How to Become a Wedding Planner

by Danielle Andrews Sunkel, President of The Wedding Planners Institute of Canada

Photo courtesy of Red Umbrella Photography

It’s easy to become a Wedding Planner, but it takes time, education, experience and perseverance to become a successful one.

Its important to know that over-night success does not happen in the Wedding Industry. Clients aren’t going to bang down your door just because you register your business and set-up a website.  It will take at least 1 1/2-2 years before your business will be able to sustain you as your primary income and that is only if you really market yourself and persevere.

Education

The first step to becoming a Wedding Coordinator is education.  Not only do you need to know Bride and Groom Psychology, Event Management, Coordination, and Day-of problem-solving, but there are many laws and regulations that Wedding Coordinators need to be aware of.  As well, you need education in what you can and should expect from Vendors, their contracts and their expectations of you.  You need to know about different religions, their requirements and ceremonies, Wedding Etiquette, Budgeting, as well as Business and Marketing in the Wedding Industry.

We, of course, are proponents of The Wedding Planners Institute of Canada’s Wedding Coordinator Certification Program, Canada’s only in-class Certification training.

A true Wedding Professional knows that their education is NEVER finished, so consistently attending workshops and yearly Wedding Industry conventions and conferences is a must.

 Photo courtesy The Wedding Professionals Conference

Inspiration

You can never have enough Inspiration.  Constantly immerse yourself in the world of Weddings.  Watch all the TV Shows, movies, read the Magazines and attend the Wedding Shows.  Find out who the major players in the Wedding World are, read their Blogs, follow them on Twitter.

Networking

Get to know your local key Wedding Players, go see the venues, meet the vendors.  You can never know too much about your local market.

Become a member of a Professional Association.  This association should offer additional and extended learning and training opportunities, a job shadowing or volunteer program, networking opportunities, as well as business information and a network of support.

Canada only has one national Wedding Planner Association, called the “WPICAlumni Association”, it is 2500 members strong and membership is FREE with WPIC Certification 😉

Experience

Through your Association you should be able to gain experience by working with an established Wedding Planner by volunteering your services on the Day of The Wedding.  In return, you will gain priceless hands-on experience and learn invaluable tips and tricks of the trade.

Photo courtesy of Red Umbrella Photography

Be Professional

Once you have gained your Certification and gotten some hands-on experience you can begin to set-up your business.  Remember that everything about you and your business needs to be professional. Walk the walk, and talk the talk. Use proper business etiquette in all that you do. Dress professionally and appropriately.  Be what you picture a Wedding Planner to be.

The Wedding Industry is a very small world and Word of Mouth can make or break you.  So remember to stay ethical, treat your clients well, always give 110%, play nicely with others and give other Wedding Professionals the respect they deserve when you are working together.