GLOBAL DESTINATION WEDDING PLANNER

Certification Program

Level up from passion to profession with SOTAT’s Global Destination Wedding Planner Intensive—a 5-day, 48-hour training that combines two classroom days (single-occupancy campus lodging included) with a guided 3-night/4-day site visit in a pre-selected hub (Mexico or the Caribbean).

Build job-ready skills in resort & villa operations, vendor/DMC partnerships, contracts and pricing, cultural client profiles, and crisis/sustainability SOPs. Graduate with industry-recognized certification and earn Explorer + Strategist badges plus the Master Architect credential, backed by a board-defended portfolio that wins clients.

Global Destination Wedding Planner Residency Certification

Not a hobby. A profession.

The School of Travel & Tourism's Global Destination Wedding Planner redefines what it means to be a certified Destination Wedding Planner.

Expert-led training with luxury destination wedding professionals
Exclusive Guest Speakers from in demand Mexico and Caribbean resorts
Personalized, high-touch learning cohorts
Mandatory residency capstone to prove destination wedding competency
Alumni access, vendor introductions, and expert mentorship and coaching

Ensures students progress from foundational awareness → professional mastery → global authority.

The IDWP Credential validates you as:
- Culturally aware & globally competent.
- Trained professionals, not hobbyists.
- Able to deliver luxury experiences at scale.
- Equipped for both self-employment and resort/agency careers.

Course Details:

Format: In-Person Length: 5 Days Duration: Sunday - Thursday ⏱ Total Hours: ~ 48 hours

Curriculum & Certification Pathway
$7,298 per semester

Program Structure: 5-Day Accelerated Model

Learning Outcomes & Experiential Learning

Work Base Learning

EXPLORER - Global Destination Wedding Specialist (Intensive only | 8 hours | In-person)

Focus: Foundations & Awareness
Introduction to the global destination wedding industry.
Hospitality service excellence (AHLEI micro-credential).
Mood board + design essentials.
Client consultation & service role-play.
Vendor/resort research & partnerships overview.
Capstone: Team-based mini wedding plan (starter portfolio).
Outcome: Students earn the Explorer Certificate and the Explorer Preparedness Badge.

STRATEGIST - Advanced Global Destination Wedding Planner (8 hours | In-person)

Focus: Professional Mastery
Advanced planning & design modules.
Sales, pricing, and profit strategies.
Vendor negotiations & contracts.
Technology integration (wedding CRMs, AI tools).
Portfolio development (students create 3–5 polished portfolio artifacts).
Guest speakers: luxury planners + resort brand managers.
Capstone: Individual client project simulation with faculty evaluation.
Outcome: Students graduate as employable, market-ready Destination Wedding Planners, prepared to launch businesses or work with resorts/venues.

MASTER PLANNER - Global Destination Wedding Planner (3 days | In-person International Residency)

Focus: Global Competency & Luxury Execution

Immersive residency at a premier international destination (Mexico or the Caribbean).
Hands-on site inspections, vendor walkthroughs, and live design exercises.
Mentorship from luxury planners & resort executives.
Team-based luxury wedding simulation with faculty + vendor evaluation.
Capstone: Individual portfolio defense + global planning presentation.
Outcome: Award of the International Destination Wedding Planner (IDWP) credential.
Students join the SOTAT Alumni Network + gain exclusive vendor introductions.