Consultants and Planning

What does your dream wedding look like? Create the fantasy. Make your dream come true.

what’s your plan?

Both you and your partner lead very busy lives. You want this to be the wedding of your dreams, your day presented your way, but how will you find the time to do the research and work yourselves, when there are at least 15 suppliers to negotiate with once you’ve chosen your preferred wedding product and service provider? Is there an ap for that?

Planning can be a maze of details, but help is as close as the service providers in this guide who are professionals in their fields and can help make things easier for you. More good news is that wedding consultants or planners can handle so much of the work for you. You’ll still have a wide range of choices and decisions, and the freedom in which to make them.

If you and your partner have designed your own professional career path, chances are you’ll take the same detailed approach to creating your wedding vision. Amidst the myriad of multiple vendors and proposals, you’ll emerge with a firm idea of how to turn your vision into reality. But if you’re not this type of person, hiring a planner will be one of the most important decisions you’ll make towards the success of your wedding event.

Wedding planners or consultants are experts in designing your wedding event. Through frequent consultations and conversations, they get to know your vision and then source out the appropriate local professionals who can accomplish your goals. Consultants can help search for vendors and venues, negotiate rates, provide etiquette tips, assist with time-consuming errands, and monitor the wedding budget. They can run the show for just the day of the wedding, or they can plan the entire event from beginning to end, right down to the last linen and the last hors d’oeuvre. Or, their role can be a combination of both. It’s all up to you.

consulting with consultants

When choosing a consultant, look for detail-oriented, versatility, and their willing to say “yes” often. Today’s weddings are complex events, with after-parties, brunches and gift openings that can extend through the weekend. There can be a wide range of needs for the wedding party as well as the guests from out of town. Some guests may require four-star hotel accommodations, while others may want to explore an out-of-the-way country bed and breakfast. Your consultant will find appropriate accommodations for every need while simultaneously scouting out the trendiest spot for the after-party and the appropriate whale watching excursion for guests staying an extra day or two.

Etiquette worries? If you’re not sure about how to involve children from a first marriage in a second wedding ceremony, or where to place extended family in the seating arrangement, planners can help. Their expertise and guidance can make your event an all-inclusive experience that is faux-pas free.

Tip: If you decide to do things yourself, hire a consultant to trouble shoot so you don’t have to deal with problems on the wedding day.

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