Become a Bridal Consultant

By Francine L. Huff
Learning & Life Columnist
October 23, 2007

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Getting hitched is big business. Spending on items directly related to weddings reached $58.5 billion in 2006, according to Weddingbrand. If have a knack for throwing large parties and events, have good people skills, and never get tired of '80s music, a bridal consulting career can be lucrative and fun.

Lots of Hand Holding

Planning your wedding can be stressful and time-consuming. That's why more and more couples are turning to bridal consultants to plan their special day. Among other things, bridal consultants are relied upon to plan the wedding schedule and rehearsal dinner, book the reception hall, and stick to a budget. But a career as a wedding planner isn't for the faint-hearted. Not only will you have to keep track of a lot of details, but you'll need to have excellent interpersonal skills, since you may be dealing not only with bridezillas but also with pushy in-laws.

Career Education and Training

A career diploma in bridal consulting can help you acquire some of the skills necessary to thrive in this job. Courses in an online program may include financial planning, event management, and communication. Even if you don't have a bridal consulting certificate, you can take courses in business, hospitality, negotiating, marketing, and decorating to prepare for a wedding planner job. Your work will also involve cultivating relationships with vendors such as florists, photographers, bridal shops, and bakeries.

Bridal Consultant Career Outlook

With the average American wedding costing $28,000, there's good potential for getting paid well. But you'll need to build a good reputation to do well in this business. Experienced bridal consultants who plan 40 weddings a year may earn about $70,000 or more, according to Entrepreneur.

Bridal consulting may seem like a glamorous business to outsiders, but it's a lot of work. Be prepared to work irregular hours, weekends, and evenings to help your clients begin their new life together.

Sources

About the Author
Francine L. Huff is a freelance journalist and the author of The 25-Day Financial Makeover: A Practical Guide for Women. She has appeared on a variety of TV and radio shows.

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