Bridal consultants are professional wedding planners who can help maximize your time and money by using their abundant resources and experience to recommend quality services. Some consultants offer full-service planning, ranging from booking locations and hiring caterers, florists, and musicians to supervising the actual wedding ceremony and reception. Others may be limited to only one or two of these services. Determine what you want to have done, then choose a bridal consultant whose services fit your needs. To find a good consultant, ask other wedding professionals such as caterers, florists, reception coordinators, or brides whose weddings you've attended. You may need to interview more than one consultant in order to find one who understands your needs and desires. Ask about the number of weddings the consultant has worked on and request client references. Once you choose a consultant that you feel comfortable with, establish the fee structure up front, choosing between a flat fee, an hourly rate, or a percentage of the wedding costs. For additional information or for a list of bridal consultants, write or call the Association of Bridal Consultants.
