| I recently conducted a brief survey with brides across | | | | Why should I have to pay for this service if I am an |
| the nation asking if they were getting married would | | | | organized planner myself with family and friends to |
| they use a wedding planner. As a wedding consultant | | | | help the day of I recently conducted a brief survey |
| in a tri-state area, you always want to stay on top of | | | | with brides across the nation asking if they were |
| the market and understand the needs and thoughts of | | | | getting married would they use a wedding planner. As |
| the brides you are addressing. I was taken aback by | | | | a wedding consultant in a tri-state area, you always |
| the answers that were given from this simple question. | | | | want to stay on top of the market and understand the |
| I already had an idea of how trying it is to land clients in | | | | needs and thoughts of the brides you are addressing. I |
| the bridal industry, but the reasons that many turn | | | | was taken aback by the answers that were given |
| away from consultants really made me re-think my | | | | from this simple question. I already had an idea of how |
| marketing strategy. | | | | trying it is to land clients in the bridal industry, but the |
| Some example of answers received were ... | | | | reasons that many turn away from consultants really |
| I would use a wedding planner if I had tons of extra | | | | made me re-think my marketing strategy. |
| money. However - it would all still have to be done my | | | | Can I really afford a wedding planner?: If your wedding |
| way. The reason I would not use a wedding planner is | | | | day means everything to you and you do not want to |
| because A LOT of money can be saved by planning | | | | waste your hard-earned money and time, you cannot |
| your own wedding ... and doing a lot of the wedding | | | | afford for your wedding to have huge problems. We |
| things can be done by the bride, family, and friends. NO! | | | | can even look over your current budget to make sure |
| Wedding planners are so expensive and everything | | | | you are maximizing your money. Retaining the |
| they do you can do yourself! | | | | services of a wedding planner/wedding coordinator will |
| No, I would not for the following reasons: The cost. I | | | | help you stay on budget, which will help you save |
| don't want the same wedding as everyone else that | | | | money. Your wedding planner will assist you in |
| the planner has worked for. I have enough imagination | | | | choosing vendors and venues; as a result you will not |
| of my own. I actually enjoyed the research and | | | | waste time with vendors outside of your budget or |
| planning, I would have felt it was not even my event if I | | | | vision. You also have to keep in mind that wedding |
| had not planned it. It seems like an added, pointless | | | | consultants are 'inside' the market. They know people |
| expense, rather spend that money on an awesome | | | | and have tremendous connections. Many vendors will |
| honeymoon. | | | | sell you a package at the advertised price if you walk |
| That is a lot to combat! How do you convince | | | | in the door alone, but if you come in with a consultant |
| someone with these preconceived notions that they | | | | they know and work with you may just get that DJ |
| are mislead in their beliefs? There are some touchy | | | | for $1500 instead of the advertised $2250. That's a |
| and personal topics that are mentioned that just are | | | | $750 saving just for going in with a consultant. A |
| not true. Now I can only speak for myself and my | | | | consultant could offer a package that is for $2,000.00, |
| company, but I am sure that other planners around the | | | | and then be able to get a savings for a couple that |
| nation share my thoughts and experience also. The | | | | could take care of almost half the cost of their |
| points and questions that jumped to my attention that I | | | | services. By the end of the wedding the consultant |
| feel must be addressed are: Do I really need a | | | | could save that couple over $5000.00. On their own, |
| wedding coordinator or wedding planner? Why should I | | | | they wouldn't have had those 'hook-ups.' |
| have to pay for this service if I am an organized | | | | I want a unique wedding with my input, not one that |
| planner myself? Can I really afford a wedding planner? | | | | looks like every other wedding they planned: Out of all |
| I want a unique wedding with my input, not one that | | | | the points this is the most interesting. I think it is |
| looks like every other wedding they planned. | | | | extremely important to know that no consultant should |
| Do I really need a wedding coordinator or wedding | | | | ever take the bride and/or groom out of the planning |
| planner?: Some weddings require the services of a | | | | process. I never make any decisions or plan any |
| wedding planner, and others do not. It is all in the bride's | | | | details without a consulting the client first. No items are |
| preference, the wedding size, how elaborate of an | | | | decided from the choice of a serving spoon to the |
| event the bride's wants and how much time you have | | | | reception site without the input of the bride. Each |
| to plan. While a joyous occasion, it can take as many | | | | wedding I perform is completely different from the |
| as 240 hours to make sure that one day goes on | | | | other because the style the colors the touches are all |
| without a hitch. Many brides today work full-time jobs | | | | unique to the couple. From beginning to end it is their |
| and cannot rationally do the countless hours of | | | | wedding, never mine, and I am there to only help them |
| legwork it takes to interview vendors, go on site visits | | | | create their vision. |
| or stress over budget restrictions. The bride and | | | | I truly hope that this information is helpful to any brides |
| groom deserve for their wedding to go as smoothly | | | | and grooms out there considering the services of a |
| and flawlessly as they have dreamed. Also, while we | | | | wedding consultant. Please give them a shot, and meet |
| do not doubt your ability to plan an event, just as with | | | | with them. See what they have to offer you and how |
| any skill or trade bridal consultants have been trained | | | | they can help you save. Many consultants offer a free |
| and studied countless wedding details, traditions and | | | | 1 hour consultation, you have nothing to lose. Just be |
| etiquettes. They have a wealth of knowledge that you | | | | sure that whoever you find works well with you and |
| may not have in this particular field. Sure you can plan | | | | your personality, is reliable, professional and open |
| a wedding, but how confident are you that you have | | | | minded. |
| not forgotten any details? | | | | |