Curriculum

Wedding Planning Course Curriculum

Penn Foster’s online Wedding Planner course curriculum can help you prepare to become a certified wedding planner through lessons on wedding etiquette, negotiating with clients and vendors, and starting your own business.

ABC® Certified Wedding Planner

Career Diploma 6 months As low as $59/mo

Full Program Overview

1-800-471-3232 (9AM - 9PM EST)

Wedding Planning Course Curriculum

5 courses
24 continuing education units (CEUs)
15 exams

Estimated completion time:

Fast track = 6 months
Average time = 9 months

With Penn Foster, you can learn at whatever pace works best for you. Some learners will be more comfortable moving faster, and dedicating more time, and the fast track estimate will apply to them. The average track will apply to most learners who can dedicate a few hours per week to completing their coursework.

Succeed by learning how to use your Penn Foster program. Successful wedding planners are creative and business savvy professionals.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Understand how to use your Student Portal
- Access the Penn Foster Community and use it to find answers
- Connect with Penn Foster on various social media sites
- Identify the skills necessary for success
- Learn the different elements of a wedding
- Describe the planning process to effectively manage all the details of a wedding
- Analyze the pros and cons of owning your own business
- Receive tips for creating a successful business
This course provides an overview of the general planning process for weddings and honeymoons. Weddings are deeply rooted in religious and cultural traditions. The course will help you build a solid foundation in wedding etiquette.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Learn the skills and qualities of successful wedding planners in greater depth
- Understand basic counseling concepts and the image categories of consulting
- Examine basic business etiquette for phone and email communications with clients
- Explore various aspects of networking and techniques for a client-centered business
- Explore the different types of weddings and the planning considerations for each type
- Identify the traditional components of weddings
- Receive tips for helping your clients choose the best ceremony and reception locations
- Describe engagement period protocols
- Explain pre- and post-wedding parties and the roles of the wedding party
- Understand wedding expense responsibilities
- Create guest lists, announcements, invitations, and thank-you notes
- Plan for remarriages and vow renewals
Set off on the right path by learning the basics of establishing and operating a bridal business. Then, explore how to bring together various wedding components for your clients’ weddings. Finally, starting a new business is exciting, but there are inherent risks. To increase your chance of achieving success, the last lesson of this course prepares you for the demands of business ownership.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Create a professional portfolio
- Choose the best office location for your business
- Learn techniques for charging clients, collecting payment, and maintaining your business files and records
- Assemble a successful planning team
- Work with suppliers
- Understand how to choose wedding jewelry, gifts, and attire
- Learn about the services offered by vendors so you can select the best music, floral, catering, and photography and videography for your clients
- Learn the common causes of business failure and how to prepare for these challenges
- Develop a business plan
- Receive tips for choosing the best business formation and naming your business
- Identify common startup expenses
The first lesson of this course is designed to help you better understand the cultures of various ethnic and religious groups. Then, you’ll continue to prepare for business ownership. The last lesson of the course prepares you for the financial challenges of business ownership.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Describe the wedding planning etiquette for various ethnic and religious backgrounds
- Identify the protocol for specialty weddings, such as military and destination weddings
- Learn how to develop a professional image
- Explore several consulting specializations
- Understand basics of client and vendor contracts as well as business bookkeeping, taxes, and insurance
- Determine how much you should charge for your services
- Manage your business costs
- Draft letters of agreements, handle bid mistakes, and increase your income
This course teaches you how to prepare a marketing plan to let people know that you’re open for business. One way to market your business is by participating in bridal shows. Finally, you’ll learn how to turn your dream of owning a home-based business into a reality.

By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
- Utilize the the right mix of media to market your new business
- Create a website and blog
- Understand how to provide an exceptional customer experience to generate referrals
- Learn bridal show terms and concepts
- Plan your exhibit and design your own booth
- Outline how to turn leads into clients
- Learn the advantages and disadvantages of working from home
- Plan your home office and stay organized
- Manage your time wisely and establish a work-life balance

Graduation Next Steps

When you graduate, you'll receive:

(Sent to you when all program requirements and financial obligations have been met.)

Emily Post’s Wedding Etiquette
Eligibility for Certified Wedding Planner™ status and consultant-level membership with ABC®
A $50 voucher—use it to extend your novice membership or apply toward the cost of Certified Wedding Planner membership

Note: We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.