Choosing a Certification Course

While attending weddings as a guest and offering to help your friends or family members plan their big day will gain you some valuable experience, there's nothing like real world experience.

The problem is that many brides won't hire wedding planners that haven't had a proven track record of well-planned weddings & events. The best thing a new wedding planner can do is take a Wedding Planner Course to gain important industry knowledge and credentials which you can use in your portfolio to show that you are qualified to plan weddings.

There is no formal training or licensing that is necessary to become a wedding planner. It does make sense however that you should study, research, and train from professionals who have "been there & done that". It seems that there are endless options for home study courses, on-campus classes, and even training seminars that offer exceptional training for new wedding planners. If you are wondering which course is the best choice, the decision is ultimately going to depend on what type of learning suits you the best.

Here's some tips for selecting a Wedding Planning Certification Course:

1. Choose the method of learning- Do you currently have a full time job and only want to work on course work on the evenings and weekends? If so, you should choose a home study course which will allow you to download the lesson files to read on your own computer, no on-campus classes or seminars necessary.  All of the lessons can be read on your own time, whenever you are free, and the assignments and exams can be submitted via e-mail or through a student center. This method is great for individuals who want to independently work on a course, have personal attention from your trainer, and want to work around an already busy schedule.  The downfall to this is you will typically not have face-to-face interaction with your trainer as everything is done digitally. If this situation suits your needs, my recommendation is the Online Wedding Planning Course for The Institute of Certified Wedding Planning Specialists.
   
   Do you prefer to complete the course in just a few days and would like a learning atmosphere that involves discussions and face-to-face interactions? If so, you might be interested in a Wedding Planning Seminar. Most seminars run 2-5 days and can be completed over the course of one week or two weekends. These are great for people who have the ability to spend all day at a seminar for a few days straight to dedicate to learning the tricks of the trade and all there is to know about the wedding industry. The downfall to this is that it's a lot of information to handle in a very short time period and you must complete the course and work in the time frame allotted. If you feel this is the best situation for you, check out Training Course Seminars offered by The Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants.
   
   Do you like a classroom setting where you learn directly from a professor in a college-like atmosphere? If this type of setting and group projects along with student-teacher discussions are appealing to you, you should consider a wedding planning course that is offered by a local college, university, or institute. With this type of learning, you'll get hands on experience and get to participate in discussions and group projects. With a classroom setting, you'll be able to get all of your questions answered immediately and get direct feedback from your professor face-to-face. The downside to this is that it is often quite expensive compared to the other methods and can take months to complete the course. You will also need to be able to travel to and attend classes according to the school's schedule which may conflict with work or family activities for some individuals. If you feel this is the best learning option for you, check with your local community college or institute to find out if the offer a wedding or event planning course.
2. Decide what you are willing to pay for a course. Home study courses are by far the most affordable simply because they require no overhead like the renting of space, the supplies and materials, and travel & expenses for trainers and professionals. Wedding Planning Home Study Courses can start around $400-$500 and can range upwards of $1200 depending on the course. Almost every home study course will offer you the same course material in regards to the wedding planning process, wedding etiquette, traditions and customs, and starting a business. The difference will depend on what other benefits are offered with the course. A good course will offer a consulting service to help new wedding planners if they have questions, along with member promotion, and extended learning assistance in the form of something like a newsletter or blog. You should look for a course that is interested in helping you out beyond just the scope of the lessons themselves.
   
   Seminars will typically cost a few hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on the association holding the event. You will be provided with all of the course material but will most likely need to pay for travel costs and other travel-related expenses unless you find a seminar in your home town or city.
   
   College courses will cost a few thousand dollars for tuition but will gain you real hands-on experience and even sometimes internships that will help you build your portfolio when you have no weddings under your belt. Most courses are also accredited which means you can transfer the credits to other schools should you want to continue on with your education.
3. Go with what feels right. You may be on the search for many weeks when choosing which Certification course to take and that's OK. Don't buy the first on you see, always make sure to check at least 3 to 4 different course selections so you can get a feel for what will work for you. If you have questions, make sure to ask first BEFORE you purchase a course so you don't end up with buyer's remorse. A good organization will be happy to answer any inquiries and even offer recommendations from former students if necessary.