agency or with a wedding planner who produces the types of events that interest you. You could also volunteer to help plan weddings for people you know, or take on an entry-level role at an agency or in a related industry like event planning.

If you're set on working for yourself, it's still a good idea to get experience working with other wedding planners first. This will help you understand the day-to-day realities of the job and avoid costly mistakes down the line.

You could also consider taking on an internship or finding a mentor. This will help you understand what it's really like to be a wedding planner before investing a lot of money and time in your own business.

Another way to get experience is to take classes or get experience in related fields like floral design, colour theory, interior design, cake decorating, and food-wine pairing.

It's also worth noting that a degree is not necessary to become a wedding planner, but it can be helpful. The most common degrees for wedding planners are in business, communication, hospitality management, marketing, and psychology.

What's the earning potential?

While there are no required certifications or licenses to become a wedding planner in the United States, there are several factors that can influence how much wedding planners make. According to PayScale, the annual median income of wedding planners is $40,343, with the lowest 10% of earners making about $24,000 and the highest bracket of earners making at least $74,000. The average salary for a wedding planner is $46,469 per year, with salaries varying depending on geographic location, training, experience, and whether they work independently or for an agency.

If you work for an event planning company, you can expect to make between $20,000 and $60,000 a year, depending on your position and geographical area. However, if you own your wedding planning business, your opportunities for income and financial growth are far higher. Wedding planners with a master's degree earn the highest average salary at $46,017 annually, while those with a bachelor's degree earn an average of $45,973.

The choice of college can also impact a wedding planner's earning potential. For example, the best colleges for wedding planners, such as Stanford University and Cornell University, offer higher career opportunities and earning potential than other institutions. Additionally, the services offered, years of experience, and location of the business can also influence a wedding planner's earning potential.

What's the job outlook?

The job outlook for wedding planners is promising, with a projected growth of around 7% to 18% in the coming decade. This is due to various factors, including the legalization of same-sex marriage, an increasing number of weddings, and people retiring or leaving the profession. However, it's important to note that the job market for wedding planners can vary depending on location and other factors.

Salary

Wedding planners' salaries can vary significantly depending on various factors, including experience, location, and the type of clients they work with. In the United States, the average annual salary for wedding planners is about $54,000, but this can range from around $35,000 for those starting out to over $100,000 for experienced planners with a good client base.

Factors Affecting Salary

Several factors influence a wedding planner's salary. These include:

• Years of experience: Entry-level wedding planners can expect to earn less, while those with more experience and a strong reputation can command higher fees.
• Services offered: The range of services provided can impact earnings. Planners who offer additional services, such as destination wedding planning or niche specializations, may have higher incomes.
• Location: The location of the business plays a significant role in determining earnings. Planners working in areas with larger populations or higher socioeconomic statuses tend to earn more. For example, wedding planners in California earn around $59,000 per year, while those in Idaho make approximately $39,000.
• Niche specializations: Specializing in specific types of weddings, such as destination weddings, can increase earnings.

Career Paths and Opportunities

Wedding planners have various career paths to choose from. They can work for a hotel, wedding planning agency, or event planning company, gaining experience and building their portfolio before branching out on their own. Some planners prefer to start their own businesses right away, especially if they live in a small town or city with limited job opportunities.

Education and Training

While a degree is not required to become a wedding planner, earning a certificate or taking online courses in wedding planning, event planning, or a related field can provide a solid foundation. These programs offer valuable knowledge in marketing, budget management, vendor relations, and other critical aspects of the job.

Skills

To be successful, wedding planners need a diverse set of skills, including:

• Communication: Effective communication is essential when dealing with couples, their families, and vendors.
• Organization and attention to detail: Planners must juggle multiple tasks and keep track of countless details to ensure the wedding day runs smoothly.
• Problem-solving: When things don't go according to plan, as they often do, planners need to think on their feet and find creative solutions.
• Negotiation: Negotiation skills are crucial when dealing with vendors and ensuring the couple's vision stays within their budget.
• Trend awareness: Staying up-to-date with the latest trends in the wedding industry helps planners offer fresh and relevant ideas to their clients.
• Emotional intelligence: Wedding planning involves dealing with emotional clients and families, which can take a toll. Planners need to be empathetic and able to manage difficult clients gracefully.

Challenges

While wedding planning can be a rewarding career, it also comes with its fair share of challenges. These include:

• Weekend and evening work: Most weddings take place on weekends, and evening client meetings are common, making it challenging to maintain a traditional work schedule.
• Physical and mental demands: Wedding days are long and exhausting, requiring planners to be on their feet and "on" mentally for extended periods.
• Emotional intensity: Wedding planning involves dealing with emotional clients and families, which can take a toll.
• Stress: Wedding planning is often listed as one of the most stressful careers due to the high stakes and numerous moving parts involved.
• Multitasking and organization: Planners must juggle multiple couples, vendors, and details simultaneously, requiring exceptional organization and multitasking skills.

Networking and Building a Reputation

Building a strong network and a positive reputation are crucial for success in this industry. Word-of-mouth recommendations are powerful, and planners should aim to exceed their clients' expectations to earn referrals and positive testimonials. Networking with other professionals in the industry, such as photographers, caterers, and venue managers, can also lead to valuable connections and future collaborations.

Frequently asked questions