Happy Tears Weddings

What's the Difference Between a Wedding Coordinator and Consultant?

Mon, 17 May 2010 13:49:00 +0000

by Elizabeth Watts

The terms "consultant" and "coordinator" mean nearly the same thing. However there are slight variations so be sure to ask any wedding professionals you consult how they define their job. Generally speaking, a "consultant" is involved in the pre-wedding planning process with the bride and a "coordinator" focuses on making sure the actual wedding day flows smoothly.

Bridal consultants discuss coordinating or arranging a wedding with the bride and groom. They help in the pre-wedding stages to come up with ideas and contact caterers, florists, etc. An independent bridal consultant is not associated with specific vendors such as a florist or a caterer, and instead operates a self-contained business.

Wedding coordinators assist with planning a schedule for the wedding, then help conduct and coordinate the wedding day activities. In the south, a wedding coordinator may be called a wedding director. A church wedding coordinator is usually a member or on the staff of a church and their job is to make sure church rules are followed.

http://www.usabride.com/wedplan/a_wed_consult_coord.html

Top 10 Reasons to Hire a Wedding Planner

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:17:00 +0000

Top 10 Reasons to Hire a Wedding Planner

EmailWritten by kimcalakotuis on May-27-08 8:05pm

From: avisualguide.com

http://www.zimbio.com/Wedding+Planning/articles/612/Top+10+Reasons+Hire+Wedding+Planner

Top 10 Reasons to Hire a Wedding Planner

10. Saves time – Planning wedding takes enormous amount of time. In fact, the average couple spends well over 200 hours planning their special day. A good wedding planner will save you time and energy by researching vendors, taking care of the many, many details, and coming up with various creative ideas to make your wedding amazing!

9. Saves money – Weddings can be extremely expensive. However, by hiring a wedding planner, couples can save a great deal of money. Because wedding planners provide so much business to vendors, they are often able to negotiate discounts for their clients. Wedding planners are also well-versed at helping couples set budgets and sticking to them.

8. Saves relationships – Weddings are very stressful. This stress often results in many arguments for couples as well as with family members and friends. Wedding planners have been there time and time again and know how to avoid such problems before they begin as well as act as a buffer when there are conflicts. Wedding planners are also able to take on the responsibilities often assigned to loved ones so that everyone is able to enjoy the wedding. Remember, you still want a relationship with your mother well after your wedding!

7. Ensures dreams are made realities – Most have been dreaming of their wedding day their entire life. Wedding planners work for the couple and ensure that all desires are met (and often surpassed)!

6. Offers advice – Wedding planners have planned countless weddings and know exactly what works and what doesn’t. They are also knowledgeable on wedding etiquette. Furthermore, wedding planners are able to recommend competent vendors, based on personal experience.

5. Acts as the “go to person” – The average wedding has at least 22 different vendors. Combine that with the entire wedding party and all of the guests and that is a lot of people with questions and concerns! By hiring a wedding planner, couples can simply tell others “talk to the wedding planner!”

4. Creates schedules – There are so many events leading up to the big day! Couple that with the many things that happen during the wedding and who can keep track? The wedding planner can! Wedding planners are well-versed at making detailed itineraries for all involved (including other vendors) and making sure that everything happens on time!

3. Handles crisis – Whether we like it or not, most big events involve crisis. Who really wants to deal on their wedding day with the bakery not delivering the cake on time or the flower girl throwing a tantrum? No one! Wedding planners know how to handle all unforeseen circumstances.

2. Orchestrates from rehearsal through the end of reception – Do you want to be responsible for organizing rehearsal or making sure the bridal party is properly lined up? How about making sure that the guest who had a little too much to drink departs safely? Wedding planners orchestrate from rehearsal through the end of the reception, ensuring everything goes off without a hitch!

1. Minimizes stress and maximizes fun! – Hiring a wedding planner ensures that you will have a worry-free and stress-free day, thus, allowing you to enjoy your day like your guests!

Why Hire a Wedding Planner

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:16:00 +0000

By Sasha Souza

The Whole Shebang!

Professional Wedding Coordination

http://www.wedalert.com/content/articles/why_hire_coordinator.asp

Why Hire A Wedding Coordinator?

As couples begin thinking about their wedding, they are often confused as to how much to spend, where to obtain specialized services, and how to choose vendors. These worries often mount as quickly as the cost of the wedding. After the euphoria wears off and the reality settles in, it's shocking to discover of how much preparation is involved. Couples are faced with decisions about everything from invitation wording to planning their honeymoon. Couples often find they want experienced professional help.

Not long ago, a wedding coordinator was thought of as a luxury, only used by the wealthy. Now a coordinator is essential to the well planned affair. It is no longer "trendy" to engage a coordinator. Being experienced in negotiating contracts with caterers, florists, photographers, and other suppliers, the coordinator saves valuable time and money. The coordinator can take advantage of discounts not available to private parties and avoid costly mistakes, while turning your dreams into reality.

The average wedding can take more than two hundred fifty hours just to plan. With today's hectic lifestyles, you may not have time to compare all the options, making sure you get the best deal, and make sure all the details are in place.

Wedding coordinators are not here to make decisions for you, but to guide and assist you in making informed decisions. Their training, knowledge, and experience will turn your dreams and expectations into reality. They want you to host a beautiful and distinctive event which you can enjoy.

A wedding coordinator will save you time and enable you to get the most for your money! A wedding coordinator can serve in many other capacities. They can act as the family counselor for apprehensive brides and the mothers, a wedding coordinator can become as close as your best friend.

How do you know you're hiring the right coordinator? Trust is important in any relationship. You should feel completely comfortable with the coordinator and feel assured that he or she completely understands what your needs are. Your personalities should match. It's important to find out how long the coordinator has been in business. Be careful of coordinators who are not members of any professional organization. These organizations have a code of ethics that the consultant must follow in order to be a member, some also require some sort of continuing education each year to stay a member.

How Do Wedding Coordinators Charge for Services?

Wedding coordination fees vary greatly from coordinator to coordinator.

Here are some examples:

10% - 15% of the overall budget Fee based on amount of wedding coordinated Flat rate for day of services (around $1,500) plus 15% of vendor contract costs.

Fee based on number of guests

Flat rate based on amount of work needed

Hourly Rate (Often greater than $40 per hour)

"Free!" (beware, though, these services take commissions and kickbacks from the vendors.)