Course Instructor and Career Mentor: Desiree Dent

Desireé founded Dejanae Events LLC, an award-winning wedding & event planning company over 24 years ago, in April 2000. She and the DE Team have since produced hundreds of weddings and events employing her knowledge and research to assist couples with their special day while maintaining their specialized budget.

Desireé obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and English from DePaul University in 1995. Since working for a large accredited university and mid-sized law firm in downtown Chicago, Desireé has managed dozens of client events and assisted with sizeable client functions both in and out of state. She received her certification in Bridal Consulting & Event Planning in 2003 from the Professional Career Development Institute and from Lovegevity Wedding Planning Institute in 2007, and is the Illinois State Manager for the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC).

Additionally, Desireé is the Instructor of a Wedding and Event Planning Certification program in partnership with the Wedding Planning Institute, a division of Lovegevity, Inc. She is recognized as a "wedding industry professional" and "academic leader" in the latest textbook edition of "Professional Wedding Planning - How To Start A Wedding & Event Planning Business" used in the Certification course. She has been a guest speaker at Illinois Diversity Council; Kendall College; Harold Washington College; Washburn Culinary Institute; Signature CEO Conference, Becoming Retreat, and Premiere Planners Experience addressing the wedding & event planning business. And in September 2021, Desireé appeared on CNBC's The News with Shepard Smith as an expert discussing "Covid Weddings".

Desireé’s greatest achievement is authoring, WEDology Notebook: For The Budget-Chic Bride, released in March 2011, and creating a series of seminars and educational materials for aspiring wedding and event planners called the “WEDology toolKIT”. Desireé was 1 of 3 Co-Hosts of the web series called, “The Wedding Planners” from 2012-2013!

Dejanae Events LLC is named “Best of Weddings by The Knot” and is in their Hall of Fame of vendors. And Desireé was appointed as a Wedding Pro Educator for The Knot WeddingWire Worldwide. She is one of 39 nationwide. She is also an industry mentor for the Fellowship for Change Program sponsored by Wedding Pro.
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Diving into the Certified Wedding and Event Planning program with Lovegevity is a fantastic step!

Whether you're starting out fresh or looking to refine your skills, it's an exciting journey ahead. I'm here to help you navigate through the coursework and master class, ensuring you get the most out of your learning experience.

Let me know specifically would you like to know or discuss further about the program. 

Hands-On Learning

Join Courtney for an extraordinary journey into the world of wedding and event planning! Whether you prefer online or on-campus classes, Courtney offers a comprehensive program designed for aspiring wedding and event planners.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the best in the business. Enroll now and take the first step towards a rewarding and exciting career in wedding and event planning!

Program Highlights

INSTRUCTOR LED MENTORSHIP

Receive personalized one-on-one mentoring and support while working as part of a cohort. Collaborate weekly to efficiently complete program requirements, gaining insights from industry leaders and professional peers.

HANDS-ON PAID INTERNSHIPS

Gain real-world experience at prestigious, high-profile events. Build a professional portfolio, boost your confidence, and expand your network to kickstart your career.
You can also opt-in to a local internship for hands-on experience within your community.

BUSINESS LAUNCH SUPPORT

Start your business or take it to the next level with a professional website and a comprehensive marketing strategy. Includes client nurture and onboarding best practices to fully book your calendar so you can focus on your passion for planning and designing unforgettable events.


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Kemlyn Crowley, CWEP

“The CWEP program gave me the confidence to pursue my passion for event planning. The hands-on experience and mentorship were crucial in helping me land my dream job at a top event planning firm.”
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