Jennifer Lopez' 2003 movie The Wedding Planner introduced audiences to the concept of planning other people's weddings for a living. Having just planned and executed my own marital hoopla, I believe such a service would've saved me countless hours of stress. I'd even say a wedding planner, to any harried young bride, would be worth her weight in gold.
My own event was gorgeous - at the expense of many newly-grayed hairs. Now that it's over and done with, I'd even do it again. Just not my own. Too many important decisions get blown out of proportion when you're planning what conventional wisdom calls the 'most important day of your life.' But now that I know the ropes of handling vendors and scheduling and running a ceremony, I wouldn't mind doing it all for someone else.
That's where Fabjob's new e-guide to Become a Wedding Planner comes in. If I was going to switch careers, I'd follow this user-friendly, 226-page book's advice on to do it.
Specific instructions on how to study weddings, plan events, get hired on by a company or start your own make this text an invaluable source of insider information.
According to authors Catherine Goulet and Jan Riddell, weddings are a booming American industry. They say the average traditional wedding costs $19,100 for 186 invitees. It's a $45 billion a year industry, and planners can earn between $50-100,000 a year for their efforts.
Wedding Planners can either perform full or partial wedding planning serices. A full-service wedding could include everything from planning the engagement party, shower, rehearsal, and of course, the big day from start to finish. Partial contracts might include only an initial consultation, finding the right vendors (ie - caterer, photographer, band, florist, etc), or coordinating the wedding ceremony itself.
Specific lists of questions to ask vendors are provided: key queries to ask about venues, changing rooms, parking, interfaith restrictions, food choices, beverage service, wedding insurance(!), extra fees for each supplier, and so on.
While lots of the planning process sounds like fun, for example, finding musicians, tasting cakes, planning decorations and helping couples explore meaningful marriage vows, it's not all just about throwing a really good party. Sections of the Fabjob guide remind you you're involved in a business, as well. The sections on getting hired, and of becoming self-employed, point out the realities and lend a bit of solid advice for getting your fledgling career off the ground. They even help you decide how to set up fee structures, which is rare to find in any career reference.
Here are ten steps to become a wedding planner, recommended by the Fabjob advice website:
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.
A nice bonus to this guide are the ready-made checksheets crucial for wedding planner consultations, sample invoices, and contract templates. I wish I'd had this information when planning my own event - or knew how to hire someone to do it for me.
I'm tempted to change my job. Want me to plan YOUR wedding?
Jill Florio, August 2003
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FabJob.com publishes e-books (and a number of books in print) that can help you break into a "fab" job. Visit Fabjob.com for information or to purchase a copy of the aforementioned book.
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