So many people dream about what it would be like to become a wedding planner. Maybe it’s because they’ve always loved design, or they were the go-to person for every party in college. Maybe they planned their own wedding and fell in love with the process. Whatever the reason, it’s easy to imagine a life spent surrounded by flowers, champagne, and happy couples. And while those moments do exist, there’s a lot more that goes into building a sustainable, successful career in this industry.

Before I became a full-time wedding planner, I worked in corporate events. It was fast-paced and high-pressure, but it taught me how to manage logistics, lead teams, and think on my feet—all skills I use every single day in my business. Over time, I realized I wanted something more creative and personal. That’s what led me to launch my own company and eventually work with luxury clients across the country.

Now, I mentor other planners who are asking themselves the same thing I once did: should you quit your day job to become a wedding planner? It’s a big decision, and it deserves more than just a quick Google search. In this blog post, I’m sharing what I’ve learned from more than a decade in this business—what I love about it, what’s surprised me, and the biggest challenges no one talks about. My goal isn’t to sway you one way or the other, but to give you the real, behind-the-scenes perspective so you can make an informed decision that works for your life.

 

 

The Pros of Becoming a Wedding Planner

There’s a reason so many people are drawn to the idea of becoming a wedding planner. It’s not just about the pretty details (though yes, those are fun). When done right, this career offers a level of creativity, connection, and impact that’s hard to find anywhere else.

You get to build something of your own.

For many planners, one of the biggest motivators is the freedom that comes with owning your own business. You get to choose your clients, set your schedule, and decide what your version of success looks like. Whether you want to plan three weddings a year or thirty, you’re the one in control.

You get to make people feel seen.

Planning a wedding is emotional. It’s personal. And when you’re good at what you do, you’re not just managing logistics. You’re also creating an experience that reflects your clients and their love story. That kind of impact stays with people long after the wedding day.

There’s room to grow and evolve.

The wedding industry is always changing, and that’s part of what keeps it exciting. As a planner, you’re constantly learning new things—about design, business, marketing, and yourself. There are so many ways to specialize or scale, whether that’s moving into luxury weddings, destination events, or launching your own education platform.

You’re part of a larger creative community.

One of the most rewarding parts of this work is collaborating with other talented professionals—florists, photographers, caterers, stationers. When everyone is aligned and doing what they love, you create magic together.

You don’t need a specific degree or license to start.

This is a field where experience, taste, and systems matter more than credentials. If you’re willing to learn and invest in your development, you can absolutely carve out your space in this industry.

 

 

The Cons of Becoming a Wedding Planner

For every stunning tablescape and heartfelt thank-you note, there are long days, tight timelines, and high expectations. If you're seriously thinking about leaving your day job to become a wedding planner, it's just as important to understand the less glamorous parts of the job.

The pressure is real.

Weddings are high-stakes events. There are no do-overs. As the planner, you’re the one everyone looks to when something goes wrong, and something always does. You need to stay calm under pressure, think quickly, and carry the weight of a lot of people’s expectations, sometimes all at once.

The schedule isn’t always dreamy.

Forget the 9-to-5. Weddings happen on weekends. Planning meetings often happen in the evenings. Your busiest season may look very different from everyone else’s. If you’re craving more work-life balance, this career requires strong boundaries and intentional scheduling or you’ll burn out quickly.

There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work.

Yes, there’s design and creativity. But there’s also invoicing, timelines, contracts, seating charts, rentals, and about a hundred emails a week. Running a business is a full-time job in itself. If you don’t enjoy the operational side of things, or aren’t ready to outsource, it can be overwhelming.

Financial stability takes time.

Building a profitable business doesn’t happen overnight. It might be months (or even a couple of years) before you can fully replace your previous salary. Most planners start by taking weddings on the side while still working their full-time job, slowly building their reputation, network, and systems.

You wear all the hats.

Until you grow your team, you’re doing the sales, the marketing, the admin, the bookkeeping, and the actual planning. If you’re not prepared to run a business (not just plan events), the learning curve can feel steep.

 

 

How to Know if You're Ready to Become a Wedding Planner Full-Time

There’s no perfect moment to quit your job and dive headfirst into entrepreneurship, but there are signs that you’re ready to take the leap with intention (not impulse). If you're wondering whether now is the right time to become a wedding planner full-time, here’s what to consider:

You’ve already dipped your toes in.

You’ve planned a few weddings or events on the side. Maybe it started with friends and family, and now you're getting inquiries from referrals. You’ve started building your portfolio, and you’re confident in your ability to plan and execute a wedding from start to finish. That hands-on experience is gold and it's a great indicator you’re not just in love with the idea of wedding planning.

You’re prepared financially.

It doesn’t mean you need a six-month emergency fund saved up (though that’s amazing if you do), but you’ve crunched the numbers. You’ve thought through your pricing, your income goals, and how many weddings you realistically need to book to stay afloat. Financial clarity will give you confidence and help you make smart, grounded decisions in those early months.

You understand what it means to run a business.

This is the part most people skip. Planning is only one piece of the puzzle. You need to market your services, build systems, manage client communications, set boundaries, and know how to sell without sounding sales-y. If you’ve already started laying the groundwork, such as building a website, investing in a CRM, getting your contracts reviewed, you’re ahead of the game.

You’re not afraid of hard work.

This job can be physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting, but also deeply rewarding. If you’re ready to show up fully for your clients, for your business, and for yourself, then you’re already doing the hard part: choosing the long game.

You’re willing to learn (and ask for help).

No one builds a successful business alone. If you’re open to mentorship, continuing education, and learning from others in the industry, you’re setting yourself up for real growth. The best planners I know aren’t the ones who claim to know everything, they’re the ones who stay curious and ask the right questions.

 

 

What It’s Really Like to Have a Mentor in Your Corner

If you’ve made it this far and still feel excited—even with the tough parts—we should talk about what comes next! There’s no one-size-fits-all roadmap to becoming a wedding planner, but there is a way to get guidance, support, and real-world strategies tailored to your goals. That’s why I created my 90-day wedding planner mentorship to help new and aspiring planners build sustainable, confident businesses from day one.

This isn’t about handing you a script or selling you a plug-and-play system. I work one-on-one with mentees to figure out their goals, their strengths, and the gaps that need to be filled. We dive into things like:

• How to position your services so you attract the right clients

• What to charge (and how to communicate your value)

• The back-end systems that save you hours each week

• How to confidently handle timelines, budgets, and client expectations

• Tools to make marketing and selling feel natural, not forced

You’ll walk away from our time together with a stronger foundation, a better understanding of what it takes to run your business like a pro, and the confidence to actually do it.

I’ve worked with planners at all stages, from brand-new to scaling, and I only take on a few mentorship clients each quarter so I can give them my full attention. If you're ready to stop spinning your wheels and finally get clarity, this is your next step. Learn more about my wedding planner mentorship program and apply here!

And if you're not quite ready to apply, but want to keep learning and stay inspired, follow along on Instagram at @verveeventco for behind-the-scenes from weddings and @asktheplannerpodcast for business tips and real talk for wedding pros.