How to become a wedding planner

If you love helping people celebrate life's biggest moments wedding planning could be a perfect fit. This guide walks you through what it takes to become a wedding planner, the skills and qualifications you'll need, and how to gain experience

What is a wedding planner?

A wedding planner is a professional who helps couples plan, organise, and execute their wedding day.

Roles can range from full planning, where they manage everything from start to finish, to partial planning, where they assist with specific parts of the wedding, to on-the-day coordination, focusing solely on making sure the event runs smoothly.

Essentially, wedding planners act as the couple's guide, taking care of logistics, vendors, and even creative details, so the couple can focus on enjoying their day.

What do wedding planners do?

Wedding planning involves juggling many responsibilities. If you take on full wedding planning, your tasks might include:

advising on traditions, etiquette, and wedding best practices
discussing budgets, preferences, and special requests with couples
designing creative themes and personalised experiences
managing the budget to avoid overspending
marketing your services to attract new clients
negotiating with vendors such as florists, photographers, caterers, and venues
organising logistics to ensure the day runs smoothly
preparing proposals with tailored services and pricing
staying up to date on trends and discovering new vendors.

What qualifications do I need?

There's no formal requirement to become a wedding planner, though many professionals start with a background in hospitality, business administration, or event management. Studying event management at undergraduate or postgraduate level can provide a strong foundation in organisation, client coordination, and planning principles.

For those specifically interested in weddings, there are several education pathways.

Certificates

An ideal starting point for beginners, certificates provide practical skills and industry knowledge while often serving as a stepping stone to higher-level qualifications.

For example, the Level 3 Event Wedding Planner course from UK Open College is anonline, one-year programme costing 拢349. It teaches students how to plan weddings and events tailored to client preferences - whether traditional, themed, small, or large - while also covering the basics of business and corporate event management.

This combination of experience and skills equips students with versatile skills to enter the wider events industry or go on to specialise in wedding planning.

Diplomas

Building on existing knowledge, diplomas teach the in-depth training and advanced skills required to manage complex events, lead teams, and gain industry recognition.

The Level 4 Wedding Planning and Events Management course from Cambridge Open College (拢269) offers advanced training focused on project management and culturally specific ceremonies, including Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu weddings. With no final exam required, it is ideal for career changers or those looking to gain practical skills and professional credibility to manage high-level events.

In comparison, the Event and Wedding Planning & Coordination Level 4 course from the Distance Learning Centre costs 拢318 and provides a broader programme covering:

budgeting
client communication
event logistics
legal considerations
supplier coordination.

The course is delivered via flexible self-paced learning, and you'll earn a QLS qualification. It is ideal for anyone seeking a detailed understanding of event coordination alongside professional recognition.

Advanced diplomas

Providing expert-level knowledge and leadership training, an advanced diplomas prepares you to design and manage large-scale, high-profile events and advance to senior or managerial roles.

For instance, The Level 5 Wedding Planner Diploma from Oxford Home Study Centre costs 拢99.90 and is an intensive online programme with 450 hours of study. It covers consultations, financial management, and diverse wedding styles. This flexible, self-paced course requires no prior experience and equips students with practical, professional, and entrepreneurial skills to exceed client expectations and build a successful career.

Explore our guide to qualifications.

Microcredentials

Designed to deliver focused, practical skills in specific areas of wedding planning, microcredentials allow you to quickly enhance your expertise.

For instance, The Event School London's Wedding Venue Search: Find, Assess, Secure course is a three-hour live online programme where students learn how to research, evaluate, and negotiate with venues, receiving a certificate upon completion.

Similarly, Wedding Academy Global's Certificate In Intimate, Micro and Destination Weddings teaches planning, budgeting, vendor coordination, and destination logistics for small-scale and destination weddings.

Some courses, like The Wedding Planner School's Elite Course, combine classroom learning with real-world experience, guiding students to plan an actual wedding while gaining portfolio photos, an accredited certification and three months of support to launch your business.

You can search for other microcredential courses at leading industry organisations such as:

Apprenticeships

While there isn't currently an apprenticeship specifically for wedding planning, a broad events apprenticeship offers a pathway into the sector.

For example, Amazon's Events Assistant apprenticeship in London is an 18-month programme where you'll support a team of event professionals to plan and deliver events, from corporate galas to festivals. You'll earn a Level 3 qualification and skills that transfer directly to wedding planning.

Find out more about apprenticeships in events and hospitality.

What skills do I need?

You'll need a mix of creativity, organisation, and interpersonal skills to succeed as a wedding planner:

creativity and trend awareness to design unique weddings
effective communication to listen to clients and negotiate with vendors
entrepreneurial mindset for marketing services and growing a business
financial management to keep events on budget
organisation and time management to juggle multiple events simultaneously
strong research skills to find vendors and solutions for unusual requests
the ability to stay calmn under pressure to manage last-minute challenges.

Discover what skills employers want.

How can I get wedding planning experience?

In wedding planning, hands-on experience and a strong reputation often outweigh formal qualifications.

Volunteering at weddings, charity events, or community celebrations can help you build practical skills. Shadowing experienced planners or assisting on wedding days allows you to observe the full process and develop your organisational abilities.

You can also gain entry-level experience by working as an assistant wedding planner. Check local companies for vacancies or send speculative applications聽to showcase your skills and enthusiasm.

How much will I earn?

Your earnings can vary depending on experience, location, and the type of clients you work with. Entry-level wedding planners typically earn between 拢17,000 and 拢22,000 per year, while experienced planners can make 拢25,000-拢40,000 annually.

Those running their own wedding planning business or working with high-end clients may earn significantly more, with some senior planners charging several thousand pounds per wedding.

Freelance planners often set fees per event, which can fluctuate depending on the scale and complexity of the wedding.

What will my schedule be like?

Schedules can vary depending on the stage of the event:

Planning phase - client meetings, venue visits, supplier coordination, budget management.
Weeks before the wedding - finalising details, confirming arrangements, troubleshooting issues.
Wedding day - overseeing setup, coordinating staff, and ensuring smooth execution.

Wedding planners often work long hours. Evenings and weekends are common, as many weddings and client meetings occur outside typical office hours, making flexibility and excellent time management essential skills in this role.

Can I be self-employed as a wedding planner?

Many wedding planners are self-employed, but running a successful business requires more than planning skills. You'll need to:

build a brand
manage accounts
maintain a professional online presence.

Networking is essential for gaining referrals, forming partnerships, and building a strong reputation. If you plan to work independently, consider courses that include modules on starting a business.

How do I find job in wedding planning?

To start your career, research local wedding planning companies, event venues, and management firms. Networking often opens doors, but job boards can also be useful.

It's important to note that wedding planning vacancies in venues are often listed as general 'events planner' or 'events coordinator'. You can find vacancies on the following job boards:

Attending industry events, joining professional associations, and maintaining a professional online portfolio or LinkedIn profile can make you more visible to potential employers.

Finally, speculative applications, internships, and entry-level assistant roles provide real-world experience and can often lead to permanent positions.

Find out more

See what the hospitality and events management sector has to offer.