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Membership Eligibility for Certified Wedding Planner

Any applicant who has completed an approved course of study, and whose primary focus within the wedding industry is wedding planning, may apply for membership. An applicant for Certified Wedding Planner status must first meet all criteria of Trained Wedding Planner listed below.

 

Becoming a Trained Wedding Planner

Granted after successful completion of:

1. AACWP membership eligibility requirement stated above

2. Application completion, including stated approval of AACWP’s Code of Ethics

3. Board approval

4. Payment of AACWP’s membership fees

 

Becoming a Certified Wedding Planner

CWP status may be granted to independent wedding planners, catering managers or church coordinators as long as the applicant can fully meet the following criteria:

1. Completion of one (1) year of TWP membership in good standing to include the equivalent of four continuing education hours.

2. Proof of full-service wedding planning of three (3) recent weddings within the past 18-month period. Provide copies of a signed agreement between the planner and the bride for each wedding, a wedding planning calendar or timeline for each wedding, a budget for each wedding, and verification of planning meetings with at least two vendors for each bride.

3. If the applicant is a current TWP member and took the AACWP training course, he or she must have completed two favorable mentorships with current CWP’s or CMWP’s on the mentor list of AACWP. The evaluation forms should be included from both mentorships. Wedding planners who are active and have been certified by a board-approved wedding certification course have the option to request that a current CWP or CMWP mentor observe two of their weddings in lieu of the mentorships with an AACWP mentor.

4. Supply copies of the following:

a. Two letters of referrals or appreciation notes from Brides whose weddings were within the last twelve (12) months.

b. Tax ID number

c. Proof of current general liability insurance

d. Evidence of advertising, including a copy of such

e. Evidence of an account established with two national suppliers

5. OUT OF STATE APPLICANTS AND APPLICANTS FROM 50 MILES OUTSIDE OF THE DFW AREA. A CWP applicant, from out of state or 50 miles outside of the DFW area, formerly trained by AACWP or another approved certification course, is not required to complete two mentorships in Dallas. This applicant shall provide proof of six (6) recent full-service weddings within the past 24-month period. Along with the completed application forms, included shall be copies of a signed agreement between the planner and the bride for each wedding, a wedding planning calendar or timeline for each wedding, a budget for each wedding and verification of planning meetings with at least two vendors for each bride. Copies should also be submitted for all items under #5 above to complete the application for Certified Wedding Planner.

6. AACWP application processing fee ~ $50 ~ Applicant will be invoiced upon receipt of materials.