Becoming A Wedding/Event Coordinator

I am a 19 year old and a sophmore in downtown New York. I am majoring in Sociology/Anthropology with a minor in both Religious Studies and Business Management. I have alway been interested in becoming a Wedding/Event Coordinator but it is really hard to get started. I have tried contacting wedding planners but no one is willing to take a chance. It always seems to end up with the idea that it`s all in who you know. Well the point of this is to ask is there anyone out there would know of a way for me to get started. There are alot of great books out there telling you how to do a wedding planners job but no one seems to want to share the secret of how to get a job.

Thanks in advance.

Niza
Posted by Niza; updated 11/14/02

Reply

Well, Niza
I feel your pain. I am 21 years old and am majoring in Hospitality Management, I currently have a degreee in Culinary Arst and am very much interested in learning how ot become and event and wedding planner because I want to own my own business combining the planning and the catering. I recently came across some books on the net that discuss event planning and things of that nature but I am really looking for some hands on experience but I have been unsuccessful.
I would encoutage you not to give up and to keep on trying just as I am and who knows, maybe the right opportunity would come along. I would love to hear from you about what books you have read, etc.

Stephany
Posted by Stephany Fisher; updated 01/09/03

Reply

Dear Niza,

I have been a bridal consultant for over 10 years. I realize that it is hard to break into this business but I would suggest to get some practical experience that you volunteer at a local church. Many pastors would love to have the help. Once you get some experience, you can use this on a resumee. Speak with the pastor once you have shown yourself and ask him/her if you could you their name as a reference. If you have any specific questions, please feel free to send me an email.

Best wishes,
Wendy Lyon
Executive DIrector
A Wedding in the Country www.aweddinginthecountry.com
Posted by Wendy Lyon; updated 01/09/03

Reply

I am in the same boat. I have majored in Graphic Design. But I would like to become I Wedding/Event Coordinator and I need help getting started. If anyone can assist me as well as Niza, I know that I can speak for her in saying, we would greatly appreciate it.
Posted by Shannon; updated 03/17/03

Reply

I was reading you some tips on how to become a wedding a planner have you had any luck on finding any info or any good books on how to get started if so maybe you could recommend some thanks
Angela
Posted by Angela; updated 07/14/03

Reply

Hey!
Don`t give up. I am 23 years old with a degree in English Literature, and I just decided that being a wedding florist was my dream. No one would hire me at first - why? Because I have no experience. I was so depressed and unmotivated and about to give up when my friend kicked me in the butt. I called every florist in the city of St. Louis (about 150) asking for a job. I interviewed at one, and they never got back to me. So I stayed on them. I sent them thank you cards, emails and basically just told them how much I wanted to be a florist at their company. I signed up for floral classes in Sept, and wedding coordinating classes to aid myself. I now have a part time job as part of a wedding team. It`s not the dream job yet, but hey, you HAVE to start at the bottom. And now I have experience!! Just go for it, and don`t worry about seeming like you want it to bad. You do want it!
Posted by Colleen; updated 08/20/03

Reply

I am 16 and i am planning to graduate highshool 1 year early and go to colledge from there. I have the rest of this year and next to figure out what i need to do.the thing is i have no idea what to major in or what classes that need to be taken to become a wedding planner. I love the idea of planning people`s special day and i would like to some day own my own business like others. I would really appreciate it if someone could email me to give me some information and maybe guide me in the right direction that i need to go.
Posted by leeanne; updated 11/08/03

Reply

Hello from Saratoga Springs NY.
If you would like to start your own business as a Bridal Consultant, I can help you.
Best wishes,
Wendy Lyon
Executive Director
A Wedding in the Country
Posted by Wendy Lyon; updated 11/09/03

Reply

Opportunity to be a Party Consultant with support of a corporate staff, have your own Party Webstore, training and discounts for your supplies. Whether you are interested in being a party planner for corporate, weddings, community events or children`s parties.

Visit http://www.partyshelf.com
Read about my business and how I got started. I would love to help you get started.

Visit our page for more info: The Party Shelf

Posted by Mic; updated 11/10/03

Reply

Ms. Wendy Lyon I am very interested in your offer of help. Is there a way I can get in contact with you? I would apprectiate it. Thank you.
Posted by Lisa; updated 01/10/04

Reply

I am also wanting to become an event coordinator. I love to organize parties for my friend and are very oriented to details. I am also very creative and love to cook.

Please call me as soon as you can.

Thank you very much, Vanessa
Posted by vanessa; updated 01/28/04

Reply

Dear Niza,

Since you are a religious studies major and a business major,
I might suggest that you contact a local church. In the beginning,
You might consider volunteering your time to help the pastor with
Booking and then conducting the rehearsals. Each step along the way, you will gain experience and meet contacts.
After you are secure in your experience, you can start your own business.

With warm regards,
Wendy Lyon
Executive Director
A Wedding in the Country
Www.aweddinginthecountry.com
Galway New York

Visit our page for more info: A Wedding in the Country

Posted by Wendy Lyon; updated 01/28/04

Reply

Wow! I`m glad that I`m not the only one who wants to be a coordinator. I was am an elementary school teacher in the Richmond, Virginia area. I would love to get back into the party planning bit. Growing up, I learned so many things from my Grandmother and Mother, who owned their very own Restaurant/Dance Hall/Catering business. We had both on site and off site catering jobs. My most favorite time was on Saturday nights, when there was a guest DJ, and I got to party with my friends, eat burgers and fries, and of course - DANCE!!

But my question is how do I get started here in a new city. If I were back home where everyone knew my family`s reputation, I would have no problem. I have tons of experience with decorating and planning, currently I have a party to plan for 150 this spring. I am very willing to be an assistant here in the Richmond/Chesterfield ,VA area. So if anyone out there needs an assistant with plenty of experience. I`m your girl!

Thank you!
Christina in Virginia
Posted by CHRISTINA; updated 01/29/04

Reply

Hi niza, it took a lot of thought but i finally realized what
It is in life that i wanna do. I thought to myself i love planning and organizing so why not become an event
Planner. All i have to say is we only get one life so go for it. Good luck girl
Posted by pauline; updated 01/31/06

Reply

I have recently decided that the current job I am at isn`t working. So my friends and I started thinking of things I might be good at or enjoy and when someone mentioned party planning and event coordinating a light bulb went off. So I have been looking at schools to see about getting a diploma in wedding planner/ event coordinator. If anyone knows of any good schools or any programs they could suggest it would be greatly appreciated. I already have a degree in Culinary Arts but I would much like to expand that "hospitality" career field. Thanks again for any suggestions you can make for me!
Posted by Carrie; updated 03/18/06

Reply

Hi...

I wish iI had some advice to offer but I too am trying to break into the event planning business. I have been looking for jobs as an event coordinator/events assistant in the Boston area and like many of you no one wants to take a chance on someone new.

I have a business degree and I have helped organize/plan big corporate events and I love all the work that goes into it. I love seeing the finish product at the end.

So I do feel like it is who you know and also being in the right place at the right time - if anyone knows of anything in the Boston area please let me know and best of luck to everyone!!!

Francisca
Posted by francisca; updated 03/22/08

Reply

Greetings,

As a manufacturer and retailer of wedding/event supplies I am thrilled that this topic came up. And let`s be frank, first and foremost people are in this to make money. Our advice is, keep your budget in tact if you want to make a living off this exciting career. As a retailer/businessman budgeting is very important, oftentimes we have to undercut profit to attract buyers and to keep up with competition. When customers gain your trust and confidence in your products/services, the rest is all about consistency. My vision is to see this trade develop into a reality-based competition, i.e. Iron chef or cake decorating. Hey, if they can air cake decorating which is an 8 hour long competition, they can do table decorating! The other benefit of this trade is the art and creativity of not only decorating a simple table but an entire gala. I marvel at the site of a fully detailed "shangri lah" themed wedding banquet or a high-tech trade convention. The designers are just amazing. I think creativity like this really brings out the seller in you, and of course you have to mind the budget!

For starters, we have all the essentials you`ll need. Please visit www.p*****ne.com and we gaurantee the lowest prices on brand new items you`ll find anywhere.

Kind Regards,

Bay Sayarath
Pouch World Online
Mail@p****ne.com
Posted by Bay Sayarath; updated 05/10/08