Selecting a Wedding Planner

  Wedding Planners also referred to as wedding consultants, or bridal consultants, provide you with the peace of mind relieving you of the stress and worry of the last minute details knowing your wedding will be a memorable occasion, and enables you to have more free time to enjoy the pre-wedding parties in your honor.

  The services wedding planners offer are customized for each couple and their individual wedding. Couples meet with a consultant advising of their budget, number of guests, and their dream or vision of an ideal wedding, even if only at the planning stage. The consultant can assist with developing the budget, setting the limit on the number of guests and planning the theme and style of the wedding if desired, based on the personal tastes of the couple. It is the couple´s wedding, and they have the final say, the consultant´s role is to offer guidance not permission. The relationship must be built on trust and mutual respect. It is acceptable to interview up to three consultants to determine the best match for you.

  Depending on the needs of the couple, the consultant will make recommendations regarding the various vendors such as reception facilities, ceremony locations, officiants, florists, photographers, and can further assist in researching their licenses, insurance providers, and history with prior customers. Further assistance can be provided with the negotiations of the contracts and/or review of the contracts before signing to ensure all the required conditions are met. Assist with the selection of the gifts for the attendants, and the appropriate etiquette.

  At the couples request, the consultant will track the guest list response; be a mediator for minor disputes - remembering it is the couples day, no matter who is paying for the wedding; create a timeline for the activities leading up to the wedding day, and of the wedding day. Design or assist in the design of the menu, favours, place cards, and or wedding programs. Coordinate the engagement party, rehearsal party, newspaper announcements, the rehearsal, tours of the area for out-of-town guests.

  The day of the wedding: depending on the size of the wedding, wedding consultants offer one or two directors to be on site, on the wedding day. They will supervise the vendors, cue the music, the ceremony, ensure all your requests have been met, bouquets and boutonnières have been distributed, distribute the vendors payments and gratuities, coordinate the direction of the gifts, coordinate the flowers from the ceremony to the hall, seat all late arrivals in a discreet manner and have an emergency kit on hand.

  The cost of a wedding planner is part of the wedding budget and not in addition to the budget. The pricing varies based on the needs of the couple. When engaging a consultant for partial services on an hourly rate, fifty dollars an hour is the normal rate.

  In conclusion, choosing a wedding planner can be beneficial to any bridal couple, as it will allow them more time to enjoy this wondrous time, and give them peace of mind during this stressful but exciting time.