How to Become a Wedding Planner in Virginia (2026)
Virginia employs about 4,230 wedding planners earning a median $60,930 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Wedding Planner here means completing a short wedding-planning course or certificate plus a portfolio; most states do not license wedding planners.
Compare Wedding Planner Schools in Virginia
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Butler County Community College | 54.4 | $5,910 in-state / $12,000 out-of-state | $45,728 | 37% | Yes* | 254 mi |
| 2 | Allegany College of Maryland | 53.1 | $4,938 in-state / $12,618 out-of-state | $47,031 | 40% | Yes* | 164 mi |
| 3 | Howard Community College | 51.0 | $4,080 in-state / $9,624 out-of-state | $57,920 | 24% | Yes* | 166 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
Virginia employs approximately 4,230 wedding planners according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,930 1. Nationally, wedding planner employment is projected to grow 4.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 15,500 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Wedding Planner in Virginia, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: short wedding-planning course or on-the-job training (find programs)
- Typical timeline: a short wedding-planning course or certificate plus a portfolio; most states do not license wedding planners
- Median wage (Virginia): $60,930 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Wedding Planner in Virginia
How to become a Wedding Planner in Virginia? Complete a short wedding-planning course or certificate plus a portfolio; most states do not license wedding planners. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.
How long does it take? Most people finish a short wedding-planning course or certificate plus a portfolio; most states do not license wedding planners. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.
Do I need a license in Virginia? Licensing varies. See the licensing section below for the Virginia path.
What do wedding planners earn in Virginia? The median annual wage for wedding planners in Virginia is $60,930 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $40,140 and experienced professionals can earn $102,280 or more 1.
How to Become a Wedding Planner in Virginia
- Complete a short course or train on the job. Finish a wedding-planning certificate or learn with a planner. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
- Build a portfolio. Document events, vendor coordination, and client work. Optional industry certificates can help hiring.
- Most states do not license this role. Do not apply to a licensing board. Confirm local business-permit rules with the city, not an occupational board.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.
Wedding Planner License Requirements in Virginia
Most states do not license wedding planners. The path is a short course, on-the-job training, and a portfolio, not a licensing board.
Typical path
Complete a short course or OJT.
Build a portfolio.
Do not apply to a licensing board for this role.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.
Wedding Planner Wages by Metro Area in Virginia
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners Wages by Metro Area in Virginia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), meeting, convention, and event planners wages in Virginia vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 5,140 | $75,450 | $78,620 | $48,580 | $119,250 |
| Richmond | 690 | $52,920 | $58,490 | $42,080 | $85,640 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 600 | $53,820 | $56,180 | $33,630 | $80,690 |
| Charlottesville | 210 | $62,280 | $69,680 | $39,430 | $107,310 |
| Harrisonburg | 80 | $50,970 | $58,850 | $40,020 | $82,800 |
| Lynchburg | 70 | $45,890 | $51,930 | $33,630 | $77,250 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 60 | $47,380 | $50,270 | $36,120 | $68,590 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford | 60 | $50,930 | $56,590 | $40,970 | $82,370 |
| Winchester | 50 | $44,960 | $51,880 | $35,750 | $74,090 |
| Roanoke | N/A | $51,450 | $55,630 | $36,190 | $77,850 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for wedding planners in Virginia? Virginia currently employs approximately 4,230 wedding planners 1. Nationally, wedding planner employment is projected to grow 4.8% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Virginia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Virginia.
How much do wedding planners earn in Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for wedding planners in Virginia is $60,930, which is $1,490 above the national median of $59,440 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |