Do you dream of organizing and executing beautiful weddings? Do you have a passion for making a couple’s most special day perfect? If you answered yes to both of these questions, then becoming a wedding planner may be a good career choice for you.
As a wedding planner, you will be responsible for helping couples plan their big day from start to finish. This includes everything from booking vendors and venues, to helping with the budget, to creating a timeline for the wedding day.
Of course, becoming a wedding planner takes more than just dreaming of being one. There are certain steps you’ll need to take and skills you’ll need to acquire before you can start planning weddings for clients. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Read on for everything you need to know about how to become a wedding planner.
Table of Contents
- 1. Consider Training
- 2. Build Your Portfolio
- 3. Get Certified
- 4. Know Your Target Customer
- 5. Start Marketing Yourself
- 6. Price Your Services
- 7. Do SEO and Google Ads for Your Website
- 8. Get Listed on Wedding Planning Websites
- 9. Network With Other Vendors
- 10. Let Your Customers BackUp You
- 11. Find Your First Client
- Final Thought
1. Consider Training
The first step to becoming a wedding planner is to consider formal training. While there is no specific degree you need to have in order to become a wedding planner, taking courses or getting a degree in event planning can definitely give you a leg up in the industry.
Not only will you learn important planning and organizational skills, but you’ll also get to network with other students and professionals in the field.
2. Build Your Portfolio
Once you’ve decided to pursue formal training, it’s time to start building your portfolio. If you don’t have any event planning experience, start by volunteering your time with local charities or community organizations that host events. You can also offer to help plan friends’ or family members’ weddings.
As you start to build up your experience, be sure to keep track of all the events you’ve helped plan, as well as any positive feedback you receive. These will come in handy when you start looking for paid gigs.
3. Get Certified
While there is no formal certification process for wedding planners, becoming certified can definitely help you stand out from the competition. The two most popular certification programs for wedding planners are offered by the Wedding Planning Institute and the American Association of Certified Wedding Planners.
Both programs require you to take a certain number of courses and pass an exam, but they also provide you with a valuable network of professionals and resources that you can use in your career.
4. Know Your Target Customer
When you’re first starting out as a wedding planner, it’s important to identify your target customer. Do you want to work with budget-conscious couples? Do you want to specialize in destination weddings?
Knowing who you want to work with will help you focus your marketing efforts and attract the right kind of clients.
5. Start Marketing Yourself
After you’ve got some experience and credentials under your belt, and know your target customers, it’s time to start marketing yourself as a wedding planner. The best way to do this is to create a website or blog where you can showcase your work and share your contact information.
Be sure to include plenty of photos and testimonials from past clients, as well as a list of the services you offer and your rates. You should also make sure to stay active on social media, and join relevant online forums and networking groups.
6. Price Your Services
One of the most important things to do when you’re starting out as a wedding planner is to price your services. This can be tricky, since you don’t want to undervalue your work but you also don’t want to charge too much and scare potential clients away.
A good rule of thumb is to start by charging less than established planners in your area. As you gain more experience, you can start to increase your rates.
7. Do SEO and Google Ads for Your Website
SEO and Google ads are good ways to acquire leads as people usually search the internet when they are in need of something. This means that if your website is visible on the first page of search engines, you have a higher chance of getting hired.
For example, you need to do SEO to rank wedding planner related keywords in Google, such as “wedding planner near me”, “wedding planner in your location” or “wedding planner”. You can also use Google Ads to create wedding planner related ads and drive traffic to your website.
To improve your website ranking, start by doing keyword research. Figure out which keywords potential customers are using to find services like yours. Then, use those keywords throughout your website, including in your page titles, headings, and in the content itself.
In addition to using keywords, there are a few other things you can do to improve your website’s SEO. Make sure your website is easy to navigate, and include calls to action to encourage people to contact you. You should also make sure your website is mobile-friendly, as more and more people are using their phones and tablets to search the internet.
You can get leads from SEO and Google ads, then you need to convert leads to customers with your experience and capability.
8. Get Listed on Wedding Planning Websites
Another great way to market your business is to get listed on popular wedding planning websites. These sites are a go-to resource for couples looking for wedding vendors, so being listed can help you attract new clients.
Some of the most popular wedding planning websites include The Knot, WeddingWire, and Brides.com.
9. Network With Other Vendors
In addition to marketing yourself directly to couples, it’s also important to network with other vendors in the wedding industry. These relationships can lead to referrals and help you get your foot in the door with new clients.
Make an effort to connect with local wedding vendors, such as florists, photographers, and venues. You can also join professional organizations, like the National Association of Catering Executives or the American Society of Wedding Consultants.
10. Let Your Customers BackUp You
You can make testimonials from your happy customers to gain potential customers’ trust. When potential clients see other couples’ happy experiences with you on your website, they’ll not only see that other brides and grooms were satisfied with your services, but they’ll also get an idea of what it’s like to work with you. This is a great way to attract new business.
11. Find Your First Client
Now that you’re all set up and marketing yourself as a wedding planner, it’s time to start looking for clients. Although you can wait for leads from your website, you can also find clients by networking with other professionals in the wedding industry, such as photographers, florists, and venue owners.
You can also search for leads online, or attend bridal shows and open houses in your area. Once you’ve found a potential client, be sure to put your best foot forward and sell them your services.
Final Thought
Wedding planning is a demanding but rewarding career. If you’re organized, detail-oriented, and love making things run smoothly, it could be the perfect fit for you. With hard work and dedication, you can make your dream of becoming a wedding planner a reality.