Wanting to Become a Wedding Planner, looking for internships to help my get a feel for the Business

Im attending College in Texas. Im 19 years old. I have thought about becoming a Wedding Planner and looking for avenues to get me started. What has really interested me is getting an internship from a Professional Wedding Planner. Iv contacted Planners near me, and where i would like to move eventually which is Colorado, and none of them have contacted me back. Im not sure if i handled it the wrong way or if they just dont want to help me?? So im looking for any Professional Wedding Planners who would simply help me to understand the Business and get some experience (even shadowing a Professional Planner would be amazing as well). Although I would love also an internship during the summer sometime, I can travel out of state to accomplish that if needed. Just would love any help that is given!! Its much appreciated!!

Are you looking to start your own business or just gain some experience? Most planners don't want to take those on board who are thinking of starting their own business in the same area...its the competition I guess.

Well yes I plan to start my own business someday. But really I would love an internship somewhere I wont live (like go stay for a summer somewhere and shadow them through their weddings/events that summer),to gain experience and learn all i can, like someone to look up to, if you understand that. Iv realized that they think Im competition here in my College Town, Iv asked Wedding Planners if I could shadow them during weekends or anything for me to learn more, needless to say they didnt give me the time of day. But I plan to move to Colorado in the future to start my Business. Any help you could give me would be great. Im assuming your a Wedding Planner yourself??

Yes I am and I'll see what I can do especially since things have been very busy for me. But email me at SimplyUnique021@hotmail.com and we'll chat or you can ask me your questions.

People always want to become an intern, and it almost never happens. Applicants somehow expect that a wedding planner will want to take them on. But wedding planners are usually sole practitioners, with a well developed sense of self-preservation. If they have an assistant, it'll be someone with no aspirations to be a competitor.

So if you want to be a wedding planner, you'll have to take the plunge. And if you can't get to be an intern, extend your knowledge by taking a course, such as this one:
www.inst.org/wedding-planner-courses/become.htm

Mary P. in Erie, Pennsylvania said: Are you looking to start your own business or just gain some experience? Most planners don't want to take those on board who are thinking of starting their own business in the same area...its the competition I guess.

It is difficult to get an internship. As an experienced planner, I get up to twenty inquiries per week for internships and jobs. We haven't had an opening in more than two years and aren't able to take on interns. Most planners operate by themselves and don't have enough tasks to take on an intern.

You can check out www.plannerslounge.com for a ton of valuable information and advice on becoming a planner.

DebbieO in Arvada, Colorado said: It is difficult to get an internship. As an experienced planner, I get up to twenty inquiries per week for internships and jobs. We haven't had an opening in more than two years and aren't able to take on interns. Most planners operate by themselves and don't have enough tasks to take on an intern.

You can check out www.plannerslounge.com for a ton of valuable information and advice on becoming a planner.

Hi Debbie,
I am a student attending college at Johnson and Wales University in Denver, CO. I am majoring in sports/event/entertainment management and very close to graduating I am also looking for opportunities and jobs this summer to gain experience. Do you have any suggestions?

Hi! Here are some tips to get an internship:

Join the International Special Event Society as a student (ISESDenver.com) and start coming to meetings so you can get to know people in our industry and make connections. There are local ISES chapters all over the world.

Work for a catering company as banquet event staff. This is the quickest way to get experience in the industry and to start learning vendors, venues and logistics.

There are more tips on www.plannerslounge.com. I also teach classes that offer in-depth advice and tips. You can email me for more details if you are interested.