California Weds

Friday, Apr. 18, 2008

Consultants: Planning Makes Perfect

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Planning a wedding can be fun. But it’s difficult to juggle your career, go shopping, hire suppliers and stay on budget. It’s even more complicated if you live in one city, but your wedding is in another. Fortunately, wedding consultants and directors are ready to lend a hand.

Wedding consultant

If you need someone who knows the ins and outs of planning weddings, look for a wedding consultant. For these experts, organizing a wedding is routine — and they can do it within your budget.

While services vary, a wedding consultant usually offers one-stop shopping for busy brides. You decide what you want handled — just a few details or the entire event — and your consultant will do the legwork. This professional knows the best suppliers, such as florists, caterers and DJs, and knows where you’ll get the best value for your dollar. A wedding consultant can track down a site for your ceremony and reception and can attend your rehearsal, ceremony and reception so you don’t have to worry about organizing the events or solving last-minute problems.

Hire your consultant early — even a year in advance. When you interview a consultant, ask about references, experience and fees. Typically, a consultant requires a deposit and a contract. The fee is usually a percentage of the total cost and is included in the budget. Because you’ll be working closely with your consultant, be sure you’re comfortable with this person.

Tell your consultant two things first: the ideas you’ve collected and the budget you can afford. You’ll be able to know almost immediately what will work and what won’t. You can adjust your plans, then let your consultant handle the arrangements.

Wedding director

A wedding director focuses on the rehearsal and the ceremony to ensure that your wedding runs smoothly. While some wedding consultants also provide directing services, some directors are volunteers or church or temple staff members who help brides plan an appropriate worship service and comply with regulations on flowers, music and other concerns.

Some places of worship will not allow an outside wedding director. If your church or temple requires an in-house director and you’re working with a consultant who also provides directing services, sort out early on who’s responsible for what. The wedding director of a church or temple generally has the last word on whether your plans are acceptable.

Duties vary at each church, so ask your director what can and can’t be done for you. Most, by the way, charge a fl at fee, but some charges may differ depending on what responsibilities are agreed upon. Ask.

Even if your wedding is being held at a location other than a place of worship, it is still important to have a wedding director. These professionals are key to making sure that everything goes as planned at your wedding.