What are some practical ways in which a Consultant can help me?
It's all about time and money! Being knowledgeable about many different
wedding service providers, a consultant can match you with the vendors,
which fit your personality and budget. A consultant can also help you
with contract negotiations, which saves you time, money and headaches
on the wedding day. A consultant helps you take care of all the details
of the wedding in a timely manner, thus, reducing the stress and
anxiety as the wedding draws near.
With friends and family willing to help, why should I hire a consultant?
Although
well meaning, friends and family are not trained experts. When you hire
a consultant, all the details of the wedding and wedding day are worked
out in advance so that no important details are forgotten or left to
chance. The consultant then carries out the wishes of the bride on the
wedding day and leaves the bride, her mother and friend or family free
to enjoy the day.
How Much Will It Cost?
Wedding Consultants charge for their services in three ways: a
percentage of the total expense, an hourly fee, or flat rate. In some
cases, a combination may be used. The best way to determine the cost
for a wedding coordinator in your area is to call several and ask about
their fees. For the couple on a limited budget, a wedding consultant
may seem like an unnecessary additional cost. This is not true! Couples
on a restricted budget need a coordinator the most. One of the services
provided by the wedding coordinator is planning the event the bride and
groom want while conscientiously keeping within a predetermined budget.
I do not need a full service planner as I have already chosen some
of my vendors, yet I would feel more comfortable having someone
available at the reception in case there are problems.
Wedding Consultants offer different levels of service from planning the
entire wedding to attending the rehearsal, wedding or reception only.
You pay only for what we provide. Affordable hourly fees are charged
when you only need help with a few details.
How can I tell if a consultant is providing a quality vendor?
Due to the fact that most consultants business comes from referrals,
their reputation depends on the quality and value of the services you
receive.
I want to plan 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 make your wedding everything
you dreamed.
Why do I need a coordinator? Afterall, I'm organized.
What
was considered a luxury as recently as 20 years ago is now a necessity.
Your wedding is likely the largest, most elaborate party that you will
ever plan. A professional wedding coordinator works to assist you
navigate through contracts, vendors, and most importantly, orchestrate
the wedding day you plan so that you may enjoy, instead of work that
day! Remember, a professional coordinator does this for a living - she
(or he) plans such events on a daily basis. You will want to benefit
from their experiences. "A coordinator will make sure you don't exceed
your budget. And don't underestimate the amount of time he or she will
save you, which is what makes this service most valuable to a busy
bride," says Martha Stewart.
I want my wedding to be unique. Do I have to stick to strict etiquette?
Former
President John Quincy Adams put it best when he said, "Common sense and
consideration should be the basis of etiquette and good manners."
Etiquette, the body of rules of social conduct, allows us to feel more
comfortable in most situations because we know what is expected of us.
There are certain situations, weddings being one of them, where
etiquette plays an important role. However, if what is expected of us,
according to etiquette, is inconsiderate or awkward, etiquette should
be altered to take that into consideration.
What are the three biggest mistakes people make when planning a wedding?
This answer will vary from person to person, but in our opinion, the
first, biggest, and costliest mistake is budget. "Budget" is a broad
word indeed, but the mistakes usually fall in one of two categories.
The first is simply not having a budget. No, setting a budget is not as
fun or exciting as shopping the "the" dress, or choosing flowers.
Setting a budget allows you to have the dress, the flowers, and maybe
even that extra musician you want. Not budgeting can mean paying off
your wedding until your tenth anniversary!
The second category of budgeting mistakes is creating a budget and not sticking to it. If you plan to spend $18,000 on your wedding, in order to stay within that amount, you must keep accurate records, a running balance, and maintain a payment plan. A wedding coordinator is extremely valuable in this respect. It is easy to "swept away" in the planning and end up buying "extras" that may not be as important in creating your wedding dream. Stick to your budget, and make that budget work for you. What are the essentials in creating your dream wedding? Do you really need that ice sculpture at your Texas outdoor wedding in August?
The second mistake made is usually with the photographer. Photography should be one of the biggest decisions the wedding couple makes, and photography is not a place to skimp on your budget. After all, the photographs will capture the lasting memories of you wedding day. People will forget what kind of food you served and your dress will be sealed up, and put away. Your photographs will be what you look at and show off year after year. Be sure you "click" (no pun intended!) with your photographer, as you will have to work with him or her longer than any other vendor, guest, or family member. While Uncle Harry may take wonderful pictures at birthday parties, leave the wedding photography to an unbiased professional. Again, this is what a wedding photographer does weekend after weekend. They know the pitfalls, the pains, and they will have a back-up plan. Let Uncle Harry be the wedding guest you asked him to be!
The third mistake, while it may sound a bit self-serving, is not hiring a wedding coordinator. Not only can a coordinator help you avoid the previous two problems, he or she can save you time and money. A coordinator's knowledge of the industry is (and should be) broader than your knowledge. After all, a coordinator deals with weddings every day. Moreover, a coordinator is an absolute necessity the day of your wedding. Do you want to line up the wedding party? Do you want to fix hems on dresses? Pin on boutonnieres? Make sure guests are seated before you walk down the aisle? Make sure the buffet food is hot? Make sure the photographer gets that picture of you favorite Aunt Nancy? Deliver gifts to the right car after the wedding? You have planned your wedding day for nine months, and dreamed of it since you were a child. Why would you want to work on that day?