It's now time to begin an in-depth review of each wedding component. Naturally, we'll begin with the engagement. Each segment is detailed. There's lots to learn!
THE ENGAGEMENT:
OVERVIEW: Most engagements last 16 months which should give the wedding planner, bride and their families plenty of time to plan a wedding, but then, there's those last-minute brides to contend with! No matter the situation, you'll be able to handle it with ease with AAWP training.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: From the first step: the engagement, to engagement parties and invitations and the ensuing gifts and thank-you notes, to newspaper announcements, announcing second and more marriages, even finding your clients premarital non-religious counseling (which should be a prerequisite of marriage just like a license), and addressing and handling the broken engagement, this segment prepares you for the most critical part of any wedding, the ceremony.
THE CEREMONY:
OVERVIEW: Choosing a wedding ceremony site for success (if your clients aren't marrying in their place of worship) is a daunting task. Is the place too big or too small? How are the acoustics? What about the size of the aisle and the layout? And the ambiance? And what if your client is set on an atypical site like a park or on the beach? All your questions are answered in this comprehensive segment that teaches you to how effectively address all ceremony concerns.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: The segment will educate you about interfaith marriage, problems with religion caused by cohabitation, out-of-state clergy, music and its restrictions, along with in-depth information on religious weddings. Secular weddings are also included and generic subjects like reception lines; where the bride should dress; music and how to select it; wedding programs and guest books; aisle runners; children and weddings; dealing with divorced parents; transportation; and the all important marriage license. Also contains detailed information on the bridal party, their duties, financial obligations, how an usher ushers, children as participants and so much more...
THE RECEPTION:
OVERVIEW:The wedding reception is the largest expense of a wedding and for that reason it deserves lots of time and attention from the wedding planner and the bride, groom and their families.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: The segment addresses all types of receptions: Formal, semi-formal and informal and the components and structure of each, from wine-and-beer and dessert receptions; early morning "breakfasts"; afternoon brunches and lunches; to cocktail-hors d'oeuvres receptions; sit-down dinners and station receptions; at-home and "tent" weddings. From the informal to the fancy and more, no detail is left out.
You will learn the importance of accessibility from the ceremony to reception site; tipping rules; the reception schedule from first step to last, from the cocktail hour to the exit of the bride and groom and every step in between; the rules of good toasting; seating of the bride, groom and their families (dealing with divorce); place-cards and their effective use; and the importance of linens and their "look". You will learn how to calculate the size necessary for that all-important dance-floor; and the formula for knowing the number of valet-parking attendants necessary to park guests' cars quickly and efficiently. Flowers and decorations are included here but are discussed in detail in a following unit.
The sticky topic of children and receptions is discussed and solutions offered. Favors, to have or have not, are talked about, along with the wedding cake and the role of dessert. The relationship between the wedding planner and the catering director is addressed in detail, along with the necessary "tasting". You are taught how to calculate the "guarantee" in your client's best interest; how to negotiate superfluous charges and how to save your clients money, meaning that they get the best value for their dollar. Contracts and negotiations are discussed in detail.
Liquor, because of the expense, is a topic you must fully understand. Wine and beer receptions are discussed and you'll learn the best way to buy liquor to save your clients money, aggravation and possible financial disaster. A "calculator table" is provided to determine the number of bottles of wine and/or champagne necessary for each wedding based on the number of guests.
THE WEDDING CAKE:
OVERVIEW: A traditional part of every wedding, the wedding cake is magical.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: The history of the wedding cake and the "groom's cake", and about pitfalls and why your client should NOT put her grandmother's antique cake-topper on top of her wedding cake. The cake as part of your client's "package" is discussed along with reserving the custom cake. You'll also learn when to order and how much cake is necessary for a specific number of guests. You'll learn about cake-cutting fees, and why your clients' should NOT serve an additional dessert along with their wedding cake. Contracts are addressed in detail. Money-saving tips are included, along with the possibility of your clients baking their own mouth-watering wedding cake. Learn also how to properly preserve the top layer of the wedding cake for the one-year anniversary celebration!
HONEYMOONS:
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: Honeymoon planning isn't the realm of the wedding planner; however, there are pitfalls that your clients must be aware of. "Honeymoon showers" are talked about-a great suggestion for you to offer your clients… Ummm, maybe that honeymoon in Hawaii is possible after all?
ENTERTAINMENT:
OVERVIEW: Nothing can make or break a wedding like entertainment. If the music is loud or obnoxious, guests will leave. They'll also leave early if there's no entertainment, the last thing your clients want on the most important day of their lives!
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: Entertainment types and wedding formality is discussed in detail. Proper scheduling is essential, and you, the wedding planner will learn how to do it. Bands, DJs, and orchestras are dealt with, in depth. Common scams are discussed including "screamers". Video auditions and "see them live" questions are broached, along with the entertainment's equipment and its importance; the use of synthesizers, good or bad?; and the critical "non-continuous" verses "continuous" music is defined and debated. Cocktail hour and ceremony music is discussed; along with the entertainment's and the wedding planner's role with the catering director or maitre d' to make the reception flow. Money-saving tips are included along with detailed contract information. Sample "entertainment sheets" and "introduction" sheets are available for download and print out. These must be and completed by your clients to give to their entertainment.
PHOTOGRAPHY:
OVERVIEW:A top wedding priority, nothing is as important after the fact as your client's wedding photos.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: A history and perspective is given along with a full-proof method of how the wedding planner/consultant must shop for photographers to refer to their clients. (NOTE:Every unit that refers to specific wedding vendors and services tells our consultants how to shop to find the best ones to refer to their clients.) This segment is comprehensive and will teach you the basics of good photography and how to recognize a worth-while photographer in every price range. Tips are offered from the country's two most recognized wedding photographers: Denis Reggie (who shot John Kennedy Jr.'s wedding to Carolyn Bessette) and Monte Zucker, who represent the two primary schools of thought when it comes to wedding photography: photojournalism and traditional, classic photography. The type of photography your clients choose will be based upon their wants and your educated input.
Common sense tips and advice are given: one photographer or two?; the essential assistant;
the equipment and its importance; special effects and filters; make-up and why it's critical; retouching; before the wedding or after (family photos); copyright issues; wedding "packages" and your client's budget; and that all important "details list" that you print out to give to your clients for discussion and implementation by the wedding photographer. Contracts, album selections, album structure and cost is talked about, and the impact of the digital firestorm.
