Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 14, 1993 TAG: 9302120164
SECTION: YOUR WEDDING PAGE: YW-9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
TOO BUSY TO PLAN? HIRE A WEDDING CONSULTANT
Working wedding planning into a daily schedule may be more than some busy brides can manage. If juggling a myriad of details is impossible, Modern Bride recommends hiring a wedding consultant to take on the task instead.A good wedding consultant can help you maximize time and money by making use of their abundant resources.
Modern Bride offers these tips to help you find the best consultant:
Experience counts: Ask about the number of weddings the consultant has worked on.
Establish up front how payment is arranged: Is it an hourly rate, a flat fee or a percentage of the wedding costs?
Request client references if you would like further reassurance of the consultant's abilities.
Learn which specific services the consultant offers. Some may handle every detail, others may not be as accommodating.
Rely on your instincts as you interview consultants to determine if your personalities are compatible. You'll be working closely together, so chemistry is essential.
There are many advantages to using a wedding consultant. The most important reasons are to save time and money. And, for all the services needed for the perfect wedding, a consultant's expertise and contacts will probably result in a wedding worth much more than you could otherwise afford.
The consultant's fee should not add to your client's cost. Rather, if your budget is $15,000 and the fee is 15 percent, the consultant should provide you with $15,000 or more of service and satisfaction for $12,750.
Another helpful role is that of mediator. A consultant can provide third-party objectivity in the event of conflicts, which may relieve stress and solve the problem with a minimum of headaches.
Placing your wedding in such capable hands leaves you more time to focus on other matters - rehearsal dinners, out-of-town guests, honeymoon plans and more. Even these details can be tackled by a consultant.
Hiring a consultant is a wise choice for engaged women who are wondering how they'll be able to do it all - and for those who don't want Mom to take over.