What Does a Bridal Consultant Do?
Bridal consultants put their organizational and people skills to work arranging a wedding. They have a variety of tasks aimed at making the couple's big day a success.
Job Description
Bridal consultants work to please everyone on wedding days, whether through planning an entire wedding or contributing through a smaller role, such as providing support on the day of the wedding and ensuring that all goes smoothly. Because each wedding is different, the tasks asked of the bridal consultant can vary with each event, lending variety to the field. While some bridal consultants work in conjunction with a business, like a catering company or a hotel, many are self-employed.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutBridalConsultants">Important Facts About Bridal Consultants</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td> Required Education</td><td> High school diploma, or equivalent</td></tr>
<tr><td> Key Skills </td><td> Excellent oral and written communication, diligent researching, analytical and critical thinking, problem solving</td></tr>
<tr><td> Work Environment </td><td> Retail stores, self-employed</td></tr>
<tr><td> Similar Occupations </td><td> Account managers, assistant general managers, customer service agents, cashiers</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---DutiesAndResponsibilities">Duties and Responsibilities</h3><p>Some bridal consultants specialize in one field of the wedding industry, such as assisting a bride and her bridesmaids in finding wedding attire. Those who plan entire weddings from start to finish may find themselves completing some of the following tasks:
</p><ul><li><b>Booking:</b> Bridal consultants may be responsible for scouting out and booking locations for the wedding ceremony and reception. Additionally, they may book travel arrangements for the honeymoon.
</li><li><b>Negotiating:</b> Negotiating the best deals with vendors can be a big part of the job. A bridal consultant with good negotiating skills can save his or her client money. This is particularly important when clients are on a budget or don't have much to spend.
</li><li><b>Researching:</b> A bridal consultant's ability to research determines whether the best deals are made. Consultants determine the best location (taking into account price) for the wedding and the reception, as well as hiring vendors (for providing music, flowers, and catering) who offer the best value.
</li><li><b>Scheduling:</b> Bridal consultants need extraordinary scheduling skills. They must schedule meetings with the couple and bridal party in addition to scheduling the time of the ceremony, reception, and the couple's departure. They must make sure everything runs on time and smoothly. They must have a solution for any glitches.
</li><li><b>Coordinating:</b> A bridal consultant coordinates the entire wedding so that everything goes perfectly. For example, coordination can include ensuring that everyone and everything (such as flowers, decor, the cake, etc.) arrives at the wedding site before the ceremony begins.
</li></ul><h3 id="section---SalaryInformation">Salary Information</h3><p>According to <i>PayScale.com</i>, the majority of bridal consultants earn between $28,000 and $38,000 a year, as of May 2019. Many, however, are self-employed, and the income of these individuals is difficult to track. Salary potential is largely dependent on location, industry trends, and most importantly, reputation. According to the Association of Bridal Consultants (<i>www.bridalassn.com</i>), more than 2.4 million weddings take place in the U.S. every year, contributing to the overall industry's estimated worth of about $165 billion.</p>