Cake Design: Fancy Cakes By Leslie	Course Curriculum Following is a condensed version of the Table of Contents for the program.   -----SESSION I ORIENTATION WHAT IS A WEDDING CONSULTANT? BACKGROUND ON THE WEDDING CONSULTING PROFESSION INCOME INFORMATION FOR THE FIELD OF WEDDING CONSULTING AVERAGE WEDDING CONSULTING EXPENDITURES BY STATE WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR THE NEW DEMAND FOR WEDDING CONSULTANTS? FACTS ABOUT THE WEDDING INDUSTRY WEDDINGS BY MONTH CONSULTING: AN OVERVIEW Identifying Your Consulting Skills Assessing Your "Content" Skills Assessing Your "Process" Skills Foot Note About "Consultants" WHY DO PEOPLE HIRE WEDDING CONSULTANTS/COORDINATORS? The Five Main Reasons People Hire Wedding Consultants Survey Findings What is the Profile of the Person Who Hires a Wedding Coordinator? WHAT THE CLIENT EXPECTS FROM THE CONSULTANT SKILLS REQUIRED BY THE SUCCESSFUL WEDDING CONSULTANT PROFILE OF THE WEDDING CONSULTANT BRIDAL PSYCHOLOGY The Many Hats of the Wedding Consultant THREE PHASES OF WEDDING CONSULTING Phase I - The Initial Consultation Phase II - The Planning Phase Phase III - Wedding Day Coordination PREPARING TO LAUNCH THE BUSINESS: GREAT EXPECTATIONS   THE BUSINESS THE BUSINESS OF WEDDINGS CREATING THE NEW BUSINESS THE LEGAL BUSINESS ENTITY TAX IMPLICATIONS BOOK KEEPING & ACCOUNTING THE BUSINESS NAME INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE WEDDING CONSULTANT DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS CONCEPT MARKET ANALYSIS & MARKET RESEARCH Strategies Market Research ANALYSIS OF COMPETITION Acquiring the Competitive Edge Market Share YOUR BUSINESS IDENTITY MARKETING PRINCIPALS FOR THE WEDDING CONSULTANT/COORDINATOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING AND PROMOTION The Importance of Marketing For the Wedding Consultant/Coordinator ACQUIRING CUSTOMERS Twenty Highly Successful Methods For Acquiring Wedding Consulting Clients (Includes a Variety of Methods For Getting Entirely Free Promotion For the Business) TRACKING YOUR PROMOTIONS   OPERATIONS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY BUSINESS HOURS HIRED HELP WHOLESALE BUYING Becoming a Qualified Wholesale Purchaser PRICING YOUR WEDDING CONSULTING SERVICES The Industry Formulas PAYMENT POLICIES Deposits Balance Owing Invoicing Post Dated Checks NSF Checks Accepting Credit Cards Disclosure of Fees and Payments Policies CONTRACTS PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATION PREPARING FOR THE CONSULTATION The Appearance of the Office/Showroom Office Lay Out Your Appearance As A Professional The Way In Which You Conduct Yourself The Special Touches ASSEMBLING YOUR PORTFOLIO Portfolio Building Tips Portfolio Details Portfolio Pictures ONGOING MARKET RESEARCH CONCLUSION OF SESSION I -----SESSION II	Learn More About How the Course is Administered
	BUILDING THE VENDOR DATA BASE Meeting With Vendors Assessing Quality Price Breaks or Incentives for the Client Vendor-Specific Details CATALOGING YOUR VENDOR FILES   DEFINITION OF SERVICES Budget Development Budget Management Vendor Recommendations Vendor Selection Vendor Meetings Vendor Negotiations Vendor Contract Reviews Planning Schedule Management Development of Wedding Day Itinerary Ceremony Consultations Vendor Follow-ups and Confirmations Rehearsal Dinner Coordination Travel Arrangement Negotiations Accommodation Arrangements On Site Supervision of Ceremony Set Up On Site Supervision of Reception Set Up Design Services On Site Wedding Day Coordination Services Editorial Consulting Services Additional Services   THE INITIAL CONSULTATION INITIAL QUESTIONS TO ASK YOU HAVE THE FLOOR : SELLING YOURSELF THE BRIDE'S DECISION PROCESS GETTING THE BOOKING Selecting the Services The Contract Consultation Work-Sheets PERFORMANCE OF SERVICES THE WEDDING BUDGET Division of Expenses Allocating the Budget A Variation on the Approach Managing the Budget When You Are Hired Midway Through the Planning Process Estimates Review of the Role of the Consultant With Regards to the Wedding Budget Wedding Costs By Category Represented as a Percentage of the Total Wedding Budget Average Wedding Costs By Category Represented In Dollar Figures DEVELOPMENT OF THE PLANNING SCHEDULE DEVELOPMENT OF WEDDING DAY ITINERARY PLACEMENT OF ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT WHEN THE WEDDING IS CANCELED THEME WEDDINGS CONTRACT REVIEWS AND VENDOR NEGOTIATIONS A Word About "Holds" Vendor-Specific Contracts SELECTING THE FLORIST Florist's Contracts Florist's Rental Items and Props Sample Bouquets and Arrangements When to Book the Florist SELECTING THE PHOTOGRAPHER Tricks of the Trade Photos Before or After? Compiling the Photo "Wish List" Proofs The Coordinator's Role During the Photo Session Photographer's Contract The Fine Print Said What? FORMAL WEAR Measurements Formal Wear Contract ORCHESTRAS AND BANDS Band Contract DISC JOCKEY SERVICES Selection of Music Special Requests Volume Levels Lighting Systems DJ Attire DJ Gender Professional Conduct Auditioning Disc Jockey Contract THE BRIDAL GOWN Gown Contract WEDDING STATIONERY Save the Date Cards Guest List Management When Guests Do Not Reply When Guests Bring Guests Ordering Wedding Stationery Postal Requirements Wedding Stationery Contract ACCOMMODATIONS FOR OUT OF TOWN GUESTS Hotel Selection Negotiating Room Rates Reserving Room Blocks TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS FOR OUT OF TOWN GUESTS LIMOUSINES Pricing Guidelines Limousine Service Contract THE WEDDING REHEARSAL Meeting With the Couple Prior to the Rehearsal Direction of the Rehearsal Protocol For Seating Guests ARRANGING THE REHEARSAL DINNER THE CEREMONY Selecting the Ceremony Location and Officiant Meeting With the Officiant Ceremonies in Special Locations Fees Ceremony Music Ceremony Flowers ON SITE SUPERVISION OF CEREMONY SET UP COORDINATION OF THE WEDDING CEREMONY Ceremony Tips THE RECEPTION Receiving Lines To Receive, or Not to Receive? Where to Receive Who Stands in the Receiving Line? Short Receptions & Receiving Lines Seating at the Head Table Seating at the Parent's Table Protocol Regarding Toasts Telegrams and Congratulatory Messages Reception Site Contract Precaution CATERING Licensing and Permits Children's Menus Types of Food Service Types of Bar Service Catering Contract RENTAL SERVICES What to Look For When Selecting a Rental Service Rental Contract WEDDING INSURANCE TROUBLE SHOOTING THE COORDINATOR'S EMERGENCY KIT CONCLUDING COMMENTS CONCLUSION OF SESSION II Learn More About How the Course is Administered

Copyright © 1999-2008 by The International Institute of Weddings. All Rights Reserved Cake design and photo courtesy of Fancy Cakes By Leslie