Wedding Planner Course Curriculum

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Following is a condensed version of the curriculum for the Wedding Planner Certification Course Program.

Wedding Planner Certification Course LogoSESSION I – Wedding Planner Certification Course

ORIENTATION

  • WHAT IS A WEDDING PLANNER?
  • BACKGROUND ON THE WEDDING PLANNING PROFESSION
  • INCOME INFORMATION FOR THE FIELD OF WEDDING PLANNING
  • AVERAGE WEDDING PLANNER EXPENDITURES BY STATE
  • WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR THE NEW DEMAND FOR WEDDING PLANNERS?
  • 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 PLANNERS?
  • The Five Main Reasons People Hire Wedding Planners
  • Survey Findings
  • What is the Profile of the Person Who Hires a Wedding Planner?
  • WHAT THE CLIENT EXPECTS FROM THE WEDDING PLANNER
  • SKILLS REQUIRED BY THE SUCCESSFUL WEDDING PLANNER
  • PROFILE OF THE WEDDING PLANNER
  • BRIDAL PSYCHOLOGY
  • The Many Hats of the Wedding Planner
  • THREE PHASES OF WEDDING CONSULTING
  • Phase I – The Initial Consultation
  • Phase II – The Planning Phase
  • Phase III – Wedding Day Coordination
  • PREPARING TO LAUNCH YOUR WEDDING PLANNER BUSINESS

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 PLANNER
  • 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 PLANNER/COORDINATOR
  • ADVERTISING, MARKETING AND PROMOTION
  • The Importance of Marketing For the WeddingPlanner/Coordinator
  • ACQUIRING CUSTOMERS
  • Twenty Highly Successful Methods For Acquiring Wedding 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 PLANNING 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 CLIENT 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 – Wedding Planner Certification Course

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 Wedding Planner in Managing 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

  • Questions?

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