George Boyle
Wedding planning is a lucrative and fast-growing industry, with the national average salary for a wedding planner in the US being $43,500 to $47,500 a year. While there is no required certification or license to become a wedding planner, a college degree can provide a helpful foundation. Wedding planners with advanced education typically earn a higher salary and have access to better jobs. A bachelor's degree usually takes four years to complete, but accelerated programs can allow students to finish in as little as 2.5 years. Some wedding planners even pursue a master's degree, which can lead to even higher-paying jobs.
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What You'll Learn
Wedding planning qualifications and certifications
While a college degree is not required to become a wedding planner, certain majors can provide a helpful foundation for a career in wedding planning. These include business, communications, public relations, hospitality management, marketing, and event planning. Many local community colleges offer classes in these subjects, which can help you learn the skills needed to become a wedding planner.
In addition to formal education, certifications can also be obtained to enhance your resume and make your business stand out. Wedding planning certifications are offered by organizations like the American Association of Certified Wedding Planners, the Wedding Academy, and Lovegevity's Wedding Planning Institute. These certifications can provide useful information and help you appear more appealing to potential clients.
The Event School London, for example, offers a 5-day Certificate in Wedding Planning course that covers various aspects of wedding planning, from understanding client needs to starting and promoting a wedding planning business. The International School of Hospitality offers a Wedding Coordination and Design course that equips students with the skills and knowledge to excel in the wedding industry, covering topics such as cultural ceremonies and vendor relations.
Advanced Certification Wedding Planning programs are also available, offering in-depth knowledge and practical skills. These programs may include components such as a wedding business CRM (customer relationship management) tool, which can help manage client details and vendor contracts efficiently.
It is worth noting that, while not mandatory, certifications and education can demonstrate your commitment to the industry and your career advancement. They can also provide valuable connections and enhance your professional network, which is essential for success in the wedding planning business.
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College degrees and majors
While a college degree is not required to become a wedding planner, some form of education or training is recommended. Wedding planners with advanced education typically earn a higher salary and have access to better jobs. A wedding planner with a Master's degree earns the highest average salary, at $46,017 annually, while those with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $45,973.
There are many colleges that offer courses in wedding planning, with some of the most affordable being SUNY Farmingdale, Baruch College of the City University of New York, and California State University - Bakersfield. Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Cornell University are considered the most challenging universities to get into for wedding planners.
If you are unable to attend a four-year university, there are other options available. Many local community colleges offer classes in event planning, business, sales, catering, and hospitality management, which can be very helpful for a career in wedding planning. There are also many places online that offer similar courses. Both online and local college courses will help add to your resume, give you some of the skills you need, and enable you to do a great job.
If you are just starting out in the industry and don't have much experience, a wedding planner certification may be worth the cost. Specialized schools for wedding and event planning offer certificate programs that typically take a few weeks to a few months to complete. These programs provide educational materials and guidance from experienced wedding planning professionals, and you may complete projects that can be used to build a portfolio to show clients.
In addition to formal education, it is important to gain real-world experience. Getting a job in a related field, such as catering or hospitality, can provide valuable skills and knowledge that can be applied to a career in wedding planning. Internships or mentorships with experienced event planners can also be extremely beneficial.
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Salary expectations
While a college degree is not required to become a wedding planner, some form of formal education is recommended. This could be a short course, or a longer event management degree that will take around 2-3 years. Some of the topics covered in these courses include how to deal with suppliers, risk management, and legal considerations.
Wedding planners with formal qualifications can often charge higher rates because clients are willing to pay more for someone with proven expertise. A wedding planner's salary is likely to increase as they gain experience. Starting salaries for entry-level jobs are around £18,000-£25,000 a year. Once you gain experience, you can expect to move up to a salary of £35,000+ a year. The national average salary for a wedding planner in the US is $43,500 to $47,500 a year, or about $3,262 per wedding. Freelance wedding planners can expect to earn between £30,000 and £100,000 per year, depending on their experience and location.
The type of couples you target will also impact your salary. For example, if you target young couples who have just graduated from college, you are likely to make less money than a planner who specializes in luxury events for celebrities and CEOs. The location in which you offer your services will also impact your salary. If you are in a high-demand area, like London, New York, or Mumbai, you can expect to earn more.
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Real-world experience
While there is no required certification or license to become a wedding planner in the United States, real-world experience is invaluable in this industry. This can be gained through internships or mentorships, or by working in the food and beverage industry, or at hotels, resorts, and country clubs, which often double as wedding venues.
For example, one wedding planner started out as a greeter at a wedding trade show, before becoming a hostess at a high-end restaurant, and then working in hotel and resort catering departments, restaurant sales, and nightlife operations. Another wedding planner, who runs her own business, started by planning her own wedding, and then charging a lower rate for her first few weddings, gradually increasing her prices as she gained experience.
If you are a recent college graduate or don't have much experience with event planning, it might be a good idea to join a wedding planning agency to gain experience before branching out on your own.
In addition to real-world experience, it is also important to build a broad knowledge base. This can be achieved through online research, joining professional organizations, and networking with vendors and other wedding planners.
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Networking and connections
Conferences and associations are also a great way to network and learn from others in the industry. Organizations like WIPA, ILEA, and NACE offer valuable peer-to-peer education. Additionally, conferences and educational events produced by The Knot Pro, Wedding MBA, and Engage are built on the idea of learning from each other's experiences.
Facebook groups, both private and public, have also been created specifically for peer-to-peer education in the wedding planning space. These groups can provide a platform for connecting with others in the industry and seeking advice.
Another way to build connections is to intern or find a mentor in the industry. This can provide valuable insights and guidance as you navigate your career path.
In addition to networking, it is also beneficial to have a strong foundation of skills and knowledge. A college program can provide a broad knowledge base and help you develop essential skills such as budgeting, organization, and time management.
While a college degree is not required, it can give you a competitive edge and access to better job opportunities. Wedding planners with advanced education, such as a Master's or Bachelor's degree, tend to earn higher salaries.
However, it's important to note that hands-on experience is also highly valued in the wedding planning industry. Consider gaining real-world experience through internships, mentorships, or entry-level positions to build your resume and demonstrate your capabilities.
Overall, a combination of networking, connections, education, and experience will put you on a strong path towards a successful career as a wedding planner.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no requirement for any years of college to become a wedding planner. However, a college degree can help you develop the skills needed to plan weddings and run a business.
Some good colleges for wedding planning include SUNY Farmingdale, Baruch College of the City University of New York, and California State University - Bakersfield. Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Cornell University are some of the most challenging universities to get into.
Event planning is one of the most popular majors for wedding planners. Other good majors include marketing, business, communications, public relations, hospitality management, and catering.
