What is a Professional Bridal Consulting Diploma Program?
A diploma program in professional bridal consulting will prepare you for a career as a wedding planner. A good program will teach you to manage the details of putting together weddings of all sizes. You'll learn how to go about arranging for photography, video and professional wedding chronicling. You will become proficient in the coordination of the ceremony, the reception, transportation to and from the various locations, and the all important getaway car. You will learn how to plan and order floral arrangements, clothing for wedding participants, invitations, and food, by learning how to liaison with caterers, professional livery services, function hall personnel, clergy, tailors and dressmakers and stationers.
Skills Acquired
A diploma program in professional bridal consulting will teach you everything you need to know about wedding etiquette, traditions, and customs from various cultures and religious backgrounds, various options for ceremonies, and party planning. You will gain insider knowledge and procedural expertise on catering and food services, decoration, photography and video, lighting, and musical entertainment. You will get up to speed on the latest in bridal fashion, bridal shows, wedding industry publications, conferences and services. You'll learn about specialty and alternative weddings, location weddings and how to manage the arrangements remotely. Most programs will supply you with the materials you need, which will serve you beyond the scope of the course. These materials may include illustrated textbooks, workbooks, study guides, and supplemental reference materials, with complete-well organized lesson plans that will serve as reference when you are functioning in the field. A very good program will give you pointers on how to begin your own bridal consulting business, covering such vital topics as self-promotion and marketing, how to construct a service package, and how to manage a bride or groom who is having trouble coping with the pressure of the wedding preparations.
Coursework in a Professional Bridal Consulting Diploma Program May Include:
- Customer Service
- The Bridal Industry
- Understanding Bridal Fashion
- Traditions and Norms for Groomsmen
- Wedding Invitations
- Cross-cultural Weddings
- A History of Wedding Traditions
- Bridal Marketing
- Communication Skills
- Wedding Etiquette
Career Outlook and Salary Information
According Bridelady.com, there are 2.5 million weddings in the United States each year and the happy couples spend and estimated $100 billion. The average cost of an American wedding is between $17,000 - $23,000. A great many brides and grooms eagerly seek the services of experts in the task of planning and executing a successful wedding. As an established bridal consultant, you can expect to earn as much as $60 or $100 per hour.
