Wedding Planning Courses and Certification Programs

Planning a wedding is truly a full time job and many modern brides and grooms simply don't have the time - or the desire - to handle every last detail on their own. The wedding planner or bridal consultant takes over the planning of the event, often to the very last detail to give a bride and groom their dream wedding with out the stress of making all of the arrangements themselves.

There are several options to consider if you would like to pursue wedding planning as a career. A Bachelors or Associates Degree in Hospitality or Event Planning is one an excellent option to pursue, especially if you would like more options for your career long term, such as working for hotels or large organizations as an event planner.

If you are not in the position to go to college full time and are interested in primarily working as a bridal consultant in your own home based wedding planning business, then a certificate program may be a good fit for your needs.There are several certificate programs to choose from that will allow you to complete your training either online or through weekend seminars. When your training is complete, you will be able to market yourself as a certified bridal consultant. This training can give you the skills and credentials needed to get started in this lucrative field.

What should you look for when evaluating possible certification courses?

There are definitely certain skills that you must learn before entering the field of wedding planning. Look for a training program that offers certification upon completion, as well as a thorough education in the following skills:

• Learn the basics of running your own business, including marketing and advertising, to bookkeeping and client satisfaction.
• Learn to plan, order and track floral arrangements, wedding attire, catering and transportation services and manage all aspects of a major, multifaceted event.
• Be up to date on wedding trends in fashion, food and specialty themed weddings.
• Understand wedding insurance and when it is necessary for your client.
• Understand various religious traditions and how they will effect the overall wedding plan and needs of the bridal party.
• Learn how to plan the perfect wedding day, from invitations  and seating arrangements to equipment rentals, booking reception facilities and negotiating fees for your client. 

Everyone is going green and many brides are looking for help in planning a greener wedding. If you are not an expert on reducing the carbon footprint of a large scale event like a wedding, you may want to consider additional training and certification in green wedding planning.

The Green Bride Guide offers a 4 week course that is completed online and self-paced. It will provide you with the skills you need to provide eco-friendly wedding planning services as well as an additional way to market your services.

If protecting the planet is a priority for you, this may be a terrific specialty to consider. You meet like minded people who appreciate your knowledge and efforts.

The wedding industry continues to grow year after year. There are many opportunities for specialization as a bridal consultant. It is unlikely that you will ever get bored with this lucrative and diverse career path! 

Here are some specialty areas to consider as a wedding planner:

• Destination Weddings 
• Beach / Outdoor Weddings
• Themed Weddings
• Eco-Friendly / Green Weddings

Whether you choose a degree program at a local university or an online certification course, there is plenty to learn about wedding planning before taking on your first project. After completing your wedding planning course, you may want to consider working as an apprentice or intern for an experience wedding planner to learn the ropes.