Forgetting the Fuss: Taking Small Steps Toward Starting Your Wedding Planner Job
If you dream of a career as a wedding planner, but you don’t know where to start, you’re not alone. It can be tough to get your foot in the door of the competitive world of wedding planning. However, with a little bit of guidance and a lot of hard work, you can make your dreams of becoming a wedding planner a reality. In this blog post, we’ll share three easy baby steps to get your wedding planner job started now. These steps are designed to help you gain experience, build your network, and develop your skills so that you can stand out in a crowded field. Whether you’re a recent college graduate or you’re looking to switch careers, these tips will help you get started on the path to a successful career in wedding planning. So, if you’re ready to take the first step towards your dream job, read on to learn more about how to get started as a wedding planner.
Why Do We Want To Start With Baby Steps?
Did you ever see that ’90s movie What About Bob? If not, I highly recommend you add it to this weekend’s movie night. It’s a hilarious movie starring Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss. Richard Dreyfuss’s character is a renowned therapist, and Bill Murray’s character is his neurotic but fun-loving patient. The big premise from the movie is getting Bob to take baby steps with his condition(s?). “Baby steps,” his therapist keeps reminding him.
So let’s talk about baby steps for a minute. Whether you’re just starting out or dreaming of operating a wedding business, do you have a baby-step roadmap?
Planned out baby steps can help you achieve your goals much faster. I know the term “baby steps” makes you think you’re taking the long way to do something, but in actuality, baby steps give you the confidence to attack larger goals. Think about it for it a second. Instead of being reactive to every new situation you’re thrown into, you’re now proactive because you know what’s coming your way and you have a plan for it.
Step 1: Gain Experience through Internships or Volunteer Work
One of the best ways to gain experience as a wedding planner is through internships or volunteer work. This will allow you to get hands-on experience in the industry, learn from professionals, and start building your portfolio. Reach out to local wedding planning businesses, event planning firms, and bridal boutiques to see if they offer internships or volunteer opportunities.
If your ultimate goal is to become a wedding planner but you can’t find a wedding planner job, consider working in another sector of the wedding industry. When I first started out, I worked for a wedding caterer. That experience alone was priceless. I gained an understanding of what a caterer needs at a wedding (prep area, electricity, extra napkins, etc.) and how to make an event space work for them. Don’t get hung up on only finding an assistant position because any wedding position will be a great learning experience for you.
If you can’t find a job, try to create your own by offering your services for free to friends and family members who are getting married. This will give you a chance to practice your skills and gain valuable experience that you can add to your resume.
Step 2: Build Your Network through Networking Events and Social Media
Building your network is critical to success as a wedding planner. Attend networking events in your area, join wedding industry groups, and follow wedding planning blogs and social media accounts to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and connect with peers and potential clients. Use your social media accounts to showcase your work and connect with clients, vendors, and colleagues. Be sure to engage with your followers and respond to comments and messages promptly to build trust and establish yourself as a professional in the industry.
Step 3: Develop Your Skills through Continuing Education and Professional Development
Continuing education and professional development are essential to keeping your skills sharp and staying ahead of the competition. Take courses or attend workshops focused on topics like wedding planning, event design, and business management to broaden your skill set and develop new strategies for success. Consider joining a professional organization like the Association of Bridal Consultants or the International Association of Wedding Planners to stay informed and connected with other professionals in the industry.
Just a little bit of education can go a long way. If you’re just getting your feet wet (and not opening up a wedding business), there’s no need to invest in a super expensive wedding planner course right off the bat. Sure, education is important, but hands-on training will be a far superior teacher in the early years of your wedding planner job. Getting that hands-on training from another wedding planner, though, can sometimes be difficult. That is one of the reasons I created the Assistant Wedding Planner Certificate course. This is one of the best places to start if wedding planning is calling you. As an assistant wedding planner, you’ll learn the ropes and get experience in a much less stressful manner. You also won’t have to worry about acquiring clients right away, only how to professionally serve them like a rock star.
Getting The Ball Rolling On Your Wedding Planner Job In A Jiffy
What’s inside the course
Working as a wedding planner assistant is the perfect way to find out if you’re destined for a wedding planning career without making a major commitment right off the bat. The Assistant Wedding Planner Certificate course teaches you everything you need to know to become an amazing wedding planner assistant! Here’s what’s inside:
- Wedding Assistant 15-Module Course. You don’t have to worry about there not being enough content. Inside this course you’ll learn terminology, understand various tasks, and get video tutorials!
- Professional Wedding Planner Encounter Videos. We want to make sure you get a taste of real-life experience, and that’s why we share the professional wisdom of expert planners.
- Wedding Day Timeline Decoder Videos. Get a formal understanding of how a wedding day timeline works and all the behind-the-scenes knowledge that wedding planners are privy to—and now you will be too.
- Wedding Planner Certificate + Badge. Hang this certificate on your wall and let the whole world know you’re a certified wedding planner assistant. Display this badge on your website or in your email signature with pride. Let your colleagues know you’re ready to work for them. Whether you currently own a wedding planning business or you want to get into the field, this badge shows you’re dedicated to your craft.
How this course is different
The Assistant Wedding Planner Certificate course is the first of its kind that not only teaches you about the wedding industry but also gives you the skills to jump in and work a wedding. This course is the only one of its kind that gives you a solid foundation to jump in and start helping a wedding planner with confidence.
How this course will help you
You might be thinking, “this is all well and good, but what will I get out of this course?” This course will give you the confidence to:
- Walk into an interview feeling confident and in control because you know what’s expected of you.
- Wow fellow wedding planners with your skills and knowledge of wedding day tasks and management.
- Read and follow a wedding day timeline with demonstrated reliability.
- Anticipate the next wedding task or action so you could anticipate any unforeseen trouble ahead.
- Avoid those yucky unpaid internships and get a real job from a wedding planner.
Wedding Planner Job Last Words
In conclusion, starting a career as a wedding planner can be daunting but with the right steps in place, your dream career is within reach. To launch yourself towards success, begin by gaining experience, understanding the current trends of the industry, and investing in your education. No one said this path would be easy, therefore it’s critical to stay persistent. Look forward to opportunities where you can gain knowledge and skills or even do an apprenticeship with a local planner. Last but not least, if you’re serious about kickstarting your career as a wedding planner and ready to take that first step – enroll in our assistant wedding planner course! With the right tools by your side and determination to succeed, there’s no reason why you couldn’t reach your goals!
