Want to be a Wedding Planner? Here’s How.

how to plan a wedding

Although weddings are exciting celebrations, coordinating the many details of a wedding can be stressful and expensive. Wedding planners help alleviate the pressure of locating and dealing with vendors, handling wedding problems, and staying within a designated budget. They oversee the progress of the wedding and offer expertise about wedding themes, decorations, wedding venues, and other particulars that will make the wedding a memorable occasion. 

Future Career Outlook for Wedding Planners

The National Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that the job outlook for event planners, including wedding planners, will grow within the next ten years. The 2012 BLS statistics indicate that salaries vary in the industry, but the median 2012 salary was approximately $46,000, and some event planners made annual salaries higher than of $79,000.

Is Becoming a Wedding Planner Right for You?

When considering a career as a wedding planner, be aware that wedding consulting requires strong communication skills, excellent organization, and the ability to remain calm while handling unanticipated problems. Many wedding planners are self-employed and must be able to create a business plan, maintain records, and market their business. Additionally, wedding planners work evenings, days, and weekends.

Becoming a Wedding Planner: Educational Requirements

Government laws do not mandate any standards for wedding planners. Therefore, some wedding planners complete high school or an equivalency test. Then they get a job in the industry to gain experience. Others have college degrees in related fields such as hotel and restaurant management. Some wedding planners organize other events when they begin their careers and eventually specialize in wedding planner salaryweddings. Bridal associations and colleges also offer wedding consultant training and certifications.

Many clients want a wedding planner with a certification because weddings are expensive, and clients want to have confidence that their wedding planner can competently handle all the details. Generally, wedding consultants with college degrees or certifications are more likely to make higher salaries than those with only on-the-job training.

Educational Content of Wedding Planner Certification Programs

A wedding planner certification program provides information on many aspects of wedding planning and can increase your confidence, credibility, and competence. The programs cover information pertaining to scheduling appointments, negotiating with vendors, determining budgets, assisting with gown selection, integrating religious traditions into the wedding, and working with difficult clients. Certification programs also provide education about the nuts and bolts of operating a business. Programs may cover business plan writing, marketing, and other essential topics for maintaining a business. Students can usually take classes online, but some schools and bridal associations offer programs in actual classrooms.

Whether one decides to obtain on-the-job experience to start a wedding consulting career or seek formal education, becoming a wedding planner can be a gratifying occupation. Wedding planners have the satisfaction of helping each bride enjoy one of the most exciting days of her life.

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