Here are some questions to ask when hiring a bridal consultant:
What are your credentials?
In all levels of society there are degrees of professionalism. In the wedding related business, several organizations offer training programs for wedding coordinators including Weddings Beautiful Worldwide.
May I have the names of at least three brides you have served?
A good wedding coordinator receives letters of appreciation from many of her brides. After all, she has provided a worry-free wedding, thus allowing the bride, groom and their families to enjoy every detail of the event.
Will you stay within my budget?
Coordinators are trained to seek out the important things the bride wants and give top priority to them. For example, one bride's dream may be having a string quartet versus one musician. To pay four musicians means the budget may have to be adjusted in other departments - maybe a bit less spent for food or fewer flowers. The coordinator will give priority to making the bride's fantasy a reality.
A professional wedding coordinator sits down with the bride, goes over the budget, contacts vendors who can work within each segment of the proposed budget and always knows where she stands budget wise.
Do you have assistants?
Every coordinator should have assistants who, if necessary, can take charge of the event. The unexpected can always happen to a coordinator - sickness, a last-minute accident, death in her family. The bride should be given the assurance that the coordinator will have written records of all planning, contacts made, and contracts signed. In case of an emergency the wedding will go on, without any problems, through the help of an assistant.
Am I obligated to use the vendors you suggest?
A good wedding coordinator will offer a variety of vendors. She will know who specializes in certain "looks" - flowers with flair versus the traditional arrangements, for example. She'll know the price range the vendors work within and suggest accordingly. Should you have your own preferences, you are perfectly free to use any booking them on your own or having the coordinator contact them. A professional coordinator does not take commissions from vendors, so her integrity is never in question.
I have some difficult family situations. How can you help?
Often a third party can reason with and persuade others to do the right thing simply because she is not emotionally involved with the situation. While a wedding coordinator cannot guarantee that she can solve every problem, she has experience and expertise in dealing with unpleasant family situations, usually the result of divorce.
I don't want someone to "take over" all my planning, like a surgeon who makes all decisions. How do "I" fit in with "you?"
A professional coordinator walks the fine line between taking charge and taking control. She will tell you the preferred way from a traditional viewpoint. However, after telling you what is socially correct, she takes directions from you. Her one goal is to bring all the components of your wedding together in the manner that pleases you.
What about a refund policy should my wedding be cancelled?
Many coordinators have contracts. The contract clearly states the refund policy and is usually based on the number of hours they have worked on the wedding plans.
I do not need a full-service planner as I have already chosen some of my vendors, yet I would feel more comfortable having someone checking out everything at the reception. Is that something you can do?
Different levels of service are offered by many coordinators, from planning the entire wedding, to attending the rehearsal, wedding, or reception only. You pay only for what is provided. Affordable hourly fees are charged when you only need help with a few details.
Please sum up exactly what a wedding coordinator can do for me.
Coordinators provide a worry-free wedding for their brides. They turn a bride's dream into a wedding day reality, monitoring every detail and taking charge of any emergency that may arise.
