Over the past 10 years the number of couples who choose to work with a wedding consultant/planner has increased significantly. People are often too busy coping with the demands of their professional and personal lives to find the time necessary to plan and create the wedding of their dreams.
Ideally, the bride and groom should have at least three consultations and quotes from potential suppliers for every aspect of their wedding. This is hugely time consumming and often the couple just don't have the time to fit all this in. Crucial things may be overlooked and desicions may be made in haste, consequently leading to potential mishaps on the day.
An experienced wedding planner will be able to recommend reputable suppliers, many of whom they will have worked wih in the past. They will negotiate on the couples behalf and coordinae all the various aspect of the wedding, giving peace of mind and removing the stress from the planning.
Before choosing a wedding planner ask your family, friends or colleagues who have recently married if they used a planner and would they recommend them. Recommendation is the best source for all of your wedding planning.
Some wedding planners will organisse the whole event including accompanying the bride to appointments and supervising the wedding day itself, whereas others will offer consulting services only, providing a package of schedules, a list of local, reliable suppliers and budgets.
The prices vary accordingly and range from around £1000 for a wedding plan to £7000-£10,000 for full wedding coordination.
It is important to meet your wedding planner before hiring them, you will be seeing so much of them on the months leading up to the wedding that it is essential you have a rapport with them.