Did you ever think that pulling off a successful wedding would be about connections? Wedding consultants are no strangers to averting potential disasters as a result of the "insurance" that hiring a wedding consultant provides:
A few weeks before the wedding, the bridal gown that was promised to be in by then was missing. The bride-to-be had made an appointment to pose for a formal picture in her dress that she wanted to display on the wedding day, and her appointment was for the next day. The consultant merely called the husband of the dress' designer, who was a friend of his, and the dress was cut and sewn in time.
In another wedding, the cake that was due at the reception site was missing at the beginning of the reception. The consult ant called the bakery owner at home, and a car was dispatched to track down the delivery truck, which had been traveling to the opposite end of town.
In these and many other cases, wedding consultants turn possible problems into non-existent worries -- many times before the couple even has time to get anxious.
Wedding consultants, otherwise known as wedding coordinators or bridal advisors, provide professional expertise in the planning and coordination of one of the biggest events of your life. You look to the expert advice of accountants to prepare your taxes, lawyers to prepare your lawsuits, and physicians to heal your aches and pains. Why not seek the services of a professional wedding consultant who not only knows what is required for a proper wedding, but also has connections to local businesses and can offer you the wedding of your dreams at a price you can afford?
Wedding consultants serve as coordinators, financial planners, supervisors, mediators, and advisors in as much or as little of the wedding plans as you want. Their fee is negotiated according to the amount of involvement you want from them, and can be in the form of either a flat fee, an hourly rate, or a percentage of the total event's cost. When you first meet with your wedding consultant, you will outline a budget within which they must work, including their fee. It is then their job to contract the various other services you will need, and negotiate these services within the budget you have available.
Contrary to what you might believe, wedding consultants often save the couple money because they have connections and can negotiate a better price. They also provide the bonus of a knowledgeable resource who is well-versed in the ins and outs of the bridal industry, and can provide interesting and unique ideas for ceremony sites and places to pose for pictures.
Still, you do not need to sacrifice any of your own personal touches in planning your wedding. The coordinator is there to serve you, and is receptive to all of your ideas. If you communicate your desires and ideas to your bridal advisor, he or she will do everything possible to fulfill them.
There are a few guidelines to follow when selecting and working with a wedding consultant:
When seeking out a bridal advisor, always ask for and check references. Make sure that they are trained professionals who are certified wedding consultants. Check the Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants, the Association of Bridal Consultants, or the yellow pages for names to call. When interviewing different consultants, look for one who seems to have your own desires in mind, and with whom you seem to have a good rapport.
Be honest and up front with your consultant. Discuss any difficult family situations or other potential areas of concern so that the consultant can develop solutions if problems should arise.
Be specific about your budget, and keep all agreements in writing. Make sure the consultant understands exactly what you expect from him or her.
Hiring a wedding consultant is a great way to avoid little disasters that can turn your "most memorable day" into a "most embarrassing moment."
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