Written by Nancy L. Slade

Every little girl dreams of her wedding day, and imagines herself dressed like a princess, the center of attention, the belle of the ball. Where does a bride look for the Fairy Godmother who can turn that vision into reality? The contemporary name for the woman behind the magic wand is... the wedding consultant!

Are you planning your wedding? Do you know what you want, but don't know where to start? Are you too busy with a demanding job to think about ceremonies and caterers or menus and music? A professional wedding consultant can help you make your wedding exactly what you want it to be -- and more.

Saint Louis Bride Magazine had the opportunity to meet and talk to several professional wedding consultants in the area and as it turns out, they are proficient in just what the name CONSULTANT implies:

Connected:

Consultants have an inside track on the best locations. They know the venues most suitable to your wedding size, budget, and style. Because consultants work with many wedding professionals -- florists, caterers, musicians, and photographers -- they know which vendors will make your wedding dream a reality. A consultant knows the stress involved in planning a wedding. She is there for you and will help put you at ease so you can enjoy the planning process. "It's my job to offer reassurance to the bride," says Suzanne Randolph of Wedding Support Services. Randolph caters to brides who want to plan their own wedding but need a coordinator to run the rehearsal and the actual wedding festivities.

Organized:

A professional wedding consultant is always on her toes. She is perhaps the most organized person you will ever meet. Juggling many tasks at once is her specialty. A wedding consultant will help you create and follow your own wedding timeline. Timelines tell everyone involved in the planning process what to do and when to do it. A consultant should be open to your ideas and suggestions. She will always ensure that your day reflects your own sense of personality and style. "Many people spend a fortune on a wedding that lacks the couples' personal style. I call that a cookie-cutter wedding," continues Randolph. "I like to brainstorm with the bride and groom and get to know them as a couple, so their day reflects them."

Near:

Whether you are planning your wedding in your hometown, or long distance, your consultant is just a phone call away. "Many brides will think of questions or ideas and email them to me," notes Katie Fechter, owner of Details Event Coordinators. "I love email!" Before creating Details, Fechter worked at a wedding and event catering facility. "I saw how excited brides were, but also how overwhelmed they were. I had worked with wonderful vendors for years, and felt I could really help a bride with her wedding," she said.

Service:

Wedding consultants offer services in many capacities. You may schedule a consultation where the consultant will offer preparation advice and provide you with a list of reputable vendors to contact; or you might have already planned all the details of your special day and need a consultant to oversee the rehearsal and the actual wedding day. If you have a hectic work schedule or are planning a wedding from another city, you may want to consider a full-service plan. Full-service wedding planning involves every aspect of your wedding from beginning to end. From booking locations to hiring caterers, florists and musicians, your wedding consultant will be there for you.

A consultant should work with you and your budget, never pushing you towards something you simply cannot afford. Experienced wedding consultants are able to work within a variety of budgets. Although a consultant's fee becomes a part of your overall budget, remember her ultimate goal is saving you time and money.

Unique:

Consultants know the hottest trends on the wedding horizons. They are creative and will help you with fresh, innovative ideas. "The visual feelings are the ones that most brides are trying to buy," says Rebecca Boillat, owner of the St. Louis Wedding Design. Once she begins working with a bride, Boillat creates a design board. This board is unique to each bride's wedding and may include fabric swatches, ribbon, photos, and sketches. "Brides want to know what the finished product will look like," notes Boillat. Your wedding should reflect yourself and your groom. "Find someone whose style and taste is something you can trust," adds Katie Fechter.

Traditions:

Consultants are also up to date on the etiquette and protocol for even the most complicated situations and family dynamics. They have the answers to questions including the proper wording on the invitation, the appropriate way to arrange the receiving line, and the perfect time to cut the cake.

Agreements:

Do you know what to look for in a contract between you and a vendor? Working with numerous vendors, a bride will have many written agreements and contracts to sign. Your consultant is experienced in reading the fine print and will help you through that process. A professional wedding consultant will spell out her consulting services to you in a written contract as well.

Neutral Opinion:

A wedding consultant also plays the role of confidante. You can bounce your problems and ideas off her and she will help you by offering solutions. A consultant can often smooth ruffled feathers and mediate disagreements. She is not there to compete with Mom or any other family member, but is there to look out for your best interests.

Troubleshooter:

Katie Fechter says it is possible to be a guest at your own wedding. Your wedding consultant will be your messenger on your wedding day so you won't have to run around to locate someone. Consultants, like Rebecca Boillat, say they try always to be prepared. At a recent wedding, a button broke on the groom's shirt and she was there sewing on a new button a few minutes before the ceremony.

So now you know what a professional wedding consultant can do for you. What do you do next? Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Sit down with your fiancé and talk about a wedding date, number of guests, and overall formality of your wedding. Don't be afraid to dream. Discuss your budget, too. It's important to have this information ready prior to interviewing a consultant.
• Interview more than one consultant. She should be knowledgeable about venues and vendors and passionate about her business. Don't be shy about asking questions.
• Request references. A professional wedding consultant should be willing to provide you with a list of clients to contact. Follow up with those brides.
• Establish fee structures up front. Some consultants charge by the hour and others charge a flat fee or percentage of your total budget.

This article was contributed by Saint Louis Bride Magazine, working in partnership with Wedding-Club.com. If you have questions or comments about this article, please email their editor at nancy.slade@wheremagazine.com.