Wedding Planning Step by Step

By Avis Shiveler Brangan

There are many terms for wedding professionals who help Brides and Grooms create, plan, organize, assist or coordinate their wedding (and reception). Some of them do a lot of things and some of them limit their services to a specific activity (find and recommend other wedding professionals or vendors) or date (the day of the rehearsal and/or the day of the wedding).

A Bridal Consultant (also referred to as a Wedding Coordinator or a Wedding Consultant or a Wedding Planner or an Event Planner) can work with the Bride and Groom from the very first decision (an engagement party) to the very last detail (making sure all the Thank You cards have been stamped and addressed). You can hire (or contract) this man or woman (or organization) by the hour . . by the day . . by the project . . or for several months. Some Brides, Grooms, and their parents want the Consultant or Coordinator to do “everything” while others may want an active role in the decision making (after the research and leg work has been done). It should be determined right from the beginning how this person can assist or help you or what you want this person to do and then put it in writing (a contract with duties, a time period and fees).

A professional wedding consultant/planner/coordinator should be able to do help you with all (or some) of the following:

Give you etiquette advice and/or guidance . . prepare a budget that is realistic . . help with the creation of a personalized wedding theme . . refer and contact vendors or service providers, get estimates, set up and attend all appointments with the Bride and Groom, and review each of the provider’s contract so everyone is in agreement with what is needed or what will be provided and when . . help you select the wedding invitation and paper trousseau that reflects your personal image . . recommend appropriate attire for the Bride, the Groom, their parents, their wedding party, and the various activities planned . . create a menu for the reception and/or several meals . . make sure invitations are sent out in a timely manner and track responses . . plan pre-wedding or post-wedding showers, events or parties . . coordinate guest assistance that includes travel arrangements, lodging and welcome baskets . . if possible, personally visit and then suggest ceremony and/or reception sites . . suggest and/or purchase gifts that may be needed for your wedding party members and parents . . explain and coordinate the bridal registry . . find a wedding cake baker that will fulfill the Bride and Groom’s desires . . make sure the Bride and Groom are familiar with and follow all the correct procedures and legal guidelines for marrying in the county or state or country where the ceremony is taking place . . recommend and secure transportation for guests, the wedding party, parents, and/or the Bride and Groom . . create a time-line schedule that outlines the events during the weekend of the wedding or just the day of the wedding . . direct a wedding rehearsal . . obtain information on a destination wedding and/or honeymoon . . confirm all vendors and service providers before the event and/or wedding . . pin on boutonnieres . . create floor plans and seating arrangements.


About the Author

Avis Shiveler Brangan is a Certified Wedding Specialist, Professional Bridal Consultant and Nondenominational Minister in York, PA.
Visit her site at Top-Hat-Productions.com

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