What is a wedding consultant?
A wedding consultant is a professional whose training, expertise and contacts will help make your special day as perfect as it can possibly be.

Why would I need a wedding consultant?
The average wedding takes from 100 to 150 hours to plan. Most brides today already have a demanding daily schedule that does not allow the extra hours it takes making phone calls, setting appointments or even know where to find the right wedding professionals. A consultant is a distinct asset as you plan your wedding. A consultant suggests ideas and opinions in a professional manner, advises on proper etiquette and knows every detail you want included in the ceremony and reception. A consultant’s business is weddings and the knowledge they have of the industry, the current trends and their attention to every detail is invaluable. Wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy the planning process knowing that all the details have been attended to?

What’s wrong with my mom or a guest handling the details?
First of all, at a wedding the mother of the bride has enough obligations on the wedding day without having to worry about all the details. Your family, guests and friends should be at your wedding for one reason, “to witness and celebrate the marriage of you and your loved one.” Wouldn’t it be nice to let everyone enjoy themselves on your wedding day? This applies to any important event. Let a professional make the arrangements so you can enjoy it!

I enjoy planning parties can’t I just do it myself?
Yes, after all it is your wedding! Part of the fun of a wedding or important event is the deciding, and that is your job to begin with – we wouldn’t take that away. If you have the time, you can coordinate the details prior to the event, but you can’t coordinate your own event on the day of! Who will be lining up your wedding party? Who will cue the ceremony music? Who will verify if all your vendors have arrived, who will pin on boutonnieres & corsages and make sure everyone that needs a flower gets one? Who will orchestrate all the details regarding the wedding reception? Who will take care of any problems if they arise? Wouldn’t if be nice to have someone take care of all these details?

What will a consultant charge?
A professional coordinator will work with you to produce your dream wedding or special occasion, including the consultant’s fee, all within your budget. In fact, you often save money because a consultant suggests less expensive alternatives that still enhance your wedding or special event. Coordinators review contracts to make sure all necessary services are included and that you are not overcharged. This service alone can often times save you money and unforeseen problems. Ribbons & Roses Weddings has three packages available that can be tailored to your individual needs. Our packages start at $650.

How can I tell if a consultant is reputable?
If the consultant is a member of a professional association they are required to uphold a code of ethics and standards of membership. Ribbons & Roses Weddings is a member of Dallas Wedding Planner.

Do I need a contract with my consultant?
You should have an agreement in writing, either a formal contract or a signed letter of agreement detailing exactly what they will do for you.

Why is it important to use a wedding coordinator on my wedding day?
Wedding Coordination is the most important part of your wedding. Weddings are very expensive and you will be spending a lot of money. A wedding coordinator is there on your wedding day to ensure that everything goes smoothly!

The church or event site has a coordinator. Isn’t that enough? Wouldn’t that be too many people?
As a consultant I work with church or event site coordinators all the time. These coordinators are usually on site for security reasons. An on-site coordinator usually doesn’t know your vendors, your wedding party or group, or all the details regarding your day. He or she is basically there to make sure the doors are opened and then locked after the event. Most sites have a site coordinator of some kind. Don’t get them confused with Wedding Consultants. A site coordinator is basically a banquet captain making sure the tables are set-up correctly and that enough waiters are on staff. A site coordinator usually will leave right after the dinner service leaving you with no one to coordinate the rest of the details of your day.

My DJ said that he coordinates the event. Is that true?
A disc jockey will play your music and usually serve as Master of Ceremonies. A disc jockey is not an event coordinator! A coordinator oversees the whole event, making sure that everything has been attended to. The DJ needs to be observant to the entire event, and playing different roles other than what he or she is getting paid for causes confusion.