High School

To be a wedding consultant, you have to know about more than wedding traditions and etiquette. Above all, wedding consulting is a business, so take courses in accounting and business management. Wedding and party consultants are expected to stay well within their client's budget, so they need to be able to balance a checkbook and work with figures. A sense of style is also very important in advising a bride on colors, flowers, and decorations—take courses in art and design. A home economics course may offer lessons in floral arrangement, menu planning, fashion, tailoring, and other subjects of use to a wedding planner.

Gain leadership and planning experience by participating in a school organization. Join prom and homecoming committees, and various school fund-raising events. You will develop budgeting skills while also learning about booking bands, photographers, videographers, and other vendors.

Postsecondary Training

A good liberal arts education can be valuable to a wedding and party consultant, but may not be necessary. Community college courses in small business operation can help you learn about marketing and bookkeeping. Some colleges offer courses in event planning. Courses in art and floral design are valuable, and be sure to take computer courses to learn how to use databases and graphic design programs.

The best experience is gained by actually planning weddings and parties, which may not happen until after you've received some referrals from a professional organization. Various professional organizations, such as the Association of Bridal Consultants and the Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants, offer home study programs, conferences, and seminars for wedding consultants. Speak to representatives of the organizations to learn more about their programs, and to determine which one would be best for you.

Certification or Licensing

Certification isn't required to work as a consultant but it can help build business quickly. Brides often contact professional associations directly, and the associations refer the brides to certified consultants in their area. The American Association of Certified Wedding Planners, Association of Bridal Consultants, Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants, and Weddings Beautiful Worldwide provide voluntary certification to wedding consultants.

Previous experience as an event planner, caterer, or in another position that involves organizational and planning acumen is highly recommended for aspiring wedding and party consultants. 

Good people skills are very important—much of the consultant's success depends on their relationships with vendors, musicians, and others they hire for weddings and parties. Good word-of-mouth from previous clients also improves their business. Wedding and party consultants should be good at helping people make decisions; moving clients in the right direction is an important part of the job. Patience is necessary, as consultants need to create a stress-free environment for the bride or party host. Other important traits include good organizational skills, creativity, and an interest in helping others.