How to Become a Successful Wedding Planner

The popularity of weddings presents good opportunity for event planners. The job is highly competitive and very lucrative.

Majority of wedding planners are small medium enterprises. To gain knowledge you need practical experience or tutelage. You should have organizational skill to perform different functions of a wedding planner

The job entails finding a suitable venue, organizing the caterers, specialty linen providers and Officiant. Other functions involve hiring the photographer, master of ceremony, florist, ushers and security.

The business is easily done part-time alongside you regular job. However, if you want to operate full–time then include catering and consultancy service.

Organizing a wedding is capital intensive and stressful so hiring a planner reduces cost and guarantees better efficiency. The success of the event rests on the shoulder of the wedding planner.

There are a few things you need to put in place to become a wedding planner

How to Become a Successful Wedding Planner

There are many ways to become a wedding planner. You could obtain a degree or certificate in event planning.

Other ways include self tutelage, reading books, attending seminars or joining a professional association. You can get a bachelors degree in related field such as hotel management, public relations or interior decoration.

Another method is applying for internship with event planners. You need to be an extrovert and have good communication and business skill.

 Event planning is dynamic and easily applicable to musical concerts, political gathering and corporate events. You also need to perfect your negotiation skill and network with other professional in the industry.

Skills Required by Wedding Planners

• Ability to Negotiate
• Business Knowledge
• Planning and Organizational Skills
• Practical Experience
• Certification

Register the Business

Once you have acquired adequate knowledge of event planning. Register your business a sole proprietorship or Limited Liability Company.

Get a personal identification number for tax purposes and insurance cover. There are certain laws and permits you need to run an event planning business.

Visit you state or local government council to find out what applies in your country.

Network with Industry Players

It is important to network with people in your niche. This will provide access to support services such as caterers, security agents, musicians, florists and decorators.

Functions of a Wedding Planner

A wedding planner coordinates the entire reception. They are in-charge of the budget, venue and professionals such as caterers, florist, cake maker, entertainment and security.

The amount of money you make depends on your ability to negotiate and type of society engagement. The grander the event the more money you make.

The Job Description

• Contact vendors
• Coordinate catering
• Transport
• Security
• Decoration
• Florist
• Photographers
• Venue

Create a Portfolio

Create a portfolio of weddings you have organized. The portfolio should include high definition photographs of aspects of the event.

Focus on table arrangement, décor and interior design and location. Another important addition to the portfolio is an edited video recording.

How to Find Clients

The business is cut throat so you need lots of publicity to find clients. Use traditional print methods such as production of flyers, complementary cards.

Other methods are printing glossy brochures, signage boards and billboards. Approach event centers, hotels and hospitality centers.
event planning business

Build a Website

Hire a web developer to build your website and get a good host plan. Choose a top level domain name and introduce lots of photographs on your site.

The website should target your immediate location and drive traffic to site. Use classified websites, yellow pages, Facebook advertisements and Adwords.

Funding

The amount of funding you need depends on your business template. Home based planners require little funds to setup an office.

Everything used during the event could be leased or outsourced. Write a business plan and create a practical startup budget.

Conclusion

A wedding planner needs to recreate the vision of the client. Every event is different and unique to the couples taste. You need lots of flexibility and creativity to become a successful event planner.