Those who wish to begin careers as wedding
planners can earn certificates through various online programs. While
there are no online wedding planner degree programs, students can learn
the trade through certificate programs and earn credentials through
professional organizations.
Online Wedding Planning Certificate
An online
wedding planner
certificate course prepares students to guide clients through the
process of planning, coordinating and staging wedding ceremonies and
other wedding-related events. Most online wedding planner certificate
programs are open to anyone with an interest in the field.
An online wedding planner certificate can typically be earned in six
months. Many online wedding planner programs allow students to begin the
program at their convenience, but the program must be completed within
six months. Students learn about planning weddings through videos,
readings and discussions with instructors and classmates, all of which
take place either online or via telephone.
A computer with Internet access is needed to complete an online
wedding planner course. Many schools encourage their online students to
keep consistent schedules and appropriately organize their time so they
can remain successfully committed to the program.
Some Typical Online Wedding Planner Classes with Descriptions
The classes offered in an online wedding planner certificate program
teach students about the business and creative aspects of the career.
Through online classes, students learn about ethnic weddings, bridal
fashion, site selection, contract writing, payment collection and vendor
negotiation.
Wedding Overview Class
Most online wedding planner certification programs include an
introductory class to teach students about the history of weddings,
industry etiquette and wedding traditions. Students also learn about
engagements and receive an overview of the role of wedding planners.
Wedding Planning Business Class
A business class gives students in an online wedding planner
certificate program the tools necessary to start their own businesses,
price wedding packages, write proposals and create budgets. Because many
wedding planners work for themselves, the business course sometimes
covers home office set-up and market evaluations.
Wedding Planning Contracts Class
Wedding planners need to understand the contractual agreements they
make between themselves and their clients and vendors. A class that
covers contract law in an online wedding planner certificate program
teaches students how to read and create contracts, negotiate contracts
with suppliers and create packages.
Bridal Class
Online wedding planner certificate programs teach students how to
work within bride's expectations and vision. Through role playing,
students learn about selling services to the bride and educating her
about registries. Students also learn about traditional and
non-traditional wedding ceremonies in a bridal class.
Wedding Gowns Class
Students learn about bridal gown selection. The class covers fabrics, veils, designers and various body types.
Marketing and Public Relations Class
As a business owner, wedding planners need to know how to attract
clients through marketing and public relations. This class teaches
students how to use online marketing tools, write press releases and
network.
According to
Payscale.com, certified wedding planners, also called wedding consultants, can work independently or within companies. The pay varies,
Payscale.com
says, by experience and the number of clients the wedding planner is
able to attract. Self-employed wedding planners can earn $25,000-
$80,000, and those working for companies earn slightly less, ranging
from about $20,000-$50,000. Client referrals from professional
organizations can be an important factor in gaining business, says the
Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants (ACPWC) (
www.acpwc.com).
Wedding planners can earn professional certification through various
organizations, some of which offer their courses as distance learning
programs. Membership in a professional organization, including the
ACPWC, can help attract clients, according to the Salary Stories blog at
Payscale.com.
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