Here are some pointers to keep in mind when planning your wedding. We hope that this information will be useful and beneficial for you in having your special day come together.

“What are wedding consultants, Bridal Planners and or Coordinators?”
They are all one in the same. They are professionals who help a bridal couple discover, implement and manage all of the necessary requirements for a successful wedding. Wedding consultants do all of the leg work when it comes to finding the right vendors, hiring vendors, negotiating the best prices for the best services, and even ordering all of your necessities as needed.

Wedding consultants function in many roles. They must be supervisors, working with all of the other professionals that the bride and groom have chosen. The Wedding Consultant must make sure everything for the wedding happens just as the bride and groom expect. They must be advisors because they are wedding experts. They must be coordinators because they must organize all of the details needed for the couple’s wedding dreams to be turned into a reality. They must also be financial planners, assisting and preparing a budget for the couple and helping them stick to it. They also will aid by suggesting creative ways to make the bride and grooms dollars go the furthest. Sometimes the Wedding Coordinator must be a mediator, helping solve obstacles that may arise prior or during the wedding.

“What can a consultant do for us?”
In short, a consultant will save the couple costly mistakes, time and stress and will help execute their dream wedding.

You may be concerned that you cannot afford a Wedding Consultant. The good news is that experienced Wedding Consultants are able to work with virtually any budget. Typically, wedding coordinators are hired to handle any one, multiple or all of the details of your wedding. Whether it be for the wedding day, reception, ceremony, or even just to map out the details and book your vendors, a wedding coordinator can cater to any wish you have. If you do hire a wedding coordinator for the whole kit and caboodle, you can expect to pay from 15 to 25% percent of your wedding budget. This range can depend upon the budget and amount of work the coordinator will be required to do.

There are several ways that you can hire a wedding coordinator.

1. You can hire the wedding coordinator for a freelance contract.
2. You can hire a wedding coordinator for a specific project of your wedding.
3. You can hire a wedding coordinator by the hour. (not recommended)
4. You can hire a wedding coordinator for a flat fee.
5. You can hire a wedding coordinator for a percentage of your budget.

Most important … it is all up to you.

When calling around for rates, also have a list of questions prepared for the coordinator to give them an idea of the types of tasks you would like them to handle. This will make it easier for the coordinator to give you a base quote.

Also, make sure you ask your wedding coordinator some of the questions listed below as they might apply for your wedding:

1. Will you stick to my budget?
2. Will you create a guideline for our plans in detail?
3. Are you in contact with a number of florists, caterers, bands, photographers, and other important vendors in my area?
4. Will you review all contracts for me?
5. Will you keep and provide a calendar for me that gives details on the planning process?
6. Will you provide etiquette advice as needed?
7. Will you coordinate delivery and setup times with the appropriate vendors?
8. On the wedding day, will you supervise the whole event?
9. Will you also book the honeymoon?

Do’s, Don'ts & Timelines if you are not working with a Wedding Consultant!

With enough advance planning time, you can avoid most pitfalls and disasters. With most couples it is usually the bride that is doing the bulk of the planning of the wedding in a short amount of time. Most couples have never planned an event of this magnitude so they encounter stumbling blocks and obstacles that they are not familiar with. This makes the planning and coordination process sometimes very difficult. Although this may not apply to you, you still, may encounter some of these problems, so be wary be careful and make smart and informed decisions.

Don’t

· Don’t Book the first thing you see unless you are familiar with the company or have a great recommendation from a trusted source. Otherwise it will not save you time in the long run. It could be a disaster later on.
· Don’t Come right out and say “I do not care what it costs, I will pay anything” for that gorgeous gown/cake/floral display. So be clear about what your budget is, and do not allow yourself to be talked into spending more because “you are worth it.”
· Don’t Take a “too good to be true” offer. Usually, these on-time-only or limited time offer advertisements for ring sales, gown clearances, DJ’s special, photographer discounts, honeymoon packages and the like could be a scam. Products and services cost what they cost and anything that seems too good to be true usually is.
· Don’t do any business with any individual or company without getting a written contract
· Don’t pay any monies in advance without a written and signed contract.
· Don’t book any location you have not seen, do not book rentals you have not seen. You could be in for a surprise that you will not be happy with.
· Don’t plan when you are too stressed. Realize your limits and change an appointment if you have to, rather than make a decision out of frustration or impatience

DO’s

· Only work with established businesses.
· Shop at stores that have been around for a long time, not the fly-by-night jeweler that just popped up last week and could be gone next week.
· Measure areas for dance floors, measure tables, measure doorways for adequate space and the delivery of items. Get all deliveries via certified, return-receipt mail. Send all packages, such as your maids’ gowns, the same way.
· Look at everything. You do not want any unpleasant surprises on the wedding day.
· Stand your ground. Do not be talked into-or out of-anything without your full understanding.
· Keep a wedding journal to record all of the good parts about planning the wedding. Too often, brides just record the appointments, the problems, and the questions. Use your journal or notebook to write down the touching, funny, silly, or memorable moments. After the chaos of the planning process is done, you will have this memento to remember that it was not that difficult. The bad stuff may always be remembered, but the good stuff will outweigh the bad if you make it that way.
· create a wedding newsletter to keep the wedding party, parents and guests informed as to what and how your day will unfold.

Make a timeline with important dates & things to keep track of.

· List times and places so that party members can have a reference for their calendar. Also, this helps them settle time off from work and school in a timely manner.
· Include dates for the rehearsal dinner, wedding, showers, parties, fittings, and other important information for your wedding party.
· Include registry information, if any, on your newsletter, so that your bridal party will be aware and able to pass the word along to your guests.
· Making your own wedding planner also allows you to emphasis the priorities that you hold in your wedding planner.

Begin with a 3-ring binder. Thickness may vary, but at least 1” is recommended. It is recommended to section the binder off using tabs labeled ( as thy might apply to you)

Attendants Attire Body Care Cake
Ceremony Photographer Hair Salon Tuxedo’s
Honeymoon Videographer Thank you’s Bridesmaids
Flowers Reception Gifts Ushers
Invitations Bands Transportation Parents
Disc Jockey Engagement Clothing Children
Receipts Pictures brochures Handouts

The binder with all of the info you collect will be handy for future reference, both to keep up with your vendors and to remember certain things to take care of before and after the wedding

Haven't chosen a wedding date yet? Make sure you keep in mind…

· Both work schedules fit with date.
· Any school schedules can be worked around the date
· There are no conflicts with personal commitments for you, your fiancé, or any children who may be involved
· The honeymoon schedule will work with your vacation time available
· Enough time is available for planning the type of wedding you desire
· Special days have to be considered
· A date-to-avoid has not been chosen
· Your honeymoon location prime time has been considered
· Family tie-ins have been checked out
· Close family members have consulted their schedules
· Potential bridal party members are available
· Weekend or weekday choices have been made with thought
· Out-of-town guests will have time to make arrangements for traveling
· Ceremony location will be available
· Reception location will be available
· Weather and seasonal climate have been considered
· Seasonal and holiday activities have been given thought
· Tourist and wedding seasons have been taken into account
· Supplier workloads have been given consideration
· Flower availability has been checked

This timeline is only an approximation and estimate. It is only a guide if you are not using a wedding consultant.

(REMEMBER THAT THE SOONER THE SERVICES ARE CONTRACTED THE LESS STRESS YOU WILL HAVE DURING THE PLANNING PROCESS)

SIXTEEN TO NINE MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING
· Determine type of wedding (formal or informal) and choose a date
· Visit the clergy and review synagogue/church requirements
· Determine size of the guest list
· Determine your budget and division of expenses
· Find a reception location and make reservations early
· Select a wedding consultant
· Select Wedding Gown

NINE TO SIX MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING
· Choose your attendants
· Choose a color theme
· Choose attendant's dresses
· Book your caterer
· Book your photographer (always best to book sooner)
· Book your videographer (always best to book sooner)
· Plan ceremony and reception music
· Compile names and addresses for guest list

SIX TO FOUR MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING
· Select a florist
· Book your dj or band (always best to book sooner)
· Order invitations and party favors
· Shop for bridal party tuxedos
· Finalize arrangement for the church and ceremony
· Make transportation arrangements
· Plan honeymoon; visit travel agencies, make reservations
· All deposits should be made and contracts signed
· Put together ideas for bridal registry
· Plan wedding decorations

THREE MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING
· Choose gifts for attendants, parents, helpers
· Buy wedding rings
· Order the wedding cake
· Buy cake knife, toasting glasses, guest book & garter

TWO MONTHS BEFORE WEDDING
· Make plans & reservations for wedding rehearsal & dinner
· Reserve rooms for out-of-town guests
· Address invitations/announcements
· Invitations should be sent 4-6 weeks prior to wedding; announcements after wedding

ONE MONTH BEFORE WEDDING
· Finalize details of every aspect of your wedding
· Confirm honeymoon reservations
· Have final fittings for you and your attendant's dresses
· Get marriage license
· Ask a friend or relative to take charge of guest book at reception
· Pick up wedding rings
· Purchase gift for fiancé (not mandatory!)

TWO WEEKS BEFORE WEDDING
· Prepare wedding announcement to send to newspapers
· Contact guests who have not responded

ONE WEEK BEFORE WEDDING
· Pick up your gown, attendants' dresses & accessories
· Confirm details with all participants and inform them of any changes
· Pack for honeymoon
· Make sure you have all wedding attire, rings & marriage license
· Have rehearsal and dinner
· Have nails done
· Give final guest count to reception facility or caterer
· Get a massage and relax

WEDDING DAY
· Have hair & make-up done
· Take marriage license and rings to ceremony site
· Begin dressing two hours before ceremony is to begin

If you would like more information or a free consultation, give us a call. At that time if you should choose our company to assist you in the planning of your special day we will quote you the rates for the services you require.

What ever your choice is we wish you a fantastic journey, love and happiness and an unforgettable wedding.

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