Steps to Become a Wedding Planner

So, you've decided that a wedding planning career is a perfect choice for you. Here are some helpful steps that you can take to gain the proper industry knowledge and start up your very own wedding planning business.

1. The first thing you will need to do is learn about the wedding planning industry. You may have been to a number of great weddings, and maybe have even planned your own, but do you really know every step and every last intricate detail that goes into planning a beautiful, smooth-flowing wedding? Do you know the distinct differences in traditions and customs for different religions and cultures?
   
   Taking a course will help you gain a deep understanding of everything that must go into the wedding planning process, along with differences in traditions and customs for different cultures & religions. A great course will also give you insight into how you should go about registering your new business and build clientele.
   
   I've done a lot of research on a great number of the home study courses available. I have two recommendations: the first is the best course you can get for an extremely affordable price. The Institute of Certified Wedding Planning Specialists offers a home study course (check out www.onlineweddingplanningcourse.com) that covers everything from the aspects of a wedding, the wedding planning process from start to finish, customs & traditions, etiquette, and starting your business. This course which is normally $525 is currently on a limited time discount for $399 if you purchase the course as a whole.
   
   The other course I recommend is from The Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants and is for those want and require a lot of continuing education and support once they complete the course. The fee for this course is $1295. Check it out at www.acpwc.com/courses.
   
   See my post on Certification Programs to read more on the courses available.
2. Once you have completed your course, it's time to set up your business. Stop by The Small Business Administration website (www.sba.gov) for more information on registering a business name, getting necessary licenses and permits, setting up Tax ID numbers, and creating business documents like business plans, accounting books, and more.
3. Next, you will need to set up the structure of your business. What types of packages or services do you plan to offer? What is your pricing structure? How will you set yourself apart from the rest of the competition in your area? Along with these things, you will also need to consider whether you will be working as a lone wedding planner or take on assistants. Getting a plan together before you start marketing and take on your first client is extremely important and this step should not be overlooked or taken lightly.

After you've done these tasks, it's all about getting your business name out there and taking on your first client. I've put up a number of posts on marketing and expanding your business, so make sure to check them out!