Becoming a Trained Wedding Planner

To become certified, you must first become a Trained Wedding Planner. To do so, after completing our training course, you must complete the homework for the course and apply for membership. You will receive the new designation of TWP upon board approval. 

Becoming a Certified Wedding Planner

As a TWP, AACWP offers you the opportunity to complete two mentorships with approved members within our organization. This is to provide you with real experience before planning a wedding on your own. Once you have completed the mentorships, it is up to you to find, book and help plan three client weddings at the full service level, not just day-of coordination After you have completed these weddings, you may apply for the CWP designation. (These weddings must take place within a time span of twenty-four (24) months or less.) To advance to the CWP or CMWP distinctions you must complete the requirements for both applications under the auspices of your own wedding planning business or as an employee of a company who’s primary business is wedding planning.  For those Members or Applicants who do not fall into this category you will not be able to advance to the CWP or CMWP distinction.   Please supply copies of the following with your application:
1. Two letters of referrals or appreciation notes from brides whose weddings were within the last twelve (12) months
2. Business license or Tax ID number
3. Evidence of advertising
4. Evidence of an account established with two industry suppliers (local or national) – ex. Ducky Bob’s, BBJ, Carlson Craft, etc.
Once your application is received, you will receive the designation of CWP upon board approval.

Becoming a Certified Master Wedding Planner
Certified Master Wedding Planners are awarded this title after completing the following requirements and applying with the proper processing fee:
1. Meet the requirements of AACWP Certified Wedding Planner, as stated above.
2. Five years of membership with a professional wedding organization such as ACWC, JWI, AWP, WED. Please provide a statement specifying the organization and the years that you were a member.
3. Written recommendation from two (2) AACWP members. Please contact AACWP’s membership chair for a listing of these members.
4. Presentation of a recent wedding (photographs and work papers). Please include with your application.
5. Successful completion of written examination. This will be scheduled after receipt of your application.
6. Oral interview with a panel of AACWP members, to be completed at the time of the written examination.
7. Evidence of Board of Directors appointment for AACWP or another approved organization’s Board of Directors. Please provide a statement specifying the organization and the years that you served on the Board.
8. Publication of a wedding-related story or advice in a book, news article or magazine. Please provide a copy of one of these documents.
9. Preparation and presentation of a wedding-related educational program. Please provide a copy of the presentation and the date and time of the presentation.