| Never fear, if you have an interest in becoming a | | | | continuous networking among the residents of the |
| professional wedding planner, there is no shortage of | | | | community. |
| information on a career in wedding planning. In fact, | | | | Understanding the traditions and customs on which |
| to say that this is a growing field is an | | | | the society is built is very important. But so is |
| understatement. Over the past twenty years, this | | | | knowing what is new, and what the bride and family |
| career path has captured the imagination and interest | | | | will expect to make the wedding better than any |
| of hundreds of hard-working people who offer their | | | | other. |
| services at one of life's biggest moments. | | | | Another very important piece of information on this |
| Probably the best piece of information on your calling | | | | career is you shouldn't expect to work regular hours. |
| as a wedding planning is this (at least according to | | | | Most wedding planners and bridal consultants work |
| many experts in the field): If you have the | | | | long days, sometimes 12-14 hours when necessary. |
| enthusiasm and the people skills, you can succeed as | | | | Weekends and evenings are common work times, |
| a wedding planner. But the first thing to do is | | | | though the downtime during the week may |
| understand just what is required of the professional | | | | compensate for this somewhat. Depending upon the |
| planner. | | | | complexity of the wedding your income is generally |
| A list of some key personal requirements to be a | | | | 10 percent of the cost of the wedding. |
| successful in this career would include: you enjoy | | | | While there is some opportunity to study in this field, |
| working with people, overall enthusiasm for the job, a | | | | many wedding planners and consultants got into the |
| skilled negotiator, detailed planner and the ability to | | | | industry through something related to weddings, such |
| work through the smallest details and activities. | | | | as clothing or floral design, interior decorating, |
| Staying calm in the face of changing circumstances | | | | catering, wedding photography and video production. |
| would also be important. | | | | Most experts strongly urge market research to find |
| The wedding planner will need some solid knowledge | | | | out if someone else is offering the service in the |
| of the traditions and requirements of various religions, | | | | area and to determine if you can build a business |
| since the wedding is most certainly a faith-based | | | | over time. There is a nationwide Association of Bridal |
| event. The task of gathering information on a career | | | | Consultants that is considered the official organization |
| in wedding planning has to involve keeping up with | | | | of the wedding industry. This and similar organizations |
| the industry through the many bridal and | | | | can help with additional information on a career in |
| party-planning magazines, as well as through | | | | wedding planning. |