More and more couples are going for the convenience of hiring wedding planners, which has now become a potential sustainable profession. That is why schools offering wedding planner-coordinator courses are internationally recognized and currently in the rise.

In addressing the demands of the wedding industry, the Gatlin Education Services (GES) ventured on offering a Certified Planning Program for beginners in the field of wedding planning.

GES provides online workforce to various colleges and universities for their career programs. It standardizes the curriculum, instruction, and evaluation across its partner schools. For instance, the Genesee Community College in Batavia, New York provides education on wedding planning online through GES’ Certified Planning Program, but follows the curriculum and instruction method set by GES. While the cost of the program varies since the partner colleges set the prices of the courses they offer.

This program is comprehensive covering all aspects of wedding ranging from a very broad financial and business management to skills on detailed event organizing. There are courses on budgeting, project management, writing business plan, sales and marketing, and public relations, with subjects on vendors and contracts, wedding gown styles and veils, invitations, wedding music selections, wedding etiquette, wedding customs and traditions from over 15 various cultures, and signature wedding design.

Further, the program offers participation of students in an internship through the Wedding Planning Institute (WPI). With a six-month period, the internship is an application of the knowledge gained academically. Sometimes, interns opt to extend the internship program to a year.

The internship is an opportunity to get hands-on experiences in wedding and event planning and build a network of professional wedding planners. It is a learning experience to hone existing skills and create a new one.

It is worth noting that the online instructors hold a Masters Degree in Education and are experienced and expert on the wedding industry from varying specialties and backgrounds. The instructors work closely with the students who are highly encouraged to communicate through email and phone meetings as often as needed during the course. Supplementary resources, support, and networking with people practically around the globe are also possible through online discussion and message boards. This network is further utilized for future purposes.

There are no educational or technical prerequisites of the program. Since it is an online schooling, students need only to access the Internet and are have emailing capabilities. Enrolling to the program might also require installing Windows Vista operating system. The lone required textbook, titled “Professional Wedding Planning,” is provided upon registration.

With broad range of courses being offered, the students are expected to leave GES with an understanding of the role of a professional wedding planner, including basics on wedding industry. They should also be able to create their own business contracts and identify the right method to set-up a wedding planning business with knowledge on organization, project management, and wedding design elements.

They are going to be expert in budget planning, vendor selection, and application of a couple’s ethnic background into the celebration.