Planning A Career: Wedding Planner With A Comms Degree

Wedding planning is a challenging and exciting career that requires a unique set of skills and qualifications. While there is no standard education requirement, a degree in communications can be an excellent foundation for aspiring wedding planners. In this paragraph, we will explore the role of a wedding planner, the benefits of a communications degree, and how to utilise your skills to succeed in this competitive industry.

Develop strong communication skills

Communication is a vital skill for wedding planners, who must be confident in their ability to convey their thoughts and opinions to others. Here are some ways to develop strong communication skills:

Understand the Basics of Communication

Communication is a two-way process of transferring messages between a sender and a receiver. It is also the mechanism we use to establish and modify relationships. Understanding the basics of communication will help you identify areas for improvement and refine your communication style.

Practice

Communication skills can be honed through daily practice in various settings, from social to professional interactions. Each time you engage in a conversation, you have an opportunity to refine your skills and build your confidence.

Adopt an "Explorer" Mindset

Approach social interactions with an "explorer" mindset. Be curious about people, and don't be afraid to share about yourself. This mindset encourages you to initiate conversations and make connections, strengthening your communication abilities.

Make Eye Contact

Eye contact is a powerful tool in any interaction. It conveys interest and encourages your conversation partner to engage with you. Try to maintain eye contact by looking into one of the person's eyes and then moving to the other, creating a sparkling effect.

Use Gestures and Body Language

Use hand gestures and facial expressions to emphasise your message. For larger groups, use bigger gestures to ensure your message is conveyed clearly. Additionally, be mindful of your body language, as it can convey more than your words. An open stance with relaxed arms signals that you are approachable and willing to communicate.

Be Aware of Mixed Messages

Ensure your words, gestures, facial expressions, and tone all match to avoid sending mixed messages. For example, smiling while disciplining someone may confuse the receiver and reduce the effectiveness of your message.

Develop Effective Listening Skills

Effective communication is not just about speaking but also about listening. Focus on what the other person is saying, and avoid interrupting or waiting for your turn to speak. Nod occasionally, smile, and use small verbal affirmations like "yes" or "uh-huh" to show your interest.

Enunciate and Pronounce Correctly

Speak clearly and enunciate your words, ensuring you are easy to understand. Improve your vocabulary and pronunciation by reading and learning new words daily.

Slow Down Your Speech

Speaking too fast may make you seem nervous and unsure. Slow down your speech, but be careful not to slow down so much that people finish your sentences for you.

Develop Your Voice

A high or whiny voice may convey a lack of authority. Try singing exercises an octave lower to help lower the pitch of your voice over time.

Animate Your Voice

Avoid monotone speech by using dynamics and varying your pitch. Listen to radio DJs, who are often good examples of animated vocal delivery.

Use Appropriate Volume

Adjust your volume to suit the setting. Speak softly when conversing with one person up close, and increase your volume when addressing larger groups or speaking across larger spaces.

Developing strong communication skills will not only help you in your career as a wedding planner but will also benefit your personal life and other professional endeavours.

Gain hands-on experience

Gaining hands-on experience is crucial if you want to become a wedding planner. Here are some ways to get started in the field and develop your skills:

Friends and Family Events

Offer to help plan a friend or family member's event, whether it's a party or a wedding. This is a great way to get started and build your portfolio, especially if you can get professional pictures of the event. Remember to set clear expectations and terms with a contract, even if you're offering your services for free.

Local Community Events

Volunteer to assist with local community events. These events are often on a larger scale and can provide valuable experience in event planning without the pressure of a wedding. It's also a great opportunity to network and connect with people in your community.

Styled Shoots

Styled shoots are like mini weddings, offering great practice for aspiring wedding planners. They provide an opportunity to work with multiple vendors and gain experience in managing the various aspects of a wedding. Plus, you'll get pictures for your website and portfolio!

Work for a Wedding Vendor

Consider working for a wedding vendor, such as a catering company. This will give you behind-the-scenes insight into the wedding industry and expose you to the challenges and intricacies of wedding planning. You'll also have the chance to meet and network with other wedding vendors, which could lead to future referrals.

Assist a Wedding Planner

Reach out to established wedding planners and offer to assist them on the day of a wedding. Don't be discouraged if you don't hear back from everyone; persistence is key in this industry. Assisting a wedding planner will give you first-hand experience in the role and help you build valuable connections.

Internships and Assistant Positions

Look for internships or assistant positions with wedding planning companies or venues. These opportunities will provide valuable on-the-ground experience and help you decide if wedding planning is the right career path for you. During your internship, focus on building professional connections and gaining practical skills that will benefit you throughout your career.

Online Courses and Certifications

While hands-on experience is essential, online courses and certifications can also boost your credentials. Organisations like the American Association of Certified Wedding Planners and the Wedding Academy offer courses that can enhance your knowledge and make you more appealing to potential clients.

Remember, gaining hands-on experience is crucial to becoming a successful wedding planner. Be proactive, network, and don't be afraid to offer your services to build your portfolio and gain valuable insights into the world of wedding planning.

Build a portfolio

Building a portfolio is a crucial step in marketing yourself as a wedding planner to potential clients. It is a way to showcase your work and build trust with your target audience. Here are some tips to help you build a strong portfolio:

• Include a variety of content: Your portfolio should include a mix of content such as photos, testimonials, certificates, and event schedules. Photos are particularly important, as they bring your resume to life and showcase your event designs and creativity. Get permission from the photographer and your clients to use professional photos from weddings or events you have planned. You can also include before-and-after photos, event setup timelapse videos, and inspiration boards. Don't forget to showcase your education and professional memberships, as this demonstrates your commitment to your business and the industry.
• Create a physical and digital portfolio: Consider creating both a physical and digital portfolio to reach a wider audience. A physical portfolio could be a binder or album that includes photos, timelines, stationery pieces, and other tangible items. A digital portfolio can be in the form of a website, blog, or slideshow that you can easily share with potential clients. Make sure your digital portfolio is easy to navigate and aligns with your brand.
• Showcase your brand: Ensure your portfolio aligns with your company's brand and style. Include your logo, brand colours, and tagline in your digital and physical portfolios. This helps create a cohesive and professional image.
• Collect client testimonials: Ask clients to share their experiences working with you. Testimonials add credibility to your portfolio and can be included alongside client names and event details. If you are just starting out, consider asking mentors, professors, or other professionals you have worked with to vouch for your skills and work ethic.
• Highlight your unique selling points: What sets you apart from other wedding planners? Identify your unique selling points and highlight them in your portfolio. This could be your attention to detail, your ability to work within a budget, or your experience with luxury events.
• Stay organized: Keep your portfolio well-organized and easy to navigate. Group similar items together, such as photos, testimonials, and certificates, to create a logical flow. This will make it easier for potential clients to find the information they are looking for.
• Customize for each client: Whenever possible, customize your portfolio to match the client's brand, event goals, and personal tastes. This personalized approach will make your portfolio more memorable and increase your chances of booking the client.

Learn about budgeting and finance

A career as a wedding planner is an exciting prospect for those who enjoy managing complex logistics and working with artistic and aesthetic subjects. While there is no standard education requirement for wedding planners, a bachelor's degree in communications is a good starting point. This will help you develop strong interpersonal skills, which are critical when working closely with clients, staff, and co-workers.

In addition to your degree, there are several other aspects of budgeting and finance that you should be familiar with to become a successful wedding planner. Here are some key points to consider:

Understand the Average Wedding Costs

According to recent data, the average cost of a wedding in the United States ranges from $28,964 to $35,000, excluding the engagement ring. This amount can vary depending on factors such as location, the number of guests, and personal preferences. It's important to have a good understanding of these average costs to create realistic budgets for your clients.

Create a Comprehensive Budget Breakdown

When planning a wedding, it's crucial to allocate funds correctly and create a detailed budget breakdown. Here are some common categories and their corresponding percentages of the total budget:

• Venue and catering: 37-40%
• Photography and videography: 8-15%
• Wedding attire and beauty: 5-7%
• Music/Entertainment: 5-12%
• Flowers: 8-10%
• Favors and gifts: 1-2%
• Transportation: 3%
• Stationery: 2-3%
• Cake: 2-3%
• Décor: 5-10%
• Officiant: 1%
• Additional jewelry: 1%

Consider Hidden Costs and Extras

When creating a wedding budget, it's important to account for hidden costs and extras that may arise. Some common examples include overtime fees for vendors, service charges, "free" trials that turn into billable changes, extra decorations, gratuities, and vendor tips. It's a good idea to build some flexibility into your budget to accommodate these unexpected expenses.

Discuss Budgeting with Clients

As a wedding planner, you will need to have honest and realistic conversations about budgeting with your clients. Help them understand the average costs and how different factors can influence the total expense. Discuss their priorities and work with them to allocate funds accordingly. It's also important to have frequent check-ins to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that the budget is on track.

Manage Multiple Budgets

As a wedding planner, you will likely be working with multiple clients simultaneously, each with their own unique budget. It's important to be organized and able to manage multiple budgets effectively. Create systems to track expenses, payments, and due dates for each client, ensuring that you stay within the allocated funds.

Offer Cost-Saving Suggestions

Part of your role as a wedding planner may involve helping clients save money without compromising their vision. Be creative in suggesting cost-effective alternatives or DIY projects. For example, suggest ways to decorate the venue using affordable options or recommend budget-friendly vendors that still align with the desired style. Your ability to work within different budget constraints will be a valuable skill for your clients.

Network with other professionals

Networking is an excellent tool to get your foot in the door in the wedding planning industry. 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. Plus, because wedding planning requires working with many personalities, networking provides an opportunity to practice your communication and people skills.

• Attend networking events: Check out local industry events to meet and connect with other wedding and event vendors in your area. These events are a great opportunity to make new connections and learn about the latest trends and developments in the industry.
• Read online reviews: Check out online reviews of local industry professionals on websites like theknot.com, weddingwire.com, yelp.com, and Google. Look for professionals with great reviews, browse their websites to learn more about their business, and then reach out to set up a time to meet and get to know them.
• Read blogs from other event planners: If multiple wedding planners in your area are using the same florist or consistently raving about the same catering company, you can be sure that those vendors are worth checking out. Reach out to them and schedule a time to meet and get to know them.
• Join a local Facebook group: Many cities have Facebook groups for wedding and event professionals. These groups can be a great way to get to know vendors in your market, learn about networking events and photo shoot opportunities, and even give and receive leads for weddings and events.
• Connect on other social media platforms: Search for wedding professionals and event venues in your area on Instagram, follow them, and leave comments on their posts and images. If you follow someone for a while and really like their work, reach out via email and invite them to meet up so you can learn more about their business and possibly add them to your list of recommended vendors.

When building your network, it's important to be strategic and careful about who you add to your preferred vendor list. Your reputation is on the line with every recommendation you make to clients, so take the time to get to know the vendors you work with and only recommend those who meet your standards. Keep a spreadsheet or document of all the vendors you meet, including your notes on their business, pricing, services, and personality. This will make it quick and easy to make recommendations to future clients.

Frequently asked questions