We’ll freely admit that the first time we actually saw what Trash the Dress meant we were kind of horrified. Wedding gowns can cost serious money, and the thought of trashing it - literally! - after the wedding festivities are over is more than a little shocking. At the same time, however, we can think of a few situations - and a few brides - where trashing the dress is less surprising and more acceptable. And as a certified wedding and event planner you’re expected to have all kinds of weapons in your arsenal so when That Bride walks in and expects you to suggest the unexpected, a trash the dress folder may be the little detail she has been looking for!

Christa DiPaulo Becker, a bride that the New York Times intereviewed several years ago when it did a piece on this wedding trend, said that trashing her wedding gown seemed fitting because after everything was  said and done she was feeling pretty “antiwedding.” So for the brides who want to shed a little stress post-nuptials a trash-the-dress session may be just what the doctor ordered.

Trashing an expensive wedding gown may understandably send shivers down your spine. If you have a bride who knows beforehand that she’s interested in a post-wedding trashing session you may be able to persuade her to go green and buy, perhaps, an inexpensive used gown or something vintage that won’t break the bank. She’ll be saving the earth and keeping a little green in her wallet at the same time. (Plus, you may prevent the Mother of the Bride - or Father(!) - from having a heart attack at the thought of a $5,000 gown covered in, uh, mud.)

Michael Cooper, a Las Vegas photographer who is credited with starting the trend, said he was bored of traditional wedding photos. His edgy suggestions ultimately led him to putting brides (and sometimes grooms) in unexpected places: mud, water, by dilapidated buildings. Thus, a trend was born. For the bride and groom who like to think outside the box this may be a trend they latch onto. As a wedding and event planner it may be worth it to scout out a few places around your region where a trash-the-dress session would work. (And find out in advance which photographers are willing and experienced!) And, yes, grooms can get in on the action. Think how cute the photos would be of couples, while still in their wedding attire, climbed trees together, rolled around in the sand by the ocean, or played in the park. No - this has no aura of traditionalism about it - but weddings are about memories, and this is definitely one memory a bridal couple would never forget!

Links to check out:
* trashthedress.com
* a flickr thread dedicated to trash-the-dress photos
* it’s news to us, but this type of photography is also called rock the frock and fearless bridal!
* it’s all for the amazing photos, one recent bride says

Being a certified wedding and event planner means that you’re up on all the trends, and you can guide couples in any direction they want to go. As the wedding industry expands on television and the Internet there are literally hundreds of thousands of ideas out there. Sifting through all of this information can be overwhelming for couples - especially those whose idea of the perfect wedding may be less formal and/or less traditional. This is where a wedding coordinator comes in: It’s your job to help them form their idea of the perfect day then make it a reality.

According to the Wedding Report, traditional, formal weddings continue to be on the decline. Surveys of real couples in 2008 and 2009 found that brides and grooms are looking for less opulence and more focus on the family. Sure, crystals and sparkles are fabulous, but in today’s economy couples are putting more focus on their vows, their families and each other on their special day. Some wedding planners disagree with these findings, saying, “I’m getting my price, planning the right wedding for the budget. It’s all about knowing your market and providing the right service– and caring,” according to eWedNews. But that’s where we think experts are right: Being a wedding planner doesn’t mean you only work with couples who have huge budgets and big dreams. Being a wedding planner means you help all brides, regardless of budget, bring their fairytale to life. If this means a more intimate ceremony and a smaller reception that’s okay because all brides need help with the details.

Brooch Bouquet

Among the more popular low-key wedding ideas are ceremonies on the beach or at other outdoor locations and those with DIY touches. Some other ideas for low-key weddings may be receptions with more home-style food and personal touches during the ceremony such as a bouquet made of brooches that belonged to the bride’s family members.

What are other ways a certified wedding and event planner can help a bride and groom have the wedding of their dreams but make it a more simple day? The idea isn’t to cut their budget; it’s to make their budget work better for them. That’s where you come in. Start a folder of ideas for simple weddings. Show brides with smaller budgets that a wedding planner can still be their best friend. A good planner makes every wedding special, no matter the cost. And we all know that if you do a good job and make a great impression the referrals will start to flow in!

We’ve all heard of what some might call “Wacky Weddings.” If you’ve ever seen TLC’s A Wedding Story you know that couples are choosing to be married in lots of places other than churches. A few we’ve noticed are those in art museums, aquariums, and we even know of a couple who were married in an airport lobby! There is always a special tie to these places: Perhaps the couple worked somewhere together, or maybe they choose to marry in the place where they first met - even if it is a bit unconventional. There was the Georgia couple who were married in a Waffle House. And there was the couple who were married in Walmart. Well, add the Apple store to that list!

Joshua and Ya Ting Li recently said “iDo” to each other at the event on Valentine’s Day in the Apple store on Fifth Avenue in New York City. They were surrounded by a few friends and family, a lot of curious shoppers and some very surprised staff! They exchanged rings that were attached to, what else, iPods?! And one more curious tidbit: The wedding was conducted by a priest dressed like Steve Jobs. It may have a been a short, wacky wedding, but with those kinds of details no one can say they didn’t do a bit of planning!

As certified wedding and event planners you may be approached by couples who want their wedding to be unique, and yes, maybe a bit unconventional. It’s fun to think outside of the box, and graduates of Lovegevity’s Wedding Planning Institute are always ready to put on their thinking caps and make any and all weddings those of a couples dreams! (Even if they want to, say, jump off a skyscraper while they take their first kiss!) Check out these links for some great Wacky Wedding ideas!

* LA Times’ photo gallery of Wacky Weddings
* Underwater Weddings in Australia (A guide! It could be a destination wedding, with a twist!)
* Bing.com’s Top 10 wacky weddings video
* The photographs from this actual Star Wars wedding are phenomenal!
* Renaissance weddings are hardly wacky anymore, but they’re certainly non-traditional.

According to The Wedding Report, and as expected, “the average cost of a wedding in 2009 dropped 10.2% over 2008.” 2009 was a rough year for everybody, and while 2010 is already starting off stronger brides are still finding that planning their wedding is a challenge with a small - or shrinking - budget. This is where certified wedding and event planners can step in and, in essence, save the day.

Spending was down the most in 2009 on jewelry, gifts and invitations. But couples were less likely to cut costs when it came to their music and photographer, and brides were still intent on finding the perfect gown no matter the cost. As certified wedding and event planners you are the person every bride should turn to simply because you’re In The Know when it comes to vendors. More couples are using certified wedding planners to help them get the most value for their wedding budget. In fact, statistics show that in regard to a-la-carte planners, getting-started coordinators, and day-of planners couples spent more in 2009 than 2008. A good planner is worth his or her weight in gold, and that’s what you need to let brides know. How can you do that? One way is to hit bridal shows.

According to eWedNews, “Bridal shows across the country are reporting a steady rise in both attendance and vendor participation over last year, signaling a better 2010 season.” Experts suggest that events that were put on hold in 2008 and 2009 are now in planning mode again because couples are putting job losses behind them. Couples are still being cautious about their spending, experts say, but in many cases they believe the worst is behind them, and they’re ready to move forward with planning the happiest day of their lives. As the economic climate improves, so will couples’ attitudes and with that will follow increased spending.

Any uptick in the economy is a positive right now. And as things improve more and more couples will go ahead with their engagement and weddings. It’s a great time for those interested in becoming wedding and event coordinators to pursue their dream. Getting certified through Lovegevity’s Wedding Planning Institute is a great way to get started, and it may even give you a leg up when it comes to being The Choice for brides in your area. Interested in a course? Check our listings to see if there is a class opening soon in your area, or give us a call if you’d like to take the course online. Don’t let the opportunity pass you by! Brides are SUPER ready for something bright and happy in their lives after the winter and economic doldrums!

In 2009, President Obama challenged Americans to take charge of their future by creating opportunity through higher education. This was a clear directive to Americans to better themselves and see what opportunities their local schools offer. Education doesn’t have to end once we find a full-time job. Our passion may not lie in what we do on an everyday basis. Perhaps some of us dream of becoming wedding and event planners.

A few weeks ago in the 2010 State of the Union Address the president again mentioned a few programs that can help those people who are interested in pursuing a new career. As Forrest Junior College has noted, “The American Graduation Incentive will help 5 million Americans earn certificates and degrees in the next decade.” If you’re looking for a new career and you need help financing it today may be the best time ever to pursue your goals.

This program is part of the fiscal-year 2010 budget and may be passed soon. It is designed to provide financing to community colleges for increasing their graduation rate but also for expanding workforce partnerships (for growing industries or careers in their area) and making more financing available for students to take courses including certification programs. The financing for this program is $10 billion.

Another potential benefit may be the new American Opportunity Tax Credit, which is credit for tuition and supplies). Officials have expanded what the tuition credit covers, and it’s worth asking your local community college if it covers the materials for Lovegevity’s certified wedding planner course.

Every year, the wedding industry continues to grow as more and more people are getting married and more couples are seeking professional help to plan their perfect wedding day while maintaining a reasonable wedding budget. Certified Wedding and Event Planners are trained to do exactly that and are strongly positioned to succeed in the economy of today and tomorrow.

If you have dreamed of planning weddings for a living or are just curious to see if you have what it takes to succeed in this rewarding field, take a tour of our online and classroom course curriculum at www.cwptour.com. Your future as a Certified Wedding and Event Planner awaits!

With 10+ years of experience in the service sector, and the business knowledge gained while currently earning her business degree, Jen Ramsey provides the very best in service, putting her open and friendly personality, and well-honed organizational skills to good use planning weddings at Weddings by Grace and Mona. She receives frequent compliments on her dedication and consistent communication with each couple served, and is a master at multitasking successfully for time-sensitive activities. In her spare time, Jen enjoys leisurely weekend hikes with hubby, Rob.

Weddings by Grace and Mona is a wedding planning company based on O’ahu, Hawai’i that is devoted to making every couple’s wedding dreams come true. Committed to excellence, professionalism, and fun, Jen is an asset to the company, sharing her creativity, enthusiasm, and dedication with couples to make their wedding as amazing as the couple themselves. See more about Jen and her work at the Weddings by Grace and Mona blog.

For more information on registering for Jen’s class, visit Kapiolani’s Web site or call 808-734-9211.

Lovegevity is excited to congratulate some of its newest graduates! Twelve students at Piedmont Technical Community College in Greenwood, S.C., are ready to be a bride’s best friend. They are the very first graduates of Piedmont’s Wedding Certification Class, which was offered in conjunction with the Wedding Planning Institute. The communities where these newly minted wedding and event planners are from won’t know what hit them. Weddings will never be the same! That’s because the weddings will be classier, more on-budget and more fun for the bridal couples than ever before!

The class was taught by Nita Hozey, the owner of Praise Unlimited Weddings. As a wedding consultant and floral designer Hozey has real-world first-hand experience in the wedding world.

As told to Greenwood Today, “Planning weddings can be stressful and sometimes overwhelming. A wedding planner can help make the experience less stressful and help keep their dream wedding affordable” explains Hozey. “We cover 45 objectives, give 23 quizzes and 2 timed exams at the end,” adds Hozey. “I had a lot of fun with these wonderful students. I am definitely looking forward to our next class to be held sometime in late Oct or Nov of this year.”

Tuition for the course is $795 and includes the book and exam, online access to Lovegevity, 40 hours of classroom instruction, hands-on experience and a certificate from The Wedding Planning Institute. For more information, contact Jeanne Hughston, the program manager, at (864) 941-8781 or e-mail at hughston.j@ptc.edu This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . To register, call (864) 941-8400 or go to www.ptc.edu/coned.

The Wedding Planning Institute was founded with the sole purpose of providing aspiring wedding planners with the best possible education. The Institute is dedicated to the highest standards, offering wedding planning certification, business fundamentals, continuing education classes and seminars. The curriculum is developed utilizing a dynamic, interactive teaching method, focused on clearly expressed concepts and principals derived from research-based theories of adult learning. The Wedding Planning Institute is available to students who are interested in receiving the industry’s premier education in the business of planning weddings and social events. This Certification program has been accepted by Colleges and Universities around the United States as the standard curriculum and business training for wedding professionals.

Emily Meyer has always loved the idea of planning the most important day of peoples’ lives. She was the go-to person for friends and family when it came to planning social events and birthday parties. Each event was executed beautifully and flawlessly. It is when she began planning her own wedding that she knew this is what she was meant to do. With everyone around her getting engaged, she took it upon herself to offer them wedding-planning services by researching vendors within their budget and coordinating the processional for the ceremony. This is when Emily took a more serious approach to wedding planning and design.

She enrolled in the Wedding Planning Institute as her passion grew deeper for creating a fairytale ending.  After researching the best wedding vendors in Oklahoma City and completing the necessary training, the Wedding Planning Institute proudly recognized Emily as a certified wedding planner.

After six months of working closely with other wedding planners, Emily opened the doors to a whole new wedding experience. She started her own business in September of 2009. Her company, Chandelier Weddings, was a huge hit in the Oklahoma City area. After executing three weddings in her first month of opening, a high reputation and word of mouth from clients and vendors became her best marketing tools.

A unique aspect of Emily’s business is catering to not only high-end weddings, but also to weddings of couples who cannot afford an extravagant wedding. Emily says, “Every little girl dreams of that day where she will walk down the aisle to meet prince charming. For rich or for poor, I feel that every girl deserves to not only dream that wedding, but have that wedding.”

Emily was excited to find that the Wedding Planning Institute was looking for instructors in her area. She knew this was something she needed to pursue. With her ambitious attitude and strong passion for wedding planning, teaching what she loves would be an absolute joy. Emily was offered the position at the University of Tulsa and is eager to begin this endeavour as a new instructor with the Wedding Planning Institute. She looks forward to other teaching opportunities and sharing her knowledge and passion with other soon-to-be wedding planners.

“Becoming a certified wedding planner is one of the most rewarding jobs that could ever exist. Because you are certified, a bride and groom can trust you so much more. The best part of the job is when you see that bride walk down the aisle and the look on the groom’s face the first time he sees her. It is priceless. It is at that moment when you know that you have just turned a little girl’s dream into a reality and created a fairytale ending where this couple will begin a new chapter in their lives.”

The next Wedding Coordinator Certification courses taught by Emily Meyer at the University of Tulsa will be held from Feb. 8, 2010, to March 31, 2010, on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuition is $795 and includes text book, online access in addition to classroom instruction, testing and national certification from the Wedding Planning Institute. To register, contact Frances Najera at the Office of Continuing Education at frances-najera@utulsa.edu or 918-631-2937.

We’ve probably all heard of the Make A Wish Foundation, a non-profit organization that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening conditions. It’s a lovely way to help the parents of these children, too, because we all know how sky-high medical bills can rocket in a short amount of time. Plus, taking sick children to Disney World, or the Super Bowl, or some other event can be taxing because of the organization and stress it requires and involves. Make A Wish does an awesome thing, and it’s a great organization to support.

Weddings can be super-expensive, too, and planning a wedding when you or your partner are sick can be almost impossible. That’s where the new Wish Upon a Wedding Foundation comes in. According to the foundation’s Web site, it is “America’s only wedding wish granting organization” and it “produces weddings & civil union ceremonies at destinations across the United States for individuals facing terminal illness. By celebrating the courage & spirit of these couples, it is our hope that others facing similar situations will find hope, strength, and the promise of eternal love.”

With the exception of Make a Wish, have you ever heard of something more lovely?

At this point there are only five chapters open, and they are of course tied to some of the major metropolitan areas in the country: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orlando, New York and Chicago. New chapters are in the works and opening up all the time, however, and you can sign up to receive an email if one opens up near you. The success of organizations like this one depends on the hospitality of the wedding industry and that means you, Lovegevity wedding and event coordinators! We know that by simply signing up at Lovegevity’s Wedding Planning Institute you were born to help people (brides need a lot of help, and you enjoy being the one to do it!) Have you considered using your gift as an organizing super-power to help others less fortunate? Wish Upon a Wedding is a fabulous idea and a wonderful way to help wedding planners bring fairy-tale weddings to reality.