Yes weddings are romantic, exciting and lovely, but they're also serious business. The wedding industry accounts for $70 billion in annual sales across the U.S. and approximately 2.4 million couples get married each year. These couples need professional guidance and event management talent.

Founded in 1997 by Joyce Scardina Becker, President of Events of Distinction, the Wedding Consultant Certificate Program has set the “global benchmark” for all other training programs in wedding management. If you’ve contemplated a career in wedding planning, or are in the business and wish to increase your knowledge of the wedding industry, then the Wedding Planner Certificate Program at California State University East Bay is for you.

The program benefits a wide range of event specialists, as it provides a comprehensive education relating to the production of weddings and special events. Former graduates of the Wedding Planner Certificate Program have secured positions with prominent businesses in the wedding industry, such as The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, Wente Brothers Winery, Dunsmuir House and Gardens, The Carneros Inn, Innovative Entertainment, Alex's Catering, and others.

The Wedding Planner Certificate Program is endorsed by the Northern California Chapter of the International Special Events Society (ISES). ISES is comprised of over 3,000 professionals from caterers, decorators, florists, destination management companies, event planners and many more. Joyce Scardina Becker has been an active member of ISES since 1993 and has served on the Board of Directors numerous times.

The Wedding Planner Certificate Program will be offered during the Winter/Spring 2008 term at CSU East Bay’s Professional Development Center at 1000 Broadway in Oakland (next to the 12th Street BART Station). Classes will meet on 6 Saturdays - January 12, February 9, March 1, April 5, and April 19 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and on May 10 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Successful candidates in the program can receive a Certificate of Completion, as well as 4.0 Continuing Education Units - a nationally recognized standard for professional development and training. For more information about the program, call Celeste Agana-Carlos, Program Coordinator, at 510-885-4921, or visit the California State University East Bay Continuing Education web site at www.ce.csueastbay.edu. Please register early, as program size is limited to 30 students.

"This course teaches you so many aspects of special event management that you leave with a feeling of great accomplishment. I would recommend this class to anyone who is serious about the subject and is genuinely interested in pursuing a dream. Joyce is an outstanding teacher who has really made her mark in the wedding industry"

Lindsay Lavering, student