}

Wedding Planning 101

Top 7 Mistakes Made by New Event Planners

  1. Kennet says:

    I am into fashion designing but I always feel within me me that I can plan for people’s wedding and events, what are the steps should I take to become a wedding and events planner? And which kind of people should I work as a team?

  2. Jocelyn Dublin says:

    Hi Debbie, My name is Jocelyn and I am 13 years old about to turn 14. I know I am really young but I have always been interested in planning any events. I was just wondering what I needed to do in High School and which college had the best wedding planning program!
    Thanks!!

    • Jocelyn, I would suggest planning any type of events you can in both high school and college. If you can help plan things like prom, dances, and school events, that will help you get experience. In college, there are many majors in hospitality and event planning that you can explore when you get closer to college age. Also, consider getting a job in catering or at a bridal shop in a few years – those will both give you great experience. Good luck!

  3. Casey says:

    Do wedding planning company’s actually hire? I’m curious if it would be more realistic for me to open up my own business or to work for someone else? I can never find when anyone is hiring. I would love the experience. Also, do most businesses (besides if I created my own) require a degree?

  4. Bree says:

    Hi! I’m a sixteen-year-old and am about to enter my junior year of high school this coming fall. My mother was a wedding planner for a few years in her youth, but jumped around from career to career.

    I currently attend an Information Technology high school, but want more than anything to become an event planner — specifically for weddings. My problem is that my family has always thought that I would go into the STEM field, so the idea of me becoming a small business owner/wedding planner disappoints them a little.

    Do you think a degree in Event Management or Business Administration would be more useful when it comes to the technicalities such as finance and taxes? Would it be better to take the Business Degree and take a online course w/ certification for wedding planning, or should I just go directly into Event Management?

    P.S. I’m actually starting full-time college as a junior in high school, so these decisions are ones I need to make sooner than later!

    • Bree, if you ask 20 different wedding planners how they got started, they will tell you 20 different ways they started their business and become successful. There is no one right way. Yes, a degree in Event Management or Business Admin would certainly be helpful. The online courses specifically in weddings can be good as well. With a degree in event management, you would be much more likely to get a job in the industry right out of college plus have knowledge of planning many different kinds of events.

  5. Dana bickford says:

    It loved your commentary! I am planning my daughter’s wedding, and I will be her wedding planner. I would love suggestions!! I have been the soul coordinator for many events, however, my daughters wedding is the most important! Any suggestions you may have would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!

    • Thanks for your comment Dana! This website is filled with helpful advice. As the mom of the bride, I highly recommend hiring a pro planner to manage the day of the wedding so that you can truly relax and enjoy yourself (and be present for your daughter).

  6. Paola Belcher says:

    Hello! Anyway I’ve been considering in becoming a wedding planer since I’m very creative and love to help others with this type of stuff since I know it can be very frustrating and stressful when you already have other stuff to take care of. I wasn’t sure if wedding planning was for me, but after reading this article it has made me feel a 100% sure about becoming a wedding planner.

  7. Tess Hamilton says:

    When should I get liability insurance? I have always been interested in becoming a wedding planner, and I am just starting the process of learning all I can before I take the leap. I know that wedding planning will probably be just a hobby for the first few years as I grow and gain experience. I do have dreams though of expanding to a business if everything goes well.
    I am also wondering what is the average overhead to start being a wedding planner. I know most jobs have a large over head and as i’m just in the beginning stages I don’t quite know what that will be for wedding planning.
    Thank you so much for this blog. It has already answered many of my questions and has gotten me even more excited to be pursuing this line of work.

  8. princess says:

    I am just a beginner and my friend wants me to be her wedding planner. What will I do? I need your help and I love your planning advice.

  9. Caesarinne Sprianu says:

    Hi, I am currently in grad school but would like to do wedding planning on the side. What input do you have about having a career and being a wedding planner as well?

    Thanks 🙂

    • Wedding planning can be a great side career as long as you have some flexibility with your main career and have your weekends available for weddings. Many brides and grooms work during the day so evening and weekend meetings would work for you and for your clients.

  10. Gigi says:

    Hi, I am 16 and a senior in high school. Your site has helped alot. I was wondering if wedding planning is a job one could do seasonally?
    Thank You

  11. Josh says:

    Is there a difference in an event decorator and event planner? I want to decorate.

  12. Josh says:

    Hi, I’m a senior in high school and I’ve been wanting to be an event planner since I was little. Before I go to college what would I have to major in?

  13. Sheckmore says:

    Hi.I am a 24 years old guy and am a wedding and event decorator. l used to have some interest in becoming an event planner. Apart from your comments, l think you have motivated me a lot.

  14. Gwen says:

    Do you recommend any particular wedding planning software to keep my organized? I am currently just using forms that I created but would like to get more organized on the desktop.

  15. Chris Harmen says:

    Nice tips. I just started my career recently in event management. I like to read blogs about event management. found your post very useful. Thanks for sharing.

  16. Naseem hussain says:

    I’m 45 now to start in a career in wedding planning how successfully could I become thanks.

  17. Denise says:

    Hi Debbie, I’m 26yrs old and a full time college student. I have just a few months left until I earn my associates in HIT. The problem is that I do not see my future as me working in a hospital. Ugh kill me first! I’ve worked as an assistant coordinator for a non profit for 5 years and although my boss took all the credit for my hard work, it made me really happy. I would love work as a wedding coordinator. Any advice on how and where to start?

  18. rosy says:

    I have planned events such as quincianeras, birthdays and galas for my church for up to 450 people. I had never consider going into the business, but I am now interested. Where do I learn how to start a business from scratch; licenses and all. Also, where could I find a mentor?

  19. Diana says:

    This was very useful and helpful information, thank you for posting this article. I have been in business for 3 years now and absolutley love what I do. I wished that I started this when I was younger(I’m 46…!). I have been struggling with my business as it is not very consistent. Trying to figure out what I need to do stay on top. I thought my last season was a litte better than the last but still only had 6 weddings. This year I only have 2 booked. Many inquiries and I feel more confident moving forward with what I offer, but it is so different than I originally started doing. Do you recommend any courses that I should take to help me? Thanks so much in advance…I am so glad found this site!!

    ~Diana

    • Thank you for your comment Diana. I’m not sure what previous courses or classes you have taken. Depending on your background, you may find business classes helpful or you may want to go for a more advanced certification program. Or, maybe just finding the right conference to attend will be a big help. I also offer one-on-one coaching that would definitely help you move forward and we can create a game plan together to get your business more successful. I also have an intro course but I’m not sure if it would be too basic for you. You can read about it here: https://plannerslounge.com/wedding-planner-course/

      • Diana says:

        Thanks Debbie…I will take a look at those courses. I actually have not taken any courses! Hvae attended many networking meet-ups, open houses, vendor meet-ups. I have been contemplated taking on a more formal approach lately. I so desperately want to stay in with this industry. I believe I can be really great at it! Thanks again 🙂

  20. Lydia Dixon says:

    Also, I failed to tell you, that I’m not a wedding planner but need your advice on what to do or how to handle this.

    • Thank you for your comment Lydia. It sounds like it really depends on what you love to do most. If you absolutely love the invitations and favors and don’t really want to expand, then stay with what you are doing. If you want to expand into planning, you can start with our “Getting Started” Course or we could do a one-on-one coaching session to strategize and update your current business to transition into successfully offering planning services. Either way, best of luck and let me know if I can help!

  21. Lydia Dixon says:

    I absolutely love and thank you for this information; it’s extremely helpful. I’ve been doing professional invitations and favors for over 10 years. My brides always ask me, over the ten year time span, if I do wedding coordination/planning. I llloooovvveee what I do. I live for it. I believe this is something GOD has called me to do. I’ve been doing this do long, I could probably do it with my eyes closed. What do you recommend? Since I’ve done this for so long, I’ve been a counselor, good listener, a budgeter, etc. and I love and care for people as a whole.

  22. Erin Wyscaver says:

    This article is very interesting and will be extremely helpful in the future. I’m a junior in High School and am wanting to pursue a career in Event/Wedding Planning, seeing as though the schools in my area do not have event management courses, is there any other courses I should persue?

  23. gladys robinson says:

    I would like to become a wedding planner what’s the first step should I take.

  24. Michaela Long says:

    I am gaining more and more interest in becoming a wedding and event planner. Thanks for the article! Nice to gather some information.

  25. Francisca says:

    “4. Working with clients you don’t like. If you don’t mesh well during the initial consultation, chances are you won’t work well together throughout the event planning process. You won’t be able to do your best work when you book clients that don’t fit your personality, style or integrity.” I LOVED THIS AND I CAN NOT AGREE WITH YOU MORE! THIS ARRTICLE IS SOOOO ON POINT! LOVE IT.

  26. cherish says:

    Hello, I am only turning sixteen next week. I know i am young and have lots to learn before i pick a career path but would like to know what i can do during high school to prepare for wedding and event planning. What courses did you take during high school and college?

    • Thank you for your comment Cherish. I recommend taking business classes as well as anything related to design (color theory, interior design, etc.). Also, some colleges have programs specifically for event planning.

      • Hi Cherish,

        I would also recommend volunteering for any committee related to organizing school events and fundraisers. Lower schools (elementary and middle schools) are always in need of volunteers for their annual fundraiser. This gives you experience in working within committees and even heading a few. As a student yourself, the parents will have first hand creative input to create an event that appeals to the students.

        Good luck!

  27. […] a look at the Top 7 Mistakes Made by New Wedding Planners to avoid these mistakes when you first get […]

  28. Demetrius Cummings says:

    Hi Debbie-

    I am still in the training stage of Event/Wedding Planning. I have put on several events for my church, planned my 1st family reunion and fpr free (volunteer basis) because I have loved doing this even as a teenager. Now I am doing research as far as the business side and getting prepared so I will be successful. Thank you for all of the free information.

  29. Sarah says:

    Debbie, thanks for your tips. I just started at Kendall College and am pursuing my degree in event management. I can’t wait to get started with my career….it seems like such a fun career path! Way better than my friends with desk jobs.

  30. These are all great tips. I think another good one is not providing other vendors with the timeline, which probably falls in line with #2. Some vendors the timeline may not matter, but for most, they need to know what’s going on.

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