Wedding Planning: Finding Your Dream Job

Wedding planning is a competitive industry, but there are many ways to get your foot in the door. From networking at wedding shows to joining a local wedding vendor association, there are plenty of ways to meet people and get your name out there. You can also look for apprenticeships, courses and jobs near you, or even set up your own wedding planning consultancy or events management company.

Skills and abilities

Wedding planning requires a unique set of skills and abilities that can help you land a job in the industry. Firstly, it is essential to have strong organisational skills and an eye for detail. Wedding planners need to be able to manage tiny details, oversee budgets, and juggle multiple tasks simultaneously. This includes having keen negotiating skills, problem-solving abilities, and time management prowess.

Knowledge of various religions and wedding customs is also advantageous, as it allows wedding planners to cater to diverse client needs and create inclusive celebrations. An understanding of design principles and aesthetics is beneficial, as wedding planners often assist with venue styling and decor selection.

Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, are crucial for wedding planners. They need to be able to communicate effectively with clients, vendors, and other stakeholders to ensure everyone is on the same page. Wedding planners should also be adept at working with the public, maintaining a professional and friendly demeanour at all times.

While not mandatory, having a degree or certificate in event planning, meeting management, hospitality management, or wedding planning itself can provide a solid foundation for a career in wedding planning. These programmes offer valuable education in event logistics, budgeting, and industry connections, giving you a competitive edge in the job market.

Networking is also an important aspect of finding a job in wedding planning. Attending industry events, joining local wedding vendor associations, and having professional business cards ready to distribute can increase your chances of landing a job.

Education and training

Some colleges offer degrees in meeting, event, or hospitality management that will give you basic education in event planning. You can also find schools that award degrees and certificates in how to become a wedding planner. You can also learn on the job, or take an apprenticeship.

When applying for a wedding planning job, focus on anything you have done which shows skills in creativity (especially in written and oral communication), time management, attention to detail, and working with the public. If you do not have a lot of work experience that showcases these areas, highlight school courses, volunteer work, or hobbies that do.

You can also approach wedding vendors at a wedding show, or join a local wedding vendor association or wedding vendor network group. Be sure to have professional business cards printed and ready to hand out at these networking opportunities.

Networking

You could also consider setting up your own wedding planning consultancy or events management company. If you're just starting out, you might want to look for apprenticeships, courses and jobs in your area.

Most hotels, large resorts and country clubs have an event or wedding planner on staff, so it's worth keeping an eye out for these positions. You could also look for jobs in the food and beverage department, which may be titled "Conventions Set Up Supervisor" or "Banquet Set Up Supervisor".

Finally, don't forget to upload your resume to job sites like Monster to attract recruiters and potential clients.

Resume and applications

When applying for a job in wedding planning, it's important to focus on your skills in creativity, written and oral communication, time management, attention to detail, and working with the public. If you don't have much work experience, highlight school courses, volunteer work, or hobbies that demonstrate these skills. Make sure your resume is error-free by having several people review it. Most online applications and some in-person applications require personal and/or business references, so be prepared to provide these.

In addition to submitting your resume, you can also consider approaching wedding vendors at a wedding show or joining a local wedding vendor association or network group. Having professional business cards printed and ready to hand out at these networking opportunities can be helpful. You can also suggest offering wedding planning as an add-on service to vendors who may not have thought of it. Many hotels, large resorts, and country clubs have event or wedding planners on staff, so don't forget to explore these opportunities as well.

To find job openings, you can use online job search websites such as Monster, which also allows you to upload your resume for free. You can also utilize the Find a Job service, which can send you alerts when new jobs become available. Additionally, consider taking an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Job searching

When looking for a job in wedding planning, it's important to focus on your skills and abilities. Couples looking for a wedding planner often look for someone with strong organisational skills, an eye for detail, and the ability to oversee a budget. Knowledge of various religions and wedding customs, negotiating skills, and problem-solving abilities are also highly valued.

You can find job opportunities by approaching wedding vendors at wedding shows, joining local wedding vendor associations or networks, and networking with business cards. Most hotels, large resorts, and country clubs have event or wedding planners on staff, so consider applying for positions in the food and beverage department with titles like "Conventions Set Up Supervisor" or "Banquet Set Up Supervisor".

Online job boards like Monster can be a great way to find wedding planning jobs. Make sure your resume highlights your relevant skills and experiences, including any school courses, volunteer work, or hobbies that demonstrate your abilities. Have several people review your resume for errors, as typos can be a red flag for recruiters.

You can also consider setting up your own wedding planning consultancy or events management company, or look for apprenticeships and courses to gain more experience in the field.

Frequently asked questions