Rhiannon Hendricks
Wedding planning is an exciting and dynamic career choice. However, it is a competitive field and requires a lot more than just a passion for weddings and decor. While there is no specific license required to be a wedding planner, there are several legal and certification requirements that need to be fulfilled. These include registering your business, obtaining a business license, and getting certified to establish credibility and attract clients. Additionally, insurance is crucial to protect yourself and your business. Other considerations include building a solid business plan, creating a professional website, and networking within the industry.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding planner license | Not required |
| Business license | Required |
| Business structure | Required (e.g. sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC) |
| Business registration | Required |
| Business name | Required |
| Business insurance | Required |
| Business cards | Required |
| Website | Required |
| Company bank account | Required |
| Federal tax ID (EIN) | Required |
| State tax ID | Required |
| Commercial auto insurance | Required |
| Event venue | May require licenses |
| Music | May require a public performance license |
| Alcohol | May require a liquor license |
| Food | May require a food handler's card |
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What You'll Learn
Wedding planning certifications
Although there is no specific "wedding planner license" required to become a wedding planner, a business license is necessary to own and operate a freelance wedding planning business. This is issued by your county or city and grants you legal permission to operate a business in your city or county. Additionally, there are other licensing, permit, and tax registration requirements that may be imposed on an event planning business. These include a Federal Tax ID (EIN) number, a State Tax ID number, and a DBA/fictitious business name registration.
Beyond these legal requirements, it is beneficial to obtain a wedding planning certification to set yourself apart from the competition and show your clients that you have the proper training and experience. The wedding planning industry is unregulated, and anyone can declare themselves fit to plan a wedding. However, having a certification will give you a competitive advantage and help you join professional wedding organizations.
There are several wedding planning certification courses available, both online and in-person, that can provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the industry. These courses typically cover various aspects of wedding planning, such as working with clients, pricing your services, creating contracts, and designing and executing weddings. Some examples of wedding planning certification programs include:
- The Certified Wedding & Event Planning (CWEP) program by Lovegevity's Wedding Planning Institute, which offers a comprehensive educational roadmap, including hands-on learning labs, workshops, and internship opportunities.
- The New York Institute of Art and Design's certified course in wedding planning, a six-unit online course taught by wedding planning experts covering best practices in venue selection, creating a theme, working with vendors, and more.
- The online wedding planning course certified by the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC), which teaches you how to work with clients, price your services, create contracts, and grow your business.
- The Certified Master Wedding and Event Professional Studies Program by LWPI, a comprehensive online/hybrid program including hands-on learning labs, workshops, and internships, leading to a Master's Certification in wedding and event planning.
In addition to obtaining the necessary licenses and certifications, there are a few other things to keep in mind when starting a wedding planning business. This includes acquiring the proper insurance policies, such as commercial auto insurance and liability insurance, and creating a detailed business plan that includes financial information, operational procedures, and marketing strategies. Building solid business relationships with wholesale dealers of wedding supplies and gaining hands-on experience through apprenticeships or internships can also be beneficial.
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Business licenses
While there is no specific "wedding planner license" required to become a wedding planner, there are other licensing obligations related to the business itself and when organizing a wedding. Wedding planning businesses are not regulated by any agency, and anyone can declare themselves a wedding planner. However, it is illegal to own and operate a freelance wedding planning business without a business license. This license is separate from the wedding planning industry but is necessary. It is issued by your county or city and grants you legal permission to operate a wedding planning business in your city or county. Check your local government website for application guidelines and remember to renew your license annually.
In addition to a business license, there are other licenses and permits that may be required for your wedding planning business. These include a Federal Tax ID (EIN) number, a State Tax ID number, and a DBA/fictitious business name registration. Depending on your location and the type of workspace you choose, certain zoning permissions may also be required. If you plan on serving food at weddings, you will need a food handler's card, and if you plan on serving alcohol, you will need a liquor license for the state you are serving in. If you will be playing music at weddings, you will also need a public performance license.
While certification is not required to become a wedding planner, it can be beneficial to help market your skills and provide clients with assurance. Wedding planner certifications prove that you have completed professional training and can help you stand out from the competition. They can also allow you to join professional wedding organizations and expand your business beyond wedding planning into other types of event planning.
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Liquor licenses
While a wedding planner does not need a business license to operate, they may need a liquor license if they plan on working with alcohol at their events.
Liquor license requirements for wedding events depend on the location and whether alcohol is being sold. In the US, each state has different alcohol laws, and even within states, local regulations vary. It is important to research the specific requirements for the state and location of the wedding.
If the wedding reception is held at a licensed venue, such as a banquet hall, hotel, or restaurant, the venue is typically responsible for complying with local alcohol laws and regulations, including checking IDs, refusing service to intoxicated guests, and ensuring that all alcohol-related laws are followed. In this case, the wedding host or planner does not need to obtain a separate liquor license.
However, if the wedding is held at a private location or a public venue that does not have a liquor license, a temporary liquor license may be required. This is especially important if alcohol is being sold or included in the ticket price. To obtain a temporary liquor license, the host or planner should contact their local Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) board or governing authority to determine the specific requirements and fees.
It is also important to hire professional and licensed bartenders who are trained to follow state and local alcohol laws, including refusing service to underage or intoxicated guests. Bartenders should carry their own liability insurance, which can protect the wedding host or planner from potential legal issues arising from alcohol service.
Additionally, event insurance is highly recommended to protect against any unforeseen incidents related to alcohol consumption. This can often be added to existing homeowners' insurance policies or obtained through specialized companies.
In summary, while a wedding planner may not need a liquor license if the venue already has one, they should be aware of the local alcohol laws and regulations and ensure that the venue and bartending staff are properly licensed and insured to serve alcohol responsibly.
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Music licenses
There are seven types of music licenses. The type of license you buy will depend on the purpose for which you want the song. The synchronization license refers to the musical concession for some type of audiovisual media. When a song is licensed for synchronization, the composer or editor of the song receives a commission for the use of the composition (score and lyrics). In the same way, the owner of the rights – usually the record companies – will also receive a commission for the use of the original master recording. If you have composed a song and have not sold the rights, you are the editor. But if you have composed and recorded the song, you are the owner of the master recording and the rights. In this case, you would have to be paid both commissions. The master license gives authorization to the person acquiring it to use the song in audiovisual projects.
In the USA, a private event, like a wedding, is royalty-free if it also happens to be at a private venue. At a public venue, like a restaurant or hotel, the venue itself is responsible for the licenses and if the owner of the venue has no licenses with the Performing Rights Organizations, then only original music or music where they have the copyright may be played. Either way, the fees for licenses will not matter for you or the bridal pair. A private event at a private venue is also royalty-free in the UK. It is also free for private events in a public venue when guests are personally invited, it is a privately booked room with no access for the public, admission is not charged, and the host has no financial gain.
Any performances of live music that take place in private homes and gardens for private parties and weddings will not be licensable unless the host takes the unusual step of charging their guests to attend with a view to making a profit. A license would only be required for a private wedding party if the host charged guests to attend with a view to making a profit.
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Business insurance
As a wedding planner, you need to expect the unexpected. You are putting on large-scale events where accidents are bound to happen. Therefore, it is essential to have wedding planner insurance to protect your business from accidents, injuries, legal fees, and damaged vehicles.
Wedding planner insurance is a type of insurance that provides comprehensive coverage for wedding planning businesses against a multitude of risks. It can provide financial protection in the event of property damage, bodily injury, unpaid wages, or other liabilities that may arise during the wedding event. The cost of wedding planner insurance can vary depending on the unique needs of your business, such as the length of time you have been in the industry, the types of services you offer, your annual and projected gross revenue, and the number of employees you have. However, you can find insurance plans for as low as £5 or $17 a month.
Wedding planner insurance typically includes general liability insurance, which covers a wide range of wedding planning accidents and basic risks. It provides financial protection if someone other than an employee gets hurt or you are held responsible for damaging a client's property or that of a third party. It is often required by wedding venues. Professional liability insurance (also known as errors and omissions) helps you defend yourself if you are accused of making a mistake that causes someone to lose money. It can also financially protect your business from the results of incidents like negligence, libel, slander, copyright infringement, and more.
If you have employees, you will likely be required to have workers' compensation insurance to cover any accidental injuries sustained by your staff or subcontractors. Commercial auto insurance is also necessary if your business owns vehicles, as it can help pay for repairs if you scrape another car, for example. Additionally, if you have an office space, commercial property insurance can help cover repair or replacement costs if your owned or leased property is damaged.
Having the proper liability insurance in place is the safest way to guarantee your peace of mind in an industry so dependent on external vendors. It proves that you take the extra steps to protect the people involved in your project, something that clients and industry professionals will respect.
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Frequently asked questions
Wedding planning is an unlicensed industry, meaning anyone can become a wedding planner without a license. However, if you plan to start your own wedding planning business, you will need to obtain a business license. This is a separate license from any wedding planning certification you may pursue.
A business license grants you legal permission to operate your business in your city or county. You can check your local government website for application guidelines and remember to renew your license annually.
While it is not required, a wedding planning certification can help you stand out from the competition, join professional wedding organizations, and assure clients that you are a trained professional.
