Best Wedding Planner: Get Certified And Start Planning!

Wedding planner certifications are a great way to demonstrate competency and boost your career prospects. While there are many certifications available, not all are equally valuable. The best certifications will give you an edge when applying for jobs and can increase your earning potential. The Certified Wedding and Event Planner (CWP) is considered the best certification by some, and is awarded by the Wedding Planning Institute. This certification does not require more than two years of work experience, and can be renewed every five years. Other well-known certifications include the Certified Master Wedding Planner and the Certified Wedding Planner (CWP), both offered by the American Association of Certified Wedding Planners (AACWP). Obtaining any of these certifications can help set you apart in the wedding planning industry.

Wedding planning certification requirements

The wedding planning certification industry is largely unregulated, meaning that many organisations offer certification without necessarily providing legitimate qualifications. However, there are some well-respected and legitimate courses that can help aspiring wedding planners to gain the skills and qualifications they need to succeed in the industry.

The American Association of Certified Wedding Planners (AACWP) is a professional organisation that offers unmatched initial training and continuing education programs throughout the year. The AACWP is a non-profit association governed by a board of eight elected wedding planners. It requires members to earn four hours of continuing education credits each year to maintain their certification status. To gain certification, the AACWP mandates the following:

• Successful completion of an approved educational program
• Proof of planning and directing three weddings over a two-year period
• Successful mentorship completion (two weddings with a certified wedding planner)
• Proof of business license, business telephone, and a marketing plan
• Proof of contracts with at least two national wedding suppliers
• Verification of wedding planning services from two brides and two wedding professionals within the past 12 months

The Wedding Planning Institute is another popular option, offering several certification options accredited by the US Government Department of Education. They offer three-to-four-month classroom courses at universities and colleges across the US, as well as online courses, self-study courses, and an exam-only option for experienced wedding planners. Their courses cover essential topics such as wedding etiquette, working with vendors, and negotiating with clients. The cost of their online course is $995-$1500, depending on the payment option.

Penn Foster Career School is another well-known and respected option for wedding planning certification. They have numerous accreditations and are approved by the Association of Bridal Consultants. Their online course costs $609-$799, and enrolment includes a six-month membership in the Association of Bridal Consultants.

WeddingsBeautifulWorldwide is another established player in the industry, offering certification since 1968. They offer two certification courses: Certified Wedding Specialist and Certified Wedding Planner. The former consists of 18 assignments covering the basic elements of wedding planning and costs $695 for US and Canada-based students. The latter is for experienced wedding planners and requires a minimum of two years of experience and ten completed weddings. This course costs $295 for US and Canada-based students.

The Sheffield School is a full-spectrum course provider, offering instruction in wedding and event planning, interior design, jewelry design, and Feng shui. Their wedding and event planning course costs $1,198 and consists of 20 assignments, six step-by-step study guides, six workbooks, two virtual internships, and more.

While certification is not strictly necessary to become a wedding planner, it is becoming more and more important in today's competitive atmosphere. Certification provides legitimacy and helps to attract clients, and it ensures that planners have the business skills and knowledge of wedding intricacies that they need to succeed in the industry.

Wedding planning certification providers

The wedding planning certification industry is largely unregulated, meaning there are many businesses that promise a path to becoming an independent wedding planner. However, it is important to ensure that you are obtaining your certification from a legitimate source.

The American Association of Certified Wedding Planners (AACWP) is a professional organisation that offers unmatched initial training and continuing education programs for aspiring wedding planners. The AACWP is governed by a board of eight elected wedding planners and requires members to earn four hours of continuing education credits each year to maintain their certification.

The Wedding Planning Institute (TWPI) is another well-known certification provider, offering several options for aspiring wedding planners. TWPI is accredited by the US Government Department of Education and offers classroom courses, online courses, self-study options, and an exam-only route. Their classroom courses include assistance with obtaining internships, which can be a great way to build your portfolio and gain referrals.

Penn Foster Career School is a popular choice for wedding planning certification, with numerous accreditations and approval from the Association of Bridal Consultants. Their online course costs between $609 and $799, depending on the payment option chosen, and includes a six-month membership in the Association of Bridal Consultants.

WeddingsBeautifulWorldwide is an established player in the industry, offering certification since 1968. They provide two certification courses: Certified Wedding Specialist and Certified Wedding Planner. The former consists of 18 assignments covering the fundamental aspects of wedding planning, while the latter is designed for experienced wedding planners who lack formal certification.

The Sheffield School is another option, offering a full spectrum of classes, including wedding and event planning. Their course covers all the basics of wedding planning, from creating guest lists to hiring vendors, and costs $1,198 with a $300 discount for paying in full.

When choosing a wedding planning certification provider, it is important to do your research and ensure that the organisation is legitimate and accredited.

Wedding planning course content

The wedding planning industry is largely unregulated, so it's important to choose a legitimate organisation for your wedding planning certification. The American Association of Certified Wedding Planners (AACWP) is a professional organisation that offers unmatched initial training and continuing education programs throughout the year.

The Wedding Planning Institute is another option, offering several certification options accredited by the US Government Department of Education. They offer classroom courses, online courses, self-study courses, and an exam-only option. Their courses cover topics such as wedding and event design, floral design, and green wedding design.

Penn Foster Career School is a popular choice, with numerous accreditations and approval from the Association of Bridal Consultants. Their online course costs $609-$799 and includes a six-month membership in the Association of Bridal Consultants.

WeddingsBeautifulWorldwide offers two certification courses: Certified Wedding Specialist and Certified Wedding Planner. The Certified Wedding Specialist course consists of 18 assignments covering all the basic elements of wedding planning, while the Certified Wedding Planner course is for experienced wedding planners who lack certification.

The Sheffield School provides a full spectrum of classes, including wedding and event planning. Their wedding and event planning course consists of 20 detailed assignments, 6 step-by-step study guides, 6 workbooks, 2 virtual internships, and more.

A good wedding planning course will cover a range of topics, including:

• Marketing, advertising, and bookkeeping
• Wedding etiquette
• Working with vendors
• Negotiating with clients
• Wedding ceremonies and receptions
• Creating a professional portfolio
• Developing agendas, budgets, and services
• Setting up bookkeeping and files
• Basics of a bridal business
• Professional wedding vendors and services

Wedding planning career outcomes

The wedding planning industry is a lucrative business with high payoffs for certified wedding planners, with salaries reaching $100,000 or more. The average yearly salary for wedding planners is $44,638 per year. However, salaries can vary depending on whether you work for a company or run your own wedding planning business.

The wedding planning industry is highly competitive, and certification is becoming increasingly necessary for aspiring wedding planners. Certification provides a competitive edge when applying for jobs or attracting clients for your business. It also helps you to avoid costly mistakes and prepares you to navigate the challenges of the wedding planning business.

There are many organizations that offer wedding planning certification, but only a few offer educationally accredited courses that cover the business, design, and planning aspects of wedding planning. The Wedding Planning Institute and Penn Foster Career School are two well-respected and popular choices.

The Wedding Planning Institute offers several certification options, including classroom courses, online courses, self-study courses, and an exam-only option. Their classroom courses typically include assistance with obtaining internships, which can be a great way to quickly build your portfolio and gain referrals. The cost of their online course ranges from $995 to $1500, depending on the payment option.

Penn Foster Career School is approved by the Association of Bridal Consultants and offers an online course for $609-$799. Their certification comes with a six-month membership in the Association of Bridal Consultants, providing valuable job support and networking opportunities.

Other options for certification include WeddingsBeautifulWorldwide, which offers two certification courses, and The Sheffield School, which provides a full spectrum of classes, including wedding and event planning.

It's important to note that the wedding planning certification industry is unregulated, so it's essential to choose a legitimate organization that provides a comprehensive education and hands-on experience. Certification can be a great first step towards a rewarding career in wedding planning, but it's just the beginning. Building a strong network, gaining experience, and continuously learning and adapting to the dynamic nature of the industry will be key to your success.

Wedding planning as a business

The wedding planning industry is a lucrative one, with certified wedding planners earning salaries of $100,000+ per year. However, it is an unregulated industry, and there are many businesses that promise a path to becoming an independent wedding planner. This means that it is important to obtain your certification from a legitimate source.

A good wedding planner certification course will teach you the marketing, advertising, merchandising, and bookkeeping skills required to run a wedding planning business. It will also help you to establish yourself as a professional by creating a professional portfolio, and learning basic marketing concepts to promote your business.

There are a few ways to determine if a wedding planning certification course is legitimate. Firstly, it is important to note that a quick path to certification is not a good idea. Shari Johns, president of the American Association of Certified Wedding Planners (AACW), warns that "a quick path to certification is dangerous for the public and a disgrace to legitimately certified wedding planners. It takes years to hone the skills of a wedding planner and the initial education is only the first step in a fairly long process." A good course will require experience, and mentorship under a seasoned expert, before certification is granted.

There are a few well-respected certification courses available. The Wedding Planning Institute is accredited by the US Government Department of Education and offers three to four-month classroom courses, as well as online, self-study, and exam-only options. Their courses cover wedding and event design, floral design, and green wedding design, in addition to the business aspects of wedding planning. The Penn Foster Career School is another popular choice, with numerous accreditations and approval from the Association of Bridal Consultants. Their course costs $609-$799, depending on the payment option chosen, and includes a six-month membership in the Association of Bridal Consultants.

WeddingsBeautifulWorldwide is another established player in the wedding planning business, offering certification since 1968. They offer two certification courses: Certified Wedding Specialist and Certified Wedding Planner. The Sheffield School is another option, providing a full spectrum of classes, including wedding and event planning. Their course costs $1,198 and consists of 20 detailed assignments, 6 step-by-step study guides, 6 workbooks, 2 virtual internships, and more.

In addition to obtaining certification, there are a few other things to keep in mind when starting a wedding planning business. It is important to have a level of expertise in the various functions that a wedding planner must manage, such as catering, photography, and venue contracts. Building a portfolio of your work is also crucial, as this will show potential clients your skills and abilities. Finally, networking is key in the wedding planning industry, so be sure to attend industry events and connect with other wedding planners.

Frequently asked questions