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What is a Bridal Consultant REALLY?

There is a world of confusion out there as to who and what is a bridal consultant, wedding consultant, wedding planner, wedding coordinator, etc. It’s unfortunate but these titles have come to be a catch all for anyone who works with a bride. I see DJ’s, Florists, Caterers, Sites, and yes Churches who claim to have bridal consultants and wedding coordinators. This is not only unfortunate but can be tragic for the bride who thinks she is getting a REAL Consultant, only to find out that all she has is a bridal liaison for that particular vendor.

Many services boast a bridal consultant when all they really are offering is someone on site to announce and direct elements of a wedding reception, help with the floral or menu selection, supervise the food service or assist at the wedding ceremony. What about the planning and obtaining the necessary elements of the entire wedding? Some vendors even claim to provide the bride with a list of photographers, florists, etc. Is this vendor really trained to know the budgetary needs and the bride’s personal taste? In addition to those very absent elements in vendor choice, the vendor has not been scrutinized and qualified by a Bridal Consultant that really has the bride’s interest in mind.

A REAL Bridal Consultant is a professional who has been trained to see to the every need of the bride from the planning process to the last dance. A REAL Consultant interviews the bride and groom thoroughly to acquire a personal connection to their vision and personal taste for their wedding. A REAL Consultant will offer vendor choices to the bride based on that information and will set up and attend interviews along with the bride. A REAL Consultant will scrutinize contract offers and advise the bride so that she is able to make an informed decision. A REAL Consultant will be in touch with the bride and the vendors throughout the planning process and then will be there to oversee the delivery of the contracted services. A REAL Consultant will do whatever it takes to make sure the event runs smoothly, whether that means mopping a floor to keep the musicians from being electrocuted in a downpour or climbing under and over a deck to provide additional electrical service to a band whose equipment is blowing fuses during the reception. A REAL Consultant knows that it is not all flowers and romance and will not be unable to deal with details that are necessary to create the bride’s vision.

A REAL Bridal Consultant becomes the right hand of the bride throughout the entire engagement period. Today’s bride is busier with continuing education, highly demanding professions and more often than not, a remote family.

Please, don’t ask a bride to settle for less. Contact a professional bridal consultant as soon as the engagement ring goes on the finger. There are several top quality Associations who provide specialized training for Bridal Consultants and can furnish referrals to your locality. To mention a few, there are Weddings Beautiful Worldwide, Association of Bridal Consultants and June Wedding Inc. All have websites and can be located on the worldwide web.

By Nancy Tucker, President An Event Extraordinaire, Inc. Richmond, VA.

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