Wedding Planner

Job Description:

Wedding planners help couples have the wedding they want.

Job Category:
Tourism, Hospitality & Entertainment

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
Illustration of employee looking at workspace

Entry Requirements:

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.