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How to Become a Wedding Planner
What You Need to Know Before You Become a Wedding Planner
By Nancy Tucker, Coordinator's Corner
First, you need to know that this is not a profession for the faint of heart or easily offended. When you are a working wedding consultant, you will be caught in situations that have to be fixed on the fly. This could require you to physically have to move something or carry something you hadn't planned on moving.
I have had many situations where I wondered how I did that since I've had three back surgeries which brings many physical limitations. Even so, I've run from a ceremony site to a reception site at an Olympic pace in order to grab the bride’s bouquet that she left in the dressing room. I've been down on the floor mopping up water to keep a band from being electrocuted when a rain storm hit so hard it was driving the rain in under the sides of the tent. The band was set up on asphalt and of course, didn't think to platform, so their instruments were sitting right in the water. I mopped up water on my hands and knees for over 2 1/2 hours trying to keep them playing so the reception wouldn't be ruined. Another instance had me running an extension cord from one home to the other through gardens under decks, etc. because the band was blowing circuit breakers. You do whatever it takes to make the day the best the bride could ever want.
Training
You'll either need start up money or great credit card limits, because you should invest in training. This training should come from one of the associations for wedding consultants and could cost approximately $1000. You can start without the courses but I highly recommend you invest in one at least. There are no real requirements on wedding consultants therefore, many starry eyed individuals who have had the idea that it's a fun profession, start up by buying business cards and dig right in, only to find it's more than just a way to attend a party every weekend.
Advertising
You'll need to advertise your business so that potential clients can find you. This can be a very big investment, some bridal magazines ad can cost thousands of dollars and, as you'll soon find out, your competition is in all of the magazines. The internet is quickly becoming a favorite place for targeted, affordable advertising. Free listings for wedding businesses are available right on this site. Just go to our home page and look on the left under "Local Services" to find your state page to list your website locally.
Web Page
Today's bride is technologically savvy and is using the internet to research vendor choices and options. You will need to plan to spend at least $1,000 for a professional website design. There are many free and low cost website templates however if you want to give the most professional impression have your site designed by a professional.
Office Equipment
With the brides using computers to work on their weddings, of course, you'll need to have one too so that you can send and receive emails. You'll need a fax machine so that you can send and receive copies of contracts, floor plans, etc. You'll need a printer so that you can create documents to maintain a paper trail for legal purposes.
Insurance
To protect your personal property you'll need business liability insurance. Be sure if you are seeing clients in your home, that your local zoning provides for this legally and be very sure to get insurance to cover the possibility that a client could somehow injure themselves while on your property.
Legal
You should consider having a lawyer review the contracts you will be presenting to your clients so as not to find yourself involved in a major lawsuit.
Licensing
Although licensing is not required to become a consultant, some localities require licensing. Check your local Licensing Department to determine their requirements.
Education
Any formal education in marketing, business management, the hospitality or food and beverage arenas are plusses to your professionalism.
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Wedding Planning Directory > Consultants & Coordinators >Become a Wedding Planner
