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How to become a
Wedding Planner or
Event Planner
10 Steps to a Fab Job as a
Wedding
Planner
by Jan
Riddell
Click
Here to Discover How to Become a Wedding Planner
As a wedding planner you can have a rewarding career that lets
you use your creativity to organize the happiest day of people's
lives.
In our busy society it’s no wonder so many couples turn to a
professional wedding planner to ensure their wedding is as stress
free as possible. With more than 2.5 million weddings taking place
in the United States alone in 2005, there are more opportunities
for wedding planners than ever before. As long as you have the desire, you can become a wedding
planner. No special education or experience is necessary to break
into this career and succeed. If wedding planning sounds like the
career of your dreams, here are ten steps to follow based on the
FabJob
Guide to Become a Wedding Planner.
1.
Develop your skills
Successful wedding planners have a number of traits in common.
They are usually creative people with excellent interpersonal
skills who love to plan events. While most of these traits come
naturally to many wedding planners, an important skill that some
need to develop is organizational ability. To help you stay
organized, you can create timeline schedules and checklists, and
use organizational tools such as a day planner or binder to keep
track of all the wedding details and paperwork.
2.
Learn about weddings
There are numerous details involved in planning a wedding --
from selecting the wedding date to choosing the menu for the
reception. You can learn how to plan weddings by taking continuing
education classes or through self-study. To teach yourself, attend
and help out with as many weddings as possible, visit bridal
shows, read wedding magazines, and conduct informational
interviews with clergy of various faiths, recently married brides
and anyone else connected to the wedding business such as florists
and caterers.
3.
Create a portfolio
A portfolio is a collection of photographs that show people
your skill at planning weddings. To develop a portfolio, offer
your services to friends and family who are getting married in
exchange for pictures for your portfolio. (You can ask them to
write reference letters for you as well.) You can also include
photographs of table settings or room decorations you have created
in your home, or pictures from your own wedding to show your
creative side.
4.
Find a job in the wedding industry
Even if you plan to start your own business, consider getting a
job in the industry first. Besides employment benefits, these
positions can be used as a stepping-stone to gain valuable
experience and contacts. Wedding coordinators are hired by
hotels, country clubs, and churches across the country. Some of
the more exciting options include working as a wedding coordinator
at an attraction such as Disney World or at a resort in a location
such as Hawaii, Las Vegas, Europe or the Caribbean. Many other job
opportunities for "bridal consultants" are available with
companies that supply products and services for weddings including
bridal shops, department stores with gift registries, florists,
and caterers.
5.
Set up your own business
Setting up a wedding planning business is not much different
than starting any other business, with a few exceptions. You
should be able to work from home as long as you set aside an
office space free from interruptions from children or pets. This
is especially important if you plan on holding meetings with
clients there. Set up costs will be minimal but you will
need a computer, fax, business phone line, cell phone, business
cards, and marketing materials such as a website. Before
setting up your business, take advantage of the free advice
offered by agencies such as the U.S. Small Business
Administration.
6.
Choose a specialty
Wedding planners offer a variety of services and packages based
on their specific skills and interests. For example, you might
offer complete wedding planning services, wedding day
co-ordination only, or consult with brides and grooms who want to
plan their own weddings. Some wedding planners specialize in
arranging "destination weddings" at resorts or on cruise ships.
Decide which services you would like to offer.
7.
Develop relationships with vendors
Vendors are suppliers of any product or service related to
weddings, such as limousine companies, musicians, photographers,
party supply companies, invitation printers, etc. Vendors
can be a valued partner in planning a successful wedding and a
great networking ally. Conduct informational meetings to
learn about their services, and what discounts they can offer you
as a wedding planner. Before recommending a site for a wedding
ceremony or reception, visit and inspect the premises. Take notes
on the condition, size, cleanliness and capacity of each venue so
you can guide your clients in making suitable choices. Always
follow up with vendors after the wedding with a thank you note or
to discuss any changes you want for future.
8.
Get clients
One of the best ways to get clients is through your
relationships with vendors. Supply business cards and brochures to
the bridal shops, caterers, florists, photographers and other
vendors you work with, and ask them to recommend your services to
their customers who are getting married. Other ways to market your
services include advertising, networking, participating in bridal
shows, or even organizing your own bridal show.
9.
Consult with clients
Once you start getting calls from brides and grooms, arrange a
client consultation meeting. The purpose of this initial
consultation is to learn as much as possible about the couple and
what they want, so you can show them how hiring you will help them
achieve the wedding of their dreams. Be prepared to ask questions
to find out what type of wedding they want, their budget, number
of guests, etc. At this meeting you will discuss your fees, which
might be an hourly rate such as $50 per hour or a flat fee.
Explain how you can help them have the worry-free wedding of their
dreams.
10.
Be recognized as a professional
Successful wedding planners are always interested in learning
new ideas they can use with their clients. Consider joining a
professional association for wedding planners to keep up with new
developments in the industry. Clients will be impressed with your
affiliation to a professional organization, especially if it
certifies you as a
professional
wedding planner. Click
Here to Discover How to Become a Wedding Planner
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Published with permission from
FabJob.com.
Visit their site now to discover how to break into the career of your dreams.
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