So, you want to be a wedding planner?! Congratulations! Welcome to the party! I promise you that being a wedding planner is a fantastic job and career. I can’t wait to see what you do! But now you’re asking the obvious question… how do I become a wedding planner with no experience? And how do I become a wedding planner in 2025? Such a good question– and I’m here to help!
In this article, I’m walking you through how to become a wedding planner, even if you have no experience (yet!). Actually, I don’t want you to worry too much about the experience part. And here’s why…
I got my first whiff of entrepreneurship while I was on the couch, recovering from having my appendix removed. I was an unlikely entrepreneur. At 26, I had an unfinished college degree in Art History and a horrible corporate job to match. But just like you, I had big dreams and the determination to make my dreams a reality.
Flipping through the TV (as one does when they’ve called out sick from work), I came across a show on TLC called “Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?”
I was hooked.
The next day, I remember being *surrounded* by bridal magazines. Every issue I could get my hands on. I was thumbing through the pages like a private investigator. I wanted to be a wedding planner, and I was going to figure out how to become a wedding planner with ZERO experience.
Day and night, I inhaled weddings. I spent every free moment buried in BRIDES magazine, gazing at pictures and actually reading the articles. (I kinda had to–at that point in my life, the only weddings I attended were ones of family members when I was a kid. Remember, I was doing this with ZERO experience.)
I’d come home from CVS with two arm-fulls of newly released bridal magazines, ready to pour myself into them as I began to lay the foundation for my business.
That’s how I started my wedding planning and design company way back in 2007. A life-changing moment, a determination to leave a job I abso-freaking-lutely hated, and the glossy pages of BRIDES magazine to inspire me and keep me company.
The world of wedding planning looked a lot different back then, but the freedom and abundance of owning my business looks the same as it does today. I built my wedding planning and design business, Jubilee Events, from zero to six figures. And my nervousness about starting a business with zero experience? A thing of the past.
Over the years, my team and I worked with hundreds of clients worldwide, from New York City to Fiji, Vermont to Costa Rica, and Barbados to Paris, celebrating moments that mattered in our clients’ lives.
I started Jubilee Events with NO experience, NO contacts, and no training or support available these days. Even so, I signed high-end clients from the very start of my business and produced events for over $1,000,000.
I wrote and published two books and have been featured in countless publications (THIS was the biggest thrill since those magazines were at the start of it all).
I grew a team that supported my business while I moved to Barbados and married the man of my dreams (that’s a story for another day).
Fast forward to 12 years later, and my scribble of a signature found its way on a bill of sale. I built a business that I loved, and then I sold my successful wedding planning and design business to teach you how to do what I did.
I know what it takes to run a successful wedding industry business. And I know what you’re feeling right now as you ask yourself: How do I become a wedding planner with no experience? Let me share with you the first steps you need to take.
Is It Really Possible to Start With No Experience?
Yes. And not just possible—realistic.
Some of the most successful planners I’ve coached came into this industry with no formal training, no connections, and no clue where to begin. What they did have was:
- A genuine love for weddings
- A knack for organization and logistics
- A deep desire to help people have an unforgettable experience
Your background—your story—isn’t a liability. It’s your edge. You just need a roadmap to turn your strengths into a business.
What You Don’t Need to Become a Wedding Planner:
Let’s bust a few myths right now:
- ❌ You don’t need to go back to school
- ❌ You don’t need a certification
- ❌ You don’t need a portfolio of styled shoots
- ❌ You don’t need a background in hospitality or events
- ❌ You don’t need a huge following on Instagram
What you do need? A business that’s built on solid foundations. That means:
- ✔️ Knowing who you want to serve
- ✔️ Offering planning services that solve a real problem
- ✔️ Pricing your work strategically
- ✔️ Looking and sounding professional from day one
- ✔️ Showing up with clarity and confidence
Here’s how you can step by step start your journey as a wedding planner:
Step One: Get hands-on experience (and real confidence) with the right tools + training
The world of wedding planning has changed—and so has the way you can break into it. You don’t need to intern for years or get a certification to call yourself a planner. You do need the confidence to take yourself seriously and the tools to back it up.
That’s exactly why I created The Wedding Planner Business Blueprint—an online course designed to help you go from “I think I want to be a planner” to “I just booked my first real client.” Inside, I’ll walk you step-by-step through everything you need to launch a legit business: your services, pricing, brand, onboarding, and even your first marketing plan.
And because I know how intimidating it can feel to put yourself out there when you’re just starting, you’ll get access to done-for-you templates and resources from my digital shop to help you look and sound like a pro. Think client guides, brochures, welcome packets, timelines—you name it. These are the same tools I used in my own 6-figure wedding planning business.
Once your business is off the ground? You’ll have a place to grow inside The Planner’s Playbook—my monthly membership for wedding planners who are ready to elevate their services, design, and marketing.
So yes—taking a course is still one of the best ways to learn the ropes. But the right course doesn’t just teach you how to plan a wedding—it helps you actually start your business.
Step Two: Intern with some wedding planning companies or wedding venues
As you’re taking my courses or after you’ve finished, go and intern with a wedding planning company or wedding venue.
You must get a taste of what it’s like to really be a wedding planner (because it’s NOT like the movies). By interning (no matter your age), you’ll get a feel for the job. And you’ll be able to tell quickly if you really LOVE IT or if it’s not for you.
And trust me when I tell you, you need to *LOVE* it (I’m sure you will!).
So, why a wedding planning company OR a wedding venue? Let me explain…
Interning for a wedding planner
There might be a wedding planner local to you–and if so, great! Wedding planning companies come in all shapes and sizes and offer various opportunities. The first place to gain some on-the-ground experience would be with a wedding planning company.
During the decade I owned my business, I hired many interns. Here are some tips on approaching a wedding planning business that’ll increase your odds of getting hired as an intern:
- Do Your Research: Before you apply, do your research about the company and its owner. Understand who they are, what types of clients they serve, and the opportunities available. Many wedding planning companies will have a careers webpage or instructions on how to submit your resume.
- Be Personable: Wedding planners get tons of applications to intern/assist. Stand out by being personable. Don’t send a canned email addressed to “Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam”. Know who you’re emailing and be personable in your approach.
- Follow Them On Social: Become one of their fans on social media and show an interest in their content and marketing.
Because wedding planning companies come in all shapes and sizes, many of them being small, there might not be an opportunity to intern with a company. And if you desire to start your own wedding planning business… many planners in your area will be guarded. The next best opportunity if you can’t get an internship with a wedding planner?
Interning for a wedding venue
Our natural inclination is to intern as a wedding planner, but wedding venues are great opportunities to intern and work full-time if you want to be a wedding planner. They assist hundreds of couples every single year and often have a “site coordinator” who helps to facilitate the wedding. That can be you!
When approaching a venue as an intern or hire, I strongly suggest you complete your coursework at The QC School and pitch working for them during the upcoming wedding season. The same steps I gave you to apply at a wedding planning company also apply here, so follow them closely.
Step Three: Decide if you want to own a business or work for a business
After you’ve gotten experience through the online course and internship, you’ll need to decide if you want to own a wedding planning business or work for someone else.
Our exercise thus far should have proven to you that being a wedding planner is what you were MEANT to do (if you have any doubts, keep interning until you make a decision). So, now we’ve got to decide if we should open a business?
I’m going to be honest… in MOST cases, you’ll make more money and have more opportunities if you start your own wedding planning business.
Why?
Most wedding planners in your area are small businesses and even solo entrepreneurs. While they have a steady stream of clients, it’s likely not enough to have a full-time employee… so you’re left with fewer opportunities to work for someone. I’ve seen this hundreds of times, and while my business had a team and employees, most wedding planning companies don’t.
This, of course, depends on your area. If you live in a large city, there is a stronger chance you can work for an event company in your area. But if you live in a smaller town or city, those chances get slimmer and slimmer.
But here’s the good news: You’ve gotten a ton of experience up until this point, and you’re totally capable of starting your own business. Remember my story? I had even LESS experience than you… and I went on to do some pretty cool stuff!
If you’re interested in starting a wedding planning business, be sure to check out this article. I walk you through the 11 steps you’ll need to take to get started!
Let’s answer some common questions you probably have about how to become a wedding planner without experience…
Can you be a wedding planner without a degree?
You don’t need a degree to become a wedding planner. Anyone can become a wedding planner with the right experience, drive, and curiosity for the wedding industry. Don’t worry too much about having a college degree. Instead, try taking some online courses to learn the wedding planning ropes.
Remember the story I shared at the beginning of this article? I had an unfinished college degree and zero experience. I didn’t even sign up for a wedding planning class. If I can do it, so can you! I really hope this gives you some encouragement to go for it.
What qualifications do you need to be a wedding planner?
Anyone looking to become a wedding planner should have a love for weddings, love stories, and people. The job of being a wedding planner is all about celebrating special moments in a family’s life–and you should be driven to help them create something memorable and special. A good wedding planner is also organized, dependable, a logistical wiz, quick on their feet, action-oriented, curious, cool under pressure, in control, responsible, level-headed, and good with time management.
Does that sound like you?!
Is it hard to be a wedding planner?
Being a wedding planner can be challenging–and it’s often regarded as one of the most stressful jobs! There’s a lot you’re responsible for as the wedding planner, and events can be stressful to manage. But just like any job, if you love what you do and it’s your calling (or your purpose!), then you’ll enjoy being a wedding planner–even during stressful moments. Here are some things to consider…
- Being a wedding planner is not like the movies! It’s a lot of “behind the desk” work, emails, phone calls, site visits, and working with people of all personalities.
- You’re on your feet for VERY long hours. At some weddings, it’s like 18 hours of work and up to 15 miles of walking. But funny enough, I always had enough energy to keep going.
- Things WILL go wrong, and you’ll be in charge of figuring out how to fix it. Sometimes, with zero resources or adequate time. If you love challenges (and have a competitive streak), the job will suit you.
How much money do wedding planners make a year?
This all depends on the types of weddings they plan, the clients they serve, and how much they charge. When I was a wedding planner, I made multiple six-figures… but that isn’t the case for everyone. If you work for an event planning company, expect to make $20,000-$60,000 a year, depending on your position and your geographical area. If you own your wedding planning business, your opportunities for income and financial growth are far higher.
A few parting words about becoming a wedding planner with no experience…
I hope this has answered your questions about how you can become a wedding planner with little or no experience. If you’re curious about how to start a wedding planning business, check out this article. I have several free resources for you, too!
You can also find me on YouTube teaching you how to start and grow a wedding planning business if watching videos is more your speed!
And make sure you sign up for my FREE masterclass, How To Launch Your Wedding Planning Business THIS Year & Book Your First FIVE Clients! Starting a business doesn’t have to be overwhelming. In my free masterclass, I’ll show you how to launch your wedding planning business this year — and book your first 5 clients with confidence. Register here.
Explore More Wedding Industry Resources
- How To Prepare For Your First Wedding As A Wedding Planner
- Looking For a Wedding Planner Online Course to Launch Your Business?
- How to Start an Event Planning Business
- If I Were Starting A Wedding Planning Business In 2025 I Would Do This
- How To Get A Wedding Planner Job
- What You Need More Than Another Wedding Planner Course
- A Complete List of Wedding Planner Expenses
- How to Start a Wedding Planning Business
- Why You Should Write A Business Plan In 2024 For Your Wedding Business
- 6 Things You Need To Include In Your Wedding Planner Process
- The Ultimate Wedding Planner Templates
- How To Sell Your Wedding Planning Services: The 7 Stages Of The Sales Cycle
- Wedding Planner Pricing: How Much Should You Charge As A Wedding Planner? Learn How To Figure Out Your Price
- Wedding Planner Problems: The BIGGEST Problems Wedding Planners Deal With
- 6 Things You Need to Include In Your Wedding Planner Pricing Guide
- How To Design A Styled Shoot As A Wedding Planner
- The Best Wedding Floor Plan Software for Wedding Planners
- Day of Coordination: The Pros and Cons as a Wedding Planner
For More Wedding Planner Business Secrets Follow Me On Instagram
Everyone’s talking about how AI is making everybody sound the same.
I’m here to tell you they’re wrong.
Once you know how to train ChatGPT on your brand voice? It can quickly become your unfair advantage.
In this week’s episode, I’m talking about:
👉 What “training” AI really looks like
👉 How to make it sound exactly like you
👉 Why this is the skill that will set you apart from your competition this year
And if you’re ready to go beyond listening and actually do the work?
Join me later this month for my live workshop where I’ll walk you through the exact process of training ChatGPT on your brand voice so it becomes your full-service marketing assistant.
Wedding pros, don’t sit this one out. Comment 189 and I will send you the link to listen now (and workshop details so you can register!)
#candicecoppola #weddingindustry #weddingpros #weddingpro #weddingindustryexperts #weddingpodcast #weddingbusiness #weddingindustryeducation #thepowerinpurposepodcast #weddingplanner
Over the last few months, I’ve taught hundreds of wedding planners how to use ChatGPT like an actual planning assistant — not just a caption writer.
And every time, I hear the same thing:
💬 “Why didn’t I do this sooner?!”
Because once you know how to train ChatGPT to sound like you, think like you, and support your business like a real team member… things get a LOT easier.
✔️ Timelines
✔️ Budgets
✔️ Client communication
✔️ Design briefs
✔️ Vendor emails
✔️ Rehearsal schedules
✔️ Wedding weekend logistics
I’ll show you how to do all of it in my AI Masterclass for Wedding Planners — and it only takes 90 minutes.
👇 Comment MASTERCLASS below and I’ll DM you the link!
#aiweddingplanner #weddingplannerlife #weddingpros #plannersplaybook #chatgptforplanners #weddingbusinesscoach #weddingplannereducation #worksmarternotharder #creativeceo #weddingbiztips
Big news! ChatGPT is your new team member. And you’ve gotta train it like one.
If you’ve ever felt like Al makes your content sound meh or robotic... it’s not the tool. It’s how you’re using it.
👉 In this week’s podcast episode, I’m breaking down exactly how to onboard ChatGPT into your business like it’s your newest assistant so it stops sounding like a corporate memo and starts sounding like you.
And yes, you’re about to save HOURS once it’s dialed in
✨ This episode is packed with the exact steps you need to make ChatGPT your ride-or-die content creator.
Comment 189 and I’ll DM you the link.
#chatgpt4 #chatgpt5 #aiforweddings #weddingpros #weddingvendors #weddingindustry #weddingpod #weddingpodcast
I don’t need another pair of wide leg linen pants.
I need to wear the damn ones I already own.
Earlier this year, I realized something: I’ve got great taste, a closet full of beautiful things…
And yet I kept reaching for the same 3 outfits on repeat — feeling stuck, uninspired, and like I “had nothing to wear.”
Not true. I had plenty to wear — I just wasn’t choosing to see it.
So I gave myself a challenge:
No new clothes for a year.
Instead of shopping, I’d start styling again.
Wearing what I already have. Rediscovering my personal style. Feeling good in my body right now — not 10 pounds from now, not after the next launch, not when I “have somewhere to go.”
Just because I want to.
Because I can.
And because showing up as yourself — unapologetically and on purpose — is always in style.
I’ll be sharing outfits here and in my stories for accountability but also fun! I hope you’ll follow along, even though this is a lot different from what I normally post. 💜
#ShopYourCloset #OOTDChallenge #Over40Style #ootd #candicecoppola
The Latest Wedding Planner Business Advice On YouTube
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