Here are some answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions about WPIC.
How do I become a Certified Wedding Planner?
WPIC is the first and only in-class Wedding Planner and Coordinator’s Certification Institute in Canada. Our course consists of group work, 20 hours of in-class lectures, and industry-related guest speakers, followed by two weeks to review the manual and material from class before you write a qualifying Certification exam. Students are graded based on their in-class work, success on 3 tests, and a final exam.
Where can I find employment after Certification?
Our past students have opened their own full and part-time businesses or found employment with Catering Companies, Resorts, Banquet Halls, Golf and Country Clubs, and Wedding Dress Salons. Almost anywhere that specializes in weddings appreciates having a Certified Wedding Planner and Coordinator on staff.
As well we have trained and certified all of the on-site Wedding Planners and Coordinators at the Sandals Resorts in Jamaica, Palace Resorts in Mexico, Hard Rock All Inclusive Collection, Barcelo Resorts, Couples Resorts, Jewel Resorts, The Antigua & Barbuda Hotel and Tourist Association, The Bahamas Bridal Association, Atlantis in Bahamas, Ministry of Tourism in Bahamas, The Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association, among many other notable and respected places.
What are the Roles and Responsibilities of a Wedding Planner?
Please read this article, “What Does a Wedding Planner Do?”
Will my WPIC Certification be recognized within the Wedding Industry?
Yes, the WPIC Wedding Planner, Consultant, and Coordinator training and certification is recognized and accepted Worldwide. We currently have over 10,000 members from over 35 different countries.
Our alumni live and work in:
North America: Canada, USA, Mexico,
The Caribbean: Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grand Cayman, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos,
South America: Brazil, Colombia, Guyana
Africa: Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe
Australia
Europe: Belgium, England, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Romania
Asia: China, India, Japan, Lebanon, the Philippines, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Turkey
What’s the difference between the WPIC in-class & the 3-month International Correspondence Certification?
We believe the in-class portion of our course is what sets us apart and is our greatest strength. Each class is taught by successful professional, working Wedding Coordinators. Not only are they sharing the industry statistics, procedures, laws, and regulations, but they are giving their personal experience. You are able to ask questions and receive instant answers and feedback from an expert. Not only are you getting an extensive, complete manual, but you are also getting 20 hours of in-class instruction, industry guest speakers, in-class practical work, and access to a Professional Wedding Planner and Coordinator.
We started offering the 3-month correspondence course because we were having so many people fly in from other countries to take our course. We recorded all of our in-class lectures so that the only thing our correspondence students would miss would be questions from the other students. Students who take the correspondence class can contact us with any questions they have, at any time. They also receive all of the same material and benefits our in-class students receive.
The correspondence course is available in English and French. We also have the textbook translated into Spanish.
We strongly believe true professionals constantly update and better themselves through conferences, continued learning, and networking, so we also give our students a free lifetime membership to our Alumni Association of more than 9000 Certified Wedding Planners and Coordinators, (providing they uphold the WPIC Ethics).
I have my Event and Meeting Management Certificate, would this course be redundant for me?
No. In fact, several of the Universities and Colleges that offer Event and Meeting Management Certification strongly urge their students who are interested in becoming Wedding Planners/Coordinators, to take our course. Event and Meeting Management is different from Wedding Planning and Coordination. One must be versed in the differences between pricing, billing, psychology of the clients, client expectations, deliverables and responsibilities, differing vendor relations, a different code of ethics, etc.
When is WPIC coming to my area?
WPIC comes to a city when there is enough interest to hold a class. If there is not a date indicated under Locations, the best way to gauge when we will be coming to your city is to email us at info@wpic.ca, the correspondence course is available regardless of your location.
Can I claim this course on my taxes?
Yes. This course is 100% tax deductible in Canada, as Professional Development (as well as several other countries), provided you are in or enter the Wedding Industry during the calendar year that you completed the course.
