| Medusa, the Loch Ness Monster, Big Foot, Jennifer | | | | so, then she can make referrals and suggestions |
| Lopez as The Wedding Planner . . . What do these | | | | based on your unique desires and dreams for |
| things have in common? They're all MYTHS! | | | | your wedding day, and NOT some preconceived |
| While being a myth doesn't keep people from | | | | notion of what a wedding "should" be. |
| seeking some of these out (well, maybe not | | | | She will help you plan your wedding the way YOU |
| Medusa . . . ) they often prevent couples from | | | | want it to be, not the way she thinks it should be, |
| seeking out the assistance of a professional | | | | or (worse yet!) "the way it's always been done?" |
| wedding planner. | | | | Don't consultants take 'kickbacks' from the |
| To help clarify and debunk some of these, here is | | | | vendors they refer? |
| a list of some of the more common | | | | Absolutely not! It is unethical to accept kickbacks, |
| misconceptions (and truths) of professional | | | | finders fees, or whatever you want to call them. |
| wedding planners (PWPs), aka wedding | | | | A PWPs main focus is on you, the bride and |
| consultants, wedding coordinators, and bridal | | | | groom. She is looking out for your best interest, |
| consultants. | | | | not her own, nor any other vendor's. The ONLY |
| Consultants are expensive and only for the rich | | | | exception is if the PWP's fees will be paid by the |
| and famous. | | | | vendors and not by the client. |
| Like most people, much of what you know about | | | | Won't a consultant want to run the whole show? |
| a PWP is what you see on TV, the movies, and in | | | | A PWP will work with you, handling as much or as |
| magazines. Lavish celebrity weddings raise ratings | | | | little of your wedding as you want. After all, it is |
| and sell more copies - but they are not the stuff | | | | your wedding. The PWP is there to help you and |
| of everyday real-life weddings. And the people | | | | your family make the day perfect. If you want |
| who produce these weddings (Colin Cowie, | | | | her to, the PWP will run the whole show, but it is |
| Preston Bailey . . .) provide a very different | | | | your show that she is running. |
| service than your local PWP. The local PWP | | | | Our church has a wedding coordinator. Why do I |
| understands what's in their region -- current | | | | need someone else? |
| trends, and all the great local vendors and | | | | The person at the church is usually only familiar |
| resources. | | | | with his/her aspect of the wedding -- getting the |
| Also, most PWPs offer different levels of service, | | | | bride down the aisle on time -- not the complete |
| from basic hour-long sessions to full-service | | | | planning process, and is primarily concerned with |
| coordination and design, so you should be able to | | | | making sure the rules of their church are followed. |
| find something in your price range quite easily. | | | | Don't assume the church coordinator will help with |
| My caterer also does wedding planning. Why not | | | | any set-up, assist you and your bridal party while |
| just use them to plan mine? | | | | you're getting dressed, pass out and pin on |
| A caterer's (or florist's, or dj's, etc.) main job is to | | | | boutonnieres and corsages, make sure everything |
| provide the service they are specifically trained | | | | and everyone is in place, or be able to fix any |
| and experienced in. While they are busy providing | | | | behind-the-scenes problems that may arise. |
| their service on a wedding day, how are they | | | | I can find vendors straight out of the yellow |
| going to take care of any the other | | | | pages. Why pay someone to do this for me? |
| behind-the-scenes things? They just can't be in | | | | You can pick names from the yellow pages |
| two places at once. | | | | yourself. However, this is no indication of their |
| I've just booked my reception venue and they | | | | style, price ranges, availability, or if the vendor is |
| have a list of "preferred vendors." Why should I | | | | even reputable. Referrals provided by a PWP are |
| pay someone for the same information? | | | | not pulled out of the yellow pages, but from a |
| Because a PWP doesn't give the same | | | | data base of pre-qualified, reputable vendors who |
| information. The "preferred vendor" list provided | | | | match a specific set of criteria that fits your |
| by venues, caterers, etc. are often vendors who | | | | wedding vision and budget. |
| have paid to be on that list, and is not an | | | | My friend (or sister) just got married, and her |
| indication of their style, pricing, availability, nor | | | | wedding was great. Why can't I use the same |
| reputation. This very same list is given to all of | | | | vendors? |
| the venue's clients. | | | | Of course you can use the same vendors, but do |
| On the other hand, the list of vendors provided | | | | you really want to have your wedding just like |
| by a PWP is tailored specifically for each bride | | | | someone else's? |
| & groom. You have your own specific style | | | | My mom is helping me. Why hire someone when |
| and desires, as well as budget, that you want for | | | | we can do it all? |
| your wedding day. Wouldn't you rather have a list | | | | Using the services of a PWP does not prevent |
| of available vendors that you know specialize in | | | | you and/or your mom from "doing it all." Instead, |
| your desired style, and fit your budget? | | | | with her training, experience and expertise, the |
| But I don't want someone to plan my wedding | | | | PWP is on hand to assist and guide you through |
| they way they think it should be. | | | | the entire wedding process, offering suitable |
| A PWP will take the time to find out exactly what | | | | suggestions and quickly remedying any problems, |
| you and your fiancé want out of your | | | | so no one ends up too stressed and too tired to |
| wedding, how you envision your wedding day, | | | | enjoy the big day when it finally arrives. Wouldn't |
| how much you have and want to spend, and | | | | you rather look forward to and enjoy your |
| what your priorities are for your wedding. She will | | | | wedding day than get so stressed out that you |
| also take the time to get to know YOU. By doing | | | | can't wait for it to be over with? |