So you want to know how to become an event planner. Maybe you have been dreaming about this for a while. Or maybe you just realized that your talent for logistics and your obsession with bringing a vision to life could actually be a career. Either way, you are in the right place!
Before we jump in though… becoming an event planner is not just about loving a good party or having an eye for details. It is about building something real. A business that serves people during some of the most meaningful moments of their lives.
I am not going to sugarcoat it. There is a lot of noise out there about what you need to get started. You’ll hear you need things like certifications, internships, and a portfolio full of styled shoots. And sure, some of that can help. But none of it matters if you do not understand the foundations of actually running a business.
In this post, I am breaking down what it really takes to become an event planner in 2026.
Before we jump in though – hi! I am Candice Coppola, a former wedding planner turned business coach. I built, scaled, and sold my own six-figure wedding planning company, and now I help planners like you do the same (whether you’re drawn to wedding planning or event planning). If you are serious about starting your event planning business this year, I have a free masterclass that walks you through exactly how to book your first clients. Join me here.
What Does an Event Planner Actually Do?
First things first, let me paint you a picture of what event planning actually looks like. Because I promise you, it is NOT like the movies.
When most people think of event planners, they imagine someone floating around a gorgeous venue in heels, clipboard in hand, maybe sipping champagne while twinkle lights magically appear in the background.
The reality is that it’s your job to make those twinkle lights happen. And troubleshooting when half of them stop working twenty minutes before guests arrive.
Event planners are the masterminds behind everything from corporate conferences to fundraising galas to milestone birthday parties. Your job is to take someone’s vision and turn it into a fully executed experience.
That means:
- Vendor research and negotiations
- Budget management and tracking
- Timeline creation and logistics coordination
- On-site execution and problem solving in real time
- A LOT of emails, phone calls, and behind-the-desk work
You will be on your feet for very long hours. Some events mean 12 to 18 hour days. You will walk miles. Things WILL go wrong, and you will be the one figuring out how to fix it with zero resources or adequate time.
But if you love a challenge and have a competitive streak? If you get a rush from pulling off something incredible under pressure? This job will light you up.
The Truth About Certifications For Event Planners
If I know you, I know that you have been Googling certification programs and wondering if that’s what you need to get started.
When you are starting something new, it feels safer to have a credential backing you up. But here is what I need you to hear: there is no governing body for event planning certifications. There’s no industry standard or magical piece of paper that makes couples say yes to working with you.
Anyone can create a certification program and call it official. And many of them are outdated, overpriced, and focused on theory instead of what actually matters, which is running a business that books clients and turns a profit.
I am not saying education does not matter. It absolutely does.
But the right education teaches you how to price your services strategically, market yourself, show up professionally, and build systems that help you get it all done without burning yourself out in the process.
That is very different from memorizing seating chart etiquette or watching old videos about linen rentals.
Here is what you actually need to succeed as an event planner:
- Know who you want to serve and why
- Offer services that your clients want
- Pricing that supports a profitable business
- A brand and presence that builds trust fast
- The confidence to take yourself seriously before anyone else does
Couples and corporate clients are not asking for certificates (trust me on this). They are asking themselves one question: Do I trust this person to pull off my event?
That trust comes from how you present yourself, how you communicate, and how you make them feel. Not from a line on your resume.to recognize scope creep, the less likely you are to burn out trying to be everything to everyone.
Event Planning Skills You Need Before Taking Clients
Now that we have cleared the air about certifications, let us talk about the skills you need to develop before you start working with real clients.
The good news? Most of these skills are not things you learn in a classroom. They are things you develop through practice, intention, and a willingness to get uncomfortable. As in, most of these you can learn as you go (so you have no excuse not to start your business soon!).
Here are some of the skills I would focus on if I were starting from scratch:
Communication that builds trust
Your business is built on how you make people feel. The fastest way to earn trust is clear, proactive, and professional communication. That means timely responses, professional onboarding, and having hard conversations in real time (too many event planners avoid them). Scripts and workflows help here (yes, I sell those for a reason!).
Building systems for managing all the moving parts
You need more than a timeline template you bought off Etsy. If you want to become an event planner, you need a system for managing the entire client journey (from inquiry to offboarding). That includes how you handle timelines, staffing, rehearsals, design direction, and yes, all those little vendor details that fall through the cracks when you’re winging it.
Creating a budget
When you become an event planner, you’re managing someone’s money. You need to know how to track budgets, set expectations, and be the voice of reason when Pinterest dreams (or the CEO’s vision) don’t match the price tag. A good budget template (like the wedding budget playbook I have in my shop) will save you hours and a whole lot of stress.
Networking that doesn’t feel cringey
Ever heard the term, “your network is your net worth?” Because it’s true. But networking isn’t about collecting business cards or trying to force friendships with industry leaders. Instead, focus on serving others. Start with the question: “What can I do for them?”
Just remember, established planners and vendors are busy. They may not have time to mentor you, and that’s okay. Keep showing up and being helpful. That’s how relationships are built in this industry.
Design skills
In a world where timelines can be built with AI, a lot of your value lies in your vision. The planners who stand out are the ones who know how to translate a client’s inspiration into an experience (and do it with originality).
I know this is where imposter syndrome kicks in so let me also say this: you don’t need to be a full-blown designer yet. But you do need to understand how color, layout, and environment impact an event. Learn to articulate your design ideas and present them well. In a ChatGPT world, your eye for design is your superpower.
It’s a huge focus inside my membership The Planner’s Playbook for exactly that reason.
Being calm under pressure
No surprise here: things will go sideways. You’ll need to pivot fast, make confident decisions, and stay composed when the plan changes last minute (and it will). This is a skill you develop by being in the trenches—but knowing that this will come helps.
None of these skills require a fancy program or years of experience. The planners who succeed are the ones who started building these muscles before they had a single client on the books and trust themselves to continually get better over time.
Working at a Venue vs Starting Your Own Event Planning Business
Once you decide to become an event planner, you are going to have to make one more really big decision.
Do you want to work for someone else?
Or do you want to build something of your own?
Both paths can lead to a fulfilling career in event planning. But they look very different in practice. And the one you choose will shape everything from your income potential to your daily schedule to how much creative control you actually have.
Working at a venue as an event planner
Working at a venue is one of the best ways to get consistent, hands-on experience.
You will see dozens of events every year. You will learn how different clients operate, how vendors collaborate under pressure, and how to manage logistics in real time. It is like getting paid to learn. And for some people, that stability and structure is exactly what they need.
But the tradeoff is that you are building someone else’s business. Your income is capped, your schedule is set by someone else, and the events you work on? You do not get to choose them.
Another disadvantage to choosing this route is that most event planning companies are small. They do not have the budget to hire dozens of full-time employees. So if you are waiting for a dream job to open up, you might be waiting a long time.
Starting your own business to become an event planner
Starting your own business is the opposite. You get to decide who you work with, what you charge, and how you show up. The ceiling is higher. The freedom is real… but so is the responsibility. You are not just the event planner when you start your own business, you are the marketer, the accountant, the salesperson, and the CEO.
I am not going to pretend that starting a business is easier. It is not. But I will tell you this: in most cases, you will make more money and have more opportunities if you build your own thing.
What matters most is that you are honest with yourself about what you actually want. Not what sounds safe. Not what someone else told you to do. What YOU want.
Event Planner vs Wedding Planner
Lastly, I want to talk about the difference between becoming an event planner and becoming a wedding planner.
The short answer? Wedding planning IS event planning. It is a specialty within the broader field.
Think of it this way: event planners can work on corporate retreats, product launches, galas, conferences, milestone birthdays, you name it. Wedding planners focus specifically on one type of event. Weddings.
Both require the same core skills and responsibilities whether you choose to start your own business or not.
Many planners start with weddings and eventually expand into corporate or social events. Others start broad and realize weddings are where their heart is. Some do both at the same time and love the variety.
If you are drawn to weddings specifically, I want to encourage you to lean into that. In my experience, most engaged couples are actively looking for planners who specialize in what they do. Specializing builds trust faster and ultimately it makes your marketing easier.
But if you are not sure yet, that is okay too. You do not need to have it all figured out before you start. What matters most is that you just start. Get experience. Pay attention to what lights you up. The clarity will come as you do the work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I am not sure whether I want to do weddings or other types of events?
That is completely okay and honestly pretty normal. You do not have to have it all figured out before you start. The skills you build now will transfer no matter which direction you go. My advice? Start getting experience however you can and pay attention to what lights you up. The clarity comes from doing the work, not from overthinking it.
Do I need to get experience before I can actually charge for my services?
You do not need to work for free to build a legitimate business. Assisting another planner, working at a venue, or even planning a styled shoot can give you real experience without giving away your services. If you want to offer a discounted rate at first, that is fine, but charge something. It builds mutual investment and helps you take yourself seriously from day one.
What if I feel like I should wait until I have more figured out before I actually start?
Honestly, that feeling never really goes away. The planners who build successful businesses are the ones who start before they feel ready and figure it out as they go. You do not need a perfect plan or all the answers. You just need to take the first step and trust yourself enough to keep moving forward.
Become an Event Planner in 2026
If you’re serious about becoming an event planner, I don’t wait you to wait until everything feels “ready.” Start building the skills, systems, and mindset now and trust that clarity will come with action.
Whether you want to plan weddings, corporate events, or something in between, the foundation is the same: serve well, design boldly, and run your business like a business.
If you want help getting started, I’ve got you. My free masterclass, How to Start a Wedding Planning Business, walks you through the exact steps to book your first clients, price your services, and build a brand that stands out. Even if weddings aren’t your main focus, everything I teach transfers to any type of planning business.
Explore More Wedding Industry Resources
- How to Book Destination Weddings And Elopements In Your Wedding Business
- Free Wedding Planner Class: How to Launch Your Business the Right Way
- How to Become a Certified Wedding Planner
- What Does A Wedding Coordinator Do? Here’s Everything They’re Responsible For
- Looking for a Side Hustle? Here’s How To Become a Wedding Planner on a Budget
- How to Become a Destination Wedding Planner
- The Ultimate Wedding Planner Templates
- Why You Should Write A Business Plan For Your Wedding Business
- How Much Should You Charge As A Wedding Planner? Learn How To Figure Out Your Wedding Planner Pricing
- How to Start a Wedding Planning Business
- 8 Free Ways To Market Your Wedding Planning Biz
- How To Book Your FIRST Client As A Wedding Planner
- 5 Online Wedding Planner Tools You Need to Use
- How To Get A Wedding Planner Job
- 9 Mistakes to Avoid When Starting Your Wedding Planning Business
- How To Get Wedding Clients When You’re Just Starting Out
- How Do I Write A Wedding Planner Business Plan?
- How To Build Your Portfolio As A Wedding Planner When You’re Just Starting Out
For More Wedding Planner Business Secrets Follow Me On Instagram
As I’ve been thinking about 2026 and how I want to move into this next chapter, a phrase has kept coming back to me…
Pause, then choose.
For me, this year or phrase isn’t about slowing down for the sake of slowing down. I definitely have NO intentions on doing that. Instead, it’s about creating space before decisions.
Letting things settle.
Looking at opportunities, ideas, and next steps with clearer eyes instead of reacting out of urgency or pressure to have all the answers right now.
I’m realizing that in order to grow into what’s next for me, and this space we share, I actually need to pause first.
Pause to check in.
Pause to savor where I am.
Pause to notice what’s working, what feels aligned, and what I want more of.
Pause to see what’s around me.
And then… choose. Choose with intention. Choose with clarity. Choose from a grounded place instead of a rushed one.
This feels like both a mindset shift and a practice I want to carry with me all year and I wanted to share it in case it resonates with where you are right now, too!
Have you picked a word or phrase of the year, yet? If so, share it with me and what it signifies to you! I’m dying to know. 💜
Lesson 4: Stop waiting for someone else to validate you.
This one comes up a lot.
So many talented wedding pros are waiting to feel chosen — by the industry, by a client, by someone with a bigger platform — before they let themselves move forward.
👉🏼 Where do you think you’re still waiting for permission instead of deciding for yourself?
PSA: This is part of a 31-day series where I’m sharing one business lesson a day for wedding pros as we head into 2026. These lessons are pulled straight from my 200th podcast episode, and the goal is conversation — not perfection. I’m glad you’re here.
Lesson 3: Your reputation is built in the small, unseen moments.
This is something I’ve watched play out over and over again in this industry.
How you communicate when things are easy matters — but how you show up when things are stressful, uncomfortable, or inconvenient matters a whole lot more.
👉🏼 What do you think people remember most about working with you once the event is over?
PSA: This is part of a 31-day series where I’m sharing one business lesson a day for wedding pros as we head into 2026. These are lessons pulled straight from what I’ve seen, experienced, and talked about on the podcast — and I’m loving the conversations they’re sparking. Come back tomorrow for the next one.
#candicecoppola #weddingindustry #weddingplanner #weddingbusiness
Lesson 2: You don’t grow by doing more. You grow by doing what actually matters.
This one comes up constantly in my work.
So many wedding pros feel behind, lazy, or like they’re not doing enough — when in reality, they’re doing too much of the wrong stuff at the same time.
👉🏼 If you had to pick one thing to focus on for the next few months, what would it be?
Or flip side: what’s one thing you already know you could let go of?
PSA: This is part of a 31-day series where I’m sharing one business lesson a day for wedding pros as we head into 2026. These are the ideas I come back to when I think about longevity, focus, and building a business that doesn’t require constant hustle to survive. I’d love for you to stick around and join the conversation as we go.
#weddingindustry #weddingpros #candicecoppola #2026goals #businessgrowthstrategy
filed under:
+ show Comments
- Hide Comments
add a comment