The wedding industry is big business, and more couples are choosing to use the services of a wedding planner. Likewise, many people are also studying for wedding planning courses to plan their own nuptials.

Whether you are planning your own wedding or looking for an exciting new career, online wedding planning courses are proving popular.

You too may be looking for opportunities to study and expand your horizons but if returning to the classroom is not a possibility, learning online certainly is. In fact, learning online is fast becoming the most popular way of earning qualifications.

Being a wedding planner
A wedding planner is the person that couples rely on to organise their big day. The average cost of a wedding is now £25,000 and although this may seem a lot, a wedding planner can help the happy couple to save even more money.

In fact, an experienced wedding planner will have contacts in all kinds of industries and trades, helping to organise a wedding day within budget.

The wedding industry is big business, and more couples are choosing to use the services of a wedding planner.

There are many personal skills and attributes you will need:

• Calmness – weddings are highly emotional affairs and the run up to the big day can be stressful for many brides, grooms and their families. Essentially, you need to be able to think on your feet and always have solutions and plenty of ‘Plan Bs’ up your sleeve!
• Charm – in the face of adversity, conflict and tension, you need to have oodles of charm and the ability to communicate clearly in situations that can be fraught and emotional. This doesn’t mean that as a wedding planner you will constantly be battling adversity; far from it as a wedding is a joyous and happy occasion, and one that you will feel blessed to be a part of.
• Negotiator – if anything, you will be the top negotiator on behalf of your bride and groom. From ordering the flowers, to hiring the band to wedding photographers and caterers, you will be negotiating on price, as well as availability and so on.
• Budget – it is imperative that you are good with money and are able to produce the product that couples want without over-spending. You need to keep a tight hold of the budget, always keeping your couple informed of expenses and where the money is being spent etc.
• Super-organised – a wedding planner needs to be super-organised and are responsible for every aspect of the big day, from making sure the flowers arrive on time, the food is perfect, that hired items arrive on time and in the right place.
• Knowledgeable – as you grow more experienced in the role, you will create a long lists of contacts, skills and knowledge that will make you a knowledgeable and go-to wedding planner
• A sense of humour – you will meet all kinds of people and characters, from emotional, indecisive brides to controlling parents and so on. You will need a sense of humour and, as a great wedding planner, the ability to keep people’s dreams on track with a gentle, guiding hand.

Why choose NCC Home Learning courses?
If you are looking to a career in event or wedding planning, potential customers always feel that you are more trustworthy and reliable if you can show what you can do. For many people, this means having a wedding planner that is qualified.

But, taking the time to attend college can seem like too big a leap thus, many students turn to online learning and to a leading online course provider such as NCC Home Learning;

• Flexible – you can study when you want; there are very few, if any deadlines and there is, with many courses no ‘must be completed by’ dates either. This gives you the flexibility to learn around your current work and family commitments.
• Cost-effective – many online courses are cheaper not because they are of a lesser value but because online course providers have fewer overheads, an expense they do not need to pass to their students.
• Same qualification, same value – some people may tell you that online courses are ‘not as academic’ or are somehow, thought of less by employers and so on. Today, online course providers go through the same rigorous planning and accreditation process as other education providers so you can be sure to get the same level of value and qualification with us as you would at a college or other educational establishment.
• Simple, easy enrolment – you can enrol anytime, there is no need to wait until September. Many of your courses come with an online or paper option so you can study in a way that suits you. Simply choose a wedding planner course, pay the deposit, followed by instalments (or pay in one lump sum) and start on the road to a new and exciting career!

#1 Opportunities for photographers
There is more to being a photographer than snapping people’s weddings, although this is a lucrative avenue for many photographers. Taking time to research the various opportunities and career paths for photographers is important as this can help you decide which courses to opt for.

Photographers can run their own businesses or be employed as press photographers, crime scene photographers, creating stock images and so on. There are also many opportunities to specialize such as wildlife and nature, with many photos being used online or in print. There are also many opportunities for photographers to work in the field of TV and film too.

#2 Keep practicing
Photography, like other art form, is a skill and a talent that is nurtured through constantly taking photos, experimenting with exposures and so on.

Keeping a notebook is important. Simply jot down when you have completed a photo shoot, what exposure you used, camera, shutter speed and so on.

#3 Build a portfolio
Photography is visual and as such, keeping a portfolio, both in print and online too, is a great way of building your experience but also being able to show potential customers, employers, and course tutors what you can do.

#4 Post online
There are many photograph-based social media platforms and posting online is a great way to get more exposure for your photos, as well as getting constructive feedback from people.

Flickr is a fabulous platform for the serious photographer and allows people to not only share their work but also to look at what others are doing, sharing tips and hints etc.

There is more to being a photographer than snapping people’s weddings

#5 Push your boundaries
As a photographer, you will become familiar and comfortable with certain conditions, places and so on. Like all creative outlets, the need to push your comfort zone is a means of pushing your creative abilities.

Landscape photographers may be happy in the wind, rain and mud of the local woodland, but how about practicing some shots in the dusk of the town or city? Having a keen eye and seeking out those everyday things that we see but don’t see, is a great way of developing photography skills.

#6 Set goals
Many people think that to get THE photograph, you just need to keep snapping away.

In some ways, this is fine but why not set yourself some goals so that you have something to stretch towards? From visiting somewhere you have always wanted to go, to setting a goal of photographing a notoriously shy animal, having a project is a great way of honing your thinking and skills.

#7 Read, read, ask questions and read
Comparison is not always a good thing; neither is it a new concept. We tend to compare what we achieve with what others achieve and if you think that it is not good enough, you can feel downhearted.

Photography is all about perspective so jump right on it and read everything from the latest photography magazines, to helpful guides and sign up to online forums too. Ask fellow photographers questions and expand your mind and skill set with learning.

#8 Take a professional photography course
For some photography outlets and opportunities, you will need show a skill set that can be acquired from taking part in a professional photography course.

For many people researching how to become a photographer, starting with a basic photography course is a great way to start. Such courses will teach not only about basic composition but will also look at cameras, editing software and other key components of getting your photos to look their best.

If you feel you have the necessary skills and experience, you may want to choose an online photography course that is more advanced and possibly specialist too. Wedding photography, for example, as well as photographs for certain sectors and industries are all popular choices.

Alongside a photography course, you may also want to think about a business course too, especially if you plan on selling your photos and your services as a professional photographer.

There is always a need for professional photography, whether that is professional photo shoots of fashion models, or personal photography such as portrait work or weddings.

The question has been popped, the proposal accepted; the champagne has flowed, and the engagement ring has been admired.

Now all you need to do is plan your wedding.

You want it to be special. You want it to be a little different and unique; you want a theme that is fun and frivolous but, you also want the sanctity of marriage and the story of your relationship to shine through.

To top it all off, you also have the constraints of the budget within which you must operate. When it comes to understanding how to plan a wedding successfully, you need a few basic and simple steps.

Step 1 – what kind of wedding day do you want?
Do you want flamboyant? Is it going to be big? Is it small, intimate and romantic? Is there a theme? A colour?… the questions go on and on but before you get swept away in a tide of unanswered questions and ideas, you need to sit down together, as a couple, as decide what can, what must, what can’t and must not happen on your day.

Step 2 – the perfect wedding venue
In our how to plan a wedding guide, we suggest that the biggest purchase be decided upon first, and that is the wedding venue.

You may decide on a church or registry office, followed by a wedding reception or you may opt for the all-in-one approach with a wedding venue that does both ceremony and reception.

Ask around, do a bit of research online and then make some appointments to go and view places. Not only is price an indicating factor but you will also need to consider whether you have exclusive use of the venue, if it is big enough and whether there is a need for overnight accommodation, either at the venue or nearby.

We would suggest visiting two or three venues to see how far your money can stretch.

Step 3 – Get help!
You can successfully plan your wedding, creating a day that is not only memorable but fun too but, if you know you are going to struggle, then you need to decide on the best course of action when it comes to getting the right kind of help.

There will be a legion of relatives and friends all clambering to help you out. From writing invites, to making up hundreds of party favours, there is a whole raft of people to call on.

But – and we must sound a note of caution – a wedding can also be the time that people tend to get carried away with their ideas. What you want can become lost in the melee.

The answer to this is to hire someone who is objective, full of advice, suggestions and contacts as well as being completely on your side. You may think that hiring a wedding planner is an extravagant expense, but it can be money well spent (and save you a lot of stress and headaches too!)

Step 4 – Check out major wedding suppliers
From food to flowers, drink to entertainment, once you have your venue sorted and enlisted help, you now need to start putting the finishing touches on your day.

What can impact on your day is when something goes awry with a key wedding supplier, like the food being late, the flowers not arriving or the wrong wedding cake being delivered.

Finding the best suppliers within your budget is simply essential. Take a look online, read reviews and get recommendations. Many entertainers and musicians will use social media to showcase their talent.

Once you are satisfied you have found the right people and suppliers book them, confirming details nearer to time to prevent any mishaps or problems on the day.

Step 5 – enjoy your wedding day
You have had fabulous help from family and friends, your wedding suppliers have all delivered, all that remains to be done now is to go ahead and enjoy your day.

You have a superb venue, hand-picked entertainment, beautiful flowers and the partner of your dreams. Even better you have managed to plan your own wedding without going over budget nor becoming overly stressed about small, inconsequential things, known in the industry as being a bridezilla.

All of this means that when your wedding day dawns bright and early, everything is under control – bar the weather – and you can kick back and really celebrate the start of something wonderful together.

Getting started as an event planner, whether arranging birthday parties, weddings or other kinds of events, can be tough. It is a thriving industry and with an Event Management course under your belt, you could find a whole new world of opportunities opening up before you.

Opportunities, however, can be hard to come by and so when you do come across them, you need to exploit them.

Like most industries, it is the one break that can launch a successful career and the same is certainly true when it comes to event planning and management.
Here are our top tips for becoming an event planner:

#1 Know what the job entails
You may think that event planning is turning up on the day and making sure the champagne is flowing freely, and everything goes without a hitch. To a certain extent, an event planner is akin to a swan, gliding gracefully over the surface of the water – beneath the water, the legs are working hard to give the overall appearance of effortless grace.

The role of an event planner is not always an easy one. It can mean many hours of organisation, as well as high level of stress at times. From making sure the caterers turn up on time to booking the right music entertainment and so on – and within budget too. If you think it is a life of endless glamour, you may be in for a shock.

#2 Start small…
Experience enriches practice and the more you have of it the better. Once you have completed an event management course, why not see if you can gain experience with a local event planner?

If, however, you want to plunge on in at the deep end, our top tip would be to start small and work your way up to bigger and better events. By starting on a smaller scale, you gain valuable insight into this burgeoning industry, as well as experience which is invaluable.

#3 Build your skill set
An Event Planner course is all well and good, giving you an outstanding grounding in the do’s and don’ts of the industry. You may feel that you lack skills in certain areas which need to be strengthened.

For example, smaller scale budgets are easier to manage than budgets that hits tens of thousands of pounds. Learning how to account and be accountable for every penny spent is important. Building your skill set, such as accountancy, keeping books, budgets and so on, can all help to strengthen your skills in event planning.

#4 Build your network and contacts
Event planning is just as much about who you know, as what you know. Securing an exclusive venue is more easily done if you have contacts within the industry and thus, event planning is one role where being a social butterfly really pays off.

In many ways, this is how you will also find you catch a lot of new clients. Although you may have a website with plenty of enquiries, you may find that as you plan more and more successful events, whether they are weddings or birthday celebrations, you will have clients who have been attendees at these events also wanting your services.

#5 Build a portfolio
If you are planning on being an event planner, you will need to build a portfolio that shows prospective clients what you are capable of planning and creating on their behalf.

From photos of events, to feedback from clients, creating a portfolio both online and with a ‘paper’ portfolio is a great way of showing clients that you have the ability and skills to create a unique and dazzling event.

And finally, promote yourself!
As an event planner, you cannot be bashful when it comes to promoting yourself as the go-to event planner. Established event planners will tell you that clients buy into you, as a person, as much as they buy in your services and skills. In other words, getting the ‘right’ planner can depend on whether the clients like the person or not.

Having a strong online presence is essential for businesses in this modern age, with event planning companies being no different. From a website that sets the tone for your brand, to a strong social media presence, being online with a quality product will boost your event planning credentials no end.

Liz Taylor featured in the Channel 4 documentary “Million Dollar Party” that showed the successful world that a party planner can enjoy. With an Event Management course from NCC Home Learning under your belt, who knows that the future will hold…

The question has been asked, the corks have popped and everyone, including the happy couple, are looking forward to the big day.

However, planning a wedding can take time and energy, as well as vast amounts of money. Or, you can plan for a small, intimate wedding or one on a budget. No matter what the size of the wedding guest list nor the budget, wedding planning courses can be a worthwhile move.

We have created a simple checklist of all the things that need arranging between now and your big day. We have assumed you are allowing yourself 12 months to plan your wedding but clearly, if you are waiting longer than this, or the time span is shorter, adjust the timings accordingly.

As soon as the question is popped and the proposal accepted…

• Share the good news!
• If your folks haven’t met yet, now is the time
• Set a wedding budget and be realistic about what you can and cannot afford
• Put 10% of your wedding budget aside for ‘emergencies’
• Decide on the date
• Confirm the date by booking a registrar, arranging a meeting with a minister or priest etc.
• Only when you know you can legally marry on your chosen day should you send out ‘Save the Day!’ notifications
• Choose the key players – the best man, bridesmaids, maid of honour, ushers etc.

12 months in advance
Take a deep breath because you are about to set out on the list that will set the tone and feel for your day:

• Book your wedding venue – you may want to visit several places locally, or further afield, including abroad. Take your time and negotiate on price. Remember, your wedding budget has to stretch quite far…
• Start creating the guest list – most people find that if they invited everyone they know to the wedding, it would be a long, long list. Start with immediate family and close friends, and then fan out from there. If you have decided on a traditional shaped wedding day – ceremony, wedding breakfast, raucous night-do – then you can invite the bulk of your guests to the evening reception.

9 months
Getting closer…

• Finalise your guest list… and send out the invites for day and evening
• Book a wedding photographer and videographer, if you want one
• Book your wedding flowers – the best florists will, like wedding photographers, be booked in advance especially in the height of wedding season.
• Go wedding dress and suit shopping!
• Book your honeymoon if you are having one

6 months
Closer still…

• Bridesmaid dresses – know that you have your own bride’s dress sorted, you will want to start finalising the colour theme etc. of your wedding. This is done through the support people on your big day, and accessories. The main colour for your day will no doubt be bridesmaid’s dresses, complementing the flowers you have chosen.
• Buy the wedding rings
• Choose hairstylist and make-up artists
• Book wedding transport for the main bridal party – usually, transport is provided for bride, her parents, bridesmaids. Ushers and the best many traditionally supply their own.
• Order the wedding cake
• Remind any guests travelling to your big day to book their accommodation

3 months to go…

• Sort the legalities of the day, including the banns etc.
• Create your wedding ceremony, running order and so on
• Check passports for honeymoon travel
• Get those wedding invites out!

2 months to go…

• Double check all your arrangements with the florist, wedding cars and so on
• Meet with your chosen photographer and decide on shots, sometimes known as a storyboard
• Have a timetable for the day (sounds a little too serious but you will need it on the day!)
• Trial hair and make up
• Enjoy the stag do!
• Hit the town with the Hens!
• Buy thank you gifts for bridesmaids, parents of bride and groom etc.

And now, relax.

The week before the wedding

• Finalise the seating plan
• Reconfirm all the details with your photographer, florist etc.
• Run through who is doing what and when, with whom and where – and make sure key people know where they need to be and what they are doing
• Arrange for the venue to be decorated
• Pick up the dress, the cake and so

On the big day…

• Enjoy it!
  Planning a wedding should be fun but, it can be stressful especially if you are unsure what to do and when. Wedding planning courses can not only be perfect for your own big day, but could launch a new career too!

Sooty

Take a look at our event planning tips for the winter months

What is a Wedding Planner?

Ever wondered what it would be like to work in the role of a Wedding Planner? This is the ideal career choice for those who want to create a couple’s dream day!
As you can imagine, to plan and organise the best day of someone’s life can hold a lot of pressure. There are a number of aspects you can expect to be responsible for, all of which will contribute to the smooth running of the big day.

Around 9-10 am

To start your day, after completing your own personal routine in a morning (getting up, having a wash, eating breakfast etc.) you will start by checking emails, text messages, voice mails etc.

You can expect to attend meetings, venue walk-through’s, and even cake tasting sessions. You will even be involved in designing décor.

Meetings, venue walk-throughs, cake tastings to décor designing; the duties as a wedding planner do not even stop when you get home from work, finishing meeting notes to send out to that day’s clients/ vendors etc.

Noon, a wedding planner will have a break to take lunch.

2pm – You can expect start scheduling appointments for clients and complete tasks such as venue and supplier sourcing.

4pm – Later in the afternoon you can expect to check in with your clients and provide them with updates regarding their wedding plans progress.

5:30pm – the day typically ends

You may find yourself working in the evenings when you get home. The day can consist generally of working through your to do lists, working on marketing your business, and other administration duties. You will also be involved with research into entertainment, décor, flowers etc.

As a Wedding Planner you can also expect to work weekends, but if you have a passion go for it!

You are sure to find a career in Wedding Planning challenging, often quite stressful but highly rewarding.

What is an Event Planner?

Ever fancied pursuing a career as an Event Planner? Whether you see yourself organising social or corporate events, you are sure to find this a challenging but highly rewarding career. There are a number of personal qualities that you should possess to be a successful event planner. As an event planner you can find yourself organising celebrations (weddings, birthdays, anniversaries etc.), Commemorations (memorial events) and much more! As you can see the opportunities are endless. There are a number of occasions which client’s may require an Event Planner.

Successful planners should develop and possess the following skills:

• Marketing and public relations
• Verbal and written communication
• Excellent organisation skills
• Negotiation
• Time management and work well under pressure
• Deadline oriented
• Excellent at multitasking
• Teamworking

Responsibilities

As an event planner it is your duty to ensure that a clients’ event runs as smoothly as possible. It is your responsibility to oversee all aspects of the event. Other areas you can expect to be involved in include:

• Conducting research
• Creating an event plan
• Finding a suitable venue
• Arranging catering, décor
• Entertainment
• Planning transportation
• Organising accommodation if required
• The sending of invitations
• Supervising at the event
• Conduct evaluations of the event

People who wish to pursue a career in event planning come from a wide range of academic backgrounds. It can be an appealing career path for many. Often employers will seek candidates who possess a bachelor’s degree in business, management, hospitality, marketing, communications etc.

Salary

The salary of an Event Planner can typically range from £18,000 – £25,000. Please take these figures as a guideline only. Salary can be determined by a range of factors. Experience is important, for example if you are working for another company, generally, the more experience you have, the more money you will earn. Salary is also determined on demand, meaning the more events you plan the more income you will receive.

Career Prospects

This is a great career path for individuals who would like to turn a client’s idea into reality. You may choose to specialise in an area for example become a wedding planner, or simply an event planner who organises an array of occasions. This is ideal for those who would like to plan and organise an event to remember!

NCC Home Learning offer an Event Management programme, which is reasonably priced from £272. For more information please visit:

https://www.ncchomelearning.co.uk/eventmanagementdiplomaonline-product-411.html?cat