Are You Too Old to Change Careers and Be a Wedding Planner?
I am surprised at the number of emails I receive asking if it’s too late to start a career in event planning at age 35 or 45 or even 60 years old. Is there a certain point when you shouldn’t consider going after a dream of starting your own business or a new career?
My emotional side always says you are never too old to go after your dreams. I know wedding and event planners who started their businesses later in life and enjoy much success and happiness from their careers. My logical side says that you need to consider the financial and emotional implication no matter what age you are.
How to decide if you should start a new career in wedding and event planning:
1) How is your health?
Wedding and event planning is physically and emotionally demanding. Coordinating a wedding day means spending 10-15 hours on your feet and being mentally “on” at the same time. It can be draining for a 25 year old planner who is in good shape.
If you have multiple health problems that affect your physical ability or mental capacity, it could be challenging to start and grow a new career as an independent event planner. It’s not impossible but definitely something to consider before making a commitment.
2) What is your financial situation?
If this is a career that you can start on the side while still working in your current job, then it may not have much financial impact while you transition from a day job to being a wedding planner. If you currently work in a job with long and unpredictable hours that provides needed income for your family, you may need to plan a slow transition into a new career of wedding and event planning.
Perhaps you look for a new regular job with more flexible hours or go part-time at your current work place for a few years until your new business starts making money. We never want to put extra pressure on ourselves by giving up a job that provides for our family without savings and good game plan in place.
Learn more about how much wedding planners make.
3) In 20 years, would you regret not going for your dream?
Imagine yourself in 20 years still working at the same job and knowing that you could have started your own event planning business twenty years prior but didn’t do it. How would it feel to look back on those years and all that time? Would you have regrets? If the answer is yes, you have to at least try it out right now and make it happen. Who wants to live life with regrets?
If you still have a major passion for planning events but aren’t sure you can handle the career change, consider doing it part-time or find work with another event professional as an assistant. Or perhaps, you could work in the office for a planning, decor, rental, floral, or design company. Here are the secrets to getting hired for a wedding planner job.
You may also want to check out other reasons to not to become a wedding planner before you change careers.
Here are a few wedding planners over 40 who transitioned to their career later in life and are rocking it!
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I can’t believe how timely this post is for me. As I approach 6 years in this business and at a ripe age of 48, I have reached a crossroads. While I love to plan and execute people’s dream weddings, I have come to the point where I need to find something less taxing on my body. Just today I was thinking that maybe I should just do consulting while hiring others to do the physical work. I am not sure how to do this. Also, trying to figure out what it is that I want to add to my business to add another layer to what I offer. I love this business so much and if it’s not too bold to say, I am really good at it. I just haven’t found a way to maximize my potential. So many things to think about. Any suggestions would be so greatly appreciated.
Thanks for writing this! Much love to you Debbie for always inspiring me!
Hugs,
Diana
I totally understand Diana. I have felt the same way myself in the past. Maybe consider a one-on-one session with me so we can explore all the options, talk about what does work with your business, and make a plan for the future. Hugs!
Thank you for your article!
I have always wanted to do wedding planning but I am a little concerned with starting my business right out the gate. I was wondering how hard it is to work for another company? Even part-time? I really want to look into a mentorship but I just keep seeing how competitive the field is so I am a bit wary to put myself out there!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Rochelle. Typically, it is helpful to get some of kind of experience first such as with a catering company or dress shop before trying to work for a planning company. Attending networking meetings locally is also super helpful in making connections to find a job in event planning. You may want to look at our short online class to help you: https://plannerslounge.com/wedding-planner-course/
Thank you for covering this. I have been questioning my endurance to do begin this business at 53 years old. I have done planning for friends and relatives and while it’s been exhausting its very rewarding and I truly love it. My hope is to build it over the next year and then bring my two adult daughters into it who would also love to do it but can not take the time to build it right now.
My question is employees to help. No one really addresses who works for them and can help with some of the labor involved. Is this unrealistic in the first year to have help? I would love to hear more on the types of help people tap into or hire for wedding day events or the days leading up to, that could help eleviate some of the stress people are writing of.
One thing I have decided, in the last 15 years of my working career, I am going to do something I love with no regrets. I just want to hear confirmation that I can do this from someone with experience, not just friends and family. Thank you for any comments or suggestions.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts Kari. It isn’t unrealistic to have help the first year. It really depends on your finances. If you have money to invest in the business, a part time employee might be a good investment. Once you start booking events, you can build the cost of employee hours into the event price so that you plan to cover a certain number of employee hours for each event you book. These posts might help you as well:
https://plannerslounge.com/mistakes-by-event-planners/
https://plannerslounge.com/are-you-giving-away-your-work/
Thanks so much for your site. Great information, most I already know, but good to help organize my plan. We are in the process of starting our own Event Planning company. I have been event planning for 20+ years for different companies I have worked for, my church, charities etc… My husband also has been in charge of event planning in his job and does an outstanding job. Our family ( our kids included) truly love planning and implementing the best event possible, this goes for our corporate lives and our own private parties, we truly strive for excellence in planning and implementing an event from 25 to 1225.
Thank you for the comment Kelly. Best of luck with your business and thanks for being part of the Planner’s Lounge community!
Physically demanding is an understatement! I’m not even 30 yet but after doing 12 hours or more of coordination I can’t even move the next day and always schedule a massage for the next day! I think that would be the biggest factor if you should change careers or not.
Yep, I know what you mean Nicole. And it gets harder as we get older! Thanks for sharing your experience.
Debbie,
This is really great advice. I think people misjudge how physically and emotionally taxing event planning is. It’s especially difficult for those who own their own biz and have family and financial pressures. The rewards of entrepreneurship are great, however- but it’s important to go all in knowing all sides.
This is such a great post, Debbie! I especially agree with you on #1. Wedding planning is so physically demanding and exhausting. It’s exhausting for anyone at any age to be running around for so many hours on the wedding day (and even leading up to it). I see the sweat pouring down the faces of my planner friends as they coordinate the dream day for their clients. It’s far from ribbons and rainbows. So glad you covered this topic!
Thanks Michelle! I appreciate you taking time to comment and to share your experience.