This month on the Wedding Academy Live blog we are focussing on gaining experience in the wedding industry. Many of you ask us how you can gain hands-on real wedding experience when you are just starting out. The tips in this blog post will help you do just that.
With wedding season set to kick off in the Northern Hemisphere next month now is the perfect time to reach out to that wedding pro you admire or wedding venue you’d love to work at. Follow these tips for landing your first work experience role;
1. Firstly put together a great resume and covering letter
This seems obvious but it really so important. You want your resume to stand out. The wedding industry is full of talented and creative people so I think it’s great to add your own style and personal touch to your resume. Make it unique! You should also make sure your cover letter is relevant and specific to the job and company you are applying to. You really need your resume to showcase your experience and skills that would be needed for a career in the wedding industry. You want employers to be able to see you’ve put time and effort into your application even if they don’t currently have any opportunities available.
2. Research
It is key to research the businesses that you are applying to. Make sure you actually like their style of work and are genuinely interested in learning more about the services they offer. I know everyone needs to start somewhere but it will help you out by working for a business with a style similar to your own. It also shows the business that you’ve done a bit of research and know what they’re all about. Tell them in your cover letter why you especially want to work for their business and why you feel like you’d be a good fit for them.
3. Complete some study
If you’re not already enrolled in a course then definitely consider completing a relevant course in the industry. It definitely shows employers that you are serious about pursuing a career in the industry. Completing a course will help you gain the knowledge you need to get started as a wedding planner and/or stylist. I started out initially in this industry by completing one of the Academy’s courses before I had any experience or knowledge of wedding planning or styling. The course helped me in so many different ways and I’m so glad I had that as a starting point.
4. Gain as much experience as you can
Whether it’s just helping out a friend with their engagement party styling or planning a friends wedding, every little bit of experience helps. Or even consider planning your own events – it’s a great way to be able to portray your individual style and plan something you love. If you are going to do this make sure to get some professional photos to use of your work. Creating a portfolio is a great way to showcase your style and skills to a potential employer.
5. Don’t give up
I know from experience it’s not always easy! You just have to think of any rejection as a learning opportunity and keep pursuing your dream. In my experience, everyone always seems to give up right when they are on the verge of a breakthrough. Keep that in mind for your motivation. I use to expect that no one would reply to my emails when I was looking for work experience. Everyone has to start somewhere so stay motivated. It’s going to take time and hard work to get started. If you’re truly passionate about working in the wedding industry you will eventually find the right opportunity for you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Former Creative Director and named one of Australia’s Top 25 Wedding Stylists, Lisa Macale is an integral member of our Academy Tutor team. Lisa is passionate about mentoring students as they make the transition from student to successful business owner. She now also offers wedding business coaching via www.lisamacale.com
