Any
wedding is complicated. There are myriad details to be discussed, budgeted
and executed. But like most brides, your life is filled with demands –
job, home, friends and social commitments, and, of course, him. You may
not have the time or energy to fully plan, manage and participate in the
biggest celebration of your life.
If this aptly describes you, you need help. Hiring a
wedding consultant is a cost-efficient alternative to tearing your hair
out. What they provide is experience and expertise. Such bridal
professionals usually are industry insiders who know the quality and
reliability of area vendors. Not only can they keep you within budget,
they also relieve you of numerous details and demands.
Consultants avoid wasted time by pre-qualifying vendors
like florists, caterers, photographers and other wedding professionals.
Any such vendors repeatedly hired by a coordinator will perform as well as
possible to keep their preferred booking status.
Consultants don't have to do it all – their level of
participation is up to you. You may want to handle some functions, while
turning over more time-consuming and difficult requirements to me. If you
want a large wedding, I can manage every detail. If you want a small one,
my involvement as the coordinator can be as minimal as timely advice.
When selecting a bridal consultant, I always tell my clients to look for
experience and organizational skills. Ask if about any formal training and
if they’re certified by organizations like the Association of Bridal
Consultants or the Association of Certified Professional Bridal
Consultants. Check references. Most
of all, make sure you’re comfortable
talking and working with your choice. You’re trusting me with
responsibilities that could make or break your celebration.
Consulting charges will vary, depending on the region,
number of responsibilities and wedding size. Expect to pay from 10 to 20
percent of your
total wedding budget for a coordinator who manages the
entire event. Simple consulting will cost you from $95 to $245 or more per
hour depending on the complexity of the services needed. Day only charges
go anywhere from $750 to $1500. Most wedding
coordinators guarantee their services.
Sticking to your wedding budget is difficult. There are
so many aspects and details, almost all of which cost money. Without
proper planning and organization, your $8,000 wedding could easily end up
costing twice that much. The bottom line, however, is that coordination
and consulting services will almost always save money overall.
Here are just a few of your wedding needs I can manage:
-
Bridal fashions, formal wear
and accessories
-
Cake baking, decoration and
delivery
-
Catering, menus, food and
beverages
-
Ceremony sites and
officiates
-
Florists and site decorators
-
Gift selection, handling and
purchase
-
Honeymoon recommendations
and booking
-
Invitations, printing and
mailing
-
Jewelry pricing, selection
and purchases
-
Photographers and videographers
-
Reception site research,
booking and management
-
Rental organizing,
scheduling and oversight
-
Transportation scheduling
and management
So with this in all in mind, I
hope to be working with you in the near future. |
