I have just signed up for Wilton #1 and if the scheduling allows and the other classes are offered in sync, I'd like to take 2 and 3 as well.
Could someone briefly explain to me what to expect, what we will be doing? I signed up at A.C. Moore and the woman wasn't too informative...
Do supplies cost alot for the class?
When I took course I we had to make a cake every week, and bring it to class iced and ready to decorate. You learn the basics in the first course, plus the wilton rose in steps, and how to make your icing and ice your cake. You'll get a booklet your first night of class it will show and tell you what you'll be doing for the following class each wk. Same as with course II and III, you get a new booklet with each course. You'll have to buy a kit for each new course and where I took my classes, at Michaels, they were $20 each for I and II, and course III was $25. But Michaels usually always has a 40% off regular priced items in their sale adds so when I signed up for course I, instead of buying the course I kit I bought the caddy with the supplies all in it (you'll still have to purchase the other course kits later also) since I got it at 40% off and knew I would be taking the other courses as well. That way you have something to hold all your supplies in. But your instrutor will go over what you'll need to bring to the next class with you each week. So besides buying the supplies you need to decorate with, you'll have some other expenses as well, like scissors, wax paper, small things you can pick up pretty cheap. Not to mention what you'll need to make the icing and cakes. It kind of sounds like alot, but once you get your kit for class, the rest of it doesn't really cost so much if you shop around. I hope this helps a little, good luck with your courses, you'll love it!! 
Oh, also, you should call the store back and ask them if you need to bring anything to your first night of class, our store gave us a list when we signed up telling us what we should bring. Maybe you'll get ahold of someone else who knows more about whats going on. Maybe even get the instuctors number if nobody at the store knows whats what!
Zamode,
I am currently in Wilton course III at Michaels. The cost can be a little steep, but all you have to do is watch for coupons. I don't know if you live around a Hobby Lobby, but right now ours has 50% off of all wilton products. So it would be a good idea to buy all three of your kits now at that price. (if you are SURE you will be taking all 3) You could also get your tool caddy for 50% off.
I hope you have as much fun as I am! Good Luck!
I just started course I two weeks ago. It is so much fun. Just make sure you make extra frosting. I didn't bring enough to class and had to share with someone. The cost is a little steep but once you invest you will have all the products to decorate any cake you need unlesss you need to buy pans. I have tried other hobbies such as scrapbooking and I LOVE cake decorating. It's so much fun!!!
I have taken all three courses, Course I, I took twice, because my first instructor was not great, she was a novice herself. If I remember correctly, you did not need anything your first night. The instructor just kind of gave an introduction, you got your book, and if that was one of the classes where you got your kit free, like I did, they gave you that. She showed us how to ice a cake, then we hit the cake aisle with her as our guide. It was a lot of fun, they let us know what we would need for the next class, which was an un-iced character cake to learn stars on and all the equipment for that, and just got us all excited for what was coming up!
Make sure you don't have an uptight instructor. The class is about having fun learning.
When we needed different colored icing(s), I made mine at home and brought them into class in old Store bought frosting containers in the colors we needed. The instructor had a fit and accused me of using store bought instead of making my own.
We didn't have to buy any character pans for our classes, that would certainly add an extra cost. We used just a regular 8in rounds in our course one, our instructor made sure to tell us not to spend any more then neccesary and to use what we had at home whenever we could. Sure shows how it all depends on were you take the courses and who your instructor is I guess. 
Cakeman66 is right about the instuctor! My sister took the course, and her instructor was all "by the book" and never let them be creative. Everything had to be exactly as the book said, down to every decoration.
My instructor on the otherhand, encourages you to be different, and to have fun with it. She also tells you about products other than "wilton" if she thinks they are better. (although she always says "you didn't hear this from me"...LOL)
I am now nearing the end of course III, and I haven't found it too be very expensive. They're are so many sales and coupons out there to take advantage of!
Thanks everyone for your input. So far my instructor is okay, she likes to talk and has mentioned a few other than Wilton items. Cakeman I think that's a great idea, saving the old containers for greasy bc but I guess your unfortunate uptight instructor did not.
What else will be needed for purchase for 2 and 3? I really can't afford alot, I left my job when we decided it wasn't cost-efficient after the baby (10 months). It's already costing me more than I thought I would be spending.... 
I keep reading about Micheal's and there isn't one close enough to me so I am stuck with A.C. Moore. I don't want to wind up buying stuff I won't use just for class sake, you know?
If I remember correctly, for course 2 and 3 you only have to purchase your kit for those courses, everything you need should be in them. Except for the fondant you need in course 3. But you can get the recipe for the marshmallow fondant off this site and make it yourself, it's alot cheaper!! And taste ALOT better. Keep checking your sale adds for where your taking your classes at, hopefully they'll have a special on the course, we sometimes have specials that are pay for the course and get the kit for a penny!
You can check ebay for the course kits. I have seen a couple for sale there.
I'm very new at this but while some of it is good--I love their pans--some of it seems like a gimmick. My instructor couldn't use the cake leveler too well, the cake top was crooked and only about the top third or less of the cake was cut.
Thanks for the ideas and I will definitely check Ebay!
I hear you, I am in course 1 right now and plan to take all three course. My instructor could barely make a rose and had cooked her cake in a toaster oven. However, it is a great place to practice some techniques and it lets me get out of the house and away from my 2 1/2 and 1 year old kids for a couple hours! Plus I would really like to decorate proffesionally oneday and it will be great to at least be able to say that I have completed these courses.
I live in Central California, so theres not a lot of opportunity to take classes out here. I have to drive 20 minutes just to take the Wilton class!
BTW- Make sure to post your cakes from your class! Can't wait to see them!
It's pretty easy to upload them on this site. Just hit upload photos at the top of the gallery. Then hit browse and go to them on your computer. Hit upload and they are there.
That is if you have digital photos. I have a digital camera so it is easy to get all my photos onto my computer, otherwise you have to scan them in.
Yes, I have a digital. Let's hope I have cakes worth photographing!
All your cakes will be worth photographing! It's nice to see the progression
Lazy_Susan 
I agree, it is great to look at some of the decorators on this sites photos and see their cakes from when they first started all the way up. It is very encouraging when you are just starting out.
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