Wedding Planner
Job Description:Wedding planners help couples have the wedding they want.
Job Category:What you will do:
You day-to-day duties may include:
- meeting couples to discuss their requirements and budget
- coming up with creative ideas and themes
- advising on wedding customs and etiquette
- preparing proposals and quotations for the work
- agreeing prices with suppliers like florists, photographers, caterers and venues
- making sure costs stay within budget
- being at the venue on the day of the wedding to make sure everything goes to plan
- researching new products, services and suppliers
If you’re self-employed, you’ll also spend time doing your accounts and promoting your business.
You’ll often plan more than one wedding at a time.
Skills:
You’ll need:
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
As well as:
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- the ability to work well with others (teamwork skills)
- customer service skills
- to be flexible and open to change (adaptable)
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- administration & organisational skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
Entry Requirements:
There are no specific GCSE subjects that are required to become a wedding planner, as this profession doesn’t have strict academic prerequisites. However, certain subjects and skills can be helpful in preparing for a career in wedding planning. These include:
- Business Studies: Learning about business management, marketing, and entrepreneurship can be valuable when you’re running your own wedding planning business.
- Mathematics: Basic math skills are important for budgeting and financial management, which are essential aspects of wedding planning.
- Communication Skills: English or a related subject that enhances your written and verbal communication abilities can be very beneficial. Wedding planners need to communicate effectively with clients and vendors.
- Art and Design: Creative skills can be useful for designing wedding themes, decor, and layouts.
- Event Planning and Hospitality: While these aren’t typically subjects taught at the GCSE level, taking courses or gaining experience in event planning or the hospitality industry can be very relevant to a wedding planning career.
- Psychology: Understanding human behavior and customer preferences can help you connect with and serve your clients better.
- IT/Computing: Proficiency in using computer software and digital tools can be essential for managing schedules, budgets, and communicating with clients.
Post School
There are no set requirements. It’ll help if you’ve gained experience and skills organising your own wedding or weddings of family and friends, or through jobs like:
- event management
- hospitality and catering
- project management
- marketing
- public relations
You could start as an administrator or assistant in a wedding planning or event management company and work your way up, or work at a wedding venue as an in-house wedding coordinator.
A short course in wedding planning or a college course in a related area like event planning or management may help you get into this job.
You could also try and get some work experience with a wedding planner, or by organising events like fun days, charity balls or fashion shows for local charities.
Many wedding planners develop a blog or a website to showcase their work, personality and style.
Working Hours and Environment:
You’re likely to work long hours, particularly during peak wedding season (May to September in the Northern Hemisphere, October – March in the Southern Hemisphere). Meetings with couples often take place in the evening and at weekends. On the day of the wedding you may work a 12-hour day, or longer.
You’ll be based in an office or work from home. You’ll also spend time travelling to see clients, suppliers and venues.
Career Path & Progression:
You could set up your own wedding planning consultancy or event management company.