Wedding Event Consultant CertificationIf you plan on going into the wedding business, you may want to go after wedding event consultant certification from organizations such as:
The Association of Bridal Consultants, The Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants, June Weddings Inc. Certification and the National Bridal Association. Founded by Deborah McCoy, the American Academy of Wedding Professionals We will look briefly at these organizations and how they recognize their members. The Association of Bridal Consultants is a trade association of consultants with members worldwide. They have three professional levels: Professional Bridal Consultant, Accredited Bridal Consultant, and Master Bridal Consultant. None of these are a wedding event consultant certification, however it takes six years to reach the senior or master level. They offer a five part home study course covering topics like etiquette, sales, the wedding day, related services, planning and consulting. You can take each course individually and there is a start up fee. There is also a membership fee and a one time application fee. A novice wedding event consultant can get a reduced membership fee. The Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants, with the home offices in San Diego, CA is perhaps the most extensive program around for wedding event consultant certification. You can opt for a five day course at one of the sites, Los Gatos and West Hollywood, California and Atlanta Georgia. These programs are taught by certified instructors. The ACPWC home study course is self directed and covers everything from how to start a wedding consultant business to wedding protocol and choosing vendors. Eligibility for membership comes with completion of one of the programs. However certification takes two years to complete. Only after you have worked in the field for two years and coordinated 12 weddings, obtained 14 letters of recommendations and completed a certification project, are you awarded wedding event consultant certification. June Wedding Inc. is an event professional organization based in Las Vegas, Nevada. They offer June Wedding Inc. wedding event consultant certification to those who finish the two part JWI training and certification course. They cover topics like “Design a Successful Wedding Coordination Business” and “Continuing Education for the Wedding Consultant”. The National Bridal Association offers home training course for anyone who wants to obtain a wedding event consultant certification called a Wedding Specialist. This program offers 18 assignments, which need to be completed before you can use the title of wedding specialist. There will soon be an excellent course offered, written by Ms. Deborah McCoy of the American Academy of Wedding Professionals. The fees for these courses vary and some have membership fees in addition to the cost of the educational material. You should check out the course offerings from each and compare the subjects covered by each and try to figure out which one best meets your needs and will help you to achieve your wedding event consultant certification. After all, you wouldn’t go to a lawyer or doctor who doesn’t have certification in their area of expertise. While you are waiting to achieve your wedding event consultant certification, volunteer with a local wedding coordinator. Learn everything you can about the consulting business, get acquainted with local vendors such as florists and caterers. Learn about how an initial meeting with the client is conducted. Study the contract forms, see what is covered in it. Ask questions like “What happens if the wedding is cancelled?” Make friends with vendors, and with the clients, they may be a source of referrals in the future when you have achieved your wedding event consultant certification and started your own wedding planner business.
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