Finding Your Dream Wedding Planner Role

If you're interested in becoming a wedding planner, there are several steps you can take to get started in this exciting and lucrative career. First, it's important to assess your skills and consider your strengths and weaknesses. For example, if you're good at budgeting and negotiating, you might want to specialise in working with couples on a tight budget. You should also research the wedding planning industry, including its history, current trends, and future outlook. This will help you establish yourself as a leader in the niche market. Gaining hands-on experience is also crucial, whether through internships, volunteering, or working with a veteran planner. Networking is another essential tool for getting your foot in the door and building connections. Joining a professional association for wedding planners can help you meet like-minded people and learn about job opportunities. Additionally, consider pursuing a certification to expand your knowledge and let clients know you're capable of creating memorable events. Finally, creating a business and marketing plan will help you communicate your offerings to potential clients.

Research the wedding planning industry

Researching the wedding planning industry is a crucial step in becoming a successful wedding planner. It is important to familiarise yourself with the industry, including its history, current trends, and future outlook. Understanding the market will help you establish yourself as a leader in this niche market and set achievable goals.

Ask yourself: What kinds of weddings are in high demand for wedding planners? Which type of wedding matches your passion and personality? How can you get your first client? Knowing your market will help you set targets and work towards achieving them. For example, you can set a goal to find a certain number of paying clients within a particular time frame.

It is also beneficial to research wedding trends in different parts of the country. This knowledge will help you find clients who need your services and set yourself apart from other wedding planners.

Additionally, understanding the industry's future outlook can help you anticipate any changes or developments that may impact your business. This includes being aware of new trends, products, and services that emerge in the events industry. Staying up-to-date on industry trends will ensure that you continue to provide the best possible experiences for your clients.

Finally, researching the wedding planning industry can help you identify any gaps in your knowledge or skill set. This can guide you in seeking out additional education, training, or hands-on experience to enhance your abilities as a wedding planner.

Assess your skills

To be a successful wedding planner, you must possess a variety of skills, including both technical and soft skills.

First, you need to be a people person with strong communication skills. You should be able to communicate with your clients, vendors, and service providers with patience, clarity, confidence, diplomacy, and respect. You should also be comfortable being at the centre of creative planning and have a versatile communication style that can translate to high-priced clientele and vendors alike.

Additionally, you must be able to stay calm under pressure and have a high tolerance for stress. This includes being able to handle stressed-out brides and staying positive and calm when things don't go according to plan.

Organisation and budgeting skills are also crucial. You need to be able to manage timelines, guest lists, budgets, schedules, and all the tiny details that go into creating a couple's dream wedding.

Negotiation skills are another important aspect, as you will need to negotiate contracts with vendors and manage your fees with the couple.

Creativity and knowledge of trends are also beneficial. You should be able to come up with creative ideas for spatial arrangements, agendas, and all the little details that make each wedding unique.

Finally, a good wedding planner should be resourceful and have knowledge of the wedding industry, including its history, current trends, and future outlook. This includes knowing about different wedding traditions and customs and being able to recommend venues and suppliers.

Seek out learning opportunities

To become a wedding planner, you must seek out learning opportunities to advance your knowledge about the industry. Here are some ways to educate yourself and develop your skills:

Follow Wedding Planners on Social Media

You can gain valuable insights and learn from experienced wedding planners by following them on social media platforms. This can include following their pages, joining relevant groups, and engaging in industry conversations. It will help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends, techniques, and practices in the wedding planning industry.

Listen to Wedding Podcasts

Wedding podcasts are a great way to learn from industry experts and stay informed about current trends. You can gain knowledge about various aspects of wedding planning, including design, logistics, and client management. Podcasts also often feature interviews with successful wedding planners, allowing you to learn from their experiences and gain valuable tips.

Attend Seminars, Workshops, and Industry Events

Participating in seminars, workshops, and industry events can provide you with practical knowledge and hands-on experience. These events often cover a range of topics, from creating timelines to managing budgets and coordinating vendors. They also offer networking opportunities, allowing you to connect with fellow wedding planners and build relationships with industry professionals.

Enrol in Courses and Certifications

Consider enrolling in courses or pursuing certifications specifically designed for wedding planning. For example, the American Association of Certified Wedding Planners (AACWP) offers in-person and online courses that cover various aspects of the field, including client consultations and business management. Certifications can enhance your credibility and set you apart from other wedding planners.

Seek Assistant or Entry-Level Roles

Starting as an assistant or taking on an entry-level role with an established wedding planner or planning company can provide invaluable on-the-job training. You'll learn the ins and outs of the industry, develop your organisational skills, and gain first-hand experience in managing weddings. This can be a great way to build your resume and gain the necessary skills to eventually branch out on your own.

Network with professionals

Networking is an extraordinarily important aspect of growing your wedding planning business and creating a great vendor list to refer your clients to. Here are some tips for effective networking:

Identify a good networking opportunity

Research what is happening in your area and choose one or two events or organisations that seem like a good fit. Consider attending a few meetings as a guest to decide which organisation is the best fit. Some larger wedding industry organisations include WNUSA, ILEA, WIPA, ABC, and NACE.

Decide who you want to connect with

Before attending a networking event, identify a few people you would like to connect with. Reach out to them before the event and let them know you will be there and would love to chat. These may be people you have connected with on social media, in a private Facebook group, at a wedding, or from a previous industry event. You can also reach out to other wedding planners in your area, who can be a great source of referrals for your business. Once you are at the event, find those individuals right away.

Think of how you can help others

Don't approach other wedding professionals thinking about how they can help you. Instead, go to a networking event with the attitude of how you can help them. For example, you could ask a venue if they need help styling an open house, or see if a dress shop could use help planning a trunk show. Volunteering your time is a great way to get to know each other.

Attend networking events

Check out local industry events to meet and connect with other wedding and event vendors in your area.

Read online reviews

Check out online reviews for local industry professionals on websites like theknot.com, weddingwire.com, yelp.com, and Google. You can find event professionals with great reviews, look through their website to learn more about their business, then email or call to set up a time to meet and get to know the owner and what they offer.

Read blogs from other event planners

If a few wedding planners in your area all use the same florist or consistently rave about the same catering company, you know those companies are likely the best in the area. Reach out to them and schedule a time to meet and get to know them.

Join a local Facebook group

Many cities have a local Facebook group for wedding and event professionals. This can be a good place to get to know vendors in your market and to learn about future networking events, photo shoot opportunities, and even a place to give and get leads for weddings and events.

Connect on social media

Search for wedding professionals and event venues in your area on Facebook and 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 about their business and possibly add them to your recommended vendor list.

Get experience

Experience is key to becoming a wedding planner, and there are several ways to get started in the industry. Here are some suggestions:

• Intern with a wedding planning company or venue: You'll get a taste of what it's like to be a wedding planner and build valuable connections. Reach out to local companies or venues, do your research, and be personable in your approach.
• Work as banquet or catering staff: Working for a catering company, hotel, or venue is a great way to gain experience in the logistics of managing weddings and events. It will also expose you to local vendors, venues, and food service operations.
• Plan events for friends and family: Offer to help plan parties, anniversaries, weddings, or other events for your loved ones. This will allow you to practice your organisational and event management skills.
• Create table designs at home: Use your creativity to practice designing tablescapes using tablecloths, napkins, plates, glassware, candles, and flowers. This will help you develop your eye for design and attention to detail.
• Volunteer for a nonprofit organisation: Offer your event planning skills to local nonprofit organisations. You'll gain valuable experience in event planning and make connections that can help your career.
• Build a portfolio: Take photos of the events you work on and ask for testimonials from clients and coworkers. This will give you an advantage when applying for jobs and internships in the wedding industry.
• Enrol in an online course: Consider taking an online course specifically designed for wedding planning, such as the one offered by The QC Event School. This will provide you with the foundational knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the industry.

Frequently asked questions