Case Study: Wedding Planner – Rachel

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Case Study: Wedding Planner – Rachel

What do you do?

I’m a wedding planner. I offer advice on wedding planning and help couples
organise their big day. I oversee all the details and services, such as catering,
flowers, cake, make-up and music.

On the wedding day itself, I look after the needs of the wedding party and
family.

I also co-own an online wedding magazine that offers tips and advice on
wedding planning.

What is your background?

My parents owned an Italian restaurant for 33 years. It’s the only other job I’ve ever had. I spent 20 years working and
running the family business.

I started in the wedding field as an assistant to a photographer friend of mine. I like working with people and
weddings, so wedding planning seemed like a natural thing to do. Then my friend and I launched an online wedding
magazine.

What characteristics do you need to be successful in your job?

A wedding planner should have a sense of humour. Brides and grooms can be tense and nervous, so you have to put
them at ease.

You should also have compassion. It’s a very emotional day, so you have to be sensitive to people’s feelings.

Confidence is another important quality. You have to know that you can handle anything thrown your way. This day
can never be repeated, so you have to make sure it all goes right.

What other jobs could you do using the skills from this job?

Wedding planners can become involved in event management and planning, hotel management, and catering
management. All these jobs require planning and hospitality skills.

What changes will there be in the future?

It is becoming more common for couples to hire a wedding planner.

Technology has changed some things, but it hasn’t affected the hands-on aspect of the job. While the internet has
made wedding planning easier, you can’t bring your computer with you on the day of the wedding.

I don’t think the economic situation has an impact on the wedding industry.

What are the biggest challenges in your job?

The hours can be difficult. Weddings are usually at weekends, and it’s a long day and a late night. By the end of the
day, I’m usually sore all over from work.

It can also be tough keeping the details of all the weddings in my head. Fortunately, I write everything down for
reference.

Are there many opportunities to enter this career?

Most wedding planners start by planning their own wedding, and then decide they want to help others. They usually

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last about 4 to 6 months, before they realise how tough it is to make a living, and then they quit.

The work really isn’t as glamorous as they think. It can even be unpleasant. I’ve had to help a bride take off a sweaty,
nylon girdle from under her dress after she’d been wearing it the whole day, in the hot sun.

If you still want to be a wedding planner, make sure you advertise in all the major wedding magazines.

What do you like about your job?

What I love most about my job is the emotional side, like when the bride walks out and her parents see her for the
first time.

Or the minute before the bride walks down the aisle and she’s standing there with her father – usually the three of us
are crying! It’s the silence, as everyone is getting their first view of the bride. There’s a wave of whispering. I don’t
know what everyone is saying, but I know it’s all good!

What do you dislike about your job?

One thing that can be a bit tough is dealing with bridesmaids who think the day is all about them, and try to take
attention away from the bride. I also find it hard dealing with divorced parents who can’t even pretend to get along
for their children’s sake. That can make a wedding very tense.

On the business side, I hate dealing with caterers and other vendors who are not very helpful. We should all be
working for the same goal, and that’s to make this wedding a success.

What advice would you give to someone interested in your career?

You have to love your job, or you’ll never last. The satisfaction you get from co-ordinating a successful wedding far
outweighs the money that you’ll make.

A day in the life

6:00 am – 7:00 am

Showering, doing my hair and make-up.

7:00 am – 8:00 am

8:00 am – 9:00 am

9:00 am – 10:00 am

10:00 am – 11:00 am

11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Turning on my computer to check and answer emails. I usually have messages from
wedding magazine that I co-own.

clients

and from the online

Going over all of the details of today’s wedding at least once, if not twice. I’ve got everything written down on an
itinerary.

Answering phone calls from, for example, a member of the wedding party who has a query or needs me to solve a
problem.

Making sure I have everything I need in my emergency suitcase and briefcase. The emergency kit includes things like
clear nail polish, hairspray and deodorant. Gathering all wedding items given to me at the rehearsal. This might
include order of service programs, candles, favours, and anything else the wedding party would like me to take for
them. Packing it all in my car.

Heading to the bride’s ‘getting ready’ location, going over the checklist of other things that she will give me to take to
the ceremony and reception. Straightening out the room that the photographer will use for some shots, making any
necessary phone calls and accepting or checking any deliveries.

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12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Heading to the ceremony.

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

8:00 pm – 9:00 pm

9:00 pm – 10:00 pm

10:00 pm – 11:00 pm

11:00 pm – 12:00 am

12:00 am – 1:00 am

Arriving at the wedding venue. Unpacking and setting up all the items that are needed. Finding out about any photo
or video policies during the ceremony. Reminding everyone about what went on at the rehearsal.

The bride arrives in the limo. Instructing the men to get into position. Letting the photo and video people know that
they can take a photo of the bride coming out of the limo. Getting the girls into position. Cuing the music; cuing each
girl on when to walk. Fluffing the bride’s dress and sending her on her way.

Getting the wedding party into their limos and off to the photo shoot, while I head to the reception venue. Packing
items in my car.

Unloading items needed for the reception. Setting up everything that I need to do at the reception venue.

The wedding party arrive at the reception venue. Going over the receiving line formation with those in it, and the
order in which the wedding party will be introduced, with the DJ.

Receiving starts; letting the guests know. Cuing the DJ, MC and photo and video people. Putting all the gifts in the
bridal suite during the MC’s announcements.

Dinner is served. Visiting the head table to make sure everything is okay.

Cuing the DJ, MC, photo and video people for the speeches and cake cutting.

Cuing the DJ, MC, photo and video people for the new couple’s first dance.

Checking that the bridal suite is free of empty glasses and rubbish.

Letting the DJ know when the dessert table is ready to be announced.

Packing gifts and anything else that the couple is taking home in a parent’s car.

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