Combined Certification Program

Become a certified Event and Wedding Planner

Imagine having an exciting, high-paying job that is both interesting and rewarding! The Combined Certification Program is your first step toward the high paying, stimulating, and rewarding profession you’ve always wanted. By starting your own event and wedding planning business, you can enjoy the freedom, convenience, and comfort of being your own boss. There are many opportunities available in this career field, and U.S. Event Guide’s Certification Program is your chance to learn about this lucrative industry and how to begin your new career without delay. There is no limit to how much money you can make if you have the desire and motivation to succeed; no prior education or experience is necessary.

U.S. Event Guide offers efficient training at an affordable price to help you become a certified event and wedding planner. Our program provides step-by-step guidance and training to help you acquire the essential skills necessary for you to grow as an individual in this discipline. Here at U.S. Event Guide, we follow the motto, “Knowledge breeds confidence and confidence breeds success!” Utilizing their many years of experience in the special events industry, our instructors will provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in this fun and invigorating industry.

PROGRAM INCLUDES

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

PROGRAM BENEFITS

PROGRAM LENGTH

PROGRAM REGISTRATION & COST

FAQS

Online lectures and training materials

Personally assigned mentor (assistance as needed)

2 Certificates: CEP Certificate (Certified Event Professional) and CWP

Certificate (Certified Wedding Professional)

Optional: Should you wish to participate in real world training, you will

be assigned to 2 major events, providing you the opportunity to put your training into practice.

In addition to your two certificates, at the time of graduation you will be

presented with a Letter of Reference to present to prospective clients.

Authorization to use "U.S. Event Guide" Name and Logo in your local

advertising, Web site, business cards, stationary, etc.

Optional: Upon completion of the program, graduates may decide to

work as an independent consultant of U.S. Event Guide. As such, you will assist clients who have registered for services.

Part 1: Wedding Planner Course Overview

• How to prepare timelines for the wedding party, vendors, and wedding planner

• Checklists for the bride, groom, and wedding planner

• Preparing a sample wedding budget

• Answers to FAQs for use in consulting with vendors 

• Interview questions for potential vendors

• Month of service: How to plan and charge

• Day of service preparation: rehearsal, ceremony, and reception planning

Processional and recessional 

• How to plan the wedding reception

Reception activities

• How to select reputable vendors

• Tips on working with vendors

• Vendor contracts

• Ceremony rituals and readings

• Gift ideas

• Sample wedding day itinerary for wedding party, planner, and vendors

• Theme ideas

• Wedding history and traditions

• Today's wedding

• The modern bride

• Wedding seasons

• Role of a wedding planner

• Working with a bride

• Financial traditions for the bride, groom, and family

• Duties and responsibilities of attendees

• Bride emergency kit

• How to start a wedding planning business

• Assistance provided by wedding planners: Complete wedding planning services, partial wedding planning services, wedding month coordination, wedding day coordination

• How to decide on a business name

• Types of business organizations

• Planning strategies

• Types of insurance

• Budgeting ideas and methods

• Advice from wedding experts

• Wedding business regulations

• How to analyze and market your business

• Effective networking solutions

• Promoting your wedding planning business

• Developing negotiation skills

• Pricing your services

• Where to find brides

• Sample wedding planner contract

• How to work with your assigned bride

• Training guide

• Training materials

• Optional: Working with U.S. Event Guide

Part 2: Event Planner Course Overview

Starting Your own Event Planning Business

• Industry overview

• Role of an event planner

• How to start an event planning business

• How to decide on a business name

• Types of business organizations

• Types of funding

• Basic event planning techniques

• How to stage the perfect production

• Determining event location

• Logistics of event planning

• Sample scenarios

• On-site preparation

• Contingency planning

• Sample event timelines

• Event checklist

• Planning strategies

• Types of insurance

• Budget planning ideas and methods

• Cultural issues in event planning

• Sample schedule sheets

• Advice from expert planners

• History and traditions of event planning

• Modern event planning

• Event business regulations

• How to analyze and market your business

• Vendor and event planner contracts

• Effective networking solutions

• Promoting your event planning business

• Developing negotiation skills

• Working with venues

• Pricing your services

• Where to find clients

How to Plan any Event

• Conferences

• Fairs and festivals

• Corporate luncheons

• Charity fundraisers

• Meetings

• Holiday parties

• Grand openings

• Birthdays

• Trade shows

• Political events

• Company socials

• Family reunions

• New product launches

• Children's parties

Real World Training

• How to work with your assigned clients

• Training guide

• Training materials

• Optional: Working with U.S. Event Guide

Here are a few of the many benefits you will receive from the U.S. Event Guide's Combined Certification Program:

• We are both a certification and consulting company, which allows us to offer our students a well-rounded education in both theory and practice. This is a unique opportunity that few other certification programs can offer their students.

• Optional: Real world training with an assigned clients. Assistance and support is available whenever you need it.

• Unlike graduates from other programs, U.S. Event Guide graduates are able to inform potential clients that not only are they certified by a professional certification program/school, they also have prior experience coordinating and consulting with multiple clients! This will greatly enhance your credentials and allow you to charge a higher fee for your services.

• Personally assigned mentor to assist you throughout your training.

• The comfort of studying in your own home.

• Back-end support from our Certification Department.

• Should you choose to withdraw from the course, we provide the only certification program to grant a refund after a student is given access to training materials. Other certification programs offer a refund only to students who give notice of cancellation prior to accessing training materials.

• You can stop or take a break anytime during your training.  Feel free to work at your own pace and comfort level.

• Our teaching methods are exclusively dedicated to the wedding and event planning professions. Because our school does not offer other career courses, we are able to target our time, effort, and resources to provide you with the best possible learning experience in the special events industry.

• Upon successful completion of the certification program, students will not only be certified by U.S. Event Guide and allowed to use our logo, they will also be eligible to receive references from our internationally recognized instructors.

• Our program features easy to follow, step-by-step instructions. No stone is left unturned.

• U.S. Event Guide provides successful graduates with job opportunities.

• AND MUCH MORE!!!

In determining whether enrollment in the U.S. Event Guide Certification Program is right for you, please review the graduation statistics below:

• 99% of all enrolled students successfully graduate as Certified Event and Wedding Professionals.

• 95% of the students who graduate from our program secure positions within the special events field or currently work as independent contractors for U.S. Event Guide.

Although students have up to 8 months to complete the program, the majority of students graduate within 5. This time frame reflects part-time study, as the majority of students have outside commitments that make full-time study difficult. PLEASE NOTE: For students who are able to enroll full-time, it is possible to complete the program in under 5 months. It is to each student’s advantage to create a program timetable.

U.S. Event Guide is the only program to offer students with clients to work with in order to gain invaluable hands-on experience necessary to give them a competitive edge against their competitors.

Tuition costs will vary according to chosen enrollment option.

E-Study:

A comprehensive online certification program that provides students with every tool necessary to establish a successful event planning business.

Tuition cost is $1290.00. When paid in full, tuition cost is only $903.00 due to 30% off discount. Payment plans available as low as $57.61 per month. Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Click HERE to learn more about available payment options.

E-Study PLUS Real World Training:

In addition to the training offered in the E-Study program, this alternative assigns students actual clients for real world training experience. 

Tuition cost is $2490.00. When paid in full, tuition cost is only $1743.00 due to 30% off discount. Payment plans available as low as $67.28 per month. Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Click HERE to learn more about available payment options.

What geographic regions does U.S. Event Guide service?

U.S. Event Guide services worldwide.

Are students outside the United States accepted into the program?

Yes. U.S. Event Guide’s certification program is internationally recognized and is designed to provide training and support to consultants worldwide. All training lectures are conveniently provided online, with personalized assistance from an assigned mentor if required. Our program is thorough, precise, and leaves no stone unturned.

Do you have testimonials from recent graduates of U.S. Event Guide?

Yes. Please click on the link below to be redirected to our testimonials page, which includes comments from current students, recent graduates, and active, independent consultants.

 Link to Testimonials Page

If I participate in the U.S. Event Guide Certification Program, am I under any obligation to U.S. Event Guide?

No. You are welcome to venture on your own upon completion of the program. However, should you decide to become an independent contractor for U.S. Event Guide, we will provide you with access to countless clients and ongoing support. One of the disadvantages of working with other certification programs is the support stops along with the program. Not so at U.S. Event Guide. We operate under the principle that if you are not successful, neither are we. Let us handle the daily business hassles while you do what you enjoy most...planning the event!

Do I have to work with a client in order to graduate?

No. Participation in real world training is optional.

Will I be able to take part in a program while working full-time?

Yes. Our programs are self-paced and designed to fit into your busy schedule.  As our testimonials confirm, the majority of our students work full-time and have no difficulties managing the workload.

Will I be considered an employee if I decide to remain with U.S. Event Guide as a consultant after completing the certification program? 

No. All of our consultants are independent contractors. You will be operating your own business, but will be using our system, clients, support, and guidance in order to ensure success.

How do the clients assigned to consultants find U.S. Event Guide?

Clients find U.S. Event Guide in one of the following ways:

1.   Referrals from sponsors

2.   Free “How To Plan Your Own Event” workshops

3.   Search engines

4.   Advertisements

5.   Referrals from our affiliates/members

6.   Referrals from past clients

7.   Trade shows

8.   Bridal shows

Where are training classes offered?

Our certification training takes the form of online, self-paced courses to be completed in the comfort of your own home. Real world training is the only part of the program not completed online. Participation in real world training is optional.

When do classes begin? 

You may begin your online training as soon as you have completed the enrollment process and we have received your tuition payment.

How long does it take to complete the certification program?

Although students have up to 8 months to complete the program, the majority of students graduate within 5. This time frame reflects part-time study, as the majority of students have outside commitments that make full-time study difficult. PLEASE NOTE: For students who are able to enroll full-time, it is possible to complete the program in under 5 months. It is to each student’s advantage to create a program timetable.

What happens after I complete the enrollment process and pay my tuition?

1. You will be assigned to a mentor, who will guide you through every step of your training.

2. You will then receive an email with the contract for you to complete and submit via fax in order to accept the service of your assigned mentor.

3. Last, you will receive an email from our Operational Director that will include the access link to our online training site.  Information on how to contact your assigned mentor will also be included should you have any questions during the program.

Will I be required to relocate in order to assist my real world training clients?

No.

What is the average annual earning for an event planner?

Annual earnings of full-time event consultants average between $45,000-$95,000, depending upon performance, experience, and market area.

Please complete and submit the form below.  A U.S. Event Guide representative will be assigned to assist you with any questions and/or comments you may have regarding our certification programs. You may contact us at 1-800-658-3211 X 2 (within the United States) or 202.449.9704 (international) Monday-Friday from 10a.m.-6p.m. EST.

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U.S. Event Guide serves the following areas:  Africa: Algeria, Angola,Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Réunion, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Western Sahara, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Asia: Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, British Indian Ocean Territory, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Christmas Island, Cocos, Cyprus, Georgia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Palestinian territories, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen. Europe: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guernsey, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Jersey, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vatican City. North America: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Flag of France Clipperton Island, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Montserrat, Flag of the United States Navassa Island, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States, Virgin Islands. South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Falkland Islands, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela. Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna. Antarctica. Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Phoenix, Bay Area, California, Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Orange County, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Southern California, Colorado, Denver, Connecticut, Hartford, New Haven, Washington DC, Delaware, Florida, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Pensacola, Tampa, Atlanta, Georgia, Savannah, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Chicago, Illinois, Indiana, Indianapolis, Kansas, Kansas City, Kentucky, Louisiana. Boston, New England, Worcester, Baltimore, Bethesda, Maryland, Maine, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, Missouri, St. Louis, Montana, Raleigh, Manchester, Atlantic City, New Jersey, Newark, New Mexico, Las Vegas, Nevada, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, New York City, Charlotte, North Carolina, Rochester, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Ohio, Oklahoma, Canada, Ontario, Oregon, Portland, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Providence, Rhode Island,  Columbia, South Carolina, Nashville, Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Texas, Utah, Ashland, Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Burke,  Chantilly, Charlottesville, Falls Church, Fairfax, Fredericksburg, Front Royal, Glen Allen, Manassas, Midlothian, Newport News, Norfolk,  Richmond, Springfield, Virginia Beach, Woodbridge, Virginia, Vermont, Seattle, Washington, Milwaukee, Vermont, Seattle, Washington, Milwaukee, AND MANY MORE.....