Let's get one thing clear: you don't need a wedding planning certification to become a wedding planner. However, undergoing a formal wedding planning education, and having the certificate to prove it, is bound to help you in your journey to building a successful wedding planning business.
Albeit not mandatory, getting certified as a wedding planner is bound to help your wedding business stand out from the crowd. A wedding planning qualification serves as a validation of your expertise and reassures clients that you're more than capable of managing their special day.
Success in the wedding industry is influenced by a multitude of factors such as practical experience, your professional network, and general business acumen—all of which are topics covered in a professional wedding planner course. In this article, we'll discuss the fundamentals of becoming a certified wedding planner and starting a career in the wedding industry, such as:
- The qualifications you need to become a wedding planner
- What to expect from your wedding planner certification course
- The best courses available to wedding planners to earn your wedding planning certification
Your journey to becoming a certified wedding planner starts here...
What qualifications do you need to become a wedding planner?
Technically, you do not need any formal qualifications to become a wedding planner. However, following a formal educational course to become a certified wedding planner will boost your chances of success in the highly competitive wedding planning industry.
But as we know, some things cannot be taught. To be a successful wedding planner you need to possess strong organisational skills, innate creativity, and have a serious ability to multitask. Here are a few must-have skills for wedding planners...
- Empathy. Wedding planners with strong empathy forge deeper connections with their clients. If you can understand your couples' vision and emotions, you'll be able to deliver a meaningful celebration.
- Organisation. Wedding planners juggle a lot of moving parts. They need solid organisational skills to smoothly coordinate all aspects of the big day and maintain client wellbeing.
- Communication. Wedding planners spend a lot of time communicating ideas, setbacks, and solutions to their clients, as well as with wedding vendors and venues. Both written and verbal communication skills are essential for wedding planners.
- Adaptability. Things don't always go according to plan on a wedding day. A good wedding planner can think on their feet, come up with creative solutions to problems, and keep the day running smoothly even when things go awry.
If you feel like you tick all of the above, then you have what it takes to start a successful career as a wedding planner. Pursuing a wedding planning certificate will help you to consolidate your skills and learn how to apply them to the work of a professional wedding planner.
What is a wedding planner certification?
A wedding planner certification is a formal credential acknowledging your completion of an industry training programme and your proficiency in executing successful weddings. Wedding planning certification programmes provide a structured learning curriculum that covers key areas like event management, budgeting, etiquette, cultural sensitivities, and more. This knowledge allows you to handle diverse wedding scenarios professionally and confidently.
A wedding planning certification programme can take between 2 week and 6 months to complete depending on the complexity and format. Online wedding planning courses tend to be shorter since they can be accessed anytime and anywhere. Whilst in-person courses require you to follow a specific timeline.
Becoming a certified wedding planner will make you better and more confident in your work—a bonus in itself. But you can also use your wedding planning certificate as a badge of honour and a way to symbolise to new clients that you are the real deal. Three ways to use your wedding planner certification to promote your wedding planning business:
- Display it on your website. Create a dedicated section showcasing your planning certification. Include details such as issuing organisation, year obtained, and notable achievements.
- Post on social media. Share certification achievements on your business' social media profile. This makes great content for all your social media platforms—Instagram, Facebook, you name it!
- List your services in professional directories. Newly engaged couples often search reputable industry directories to find their planner such as Hitched and Bridebook. As a certified wedding planner you'll be eligible for listing as an approved planner.
Our top 6 wedding planning certification courses
Ready to start your career in the wedding industry as a certified wedding planner? Whether you're a planner based in the UK, the US, or anywhere else in the world, we've found the right course for you!
Wedding Planner Certification Program - Certified Wedding Planner Society (CWP)
Price: $598
Type: Online
The Wedding Planning Certification Program by CWP is a 20-hour online wedding planning course that covers the essentials, from effective client communication to establishing a professional online presence for your wedding planning business. The course also provides insights into the current job market for wedding planners. Upon completion of the CWP course, you will receive a lifetime membership to the CWP Society.
What you will learn:
- Cultivating strong connections with venues
- Wedding etiquette and procedures
- Creating a preferred list of vendors and a dream team
- Identifying and building your wedding planning niche
- How to create your portfolio (what to include and skip)
- Optimising your wedding planning website
Certificate Of Professional Wedding Planning, Styling & Design - The Wedding Planner Institute
Price: $697
Type: Online
The perfect introduction to wedding planning. This online wedding planning course by The Wedding Planner Institute covers every aspect of wedding planning, styling, and design, providing a step-by-step guide to kickstarting your new career in the wedding industry. By completing this certification, you gain the practical skills and confidence needed to oversee all aspects of a wedding.
What you will learn:
- Planning ceremonies and receptions
- Creating an impressive wedding planning portfolio
- Finance management
- Landing your first wedding
- Starting a wedding planning agency
Wedding Planning Elite Course - The Wedding Planner School
Price: £3,449
Type: In-person (Kent, UK)
The Elite Course by The Wedding Planner School is a one-week intensive wedding planning certification programme that provides both theoretical learning and practical experience in wedding coordination. Under the guidance of an award-winning professional wedding planner, students collaborate to coordinate a real life wedding!
Upon completion, students will receive an externally accredited certificate from the International Association for Distance Learning (IADL) and valuable resources such as planning templates and ongoing support tailored to their needs.
What you will learn:
- Wedding planning basics
- Marriage laws and procedures
- Researching suppliers
- Social media training
- Creating a marketing plan
- Health and safety obligations
Certificate in Wedding Planning - The Event School London
Price: £1,350
Type: In-person (London, UK)
The Certificate in Wedding Planning short course offered by Event School London is a transformative 5-day programme curated by renowned wedding planning expert Siobhan Craven-Robins. Classes are held on the ExCel London Campus—one of Europe's most prestigious event spots—where you'll tackle every nook and corner of wedding planning. That is from understanding client needs to starting and promoting your own wedding planning business.
What you will learn:
- Wedding industry working conditions and ethics
- Spotting and implementing wedding trends
- Managing wedding budgets
- Wedding planning tools
- Contingency planning
Wedding Coordination and Design - The International School of Hospitality
Price: $3,300
Type: In-person (Las Vegas, NV)
From the first client meeting to the day of the wedding, this wedding planning course by The International School of Hospitality equips you with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the wedding industry. You benefit from top-notch guidance from experts in the Las Vegas' wedding world on topics that jump from cultural ceremonies to vendor relations and more. After completion, you'll receive a Wedding Coordination and Design (WCD) Certificate that proves you're well-equipped to be the next star in the industry.
What you will learn:
- Proposal writing
- Photography and videography
- Sustainable wedding planning
- Staffing and timeline
Certified Wedding & Event Planning Course - Lovegevity Wedding Planning Institute
Price: Starting at $1,595
Type: Online/in-person (US)
Lovegevity offers a comprehensive certification programme for wedding planners. The 12-week long programme is designed to educate you on the top strategies, practices, and techniques to become a wedding planner. Take the course on a self-study basis, or add on the fast track package which offers real-life experience working on actual events guided by industry experts. As a graduate of this programme, you won't just receive a certification, but also a letter of recommendation and CWEP designation that recognises you as an industry expert.
What you will learn:
- Building your portfolio
- Mastering client acquisition
- Create standout wedding packages
- Etiquette and cultural intelligence
- Standard event planning platforms and technology
TLDR: become a certified wedding planner today
Wedding planning s a highly competitive industry. Whilst it is not a necessity to have a formal qualification as a wedding planner, aspiring wedding planners seek to stand out by gaining recognition through certification.
Becoming a certified wedding planner offers a competitive edge, validating expertise and commitment to professionalism. Comprehensive training equips individuals with a deep understanding of industry trends, vendor relations, and event logistics. Certification fosters confidence, assuring clients of a planner's proficiency in creating seamless, memorable weddings. Networking opportunities and access to a supportive community enhance ongoing professional development. Aspiring planners find that this certification not only opens doors to diverse clientele but also provides a solid foundation for a rewarding career in the dynamic wedding industry.
