Today, we’re going to talk about how to become a wedding planner. If you’re looking for a new career where you can work from home and be your own boss, then read on.
This will certainly interest you, especially if you love weddings and have great organizing skills.
Becoming a wedding planner could be just the perfect, flexible work you’re looking for.
Did you know the wedding industry is a MILLION $ DOLLAR INDUSTRY, it’s absolutely MASSIVE!
After a slow year weddings are back on track and couples are lining up to walk down the aisle!
The wedding planner industry is worth $841 million
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure page for more info.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure page for more info.
Just check out this article from IBISworld regarding the size of the wedding planner industry and you’ll see it’s worth $841 million.
Although the global wedding industry suffered recently due to Covid19 restrictions weddings are now on the raise again.
Whilst many couples prefer the DIY approach, research shows couples with higher disposable income still seek the services of a wedding planner for their big day.
Average wedding costs in 2020 was $19,000, (not including the honeymoon)
OK, so now are you paying attention? Here’s even better news. More couples than ever are employing the services of a wedding planner.
They need them to help organize their wedding for them. Most importantly, this isn’t so surprising as the average wedding can cost up to $30,000+. So, there’s a lot at stake, if things go wrong.
Here are some useful tips and information if you want to become a wedding planner from home.
How to Become a Wedding Planner
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1. How much can a wedding planner earn?
OK, lets’ get down to business, according to PayScale.com wedding planners in the US, can earn between $19,500 to $60,000.
However, in reality, many can earn up to $120,000 a year.
You should always establish good working relationships with reliable suppliers. As a result, this often leads to a referral fee and commissions for recommending their services.
Consequently, your clients will be happy you come with a long list of reliable suppliers. But, the exact amount you can earn as a wedding will greatly depend on your experience and reputation.
If you’re self-employed your fees will need to be calculated to include tax and overheads, so you end up with a profit. Check the rates in your country of residence.
You can either charge a fixed fee, or an hourly rate, or even a percentage of the total wedding cost. Subsequently, this will be agreed between you and your client.
However, the future looks VERY bright for wedding planners, as the industry expands. Take a look at how millennials are getting married.
Most importantly, more couples than ever are investing in a professional wedding planner to arrange their big day.
They don’t want to risk disaster on their wedding day by making all the arrangements themselves.
Take a look at The Knot wedding statistics for 2020.
Top 2020 Wedding Statistics
The average wedding costs in 2020 were an eye-watering $19,000, (this excludes honeymoon), this is lower than previous years due to Covid-19 restrictions.
So you see couples are spending a fortune on their weddings.
Here’s a sample of wedding costs courtesy of The Knot:
- Reception venue: $10,500
- Photographer: $2,400
- Wedding/event planner: $1,500
- Reception band: $3,700
- Reception DJ: $1,200
- Florist: $2,000
- Videographer: $1,800
- Wedding dress: $1,600
- Wedding cake: $500
- Catering: (price per person): $70
- Transportation: $800
- Favors: $400
- Rehearsal dinner: $1,900
- Engagement ring: $5,900
- Invitations: $590
- Hairstylist: $110
- Makeup artist: $100
2. Do you need any qualifications to become a wedding planner?
Well, here’s the good news… you don’t need any. That’s right, you don’t need any special qualifications to become a wedding planner.
In fact, lots of women become wedding planners because they enjoyed planning their own wedding so much!
But, it certainly helps if you have any previous experience in:
- Project management
- Hospitality and catering
- Event planning or management
- Public relations
Meanwhile, to learn the ropes you could always take a job in a hotel or venue where weddings take place on a regular basis.
In addition, becoming an assistant in a wedding planning company in your area will give you ‘insider information’.
Why not offer to plan a wedding for any family members or friends you have getting ready to tie the knot.
Then they can provide you with testimonials for your services. 🙂
3. What does a wedding planner do?
OK, we’ve already mentioned you DON’T need any college degree or qualifications to become a wedding planner.
But, you DO need to multi-task and have great organizational skills.
Also, you’ll need to communicate regularly with your clients. They need to be aware of your progress and the spending budgets involved.
Here are just a few of the responsibilities of a wedding planner:
- Meeting with the couples to discuss their budgets and requirements
- Agreeing and negotiating prices for suppliers such as caterers, photographers, florists and venue
- Advising the couple on wedding etiquette and custom
- Acquiring quotations from the supplier
- Keep the couple informed and up-to-date with their wedding plan
- Dealing with all communication, paperwork, phone calls, emails, and post
- Always keep detailed records and staying within budget
- Updating their website, social media account
- Keeping up to date with which trends and themed weddings are popular
- Being present at the venue on the big day to oversee and coordinate the proceeding
Want to find out more about how to become a wedding planner?
Read these wedding planner books here…
4. What skills does a wedding planner need?
As we’ve already mentioned, if you’ve have previous experience in certain areas it certainly helps.
Have you any had experience in these areas?
- Event planning
- Project management
- Hospitality
- Catering
- Public relations
Do you have any of these skills to be a wedding planner?
Take a look below and see how many skills you can tick off from this list of wedding planner skills:
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- Previous event planning skills are useful
- Great communication and ‘people’ skills
- Good administration skills
- Strong customer service skills
- Excellent organizational skills
- Great attention to detail
- Able to manage a budget
- Ability to solve problems
- Able to think on your feet
- Ability to multitask
- Sales and negotiation skills
- Time management
- Great attention to detail
- Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines
5. Where can you advertise your wedding planning services?
Above all, the best way to do this is to start a blog. Showcase your work and add photos and testimonials from your previous clients.
Most importantly, set up social media accounts like Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. After that start marketing your wedding planner services.
Meanwhile, tell everyone you know that you’re a wedding planner – referrals are priceless.
Firstly, put an advert in your local paper for two or three weeks
- Secondly, place cards in your local newsagents and corner stores
- Put your business cards on bulletin boards, this could be in gyms, hairdressers, nail bars
- Think of all the places women visit on a regular basis and leave a flyer or a business card
- Contact your local women’s community groups and offer to give a talk for free
- Remember, lots of women are on their second or third wedding!
6. Is there training available to become a wedding planner?
In conclusion, you may find it useful to take a short course in wedding planning or alternatively, check out these books on how to start a wedding planner business and get started today!
7. Where can you find wedding planner certification providers?
To sum up, for more information about wedding planners including information about certification, visit:
If you’re in the UK
- UK Alliance of Wedding Planners
- Wedding Academy Global
- National Association of Professional Wedding Services
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