Planning To Plan Weddings?

Wedding planning is a challenging yet rewarding career. It requires intensive planning, organisation, scheduling, and coordination to pull off a major event with dozens of guests. Wedding planners need to be flexible, as no two days are the same. They also need to be good communicators, active listeners, and quick decision-makers. It is important to note that wedding planning involves working evenings and weekends, which can be demanding both physically and mentally. While it is a fulfilling career, it is not for everyone. Before deciding to become a wedding planner, it is crucial to consider the challenges and demands of the job to ensure it aligns with your skills, interests, and lifestyle.

Weekend work

Wedding planning is a career that can be both fun and rewarding. However, it also requires working on weekends and evenings, which can be demanding and take time away from family and friends.

Most weddings take place on Saturdays, and many clients need to meet after work for planning meetings. This means that wedding planners often have to work on weekends and may need to sacrifice their leisure time.

Additionally, the work itself can be physically and mentally demanding. Wedding planners may spend 10-15 hours on their feet and need to be mentally alert throughout the event. This can be exhausting, especially as one gets older.

• Set boundaries: If you own your business, set clear boundaries with your clients regarding your availability. Try to plan other types of events during the week to balance your schedule.
• Prioritize self-care: Wedding planning can be draining, so make sure to schedule downtime and practice self-care. This will help you stay energized and avoid burnout.
• Stay organized: Wedding planning involves managing multiple tasks and vendors. Stay organized by using tools such as checklists, templates, and scheduling software to keep track of everything.
• Build a strong team: Consider hiring assistants or interns to help with the workload, especially on weekends. This will allow you to delegate tasks and free up some of your time.
• Manage client expectations: Communicate your availability and set clear boundaries with your clients. Let them know your working hours and when they can expect a response from you. This will help manage their expectations and reduce the pressure on you.

Physically and mentally demanding

Wedding planning is a physically and mentally demanding job. It involves long hours on your feet, often 10-15 hours on the day of the wedding, and can be mentally draining as you are "on" for the entire duration of the event. It is common to feel completely exhausted at the end of the night. Spending so many hours on your feet is exhausting no matter how good shape you are in, and it only gets harder as you get older.

The day after a wedding, your body might feel like you've run a race and then gone out drinking all night. In reality, you are probably dehydrated, sore, and tired. As one source says, "It's how you feel the day after a wedding. It's like you ran a race then went out drinking all night. In reality, you are dehydrated, sore, and tired from working a wedding."

Wedding planning can also be incredibly stressful. It has been listed by CNBC as the 5th most stressful career. Wedding planners must juggle multiple tasks, including answering calls and emails from clients, finding and hiring vendors, identifying venue options, creating schedules, negotiating contracts, and much more.

Wedding planners must also deal with difficult clients, which can take a toll mentally. As one source says, "As much as you try to weed out the clients who aren't ideal clients, there will be some who slip through the cracks. Having difficult clients can take its toll mentally. It's already a stressful job, but when you have clients who add to that stress, you will question why you chose this career."

Wedding planning is also an emotional job, as you are working with emotional brides, grooms, and family members on a very emotional day. Many planners grow close to their clients, which means they work harder because they care so much. On the flip side, it can be hard not to take it personally if something goes wrong or if the clients are not 100% happy with your services or ideas.

All of these factors can contribute to wedding planning being a physically and mentally demanding career. It is important for wedding planners to prioritize self-care and set boundaries to maintain their physical and mental health.

Emotional brides and mothers

Being a wedding planner can be a very rewarding career, but it is also an intense industry with emotional brides and mothers on a very emotional day.

Challenges of Emotional Brides and Mothers

Emotions will be high on the wedding day, and it is the wedding planner's job to ensure that everything goes smoothly and that all the couple's preferences and requirements are taken into consideration.

Wedding planners often have to deal with difficult clients, and this can take its toll mentally. It is already a stressful job, but when you have clients who add to that stress, you may question why you chose this career.

It is hard not to take it personally if something goes wrong or if your clients are not 100% happy with your services or ideas. If you get your feelings hurt easily, this might not be the profession for you.

Strategies for Handling Emotional Brides and Mothers

• Build a connection: Many planners grow close to their clients, which means you will work harder because you care so much. This can be a good thing, but it is important to maintain professional boundaries and not take things personally.
• Manage expectations: Be transparent and honest with your clients about what you can and cannot deliver. This will help to avoid disappointment and manage their expectations.
• Stay organized: Wedding planning involves intensive planning, organization, scheduling, and coordination. Stay on top of the details, and create comprehensive timelines and schedules to ensure that everything goes according to plan.
• Communicate effectively: Active listening is essential. Understand and interpret your client's point of view and form an appropriate response. Be patient and offer support, especially when clients are feeling stressed.
• Problem-solve: Wedding planning often involves unexpected changes and last-minute requests. Be prepared to resolve conflicts and think on your feet.
• Provide constant support: Emotions will be high, and it is the wedding planner's job to be a rock for the couple and their families. Remember that, even if your clients are difficult, they have your best interests at heart.

Dealing with emotional brides and mothers is an inevitable part of being a wedding planner. By building strong relationships, managing expectations, and staying organized, you can navigate these challenges and create memorable experiences for your clients.

It's not your wedding

Your job as a wedding planner is to make their dreams come true. This means that you will be planning a wedding that might not fit your style or taste. You will need to put aside your own vision and recreate someone else's. This can be a challenge for some event planners, but it is a crucial part of the job.

You will need to be patient, determined, and have thick skin. You will need to be able to walk away from the wrong client when your intuition tells you something is wrong. You will need to be able to take criticism and not take it personally if something goes wrong or if your clients are not 100% happy with your services or ideas.

You will also need to be a "people person". You will be working with many different kinds of clients and vendors, and the wedding industry is a very social one. If you are introverted, shy, or don't like being around people, this could be a difficult career choice.

Finally, you will need to be able to handle stress. Wedding planning has been listed as one of the most stressful careers. If you can handle stress and keep your cool, this might be the career for you.

Difficult clients

Dealing with difficult clients is an inevitable part of being a wedding planner. Here are some tips for managing challenging clients and ensuring a smooth planning process:

• Set clear expectations: From the outset, establish your role as the wedding planner and the services you will provide. Be transparent about your fees, the planning process, and what the client can expect from you. This will help manage their expectations and avoid misunderstandings.
• Stay organized: Keep detailed records of all communications, decisions, and requests made by the client. Use project management tools or a wedding planning platform to stay on top of tasks and deadlines. This will help you efficiently address any concerns or changes requested by the client.
• Manage emotions: Weddings are highly emotional events, and it is not uncommon for clients to experience stress, anxiety, or excitement that may affect their behavior. Empathize with their feelings, but also maintain a calm and professional demeanor. Help them focus on the positive aspects of the planning process and gently steer them away from unnecessary drama.
• Handle conflicts constructively: If a client becomes difficult or makes unreasonable demands, address the issue directly and professionally. Schedule a meeting to discuss their concerns and actively listen to their perspective. Offer solutions or compromises that align with their vision while also respecting your expertise and boundaries.
• Set boundaries: Establish clear boundaries regarding your availability, responsibilities, and the scope of your services. Communicate your limits respectfully and firmly. For example, you may need to decline additional tasks that fall outside the agreed-upon contract or set specific hours for communication to protect your time and energy.
• Offer alternatives: When dealing with a challenging client, provide them with options that still align with their vision. For instance, if a client is fixated on an unrealistic idea, offer similar alternatives that are more feasible or cost-effective. This demonstrates your flexibility and commitment to meeting their needs.
• Build a support system: Collaborate with other wedding vendors and form a network of professionals who can provide guidance and support when dealing with difficult clients. This could include photographers, caterers, florists, or venue coordinators who have experienced similar challenges and can offer insights or solutions.
• Prioritize self-care: Working with difficult clients can be emotionally draining. Make sure to practice self-care and set aside time for yourself. Engage in activities that help you relax and recharge, such as meditation, exercise, or spending time with loved ones. This will help you maintain a positive mindset and approach each client interaction with renewed energy and patience.
• Know when to walk away: In extreme cases, you may encounter a client who is consistently disrespectful, abusive, or unwilling to collaborate. In such situations, it is important to recognize your worth and set boundaries to protect your well-being. If a client becomes hostile, abusive, or refuses to respect your expertise, it may be necessary to respectfully terminate the working relationship and wish them the best in finding a planner who better suits their needs.

Frequently asked questions