| I get a lot of questions about wedding planning and | | | | names of wedding planner schools and associations |
| bridal consultant certification courses. You don't need a | | | | are very similar. Make sure you are getting information |
| certification to be a wedding planner in the United | | | | on the correct one. |
| States or many other countries. Most brides look first | | | | 3) Who are the instructors? |
| for wedding planners who have had experience | | | | You want instructors who are or have been wedding |
| planning the type of weddings that they want and who | | | | and event planners or are in the industry, for example, |
| have a network of high-quality vendors. | | | | florists and caterers, who might give special training in |
| But if you want to enroll in either an online or offline | | | | their areas of expertise. |
| certification program, here are 8 questions you need to | | | | 4) What level of support do they offer to you? |
| ask before you invest your time, energy and | | | | If you are someone who likes to ask a lot of questions |
| sometimes well over a thousand dollars of your | | | | and you are thinking of taking an online or home study |
| money: | | | | course, find out if the program allows you access to |
| 1) Are you ready to commit to attending classes or do | | | | an instructor or professional wedding planner when |
| you have the self-discipline and motivation it takes to | | | | you want help. If not, check sites such as Facebook to |
| complete online or home study training? | | | | see if there are any active online forums with students |
| Before you do anything else, decide if you will take the | | | | who offer each other support during the learning |
| time to complete a certification course. You will need | | | | process. |
| to get to classes, work on online projects, read | | | | 5) Does the course cover the subjects that you need? |
| chapters in books, do homework and take tests. You | | | | Some wedding planning courses are specific to one |
| probably already have work and family commitments | | | | area of wedding planning, such as design or green |
| so be sure you can take the time to commit to this | | | | weddings. Or, I've seen courses that include classes |
| also. | | | | not only about planning weddings but also children's |
| Doing classes online might be an advantage for you if | | | | parties, sweet sixteen parties, almost any celebration |
| your schedule is unpredictable, because you can | | | | you could name. Read course descriptions carefully |
| complete the work according to your own schedule. | | | | and take notes to compare one to another. Make sure |
| Just make sure you can finish the course within the | | | | you will be getting the education that you want. |
| allotted time, usually six months. | | | | 6) Do they offer hands-on experience, internships, and |
| 2) Is the course by a reputable school or wedding | | | | apprenticeships or support you after you have |
| planner and bridal consultant association? | | | | received your certificate? |
| In the United States, there are online and home study | | | | Both offline and online courses with ties to local |
| wedding planner schools that are accredited by the | | | | professional wedding planners may offer the |
| Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), a | | | | opportunity for you to get experience. Wedding |
| legitimate accrediting agency which is recognized by | | | | planner associations may give you membership after |
| the Council for Higher Education and the US | | | | you complete your course so you can take |
| Department of Education. However, that doesn't mean | | | | advantage of some of their member benefits and |
| that any of the courses will be approved by your local | | | | attend their conferences. |
| colleges if you are also trying to get a regular degree. | | | | 7) Does it have a payment plan? |
| Check first, if this is important to you. | | | | This might be a deciding factor for you. Some schools |
| Other online and home study courses are offered by | | | | allow you to make payments as you complete the |
| wedding and event planner and bridal consultant | | | | course, others may ask for your investment upfront. |
| associations and although they may not carry | | | | 8) Do they have a refund policy? |
| accreditation, many are well respected in the industry. | | | | Find out if they allow you to change your mind after |
| You'll find offline programs offered by colleges and | | | | you have enrolled. Some may allow you to do it within |
| experienced professional wedding planners. Some | | | | a short period of time, if you have not yet utilized any |
| local colleges have partnerships with online schools and | | | | class materials. |
| you get a combination offline and online education. | | | | There are no regulations regarding wedding planning |
| Find a few schools and courses that interest you then | | | | certification courses. Decide the type of training that |
| do some research and investigation. Call and ask | | | | you want to receive then take the time to do thorough |
| questions and get references. Google the school or | | | | research before you make your investment. And, don't |
| course names and look for testimonials and complaints. | | | | forget, a certification is not a substitute for experience. |
| Caution - be careful when doing research, some | | | | |