What is Wedding Planning?
A wedding planner is a professional who assists with the design, planning, and management of a client’s wedding.
Couples rely upon their wedding planner to be a calming presence and to also have a voice of reason throughout the wedding process.
What 3rd level courses are available?
Universities and colleges in Ireland are offering courses in Wedding Planning in the following subject areas:
- Wedding Planning Course – Learn the skills and tricks required to succeed in the wedding planning industry.
- Wedding Planning and Business – This course provides you with the practical tools and guidance you will need to launch a successful career in wedding planning.
- Diploma in Wedding Planning – Gain practical event and wedding planning skills, and develop the ability to plan a wedding, from budget control, payment, review, and all the other fundamentals.
- Diploma in Wedding Planning & Managing – This course covers the fundamentals of planning a wedding in easy-to-understand steps.
- Advanced Diploma in Wedding Planner Career -This course will give you a firm understanding of what a wedding planner’s job entails, making plans, wedding party attire, dressing the wedding party, and setting up your wedding planning business.
- Event Management and Wedding Planning Business Pathway – Learn business skills and become a certified event planner.
Studying Wedding Planning in college
There are many courses in Wedding Planning that take place over 1 year to 4 years depending on the course and modules selected. There are also part-time courses and night courses available so you can be sure to fit in your studies no matter what your schedule is like.
Courses will cover theory work through lectures, assignments, tutorials, and taught modules. Assessments will take place continuously with written examinations and practical assignments combined to achieve a qualification.
You could also consider work experience or a work shadow in the industry. Relevant experience, either paid or voluntary, and knowledge of the industry is essential to break into this competitive field.
Relevant work experience is a good way of demonstrating a genuine interest in the field and is regarded favorably by employers. Work Experience will not only allow you to obtain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the industry, but it will also give you a chance to do some essential networking with other industry professionals and gain valuable contacts for the future.
Career options
After completing a Wedding Planning course you will be able to get started in a career that uses specific knowledge of planning and event management.
Wedding planners plan and organize weddings and in some instances the events surrounding weddings such as rehearsals and bridal showers. Wedding planners typically manage the whole process from the planning stage, right through to running the event and carrying out the post-event evaluation. The role is primarily hands-on and often involves working as part of a team.
A wedding planner doesn’t have a typical nine to five work schedule, and sometimes needs to work a combination of days, evenings, and weekends to meet their client’s needs. Clients typically work during the day and therefore want to meet with their planner after work or on weekends.
Most weddings are on Saturdays, so during the busy months of the year, a wedding planner can count on working almost every weekend. Busy months vary, depending on where you live and if you work with destination weddings as you may work in the busy season for the particular destination.
Although the planning work is largely office-based, you’ll need to travel to visit clients, venues, and other suppliers. You may need to work outside to plan and deliver the event, especially in the summer.
Related jobs include:
- Wedding Planner
- Wedding Designer
- Wedding Coordinator
- Conference center manager
- Venue Manager
- Event manager
- Hotel manager
- Public house manager
- Restaurant manager
- Charity fundraiser
- Marketing executive
- Museum/Gallery exhibitions officer
- Public relations officer
- Sales promotion account executive
Further study
After completing a course in Wedding Planning you may choose to pursue further study in a specialist field to increase your knowledge base and skillset. Postgraduate study can also be used as a means to change career focus or to gain professional qualifications required to practice in certain career areas such as Event Management, hotel or catering management, leisure and tourism, marketing, or business management.
FAQ
What’s the Difference Between a Wedding Planner, Wedding Coordinator, and Wedding Designer?
Wedding planners are all about the logistics, from vendor referrals and contract negotiation to the day-of execution of your vision. A planner will keep track of your budget and handle the logistics.
Some planners also provide design or styling services, helping with the creative specifics of your wedding day while others opt to leave those details to a wedding designer.
A wedding designer’s role is purely aesthetic and doesn’t include things like contract negotiations or attending appointments alongside the bride. A wedding coordinator is logistically focused but on a shorter timeline than a planner. They usually begin helping you prepare a month before the wedding and function as the point person on the wedding day. They will confirm vendor contracts and create a day-of timeline, as well as make sure things like payments and guest counts are in order, but won’t be involved in the earlier planning phases or keeping track of your budget.
Where can I study Wedding Planning?
Explore your options here
Did You Know?
· For good luck, Egyptian women pinch the bride on her wedding day.
· Engagement and wedding rings are worn on the fourth finger of the left hand because it was once thought that a vein in that finger led directly to the heart
· In the symbolic language of jewels, a sapphire in a wedding ring means marital happiness.
· Seventeen tons of gold are made into wedding rings each year in the United States
· Ancient Greeks and Romans thought the veil protected the bride from evil spirits. Brides have worn veils ever since.
· Brides carry or wear “something old” on their wedding day to symbolize continuity with the past. The “something blue” in a bridal ensemble symbolizes purity, fidelity, and love.
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