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If you’re like most people, you probably think that becoming a wedding planner is a complicated process that requires years of training. However, this isn’t necessarily the case. In fact, if you’re motivated and have a passion for planning events, becoming a wedding planner can be quite simple. This guide will outline the basic steps involved in becoming a wedding planner, as well as provide some tips on how to get started.
Why become a wedding planner?
Wedding planners are highly sought-after individuals who are responsible for organizing, coordinating, and assisting with all of the events leading up to a wedding. This includes everything from helping couples choose vendors, catering menus, decorating options, and more.
Choosing to become a wedding planner is essentially choosing to be an entrepreneur—there are no formal educational or training requirements for you to become a wedding planner. Therefore, it’s important to pick up as much knowledge and experience as possible so that you can get hired by brides and grooms-to-be before your competitors.
Get some training
There are no educational requirements to become a wedding planner, but that doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to receive some type of training or formal education. Many universities offer certificate programs in wedding planning, and there are also online courses you can take on the subject matter.
Performing well in these types of classes will not only allow you to improve your knowledge but will also give you a chance to showcase your talent and skills before potential clients.
Get some experience
In addition to improving your skills and knowledge through training, it’s important to gain experience in making the plans required to carry out a wedding. This will not only highlight what you know, but it will also make it easier for you to sell yourself when trying to attract future clients.
This will help you in the long run because you’ll need to know everything about whichever wedding facility you’re working at that day to keep the clients happy.
You can take on several different types of positions to gain experience. Many would-be wedding planners start by working as bridal consultants at a local bridal shop. Then move on to planning small events and eventually larger and larger ones.
Get a full-time position
In addition to gaining relevant experience as a wedding consultant or an event planner, it’s beneficial for you to seek out a full-time position as a wedding coordinator. If possible, choose a job that allows you to work with brides and grooms on their big day from beginning to end.
This will not only improve your overall knowledge of wedding planning but will also give you a chance, to make valuable connections with potential clients.
Network
In addition to getting an in-person education, you need to engage in as much networking as possible. The more people that know who you are and what you can do, the more likely it is that you’ll be able to get hired by a client.
You can start by visiting wedding expos and getting business cards from every planner that’s there, as well as any vendors who provide services for weddings. You can also network with these individuals through social media such as Facebook and Twitter.
Starting a business can be overwhelming, especially when you’re working in an industry that you’re new to. Reach out and form alliances with other wedding planners and talk about how they got started and what challenges they faced when trying to start their own business. It will also give you motivation as there are many weddings planner out there that share your experience. It is better not to go at it alone, so consult with them and make friends along the way!
