How to Become a Wedding Planner: My Story + What I’d Do If I Were Starting Today
1. I Didn’t Just Jump In…I Got Hands-On Experience First
When I realized I wanted to plan weddings, all I really knew came from rom-coms. So I decided to start with internships and assistant roles to get real-world experience. I reached out to local wedding and event planners and offered value first—not just a resume, but what I could actually bring to the team.
Whether it was my eye for detail (forks aligned to perfection, thank you very much), or my logistics brain, I made sure to personalize each message and do my research before reaching out. If you’re starting out today, that’s your golden ticket too: be clear about the value you offer and why you want to learn from that specific planner.
2. I Got Clear on My Dream Day
Back when I was interning and working retail at Lululemon, I took time to write out what I called my “dream day vision.” I didn’t even know yet if I wanted to own my own business or be part of someone else’s team, I just knew I wanted to create meaningful, exciting experiences.
I visualized:
How I wanted to feel each day
What kind of clients I wanted to serve
Whether I wanted to hustle hard or have freedom and flexibility
Then I wrote it all down. And years later? That notebook still gives me chills. So before you get stuck in the weeds of websites and workflows, zoom out and picture your ideal day. It will guide every decision you make.
3. I Invested in Education (and My Confidence)
To feel confident calling myself a wedding planner, I needed education. Interning gave me hands-on learning, but I also took courses, attended workshops, and joined online communities. Yes, you can piece things together from free content—but buying a course or attending a workshop will save you time and help you avoid major mistakes.
Pro tip: Always vet educators before buying. Ask other planners, check reviews in Facebook groups, and look for people who actually walk the walk in this industry.
4. I Put Myself Out There (Even Before I Felt “Ready”)
Want to hear something wild? I booked my first client before I had ever planned a wedding on my own. I stood up at a networking event and said:
“Hi, I’m Gabby. I’m a wedding planner.”
I had interned, assisted, taken courses—I wasn’t totally green—but I also hadn’t led a full wedding yet. Still, I was confident, clear, and ready to figure things out. That’s what got me hired for a gorgeous wedding in Lake Arrowhead (and yes, I made a few mistakes, but the couple never noticed!).
You don’t need to wait until you have everything perfectly figured out. You just need to believe in your ability to learn and deliver—and know when to ask for help.
5. I Built an Online Presence with Staying Power
If you’re launching your wedding business today, you need an online presence. Not just Instagram, a website that you own, that you can control, and that Google can index. I still book clients from blog posts I wrote years ago!
Here’s what I recommend:
Start with a simple but beautiful website (a template is fine!)
Use Instagram strategically to showcase your work and personality
Create content that connects with your ideal clients
Diversify your platforms (Pinterest, anyone?)
Don’t rely on just one app…build a brand that can outlast the algorithm
6. I Said Yes to (Almost) Everything… At First
In the beginning, I took on corporate events, non-profits, birthday parties—anything that helped me learn what I loved (and what I didn’t). Doing a bit of everything helped me define my niche and get clear on my ideal client. And that clarity is what eventually helped me build a brand that stands out.
So don’t be afraid to say yes in the early days (even if it’s not the “dream” wedding). You’ll learn. You’ll grow. And you’ll figure out exactly where you want your business to go.
Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This (and I’ve Got You)
Becoming a wedding planner isn’t a straight line. It’s a mix of passion, persistence, and a whole lot of learning. But the good news? You don’t have to do it alone.
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Got questions? Drop them in the comments or DM me on Instagram @gabbypinkerton. I’d love to cheer you on.
