Though you have no idea what a wedding consultant might be, those women in your family sure seem to think you need one. You're pretty sure it's out of your area of concern; you have no idea at this point that hiring this consultant is going to be a fairly costly venture, although she will probably turn out to be worth every single penny.

What Is a Wedding Consultant?

The terms “wedding consultant” and “wedding planner” are basically the same thing (or, more correctly, they describe people who do the same job) and are used interchangeably. These party-planning wizards typically charge a percentage (10 to 15 percent) of the total cost of the wedding, if they're providing a full service. What do planners do? As much or as little as the bride and groom want from them.

Is It Worth It?

Most brides and grooms are looking for a planner to meet them in the middle — if, for example, your daughter works full-time and simply doesn't have the patience or the hours to plan a huge wedding, she might be looking for some professional help. Wedding consultants are an incredible asset to busy brides, because they cut the legwork in half in some cases and eliminate it altogether in others. Experienced consultants can find their way around the wedding industry blindfolded. (They already know which vendors are overpriced, which are trustworthy, and which will cater to your daughter's specific wants and needs.) Established planners also have a relationship with vendors and may be able to cut a terrific deal for you with one or more of them.

So although you might balk at being asked to pay for someone who is doing the job you feel your daughter should be doing, keep in mind that if this woman (or man) can pull off the dream wedding and keep your daughter from falling to pieces all at the same time…hiring this professional will be worth it.

Finding the Consultant

Word of mouth is the best way to find a reputable wedding planner. Your daughter might have a recently married friend or two who worked with a certain planner and can recommend her highly — or not at all. What does one ask a wedding planner during an initial interview? Start with these questions:

• How long have you been in business?

• How many weddings do you typically take on a month?

• Can you provide us with references?

• Can you work with our budget?

• What type of services do you provide?

• Which local vendors do you typically work with?

If you're really hoping to have the reception in a location that the planner flat out refuses to do business with, your first instinct might be to walk. After all, you're hiring this person, and you should get the wedding you want. But a reputable, highly recommended consultant might know a thing or two about the reception hall that you don't (the service is horrible, it's on the Health Department's “ick” list, etc.), and could end up saving you from making a huge mistake.