| If you love planning magnificent events and enjoy | | | | emotions to carry off an impeccable wedding |
| the romance and flair of a wedding, becoming a | | | | celebration. Therefore, they must be skilled in |
| bridal consultant may be a perfect career choice. | | | | dealing with people, offering solutions to problems, |
| A bridal consultant sees to the needs of a bride | | | | and navigating potential pitfalls. Overall they must |
| from the beginning of the planning process until | | | | work well under pressure. |
| the married couple rides off into the sunset. In | | | | Step Four: |
| order to start your own bridal consultant business, | | | | Become an adept money manager. With an |
| there are many things to learn.Step One: | | | | average wedding costing $20,000 or more, it is |
| Become an expert. Many Bridal Consultants | | | | highly important for a new businessperson to be |
| worked within the wedding industry (bridal shop, | | | | skilled at managing, and stretching, the bride's |
| flowers, and reception venues) before becoming a | | | | budget. Using your newfound people skills, you will |
| consultant, so they already have first-hand | | | | negotiate for the best prices and make a |
| knowledge. Whether you are seasoned in the | | | | low-budget wedding look like that of an heiress. |
| wedding world or you are new to it, it is | | | | As a business owner, the bridal consultant must |
| important to know all of the quality vendors in | | | | also be able to manage one's own business |
| your area. Build relationships with them by visiting | | | | finances. |
| their businesses and asking questions. Establish a | | | | Step Five: |
| network of your most trusted suppliers. The | | | | Set your rates and plan your income. Most |
| more business you send to your favorite | | | | wedding coordinators make 10 to 15 percent of |
| vendors, the better service (and prices) they are | | | | the wedding budget, but some operate on an |
| likely to provide. Develop a database full of all | | | | hourly rate. An average wedding would take |
| wedding-related providers so that you can offer | | | | about 35 hours of coordinating. The wedding |
| multiple suggestions to your bridal clients. | | | | business is seasonal, so your main income will be |
| Step Two: | | | | earned from May through October. Many bridal |
| Study up on wedding trends, etiquette, and | | | | consultants offer other party-planning services |
| creative ideas. Read magazines and websites and | | | | during the slow wedding months. |
| attend bridal shows to remain up-to-date on your | | | | Step Six: |
| advice. Attend other weddings to add to your file | | | | Build your portfolio with clients from successful |
| of ideas and record any mistakes or problems | | | | weddings. Add letters of reference, pictures, and |
| that you can avoid or overcome in your own | | | | include all of the vendors used and decisions |
| business. | | | | made. This will aid you in developing future |
| Step Three: | | | | events, but it will also prove your abilities to |
| Develop your people skills. Bridal Consultants must | | | | future clients. |
| deal with hundreds of details and thousands of | | | | |