AACWP Wedding Planning Training Course April 2020
AACWP is excited to offer our first entirely online wedding planner training course!
AACWP has set the standard for training courses for wedding planners with our in-house training program, and we have now recreated our content virtually to offer the option for more students to take advantage of our curriculum on their own time. Our online course consists of webinars, videos, and digital downloads of course materials. We have made a slight modification for this particular course to a more "self-paced" approach. Students will be given a start date and a hard end date, but will be able to move at their own timing and pace. All course sessions will be open to access and revisit if needed. The course facilitator will be available through email to answer any questions or concerns you might have. They may be reached at [email protected] once the course has begun. We are excited to have you! So come learn all about becoming a wedding planner and owner of a wedding planning business from the best in the business and let us help you take the next step in your career path!
The sessions are broken down as listed below.
Session 1
- Defining the Role of the Wedding Planner
Identify skills needed
Service categories and different services offered by professional planners
Understanding services offered by professional planners - Basics of Planning
First phone call/email correspondence
Building a budget
Wedding planning timeline
Assembling the "Dream Team" for your client - Choosing Vendors
Building a contact list
Compiling your data base
Organization
Session 2
- Presentations, Personality and the Interview
Professionalism and Personality
The initial Interview
Certification - Sales
How to close the sale
Utilizing your personal toolbox to make the experience beneficial for all - Systems
Workflow
Policies & Procedures
On-line tools that work best for selling & planning Weddings
Session 3
- Business Fundamentals
Business ownership
Start-up information - Business Plan
Defining and Developing your business
Building your portfolio
Advertising
Registering - Pricing
Operating costs vs. price
Pricing your services through different fee structures
Session 4
- Ceremony Planning
Basic elements and ceremony structure
Religious and Cultural traditions
Mock rehearsal and ceremony walk-through - Reception
Choosing a venue
Floor plan - table sizes, seating, dance floors, etc.
Banquet Event Orders
Reception traditions and etiquette
Role of planner during reception
Mock reception walk-through - Handling Emergencies
How to prepare and handle as a planner
Emergency Kit
Learn a few of the most common how-to fixes that will come in handy on Wedding Day
*To receive a Certificate of Completion you must complete the following:
- Attend and complete all 4 Sessions by:
- Watching all course videos for each session
- Reading all course materials and chapters (they are available to download and print)
- Pass the course quiz at the end of each session
- Complete and pass assigned homework given in each session
Your Instructor
AACWP began in 2007, created by wedding professionals who saw the need for an organization dedicated to the education of those seeking to become wedding planners, and to elevate those already in the field through certification and continuing education. This premier group created and produced their first training course in 2007. Since then, they have produced courses each year, updating the curriculum to make sure their students received the best education in the wedding industry to set them up for success as well as polish the skills of those already in their careers. Our Training Course Director sees to the needs of our ever-changing training courses, instructors and students. Our membership volunteers in various committee roles, helping with everything from creating our annual Vendi Awards (the premier industry awards gala in Dallas-Fort Worth) to developing our curriculum and continuing education events.