To become a professional, you have to begin at the starting line. Everything starts by becoming a student of the profession.
1. Get an online course: Search the web and enroll in an online course which you believe has integrity and has a credible track record of success. Make sure it has produced many other wedding planner professionals. Learn the basics about wedding etiquette and proper decorum in wedding settings. Study proper décor mechanics and blending as well as different acceptable reception styles. Understand people rights in wedding situations and budgeting strategies.
2. Get certified: Finish the course and take the necessary action steps to become a certified wedding planner. Then affiliate yourself with the Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants.
3. Get a job as intern: Work for an established wedding consultant. Get experience. Understand the inner workings of planning, facilitating and managing of a wedding. This is also the best time to develop your relationship skills as well as your people skills. Learn to include the bride and groom’s parents into the picture.
Developing contacts
Event planning is having the ability to bring together players who can work cohesively to produce a common result that will benefit everybody involved. In other words, you need to understand the importance of delegating.
4. Team up with caterers: You must have noticed that wedding events are fellowship occasions. Fellowships involve eating. If you want to have a grand celebration and be praised by your client, get a reliable catering service. Make sure the cook good tasting food.
5. Team up with photographers: Weddings are all about creating memories too. Photographers play a vital role in preserving this momentous event. So make sure you have competent photographers who can capture the moment.
6. Team up with limousine services: What’s a wedding without limo service? Get a clue and hire a service that’s credible.
7. Team up with flower decorators: Flower arrangers are key in developing the mood of the wedding. They will help you make this wedding, the dream wedding the couple had always wanted. So get an excellent team player.
Developing your business
Fulfilling the role of a wedding entrepreneur may mean getting prepared to spend most of your weekends working and having a flexible working schedule on evenings. But more importantly, it means getting your business prepared.
8. Preparing your wedding planner portfolio: Start compiling your own organizational guidelines to hosting a wedding event. Put together packages where your clients can choose from. Put together pictures and audio visuals to aid your clients.
9. Preparing to create a business name: Professionalizing your business starts with having a business name. Find a name that reflects what you do and describes your service. Get a name people will respond positively to.
10. Preparing to manage budget: Purchase wedding planner software that can aid you in bookkeeping and tracking your expenses. As a wedding planner, you are also a money manger for your client. Your goal is to get everything organized within the budget range of your clients.
11. Preparing the pricing: Scout the wedding business competitors in your area. Determine their price range and set your prices midrange. Also consider opening a merchant account with your bank so your clients can pay you through credit card.
