Degrees For Wedding Planning: The Essential Guide

Wedding planning is a challenging and exciting career that requires a diverse set of skills, from managing complex logistics to working with artistic and aesthetic subjects. While there is no standard education requirement to become a wedding planner, various degrees and certifications can provide a strong foundation for success in this competitive industry. Bachelor's degrees in fields such as business, communication, hospitality management, marketing, and event planning are popular choices, offering intensive coursework and networking opportunities. Additionally, certifications from organizations like the American Association of Certified Wedding Planners and the Wedding Academy can enhance a wedding planner's credentials and provide valuable knowledge. However, it's important to note that experience and a strong professional network are also crucial factors for success in the wedding planning industry.

Bachelor's degrees are popular

Although there is no standard education requirement for wedding planners, four-year bachelor's degrees are popular education paths for wedding planners. 71% of wedding planners hold a bachelor's degree, with 18% majoring in business. The most common colleges for wedding planners in the US include the University of Phoenix, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and the University of Central Florida. Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Cornell University are also considered the best colleges for wedding planners.

A bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in hospitality management can provide a strong foundation for a career in wedding planning. Hospitality management teaches you about interacting with vendors, serving customers, and coordinating complex operations, which are all essential skills for planning large-scale events like weddings.

In addition to a bachelor's degree, there are other educational paths to consider. Some wedding planners are completely self-taught, while others have multiple college degrees. Online certification classes, local college courses, and internships can also provide valuable skills and knowledge for a career in wedding planning.

No formal education required

Although there is no standard education requirement for wedding planners, and no formal education is required, many wedding planners do have a bachelor's degree. This is because a degree can help you to develop the research and communication skills essential for being a successful wedding planner, and can also help you to get hired or start your own business.

Some wedding planners are completely self-taught, while others have multiple college degrees. Wedding planners often study business, communication, or hospitality management, and some schools offer externships to help you gain real-world experience before graduating.

If you want to earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Concentration in Hospitality Management, you could consider ECPI University. A master's degree could also be an option, as wedding planners with a master's degree earn a higher average salary than those with a bachelor's degree.

There are also many online wedding planner courses that can help you to get the education required to be a wedding planner. These include short courses, such as those offered by The Wedding Planner Institute, which cover every aspect of wedding planning, styling, and design, providing a step-by-step guide to kickstarting your career in the wedding industry. The Elite Course by The Wedding Planner School is a one-week intensive wedding planning certification program that combines theoretical learning with practical experience in wedding coordination.

Experience is key

While a degree is not a requirement to become a wedding planner, it can give you a competitive advantage and help you develop the skills needed for the role. However, experience is just as important, if not more so, than qualifications.

Getting Started

If you're just starting out, it's a good idea to offer to help plan events for friends and family. This could include birthday parties, anniversaries, reunions, or weddings. You can also volunteer to plan events for local charity organisations or your current workplace. These experiences will allow you to develop your organisational skills, event timing, event design, logistics management, and client interaction abilities.

Building Experience

To gain more specific experience in the wedding planning industry, consider working for a local catering company, hotel, or venue. These roles will expose you to the logistics of managing weddings and events, including interacting with vendors, serving customers, and coordinating complex operations. You can also search for internships or entry-level positions with wedding planning companies or venues. This will provide you with on-the-ground experience and help you build connections in the industry.

Continuous Learning

Even after establishing yourself as a wedding planner, it's important to continue learning and developing your skills. Many wedding planners attend workshops, conferences, and classes to stay up-to-date with industry trends and gain new insights. You can also consider joining a professional association to access career development opportunities and networking events. Additionally, independent research and staying informed about the latest wedding industry trends are crucial for staying ahead in the field.

Developing a Portfolio

As you gain experience, create a portfolio that showcases your skills and talents. This can include photos, testimonials, and case studies of the events you have planned. A strong portfolio will impress potential clients and increase your chances of being hired.

Networking

Building a network of contacts in the wedding industry is essential for success. Attend industry events, join online communities, and utilise social media platforms to connect with other wedding planners, vendors, and venues. Word-of-mouth recommendations are powerful in this industry, so make sure to provide exceptional service to your clients and maintain positive relationships.

While a degree can provide a solid foundation for a career in wedding planning, experience is key to standing out in this competitive field. By gaining hands-on experience, building a strong network, and continuously developing your skills, you'll be well on your way to becoming a successful wedding planner.

Business, comms, hospitality are common majors

While there is no standard education requirement for wedding planners, 71% of wedding planners hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% major in business. A bachelor's degree is useful if you're interested in working for a wedding planning company and want to impress them with your qualifications. The information you learn in a bachelor's program may also provide you with the knowledge you need to start your own wedding planning business.

Business, communications, and hospitality management are common majors for wedding planners. A business degree will teach you the basics of sales, negotiation, pricing, and client contracts, improving your ability to manage client accounts for a wedding business. Hospitality management teaches you about interacting with vendors, serving customers, and coordinating complex operations—experience that can be directly applied to planning large-scale events like weddings. Communications classes in public speaking, interpersonal communication, public relations, and social media will develop your ability to find clients and manage wedding projects.

Some wedding planners are completely self-taught, while others have multiple college degrees. Some schools offer externships to help you gain real-world experience before graduating with your degree. Wedding planners can also advance their knowledge and continue their education by attending workshops and conferences, taking classes, and doing independent research into wedding industry trends.

Specialized schools for wedding and event planning offer certificate programs as another education option for aspiring wedding planners. These programs can be self-paced and typically take a few weeks to a few months to complete.

Workshops, conferences, classes can help

While there is no standard educational requirement for wedding planners, earning a formal degree can be a great start to a career in wedding planning. Wedding planners usually study business, communication, or hospitality management. Workshops, conferences, and classes can help you advance your knowledge and continue your education.

The Association of Bridal Consultants offers a range of courses for wedding professionals, including an immersive 10-week course that covers the fundamentals of event planning, design aesthetics, vendor management, client interaction, logistics, and crisis management. They also offer an 8-week program that focuses on the art of event planning through the lens of interior design fundamentals, allowing students to conceptualize, design, and execute events. The Association of Bridal Consultants also offers a course in event law, which covers licensing, trademarks, contract negotiations, and other legal considerations for event planners.

The University of Phoenix and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, are popular choices for wedding planners, and ECPI University offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Hospitality Management. Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Cornell University are considered the best colleges for wedding planners.

In addition to formal degrees, there are many online wedding planner courses and certifications that can help you get the education you need. For example, Certified Wedding and Event Planner (CWP) and Certified Master Wedding Planner certifications are commonly sought by wedding planners.

Finally, attending workshops and conferences can be a great way to advance your career. Entrepreneurship seminars, specialized wedding workshops, and official wedding planning certification programs can all provide valuable knowledge and skills. Networking opportunities at conferences and workshops can also help you build connections in the industry.

Frequently asked questions