The Stressful Art Of Wedding Planning

Wedding planning is a tough job that requires a lot of hard work and dedication. It involves long hours, physical and mental exhaustion, and the ability to handle stress. Wedding planners need to be highly organised, have excellent communication skills, and be able to multitask effectively. They also need to be able to problem-solve and make quick decisions when things go wrong, which they often do. It is a very social job, so wedding planners must be comfortable working with many different people, including clients, vendors, and other professionals in the industry. While it can be a glamorous and rewarding career, it is important to be aware of the challenges and sacrifices involved.

It's physically and mentally demanding

Being a wedding planner is a tough job. It involves working long hours—often 10 to 15 hours on your feet—and being "mentally on" throughout. It's common to feel dehydrated, sore, and tired after a wedding. As one planner put it, "It's like you ran a race and then went out drinking all night."

Wedding planning is often regarded as one of the most stressful jobs. A lot is demanded of wedding planners, who are responsible for making a couple's vision come to life. They have to juggle multiple tasks, including answering calls and emails, finding and hiring vendors, identifying venue options, creating schedules, negotiating contracts, and ensuring the event follows the correct timeline.

Wedding planners also need to be good problem solvers, as things can and do go wrong. They may have to deal with last-minute cancellations or changes in plans due to unforeseen circumstances, such as bad weather. All of this requires a great deal of physical and mental stamina.

You'll need to be a people person

As a wedding planner, you'll be working with many different kinds of clients and vendors. The wedding industry is very social, and wedding planners are probably the most social vendor category in the industry. If you are introverted, shy, or don’t like to be around people, being a planner could be a difficult career choice. This isn’t to say that you can’t overcome those personality traits, but it is something to consider.

Communication is a key skill for wedding planners. You'll need to be in contact with the couple and their families, as well as the entire vendor team. You'll also need to be a good leader, staying calm, delegating, listening, and guiding the couple in a high-pressure atmosphere.

Networking is an excellent tool to get your foot in the door. Talking to other people in the industry will help you learn about the job, build connections for the future, and inspire you to work toward your goals. Joining an organisation like a professional association for wedding planners will help you meet like-minded individuals and move forward in your career.

You'll also need to be confident. Confidence in yourself is a big key to your success in event planning. However, a big ego is not.

You'll need to be able to handle stress

Wedding planning is often regarded as one of the most stressful jobs. It has been listed by CNBC as the fifth most stressful career. Out of all careers!

If you can handle stress and keep your cool, this might be a good career for you.

Wedding planning is hard work. You will be on your feet for very long hours. At some weddings, it's like 18 hours of work and up to 15 miles of walking. It is exhausting no matter how good shape you are in. It gets harder as you get older.

You will be in charge of figuring out how to fix things when they go wrong. Sometimes, with zero resources or adequate time. If you love challenges and have a competitive streak, the job will suit you.

Wedding planning is not like the movies! It's a lot of "behind the desk" work, emails, phone calls, site visits, and working with people of all personalities.

You will be working with many different kinds of clients and vendors. The wedding industry is very social, and being a planner is probably the most social vendor category in the industry.

If you are introverted, shy, or don’t like to be around people, being a planner could be a difficult career choice. This isn’t to say that you can’t overcome those personality traits, but it is something to consider.

Being a wedding planner means having a work schedule that doesn’t match the standard 9-5 weekday gig. Weekend events and evening client meetings take time away from family and friends. If you own your business, you can set boundaries to help with this and plan other types of events to balance your schedule. However, the reality is that 95% of weddings happen on Saturdays, and many of your clients need to meet after work for planning meetings.

You'll need to be highly organised

Wedding planning is a complex and demanding job, and it requires a high level of organisation. Wedding planners often juggle multiple weddings at once, so they need to be able to manage their time effectively and stay on top of all the details. They need to be able to keep track of timelines, multiple vendors and budgets.

Wedding planners have to be able to create comprehensive schedules for all vendors, staff and wedding parties, and ensure that everything goes according to plan on the day. This involves meticulous research, arranging even the smallest details, and coordinating with multiple parties.

Organisation is key to keeping on top of the administrative side of the job, too. Wedding planners spend a lot of time answering calls and emails, and need to be able to respond promptly and efficiently. They also need to be able to manage their own business finances, including expenses and taxes.

Organisation and time management skills are also important when it comes to networking and building relationships with vendors and other planners. Wedding planners need to be able to attend industry events and forge connections that could lead to future work opportunities.

You'll need to be a good leader

Wedding planning is a complex process that involves many moving parts and people. A wedding planner must be able to make decisions and guide the couple through the planning process and on their big day. Being a good leader means staying calm under pressure, delegating tasks, listening to your clients and other vendors, and providing clear direction to ensure everything stays on track.

Wedding planners often have to juggle multiple weddings at once, so strong organisational skills are a must. This includes keeping on top of emails, phone calls, meetings, and site visits, as well as managing the various vendors involved. It's crucial to be able to prioritise tasks and stay on schedule, especially in the lead-up to the wedding day.

Excellent communication skills are also essential. Wedding planners need to be confident and clear communicators, able to build rapport with their clients and vendors, and adapt their communication style as needed. Active listening is a key part of this, as it's important to understand your clients' vision and interpret their requests, particularly when they are feeling stressed.

Being a good leader also means knowing when to ask for help. Wedding planning can be a demanding job, and it's important to recognise when you need support. Building a strong network of vendors and other planners can provide a valuable support system and help you deliver an exceptional service to your clients.

Frequently asked questions