heidzillas

with unemployment up and the “glamour” of being a wedding planner, i get emails almost daily with people applying for jobs, asking to shadow or intern, or seeking advice on how to become a planner. yesterday, i received another “advice” email, but this time, from a 13-year-old. my knee-jerk reaction was to reply, “hey enjoy school while ya can kid, being an adult is tough work!” but then i remembered that when i was 13, i never believed adults who told me that anyways. i remembered being an ambitious eighth grader, taking career planning class, dreaming “what i want to be when i grow up” and anticipating going to college and starting a career.

there are dozens of books on the subjects, countless blog posts from jaded wedding planners trying to get respect and hundreds of other wedding vendors who have their opinion on planners. i’ve stepped back from the jaded industry to answer a 13 year old, who is eight to ten years ahead of me on knowing she wants to be a planner. i’m not sure how many other overzealous youths read my blog, but i thought i’d share my general advice for anyone who is a hopeful, inspired youth at heart trying to follow their dreams of becoming a wedding planner.

Dear Heidi,

Hello my name is Sarah and I am 13. I know you think this is weird that a 13 year old girl is emailing you, trust me I don’t blame you. But, I want to be a wedding planner when I grow up. I was wondering when you have time you can give me advice on how to be a wedding planner.

Thanks A Million,
Sarah

Hi Sarah,

Thanks for the email! You’re about 10 years ahead of me on knowing you wanted to be in the biz! So that helps. Every planner finds their own random way into the business. I personally was always involved in school organizations such as student council and class officers. At my school, we got to plan dances and school-wide events. That’s really where my love for planning started. I also think that being in art class and music classes (choir/band) helps, too. It is a must to be a well-rounded student for wedding planning since there’s general design, floral knowledge, stationery, musicians to hire, and so on! Don’t only excel at one class, there are so many more things you need to be fluent in. For instance, math classes help too since you manage budgets and have to have a good business sense. In general, I suggest trying as many classes as your school offers and after school programs too.

In college, I actually majored in Advertising and Marketing. In those classes I learned how to execute creative projects and interact with clients all while managing several vendors. I do think it would have been helpful, of course, to have majored in Event Planning – which is often categorized under Family and Consumer Studies at many Ohio colleges. Again, in college I was involved several student organizations where I held events or marketing chairs. There I was able to help the organizations plan events, manage volunteers, and coordinate the events. Business classes again are very helpful since you’re running a business while being a planner. And, being great with people is a must!

There are several main characteristics of a great wedding planner: someone who is responsible, attentive to detail, very personable with families (weddings are very emotional days for everyone!) and a great leader and team member with the wedding vendors. It’s also someone who can think quickly on his/her feet all while staying calm if anything out of ordinary happens (which is quite often on wedding days!) Most of all, I do have to stress that I don’t think movies like “The Wedding Planner” or shows like “Bridezilla” or “Platinum Weddings” truly depict a planner’s job. In the Ohio market, most weddings cost a fraction of what those weddings on TV cost, and they aren’t half as melodramatic as those shows edit them to seem.

I must note, planners are very dedicated, hard workers who often work 60+ hours a week, since it’s hard to hold a 9 to 5 schedule. I’m often in the office from 8 am to maybe 2 or 3 pm and then meet vendors and brides (who work during the day) through 6… 7… 8… even 9 pm at night. It’s also a job where you don’t have your weekends free – reception set up and rehearsals are usually Fridays. Then I work from early in the morning until the very last dance at weddings usually until 11 pm or 12 am at night on most Saturdays. This timing information isn’t to discourage you from being a planner, but only to explain that it’s a loose schedule to keep – and only for the most disciplined people.

I hope this helps you as you continue your schooling! Best wishes with your quest to be a planner.

Sincerely,
Heidi

do you agree? disagree? what other advice would you give a 13-year old on her journey to become a wedding planner?

previous posts:
dear heidzilla: what anti-perspirant?
dear heidzilla: best way to make payments?
dear heidzilla: 831 photography?
dear heidzilla: officiant hiring?
dear heidzilla: favorite photo?
dear heidzilla: first event coordinated?
dear heidzilla: is it a no-no?