Advanced Diploma in Wedding & Event Planning

For Career Changers Who Want to Specialise

Accreditation

A bespoke industry programme, developed and awarded by The Event School London

Academic Level

Professional

Duration
3 months (3 days per week)

Learning Style
Practical | Face-to-face | Industry Immersed | London

Start Dates

28 September 2026

Professional Enhancements Included

- A specialist Event School Elective

- Additional CPD-Certified Professional Skills Diploma

Fees

£6,250 (Payment Options)

Apply

Programme Overview

The Advanced Diploma in Wedding and Event Planning is an intensive, industry-led programme for aspiring wedding planners, career changers and professionals seeking to develop specialist expertise in weddings, private events and social event planning.

Delivered full-time in London, it combines structured professional training with real-world industry immersion, giving students the knowledge, skills and practical experience required to succeed in modern event management.

Students explore the full wedding planning process, from client consultation, venue and supplier coordination, timelines and budgets, through to styling, wedding day logistics, guest experience and professional practice.

Designed for those seeking a focused route into wedding and event planning, the programme offers extensive face-to-face teaching, expert-led learning and direct exposure to London’s wedding and events scene.

Students develop creative, commercial and operational understanding, while tailoring their learning through a specialist elective aligned with their interests and career goals.

With access to wedding venues, industry events, showcases, site visits and professional networks, this programme offers an immersive route into one of the most distinctive and relationship-driven areas of the events industry.

Studying in London places students within one of the world’s most influential wedding, luxury, hospitality and events markets, where global clients, iconic venues, premium suppliers and creative professionals shape contemporary industry standards.

The London learning experience supports personal growth, professional confidence and career readiness, enabling students to build industry awareness, communication skills and a stronger understanding of how wedding and event professionals operate in practice.

Visit our YouTube Channel to hear directly from our students about studying in London, learning with us and building confidence for their future careers.

Why This is the Right Course for You

Specialist wedding and event planning focus

This programme is designed specifically for those interested in weddings, private celebrations and social events, while also developing wider event planning knowledge that supports career flexibility.

Industry recognised certification

Developed by The Event School London, the programme reflects current professional practice, industry expectations and the skills required to plan and coordinate weddings and events with confidence.

Face-to-face learning through extensive in-person classes

Students benefit from an intensive programme of in-person teaching, generally three days per week. Face-to-face learning supports deeper engagement, stronger peer connection and a more confident understanding of professional practice.

Immersed in London's wedding and event scene

Students study in London with access to venues, showcases, industry events, networking opportunities and live event environments that help bring the wedding and event industry to life.

Twenty-one years of industry education
21 years training the next generation of wedding and event professionals! Our experience spans over two decades of industry innovation and growth, shaping programmes that remain current, relevant and respected.

Led by wedding and event industry expertise

Students are guided by experienced wedding and event professionals, including specialist teaching from industry leaders with deep knowledge of wedding planning, client management and premium event delivery.

Professional networks and industry exposure

Opportunities to attend wedding and event industry events, venue showcases, fairs, symposiums and networking activities, helping students build confidence and make valuable industry connections.

Designed for career changers and future planners

The programme is ideal for those seeking a structured, credible and practical route into wedding planning, social event planning or self-employment within the wedding and event industry.

TESL Quality Assured_banner for wix course.jpg

Advanced Diploma in Wedding and Event Planning

This programme is a bespoke industry training qualification developed and awarded by The Event School London. It has been designed in close alignment with current industry practice, employer expectations and professional standards within the wedding and events sector. As with all programmes delivered by the School, the qualification is subject to rigorous internal quality assurance processes, including structured curriculum design, academic oversight, assessment moderation and continuous improvement. Teaching, assessment and student experience are monitored to ensure consistently high standards, relevance and professional credibility. This approach ensures that bespoke programmes offer strong quality, integrity and industry relevance.

TESL Qualification Code: ADWEPFT
Qualification Level: Professional
Developed by: The Event School London
Awarded by: The Event School London

WHERE OUR STUDENTS AND GRADUATES HAVE BEEN WORKING

Course Content - Advanced Diploma in Wedding & Event Planning

The Wedding & Event Industry

Wedding Planning and Coordination

Event Planning and Coordination

Venues & Vendors

Wedding and Event Theming and Design

Sales, Marketing and Business Management

Wedding Planning Specialisms

Professional Practice: Wedding Industry Immersion

Provides an overview of the wedding and event industry, helping students understand its structure, scale, professional context and career opportunities. Explore industry associations, emerging trends, ethical practice, professional standards and the role of the wedding planner within contemporary wedding and event environments.

Explores core components of planning, coordinating and delivering weddings. Develop an understanding of wedding etiquette, traditions, ceremony and reception planning, guest lists, invitations, timelines, budgets, tastings, supplier meetings and wedding day coordination.

Introduces students to the wider principles of event planning and coordination. Explore feasibility, event objectives, budgets, schedules, logistics, production, technology, sustainability, health and safety, risk assessment, marketing, sponsorship and post-event evaluation.

Focuses on the selection, coordination and management of venues and suppliers. Learn how to research and assess venues, conduct site inspections, consider layouts and guest flow, coordinate caterers, florists, photographers, entertainment providers and other suppliers, and understand contracts, insurance and key legal considerations.

Introduces the creative principles of wedding and event styling. Students explore design concepts, colour theory, staging, décor, mood boards, trend interpretation and the process of translating client ideas into memorable event environments.

Supports understanding the commercial side of wedding and event planning. Explore branding, market research, pricing, sales techniques, client consultations, business planning and the foundations of building a sustainable wedding or event planning business.

Explores specialist areas within the wedding industry, including luxury weddings, destination weddings, micro weddings, intimate celebrations, honeymoon planning and styled shoots for portfolio development. Learn to consider how different client needs, budgets and expectations shape the planning process.

Gain exposure to real-world wedding and event environments. Attend and evaluate wedding industry events, venue showcases, symposiums, fairs and networking opportunities, developing an ability to observe professional practice, analyse event structures and reflect on how industry insight supports professional development.

Beyond the Qualification

Event School Elective

On this programme, students complete an Event School elective designed to deepen sector insight, explore specialist areas and support individual career goals. The elective provides additional professional enrichment, allowing students to broaden their understanding of the industry and align their learning with their interests, from luxury events and venue and event styling to social events, digital marketing, venue management, entrepreneurship, sustainability or other specialist event sectors.

Professional CPD Certified Diploma

Alongside the Advanced Diploma, students complete an additional CPD-certified professional skills diploma focused on end-to-end event delivery. This provides practical, start-to-finish skills in planning and managing events from concept to completion, ensuring graduates leave with professional capability alongside strong product, process and industry knowledge.

Meet Your Lead Wedding Industry Lecturer

Siobhan Craven-Robins

Your wedding planning subjects are taught by Siobhan Craven-Robins, one of the UK’s most respected wedding industry professionals.

Siobhan is widely acknowledged as having established the UK’s first wedding coordination service in 1996, helping shape wedding planning as a professional service in the UK.

Her weddings have featured in Hello, OK! and leading bridal magazines around the world, reflecting her experience across high-profile, beautifully planned celebrations.

Siobhan was also Co-Founder and Director of the National Association of Wedding Professionals, which later merged with the UK Wedding Association, where she now sits as an Advisory Board member. She continues to represent the wedding industry as a keynote speaker and commentator, including for radio and television such as the BBC, and was previously a wedding expert on GMTV.

Entry Requirements

UK & International Applicants

Minimum age 21 and one of the following:

A Levels or Baccalaureate or Technical or Vocational Certificate Level 3 or Senior High School Certificate or Equivalent
We may consider other qualifications or relevant work experience. Applicants are encouraged to contact us for advice if they are unsure whether they meet the entry requirements.

Learners must have an appropriate standard of English to enable them to study and undertake assessments in English. For those whom English is not their first language (or an official language in their home country) we recommend the following or equivalent:

IELTS Level 5.5
Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) B2
Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) 162 or above
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic 42-49

Who is This Programme For?

Professional Development or Career Change

This professional programme is ideal for:

Career changers and professionals seeking a structured, industry-focused route into wedding and event planning.
Junior planners or event assistants who want to strengthen their knowledge, develop structured planning approaches and gain a recognised professional qualification.
International applicants looking for a credible British certification and immersive exposure to London’s wedding and events industry.

Career Prospects

Progressing Your Wedding and Events Career

The Advanced Diploma in Wedding and Event Planning provides a strong foundation for self-employment, freelance work or entry-level roles within weddings, private events, venues and social event planning.

Graduates may progress into roles such as:

Wedding Planner
Wedding Coordinator
Assistant Wedding Planner
Freelance Wedding Planner
Social Events Coordinator
Private Events Coordinator
Venue Wedding Coordinator
Venue and Events Coordinator
Event Coordinator
Event Executive
Party and Social Event Planner
Luxury Events Assistant
Client Services Assistant within an event agency
Wedding and Events Business Founder

With progression for ambitious, talented graduates or those with transferable experience or skills into senior roles such as:

Senior Wedding Planner
Wedding and Events Manager
Private Events Manager
Luxury Event Planner
Venue Events Manager
Event Business Owner
Creative Director for Weddings and Social Events
Head of Weddings and Events

Apply
Now

The Advanced Diploma in Wedding and Event Planning offers an intensive, industry-focused pathway into the wedding and events sector, combining professional training with immersive learning in London. Designed for career changers, aspiring wedding planners and ambitious professionals, it provides practical planning skills, industry insight and a credible foundation for career progression. Apply to secure your place if this is the right next step in your journey into wedding and event planning.