RECOGNISING THE PROFESSIONAL BEHIND THE WORK

Certified Wedding Professional (CWP) is a formal credential for individuals whose judgment, ethics, and leadership shape wedding outcomes.

It recognises personal responsibility and demonstrated capability beyond business branding or marketing claims.

Verified. Tiered. Earned.

 

WHAT IS CWP?

Behind every wedding business, regardless of size, is an individual whose decisions shape the client experience and delivery outcome.

CWP exists to recognise people, not entities.

CWP acknowledges that:

  • Professional responsibility sits with individuals

  • Leadership and judgment cannot be delegated to a logo

  • Experience, ethics, and accountability deserve recognition

CWP holders may use the post-nominals CWP as a mark of professional standing (for example, Jane Jones CWP).

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WHO IS CWP FOR?


CWP is designed for individuals who carry personal professional responsibility, including:

  • Business owners and founders

  • Wedding planners and lead coordinators

  • Venue managers and senior hospitality leaders

  • Creative directors and senior operators

  • Professionals whose decisions materially impact wedding outcomes

CWP is especially relevant where:

  • A business is accredited, but leadership varies

  • Multiple professionals operate under one brand

  • Individuals wish to be recognised in their own right

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WHY INDIVIDUAL CERTIFICATION MATTERS

Couples don’t experience “a business”. They experience people.

CWP exists because:

  • Trust is personal

  • Accountability is personal

  • Leadership is personal

Professional post-nominals:

  • Signal credibility beyond marketing

  • Recognise experience and ethical responsibility

  • Allow professionals to carry recognised standing across roles, venues, or businesses

CWP gives professionals a standard and a recognised identity they can stand behind.

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WHAT IS REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE CWP

CWP is a professional credential, not a short course. Applicants complete a structured assessment designed to verify judgement, ethics, and demonstrated capability.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE
Applicants must have a minimum of four years of relevant professional experience in the wedding industry.

WHAT THE CWP CREDENTIAL REPRESENTS

CWP signals that an individual has:

  • Accepted personal responsibility for professional conduct

  • Demonstrated experience and decision-making capability

  • Committed to ethical standards and accountability

  • Formally agreed to uphold the MarryMark CWP Code of Conduct

CWP is not awarded for tenure alone. It reflects judgment under pressure, leadership in complex environments, and professional integrity in real-world wedding delivery.

WHAT CWP IS - AND IS NOT

CWP is

  • An individual professional credential

  • Evidence-based and standards-led

  • Independent of marketing, awards, or directories

  • Maintained through annual renewal, Code of Conduct compliance, and ongoing professional development 

CWP is not

  • A popularity badge or paid membership you can buy

  • A guarantee of business quality, outcomes, pricing, or suitability

  • A directory listing or lead-generation service

  • A substitute for business accreditation or operational systems

  • Automatically granted through training attendance alone

  • A lifetime credential without renewal

CWP complements MarryMark Business Accreditation. It does not replace it.

HOW CERTIFICATION WORKS

CWP certification follows a structured professional assessment process:

Application
Applicants must have a minimum of four years of relevant professional experience in the wedding industry and submit professional background, role context, and declarations.

Where experience is non-linear (for example part-time, seasonal, or across roles), MarryMark considers the total body of work and responsibility held.

Standards Review
Applicants are assessed against MarryMark’s individual professional criteria and are required to formally agree to the MarryMark Certified Wedding Professional Code of Conduct.

Approval & Credential Issue
Successful applicants are issued CWP status and may use the CWP post-nominals as a mark of professional standing.

Annual Renewal
To maintain active CWP status, professionals commit to:

  • Ongoing adherence to the CWP Code of Conduct

  • Continued ethical and professional behaviour

  • Completion of two MarryMark Education courses per year

  • Alignment with current MarryMark standards

CWP CERTIFICATION, RENEWAL AND APPLICATION

Initial Certification (Year One)
$365

Includes:

  • CWP assessment and credential issuance

  • Right to use the CWP post-nominals

  • Access to standards updates and professional notices

Annual Renewal (From Year 2)
$265 per year

Maintains:

  • Active CWP status

  • Continued use of post-nominals

  • Ongoing recognition under MarryMark standards

CWP is renewed annually to ensure professional accountability remains current and meaningful.

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