How to Become a Wedding Planner

Name: Leslie Weekes
Job Title: Wedding Consultant (and events)
Where: Washington D.C.
Employer: Self-employed, Leslie-Manning Events, LLC  
Years of Experience: 6
Education: BA in English
Salary: See PayScale's Research Center for the median wedding planner salary.

How to Become a Wedding Planner

In the film The Wedding Planner, actress Jennifer Lopez made working as a wedding planner appear to be a barrel of laughs, but in real life, being a wedding planner is a lot of work. We recently spoke to professional wedding consultant Leslie Weekes about how she decided to become a wedding planner and what it's like to run her own business. Leslie gave us great info on how to become a wedding planner (also mentioned on her blog: lesliemanningevents.blogspot.com), wedding planner schools, and the salary of a wedding consultant.

According to Leslie, if you want to become a wedding planner, it helps to be someone who is naturally organized with great attention to detail. Becoming a wedding planner may be challenging, especially as the profession becomes more competitive, but a wedding planner salary - and the ability to create a memorable event - can be highly rewarding. If you're looking to get hitched to an interesting profession, don't miss this Salary Story!

Wedding Planner Job Description:

There are two parts to my job - planning and execution - careful planning leads to flawless execution. When I was a teenager, my friends criticized me for not being spontaneous; little did I know that in a few years it would be a good thing. My strength is seeing the big picture and plotting the course while focusing on the details. In short, I have to keep my clients organized (i.e. create timelines, maintain the budget, create schedules) and build strong vendor relations.

Then on the day-of, I have to execute this plan while staying on schedule. This can be hard, because most people are in a festive partying mood and are not focused on the clock, neither do they see the urgency in getting from one place to the next, but in the back of my mind I'm thinking, “My clients just spent $4,500 for this photographer” and I want them to get their money's worth in photos and then some. A lot of times I am a sounding board (for everyone in the family sometimes, not just the bride and groom).

What were your steps in becoming a wedding planner?

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I was working full-time as a meeting and event planner when I decided to start my own wedding and event planning business along with a friend and ex-colleague. I knew it was going to be easier for me, because I could easily transfer my planning skills; however, I needed to learn about the nuances of wedding planning, so I took a course through the Association of Bridal Consultants. I currently attend at least one seminar, lecture or networking event every month. You have to stay on top of the trends.

Do you recall any humorous moments from working as a wedding event planner?

I had a groom show up for the ceremony (with plenty of time to spare), and I asked him if he had the ring (he didn’t) and everything went into a downward spiral. He insisted on having the ring rather than using a prop from our emergency kit, but then he became so panicked that he couldn't find his car, then when he got to the hotel and found the ring, he couldn't find his car keys; he was a wreck. We laugh now, but at the time we were very worried for him.

What are some of the details on how to become a wedding planner?

I would say to get some training. Here are a few associations that offer wedding planning courses and certifications: June Wedding, Inc. An Association for Wedding/Event Professionals, Association for Certified Professional Wedding Consultants (ACPWC), Association of Bridal Consultants and the Association for Wedding Professionals International; they do not offer a training course, but it's a great resource.

As for the job outlook, there has been a boom in the industry lately (I blame television). In the short three years that I've been in business, I've seen the number of coordinators in my area triple. I average daily at least four emails with regards to employment or internships. However, the number of people hiring planners has remained constant, so now, more than ever, wedding planners have to build a strong network to get the business that you would have gotten before just by placing an ad on The Knot.

What is the salary of a wedding consultant?

Typical wedding consultant salaries are wide open; from a few hundreds to a few thousands. I know planners who earn wages of $100K a year easily and those who could barely cross $15K. The difference in a wedding consultant's salary is the number of years they've been in the business. Good word of mouth referrals and a solid reputation definitely helps your wedding consultant salary.

How does your salary compare to the salary of a wedding consultant? The PayScale Salary Calculator is a quick and easy way to compare positions. But when you want powerful salary data and comparisons customized for your exact position, be sure to build a complete profile by taking PayScale's full salary survey.

• More on How to become a Wedding Planner
• Wedding Planner Salary by Years of Experience
• Career Information on Wedding Consultants - Wedding Consultant Conferences

Comments

[Nina]

I want to become a wedding planner. What kind of training or certificate I need to get myself started on this career.

[Latoya Harrison]

Hello, I just wanted to say that listening to every one ideas and positive energy has lifted my spirit. I have had the desire and dream to be a event/wedding planner. I planned my very own birthday party and my guest was blown away! I am enrolling at Penn Foster College to get my career diploma. Since the first year or two is more training courses, how do I get my name out there and start my Portfolio for jobs? I am the type of person that loves to learn so visiting educational websites or seminars I will be interested in attending to gain all the knowledge I need to be successful.

[Kay]

I've been a Certified Wedding Planner for 3 1/2 years. It IS an awesome way to make a living. Before I started, I took the SuperWeddings Certifihcation course -www.superweddings.com/weddingconsulting.html (it's offered in conjunction with The International Institute of Weddings - www.instituteofweddings.com). FABULOUS course. Highly recommended to anyone considering this career. Its one of the longest running programs in the industry and was one of the first programs to offer training for wedding planners years and years ago when this profession was still very new. I've taken 3 other courses, this one is by far the best. You really do need proper training, because as someone said in the comments, there is the risk for things to go wrong. A good training program like the one I mentioned teaches you want you need to know to prevent that, prepares you really well so you feel like an experienced pro by the time you start doing weddings (it really boosted my confidence level!), and also gives you all the other necessary training you need (including the business end). Anyway, if you think you'd like to do this, I just wanted to say, "yes!", it is the best job in the world. Go for it! But make sure you get the training you need first. More and more clients expect that now. After all, you ARE planning the most important day of their life, so they expect to see that you have the qualifications and credentials to be entrusted. Best of luck!

[shyla logrande]

im a young woman only seventeen i wanted to become a wedding planner since i was about,10 because i love the expressions on thier faces when they see what a great job you have done. it brings happiness to the couple and to you.i have a very good eye for detail and i am a very orginized person, but what i want to know is how do you start a wedding buisness? you make it sound so easy but i know for a fact that it is not.so if you can please help me that would be very fortunate of you.

[cake]

i always wanted to be a wedding planner, but what scares me is that what if i mess up their wedding, i mean the people are going to leave everything to the planner. Do you think this fear would go away if i take the classes.

[cake]

i always wanted to be a wedding planner, but what scares me is that what if i mess up their wedding, i mean the people are going to leave everything to the planner. Do you think this fear would go away if i take the classes.

[cake]

i always wanted to be a wedding planner, but what scares me is that what if i mess up their wedding, i mean the people are going to leave everything to the planner. Do you think this fear would go away if i take the classes.

[cake]

i always wanted to be a wedding planner, but what scares me is that what if i mess up their wedding, i mean the people are going to leave everything to the planner. Do you think this fear would go away if i take the classes.

[april]

i am eleven and i was doing a career report on wedding designing and they realy helped me out a lot. thanks a bunch.

[sy]

I always wanted to be a wedding planner!!! Even though I'm not nearly there yet but this article have made my hopes go up!Being not bored at work is like what i always dream of. I wish there was more information about becoming as a wedding planner.

[Eureka McKinney]

I have been given the gift of event planning. I have been planning special events all of my life from bridal showers, to birthday parties. I realize that event planning is my gift and I am ready to start my own business. Does anyone have any advice for me.

[the planner]

A great source of revenue for a planner is to have a Mall Outlet and list your outlets as the Registry and get paid on everything purchased and the purchaser gets a discount.

Try this: www.fhtmus.com/forevans
click on FHTM The Mall
register if you like, otherwise click Register
on the right side of the display click Department Stores
Click Macys or which ever
At the bottom right of Macys screen it says "Question Popped" Congratulations, sign up at macysweddingchannel.com
You set this up and refer guest to the website with the login information. Let your imagination take over, this is the tip of the income stream. Write me at: forevans@aol.com

[hallie-nicole]

I wannt to be a Wedding Planner and a Pastry Chef i think they go togther im not sure!!

[Wedding consultant]

Well written, great job. For anyone who wants to get well prepared, this lists of things to chek will defiitely be helpful ahead of time.

[Abby]

Hi, I'm starting college and going for buisness management at the end of this month. I am really thinking about wedding planning as a carreer. But I would like it if you helped me out with some more info about the finances in starting the buisness. Or if you could send me some good rescources about the whole carerr that would be highly appreciated.
Thank you much,
Abby

[Ashley]

I have wanted to try wedding planning for a while and now I see what it will take. But i still want to try it and that is because of you. You made me realize that yes, it is a lot of work, but I would get to help people on one of the most precious days of their lives. Thank you.

[ashley]

I think that wedding planning would be an amazing carrer and really want to persue it. I now understand that it will take a lot of work but I think I still want to try it. Thamk you.

[Naida Lopez]

I am a wedding and events planner and I just want to ad a piece of advice, you must realize that the first year you are in business you may put out more money than you actually make, but dont give up, stay focused and look for all kinds of ways to advertise. I recieved my Certification at USEvent Guide. You may contact me if you have any questions concerns or want to hire or refer me for an event.

Thank you,

Naida Lopez
Kreayesions Wedding and Events Planning
http://www.kreayesionsweddingsandevents.blogspot
Email: Caterkreayesions@aol.com
347-665-7802

[Paula Barham]

I run Wedding Planning courses in Australia and across the Middle East.Our home packages are great for people who live abroard.
Please check my website, you will love it!
www.weddinginc.net
Kind regards,
Paula Barham

[dilukshi]

i am from sri lanka and my only dream is to become a wedding planner.. unfourtunatly there isn't a good scop for wedding planning here.... could ypuplease help me with some tips????? what are the qualifications you need to be well recognized and a good one???????

[tiffany]

i was researching about wedding planning. this sounds like a perfect way of working long hours and NOT being bored. I would love to try this out from reading this article.

[liz]

i want to become w wedding consultant and a hair designer when im older but i don't know how hard it will be can you help me make up my mind!! on what i should do!!!!???

[yvelle]

thanxs for the information myself l am also dying to be a wedding planner

[IVETTE]

I AM STARTING MY OWN BUSINESS AS A WEDDING PLANNER AND I ALREADY INVESTED SOME MONEY. I AM ALSO TAKING A COURSE SO I CAN BECOME CERTIFIED. HOPEFULLY I CAN MAKE A LOT OF MONEY SOME DAY.

[julie]

thank you for this information! i wanted to know how to become a wedding planner and now i have an idea of what it takes. thanks!

[Marketing Consultant]

You know, I was searching for event planning and ran upon your blog. I don't do weddings, and after reading your blog, it seems like they are pretty demanding. I wish you the very best!

Ed