Corporate Training, Group Certification Training - Business Practices - Event Management - Wedding Planning Fundamentals

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COURSE DESCRIPTION

Why Should You Take This Event Management - Wedding Planning Fundamentals Course?

How do you separate yourself from the pack when everyone thinks they can be a wedding planner? This Event Management - Wedding Planning Fundamentals course will go into detail on a broad range of topics faced by today's wedding planner, with a focus on not just teaching key skills, but also identifying ways to add value to your clients at each step along the way. In addition to in depth instruction by veteran and celebrity planner Lindsay Landman, this course will feature interviews with established wedding planners sharing their insights on keys to their success, as well as with vendors sharing guidance on how to work with them like a pro.

Learning Outcomes Include:

Learn what today's clients are looking for in a wedding planner, and how to differentiate yourself in the marketplace.
Learn tips for adding value to your client when hiring photographers, music, invitations, audio visual and other vendors.
Learn how to design and coordinate a range of wedding ceremonies.
Learn how to create cost-effective design concepts, and add value when working with an external design vendor.

The Following Topics Will Be Covered:

Profile of Today's Wedding Planner

Design-focused planners
Coordination-focused planners
Day-of planners
Destination wedding planners
Finding your niche

Working with Today's Wedding Client

How to prove value with a more informed client
Different types of clients and what they look for in a planner
How to determine what your client is looking for
How to communicate about style & aesthetics

Presentations, Proposals, & Budgets

Types of proposals
Pitching & securing new business
How to discuss and develop budgets

Production Documents

Planning timeline
Day of event timeline
Floorplans
Budget

The Planner's Role On-Site

Run through of a full wedding day, from load-in to load-out
Where the planner should be to be effective (& not in the way)
What the planner should do to prove value & insure success
Managing your vendors and team on-site

Ceremonies

Processional & recessional orders
Different types of ceremonies (Jewish, Indian, Gay, Catholic, Interfaith, etc.)
What are the planner's responsibilities

Venue Selection

What to look for
Conducting the ideal site inspection
Negotiating tactics
Contracts
How to analyze pricing & creating a cost-comparison chart

Venue Logistics

Load-in ability
Set up time required
A.D.A. issues
Fire code
Power

Floor Planning

Table size and shape options
Tips for laying out a space
Table assignments

Vendors-General

What vendors expect from planners
Finding & qualifying vendors
Exclusive relationships: pros and cons
Commissions
Legal and insurance protections

Vendors-Specific

Tips for adding value when hiring photographers & videographers
Tips for adding value when hiring entertainment
Tips for adding value when hiring transportation & parking
Tips for adding value when hiring audio visual
Tips for adding value when hiring caterers
Tips for adding value when hiring invitations & branded accents

Food & Beverage

Timing and pacing of food service
Menu planning
Types of food service
Bartender and waiter ratios
Wedding cake types & cutting logistics

Design & Decor

Coming up with a design "look"
Table, linen & chair options
Candles: natural and artificial
Centerpieces
Vases & containers
China, flatware, glassware
Sourcing materials

Making Wedding Planning Your Career

Getting a job
Starting a business
Developing a portfolio
Positioning yourself for success
Resources for learning & trend tracking

Panel Discussion: Established Wedding Planners Share Their Insights

How they got started
How they grew their businesses/careers
Challenges and solutions in today's market
Advice for starting out today

Panel Discussion: Wedding Vendors Share Their Insights

Mistakes planners make when hiring them, and how to avoid them
How to negotiate a good deal with them
How to look smart when talking about their services to your client

Fun Demos: Mastering Those Little Things Every Planner Should Know!

How to bustle a wedding dress
How to tie a bow tie
How to pin a boutonniere
How to (safely!) open a champagne bottle

Syllabus

Profile of Today"s Wedding Planner

Design-focused planners
Coordination-focused planners
Day-of planners
Destination wedding planners
Finding your niche

Working with Today"s Wedding Client

How to prove value with a more informed client
Different types of clients and what they look for in a planner
How to determine what your client is looking for
How to communicate about style & aesthetics