Your knight in shining armor has proposed.  With visions of beautiful weddings in your head, you begin planning your wedding.  Somewhere in the process you realize that coordinating your dreams with five bridesmaids who can’t agree on a dress, 12 different wedding professionals from florist to photographer, several sets of in-laws, and your new husband-to-be may be a little more difficult than you thought.  Where do you begin? How do you have the wedding you want, on the budget you can afford, and make sure everything gets accomplished in the style you desire?  Hire a Wedding Planner/Bridal Consultant to help you accomplish your dreams.

What is a bridal consultant and what can she (or he) do for you?  Bridal consultants take the ideas you have and recommend professionals to suit your specific needs.  Throughout the planning process, they will help you coordinate the smallest details to save you time and suggest ways to keep you within your budget.  They will direct the rehearsal, ceremony, and reception to ensure that your wedding day goes smoothly.  Sometimes, a bridal consultant may just be the shoulder you need to lean on or the person to assure you that everything will turn out just fine.

When looking for a consultant, consider the following:

• How long have they been in business?  Does she have a business license?
• Listen to her ideas.  Is she telling you how the wedding should be or is she listening to what you want and giving you suggestions on the things you are unsure about?
• Ask to see the contract she prepares. 
• What is her fee structure?  It can be a flat rate, packages plans, a percentage of the overall budget (typically 15%), or an hourly charge.  How is this paid?  Monthly?  Up front?
• Does she keep files on her clients?  Can she show you an example of a typical file and how she stays organized?  Does she have pictures of her work?  Can she provide you with references?

A Bridal consultant can be an invaluable source of information to you as you plan your wedding.  Most have read all of the current wedding publications, including books, magazines, and even trade publications to keep up on trends.  They have a myriad of ideas about how to save you money along the way.  Many have connections with other wedding professionals and hotels who will give you a discount because you are using that consultant. They are also familiar with local suppliers so they can assist you in getting the accessories you need to make your wedding beautiful!  This is helpful so you will not have to waste time gathering information before you make decisions.

Maybe you decide that having a bridal consultant for the entire wedding is not in your budget.  Ask them if they will only coordinate certain parts of the day.  For example, they may have a package that just offers ceremony directing.  Some consultants offer hourly consulting so you can go and tie up the loose ends you may be struggling with like finalizing the timing for the day.  Don’t be afraid to ask what other services they offer.  Many offer to address invitations, make welcome bags, or make follow-up phone calls to help you use the time you have more efficiently.

The biggest benefit of a bridal consultant is that they alleviate the majority of stress on your wedding day.  They will ensure that the ceremony and reception sites have been arranged and decorated properly.  They will make sure the photographer, florist, videographer, etc. have arrived on time and coordinate the timing and whereabouts of those professionals.  Your bridal consultant will keep copies of all contracts and payments and can distribute any remaining payments for you the day of the wedding.  If you are lucky, your consultant will arrive the day of the wedding with an emergency kit to take care of any last minute predicaments.  All of this so that you can focus on the important details of your wedding-like your new bride or groom and the family and friends that are helping you celebrate!  (© LXM)