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How do I Become a Party Planner?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

The party planning industry is a fairly easy business to enter. An individual who wants to become a party planner can begin without attending college, seeking any type of certification, or even securing any specific training. Often, all that is required is organization, planning, and marketing skills as well as a love of fun parties and events.

While there isn’t a specific training or educational path for becoming a party planner, some individuals may benefit from seeking training. An aspiring party planner may attend event planning seminars or training courses in marketing. Some may even volunteer to work for other event planners in order to learn the business. There are also many books intended to help new party planners get started.

A party planner may need to work with disc jockeys.
A party planner may need to work with disc jockeys.

One of the most important steps for an individual who wants to become a party planner may be deciding which types of parties he wants to organize. For example, he may want to focus on birthday and anniversary parties and other types of celebrations for individuals. Alternatively, he may prefer to concentrate on parties and special events for businesses and organizations. While some people may decide to organize all types of parties, many find it easier to establish themselves by focusing on one party category.

Party planners may work with local casinos to create party packages and discounts.
Party planners may work with local casinos to create party packages and discounts.

Another critical step for a person who plans to become a party planner is often creating a business plan. This includes determining what the business' start-up costs will be and how much money the new party planner will need to keep it running until it becomes profitable. The business plan should also include details about marketing, and it may even include plans for eventual expansion.

Party planners may cater food buffet-style.
Party planners may cater food buffet-style.

A prospective party planner will also have to deal with licensing and vendor selection. Though party planners don’t usually need licensing to plan parties, they may need licenses to operate a business or a special license to throw a particular kind of party. An individual may need a business license even if he plans to operate his business out of his own home. He’ll also need to find vendors and create a list of their contact information and ordering policies. For example, a party planner may need to work with caterers, musicians, disc jockeys, florists, and party supply stores, and having their ordering requirements handy can make party planning a smoother process.

Party planners usually provide entertainment services.
Party planners usually provide entertainment services.

Marketing is an important consideration for an individual who wants to become a party planner. He’ll need to determine the type of image he’d like to present to the public and create or buy marketing materials that reflect his vision. For example, he may create business cards, flyers, and brochures to let others know about his business. He may also create a Web site or place party planning ads in local newspapers.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a PracticalAdultInsights writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

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Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a PracticalAdultInsights writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon947465

Regardless what they are used to doing, they were paid for a job and they should have been professional and respectful. That was not the right answer the owner gave you and I hope she didn't charge you full price for the work the rude workers gave you. I hope the kids still had a great time and didn't let these adults who once were kids steal their joyful evening, God bless and pray for them.

dill1971

If thinking about going into the party planning business, you should very much consider what kind of parties you would like to do. We hired a professional party planning service for my daughter’s 10th birthday. They provided everything we needed but the staff was clearly not accustomed to working amongst children. They were snappy with the children and many of the parents complained about their rudeness.

After complaining to the supervisor, I found out that these particular people had never done a child’s party before. They were accustomed to doing anniversary parties and such.

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    • A party planner may need to work with disc jockeys.
      By: zhu difeng
      A party planner may need to work with disc jockeys.
    • Party planners may work with local casinos to create party packages and discounts.
      By: Vojtech Vlk
      Party planners may work with local casinos to create party packages and discounts.
    • Party planners may cater food buffet-style.
      By: Sébastien Maurer
      Party planners may cater food buffet-style.
    • Party planners usually provide entertainment services.
      By: pressmaster
      Party planners usually provide entertainment services.
    • Party planners may work with area restaurants.
      By: oksix
      Party planners may work with area restaurants.
    • Some party planners specialize in birthday parties and other events for children.
      By: Petro Feketa
      Some party planners specialize in birthday parties and other events for children.
    • Party planners might be able to schedule activities such as paintball games for guests.
      By: Daniel MR
      Party planners might be able to schedule activities such as paintball games for guests.
    • The wedding industry has demand for established and experienced party planners.
      By: Kzenon
      The wedding industry has demand for established and experienced party planners.