Price:  £495 or 4 month payment plan available (click here for more details)

Format:  E Learning
Course Code:  WPLEV3  
Award:  Level 3 Certificate 
Study Time:  250 Hours
Requirements:  No Entry Requirements

Our Certificate in Wedding Planning is a fully interactive course which uses podcasts, videos, PDF's and Elearning material covering all elements from understanding the history of the wedding industry to the latest trends and tricks of the trade. Your course will include 19 assignments, 15 of which are based on authentic wedding briefs. These assignments will lead you through every stage of planning a wedding. You will be expected to treat your tutor as your bridal client and the assignment you submit as your proposal.

Effectively you are building yourself a portfolio as you make your way through the course, allowing you to hit the ground running upon graduation. The last three assignments in the course focus on starting your own wedding planning business and marketing your services in this highly competitive marketplace. Included as part of your course material is a license to the Academy planning software. This license is unlimited and will be a great tool for you to use when you start your business. It can also be used throughout the course so you are familiar with it upon graduating.

Enrol Today

Course Units

1. Folklore, Traditions and Etiquette

• When to Marry
• Ancient Traditions
• Superstitions
• Customs from Abroad
• Etiquette Do’s and Don’ts

2. Introducing the Wedding Planning Industry

• The function of a wedding planner
• Matching personalities
• Career benefits
• Getting started
• Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses

3. Think Like A Planner

• Why good organisation is so important
• The planning process
• Creating a reference file
• Creating a client file
• Top organisational tips

4. The Psychology of a Bride

• Understanding different types of brides
• Motivating a Bride
• Buzz Words
• Emotional Selling

5. Client Consultations

• How to sell a Service
• 13 Questions to ask a Bride
• Creating an Impression
• Understanding Buying Signals
• Overcoming Objections
• Closing the Sale and Killer Proposals

6. Developing a Wedding Theme

• Flirting with the 5 Senses
• Developing a Concept
• Finding Inspiration
• Colour Schemes
• Brainstorming
• The Creative Process
• Wedding Themes & Styles
• Creating a Mood Board

7. Location & Ceremony

• Different types of venues & locations
• Things to Consider
• Ceremonies from around the World
• Traditional & Non-Traditional
• Booking Locations and Venues
• Destination Weddings
• Building your Database

8. Catering

• An Introduction to Catering
• Planning the catering for a Wedding
• Top Catering Tips
• Food and Beverage
• The Cake
• Catering Choices
• Service Styles
• Catering Budgets
• Taste Testing
• Culinary Terms & Cutlery
• Glassware and Beverage Portions

9. Flowers and Decorations

• The beauty of Flowers
• Symbolism and Meaning
• Things to Consider
• Style & Bouquets
• Choosing a Florist
• Decorations and Décor
• Drawing up a Plan

10. Music and Entertainment

• Choosing Music & Entertainment
• Using agencies
• Timing & Planning of Entertainment
• Wedding Entertainment & Types of Musical Groups
• Designing a Musical Program
• Children's Entertainment

11. Transport

• Assessing transport requirements
• Mode of transport
• Selection & viewing
• Planning a schedule
• Delegating

12. Photographer & Videographer

• Photography Options
• Style of Shots
• Videography Options 
• Questions to ask
• Making a choice 
• Questions they should ask you
• Hidden Extras

13. Invites and Gifts

• The guest list
• The invitations
• Calligraphy
• Types of paper

14. Working With Wedding Suppliers

• Sourcing Suppliers
• Questions to Ask
• Building Relationships
• Negotiating Tactics
• Finding Staff
• Virtual Help

15. Preparing a Wedding Budget

• The importance of a budget
• Working out the costs
• The importance of networking
• Working to deadlines
• Finance & Assertiveness

16. The Wedding Day

• The day before the wedding
• The wedding day itself
• Final schedule & Timelines & Run Sheets
• Emergency plans
• Cancelling the wedding
• Post event questionnaire
• The positives and negatives
• Ways to improve

17. Starting your own Business

• Finding Your Niche
• Your Target Audience
• Conducting Research
• Demographics & Market Analysis
• Evaluating your Competition
• Writing a Business Plan
• Tools of the trade & Associations

18. Wedding Marketing

• Creating marketing material
• Developing a marketing plan
• Marketing mistakes
• Designing your website
• Choosing advertising mediums
• Publicity and Public Relations
• Embracing Social Media
• To blog or not to blog
• The power of Networking
• Marketing on a Shoe String Budget

19. Finance

• How to launch on a small budget
• Business types
• Writing a business plan
• Pricing your services
• Accountancy and procedures

20. Contracts, Insurance & Setting up your Office

• Location
• Equipment
• Office Design
• Hours of Work
• Goal Setting
• Time Management
• The basics of a planners contract
• Insurance and what you need

Student Testimonial

Lisa Hartgrove

Tell us what course you completed/are completing and why you chose this course?

I am currently studying for a Certificate in Wedding Planning. I chose this course because I have a passion for all things wedding! I plucked up the courage to sign up for this certificate on the basis that I will see where it takes me.

What was it about the Academy that made you choose to study with us?

I work full time within the automotive industry and at times can involve a lot of travel. I needed an online course that was flexible to suit me, without the pressure of deadlines. Online courses can seem like you’re on your own, but the Academy offers your own personal tutor, which is a great benefit when I am in need of help!

What have you enjoyed most about your experience of studying with the Academy?

Each assignment I complete gives me another boost of confidence towards achieving my goal. I have been able to apply various aspects of the course to my full time job with noticeable improvements in my performance in terms of thinking outside of the box.

Have your goals changed during the course of your studies?

Before I signed up to the course I thought being a wedding planner was an unrealistic dream; however my views have changed and the world is your oyster if you want it to be.

What do you intend to do after the course?

I am hoping to have all the fundamentals in place ready to hit the ground running! During the course I have labelled my business name Lisa Marie Weddings and am in the process of building a website to support it. How has the course prepared you for taking the next step?
Since it will take some time to become established within the industry as a wedding planner, I was hungry for my own business as quickly as possible. Starting this course gave me the boost I needed to start up my own venture and can now proudly share with you I have my own Candy Buffet business called Norfolk Candy Buffet (www.norfolkcandybuffet.co.uk) I look at this as a stepping stone towards achieving my ultimate goal as a wedding planner. Norfolk Candy Buffet has created a window of opportunity for me not only to gain a better understanding of the industry itself, but to also indentify key players and good contacts in advance of completing this course. This alone has made me realise how close and quickly dreams could turn into reality.

Tell us about your business.

Norfolk Candy Buffet was established in October 2012. I am using a number of online platforms to promote the business including my website www.norfolkcandybuffet.co.uk, a facebook page www.facebook.com/norfolkcandybuffet, a twitter account www.twitter.com/norfolkcandyb and a number of wedding sites. I have discussed a number of business opportunities with key suppliers including a chartered boat and one of my main competitors. I am in the process of having a candy cart made to really stand out from my competitors. I have exhibited at a number of wedding shows, which have helped me gain awareness in the industry and more importantly bookings! On top of that I am constantly on the look out for new trends and opportunities.

What would you say to anyone thinking of pursuing a career in Wedding and Event Planning?

Bite the bullet and go for it. Dreams are for living and are reached outside of our comfort zone.

Would you recommend the Academy to others and why?

Yes. The course helps you realise more than you could have imagined. It has improved my confidence in my own ability helping me to discover my true potential.