Why do you need
a wedding consultant?
A professional
planner has been trained to help you select the best services
for your needs and make everything run smoothly. Professional
coordinators can network with other wedding professionals
around the world to help you plan the wedding of your dreams.
A professional
wedding coordinator keeps everything running smoothly during
the days and weeks leading up to your wedding day. Your
coordinator has the knowledge and experience to make sure it
all comes out right, so that you can relax and enjoy your
wedding day.
You can count on a
professional consultant to help you in many roles:
ADVISOR:
As an expert, the consultant knows weddings, from the socially
correct formats thought the proper planning and organization
of the reception.
COORDINATOR:
Through extensive contacts in the wedding business, the
consultant can match you with the right professionals, from
caterer to photographers, to turn your wedding dreams into
reality.
SUPERVISOR:
Why should you worry about the details of planning your
wedding? Your consultant will work with the other
professionals you have chosen to make sure everything happens
just as you want it.
FINANCIAL
PLANNER: If you're working with a budget (and who
isn't?), your consultant can help you organize your dream
wedding within your budget, by suggestion ways to make your
dollar go the farthest.
MEDIATOR:
Caught between "ex" families and "step" families? A
professional bridal consultant, as an independent third party,
often can smooth ruffled feathers and mediate disagreements.
Sometimes,
your consultant may be nothing more than a "shoulder to cry
on" to support you during the hectic days before your wedding.
What is a bridal consultant?
A bridal
consultant is a professional whose training, expertise and
contacts will help make your wedding as close to perfect as it
possibly can be-and let you relax and enjoy your wedding.
What will a
bridal consultant do for me?
In addition to
helping make your wedding dreams come true within your budget
- and perhaps saving you from costly mistakes - a consultant
will save you time. With today's hectic lifestyle, many bridal
couples and their families do not have the time for the
detailed planning and work a beautiful wedding requires. A
professional consultant, working with you, can handle the
details, allowing you the freedom to do what you want to do.
Do I need a
contract with my consultant?
You should
have some agreement in writing. A formal contract probably is
not necessary; a letter of agreement, signed by both of you,
usually is enough. This is an informal contract, which spells
out what each of you will do.
How can I tell
if a consultant is reputable?
All
Association of Bridal Consultant's members agree to uphold a
Code of Ethics and Standards of membership. Look for the
Association's logo and ask to see a current membership
certificate; contact the Association to verify a bridal
consultant's status.
I want to plan
part of the wedding myself, won't a consultant want to run the
whole show?
A professional
bridal consultant will work with you, handling as much or as
little of your wedding as you want. After all, it is your
wedding. The consultant is there to help you and to make your
day perfect.
What will a
bridal consultant charge?
It is normal
for a consultant to charge about 15% of the cost of the
wedding. Some consultants charge an hourly rate or a fixed
fee, or some combination of these. Others charge nothing and
earn their income from supplier commissions. All these methods
are acceptable, but you should determine in advance how your
consultant will be paid.
Can I afford a
bridal consultant?
A wedding
consultant is part of your budget, not an extra expense. In
fact, you often save money because a consultant suggests less
expensive alternatives that still enhance your wedding.
Consultants often can obtain discounts from suppliers. Above
all, the professional bridal consultant will work with you to
produce your dream wedding including the consultant's fee
within your budget.
Why can't I do
the planning myself?
You certainly
can do the planning yourself and that sometimes is part of the
fun of your wedding. But it also can be a hassle, checking out
many sources for each service, making sure all the details are
in place, and worrying about whether you're getting the best
deal and whether everything will turn out right. A
professional bridal consultant has the training and experience
to make it all work, while you relax.
Do I need a
bridal consultant?
A consultant
will be a distinct asset as you plan your wedding. Wouldn't it
be nice to spend time with your friends and families, rather
than worrying about all the details of your special day? A
consultant will take care of the details, leaving you to have
the fun!
Wedding
Planning Q&A