STANDARDS FOR A WEDDING CONSULTANT

June Wedding, Inc.®'s Standards for a Professional Wedding Consultant

Robbi G. W. Ernst, III (Founder/President JWI International)

Independent Wedding Consultants exist in huge quantities in today's Wedding market.  It seems that anyone who has recently produced their own wedding thinks they are able to handle anyone else's.  So, they have business cards printed; they create their own webpage and announce to the world their availability to help any and all brides plan their weddings.  With more than twenty years in the industry, I have seen these charlatans come and go; unfortunately, a lot of them are not "going away" fast enough.  Even then, others sprout up with their business cards and web sites proclaiming their readiness to save the bride stress, time and money.

June Wedding, Inc.® An Association for Event Professionals has determined that the following criteria should be at least an introductory guide for those seeking to hire a competent and professional Wedding Consultant.  Of course, there are other criteria, but these are the minimum that the consumer, professional site manager, or service provider should look for when considering working with someone - anyone - who refers to themselves as a "Wedding Consultant":

• Two to three years experience or at least has worked with a minimal of twelve clients to produce weddings of similar size and budget to yours;
  

• Educated, trained & certified by a nationally recognized and respected Association;
  

• Should be an active member in a national/international association(s);
  

• A legitimate full time, independent business with current Business License and Insurance;
  

• Knowledge of realistic financial planning and budgeting for weddings;
  

• A back-up staff;
  

• Familiarity and experience working with known and respected wedding professionals in your area (these references should be checked out and verified);
  

• Does not accept or pay referral fees or commissions unless their company is legally registered as an "agency";
  

• Creative abilities or at least able to work with local professionals that do have these abilities;
  

• Familiarity with etiquette and protocol;
  

• Personable without compromising professional relationships;
  

• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills;
  

• Ability to manage from long distance if necessary and multiple parties;
  

• Ability to work with an array of personalities and emotions.
  

This article appears on this site, courtesy of June Wedding, Inc.®