A wedding planner or wedding consultant is another name for a bridal consultant. Despite the fact that many people claim to be consultants, most professional consultants agree that a true bridal consultant is the bride’s best friend throughout the planning process and on the wedding day. They’ve built relationships with a variety of people in the community who could help with the wedding, including caterers, musicians, florists, clothing stores, chauffeur companies, travel agencies, and those who own or operate halls, restaurants, churches, and other venues. The main goal of a bridal consultant is to make a wedding and all the events leading up to it as perfect as possible for the bride and groom while staying within their budget.
Despite the fact that there are no bridal consultant schools, many people who choose this career are well-educated. Some have prior event planning experience, and others have college degrees in business or related fields. It’s a good idea to hire consultants with a lot of experience or a lot of education. Always check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure the bridal consultant you’re considering hasn’t received any complaints.
Many wedding consultants work on a percentage basis, though some may charge an hourly rate, particularly if the wedding budget is modest. Typically, a bridal consultant will charge between 10% and 20% of the total wedding budget. For example, if your wedding costs $20,000 USD, the consultancy fee could range from $2000 to $4000 USD. High-profile consultants who are in high demand may charge even more, especially if the wedding will require travel.
Initially, the bride and groom, the bride alone, or the bride and her parents may meet with a consultant. She determines the allowable budget, the bride’s wedding needs and desires (as well as the family’s and groom’s), and then assists the bride presenting her with options that are either exactly what she wants or as close as budget allows. She may accompany the bride to meet all of the wedding professionals and assist her in making decisions that are within her budget. The goal of the planning stages is to present the bride with options that are tailored to her preferences, and to do so in a timely manner so that the bride can keep up with her busy schedule without having to worry about doing all the legwork.
Pre-wedding events such as showers, family gatherings, and rehearsal dinners may be planned the bridal consultant, or she may work with family or friends to ensure that these events run smoothly. She may coordinate travel for out-of-town families, handle invitation distribution, and calculate the total number of attendees. Some consultants will even assist a couple with their honeymoon planning. On the wedding day, the consultant is on hand to ensure that everyone and every business involved is where they need to be at the right time, and she or he may also be able to handle any last-minute issues that arise, such as a sudden storm at an outdoor reception.
Bridal consultants can earn a good living depending on the price of weddings and the number of weddings they plan each year. Consultants who plan two $20,000 USD weddings per month can earn anywhere from $48,000 to $96,000 per year. Managing so many weddings can be difficult and time-consuming, especially if the weddings are complicated and require frequent meetings with wedding party members or travel. Many consultants, on the other hand, prefer the flexibility of working from home, and those with a large network of contacts in the bridal industry may be able to plan even the most elaborate weddings quickly.