I want to become a Wedding Planner, and a few years ago while googling what schools I wanted to go to, I found out that Trent University (in Peterborough, ON Canada) has (or had) an event planners course where you graduate with a bridals degree. Is this still there!? The website is very, VERY confusing =[
please help me!
As a wedding planner, you should learn as much as possible about all the details that go into weddings. Gaining skills in the 6 areas below will enhance your ability to help your brides and grooms have the weddings they want. You don’t have to be an expert in these areas but knowing the basics will help you speak intelligently with vendors and increase your value in the eyes of your clients.
Here are the 6 skills:
1) Cake Design and Baking
It takes a lot of expertise to design, bake, fill, frost, decorate and assemble wedding cakes. Taking classes in cake decorating will help you learn some of the basics so you can get an idea of the work it takes to create a wedding cake for hundreds of guests. You’ll also understand why designers and bakers charge what they do. You can find classes in community colleges, adult education programs, and large craft stores.
2) Floral Design
Acquire skills in floral design by taking classes that will give you knowledge and experience in handing and arranging flowers. You should also learn the different types of flowers, when they are in season and their colors and textures so you can help brides make choices that fit within their budgets. Taking classes will also teach you trends in floral design and how florists price their bouquets and arrangements. Florists sometimes run classes in their shops or in community colleges and adult education programs.
3) Food and Beverage Selection
Learn about food, beverage and catering so you have information on different types of food service, selecting menus for large numbers of guests, and selecting complementary beverages. Classes can be found at culinary academies or are part of culinary, restaurant, hotel or hospitality programs at community colleges.
4) Interior Design
Develop skills in interior design by taking classes that will teach you about color, space, style, textures, lighting and use of fabric. This will be helpful to you when working with vendors and the bride and groom to design the reception space, select the right linens and china, and properly light the room for the mood the couple wants to create. Community and art colleges have courses in interior design.
5) Sewing
It helps to know how to quickly fix last-minute rips and tears repair dropped hems. It would also be good to know how much a dress can be altered or customized if you help a bride select her wedding gown. You can usually pick up this skill from sewing classes at fabric shops or in adult education programs.
6) Wardrobe and Image Consulting
Brides, grooms, and their attendants and families may come to you for help in selecting the proper wedding day attire. You should have some basic knowledge of styles, shapes, and colors that enhance different body types. Fashion design and consultant programs in community and art colleges often have wardrobe and image consulting classes.