{"id":7092,"date":"2015-05-28T13:31:52","date_gmt":"2015-05-28T17:31:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weddingsforaliving.com\/?p=7092"},"modified":"2016-07-22T16:50:11","modified_gmt":"2016-07-22T20:50:11","slug":"does-wedding-planner-certification-make-sense-wfal386","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/weddingsforaliving.com\/does-wedding-planner-certification-make-sense-wfal386","title":{"rendered":"Q: Does Wedding Planner Certification Make Sense? – WFAL386"},"content":{"rendered":"

Is it necessary to be certified as a professional wedding planner?<\/p>\n

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LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE\u00a0 – #386<\/h3>\n
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The simple answer to that wedding planner certification question is no.<\/p>\n

Currently, there is no governing body that oversees the rules and requirements for you to plan weddings for others for a fee.\u00a0 If you decide that you\u2019re ready to start your career or business as a professional wedding planner, you can get started this week!<\/p>\n

So, why do so many aspiring wedding planners spend inordinate amounts of money on becoming a certified wedding planner?<\/p>\n

There are several possible answers to that question. And it really depends on what your personal situation is.\u00a0 But, here\u2019s my take:<\/p>\n

New and aspiring wedding planners are indoctrinated to believe that wedding planner certification is essential and that being certified will set us apart as \u2018truly\u2019 professional wedding planners and without it you\u2019re not as serious about what you do; even when that person is well-versed with wedding etiquette, rites and traditions.<\/p>\n

You’re Good Enough!<\/h2>\n

I believe that many of us become certified wedding planners because we need confirmation that we’re good enough to plan weddings. It’s more of a feel-good thing.\u00a0 We believe that by being certified we are ‘on our way’.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s interesting is that most of your potential clients are less concerned about your certification.\u00a0 Other wedding planners, on the other hand, will often waste no time to raise the topic.<\/p>\n

If you are completely clueless when it comes to weddings, then, wedding planner certification may be the fast-track to you getting the information you need.<\/p>\n

But, when someone is considering planning weddings for a living, it\u2019s usually (although not always) because they have some sort of firsthand involvement with putting a wedding together.\u00a0 It\u2019s not a completely new experience.<\/p>\n

The truth is that most of us who are passionate about weddings likely know more about weddings than the average person out there.\u00a0 It stands to reason.\u00a0 When you\u2019re excited about a topic, you\u2019re thirsty for information and are forever learning more.<\/p>\n

And, thankfully, all of that nuptial knowledge is just what you need to get going as a professional wedding planner.<\/p>\n

Wedding Planner Certification Truths<\/h2>\n

If you decide that wedding planner certification is the route for you, be sure to ask solid questions beforehand.\u00a0 Find out:<\/p>\n

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  • If the school accredited (basically a quality assurance check by a governing body to ensure that certain standards are being met)<\/li>\n
  • If there\u2019s a clear curriculum.\u00a0 There\u2019s no point paying to learn info you already know<\/li>\n
  • From graduates and former students how they\u2019re applying what they\u2019ve learned in during the certification process in their everyday life as a wedding planner.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    And to be fair, I hear from several Weddings For a Living readers and listeners who are happy that they made the decision to become certified. As with anything, there are diamonds in the rough.\u00a0 But you have to be committed to the process and disciplined to complete wedding planner certification coursework and assignments without constant pats on the back and reminders.<\/p>\n

    Just be careful (and realistic) with wedding planner certification courses that pack tons of information into a short space of time (e.g. \u2018get certified in a weekend\u2019).<\/p>\n

    Don\u2019t assume that being a certified wedding planner is an automatic ticket to success.\u00a0 Your clients are savvy and can easily see what type of wedding planner \u2018certification\u2019 you received.<\/p>\n

    Remember, just as easily as you can make the decision to plan weddings for a living–with or without previous experience– someone else can create an online wedding planner certification course.\u00a0 It\u2019s a bit like the Wild West out there.<\/p>\n

    Studies say only a very small percentage of people who have completed a non-credit learning course, session or seminar, will take what they’ve learned and paid for and actually apply and use that knowledge to accomplish their goal. Immediately after the conclusion of the training or course there’s a great sense of accomplishment and achievement.\u00a0 But, again, only a handful will use that knowledge to actually become independent professional wedding planners or [insert a popular side business, here].<\/p>\n

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    Hands-on wedding experience will always trump wedding planner certification. Always.<\/p>\n

    \u2014 WeddingsForALiving (@WedForALiving) May 31, 2015<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n