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How to Become a Wedding Planner, According to Guerdy Abraira

By Esther Lee

Ask any wedding pro if they know Guerdy Abraira, and most will respond yes. The Miami-based event planner and designer—and cover star of The Knot Celebrations Issue—has made a name for herself within our business for successfully operating her namesake luxury South Florida-based firm, Guerdy Design.

But like so many industry professionals, she also had to start somewhere. In her cover story interview with The Knot Deputy Editor Esther Lee, Abraira shared her best tips and advice for how to become a wedding planner, among other industry reflections. 

Where It All Started: Guerdy Abraira’s Journey to Success 

Long before the Bravo personality ushered cameras into her home, Abraira had already established herself as a supremely competent, top event planner with a concentrated client market in South Florida. 

Haitian-born, Paris and Miami-raised Abraira attributes much of her childhood and family values to getting her where she is today. One of seven children, Abraira was surrounded by siblings who defied the odds of immigrating to the US and rising to success. Quite impressive and worldly herself, Abraira is multilingual with a fluency in English, French and Spanish. She clearly has a bold eye for aesthetics and knows how to command a room. She could have sought any profession, but her story is one that is likely familiar to much of the wedding business: it wasn’t accidental that she landed in events, but a progression of fateful twists. 

Fundraising: that’s where Abraira got her start within the alumni relations office of her alma mater, St. Thomas University in Miami. The job required grit and outreach–she discovered she was able to meticulously place centerpieces and linens, but her forte was far from asking donors for money. 

She then pivoted to become a catering manager at a local hotel, where she learned the operations and management side of the business. For those aspiring to be an event planner, this is one of the key skills to refine if you’re wondering how to be a wedding planner. All successful business owners should know how to balance sheets, or at least outsource that skill set, and lead a team. 

Abraira’s talent was seen and she was eventually recruited to run events on Fisher Island, an exclusive community known for its concentration of wealth. (Fun fact: Fisher Island is the most expensive zip code in the country.) “I saw a dolphin jump up when I was on the ferry to the interview, and I said, ‘Yep, this is going to be my place of employment,'” she told The Knot in her cover story. 

When a flower shop on the island went up for sale, Abraira decided this was the next calling in her career–as the owner. She bought it and launched a namesake business of her own with an in-house studio and design firm. “That’s how I became the party planner,” she said. 

Guerdy’s Secrets Revealed: How to Become a Wedding Planner 

Should anyone refer to Abraira as an overnight success, we now can acknowledge it’s a lie. Based on her career story, Abraira’s ascent to the top took ambition and hard work. It took years of experience for her to build the expertise, and more time and experience for her to launch a top planning company. Her ability to operate a team and work with amazing clients came as she displayed her chops and bold ideas. 

“It was 100 percent word of mouth,” she said of how she became a successful wedding planner. “People would say, ‘You have to call Guerdy. She’s fabulous…Mind you, this was before Instagram. They’d book me, sight unseen, and then they’d arrive and be shocked and say, ‘You’re Guerdy?'” 

Another way event pros can grow their skills in their journey toward how to become a wedding planner is through education and certifications, coupled with execution and real-life practice, of course. 

Ultimately, success is more mindset than luck. Coupled with opportunities, it’s up to the individual to develop their skills, build a strong portfolio, and develop their relationships within the industry. Networking, in fact, is one of the most powerful skills you can develop if you’re wondering how to become a wedding planner. You’ll have to show your work, but you’re only as good as your team and connections. 

If you’re wondering how to become a wedding planner but have yet to even scratch the surface and feel a calling to the industry, start by interning or assisting other top event professionals. It is critical that you get your name out there via networks, which is why WeddingPro could be a helpful resource along the way. 

Guerdy’s Tips for Aspiring Wedding Planners

Want to know how to become a wedding planner? Successful wedding planners demonstrate excellence in both their work and client relationships, setting a high standard. On her storefront on The Knot, Abraira maintains a 5.0 rating. You can also read through accolades from past clients. As she mentioned, word of mouth goes a long way if you have high hopes for how to become a wedding planner. But again, it’s also an inward process and one of consistency and integrity. 

Staying Motivated and Inspired

Abraira is such an inspiration that even her inner circle takes note. Abraira has, in fact, planned a few events for her fellow Bravolebrities, including Dr. Nicole Martin’s baby shower.
”What you see is what you get with Guerdy, in all aspects of her life,” said Martin. “She doesn’t do anything at less than 100 percent. She is passionate about her events to the last detail, as well as meticulous, well-organized, detailed and innovative.” 

If you find yourself discouraged, look for avenues to stay inspired and grow in the business. Every business comes with its own set of highs and lows, which leads us to our next point.

Overcoming Challenges

Perhaps the greatest career challenge that Abraira faced actually had more to do with her health than anything else. In 2023, the reality personality battled breast cancer and let the Bravo cameras in. She acknowledges that she was burnt out from years of nonstop churn in the industry. It’s vital that you take care of yourself first. “I also think it’s what got me sick,” she said.


Ultimately, her outlook in remission is one of increased clarity as an event pro. “It’s so easy to feel stuck,” she added. “In the weirdest way, my cancer journey helped me see clearly. The skies parted, and I saw my life across different spectrums.”

Final Words From Guerdy and Our Team

While it’s easy to compare clients, career milestones and revenue goals, the path for how to become a wedding planner is up to you to dictate. If you want to build rapport with your clients, start by gifting the latest issue of The Knot Magazine. In it, they’ll find a wealth of inspiration and advice, then they’ll come running to you after they read Jove Meyer’s column and Guerdy Abraira’s full cover story, on stands now. To see what’s next, follow Guerdy on social for more inspiration.