Becoming a Wedding and Event Planner in Kentucky

Weddings, birthday celebrations, anniversary parties and corporate gatherings are all notable events that require a lot of time and effort to plan. Many people who host these events, especially weddings, prefer to hand all of the responsibility over to a professional rather than try to tackle it all independently. This career may be the perfect fit for you if you like to plan, organize, manage and communicate with others.

Search Certified Wedding Planner Programs

Get information on Certified Wedding Planner programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

Sponsored Listings

Your specific tasks will vary depending upon what type of event you are planning and the client’s preferences. However, most event planners will have many of the same responsibilities, including:

  • Meeting with clients and establishing their goals and budget
  • Checking in with clients regularly to keep them updated on progress
  • Finding and securing locations and vendors
  • Making sure everything stays on budget
  • Making sure the event runs smoothly

Working as an event planner is not for everyone. You must have a keen eye for detail and be able to make quick decisions. You should also be able to work in high-pressure situations. This job will often require long hours and working evenings, weekends, and sometimes holidays. However, if you go into the business on your own, you can manage your schedule and delegate tasks singularly with only the client’s approval needed.

What You Need to Work as a Wedding or Event Planner in Kentucky

There are no exact educational or licensing requirements for Kentucky wedding and event planners. Completing certification and training programs can help you with career advancement. Having a bachelor’s degree in meeting and event management can be helpful, especially if you plan to run your own business. While training is crucial in learning how to plan events, experience is equally as important. Even if you plan on working for yourself, you may still want to consider working or interning for an established event planner before you branch out on your own.

Kentucky Programs for Learning to Be an Event Planner

If you’re considering pursuing a career in event and wedding planning, here are a few programs in Kentucky to get you started:

  • The online continuing education program at North Kentucky University (NKU) offers a wedding planner certification program. The cost of this program is $1,595.00, and it can be completed exclusively online in nine months. An internship opportunity is also provided with this program.
  • NKU also offers a certified wedding and event planner program. This program takes a little longer to complete at 18 months, but it is more in-depth and covers all event planning, not just weddings. There is also an option to attend an in-person workshop held by a celebrity wedding and event designer. The cost of this program is $5,495.00.
  • If you prefer to enroll in a bachelor’s degree program, NKU can also help you with that. They offer the option to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.) in sports business and event management. This is a four-year on-campus degree program. There may be admissions requirements for this program.
  • Eastern Kentucky University has a certificate in tourism and event planning program. It consists of 18 course hours.
  • Midway University offers a tourism and event management program exclusive to Kentucky. It prepares students to work in the Bourbon tourism industry. This Master of Business administration program is presented in an accelerated format and can be completed in 15 months or less. This program is also 100 percent online.

    • Once you get started, and you want to continue training, Eventbrite is an excellent resource for locating nearby training workshops and events.

    Salaries and Career Outlook

    According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), meeting, convention, and event planning (including wedding planning) are high-demand careers experiencing growth. The number of positions available in the United States is predicted to increase by 8% between 2019 and 2029. in Kentucky, jobs in this field are expected to increase by 10 percent by 2029, with almost 100 new jobs available. Kentucky event planners earn an hourly average of $20.89, which is equivalent to $43,440 annually. The top earners in the state make as much as $67,150 annually.

    Job Opportunities in Kentucky

    Event and wedding planners in Kentucky might work for other companies or choose to start their own businesses. Universities, hotels and art centers are some of the top employers in the state for event planners. The larger cities in Kentucky, like Lexington and Louisville, are where you can expect to find the most job opportunities.

    See Programs in Neighbor States