The beginning of the year is a busy time for wedding planners with floods of emails coming through, this is generally when we pick up most of our new bookings but also suppliers call to chat about what’s new with them.

And we get an influx of CV from enthusiastic people wanting to become a wedding planner.  So here at the UKAWP, we thought it might be helpful to give some advice before embarking on this wonderful and rewarding career.

Can I get a job?

Very few planners in the UK take on staff, some have part-time assistants and freelancers in the peak summer season but if you think you will get a lovely, well-paid job working for a planner think again. Unless you want to relocate to the US perhaps? It is for this reason that most planners start their own business but be patient – I’m coming onto that shortly!

So, if you don’t want to start your own business I suggest you contact large event companies or venues in your area that cater for weddings.  This gives you the opportunity to gain some experience whilst receiving the security of a regular salary.

Approaching other wedding planners for advice

A sure way to annoy planners when contacting them

• “I REALLY enjoyed planning my wedding; everyone said I’d make a fantastic planner.” Do you know HOW many times we have heard this line?!
• Dear Sir/Madam – planners have a name, check their websites and don’t send a standard email to numerous planners, make it personal.
• I really want to be a planner, how do I do it, where do you get your clients, what should I charge, what services should I offer, where should I advertise….. the list goes on. Any planner out there will tell you the UKAWP are always happy to give advice but be specific, ask us a question and we’ll normally answer you but within reason!
• Can I see a copy of your proposal – this is personal to every planner, if we all showed the same type of proposal there would be no creativity or individuality
• Pretending to be a bride – big no no, it’s disrespectful to small businesses out there. I know some online training courses suggest you do this but at the UKAWP we feel this is very bad practice.

Show me how to start

So if you are serious about becoming a wedding planner and not approaching this as a hobby or whim then you need to do some serious research and get prepared! Here are my top tips but I have seriously condensed it (for proper training go to the UKAWP)

1. The first step is to sign up to the UKAWP Business Practicalities course, I know I’m biased as the training director but I think the courses are fabulous. This course really explains how to become a wedding planner. View here for more information. Don’t believe me? Just look at how super fabulous our members are, most of whom have attended our training courses. We run the courses spring and autumn, all the tutors have been in business for at least 8 years so we do know what we are talking about. We pass on real-life experiences throughout the weekend and answer any questions you or the other students have. Do view the brochure for more information; don’t forget if you don’t attend the spring courses you will have to wait until the autumn…
2. Research into planners in your area, what is their websites like? What services do they offer and what prices do they charge? What is their USP? How can YOU be different? How can you stand out from them?
3. Start playing with company names, jot down ideas on a notepad and keep with you for those random moments when in bed/on the train/cooking dinner when you suddenly think of an idea! Then check if this name is taken via companies house + also check if the domain name is free. Don’t choose a name you can’t have the matching website to! Make sure it is easily spelt, not too similar to another, not cheesy and I advise not to limit yourself to ‘wedding’ as what happens if you want to do parties? Just my personal opinion.
4. Ensure your website is professionally designed, after all you want to start your business professionally.
5. Meet other planners for coffee in your area, far better to be friendly then start your business under animosity
6. Subscribe to the UKAWP blog for tips and information on industry events
7. Sign up for Twitter and start following some respected planners & suppliers out there.
8. Attend the UKAWP training courses – did I mention that already?
9. Be patient, it won’t happen overnight
10. Really think about your pricing and take into account any costs, i.e telephone, broadband, travel, stationery & your time

We hope this helps – best of luck for those embarking on this rewarding career.