We are well underway with the 2014 wedding season, with couples tying the knot at a variety of venues up and down the country. There are a number of reasons why a bride may opt to organise a wedding rather than bringing in the help of a wedding planner. Whether it be keeping down the cost, or simply not trusting anyone else to organise your special day, the fact still remains you will have a monumental list of tasks to address. For many the main problem is having an understanding of everything that is available to you as well as finding the right options for your wedding.

The NCC Plan your own Wedding Course delves deep into the aspects that will contribute to your dream wedding. Venue, photography, ceremony and catering are all covered in this course as well as a module looking at creating your own personal task list and action plan. The general areas to be covered initially in your action plan are items such as the overall wedding budget, insurances, possible dates, themes, numbers, ceremony style, venues and caterers.

Planning a wedding can be a huge stress and NCC aim to provide you with sufficient knowledge to feel comfortable enough to plan your wedding with confidence and style.

Take a look at the full course Here.

Have you ever fancied a career in Digital Photography? Today we outline what it really entails to become a Digital Photographer.

What is Digital Photography?

So what is Digital Photography? It is as simple as pointing the camera at the subject and pressing a button. This revolution has brought ease to the user meaning they can take and view photos easily.

Digital photography first started in the 1960’s- 1970’s, when it was used as an experiment for military purposes. Rather than more traditional methods, digital photography allows the user to improve print issues for example red eye. Did you know that Barack Obama’s official portrait was taken using a digital camera? This just shows how high the quality of image can be!

Digital photography has been around for much longer than people think. It has only been in the last ten years that it has become an increasingly popular method of taking pictures. It has almost replaced the more traditional methods of taking photographs through the use of film. Digital Photography enables users to capture a moment through an image and create it on software. Rather than photographic prints, digital photography is generally stored in memory.

The camera will use digital technology to produce images. If your camera doesn’t require you to add any photographic film to record pictures then you are most likely to be using a digital camera. Digital photography involves the art of manipulating digital photographs. Images can be created in several ways such as:

• Directly with use of a digital camera
• Through scanning a conventional photograph
• Capturing a frame from a video

There are four key factors that work together to make up the quality of a digital image. The quality is dependent on the device used, the size (in pixels) of the digital photograph, the technical proficiency of the user, and also the format of the image in which it is stored.

As you can see this is a very in depth and complex topic, so if you love a challenge and would like to learn more about this subject area, we highly recommend you study a distance learning programme.

Suitability

Distance learning programmes are becoming an increasingly popular method of learning. It enables students to study at a time and pace to suit the individual. This means your can fit working towards a qualification around your busy lifestyle and personal commitments. A Digital Photography course is ideal for those who would like to pursue this area beyond just a hobby or to enhance your career prospects.

Education

For those of you who would like to learn more about Digital Photography, why not study a distance learning course. There are a number of distance learning providers, which enable you to study at a time and pace that is convenient to you. NCC Home Learning have more than 14 years of experience in delivering excellent training courses. They offer a Digital Photography course which is reasonably priced from £288. The suggested learning time to complete this programme is 260 hours. This really is dependent on the time you can dedicate to the course.

The course strives to provide students with a greater knowledge and understanding when it comes to the basics of photography techniques, understanding the equipment, the different photography specialisms, an understanding of image editing and much more!

Testimonials

At NCC Home Learning, there are a number of satisfied customers. Here is what some of them thought of their learning experience…

“I found the course materials easy to understand and my tutor was very supportive throughout my studies.”

Luke Matthews, Leeds

“I loved learning all about Digital Photography, it inspired me to do my own research into it on the internet and in books.”

Linda Pearson, Surrey

“I thoroughly enjoyed my course, I found it very interesting and challenging”

Tim Jeffries, Manchester

Career Prospects

There are a wide range of career paths you may wish to choose. Whether you would like to simply learn more about digital photography out of interest or if you would like to pursue a career in this field. You may decide you would like to become a wedding photographer. A distance learning programme in this area will help develop your expertise in this area. You will learn more about the different specialisms and techniques involved in digital photography. You may choose to start up your own business. The opportunities are endless!

Students will receive all the necessary learning materials and tutor support needed to successfully complete the course. If you would like a snapshot into what it really entails to work in Photography, then why not study a distance learning programme today!

 

5. David Beckham and Victoria Adams

 

 

The happy couple: the couple remain together after 15 years of marriage

 

No celebrity weddings list countdown is complete without the “it” couple of the late 90’s. The wedding was seen by many as relatively understated (for celebrities), held at Luttrellstown Castle in Dublin and attended only by 29 relatives and close friends. The extravagance wasn’t spared in other aspects of the event, such as the £60,000 Vera Wang dress and the £160,000 antique jewellery. The couple have since become a worldwide brand. Clothing lines, fragrances, car designs and also the small matter of setting up a new football team in Miami. Their vows have stuck through a number of re-locations dictated by David’s football career with Madrid, Milan, LA, and Paris all being on the list.

TOTAL COST: £500,000 

4. Madonna and Guy Ritchie

 

 

The Queen of Pop: Madonna’s marriage to grungy London film director, Guy Ritchie ended after 4 years.

 

The queen of pop made waves in the celebrity weddings world, marrying director and producer Guy Ritchie in 2000. Just like Posh and Becks, the choice of location was a castle but this time, Skibo in the Scottish Highlands. Madonna married Ritchie (10 years her junior) in front of star names such as George Clooney, Donatella Versace and Brad Pitt. The food and champagne bill alone came in at a massive £550,000 and the Stella McCartney gown costing around £50,000. The marriage didn’t end particularly well, with Ritchie claiming he felt like his marriage was one big soap opera.

TOTAL COST: £1.1 million

 

3. Liza Minelli and David Gest

 

 

Broadway Star: The Hollywood royalty is now on her fourth husband

 

The first all American affair on our list may come as a surprise, but when your best man is Michael Jackson and Maid of Honour Elizabeth Taylor the wedding becomes inherently extravagant. The Broadway star has been rocking red carpets all over the world for over 40 years. Her marriage to American Producer David Gest in 2002 was subject to huge media interest. The entertainment bill included international superstars. Stevie Wonder and Tony Bennet serenaded the guests who found the experience so incredible it was compared to the Grammy Awards. The couple lasted 16 months before splitting, meaning the $4.3 million spent averaged out at around £268,000 per month for the time they were together!

TOTAL COST : $4.3 Million

2. Prince William and Kate Middleton

 

 

The Royal Wave: The couple were the talk of the world in 2011

 

The priceless event was televised and reported in over 180 countries worldwide, making it the most viewed wedding in history. Kicking things off, Kate stayed in a £5,000 per night suite at the 5 Star Goring Hotel in the sought after area of Belgravia. Kate arrived in a Rolls Royce Phantom VI, but Prince William trumped that slightly with his specially designed 20 ft long Bentley. The extravagance was carried through the rest of the event with 300 ft red carpets, flowers from the Sandringham Estate and flyovers from the RAF. The reception, naturally, was held at Buckingham Palace and the Queen hosted 650 guests. Over 10,000 canapés were served at the wedding, washed down with £200 a bottle Pol Roger NC Brut champagne. 

TOTAL COST: £20 Million+

1. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid as Maktoum and Sheikha Hind Bint Maktoum

 

 

Al Maktoum Yacht: The Maktoum yacht tells you everything you need to know about their extravagance

 

Well this is the wedding of all weddings and the extravagance is completely unmatched. The Prime Minister and ruler of Dubai married his first wife in 1979. The Sheikh decided no venue was suitable for the grandeur he had in mind, so his solution was to purpose build his very own hall to accommodate 20,000 guests. A five day national holiday was declared in order to commemorate the event.  Mohammed bin Rashid rode on horseback to all of the local villages to provide food for the festivities. The marriage has stayed strong, even though the Sheikh married a new “junior” wife in 2004 (polygamy is legal in Dubai). The couple have been instrumental in the development of Dubai as one of the world’s strongest economies, with it now holding a number of world first’s and records. 

TOTAL COST – $137 million

Love is in the air, and who knows, this might be the year when you have to plan a wedding! NCC offer a Level 3 Wedding Planner Diploma that covers everything you need to know about planning the perfect wedding. 

The job market is a very daunting place at the best of times, which means in the current economic climate there are many of us who feel lost finding an exciting and rewarding career path. Young people are one of the most affected age groups, with 1 in 5 university graduates not finding work within 6 months of leaving university.

An official parliamentary report revealed this month that 1.7 million 16-24 year old’s are economically inactive (not in or looking for work), this equates to 21.0%. The figures make for depressing reading, despite the economic downturn there are a number of industries that have experienced growth and  they are the industries you should be targeting to forge a career with prospects.

Event and Wedding planning has become big business in the age of the “celebrity”, with the general public craving that perfect white wedding or luxury event. Now an established industry, opportunities for young people are growing. The nature of the business demands a fast paced and enthusiastic workforce which matches the traits of many young people looking for work.

The industry full of glitz and glamour has seen a large number of new businesses sprouting up to supply their services in planning the perfect event or wedding. The low entry barriers and little investment needed to start a business like this means it is a low risk proposition. If you have the artistic flair to give Elton John a run for his money then this is the perfect industry in which to pursue a career. The wedding industry currently stands at $50.6 billion worldwide and the Huffington Post estimates that the wedding planning market is set to see a 2.3% increase in size by 2018.

This dynamic and exciting industry could be the perfect way for you to gain valuable on the job experience. There are a number of different paths you could take to become a wedding or event planner. There are a number of University courses that focus directly on the subjects and provide an excellent platform to be ready for a job role immediately after graduating. If the time and cost of university seems too much for you, there are some excellent dedicated distance learning courses that give you the opportunity to learn from home and at your own pace. The courses retail at around £305.00, which is at level 3 (equivalent in knowledge to an A-Level).

NCC offer both Event Planner and Wedding Planner Courses, for more information call 0800 970 2522 or e-mail [email protected].

For the first time ever in England and Wales couples will be able to have a legal Wedding or Civil Ceremony on the sands of Bournemouth beach, in a romantic ivory wedding beach hut!

Never before have a couple been able to tie the knot in a legally binding ceremony in the great outdoors, in a beautiful beach setting.  With this in mind the exciting new beach themed wedding venue, which can cater for up to 400 guests, will allow couples to plan a truly unique wedding.

Belissimo Events, the mastermind behind Bournemouth Beach Weddings state “we can arrange as big or small a marquee as you need according to your guest numbers – everything from a bucks fizz reception to a 3 course sit down meal if you wish. We can tailor the whole magical event to your exact needs.”

The resort is the first in the UK to offer beach hut ceremonies and the first beach wedding ever in the UK is due to take place this Spring on Bournemouth beach!

If you would love to plan a beach wedding for a special couple, take a look at NCC Home Learning’s Wedding Planner Diploma today!

The distance learning Wedding Planner Diploma covers everything you need to know to become a successful wedding planner from organising the perfect venue to setting up your very own wedding planning business.  With this home study course you can complete the Wedding Planning Diploma in your own time, at your own pace before gaining a Diploma Certificate from National Awarding Body NCFE on completion of your course.

Click here for further information on Bournemouth Beach Weddings

Congratulations to Prince William and Kate Middleton on their engagement!

The couple announced their engagement at St James’s Palace in London on Tuesday 16th November.

Speaking in a joint television interview, the prince revealed he had proposed while on holiday in Kenya in October.

Detailed preparations are now under way for the royal wedding next spring or summer of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

There is already speculation about the wedding venue which has focused on Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral and the smaller Guards Chapel, where the 10th anniversary memorial service for Princess Diana took place.

The announcement of a Royal wedding has set an excited buzz not only nationwide but world wide.  It is thought the Royal Wedding will boost the UK economy in terms of tourism, merchandising and broadcasting.

To read more about the royal wedding please click here.

It would be difficult for one of us to plan a royal wedding but if you would love to be a wedding planner why not take up NCC Home Learnings exciting Wedding Planner Diploma!

This Wedding Planner Diploma will allow you to develop all the necessary skills to be a successful wedding planner!  You can study at a pace that suits you and on completion of the course you will receive a Level 3 Wedding Planner Diploma from National Awarding Body Ascentis.

If you have ever wondered what it takes to be a wedding planner take a look at the below interview with Caroline Gould, established wedding planner and owner of Endless Love.

What packages do you offer your clients?

I offer my clients a stress free wedding day and planning experience through a number of services including:

•Wedding Planning workshops
•RSVP management
•Supplier search
•Venue search
•On the day co-ordination
•Final two months
•Full planning

What sets you apart from other planners?

My experience and my laid back style.  I’ve worked in the wedding industry for almost 4 years and have built up a lot of knowledge about local suppliers, venues and wedding trends in general.  Having worked at a venue I have a really good understanding of the way they work and the information they require throughout the planning process and on the day.  My laid back style means that nothing fazes me or stresses me out.  I’m a very organised person (as most Wedding Planners are!) and am rarely seen at a wedding or event without my trusty clipboard of essential information.  I’m also a true believer in the phrase ‘no-one plans to fail, they simply fail to plan!’

How many weddings do you plan each year?

This year I have done 3 weddings and I already have 1 confirmed for next year.  I’m also working on several enquiries for 2011 and 2012.

What’s the best thing about being a wedding planner?

I love being involved in such an important and special day in someone’s life.  I get to know the couple really well throughout the planning process and it’s so wonderful to see them enjoying their wedding day, knowing that I had a part in it.

To read this article in full please click here.

What better way to learn the ins and outs of wedding planning than in the comfort of your own home.  NCC Home Learning’s Wedding Planner Diploma will teach you every thing you need to know to become an efficient and successful Wedding Planner!

He popped the question and she said yes.  Now the hard work begins.  Arranging a wedding, even with the full support of family and friends is challenging, a wedding planner can make the experience a pleasure.

Those in the business recommend that you use a wedding coordinator or planner since they know how to arrange things just the way you want them.  It takes years to get to know everyone in the business, and those connections pay off big for clients.  Photographers, caterers, clergy and more are all listed in your planner’s files.

Your planner knows how to hook you up with a caterer that can make a specific menu.  They can give you a short list of exceptional photographers to interview.  They can even direct you to the best option for a wedding hall.  The best benefit of all this knowledge is that it saves you time, money and stress – a triple crown.

Arranging something special for the Wedding Ceremony
Barring viral videos, most of us haven’t seen anything particularly extraordinary during a wedding ceremony.  Granted, the purpose is simply to connect two people and their families, but that doesn’t mean the event has to be boring or routine.

A wedding planner can help you create a ceremony that not only fulfils the legal requirements, but also makes a romantic and heartfelt statement.

A Wedding Coordinator Will Save You Money
I know that sounds strange.  After all, you have to pay your planner to help you out.  The savings come from their incredible knowledge and skills.  Do you know where you can best cut expenses?  Neither did I when I got married.  But your wedding planner will know exactly where you can eliminate costs without it impacting your event.

Additionally, do you remember those connections we mentioned earlier?  Your planner will use them to your advantage, arranging for better prices, better service and more perks that you won’t be able to get anywhere else.

Why would the people you work with do this for your planner?  Well, they know that the planner can send them more business, so it just makes sense all around.

Finding a good wedding planner may take a bit of footwork.  Ask around among your friends to see if they used someone that they would recommend.  Ask wedding venue representatives if there is someone they like.  When you find the right person, the rest of the planning phase will be a breeze.

Next stop?  Our Wedding Planner Diploma courses!  We have two options now available to budding new Wedding Planners – Wedding Planner Diploma Online and Wedding Planner Diploma Paper Format.  Both courses are as credible as each other and contain the exact same information in different formats.

The new Channel 4 series of The Wedding House has showcased an array of wild and wonderful wedding plans.

In total, thirty-two couples will make their vows during the series, all having their own ‘unique’ weddings from Alice in Wonderland to Moulin Rouge.  Creating the couples’ dream weddings are a three-strong team who transform the rooms and create themed wedding attire!

In stark contrast to the average spend of £20,000 and months of endless planning which is usually associated with extravagant weddings, couples pitch an idea and after only a few quick meetings are whisked through their ideal wedding!

If you are inspired by the novel approach to this show or maybe think you can do better, why not take a look at our fantastic Wedding Planner Diploma and learn everything you need to plan someone’s big day!

The area of wedding planning is an extremely lucrative industry, with the total spend on weddings being valued at £4.2 billion in 2005! Our Wedding Planner Diploma will provide you with all the crucial skills and knowledge needed to enter into this exciting industry!

Our Wedding Planner Diploma is also available in both paper and online format.

 

If Wedding Planning is a little too subject specific why not consider our Event Management Diploma which covers all events including conferences, private events, outdoor festivals and exhibitions.  This course is also available in various formats with the option of business start-up for all you entrepreneurs!


 

To add to our ever popular Wedding Planning course, NCC can now offer a Level three Wedding Planner qualification accredited by OCNW. This course will be available in the coming weeks, keep reviewing our site for details. To pre-register interest and receive information directly into your inbox, use the ‘subscribe for updates’ function. Alternatively, ‘request a call back’ and we will provide additional syllabus details.