How to become a wedding planner

While the world of wedding coordinating might seem glamorous - it's a challenging profession that demands dedication and determination. Discover if you have what it takes

What do wedding planners do?

What do wedding planners do?

Professional wedding planners offer different levels of service:

Full planning - you will organise every detail of the wedding
Partial planning - you're responsible for some aspects of the wedding while leaving others to the clients
On-the-day management - involves providing support on the wedding day itself.

For typical full wedding planning, your tasks will include:

communicating with couples to understand their budget and any special requests
generating ideas by proposing unique themes and ideas to personalise their day
offering expert guidance on wedding traditions, etiquette, and best practices
crafting customised proposals outlining services and pricing based on client needs
negotiating deals with vendors like florists, photographers, caterers, and venues
overseeing the budget, ensuring expenses stay within their set limit
managing logistics and ensuring everything runs smoothly on the wedding day
researching new trends, services, and vendors to offer the best options
marketing your wedding planning services to attract new couples.

In the run-up to a wedding, you should be prepared to work long hours, including evenings and weekends, especially during the spring and summer, when you are likely to have multiple projects at once.

What qualifications do I need?

Experience is key to becoming a wedding planner, and having a successful history of organising events is more important than any formal qualifications. You can gain this experience by planning your own wedding, or those of friends and family.

Though not essential, a background in hospitality and event management will help you develop the necessary skillset. Look into event management courses at either undergraduate and postgraduate level. If you choose the university route, get involved in societies and clubs while you study and be proactive in organising their events.

Alternatively, consider an apprenticeship in the events sector to provide you with experience of the industry.

You can also take a short, online course in wedding planning from organisations such as:

What skills do I need to be a wedding planner?

If you aspire to be a successful wedding planner, here are some key skills you should have:

Calmness under pressure - your clients expect perfection, and you must be able to manage any stress in a professional manner, even if a supplier lets you down at the last minute.
Effective communication - it's important to advise and listen to your clients to ensure everything is as they want it.
Creativity - you should be creative and stay on top of the latest trends to put together a memorable wedding according to your clients' preferences.
Strong research skills - it's important to know where to find all the weird and wonderful requests you will have to meet your clients' expectations.
Entrepreneurial spirit - you will usually be responsible for marketing your services and growing your business.
Financial management - you will be handling someone else's money, so staying within the given budget is essential.
Organisation - juggling the different elements of a wedding is not easy, so being organised is essential. You may also have more than one wedding to plan at the same time.
Time management - there is no greater deadline than a wedding day, so it is vital to manage your time efficiently and effectively.
Negotiation skills - you should be able to negotiate prices with suppliers and venues to get the best deal for your clients.

How much will I earn as a wedding planner?

According to the National Careers Service, starting salaries in wedding planning typically range from £17,000 to £29,000 with experience.

Wedding planning can be a lucrative career path with progression opportunities. Remember that your salary will increase as you gain more experience and build your reputation in the industry.

Can I be self-employed as a wedding planner?

Wedding planners are often self-employed, but building a successful wedding planning business takes time and dedication. Focus on providing exceptional service in whatever experience you can, exceeding client expectations, and building a positive reputation.

If you plan to be self-employed, seek out courses that include modules on setting up and running a business. You should be prepared for additional administrative tasks, such as managing your accounts and promoting your services by maintaining a website and social media channels.

Networking is also crucial for a successful career as a wedding planner. It can help grow your business in many ways:

client referrals - the wedding industry relies heavily on recommendations
creating partnerships - networking allows you to collaborate with other vendors on unique packages or themed events to expand your offering
building a strong reputation - establishes you as a reliable and professional presence in the industry.

How do I get a wedding planner job?

While some wedding planners are self-employed, others work for established wedding planning companies or agencies. In either case, it's important to gain some experience and build your reputation in the field.

To begin your career in wedding planning, you could approach local wedding planners and ask for work experience or opportunities to shadow them.

You may also want to consider entering the field as an assistant wedding planner. Look for relevant companies in your area and search for vacancies on their websites. If no positions are available, you can always send a speculative application and showcase your skills.

Another great way to gain experience is by offering your services to a local wedding planner or wedding venue. This will help you get your foot in the door and demonstrate your abilities.

Find out more

See what the hospitality and events management sector has to offer.