Accredited:
NEW! VERIFY AAWP MEMBERS
|
|
AAWP Home » Become a Wedding Planner » What You Will Learn - Unit Three
| Unit One |
: |
Think Like a Professional Bridal Consultant, and More... |
 |
| Unit 2 |
: |
Wedding Overview: For Bridal Consultants: Budget, Finance, Timing, etc. |
|
| Unit 3 |
: |
Wedding Components: Engagement, Ceremony, Reception, etc. |
|
| Unit 4 |
: |
Wedding Tasks: Necessities for Bridal Consultants/Wedding Planners to Know. and More... |
|
| Unit 5 |
: |
The Bridal Consulting Business: Getting Started/How to Be a Successful Wedding Planner. |
|
| Unit 6 |
: |
Bridal Consultants/Wedding Planners: Reference Materials, etc.: Bibliography |
UNIT THREE
We continue on the journey of planning the perfect wedding.
VIDEOGRAPHY:
OVERVIEW:
- Another top priority, the most complaints that the AAWP hears from brides after their weddings is from those who don't video. Don't let your clients make this mistake. Ask them this question: If you had the choice of looking at your grandmother's wedding album or her wedding video, which would you prefer?
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: This segment teaches you to recognize good video; the importance of "even sound presence"; the value of training; cost analysis: video versus photography; and the videographer's style and focus. Also targeted is the wedding rehearsal and wedding-day coverage; the bride's and groom's responsibility to ensure a beautiful, comprehensive wedding-day video; the difference between a "video-taper" and videographer; the scam of "in camera" editing. Copyright issues are addressed along with equipment and its importance; length and new formats; and the impact of the digital revolution. Contracts and what they must include are discussed in detail; along with deposits and cancellations.
FLOWERS:
OVERVIEW:
- Nothing makes a bridal party more beautiful than the beauty of fresh flowers, or a reception more festive and elegant (although reception centerpieces may be just as elegant if they're non-floral).
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: Included is a quaint history of flowers and their role in weddings and why they're so important and traditional. You'll learn about wedding dates that may cause "flower" problems for your clients and why fresh flowers are the answer, even for budget-conscious brides. You'll learn about the role of the full-service florist; how to find florists to refer to your clients; and the consultant's role on the wedding day.
You'll discover how flowers are priced and how to budget effectively no matter what the wedding's formality. You'll also learn why "seasonal" flowers have no effect on pricing and what flowers are expensive. You'll also learn about flower minimums and wedding types (download the "Flowers Minimum Chart" for formal, semi-formal and informal weddings to review with your clients). Floral color and how to select color combinations that are applicable to all weddings and bridal parties, ceremonies and receptions, is addressed.
Bridal-bouquet design and types are discussed in detail. Gowns and floral design. (what's the best bouquet for your client's gown and for her bridal party?) "Color Wheels" are provided to make color selection easy for the consultant and her clients. Reception flowers and decorations are discussed in detail. The segment teaches you, the wedding planner, how to shop to find the best florists to refer to your clients in all price ranges. Booking the florist and contracts are addressed and the role of the florist and the wedding planner on the wedding day. Money-saving tips and advice are also included. Also addressed: The Romantic Meaning of Flowers.
WEDDING GOWNS/BRIDESMAIDS' DRESSES:
OVERVIEW:
- According to Modern Bride magazine, the most enjoyable element of wedding planning for brides is shopping for their gowns.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: It's your job, as a wedding consultant, to see that your clients do so without being stressed or waiting till the last minute. You'll learn about the "time factor" when shopping; wedding gowns and the season; wedding gowns and body types; and wedding gown color and the bride's skin-tone. You'll discover how to teach a bride how to select the perfect bridesmaids' dress to match the formality of her gown and her wedding. Proper color selection is essential for success and "Color Wheels" will help you select "just-the-right" colors with your clients with ease and professionalism.
You'll also be able to advise your clients on how to shop effectively; and the guidelines to follow if your client is a second or more time bride. Contracts, deposits, and cancellations are also addressed, and the critical use of follow-up on the bride's and consultant's part. Alterations and fittings are addressed, along with proper veil selection. Pricing pitfalls are discussed along with the pros and cons of buying from discounters.
INVITATIONS:
OVERVIEW:
- This segment is a book unto itself.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: A history of invitations is given along with the difference and the impact of the paper they're printed on. Learn how your clients can best buy invitations and how they're priced. Invitations and wedding type and formality is discussed in detail, and color and the type of print, i.e. thermography versus engraved. You will learn when clients should order invitations and when they should be sent AND WHY THE INVITATIONS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN CONTROLLING YOUR CLIENTS' BUDGETS!
You will learn how to structure your client's guest list, and the importance of announcements. You will also discover about each invitation component and how to use them, from save-the-date cards, to reception cards, to at-home cards and thank-you notes. And you'll learn why you NEVER, NEVER advise your clients to put "number of guests" on their respond cards, and why you always get a proof to protect your interests! You will learn about custom and stock invitations and then there's the Nitty Gritty. the most comprehensive "book" ever written on how to properly word and address invitations, no matter what the circumstances.
Segment also includes invitations for: double weddings; reaffirmations and solemnizations; Mormon weddings; Hispanic weddings; invitations to two wedding ceremonies; invitations to receptions, only, and receptions after-the-fact; how to properly write thank-you notes; and the dreadful recall of invitations in the case of a break-up. Announcements are included along with general information about how to stuff a wedding invitation. Calligraphy and place-cards are detailed, along with the structure and format of the wedding program. Computer-generated invitations are talked about and other essentials that are available to your clients through wedding invitations' companies.
TRANSPORTATION:
OVERVIEW:
- Your clients' do have options when it comes to rented transportation other than the traditional limousine. They may prefer the less conventional trolley car or horse and buggy, or even the cost-effective option of the rented luxury car.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: This segment will teach you how to find the best rented transportation to refer to your clients, and when and how to reserve, and why licensing and insurance is so critical. Liability is addressed and your clients' responsibility should something go amiss, like an accident. Contracts are discussed in detail and that all important follow up.
FORMAL WEAR:
OVERVIEW:
- Today it seems that all grooms wear tuxedos, but are they your clients' only choice?
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: This segment will make you aware of all possibilities when it comes to selecting the best, most appropriate formal wear for the groom. Rules are included for choosing the right formal-wear shop to refer to your clients, along with obtaining proper fit, and how formal-wear shops work. Advice is given to avoid problems. The rules of etiquette and proper formal wear for particular wedding types is also explained, but as the course states, "If your client wants to break the rules, for example, and wear tails at a morning wedding, that's fine. Just make sure you acquaint them with the rules before they make the decision to break them."
|
|
