| More and more couples are going for the | | | | The internship is an opportunity to get hands-on |
| convenience of hiring wedding planners, which has | | | | experiences in wedding and event planning and build a |
| now become a potential sustainable profession. That | | | | network of professional wedding planners. It is a |
| is why schools offering wedding planner-coordinator | | | | learning experience to hone existing skills and create |
| courses are internationally recognized and currently in | | | | a new one. |
| the rise. | | | | It is worth noting that the online instructors hold a |
| In addressing the demands of the wedding industry, | | | | Masters Degree in Education and are experienced and |
| the Gatlin Education Services (GES) ventured on | | | | expert on the wedding industry from varying |
| offering a Certified Planning Program for beginners in | | | | specialties and backgrounds. The instructors work |
| the field of wedding planning. | | | | closely with the students who are highly encouraged |
| GES provides online workforce to various colleges | | | | to communicate through email and phone meetings |
| and universities for their career programs. It | | | | as often as needed during the course. Supplementary |
| standardizes the curriculum, instruction, and evaluation | | | | resources, support, and networking with people |
| across its partner schools. For instance, the Genesee | | | | practically around the globe are also possible through |
| Community College in Batavia, New York provides | | | | online discussion and message boards. This network is |
| education on wedding planning online through | | | | further utilized for future purposes. |
| GES’ Certified Planning Program, but follows the | | | | There are no educational or technical prerequisites of |
| curriculum and instruction method set by GES. While | | | | the program. Since it is an online schooling, students |
| the cost of the program varies since the partner | | | | need only to access the Internet and are have |
| colleges set the prices of the courses they offer. | | | | emailing capabilities. Enrolling to the program might |
| This program is comprehensive covering all aspects | | | | also require installing Windows Vista operating |
| of wedding ranging from a very broad financial and | | | | system. The lone required textbook, titled |
| business management to skills on detailed event | | | | “Professional Wedding Planning,” is provided |
| organizing. There are courses on budgeting, project | | | | upon registration. |
| management, writing business plan, sales and | | | | With broad range of courses being offered, the |
| marketing, and public relations, with subjects on | | | | students are expected to leave GES with an |
| vendors and contracts, wedding gown styles and | | | | understanding of the role of a professional wedding |
| veils, invitations, wedding music selections, wedding | | | | planner, including basics on wedding industry. They |
| etiquette, wedding customs and traditions from over | | | | should also be able to create their own business |
| 15 various cultures, and signature wedding design. | | | | contracts and identify the right method to set-up a |
| Further, the program offers participation of students | | | | wedding planning business with knowledge on |
| in an internship through the Wedding Planning Institute | | | | organization, project management, and wedding |
| (WPI). With a six-month period, the internship is an | | | | design elements. |
| application of the knowledge gained academically. | | | | They are going to be expert in budget planning, |
| Sometimes, interns opt to extend the internship | | | | vendor selection, and application of a couple’s |
| program to a year. | | | | ethnic background into the celebration. |