Becoming a wedding planner can seem quite glamorous – planning weddings for brides-to-be can be quite exciting. Before taking this step into a new career, however, you must consider several things.

The most important thing is that managing a wedding is like managing any type of complicated project consisting of various parts. Since the wedding planner is taking the responsibility of the wedding planning from the bride and groom and taking it into her hands, she must make sure that each part is moving efficiently and things are going as planned. Also, a wedding planner will be dealing with many different kinds of people, and, as such, must have excellent people skills and a great deal of patience. Last, but certainly not least, the wedding planner must have an in-depth knowledge of how the bridal industry works and its current trends.

The wedding planner coordinates several aspects of the wedding, including flowers, catering, finding a band or DJ, and much more. The coordinator can also work with negotiating a deal with vendors to assure the couple gets the best deal possible on every aspect of the wedding.

Some Unusual Duties of the Wedding Planner

You may find yourself called upon to be peacemaker between the battling families, bridal parties, or even between the brides and grooms themselves. You have to keep in mind that weddings are highly emotional occasions, and there may be some conflict during the planning process. Sometimes these conflicts are quite petty, and can be simply a hysterical bride because she doesn’t like your selection of a menu item. Playing the part of peacemaker is one of the unspoken duties of a wedding planner, and the ability to calm down upset and irate brides, grooms, and wedding parties is something that a wedding planner must be ready to learn quickly.

On the day of the wedding, you may be asked to do any number of duties from helping the catering bring in food to helping set up tables, and to even holding the bride’s train while she answers a call of nature. In order to be a good wedding planner, you must be of the mindset that you will do whatever is necessary in order to get the job done.

How to Become a Wedding Planner

Hands on experience is the best way to learn. By working with an experienced wedding planner, you will learn the industry before you attempt to strike out on your own. There are some available certifications available through professional organizations, but the first hand experience of working with someone else will be much more beneficial in the long run.

Once you have learned everything you need to know, you want to advertise your services as a wedding planner. The first thing you should do is join the local chapter of ACPWC so that you will be able to make the necessary industry contacts. You can also choose to partner with other vendors in order to build a portfolio for yourself and share recommendations. You may also list yourself in one of the many existing directories that are available on the Internet for wedding planners. As you build your reputation, clients will come to you because they have been referred, but this will take time, effort, and hard work.