Want to build your career as a wedding planner
From canopy seating embellished with fairy lights and playful floral arrangements to seaplane entries and floating baraat, the upholstery of the modern-day Indian wedding has been completely revamped as a result of digital innovation and the social media boom. A healthy mix of new and old, the wedding industry has broken free from age-old norms, paving the way for a more personalized wedding experience. In the age of #DeepVeer and #Nickyanka, the infamous wedding hashtag trend has become a milestone in wedding planning if not one of the first few things newly engaged couples cross off their to-do list. It behaves as a constantly updated and exclusive portal with photos or video highlights, allowing everyone in attendance to share their point of view and best moments. It also gives the ones away glimpses of the celebration. This personalized touch breathes a life of its own with the #BrideWedsGroom being integrated into the wedding décor, invitation cards, photo ops, and so on. This encourages the invitees to mindfully post using this hashtag through the course of what typically is a three-day event
What Is A Wedding Hashtag?
The definition of successful wedding planning has evolved to incorporate various elements showcasing the couple’s story through aesthetics and design. With unlimited access to inspiration from digital platforms; the planning and execution of weddings are now a different ball game. Soft pastels as alternatives to the traditional bridal lehengas, personalized vows in addition to the Saath Pheras, and the snazzy entry of the Bride’s baraat transcend the former customs. Similarly, a good wedding hashtag does wonders for the couple. Think of a wedding hashtag like the good old pundit who presides over the saath pheras, the Gath Bandhan, the vidai, etc. A good wedding hashtag in a similar way presides over and covers all bases from Instagram to Facebook. It behaves as an Instagram framed portal or window into the lives of the newlyweds, taking the internet by storm with anticipation built by the razzmatazz. It also serves the purpose of a modern-day wedding album that can be revisited, shared, and re-shared with a single tap of the button. You know the bar has been raised when drones are swooping down and an appointed PR team is handling all the posting on D-Day.
Why Do You Need To Make Your Wedding Hashtag Unique?
Essentially putting the bride and the groom’s names together and tossing in a ‘marries’ or ‘loves’ in the center isn’t just exhausting, yet it likewise makes the task of finding your wedding photographs via social media that much harder. There may be different couples with similar names getting hitched, and you need just your wedding memories to show up when you click on your wedding hashtag.
How To Create A Catchy Wedding Hashtag?
Regardless of whether you join your names creatively, or simply include your wedding year, there are innumerous approaches to think of an exceptional hashtag that will belong exclusively to you and your future life partner.
- You Can Use Your Theme:
Take the example of Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu and her wedding to Karan Singh Grover. Their special and unique wedding hashtag was #MonkeyWedding and the theme ‘monkey’ appeared in a bunch of wedding essentials like the wedding cake. So basically one way to create a great hashtag is to choose an interesting theme and roll with it.
- Two States:
If your love story is similar to Ananya and Krish from the movie/book Two States then you have a very simple and creative way of creating your wedding hashtag- just merge your unique and different cultures and come up with a beautiful hashtag that embodies the union of two souls or states! For example, Krish and Ananya could have used #BalleTam which is also a pun because it sounds like Balle Time and that’s always good advice and a super fun hashtag.
- Make It Meaningful:
Indians have a unique edge when it comes to wedding hashtags. This is because our parents really slogged to give us meaningful names that have just the right amount of sanskar and now you can use that to your advantage and come up with a meaningful hashtag that is the perfect mix of sanskari and fun! You should definitely check if your names come together to form a beautiful hashtag like #ChiragKiJyoti or #NeBhav (from Neha and Vaibhav) which means to fulfill a promise.
4. Add A Desi Touch:
If your friends and family have already given you a “ship name” then it is time to use that creativity and turn it into an epic hashtag by adding a desi touch. Instead of using the overused weds or loves you can use Byaah or Shaadi! For example, #SuShiKaByaah (from Sushant and Shikha) is fun and very unique!
5. Create A Memorable Phrase:
With enough creativity, a little pop culture, or simple fondness for uniqueness You can bring together your names to form an unforgettable hashtag! The hashtag #Caramel was created using “Car” from the bride’s name Carryl and Mel from the groom’s name Melville. Another brilliant example is #ZorKushHua which was created from Zorawar and Kusha!
The narrative stitched together from “She said yes!” to tying the auspicious mangalsutra to gathering at the Godh Bharai (or baby shower) is one of the heartwarming celebrations. To imagine this timeline being capsuled by a single hashtag is one of the wonders of digital innovation. In fact, this innovation has tainted social media to the extent of sparking a massive demand for professionals to document and post the lives of the bride and groom. People are gravitating towards sharing stories and celebrating them! One that rejoices in the union of two individuals and their families. One that honors a lifetime of companionship with vibrant colors, fun & games. With over 700 million active users on Instagram worldwide, and more than a billion people checking Facebook daily, it’s not surprising that young people are integrating social media into their wedding planning. At the end of the day, whatever the statistics may read, one thing is for certain – #TheBigFatIndianWedding is a spirited celebration with grandeur & panache like no other.
Certification
A certification from a well-known institute adds the much-needed weight or value to your CV. The difference between a hobbyist wedding planner and a certified professional is huge. When you receive formal training, you learn the intricacies of the business. As a student, the internship that you undergo teaches you negotiations, marketing strategies, finding out about the ongoing trends, management of budget and preparing plan etc. You also learn about the different kinds of ceremonies, cultures as well as etiquettes. Your certificate is the proof that you are well aware of all such details already.
Gather Experience
Experience is extremely important in an industry like wedding planning, and hence it is highly recommended that you prefer a course that provides you on-site internships. But in case your institute did not provide you any field training, it is a must that you get some on your own. This would make you familiar with the field and will be hugely beneficial in putting this knowledge into your business. When you work as an intern, you learn about the various aspects and the professional environment a wedding planner works under, thus thoroughly preparing you to excel in this field.
Build An Impressive Portfolio
If you are just starting out, then you may not have a big portfolio, but it is always recommended that you get started with developing your own portfolio as soon as it is possible. Invest in a shoot with photographers, decorators, venue managers and vendors to give the clients an idea of your skills and assets. A portfolio is probably the best tool that can help you secure clients. Even if it costs you a bit of money at the start, go ahead with developing a strong portfolio.
Be Realistic
Being realistic doesn’t mean that you don’t dream big. Graduating from a renowned institute will surely give you a great platform to start your business, but do not get overwhelmed by the offers that you get or do not get. Remember, the first few steps are the most crucial. Be prepared that your phone will not start ringing right away. And keep in mind that you must be 100% prepared when you commit to a client. Be comfortable and confident about your wedding planning styles before you dive into the hectic environments.
Start When You Are Ready
For giving a launch pad to your business you need to pay attention to the various aspects of starting a business. You need to be sure of the administration, accounts and the marketing departments. Be prepared with your strategies and start advertising your services. Talk to your friends and acquaintances about your business. You never know, that the lady you met casually at the supermarket, is looking for a wedding planner.
The Bottom Line
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither would your Business. The key, however, is to be consistent in your efforts and work patiently. A career in wedding planning needs a life-long penchant for learning. Keep innovating and hang in there!
Good Luck! 
Though the onus of a well-organized wedding lies on you, the wedding planner, it does not mean that you can do this all alone. You have to be hand-in-glove with your team of people. A great wedding is a balance between delicious food, beautiful decor, enjoyable music, excellent photography and happy memories for life. As the captain of the ship, you have to ensure that every little detail is taken care of and nothing is missed.
If most of these traits come naturally to you, you will surely make a great wedding planner, but even you miss a few, do not sweat, time and patience will teach you everything. You simply to need to focus and be calm even in the most stressed situations. Frantic brides and stubborn vendors are going to be everyday issues. But having said that, no one can deny the love and passion involved in this profession. When you plan a wedding for someone, you become a part of their dream and in turn build lifelong associations. The satisfaction and appreciation you get from your clients can make all the hard work worthwhile. 
In an industry like wedding planning, every bit of experience helps in establishing a strong footing. Investing in a professional diploma could be a great way to garner the aforementioned experience. Vocational education always gives you the opportunity to understand the skills you need while allowing you to put these skills into practice while you study. If you get a chance to be involved in a live internship, jump at this opportunity. This will give you a first-hand experience of this industry. Once you are qualified, you will feel confident to apply your knowledge and capabilities and help you excel in this career.
Draw Up A Business Plan
When you start up your business, you need to have a well chalked-out plan. Depending on your city, its wedding culture makes a plan that suits the requirements of the locals the best. Put your ideas on to a computer and show your clients a peek of what you can offer.
Keep Innovating
With everyone wanting a different wedding, as a wedding planner you need to be very creative and make each wedding a memorable one. You will have to keep innovating and present new ideas and themes for every wedding you plan.
Invest In A Good Team
A wedding planner cannot function alone, you need to have a good liaison with different vendors who would be providing services. A successful wedding planner needs to have an excellent professional relationship with the florists, caterers, stylists, designers and decorators etc. To organize a smooth wedding, you will have to coordinate perfectly with everyone. Focus on building a team of experienced and passionate folks. A passionate team is always willing to go that extra mile to make a wedding successful.
Networking Is The Nature Of The Game
Whenever you plan a wedding, make sure you spend a lot of time meeting the guests, they are your next probable clients. Always be ready to meet potential customers with your own business cards and be generous in spending them around. If possible visit all wedding-fairs in and around your city and advertise your services. The biggest advertising, however, will be through your work. When you impress others with your work, rest assured work will come soon. Focus on building good relations with your client which is long lasting, thus leaving an impression on their minds.
Learning Through Every Event
Even when you have made your mark in the market unless you keep giving every client a wedding with a difference you might not be able to sustain your position. Remember, even though the wedding planning is an upcoming industry the competition is severe. Draw inspirations from your surroundings. Every wedding that you plan or attend should add to your learning and your experience. Attending different workshops and seminars related to weddings is a great idea to keep tickling your grey cell
Be Optimistic
When you begin your career, things might take off slower than what you had expected. Your telephone might not ring for the first few days, but don’t let yourself get disheartened. Take this as a time to think and come up with innovative ideas. Having a buoyant temper is a necessity in a career like this where there is a lot of seasonal influence.
The scope for a wedding planner in India is massive. With the right training and the right guidance, there is a lot that you can do in the wedding planning industry. And with over a million weddings in the country every year, this recession-proof business can take your career sky high! 
The chances of thriving in the wedding industry are very bright. You just need to be aware and analyze the trends and shifts in the wedding business. It has so many sub-divisions and department, and an expert wedding planner has to be a master in all. From the initial chalking out of the wedding plan with his client’s approval to planning the invites and gifts, the designing and the decor, management of destination wedding, hospitality, entertainment, photography etc. This is where your formal education helps you understand the technicalities of this industry. When the students attend sessions and workshops that educate them about the ways of the wedding industry, they also get hands-on experience of many such events.
If you have the educational background in wedding planning, it also helps you learn and master the tricks of the trade. Studying and learning about the wedding planning industry is one part of the formal education that a student receives, what is equally important is the actual training that he receives. It is the internship that the student undergoes which gives him a true picture of how exactly a wedding planner works. The practical training that the students receive helps them to get a better understanding of how things work in the wedding industry.
Most institutes offer an internship to their students. This is the best way to put your newfound skills to test. No matter how much you learn sitting in the classroom, it can never actually measure up to what you learn through your practical experiences. It is during the internship period that many of the students realize how difficult it can be to work under contest pressure of deadlines. The internship period will be a great learning for you and will give you many life-long lessons to remember. The result of your internship will also play a key role in your placement.
With the rise and rise of the wedding industry in India, many startups and event management companies are also trying their luck here. With creativity and new ideas being constantly in demand, the need for more and more young and dynamic wedding planners is on an all-time high. People today are becoming aware of the various options that they have, and it is not just the rich and famous who hire wedding planners. The middle-class families take up a reasonable share of the wedding planner’s schedule. Therefore, there is a rising demand for wedding planners who can organize weddings from a small and humble level to the grandest levels of all.
Thanks to this mammoth growth in the scale of the wedding industry in India, wedding too has become a big business and there is absolutely no doubt that a career in the wedding planning is rather hot and rewarding! According to the data submitted by the Association Of Bridal Consultants, the hiring of wedding planners has seen a gigantic rise from 7% in 2013 to 18% in 2017. With more than 2.5 million wedding a year, there is enough scope for young and talented Wedding Planners to explore the highest reaches in this business. If you too are an aspiring wedding planner, enrol yourself in a reputed Wedding Planning Institute and get geared up to Ace the world!