by Elizabeth Watts
Once you have decided to use a wedding coordinator, the next step is to find the right one for you. To do this, interview several wedding candidates and get any information or brochures they have before deciding which one you will work with.
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Be sure to check up on their credentials! You would be amazed how many brides ask for references and then never follow through on them. Make sure the references are from recent brides (not from two years ago). This simple step can save a lot of aggravation later on.
Finally, select the one you feel is most similar to yourself in terms of taste and overall sense of style. Sharing a common vision for your wedding and delegating who is responsible for what beforehand will ensure you have the wedding of your dreams, not your coordinator's.
Important things to investigate before choosing your wedding coordinator:
- Go Online: Visit their web site, if they have one. Another place to search online is the Better Business Bureau. (If they are not listed here, try calling.)
- Check Credentials: There are several organizations that offer training programs for wedding consultants, so ask to see certification. Call the organization the consultant belongs to and verify their status. Also check their business license. And ask for other brides love to talk about their wedding experience and you can gain valuable insight into how this person relates to their clients.
- List Duties: Express your expectations explicitly and get a list of all the services to be provided. Questions to discuss: Will they attend the wedding? The reception? Are any extra amenities included? Ask if they have any binding agreements with vendors and if the consultant receives fees from the vendors they book. Also find out how many other weddings a consultant works on while planning yours. For example, a full-service professional wedding consultant will usually work on 2-3 weddings per month.
- Discuss Payment: Ask for their pricing policy. Some consultants charge a percentage (usually around 15 percent) of the total cost of the wedding. Others charge by number of guests. Still others use an hourly rate, fixed fee, or some combination of these. All these methods are acceptable but you should determine in advance how your consultant will be paid.
- Sign Contract: Get everything in writing! A letter of agreement signed by both of you that spells out what each of you will do will prevent last minute surprises.
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