Wedding Planner Certificate or Not?

For the past couple of years I see ad after ad regarding "wedding planner certification". It tokes that you can became a wedding planner by going through these courses. Through varies debates and conversations with colleagues, I have concluded....nothing. In the wedding planner industry it stands to say that there are many, many different routes to becoming a wedding planner. Who am I to say that there is only but one and it is the best.

Yes, you will see through my credentials that I am a certified wedding planner through the Association of Bridal Consultants. To be fair and honest, it was nothing more than a few open book tests. Was it good to go through the process? Probably. Would I put it up against my long standing wedding industry resume? Probably not.

Reading through a book and actually being out in the field getting training are two different things. Do I think you can go through an organizations wedding planning certification process of reading a book and taking a test and pairing that up with your own field training? Absolutely. I was asked to sit in on a seminar called "Weducation". It is a one-day seminar/workshop for aspiring wedding planners created by a dear colleague of mine, Amy Rubins. She is the owner of Fete Perfection. Amy is a full-service wedding planner that does many, many destination weddings. She recognized a need that these online programs needed some hands-on training attached to it. She also made the connection that it was a good introduction for vendors to see what a wedding planner does, how we can make their job easier, and the seminar can also give them insight as to what the other vendors do. Example - It is good for a cake baker to see what a DJ can do and how they can work together. Amy's workshop was FANTASTIC. I strongly encourage anyone that is thinking about becoming a wedding planner to take this course before they think about the switch. I also strongly encourage wedding vendors (DJ's, bakers, transportation, reception venue wedding planners, etc.) to take this course.

What's my point? I am not convinced that a wedding planning certificate is all that it is cracked up to be unless it is also paired up with hands on training of some kind. Books don't teach you how to "throw down" or "dress" a round table complete with linens, chairs, chargers, flatware, and all the glassware at the last minute when the bride doesn't give the caterer the right guest count and another eight guests walked in and they don't have a table. Tests also don't teach you "timing" for the day. How long does it take to put on 150 chair covers with a kimono sash tie or 150 placecards in alphabetical order outdoors with the wind blowing?

To be continued...

Favors, Accessories, and Treats

If you are on the hunt for the perfect favor, start with these, fun websites. They have tons and tons of new and unique products that could help set your wedding apart from the other ten weddings your friends are attending this year. I just purchased a black and white parasol to carry with me on the day of the wedding for my clients. It is uber cute for pictures and fantastic to have at the last minute for shade.