Membership
A room full of people who work the same Saturdays you do.
192 wedding and event professionals across 25 chapters. Every one of them licensed, insured, and signed to the Code of Ethics—which is why a referral from a fellow member carries weight.
What it costs
Every tier adds a one-time $50 application fee on first join, and every member belongs to both the national association and their local chapter.
Emerging
Fewer than three years in the industry, or a part-time or internship role
$275
per year, one seat
- An individual membership for those still building their experience in weddings and events; it includes one non-transferable seat.
- Emerging members do not use the WIPA logo, vote on WIPA business, or appear in the member directory until they upgrade.
- Once you reach three years of industry experience, you may upgrade to an Individual or Corporate membership.
Individual
Three or more years in the industry
$350
per year, one seat
- Each Individual membership is owned by the individual and may move with them if they change businesses—ideal for independent professionals and small business owners.
- Individual memberships are not transferable. You can upgrade to a Corporate membership, but once upgraded, the membership becomes tied to that business and can no longer move with you.
Corporate
Three or more years in the industry
$550
per year, first two seats
$250 each seat after
- Held by the business, a Corporate membership includes two employee memberships, with $250 for each additional member.
- All employees on the membership share a single expiration date and renew at the same time. Employees may be changed if someone leaves the company, subject to certain limitations.
- Corporate memberships are non-transferable to another business and may only be downgraded during the renewal period.
- Seats aren’t added online yet—once your membership is active, contact the WIPA team and we’ll set up each colleague’s seat.
What we ask of you
The requirements are the same for every tier and every chapter.
- 01 A legal business An active business license in your jurisdiction.
- 02 $1M general liability insurance A currently valid certificate of general liability insurance.
- 03 The Code of Ethics pledge A signed pledge to abide by the WIPA Code of Ethics—you sign it as part of the application.
How joining works
- Qualify
- Answer three questions and see your chapter and the tiers open to you before you make an account.
- Apply
- Fill in the application, upload your business license and a current certificate of insurance, and sign the Code of Ethics pledge. Your documents are checked as you upload them.
- Pay
- Pay your dues and the one-time $50 application fee by credit or debit card. Your membership activates as soon as your payment completes. There are no refunds.
- After
- If anything needs a closer look, our membership team will follow up by email.
Questions we get asked
I’m almost at three years. Emerging or Individual?
Emerging, until you reach three years in the industry—Individual and Corporate need at least three. When you get there, you upgrade: more than 90 days from your expiration date you pay the difference mid-term; within 90 days you renew and upgrade at the same time.
Can I take my membership to a new business?
An Individual membership is yours, so it moves with you. A Corporate membership belongs to the business, and its seats can be moved between employees, with some limitations.
Can I join without insurance?
No. Every application includes a currently valid certificate of general liability insurance—$1M—whatever the tier.
Am I charged before I’m approved?
You pay the dues and the one-time $50 application fee by card when you submit. Your documents are checked as you upload them and your membership activates as soon as your payment completes; if anything needs a closer look, we follow up by email.
More in the membership FAQ—and members save with our partner discounts.