The Ultimate Guide To Becoming A Wedding Planner

If you're thinking about becoming a wedding planner, you'll need to be prepared to work hard and juggle countless tasks. You'll need to do meticulous research, arrange even the tiniest details, coordinate with multiple parties, and keep everything on schedule. It's important to have a willingness to learn and an excitement about absorbing new information, as well as a knack for organisation and visual design. To get started, familiarise yourself with the job requirements by exploring wedding planners' websites and social media platforms, following wedding planners on social media, listening to wedding podcasts, or attending seminars and workshops. You could also take an online course taught by successful wedding planners or intern with a wedding planning company or venue to get a feel for the job.

Learn about the industry

To become a wedding planner, you must learn about the industry. Familiarise yourself with the job requirements and explore wedding planners’ websites and social media platforms to get a feel for what they do. Seek out opportunities to advance your knowledge about this field, whether it's following wedding planners on social media, listening to wedding podcasts, attending seminars, taking courses, or going to workshops and conferences.

The best wedding planners have a ‘never stop learning’ mindset. They read, they watch webinars and social media lives, and they collaborate and listen to wedding podcasts. They take courses and attend workshops and conferences. Even wedding planners with decades of experience are still constantly learning new tricks and trends regarding their job. Having a willingness to learn and an excitement about absorbing new information will help you kick off your career and continue advancing it.

You can also take an online course taught by successful wedding planners. As you're taking the course or after you've finished, go and intern with a wedding planning company or wedding venue. By interning, you'll get a feel for the job and be able to tell quickly if you really love it or if it's not for you.

To pull off a grand, complex affair like a wedding, a planner must do meticulous research, arrange even the minutest details, coordinate with multiple parties, and keep everything on schedule, while juggling countless other tasks. Helping a couple plan their special day from start to finish is hard work, but it's extremely fulfilling for many. If you get a thrill every time you see a bride in her wedding dress for the first time, experience butterflies after hearing "I do," and have a knack for organisation and visual design, then becoming a wedding planner might be the perfect career path for you.

Research and attention to detail

Meticulous research is required to pull off a complex event like a wedding. A planner must arrange every detail, no matter how small, coordinate with multiple parties, and keep everything on schedule while juggling countless other tasks. It's important to be constantly learning new tricks and trends, and to have a willingness to learn and absorb new information. This could be through reading, watching webinars and social media lives, collaborating, listening to podcasts, taking courses, and attending workshops and conferences.

Interning with a wedding planning company or wedding venue is a great way to get a taste of what it's like to be a wedding planner and to quickly find out if it's the right career for you.

Collaborate with other wedding planners

Collaborating with other wedding planners is a great way to learn the ropes of the industry and build your network. By working alongside experienced planners, you can gain valuable insights into the day-to-day tasks and challenges of the job. You can also learn about the latest trends and tricks that are being used in the industry.

One way to find collaboration opportunities is to reach out to established wedding planners or planning companies and offer your assistance as an intern or assistant. This will allow you to work closely with experienced professionals and learn from their expertise. It will also give you a realistic view of what the job entails, helping you to decide if it is the right career path for you.

Another way to find collaboration opportunities is to attend industry events, such as workshops, conferences, and seminars. These events provide a great platform to network with other wedding planners and build relationships that could lead to future collaborations. They also offer a wealth of knowledge and inspiration, keeping you up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in the industry.

Social media is another powerful tool for connecting with other wedding planners. You can join online communities and groups specifically for wedding planners, where you can share ideas, seek advice, and offer your services. This will help you to stay connected with your peers and potentially lead to collaborative projects.

Finally, don't be afraid to reach out to wedding planners you admire and ask for their guidance or mentorship. Many successful wedding planners are willing to share their knowledge and may be open to collaborating with aspiring professionals. By seeking their mentorship, you can gain valuable insights and build meaningful connections that can support your career growth.

Take an online course

Taking an online course is a great way to become a wedding planner. There are many courses available that are taught by successful wedding planners, so you can learn from the best in the business. These courses will give you an overview of the wedding planning industry and teach you the skills you need to succeed in this career. You'll learn about the different types of weddings, from elopements to destination affairs, and how to plan and design a couple's wedding festivities. You'll also gain valuable knowledge about the research, attention to detail, coordination, and scheduling required to pull off a complex event like a wedding.

In addition to the practical skills, online courses can also provide you with insights into the business side of wedding planning. This includes learning about contracts, pricing, and marketing your services. You'll discover how to build a successful wedding planning business and attract clients who are looking for your unique skills and expertise.

When choosing an online course, look for one that offers a comprehensive curriculum covering all aspects of wedding planning. It should provide a balance of theoretical knowledge and practical, hands-on experience. Some courses may even include internships or work placements, giving you the opportunity to apply what you've learned in a real-world setting.

While taking an online course, it's important to stay engaged and actively participate in the learning process. Interact with your instructors and fellow students, ask questions, and seek feedback. Many courses also encourage collaboration, providing you with a network of peers who can offer support and share their own experiences.

After completing an online course, you'll have the knowledge and confidence to start your career as a wedding planner. You'll be equipped with the tools and techniques to plan unforgettable weddings and create memorable experiences for your clients. Remember, learning doesn't stop after the course; continue to seek out new trends, attend workshops, and network with other wedding planners to stay at the top of your game.

Intern with a wedding planning company

To become a wedding planner, it's important to learn about the industry. Familiarise yourself with the job requirements and explore wedding planners' websites and social media platforms to get a feel for what they do. You can also follow wedding planners on social media, listen to wedding podcasts, or attend seminars and workshops.

Interning with a wedding planning company is a great way to get a taste of what it's like to be a wedding planner. By interning, you'll quickly learn if you love the job or if it's not for you. It's also a chance to gain experience and build your resume.

When looking for an internship, consider the type of wedding planning company you want to work for. Some companies specialise in elopements, while others execute destination affairs or handle every type of event. You can also look for internships with wedding venues, which often have their own planning teams.

During your internship, you'll have the opportunity to learn about the day-to-day tasks of a wedding planner. This may include meticulous research, arranging details, coordinating with multiple parties, and keeping everything on schedule. You'll also gain valuable experience in the industry, which will help you excel in your career.

Frequently asked questions