The Only Program of its Kind
Cal State East Bay’s Certificate in Wedding Planning is the only program of its kind offered on a university campus. The program provides you with the industry skills, required knowledge, and practical training needed to pursue a career in wedding and event management.
CSUEB is proud to empower hospitality professionals with the Wedding Planner Certificate training
With convenient offerings both online and in-class, you are free to choose what learning option works best for you. Whether you prefer the 11-week online program or the in-person course that spans across a four-month period, you’ll receive the same exceptional training from nationally recognized program director and instructor Joyce Scardina Becker.
ISES
Endorsed by the Northern California Chapter of the International Special Events Society (ISES)
World Class
Internationally recognized by event professionals
Distinguished Faculty
Taught by award-winning hospitality industry veteran Joyce Scardina Becker
I enrolled in the program because I want to explore opportunities in the wedding industry. I completed the program and believe I am well prepared for my new adventure. I felt a huge sense of accomplishment upon completing the course.
This program provided a great foundation for event/wedding planning. Before completing the course, I was blindly planning events. Now I have structure and guidelines that allow me to produce successful events.
What You Will Gain
The knowledge needed to enter and excel in the challenging and rewarding field of wedding planning.
A thorough understanding of the myriad aspects of researching, designing, planning, producing, and evaluating weddings.
The skills to work as an independent wedding planner or seek employment as a wedding and event specialist for a hotel, resort, caterer, or event management company.
Discover what exciting opportunities await you in the Wedding Industry. »
The Business of Happiness
Where else can you find a career that constantly surrounds you with happiness and celebration? The wedding and event management industry is indeed an exciting and rewarding field. Wedding planners are able to lend their talent and creativity to an industry that is constantly bringing in new ideas and trends, updating itself with each and every season. Wedding planners can expect to work on everything from budgeting and timeline development to selecting and managing bakers, caterers, florists, musicians, lighting designers, photographers, videographers, and more.
Your job: Making dreams come true
Occupational Trends
Employment of meeting, convention, and event planners is projected to grow 10.4 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations.
—QCEW Employees - Emsi
The wedding business is a $165 billion industry, with over 2.4 million weddings every year, just in the United States alone.
—Association of Bridal Consultants
In 2019, event planners earned a median annual income of $50,600, with the top 10% of earners making more than $86,390 per year.
—Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor
As challenging as this class was, all the hours of studying and work truly paid off. I am now far more knowledgeable than I was before taking this class, and it has given me a competitive edge in this industry.
Make Dreams Come True
Distinguish yourself from the many wedding planners in the field today by earning your Certificate in Wedding Planning from an accredited university. Professional certification from Cal State East Bay informs your clients or potential employers that you have expert knowledge in all aspects of wedding planning and management.
After you complete the program, there is a sense of pride and confidence that will take you through your work. During the program when you are working long hours and putting together your Staging Guide, take a step back and recognize what you have accomplished and this community you have joined. This is just the beginning, and this program can shape you and your business into what you want it to be.
In fact, many successful graduates have used this program as a starting point for their careers. Upon completion of the program, students have launched their own wedding planning businesses or secured leading positions with wineries, hotels, and private venues in their wedding and special event departments. Others have pursued their interests with caterers, rental companies, entertainment companies, or other service providers in the wedding industry as directors of sales.
Your job possibilities are endless. With a comprehensive and dynamic education in the field of wedding and event management, you’ll be equipped to excel even in the most challenging opportunities.
What Students Have to Say
I went into the program knowing little to nothing about the wedding planning and food and beverage industry, but I knew I had an interest in wedding planning. I gained a tremendous amount of knowledge from the program. It has truly helped me get jobs in that industry and helped me to succeed at those jobs.
Having taken the online program, I didn't expect Joyce (as well as Dana, her husband) to be so hands on and involved in the program! Anytime I had any questions, Joyce was readily available to give answers, assistance, and feedback. Even after the program has ended, Joyce continues to engage with us and sends us correspondence in regards to opportunities in the field!
I was in the industry for over 8 years before I decided to enroll in this program. The program has made me understand many aspects of the industry which builds my self confidence which in return provides me with happy clientele. I would recommend this program to anyone starting out or anyone who has been in the industry. You will be shocked at how much there is to know!
Program Format
You’ll have the option to earn the Certificate in Wedding Planning in one of two convenient ways:
Online
Have the flexibility to work at your own pace with the online format. The 11-week course is offered in fall and spring semesters, so you can start the program when it best fits your schedule.
In-class
If you prefer learning in a classroom and working with the instructor and classmates face-to-face, the in-class option is ideal for you. This in-person course is offered on the Hayward Campus during the Spring semester each year. The course format is organized into six Saturday sessions over a four-month period, making it an easy fit for your busy schedule. Each session is eight hours in length.
Certificate Requirements
In addition to participating in all in-class or online sessions of the course, you will demonstrate your wedding planning knowledge by:
- Preparing a staging guide, a compilation of documents and information relating to a simulated wedding. It is recommended that 60-80 hours be spent preparing the staging guide assignment. A passing score of 75 percent is required.
- Completing a comprehensive exam covering all course material. A passing score of 75 percent is required.
Program Highlights
You can be certain that you will learn everything and anything that has to do with the wedding and event industry. Below are some highlights of what you will be learning:
- Event management fundamentals, including: budgeting, long-range planning, vendor negotiations and contracts, insurance coverage, timeline preparation, and on-site management.
- Details about key vendor services, including: food & beverages, music, flowers, cake, photography, transportation, invitations, and videography.
- Information about wedding protocol and customs, with a special emphasis on ethnic and religious traditions, as well as same-sex weddings.
Joyce Scardina
When students are looking for work in the wedding industry, their potential employers will be seeking the best. So, I not only teach important content, but I also groom students for a successful career in the wedding industry.
Joyce is the author of Countdown to Your Perfect Wedding, a groundbreaking “how-to” book for couples and wedding professionals alike. She is the Founding President of the Wedding Industry Professionals Association (WIPA), the first national non-profit association created specifically for providers of wedding products and services. In recognition of her accomplishments, Joyce has been honored with 16 international Gala and Esprit Awards and 31 nominations.
In the Wedding Planner Certificate Program, Joyce covers all aspects of the profession, raising the bar for every student, demanding more out of them and requiring that they work hard to do their best, which prepares them to become well-rounded professionals equipped to handle even the most challenging of situations and excel in the hospitality marketplace.
Carolyn Wilson
My goals have always been to raise the ‘barre’ for the wedding and social event industry by providing the educational experience needed to be recognized by the industry and to continually inspire those with the desire to invest further in their own knowledge, experience and expertise.
Certified Wedding Planner, Founder and Lead Planner, Designer and Coordinator of Carolyn Wilson Weddings & Events, Wilson’s expertise in the wedding industry is driven by the constant joy she finds in planning unique love stories and designing stylish events.
Wilson’s atypical route to the wedding industry has given her a unique perspective on event planning, design, and coordination. Prior to joining the wedding industry, Wilson enjoyed a career as a professional ballerina where she studied, taught, and performed throughout the entire country. Well-equipped by ballet’s lessons in discipline, focus, and attention to detail, Wilson enhanced her education with a BS in business administration with an option in marketing from Cal State East Bay, and furthered her knowledge and desire to learn more about the wedding and events industry by acquiring her CWP accreditation through this very Wedding Planner Certificate course. Since then, she has proven herself a lifelong learner by attending industry networking events, speaking at professional forums, serving in numerous roles with major industry planning and design committees, as well as serving on local industry Board of Directors.
Whether dancing, teaching or planning events, Wilson always brings a creative vision and eye for detail to any role!
You’re Invited to Enroll
All interested students who can satisfactorily complete the program coursework are invited to enroll.
The online course is offered in Fall and Spring semesters. Please note that the in-class course is only offered in Spring semesters.
At Cal State East Bay, we pride ourselves on putting students first, from the moment you inquire until you graduate. We hope you've found answers to your questions in this support center, but if not, please get in touch.