Are you contemplating a career as a party planner, yet you can’t seem to figure out how to get started? Whether you’re interested in working as an independent party planner or with a party planning company, you must understand the key ingredients to becoming a great party planner.

What does a party planner do?

A party planner coordinates, manages, and executes parties and events such as weddings, family get-togethers, birthday parties, corporate receptions, and anniversaries. They handle every detail of a party from idea conception to after-party cleanup. This involves booking venues, procuring party supplies, troubleshooting potential problems, and many more.  A party planner listens to a client’s ideas and tailors a party to suit their client’s requirements and budget.  

What does it take to be a party planner?

Education and Training Requirements

There are no specific educational requirements to become a party planner. However, the majority of party planning companies prefer to employ party planners with at least a high school certificate. You can become a party planner by having solid experience in communication, hospitality, art, design, or the entertainment field. Having a bachelor’s degree in hospitality or a related field is an added advantage for aspiring party planners.  With proper certification, you can gain credibility among potential clients. If you don’t have a bachelor’s degree or the experience required to get started as a party planner, you can take a professional course in hospitality management, communications, event planning, or any other discipline related to entertainment. Some of the recommended programs you may want to consider are Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP), or a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP).

Certification may be necessary if you’re interested in working with an events company. But if you want to start your own party planning business, certification is not a mandatory requirement. However, just because certification is not mandatory in getting started as a party planner, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t learn the basics of party planning.

Develop the Necessary Set of Skills

Getting started as a party planner requires a set of essential skills. With all the nitty-gritty details involved in pulling together a successful party, you’ll have to develop an eye for detail, creativity, and impeccable communication skills. A party planner also needs to develop a sound business sense and have the ability to work with all types of people. Since problems are inevitable in party planning, a party planner should have the ability to develop creative solutions. Some of these skills can be learned at school, while others can be acquired through on-the-job experience.

Seek Mentorship for Successful Party Planners

You can learn the ropes in party planning by seeking advice from experienced party planners in your locality. There are many experienced party planners around who are willing to share their knowledge with beginners. Simply make a list of distinguished party planners in your area and get in touch with them.  Start by introducing yourself, let them know that you admire their work, and politely ask them if they can mentor you on party planning. Some of them will be willing to share their knowledge.

Getting started as a party planner is easier today than ever. Take the first step and you’ll make a reality.