Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Afraid of a Wedding Consultant?


Monica at The White Box started a conversation with a question, Why are Brides Scared of Wedding Planners? Then A Bride in the Making answered her question. I’d like to dive in too, if you don’t mind.

I actually never thought about it this way. I never thought that a bride was “afraid” of a wedding planner. Seriously, what is there to be afraid of. We (as wedding consultants) are there to help you, the bride. Maybe it’s just that hiring a wedding consultant used to be so expensive and only Mulit-Gazillionaires could afford them. And times have definitely changed – consultants are much more affordable (and sometimes work into your budget without you raising it at all). Keep in mind a great consultant is there to make sure you find the items you want, tell you if you are being ridiculous, tell your mom if her idea is cheesey or ridiculous (if you hate it), and we make sure your saving money and at the same time, well just make sure it’s YOUR wedding.

I know that the books all say, “Hey you can do this yourself, no problem – just follow these 5 easy steps and you’ll be fine” but honestly, how often do you plan a party of 100 or 200 or more of your closest friends and family. Okay, let’s do this. I’ve often compared myself with a midwife. She’s there with you while you’re pregnant to make sure you have your questions answered, every cramp or pain or strange thing that happens to you, you ask, she answers and you feel relief. Then when you have the baby she’s there with you to make sure your requests are handled, your healthy. And then after the baby’s born you love that child with every ounce of your being, and very rarely think of the person that stood with you every step of the way. Because everything was how you wanted it to be. (and as a side note, if you deliver the baby naturally and without an epidural do they hang a sign on your door and put it in neon lights that you delivered naturally - I don't think so) So why try to do it on your own?

Our jobs as wedding consultants is not to charge you a ton of money and ensure you go over budget, but save you time and money by making sure you don’t do unnecessary work or homework. It’s like having a super fantastic yellow pages at your beckon call (or is that beck and call?).

Plus, wedding consultants work with these vendors week in and week out, so you could even get a discount off of what the “street” rate is because that vendor appreciated the work that we do. And quite frankly knows that at YOUR wedding they’ll only have to do what they are good at and not coordinate the day too. I always tell my clients that having a wedding consultant shouldn’t add to your budget, it should be apart of it, and not add any more funds to it. Not just in time, but in actual savings too.Just remember, we know that this is your once in a life time most cherished celebration, and we want your day to be exactly what you want it to be.

Not one of our events are the same. Because not one of our clients are the same. Wedding consultants work with you, to make sure your day is just that, your wedding day. Relax, and let us handle your requests.

4 comments:

Liene Stevens said...

great points! I think too that people get scared off by stories of all the gals who call themselves planners but have only planned their own wedding. you get one shot at a wedding (as you know) to get it right and there are a lot of horror stories out there from people who thought they were hiring a pro, but really weren't.

ps - beck and call :)

Veronica said...

Excellent post! Thank you for your insight!

Monica said...

Thanks for joining the conversation! Liene made a great point as well.

Monica said...

P.S. I love the midwife comparison!

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