How to Become a Wedding and Event Planner in Louisiana
A career in wedding or event planning can be exciting and rewarding, as well as lucrative. Suppose you have a background in business or hospitality or experience organizing parties or events. in that case, you’ll already have many of the necessary skills. If you love the idea of making dream weddings a reality or organizing memorable events, a career in this area could be for you.
Requirements and Useful Skills
There are no legal requirements to start work as a wedding or event planner in Louisiana. Still, there are several skills and qualifications that will be helpful. a degree in hospitality management, public relations, business management or communications will come in handy, and you’ll need to be highly organized with strong interpersonal skills and a keen eye for detail. You should also be prepared to work long hours under stressful conditions.
Education and Training Opportunities
Several universities in Louisiana offer degree courses that could interest you if you want to become an event planner. Universities.com lists the following institutions as providing the best relevant degree courses in the state:
- Hospitality Management:
- University of New Orleans, New Orleans
- The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette
- Public Relations:
- Tulane University of Louisiana, New Orleans
- The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette
- Loyola University, New Orleans
- Business Administration:
- Tulane University of Louisiana, New Orleans
- Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond
- The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette
If you don’t want to take on a degree, some relevant short courses in Louisiana include:
- Event Planning 1 Day Training, Baton Rouge
- Business Planning Clinic, Baton Rouge
There are also plenty of online courses aimed at developing the relevant skills for a career in event planning, including:
- Event Planning Suite from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette: 48 course hours covering all aspects of event planning, with a focus on catering
- Online training from the American Association of Certified Wedding Planners (AACWP)
- Certified Wedding and Event Planning (CWEP): offered by Lovegevity’s Wedding Planning Institute
- QC Event Planning offers several courses, including wedding, private, and corporate planning
If you have several years of experience in the meetings/events planning or hospitality industries, there are professional certifications available to help set you apart from the competition, including the following:
- Event Planning Specialist Certification (CEPS) from the National Career Certification Board (NCCB)
- Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) from the Events Industry Counci l
- Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) from the International Live Events Association
- Certified Professional in Catering and Events (CPCE) from the National Association for Catering and Events
Salary Expectations and Career Outlook in Louisiana
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists the yearly average (mean) salary for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners in Louisiana as $40,460, below the national average of $55,890. The good news is, though, according to salary.com, the cost of living in all major cities in the state is between 4.6% (New Orleans) and 14.3% (Alexandria) below the national average.
Louisiana has a reputation for being one of the most vibrant, laid-back and party-loving states in the country. With a packed festival roster, including the world-famous Mardi Gras celebration, you won’t struggle to find work as an event planner.