Becoming a Wedding and Event Planner in Michigan
Event planning is an exciting, fast-paced career, and wedding planning is a high-demand subset of event planning. Meetings, conventions, weddings, and other significant events require detail-oriented planning. As a result, many people prefer to hand the tasks over to a professional.
If you’re organized, enjoy handling logistics, and love working with people, you may want to consider this career. There is much variety in event planning regarding the type and size of the event, the clients, locations, and more. However, all planners have the same fundamental duties when on the job:
- Meeting with clients to find out their goals, preferences, and budget
- Finding locations and hiring vendors like caterers and musicians
- Negotiating contracts and sticking with a budget
- Monitoring events to ensure they run smoothly
- Overseeing the paying of invoices
- Checking in regularly with clients
This career is not for everyone. It requires extreme attention to detail and an ability to problem solve on the go while keeping clients happy. Expect to work long hours, including weekends and evenings.
What You Need to Work as a Wedding or Event Planner in Michigan
Michigan has no requirements for licensing or credentials for wedding and event planners. Depending on where and for whom you work, you may need a degree or certificate in event planning or a related subject.
Suppose you prefer to work for yourself and start a planning business. in that case, you can decide on the extent of your education or training. It’s a good idea to take at least a few courses to help you do the job. The classes help familiarize you with budgeting and finance, management, contract negotiation, customer service, and how to build other general business skills.
Classroom learning can be an essential component of becoming a skilled event or wedding planner. Experience is also an important teacher. You may want to consider interning with or working for a successful planner before launching your own business.
Michigan Programs for Learning to Be an Event Planner
If you’re interested in a career in event and wedding planning, Michigan’s schools have several opportunities to get you started:
- Schoolcraft College in Livonia offers a certificate in event planning that includes classes and practical experience.
- At Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant, you can earn a degree in Recreation and Event Management, an award-winning program.
- Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids offers a major in Meeting and Event Management.
Most major universities in the state also offer degrees in public relations or communications, both subjects that can prepare you for working as an event planner.
Salaries and Career Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), meeting, convention, and event planning are growing careers. The number of positions available across the country is projected to grow by 8% between 2019 and 2029. These statistics translate to more than 15,000 new jobs.
The median income for planners in the U.S. in May 2020 was $51,560. Michigan wedding and event planners earn even more. The mean income in the state is $54,500 per year and $26.20 per hour. The top earners in Michigan make more than $85,560 annually.
Job Opportunities in Michigan
Event and wedding planning are careers well suited to entrepreneurship. You can start a small business offering your services and manage your rates and client list. Many planners work for other companies, which can provide more stability. Look for jobs within hotels, universities, civic organizations, art centers, museums, and professional organizations. You’ll find the most opportunities in Michigan’s larger cities, including Detroit, Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Lansing, and Traverse City.