How to Become a Wedding and Event Planner in New Jersey
While people and businesses may plan their events, the process becomes a demanding job with many working parts to put together. for this reason, people often hire an event planner to plan and carry out the details of their wedding, party or corporate event.
In this profession, you work closely with the host to coordinate all aspects of an event, from the location and vendors to the color scheme, cutlery and invitations. You have many details to focus on and are expected to ensure every aspect of the event runs smoothly. This career is a good fit for social, detail-oriented people who can handle high pressure and long hours. If that sounds like you, here is more information about becoming an event planner in New Jersey.
Requirements for Becoming a Wedding and Event Planner in New Jersey
There are no formal education or other requirements to become an event or wedding planner in New Jersey. Nonetheless, completing an educational program and becoming certified teaches you about the planning process and could help you get hired by clients or employers. You could also choose the optional path of an internship, which provides hands-on experience.
If you are looking to be employed by an event firm or other company, the employer may have certain requirements such as a bachelor’s degree. Otherwise, you would need to start your own business, which would require business licensing.
Educational Programs in New Jersey
You could choose to earn a bachelor’s degree in a field related to event planning. Options include hospitality and event management, business, public relations and marketing. Another path is to take a community college or trade school program. Local options include:
- Bergen Community College: This school in Paramus, NJ offers an Event Planning and Management Certificate. You go through a program that includes 30 to 36 credits and teaches about topics like hiring vendors, event logistics, and foods and beverages. The program ends in certification.
- Middlesex College: Located in Edison, NJ, this school offers an Event Planning Management Certificate. It includes 34 credit hours, which cover an introduction to hospitality and event planning, field experience and more. It leads to certification.
- New Jersey City University: This is an online program to become a Certified Wedding Planner. It covers 340 course hours, leading to certification. Students learn how to plan and carry out weddings and parties, and it includes an internship opportunity.
- New York Institute of Art + Design: This Online Event Planning Course teaches you how to plan different types of events, network, work with vendors and more. It leads to certification.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations of Event Planners
New Jersey has the highest annual mean wage in the nation for meeting, convention and event planners, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). As of May 2020, it was $72,760, which is $34.98 per hour.
The BLS noted that 1,900 people were employed in this field at the time of the report. Also, the BLS projects job growth of eight percent in this field, which is significantly faster than the average career.
Working as a Wedding or Event Coordinator in New Jersey
New Jersey has many opportunities for wedding and event planners, whether you plan weddings or other types of events. Top employers of this position include organizations, food services, administrative services and arts/recreation. Otherwise, you could be self-employed and cater to the needs of clients you hire. Residents of New Jersey could have additional event planning opportunities due to their close proximity to major cities like New York and Philadelphia.