Hi all,
Just wanted to check whether any of you on here who said they were considering becoming wedding planners professionally had made any headway on those plans. I'm quite serious about doing this, and am doing a bit of research right now. My sister in law and a friend are getting married next year and I am planning their weddings as a start, to build up a portfolio...but is it wise to take a course? So far I haven't seen any that look particularly worthwhile.
Hoping there's someone here in a similar position :)

Im too been thinking on doing a Wedding planning course, and I did get details, but it will cost around £550 just for wedding planner, or around £650 for Events management course. which is online and at end of it you get the IWPP OR IEWP certificate

Im not sure if those are the true industry recognised certificates just yet anyways, but will be checking them out in the new year

I feel that you have been chosen by your SIL to help do hers, and thats a great start, and also you have your wedding planning too

If anyone can help us both out, Im sure we'll be so grateful xx SJ xx

I'll post a link on your wall, you can check them out too, Ive got my brochure yesterday, still to read it properly, but what I noticed that it states that they will train you to set up your business xx

Hey, I was thinking if we both get a course somewhere we could help each other out, Im thinking of doing event and wedding planner, well if I pull of my wedding, I do think I would qualify as a wedding planner lol xx

I've done a bit of calculating based on how much you can charge per event and it's true, there isn't necessarily an obvious profit in it but if you work hard and are prepared to wait for the cash to roll in it's possible to make it a profitable business. I think a huge part of it is networking, and that has to be the first step. Since I have a bit of a knack for advertising though I don't think that should be my problem. I think the biggest issue is just getting your name out there, but if you know a lot of people getting married who know people getting married then that's your base clientel there already, as you can offer them all your services, even if it's just helping them find the right cake topper. Then they mention you to others...etc. It's scary stuff but tbh any self-starting business is! I'm not going to launch this until my husband is earning enough to support both of us, but that'll happen pretty soon so isn't the concern. But thanks for your input Crocadillo :)

SJ I've seen that link you sent me before, the combined events and wedding planning qualification sounds interesting...

i really really wanna do it too but in the same situation as you hun x

thats a cool idea xjox

but even so, I feel that those who look for a wedding planner, probably wouldnt use UkBride or any other sites as they have someone doing it all for them.

But with that in mind, I would be doing the events course also if it turns out to be credited and of real assistance to a career, But even so, I would have a part time job until it took off and I could afford to give up the Part time job

We dont need any credentials at this time, Ive posted a link on my page to the article I found on myjobsearch which gives us further info, and she also recommends the site I posted earlier xx

I might take that course up, but until after xmas it will be on hold, after xmas, I will requesting brochures on Venues etc to gain more knowledge of my surrounding area/s, and also viewing more bridal forum sites to find reputable suppliers and to check their work out
Loads of work to be done, and loads of fun to be gained in doing it, all those wedding fayres in spring to attend ;-) xx

ooo I never thought of a grant, thanks Angelan :-)

will have a look see xx

im wanting to get into this with my sister but the main point for me being where the hell do i get the set up money from just to buy 100 chairs covers is like £600 thats with out sashes and we all know u need a hell of alot more besides.I saw a advert on ebay where u can buy a set up which includes chair covers table clothes runners sashes insurance help with accounts and a lot more besides but the prices where like £7000+ and if it doesnt nesicerraly pick up in the first yr or two u gonna be a whole lota money out of pocket.BUT sayin that sparkle and shine who i am havin started out with a 100 chair covers and a choc fountain just decided one day and packed her job in and is now really into it good at it and has loads more besides(back drops table skirts choc fountain sweet bar etc) i dont think the wedding industry will ever quiet go out of buisness as i assume the admisn of this site will tell u how many brides they get joining here yr after yr so i think theres a good chance of it picking up but again aslo the contacts side u need a few to be able to get started not many are goin to use you if u havent done it before, would you hire someone that has no back ground init?? i would love to be able to do this but i think it needs alot of consideration. i spoke to h2b about it last week and was nearly tempted to buy rather than hire then after our wedding, start it from there but its way too much money at the minute to risk losing.Fingers crossed those of us who decide to take the venture succed in it x

I couldn't! Just doing my own is bad enough, and I know what i want! I can't imagine doing it for someone else and trying to interpret what they tell me they want!