As you plan your own wedding, you might realize that you really seem to have a knack for wedding planning. If so, you might want to consider becoming a wedding planner yourself. Before you jump in, however, it is good for you to know the pros and cons of becoming a wedding planner as well as the steps you need to take in order to make this your new career.
Cons of Becoming a Wedding Planner
Although it may seem glamorous to work as a wedding planner, it is important to remember that wedding planning isn’t all about looking at beautiful dresses and seeing the smiles on the faces of blushing brides. Rather, planning a wedding is a very complex project that requires handling multiple tasks and coordinating with many other people. Since you are relying upon so many other people to do their job correctly, there is always the potential of something going wrong - and you are the one who has to clean up the mess.
Since being a wedding planner involves working with many other people, you also need to have very good communication skills as well as a great deal of patience. Of course, in order to be a successful wedding planner, you also need to be very knowledgeable about the bridal industry. So, if you don’t have much interest in the industry, this career path may not be right for you.
The Pros of Being a Wedding Planner
Although there are some potential downsides to being a wedding planner, there are also many perks. For example, if you start your own wedding planning business, you get to be your own boss. This means you are in control of your schedule, the number of hours you work and the fees you command. In addition, if you have a passion for the bridal industry and you love to see the end result after putting in a great deal of hard work, working as a wedding planner is the perfect career path for you.
Understanding the Job
Now that you have weighed the pros and cons of being a wedding planner, it is time to gain a better understanding of what a wedding planner does. Some of the duties commonly performed by wedding planners include:
· Selecting and placing the order for flowers
· Hiring a caterer
· Hiring a band or DJ
· Helping the bride select her wedding gone
· Helping select the attire for the bridal party
· Coordinating contracts with vendors and service providers
In addition to performing these basic duties, wedding planners may also need to calm the nerves of a hysterical bride, help smooth things over within the bridal party or encourage a groom who is experiencing cold feet. You might also be called upon to do basic “grunt” work that is decidedly unglamorous. For example, you might need to help haul in supplies with the catering staff or you might even be called upon to hold up the bride’s train while she uses the bathroom. The bottom line is simple - as a wedding planner, your job is to do whatever it takes to make sure everything goes perfectly on your client’s special day.
Becoming a Wedding Planner
In order to become a wedding planner, it is best to build a professional portfolio as you work along with an experienced wedding planner. Not only will this help you establish a reputation within the industry, it will also give you the hands on experience it takes to become a pro in the field. You might also want to consider obtaining certification through a professional organization such as the Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants. This way, you will have the credentials to back you up when it comes time to win over new clients.