I would like to become an event planner, I know I will need to take the classes and all but does anyone have some suggestion on how to start this. \n\nI have good people skills, I'm very organized and a good public speaker also. I would like to do office meetings, parties, and weddings. \n\nAny information would help! \n\nThanks!
211398
As a former event planner myself, I can offer some practical advice.\n\nYou COULD take classes, but what will be much more valuable is real-life experience.  You need to get hired by someone who is already doing what you want to be doing.  I would recommend Walt Disney World or Disneyland.  They are constantly looking for conventions/special events sales managers (which is their term for "event planner").  What's really cool about working for Disney is that you don't have to go out and find your own clients...you get leads from people that call Disney wanting to have their event there.\n\nOnce you've gained some experience with Disney, you might decide to go off on your own, or you might decide you want to try to advance within the company.\n\nThere are also many other companies that do this, but I'm biased towards Disney because that's the career path I chose.\n\nGood luck!
189275
get on a site like aff.  you can look around, chat with other like-minded people, and the result will be that it gives you both a lot to think and talk about.  which should lead you in making a decision.  sometimes, it's not the doing but rather the thinking about it that's so much fun.  but whether you go forward or not, this will be a good place to start.
560429
I have so functioned for many formal programs.  The way to begin is to take the first step of writing down what you believe are the important points to be covered, organizations to be represented, people to be honored and so forth.  Take it one step at a time.  One suggestion for you would be to look up what was done in some of the previous years on special occasions for your city.  That can give you a goldmine of information and a battle plan, as it were.
106116
Think of anything and everything that can go wrong and anything and everything that people might be bothered by and address those issues.  Always have a contingency plan (like if it rains, like if somthing is not in stock...)  Make a list of everything that has to be done...start planning way before the event.
280848
You might try IOSCAR.  It asks questions and suggests occupations that you would be interested in.  "Wedding planner" may not be on the list, but if that is what you really want to do, the suggestions should be close to that and will give you an idea of what kind of training or college degee would be helpful to you.\n\nhttp://www.ioscar.org/tx/ip/ipinstruct.asp
33265
Google "professional organizer" and you'll get lots of links to people who do it (whom you can ask for advice) as well as the professional societies (of which there are some).
401088
It's absolutely possible to plan a wedding in 10 months.  I planned mine in 11 months from across the continent!  We invited around 150 people.  Make sure you look into a photographer 1st and then book the reception site and church.  Since you're having an October wedding, you should be fine with availability.  Ours is in Jan, and we've found that most vendors (florists, caterers, etc...) aren't booked up in the "off-season" like they would be April-September.  Websites like www.wedding channel.com and www.theknot.com are very helpful in planning and budgeting.  Good luck and have fun!!
376369
I would need to know where you are located before I can suggest who you can contact. If you want, you can contact me so I can point you in the right direction.\n\nAnd good job at keeping a journal!!! That is exactly what I tell most of my clients to do. Once you have found someone to discuss this with, the journal will come in quite handy so you can recall all of the events.
594599
Get a coordinator local to the area you are getting married in to help.  Typicall the Day Of Packages include final vendors confirmations, which it sounds like you need for some piece of mind, as well as coordination of your rehearsal and running the day of your wedding to ensure things are running in a timely manner and nothing is overlooked.  \n\nMy company covers all of Southern California and that is what is included in our package and if it isnt offered you should be able to customize a package with a coordinator that includes what you do need help with.  Good luck!
347077
Why don't you have a theme party.  You can do a casino, beach party, look a likes, etc....  Have a wonderful birthday whatever you decide.
47766
Toastmasters - http://www.toastmasters.org/\n\nI heard about them for years, and often would people reccommend them to me. I had lots of excuses: \n"I'm an instructor! I talk in front of people all day!" \n"I am too tired when I get off work to add something else" \n"I took Speech class in school"\n\nWhen I finally got around to going I was amazed - it worked! A few tips -\n* Try different clubs as a visitor until you find one that fits. Each club is run by the members - which means that each club is a little different.\n* Once you join, make a committment to stay at least long enough to finish the first book. It will help you work through the rough spots. Because Toasmasters is ongoing, there is no "end" like there would be with a class.\n* Toastmasters really helps you work through your specific issues whatever they are. The variety in my club is not unusual: IT guys, non-native speakers, trainer/instructors, retired, unemployed, FT employed, student...etc. Everyone starts from thier own place.\n\nGood luck!
666554
It is a huge job and there is a ton of money in the industry.  The average wedding now runs $20,000.  It also isn't all glamour and fun.  A degree in business administration would be a good place to start.  More important would be that you get internships, whether paid or not to learn about the business.  Spend a summer with a florist, a caterer, a rental company.  Get to know every aspect of the business...and make connections.  Your connesctions will make you or break you before your specific degree will.
535580
WOW!  You are taking on a monster BIG job.\n\nI did several years of carnivals or as they call them now festivals for my children's elementary school. \n\nThis is the beginning of November, you can't be talking about for this fall? Can You??  If so I would say one most likely could not be pulled together in such a short time.\n\nYou have to arrange with game suppliers to rent the games. (This requires several months in advance) Also drink wagons from Pepsi or Coke have to be scheduled way in advance.\n\nYou need to pull together committees for games, food, booths, drawings, bake sale, country store from food collections, a yard sale booth from donations.. etc.  Don't forget advance advertising and publicity.\n\nI don't think I can give you an answer long enough to cover all that has to be done.\n\nIf you started now you could be ready for a spring Festival.  But maybe I'm thinking bigger than your wanting to plan.  I certainly wish I had all of my old notes.\n\nLook hard for Parents with good contacts (example my granddaughters school have parents that own a chic fila (sp) so they provide food to sell) or past experience for resources.   Good Luck.
214382
We sent our A list 3 months before and told them they have to rsvp a month later.  Then after a month and a few days (because some forgot they needed to rsvp on time), we sent out our B list.  So far it went well and everyone is coming and not canceling at the last second.  Also all the seats we wanted filled are filled.\n\nAlso I've gotten save the date from other people who wanted to pre-announce.  They sent those out to us 6 months to 9 months ahead and then later sent us the actual invite.\n\nIf you do not want people to go make sure to tell them its a small intimate wedding, and I would keep it to family and really close friends only.  If your not sticking to that then its advised to throw a wedding where it is hard for everyone to go, such as another state, island, 200miles away, etc and still invite everyone.
545370
I think a day of consultant is better then just a wedding consultant.  I really helps with all of the day of worries.  Have you tried joining theknot.com.  It is a great resource for finding everything you need for your wedding.  I own an online wedding boutique and would rather help my clients in any way possible to find that item then them have to hire a wedding consultant.  But if you do know one, as on theknot.com under your city and I am sure someone could help!  Makes life so much easier for the brides.  Let me know if you have any specific questions or something you are looking for...I am sure I can help!
541463
I am using the Knot Wedding Planner. The ideas are good and it has great checklists. I like it a lot, but you may have to supplement it with a three ring binder with pockets as it doesn't have pockets. Congratulations on your engagement!
66003
A good starting place is picking the general location, like what country, or what city/state.  You'll want to look at the marriage requirements for the country or state to see what is involved.  Also, decide if the wedding is just the 2 of you or do you intend to invite family/friends.  And pick a date range.  \n\nOnce you have the general info, you can do web searches for good hotels, resorts, etc, that offer destination wedding packages.  Many resorts like Sandals, Beaches, and Palace will offer packages that include a free wedding.  But it can be easier to be married in the US sometimes.\n\nOnce you pick the location, they'll have a wedding coordinator or catering manager who will help you arrange other vendors like photographer, officiant, musicians, etc.\n\nCongrats and have fun planning!