How to become Wedding Planner

Wondering how to become a wedding planner? This exciting industry role will see you working with all kinds of couples to plan out their special day. With creative input and managerial oversight on what is a life-defining event for many, wedding planning can be a high-pressure but high-reward career path. 

It can be difficult to know what the best route is to getting wedding planner jobs, what qualifications you might need, and how to break into the industry. That’s why we’ve put together this handy guide to help you understand everything you need to know about becoming a wedding planner. 

Read on for information on wedding planning courses, their entry requirements, key skills and why you should consider this unique career path. 

CONTENTS

• Why become a wedding planner?
• How do I become a wedding planner?
• What are the entry requirements?
• What skills do I need to become a wedding planner?
• What universities offer wedding planning courses?

Why become a wedding planner? 

Working as a wedding planner is a unique role in the fast-growing wedding industry, a niche of the events and hospitality industry known for its quality and attention to detail. Wedding planners are an instrumental part of successful weddings of all sizes, responsible for turning the vision of the clients into a once-in-a-lifetime reality. 

This role brings together creative flair and exceptional organisational skills in a unique way among events managers. It’s a highly sought after career for several reasons. Professional satisfaction is a leading one, as you’ll see the tangible outcome of your efforts and be part of a wonderful occasion.  

Not only that, but you’ll often find yourself in all kinds of stunning locations and venues as a wedding planner, interacting with other wedding industry professionals such as caterers, florists, musicians and more in the creation of the perfect experience. 

Successful wedding planners might work as part of a company or independently as their own businesses, and can achieve very high salaries if in-demand. 

How do I become a wedding planner? 

There are multiple routes into wedding planner jobs, depending on your current experience and personal preferences. There are wedding and event planning qualifications that you can pursue at college, apprenticeship or university level, all of which will give you the foundational knowledge and skills you’ll need to succeed in this career. 

While you don’t necessarily need formal qualifications to work as a wedding planner, wedding and event planning courses are a great way to evidence your experience and abilities early on in your career. Most clients will look for wedding planners who can demonstrate experience in successfully organising complex weddings or similar events. 

Postgraduate courses in events management will give you an in-depth understanding of how to budget, plan, procure and manage a wedding event from the early stages of planning to on-the-day support. 

Some private educational providers offer specialised courses around wedding planning that might also be of interest. 

Many wedding planners work independently on a self-employed basis, so learning how to run your own business and market yourself are often very useful skillsets to develop. 

What are the entry requirements? 

The most relevant postgraduate qualification for you, as an aspiring wedding planner, will be a master’s in events management. There are various programmes available across universities in the UK, each with their own entry requirements that will vary depending on the university that offers it and the content of the course. 

Generally speaking, to study events management at postgraduate level you’ll need to have completed an undergraduate honours degree and have a final (or expected, in some cases) grade of 2:2 or above. This can often be in any subject, though studying in a related area is always helpful. 

In many cases, applying with significant industrial experience or professional qualifications is also possible in lieu of a degree. 

What skills do I need to become a wedding planner? 

Wedding planner jobs are highly varied, dynamic and challenging due to the nature of the event that you’re responsible for. You’ll need a range of professional skills and personal attributes to succeed in this competitive industry. 

Being extremely well organised, managing your time well and proactively managing all the moving parts of a complex project are key competencies of successful wedding planners. You’ll need to be able to communicate clearly with the client and keep them updated, negotiate with various suppliers, deal with unexpected delays and setbacks, and identify possible issues that could disrupt your event plan. 

Having an in-depth knowledge of the industry will be invaluable, allowing you to access lower prices and higher quality goods and services. It is often the knowledge and connections of a wedding planner that allows them to stand out from competitors in their field. 

Business management skills, financial responsibility and an entrepreneurial attitude will not only help you plan many weddings, but allow you to plan and manage your own business activities successfully. 

Wedding planning also calls for a great deal more creativity than many other event and hospitality management roles. You’re designing and delivering an unforgettable and unique experience that reflects the emotions and personalities of your clients. 

What universities offer wedding planning courses? 

There are postgraduate courses available in events management across UK universities, offering a diverse range of study options which will suit different students depending on their goals and existing training. You can use our course search tool to browse programmes and find your ideal wedding planning qualification. 

Next: Search for postgraduate events management courses