Do You Need a Bridal Consultant?

Every bride asks herself this question when she begins planning her wedding day. Here are some determining factors to help you decide whether or not you should hire a wedding consultant to help you plan your big day.

Does every bride need a bridal consultant? The answer is a resounding “no.” But do bridal consultants help make your wedding day run smoother? Absolutely. Brides who host weddings both large and small have benefited from hiring a wedding consultant (also called a wedding planner), and the benefits of hiring one usually far outweigh the expense that is required to invest in one. In fact, many brides make the choice to forego hiring a wedding consultant simply because they are concerned about the price.

While budget is certainly a valid concern, hiring a bridal consultant can be looked at as another essential “piece” to planning a wedding. They are an optional (although essential) vendor, just as the caterer and florist are vendors necessary to the creation of a wedding event. If you are on the fence about hiring a bridal consultant, keep the following factors in mind. They can help you decide once and for all if you should hire a wedding planner or not.

Are you hosting a destination wedding?—If you’re not being married locally, a bridal consultant can be a lifesaver. A planner who is familiar with the area you are getting married in or who is located nearby can arrange things that you cannot be there to arrange yourself.

Do you have time to manage all of your tasks and to attend your appointments?—Planning a wedding is extremely time-consuming, even if you’re having a small, intimate wedding. If you won’t have the time to meet and follow up with every single vendor, arrange and keep meetings, or give direction to everyone, a wedding planner can take care of everything for you. This way, you can make vendor, décor, and purchasing decisions directly through your planner, and then let them handle everything from there.

Do you know how to find the best deals?—Do you know which flowers are the most expensive, which caterer can give you the best deal, or where to shop for your designer gown? If you want to stay within your budget and find the very best vendors for your specific needs, a wedding planner already knows the ins and outs of the industry and where to find what you need.

Do you know where to find the best locations for your event?—You might already have an idea of the theme or style of wedding you want to have, but do you know where to find the perfect ceremony or reception location to create the mood you’re looking for? If you have a certain ambience in mind, a wedding planner knows the best sites to match your preferred style and décor preferences.

Ask yourself these questions before you answer the question, “Do I need a bridal consultant?”