Q: Is your business full or part-time?
A full time consultant will be available to you when you need them and spends their
time working on pulling the plans of the wedding day together.
Q: Have you had any formal training in the wedding field?
There are several associations that provide an extensive training program for the serious wedding consultant. Look for a consultant that continues to further their knowledge and education through seminars, conferences and workshops.
Q: Are you currently active in wedding orgainzations?
Keeping involved in different organizations provides the consultant to maintain existing vendor relationships and learn about new services offered. Being active in organizations also keeps a professional abreast of the latest ideas and techniques for weddings.
Q: Can I get references?
Also request vendor references.
Q: Are expenses included in the consultant fee?
Establish up front what is included in the fee's. Are gas, mileage and telephone expenses extra? Make sure you understand the contract, what the payment schedule is and all of the services you will receive before signing. Some consultants handle every detail and others will charge an added cost for an extra service.
Q: Is their consulting business an independent service or is there another primary business?
Many vendors such as florists, caterers, photographers and DJ's will offer consulting services as an addition to their primary business. These services are not the same type of services that a professional consultant will provide. Many of these consulting services that wedding vendor professionals offer are simply the referral of other professionals that they have worked with at another wedding or event.
Rely on your instincts as you interview consultants. You will be working together closely and need to have a professional that you will feel comfortable with.
Questions to ask when interviewing a wedding consultant:
by L'Affaire Du Temps, Patricia Bruneau