What Does It Take to Become a Wedding Planner?
There are about 10,000 wedding planners in the U.S., according to the Team Wedding website. The wedding planning profession does not require any special certification, nor is it regulated. As a result, individuals often become professional wedding planners without any training or experience and end up quitting the business because of the unexpected demands. Successful wedding planners are those who have inside knowledge about the business of getting married.
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The Right Motivation
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Being a professional wedding planner is not about organizing a big party and being surrounded by elegance. A wedding planner must have the ability to pay careful attention to all details, like organizing and planning events, and must enjoy working with different types of people.
Training
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Bridal consultant training classes or courses in event planning from a community college or bridal association teach how different traditions celebrate marriages. Prospective wedding planners learn how to organize all aspects of the wedding efficiently and how to tend to special needs and requests, such as those wanting a military wedding. No two weddings are alike, and wedding planning courses teach how to personalize each event, plan for the unexpected and work with "bride-zillas" graciously. Other ways to train to be a wedding planner are to work alongside an established wedding planner, help friends organize their weddings and work in a large church as the wedding coordinator.
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Establishing a Legitimate Business
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Those who want prospects to consider their services seriously should set up a legitimate wedding planning business. A wedding planner can operate her business from home but should register her business with her state's Secretary of State office. Registering a business can help a wedding planner have proof about his profession, allowing him to have special access into events and shows about the wedding business. Team Wedding encourages wedding planners to order business cards to promote their business in addition to advertising in local bridal magazines, setting up a professional account with social networking sites and creating a professional website.
Networking
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One of the best ways to be known and gain business as a wedding planner is via word of mouth, says "Entrepreneur" magazine. Being a people person and being known as such, according to "Entrepreneur," is one of the biggest requirements of a wedding planner. By networking at bridal events and meetings for small business owners, a wedding planner can make important contacts in the wedding industry who can send clients her way. Joining professional bridal associations is also important when becoming a wedding planner and networking because it gives the individual access to advice from peers, news about the latest wedding trends and continuing education. It also allows the wedding planner's business to be listed in professional directories.
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References
- Photo Credit table setting | wedding | flower image by Paul Retherford from Fotolia.com
