Wedding and event planning falls under the same bracket, but whilst they share similarities, one is a very different kettle of fish from the other. Yet both require a different host of skills and knowledge in order to pull off the event of the season successfully.
How to become a wedding planner?
As many of us learnt from Jennifer Lopez in the 2001 classic The Wedding Planner, the job of a wedding planner is first and foremost to make a happy couple’s day run smoothly and to make their dreams a reality.
Wedding planners should be organised and assertive, with excellent communication skills and a calming manner. Planners will be in charge of dealing with large groups of people, everything from caterers, florists and venue administrators to family and wedding guests, as well as the couple themselves, and therefore must know how to appease and coordinate the masses.
Timekeeping and organisational skills are amongst the most important for a wedding planner to possess – order and deadlines are the order of the day, and so being someone who thinks quickly, is solution focused and can keep calm under pressure – ensuring that everything is delivered and executed on time is paramount.
And it’s not all about the practicalities. Weddings naturally come ready-made with a whole mixture of emotions. There will be big feelings, both the good and the bad, differing opinions, family dynamics, and so on that will have to be taken into account during the planning process. Our American neighbours over at Bride offer some friendly advice from professional wedding planners about how they started out in the business.
Event planning – what you need to know
Event planners are responsible for organising general events with varying degrees of complexity. Planners can be called upon for anything from birthday parties and corporate events all the way to high-end functions and celebrity events such as galas and awards ceremonies. Depending on where your passion lies, you can strive towards any and all levels of event planning, perhaps becoming known for a signature style or penchant for a certain type of party.
The desired traits and skills of an events planner are similar to that of a wedding planner:
Timekeeping and staying on top of orders, guest lists and other administrative tasks are of utmost importance when it comes to keeping account of all the elements involved in bringing an event together.
Probably the most important skill an event planner needs. Planners will deal with lots of people with various needs, demands and wants; a planner must be able to listen and clearly communicate what needs to be done in order to achieve the best outcome for everyone involved. Event planners are responsible for organising general events with varying degrees of complexity. Planners can be called upon for anything from birthday parties and corporate events all the way to high-end functions and celebrity events such as galas and awards ceremonies. Depending on where your passion lies, you can strive towards any and all levels of event planning, perhaps becoming known for a signature style or penchant for a certain type of party.
The desired traits and skills of an events planner are similar to that of a wedding planner:
Things won’t always go perfectly to plan; that’s just life. So as a planner, it is vital to have the flexibility to work around schedules and re-work things when difficulties arise. There may also be last-minute changes or requirements for the event, and so a planner must be willing to work around the schedules or demands of others.
Resourcefulness and Problem Solving
Being able to think quickly on their feet is a must for event planners. Having a whole host of tools in their arsenal to come up with solutions and ideas when inspiration or morale is low is a very desirable quality that will stand any up-and-coming event planner in excellent stead and quickly build up a glowing reputation.
And last but not least…keeping calm when the waters get rough. When orders don’t arrive, entertainers cancel, or disagreements arise in the ranks, having someone to lead the way, to calmly restore order and keep the peace will be very much needed.
Why become a wedding and events planner?
Celebration is a very unique and beautiful part of humanity. We have celebrations for nearly every event: birthdays, changing seasons, religious and spiritual holidays, life achievements, and so many more. This acknowledgement of life and achievement and splendour is a fundamental part of who we are and makes sure we commemorate the important things in life and spend time with those we love and admire.
Curating moments that people will remember forever is a career that will always fulfil the hearts of both client and planner.
Become a wedding and event planner with My Learning Online
Wedding and event planning courses are the best way to arm yourself with all the skills and tools you will need to make someone’s special day or event completely magical whilst ensuring that everything runs smoothly and without a hitch (unless someone is getting hitched, of course!).
Our wedding and event planning certification is your one-stop shop for all your brilliant plans!
Weddings are significant events in people’s lives, and as such, couples are often willing to spend a considerable amount of money to ensure that their weddings are well-organised.
Being one of the more comprehensive and specific Wedding Planning & Event Management courses online, this course has been specifically designed from the ground up by industry professionals. It’ll put you in good stead to develop a strong foundational understanding and elevate your expertise above others looking for entry-level employment in this highly competitive industry.
Become a wedding planner and make your clients’ day using the exceptional skills and knowledge that you will earn from doing this course. Help them celebrate love by taking the pressure off and making their dream wedding a reality.
This Wedding and event management certificate will help you kick your wedding planner career off in the right direction. Whether starting your own business or joining an established company, our online courses will allow for opportunities to network with like-minded people, as well as opening doors for different job opportunities and business ventures.
We are an online learning environment where all of our courses are completely online, giving you the flexibility to work your learning around your schedule and lifestyle.
Each of our courses comes with a downloadable brochure with more information on course content, accessing your learning online, tutor support and more. We also have course fee payment plans available to make the financial side of things that little bit easier. Got questions? We’d love to hear from you!
Want to start making dreams come true – enrol today!