In recent years, a huge number of courses on how to become a wedding planner have popped up. Some are worthwhile, others far less so. If you’re thinking about pursuing this career, it’s essential to know how to distinguish between genuine training and mere marketing. Hi, I’m Ilenia Massara, and I work as a wedding planner and event director. Over the course of my career, I’ve seen interest in this field grow tremendously—and that’s a good thing. But I’ve also seen many courses pop up that promise quick and easy results without offering any real training. That’s why I want to share some red flags that can help you tell a legitimate course from one that probably isn’t.
1. When it is organized by “jack-of-all-trades agencies”
The first red flag is when a training agency offers courses on just about any topic. One day it’s courses for wedding planners, the next day social media managers, interior designers, food stylists, personal shoppers, and so on and so forth. This doesn’t automatically mean the course is subpar, but it often indicates that the main goal isn’t to train professionals but rather to sell courses. Quality training almost always comes from those who actually work in the field.
2. Just because something is expensive doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good (but if it’s too cheap, it probably isn’t)
Price isn’t always an indicator of quality. There are very expensive courses that offer superficial content, just as there are affordable courses that are well-structured. However, we need to be realistic: a serious training program requires time, experience, and preparation. If a course promises to teach you everything about the trade at a very low price, it probably can’t offer truly comprehensive training.
3. When the course title is “Become a Wedding Planner”
This is a classic. Becoming a wedding planner isn’t like getting a driver’s license or a certificate. It’s a complex profession that requires:
- organizational skills
- supplier management
- legal and contractual knowledge
- budget management
- hands-on experience
A course can help you get started, but it won’t automatically turn you into a professional wedding planner. So be wary of promises that sound too good to be true.
4. When the course is too short
Planning a wedding means managing:
- logistic
- event timing
- contracts
- suppliers
- decorations
- contingency management
It’s simply unrealistic to think you can learn all of this in just a few hours or over a weekend. A serious course should include both a theoretical component and a practical component, perhaps with exercises, simulations, or analyses of real-world cases.
5. When the teacher lacks real-world experience
One of the most important things to consider is who is teaching the course. Before enrolling, ask yourself:
- Did he/she really plan weddings?
- How long have you been working in this field?
- Do you have a verifiable portfolio?
- Do you have experience working with real clients?
Theory is useful, but this job is best learned by doing it.
6. Remember that a brand name isn’t always a guarantee of quality
People sometimes assume that a well-known brand automatically guarantees a quality course. That’s not always the case. A well-known brand can be a good sign, but what really matters is:
- the course syllabus
- the teachers’ experience
- the practical part
- the skills you’ll actually gain
In other words: always look beyond the name.
It happened to me too
This issue is particularly close to my heart because, unfortunately, I see so many courses being promoted with the sole aim of making money. A telling incident happened to me right here in Florence. I was contacted by a training agency that wanted to hire me to teach a course for wedding planners… less than a month before it was set to begin. The most surprising thing? They had no idea who I was. This means that the instructor was almost an afterthought: they just needed to fill the role to be able to sell the course. Obviously, I turned it down.
I fell for it too
I’ll admit it: when I first started out, I, too, took courses that didn’t turn out to be as useful as I’d hoped. This often happens when you’re new to an industry and don’t yet have the tools to properly assess the quality of the training. That’s exactly why I think it’s important to talk about it openly.
So which courses are actually worth taking?
Without naming names, in my opinion, a good course should:
- provide practical content, not just theory
- teach skills that aren’t easily found online
- include hands-on exercises
- be conducted by professionals with real-world experience
Training should add value; it shouldn’t just repeat concepts that are already available for free online or in books.
Let’s stay in touch
If you’re also thinking about getting into the events or wedding planning industry, I hope these tips will help you find your way. And now I’m curious to hear about your experience. Have you ever taken a course that disappointed you? Or one that really helped you along the way?
don't happen by chance:
they have to be planned.
