How to Become a Wedding Planner
(Find Out More and/or Enrol for this Accredited Course)
Although there aren't any formal requirements for wedding planners, education is key to gaining both the necessary knowledge to carry out your duties as well as earning support and respect from other professionals within the industry who may at some point refer you to potential clients.
There are many programs available both online and on campus offering the necessary training needed to become an exceptional wedding planner. From certificate programs to master's degrees, the options are endless, limited only by your career goals. For on campus programs, consult your local community college or university for a list of available courses and curriculum, however, if you need more flexibility and freedom an online resource offering in home study can be found here.
The most direct way to get started as a wedding planner is to obtain certification. Most certificate programs take less than three months to complete, offer college credit and enable you to start your business right away. Valuable skills learned will include management, organisation, the latest trends in fashion, colours and design, budgeting, working with vendors, customs, traditions and handling different types of weddings and religious preferences.
Once you have completed your educational programs of choice, your business will need a name and location. A catchy name and prime location will help get your business noticed. One way to bring in customers is to advertise. There are virtually unlimited ways to advertise your business, some of which include distributing business cards, yellow page ads, brochures, flyers, affiliate marketing and bridal magazine ads.
You may also want to invest in a website. Today's modern bride is busy and often times career oriented and has very little extra time. A professionally designed website will give brides the opportunity to review your services and other pertinent details of your business at her convenience. Your website should have easy to read tabs, which will detail who you are, your expertise, all of the different services you offer and, most importantly, contact information. Add your website address to the bottom of business cards and other forms of advertising.
Basic needs for setting up your office include a separate checking account dedicated specifically to your business, which will help you keep up with income and expenses of the business separately from your personal finances. Other basic needs at start up include a computer, printer, fax, filing cabinet, high-speed internet connection, various office supplies and dedicated phone and fax lines.
More than just education and a creative spark, you will need to have an alliance with other wedding professionals to break into this industry. Familiarise yourself with wedding vendors such as caterers, florists, bridal shop owners, and photographers, giving them business cards and brochures for easy referral to brides and grooms. Attend bridal shows and offer to help-out in any way possible. By circulating your name and participating amid those already established in the industry, you become part of an elite group who average 2.5 million weddings per year in the US, 110,000 in Australia and 306,000 in the UK and boast gross annual revenues in excess of $125 billion dollars.
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