Benefiting from over 30 years’ practical skills training experience, Fitzwilliam Institute’s Online Diploma in Wedding Planning course features:
Preliminary planning
Wedding Brief, Planning and Budgeting
Creating an Outline Plan covering availability of Main Guests; Timing of the Wedding; Choosing the correct Day of the Week on which to be Married;Setting out an Outline Budget from Wedding Jewellery to Catering; Upgrading your Wedding; Wedding Contingency Planning;
Location, Time Management and Wedding Legalities
Choosing the Right Location for the Wedding; Unique Reception Venues; Themed Weddings; Wedding Styles; Wedding Coordination Planning Setting out a Critical Path ; determining if the Outline Plan can be Achieved in the time and on Budget; Checking the Legalities; Wedding Risk Management Insurance; Legal Documentation; Prenuptial Agreements etc;
Wedding Guest Management
The Guest List and Cost Management
Drafting the Guest List; Inviting Children; Immediate Relatives; Relatives one step removed; Consulting Parents about the list; Endeavouring to Invite Equal Numbers between Bride and Groom; Inviting Parents to Contribute to Costs; Managing and Coordinating the Growing Guest List; Limiting Numbers; Agreeing Final Guest List with both sets of Parents; Managing Two Event Guest Lists: Full Day Guest List and Evening Guest List;
Managing Wedding Guest Special Requirements
Wedding Guest Etiquette- Guest bringing friends; Facilities for Special Needs Guests - High Chairs and Baby Facilities; Disabled Guests and Accessibility; Vegetarians and Vegan Guests; Seating Plans; Out-of-town Guests - Accommodation; Maps; Contact Details;
Wedding Guest Seating Plans
Types of Seating Arrangements; Coordination of Ceremony Seating Layout; Reception Seating Layout; Top Table Plan; Parents Table; Seating Layout by Family; Buffets;
Wedding Guest Invitations
Pre-Wedding Parties; Invitation Sent; Gift Received; Thank You Notes etc; Wedding Printing Invitations - Engraved; Hand Printed; Reply Paid Cards; Gift Lists; ; Order of Service Sheets; Menus; Wording; Press Announcements Style; Maps; Cake Boxes; Place Cards; Envelopes; Seating Plans; Costs;
Wedding Outfitting
What to Wear; Hiring versus Purchasing Clothing
Coordinating the Bride; Groom; Best Man; Ushers; Bridesmaids; Fathers; Mothers; Hiring a Designer; Difference between a Designer and a Dressmaker; Buying off the Shelf; Hiring Clothing Fittings; Hired Clothes Contracts; Retrieving and Returning Hired Items; Dealing with Clothing Disasters;
The Bride & Groom; The Groomsman; Bridesmaids and Ushers
Borrowed Wedding Dresses; Family Heirlooms; Types of Fabric to Choose; Beading and Detail; Veil Styles; When to Buy; Wedding Shoe Essentials; Going Away Outfit Purchase; Emergency Repair Kit; Suit versus Tuxedo; Hire versus Buying; Hire Checklist; Accessories; Colour Coordinating the Groomsman; Bridesmaid and Ushers Outfits; Hiring versus Buying; Bridesmaids Jewellery; Accessories and Headpieces; Coordinating Ushers Outfits; Collection and Return of Hired Outfits; Contingency Planning;
Wedding Catering
The Wedding Cake
Specially made versus Store Bought; Choosing the right Baker; Selecting the appropriate Cake for your Guests; Themed Cake Decoration; Number of Tiers; Cake Flavour Filling and Size; Cake Accessories; Number of Servings Required; Wedding Favours; Commercial Baker versus Caterer;
Menus and Catering
Planning Menu Options and Reception Styles; Liasing with Caterers; Menu Budgeting; Taste testing; Food Preparation and Handling Check; Ethnic Recipes; Guaranteed Numbers; Ratio of Servers to Guests; Dress Code; Tableware; Linens; cutlery and Glassware; Catering themes and Decorations; Licences; Special Occasions Licences; Health and Safety; Purchasing Alcohol; Catering Staff Costs;
Wedding Countdown Logistics
Hair, Makeup and Jewellery
Choosing Wedding Rings; Bridal Jewellery; Choosing the Right Make-Up Artist; Make-Up for Photographic Shoots; Coordinating Make-Up and Outfit; Skin Preparation; Trial Make-Up Tests; Essential Emergency Make-Up Kit; Choosing the Best Hairstyle ; Finding A Stylist; Presenting your Ideas; Stylist Portfolios; The Stylist Client Communication Process; Home Versus Salon Styling; Styling and Coordinating the Bridal Party;
The Gift List
Compiling the Gift List; Choosing Gift list Vendors; Returning unwanted Gifts; Displaying Gifts; Security of Gifts; Gifts for the Bride and Groom;
Entertainment
Hiring Musicians; Hiring DJs; Hiring Audio Visual Equipment; Selecting Ceremony Music; Choosing Play lists for Reception
Photographer and Videographer
Photographs and Video Recording - prints; copies of films etc Videoing the Wedding Ceremony; After Ceremony Photography; Reception Video; Group Shot Planning; Selecting Photographic Style; Choosing the Wedding Photo Album; Hiring a Good Photographer;
Flowers, Favours and Table Decorations
Planning the Florist; Brides Bouquet; Bridesmaids Bouquets; Ceremony Flowers; Centrepieces; Buttonholes; Headpieces; Throw away Bouquet; Aisle Runners; Corsages; Planning the Archways; Floral Themes; Seasonal Flowers;
Transport and Insurance
Transport to the ceremony; Limousine and Bus Hire; Designated Drivers List; Managing Parking at the Various Locations; Breakdown Contingency Planning;
Wedding Ceremony
Types of Ceremony
Words to be used; promises to be made - are they acceptable to both parties;
Church Wedding
Person giving bride away; Marriage preparation requirements; Order of service; Vows; Music; Signing the register; Choir and seating; Bell ringers; Confetti
Civil Weddings and Ethnic Weddings
Differences which may exist between Civil and Christian weddings and weddings involving people from different religious groups etc.;
Celebrity Weddings
Dealing with the special needs and requirements involved in planning and managing celebrity weddings;
Location of Ceremony
Approved Premises; Types of location; Special Settings; Obtaining permission; Listed Buildings; Stately Homes; Outdoor Ceremonies;
Wedding Ceremony Logistics
Wedding Rehearsal; Best men’s role; Roles of family members; Booking a time; punctuality; Documents; witnesses; Fees; Flowers; Music; Confetti; Timetable of ceremony; Planning the Seating; Legal requirements; Payments and collections; Rehearsals;
Reception
Types of Reception - Hotel; Home; Barns; Marquee; etc.; Food; Wine; Champagne; Sit-down or buffet; Confetti; Insurance; Car Parking; Changing Rooms; Security Plans; Cloakroom and Toilet Facilities; Heating; Drinks licence; Disabled Guests; Planning the Accommodation for Guests Overnight; Master of Ceremonies Duties; Drinks on Arrival; Top-table-relationships; Toasts; Teetotalers and drivers; Duties of Bride and Groom; Role of Best Man and Groomsman;
Speeches
Best Man; Groomsman; Bride; Brides Father; Brides Mother; Special Requirements for each Speaker - Toasts; Responses to Toasts; Planning a Speech; Delivering a Speech; Messages; Encouraging Practice; Practice Guidelines;
Honeymoon
Coordinating the Honeymoon; Documents; Hotels; Insurance; Choosing the Perfect Location; Night after Wedding; Arranging Work Leave; Passports; Cost;
Final Plan
Creating a Comprehensive Plan for all activities; for the Bride; Bridegroom; Bridesmaids; Flower Girl; Page Boy; Mothers and Fathers; Best Man; Duties of all participants to be listed at each location; Final Budget Decisions; Using a Software Planning Package; Databases and lists;
Running a Wedding Planning Consultancy
Forward Planning; Attention to Detail; Financing your Business; Telephone; e-mail; the Internet; Records; Counselling; Client Contact; Preparing Wedding Plans; Budgets; Time Management; Coordinating Databases and Lists;
Marketing a Wedding Planning Consultancy
The Internet - Websites and Search Engines; Exhibitions; Magazines; Networking; Brochures; Engagement Announcements; Media Advertising;
Royal Weddings
Overview: What is a Monarch? Types of Monarchy; Royal Families; Current Royal Families;
Types of Royal Events: Common Royal Events; Royal Events and Ceremonies in the UK; Garden Parties; State Opening of Parliament; Garter and Thistle Services; Swan Upping; The Chelsea Flower Show; General Synod; Gun Salutes; Holyrood Week; Trooping the Colour; Receptions; Remembrance Day; Royal Ascot; Royal Maundy Service; Services of Thanksgiving; The Royal Variety Performance; Royal Events and Ceremonies in Norway; The Opening of the Sorting; Consecration; County Visits; Formal Audiences; Royal Events and Ceremonies in Japan;
Venues for Royal Events: Suitable Venues for Royal Events; Official Royal Residences; Official Royal Residences Currently in Use; Windsor Castle – UK; The Grand Palace – Thailand; The Royal Palace of Belgium ; Prince’s Royal Palace of Monaco; The Royal Palace – Netherlands; The Imperial Palace - Japan ; The Royal Palace - Norway
Planning a Royal Event: Factors to Consider when Planning a Royal Event; Protocol and Etiquette; Contingency Plans
Royal Wedding vs; Normal Wedding: Differences Between; Royal Weddings and Normal Weddings; Size and Cost; State Occasion; Significance
Famous Royal Weddings
Organising Street Parties
Introduction to Street Parties: Street parties are an effective and fun way to meet new neighbours; Having a street party is easier than you may think and it will definitely be worth it; Trust that your neighbours will want one; because they will! By 'street party' we mean one that is organised by and for all residents in 1 or 2 small streets; without external publicity;
History of Street Parties: Street parties and fêtes are a traditional part of community life; they are a simple way for us to get to know our neighbours; Street parties as we know them started in 1919 and became popular resident events when they were held as 'Peace Teas' to celebrate the signing of the Treaty of Versailles after the First World War; They centred round a special treat for children in times of hardship and were quite formal sit down events; Residents continued to organise them for many major national days of celebration;
Types of Street Parties: There are many different types of street parties: Street Party; Street Meet; Street Picnic; Street Welcome; Street Lounge; Street Play-Time
Organising Street Parties: Why Hold a Street Party? Planning your Event; Make Sure to Include Everyone; Activities and Fun; Decorations; Money and Raffles; Catering; Do's & Don'ts of Organising street parties;
Legalities: Road Closures; Insurance; Licenses and Permits
Event Management
Event Management Planning; Cordinating Events; Marketing Events; Event Risk Management; Corporate Event Management; Organising Conferences; Exhibition Management and Sporting Event Management;
Presentation Skills
Preparation and Research; Speech Content; Subject Matter and Objectives; Speech Delivery and Variety; Body Language; Eye Contact; Presentation Aids; Management of Locations and Audiences; Presentation Structure;
On successful completion of this course you will receive a Professional Diploma qualification that is certified and awarded by the ICM (Institute of Commercial Management).
The Institute of Commercial Management was founded in 1979 and is one of the leading Professional Examination and Certification Bodies in the world today. Fitzwilliam Institute have developed and provided practical skills training courses in liaison with the Institute of Commercial Management qualifications and certifications framework for over 25 years. The Institute of Commercial Management certifications and continual professional development training awards are recognised by leading industries, bodies and professions.
Duration: You will have full access to online resources and subject expert support for 6 months. However, you can complete the course in as little as 3 - 4 months, by dedicating 6-8 hours of study per week.
Course Fees: 595.00 EUR
To secure your place on the course the full fee is required. All fees must be paid in full before the course begins. Please note, the full course fees are inclusive of all course materials and certification costs.
Enrolment intake is strictly limited on this course. Early application is advised. Places are allocated on a first come first served basis.
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Fitzwilliam Institute closes on Bank Holidays and for a number of days at Christmas and New Year. Fitzwilliam Institute reserves the right to postpone, cancel or alter courses without notice or to change any of the details in this brochure. Fees are not refundable unless the course is cancelled by Fitzwilliam Institute. Distance Learning courses are provided by Fitzwilliam Institute BGLS Ltd.
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