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Photo by Jack Young Photography |
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a Bridal Consultant?
- Why use a Bridal Consultant?
- Isn't a Bridal Consultant Expensive?
- How does a Bridal Consultant save a client money?
- I am really enjoying the planning process and I am concerned a Bridal Consultant might take over and do everything for me?
- My wedding location already has an on-site coordinator. Why would I need another one?
- How do I plan a wedding when my family lives in different part of the country and we are getting married in another place?
- How can I tell if a Bridal Consultant is providing a quality vendor?
- Do Bridal Consultants get 'kickbacks' from vendors?
- What qualities should I look for in a consultant?
Q. What is a Bridal Consultant?
Also known as a Wedding Consultant or an Event Coordinator, a Bridal Consultant is a professional whose training, expertise and contacts will help make your wedding everything you want it to be.
A consultant's job is to ease the planning process by providing ideas, information and experience that will help you solve issues, often before you know they exist.A consultant also provides financial planning and mediation so that you stay within the budget you have set, and helps with vendor negotiations so that you get all that you are paying for. A consultant will also be there on your wedding day, taking care of all the hectic details, such as coordinating vendors, soothing family members and helping staff members, so that you do not need to worry that everything is in place the way you expect. Your consultant will go out of their way to make sure that your day is wonderful.
Q. Why use a Bridal Consultant?
People utilize Consultants for many reasons, although the majority is to save time, money, and stress. Saving time is a leading concern of brides. Anyone who has ever planned an event can testify to the fact that it takes a lot of time; making arrangements, finding vendors for food, facilities, and entertainment, creating and mailing invitations, the list goes on and on. A Bridal Consultant can handle most, if not all, of these time-consuming issues. We have an extensive list of recommended vendors, or we can work with those you select. We have unique and subtle ideas for locations, food, entertaining, and other items that will make your event something special. Moreover, we are there, at your event, to coordinate and ensure that everything you ask for is there.
Q. Isn't a Bridal Consultant Expensive?
Not really, especially when you take into account the time, energy and stress a Bridal Consultant can save you! You are always the one who decides how much service from a Bridal Consultant you want to employ. The amount of services that each Consultant offers varies, but you will generally find that consults will offer less expensive services that generally point you in the right direction, offer ideas, or refer you to reputable vendors, while more expensive services would include more personal services, intensive coordination, full service vendor referral/selection and complete day-of services. The bottom line is that you decide what you want from the array of services offered. We will take care of the details per your wishes.
Q. How does a Bridal Consultant save a client money?
A Bridal Consultant can save you money in many different ways.Our goal is to try to help you stay on the budget that you decide. We do this using several different techniques. First, we use our experience during the planning stage, giving advice as to cost so that you can make good decisions about your wedding, before you contract any services or buy any items. Next, we provide careful consideration and comparison of vendors so that you get all that you are paying for. We have extensive lists of vendors that we work with often and know will faithfully be there on your special day. We also review vendors that may have been referred to you by others to make sure that you are getting the services you are paying for. Finally, we keep careful track of your budget so that we can warn you earlier if ideas or items are more expensive then your budget allows. This permits us to take a lot of the guess work out of the planning, and help you possibly avoid some very costly mistakes.
Q. I am really enjoying the planning process and I am concerned a Bridal Consultant might take over and do everything for me?
Don't worry. Our primary desire is to help you create your perfect wedding. A professional Bridal Consultant will work with you, handling as much or as little of your wedding as you want. Our experience and training can help you avoid a lot of the hassles and worry that are associated with an event as large as a wedding so that you can relax more and enjoy the aspects of the planning that you like the most. The consultant is there to help you and your family make the day exactly what you want it to be.
Q. My wedding location already has an on-site coordinator. Why would I need another one?
On-site coordinators are great! They can be a very valuable resource for questions or issues particular to your chosen location. What we offer is a more personal, detailed understanding of your plans. We will meet with you several times before your event so that we know more specific information than your on-site coordinator has time to worry about. We are there helping you in every area of your wedding through out the entire planning process, not just on the day of to over see the venue staff and event duties. Moreover, we are better equipped to help fix any problems that may arise.
Q. How do I plan a wedding when my family lives in different part of the country and we are getting married in another place?
Through the Association of Bridal Consultants' network, a member can work with other members worldwide to help you arrange your wedding wherever your choose, in your current town, in your parents' hometown, or a special destination.
Q. How can I tell if a Bridal Consultant is providing a quality vendor?
The consultant's reputation and future business depend on the quality of the services, including vendors, you receive. A bridal professional is committed to providing the best possible wedding for the lowest possible cost. Besides, you are working with a budget, so the consultant's job is to keep you on budget. A satisfied bride is the consultant's best advertisement. So, it is to their benefit to recommend the best vendor for your budget.
Q. Do Bridal Consultants get 'kickbacks' from vendors?
Some vendors do offer commissions to consultants, much as airlines pay commissions to travel agents. Many consultants pass these commissions to you in the form of discounts. The Association of Bridal Consultants strongly recommends against commissions. But, in all cases, you should know how the consultant is being paid and by whom. Reputable Consultants will have no problem discussing these issues with you.
Q. What qualities should I look for in a consultant?
You should be very comfortable with the person. You will be spending a lot of time together planning one of the major rites of passage in your life and they will be there during a very stressful time. Make sure that you can really communicate with your consultant. Communication is a key in a successful relationship. Your consultant should really understand what you are looking for and bring you ideas that you find appealing.
Ask for references through your vendors and friends.Try to ask people who know you and your style. It is usually best to select and interview a few Consultants. Start with a phone call or e-mail and then if you feel there is interest, ask to set up a personal consultation. Most consultants offer complimentary initial consultations. Use this time to get acquainted, and ask any immediate questions you may have and view the consultants' portfolios and verify current membership certificates.
Once the consultant understands the basics of your event they can prepare a personalized quote. When you have made the decision to obtain a particular Consultant, ask for references and a copy of their contract. Once you are ready to hire your consultant place your deposit and the planning process will begin.
