How to Become a Wedding Planner with a Formal Degree
Wedding planning is one of those jobs that didn't exist to any great degree a few decades ago, with the development and expansion of the hospitality industry. Prior to World War II, weddings were usually private family events, conducted on a smaller, more intimate scale with planning and organization done by a relative or friend. But in Postwar America, things began to change as weddings grew in size and complexity.
Then, after the world had watched in amazement the lavish 1981 wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer, extravagant weddings moved beyond the rich, royal, and famous, as ordinary people strove to mimic the well to do by spending an average of $30,000 to tie the knot.
As weddings have grown, the wedding planner profession has boomed. The 2001 film "The Wedding Planner" with Jennifer Lopez seems to have played a big part in sparking this hot career path, as brides realized they needed a professional planner to ensure their wedding reached the stratospheric heights of celebratory perfection they had been dreaming of.
These days, lots of people are taken with the notion of wedding planning as a profession. After all, what could be more joyous than being in integral part of an event that revolves around the celebration of love and commitment? Plus, there's good food, music, dancing, fancy dresses, and elaborate decor. What's not to like?
Becoming a Wedding Planner: Which Path do you Take?
What does it take to be a wedding planner? Do you start by offering your services for free, planning a small wedding for someone you know and then just building as your reputation grows? Or do you go a more formal route and try to find some education?
As with most professions, earning educational credentials can be a great way to launch yourself as a wedding planner, particularly if it seems getting started by word of mouth is going to take several years.
In case you're wondering, most accredited educational institutions don't necessarily have a degree or certificate in wedding planning per se, but offer instead an all-around degree or diploma in hospitality management, which includes event planning.
The beauty of this kind of degree is that you're prepared not just to be a specialist in weddings, but generally also trained to work in a wide variety of settings, including hotels, catering, convention and conference centers, sports and athletic centers, at institutions of higher learning that host public events, for healthcare and government agencies, and many more.
Should the trend for larger, more complex weddings go into decline and wedding planners aren't in such great demand, you'll be flexible since you've earned the credentials that will allow you to move on to event planning in another setting. Even if you specialize in weddings, you might find a former bride asking if you can plan her baby shower or a family friend wanting to hire you for a birthday party. It's best to be well rounded and flexible in this kind of industry.
What Does being a Wedding Planner Require?
What's more, wedding planning requires more than organizational skills. Yes, you need time and talent to get to know who's out there and worthy to be hired as caterers, photographers, musicians, dressmakers, decorators and the like. But you're also likely going to be in business for yourself.
Maybe you've never been exposed to what it takes to run a business, including bookkeeping, marketing, communications, strategic planning, and customer relations. A college program can give you the foundation to develop these skills as you grow your business. Having solid business know-how is every bit as important to succeeding in your profession as the nuts and bolts of planning and pulling off a wedding to remember.
Finally, let's not forget how much more you will learn by being exposed to food and beverage industry professionals you meet as instructors in a college program. It would take a lot web surfing and magazine reading to build the broad knowledge base you will need to help a couple plan a brilliant wedding feast for a large group of guests.
You may never work in a restaurant, but you'll be wise to find out all you can about the preparation and safe handling of food, types of equipment needed to cater large events, and how to plate dishes in striking new ways. This way, every detail gets your keen and educated eye.
How Long Will It Take?
Traditionally, a bachelor's degree takes four years. But if you want to move into your profession quicker, you might look into an accelerated program where you can finish coursework and earn your degree in as little as 2.5 years by studying year round. Along the way, you may want to find an apprenticeship at a hotel or conference center that offers you the opportunity to expand your knowledge in the field and develop your skills. Some schools even offer externships to help you gain real world experience before graduating with your degree.
Are you interested in wedding and event planning? If you want to earn a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Concentration in Hospitality Management, consider ECPI University for the education you need to make a difference. For more information on this exciting program, connect with a knowledgeable admissions representative today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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Gainful Employment Information – Hospitality Management - Bachelor’s
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