Question: Last summer I helped two friends plan their weddings. One was a large event attended by over 200 guests. I had a lot of fun and enjoyed both the creative and detail/logistics aspects of planning these events. Each of my friends told me what a great job I did and how much they appreciated my resourcefulness. I want to look into wedding planning or consulting as a possible job/career option. Can you help me?
—Patty

Response: You may be able to start as an assistant to a busy wedding consultant, work for your church or in a retail setting.

As a wedding consultant you may advise prospective brides and grooms on all phases of wedding planning. This could range from selecting venues for the ceremony or party to suggesting flowers, music, photographers and catering services. Even invitations, showers, wedding etiquette and party attire can become advisory topics, along with recommending trousseaus for brides and costumes and accessories for attendants. It's not uncommon to assist in decisions regarding prospective vendors or to complie and maintain the gift registry.

The wedding consultant may prepare a budget and hire or subcontract the necessary personnel to expedite wedding plans. Making sure everything runs smoothly may require attending rehearsals and being present at the wedding ceremony.

The job of a wedding consultant involves extensive evening and weekend hours. Wedding software is available and is often used to track invitations, responses, gifts, and a seating plan for the wedding celebration or party.

Employment Outlook:
Average growth is projected through 2008. The demand for wedding consultant services is affected by the economy and the amount of money the client is willing to spend. Wedding consultants compile lists of prospective brides from newspaper announcements of engagements and mail promotional material to offer their services as a consultant. Party and wedding planners also build their businesses on reputation and word of mouth.

According to Jean Picard, California Coordinator of the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC), wedding consultants may operate out of separate offices or bridal stores but most are home-based, single proprietorships. Ms. Picard has seen a growing demand for wedding consultants over the last ten years, partially because of women's busy schedules and more demanding jobs.

It takes approximately three years to build a reputation and build a consulting business. It's not a regulated field and many people offer their services without any real training or experience.

Salary Range:
Variable. The pay for self-employment varies widely and usually involves a considerable investment of money and time to be successful.

Most consultants set a fee based on the amount of time they estimate the job will require. They may also receive commissions from the vendors they subcontract for their events. Consultants working on hourly projects, charge from $45 to $75. In general, the average consultant works on 20 to 40 weddings per year.

Assistants are hired, as needed, for administrative duties but can also be involved in assisting with wedding preparations.

WEDDING CONSULTANTS
projected 2002 annual salaries in the Los Angeles area according to Economic Research Institute:
YEARS EXPERIENCE 10th PERCENTILE TIME SERIES MEDIAN 90th PERCENTILE
8 $ 32,679 $ 36,529 $ 44,265
4 $ 28,856 $ 32,229 $ 39,087
1 $ 24,814 $ 27,680 $ 33,611

Job Resources:
Bridal Retailer
Contact: Debbie Schuchmann
(800) 823-2403 x173
David's Bridal, with 100 stores nationwide is the largest and fastest growing bridal retailer with locations in the Los Angeles County area including the cities of Torrance, Cerritos, and Northridge.

This retailer hires full-time and part-time staff and prefer candidates with some previous retail sales experience, who are friendly, outgoing, self motivated, capable of working independently or as a team member, and able to work a flexible schedule.

According to Ms. Schuchmann, a wedding/sales consultant at one of David's Bridal stores earns a base salary of $8 per hour, plus commission.

Commission is approximately 8% and, during their busy season from January to August, top consultants can earn as much as $40 to $50 per hour. They hire ten consultants per store, five full-time and five part-time.

The retailer offers a three-week training program for entry level consultants. In addition, most stores offer tie-ins with providers of other wedding services, such as invitations, music, flowers and photographers.

Independent Wedding Consultants:
The following is a list of wedding planners, coordinators and consulting services in the Los Angeles County area that you could contact:
Five Star Weddings and Events
28175 La Gallina
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 360-7503
www.fivestarweddings.com
Contact: Laurie Davies
Serves as a professional wedding coordinator for both Los Angeles and Orange County.
24 Karat Gold
441 E. San Jose Ave.
Burbank, California 91501
(818) 843- 2642
www.24karatgoldweddings.com
Contact: Patty Andersen
Alpha & Omega Wedding Coordinators
28376 Via Alfonse
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 643-8322
www.wedstar.com/alpha&omega
Contact: Ja'nice Beckham
Provides wedding coordination and consultations in both Orange and Los Angeles County.

Professional Associations:
International Special Events Society, Los Angeles (ISES-LA)
ISES Los Angeles
2292 Calle Riscoso
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
Tel (310) 732-2222
Fax (805) 529-1916
(805) 529-1165-Debbie Hawkins
ISES is geared more toward charitable organization event planners. ISES provides certification, networking opportunities, continuing education, access to an onlince career link, and receipt of a special events magazine, and a job. Annual membership dues range from $174 to $324, plus a $50 application fee, depending on type of employer.
Association of Bridal Consultants
200 Chestnutland Road
New Milford, CT 06776-2521
(860) 355-0464
Fax: (860) 354-1404
www.bridalassn.com
Contact: Jean Picard, California Coordinator, email: jean4weds@aol.com
Contact: Holly LaFevre, Director, Southern California
California Chapter (310) 552-3245
Fax (310) 247-9933
The association is composed of independent consultants as well as owners and employees of wedding-related business. There are approximately 150 members in the Los Angeles area. Most consultants work full-time and 80% are self-employed.

The association publishes a newsletter every two months, a semi-annual membership directory and a retail resource directory (three times per year). They hold national and local educational seminars. According to their brochure, in addition to educational programs, the association arranges for apprenticeships for members, make referrals, and does co-op advertising with established members. The association offers a five-course home study professional development program, which leads to a professional designation as a wedding consultant.

The cost of membership is $140 per year for "novices," or entry level consultants and $215 for established consultants.

— • —  
Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.

You may e-mail questions to swmcareer@aol.com.