Turning the Pumpkin into Something: How to Become a Wedding Planner

Most girls were brought up on a daily dose of fairy tales and happy endings – ones where their Prince Charming and/or Knight-in-Shining-Armor comes to rescue them from the mundane, monotonous grind called life. It is no wonder, then, that most girls have been daydreaming of their wedding day even before they reach fourth grade. And like those fairy tales, those dreams usually include a magical fairy godmother that can turn a simple pumpkin into a magnificent carriage. In the real world, those fairy godmothers are called wedding planners.

As their name implied, wedding planners are considered as professionals in terms of planning, designing, organizing and managing a client’s wedding for a fee. Couples (specifically, the bride) who want to celebrate their wedding as smooth and as perfectly as humanly possible usually retain the services of a wedding planner, who in turn, charges the couple for as much as 10 to 15% of the total wedding cost as compensation.

Of course, not everybody can become a wedding planner. One needs a specific set of skills in order to relieve the stress and tension of that very important event and thus prevent the bride (or the in-laws) from ever becoming a bride-zilla. So, how can one become a successful wedding planner?

There is no special course or subject that you can take up in college to figure out how to become a wedding planner. For those beginners in the trade, it does not hurt to be naturally organized and have a great eye for details. It also helps if one is a perfectionist in terms of executing a plan while being extremely patient, calm and attentive to a client’s demand. Still interested in becoming a wedding planner? Here are some tips on becoming one:

1. Be educated. Though, as said earlier, there is no special requirement in becoming a wedding planner, the more experienced wedding planners agree that those who have a degree in hospitality and/or business has an edge in this field. There are also several professional associations that offer trainings and certifications in becoming a wedding planner though one needs to be sure the association that you're handing your hard-earned money is legitimate since these associations are largely unregulated.
2. Experience is as good as an invisible calling card. Brides would never hire an inexperienced wedding planner. Gone are the days when most wedding planners start their careers with informally organizing a family member or friend’s parties. In the modern world though, that is not enough. One can choose to apply for an internship or apply for a part-time job with a veteran wedding planner – not only is this a good way in establishing your credibility but also a chance for you to learn the ropes of the trade.
3. Get connected. As one movie line said “It is not what you do. It’s who you know and what they can do.” Wedding planners need a vast number of contacts if they want to stay afloat in the business. Caterers, bakers, florists, musicians, photographers, printers – these are a wedding planner’s best friends. These allies can, not only make the workload a little lighter, they even offer discounts that often are saving grace in budgeting an event.
4. Advertise yourself. Invest in printing calling cards, portfolios and brochures, even creating a website that promotes your business. Join bridal fairs that can expose your business to future brides. It would also help if you join specific organizations that offers a support network and help you fulfill requirements that can legitimize your business such as obtaining a license and getting a business insurance. Also, clients are more likely to be impressed if you affiliated yourself with those certified professional organizations.

Remember, in any business, patience is the key. Don’t fret if you are not being overwhelmed by clients at the start. Having a single client and planning her wedding is also a form of advertisement. A satisfied client will tell her friends how wonderful and perfect her wedding was and would probably speak of your services in high, flying colors. Supply the bride and her parents with your cards so that they can serve as referral for your future business.

So what do you think? It’s time to convert those fairy dust you are hiding in to a goldmine of opportunities.