If you’re just starting your wedding planning business and confused about what to title to use when you market yourself, today’s Q&A should help you.
Question
What is the difference between a wedding coordinator, wedding planner and bridal consultant?
The title bridal consultant works well with the business name that I’m considering but doesn’t seem to be used too often or at all.
Answer
There are some differences between how brides and others may use these titles, here’s what they are:
Wedding Coordinator or Wedding Director
People who coordinate wedding day activities but have not been involved in all of the stages of planning the event. Someone who offers “day of” wedding services, in which they meet with a bride in advance to get vendor contracts and information to coordinate the rehearsal and wedding day but don’t have a hand in the planning and design, may call themselves a “Day of” Coordinator. You may consider using this title if and when you offer these services.
Venues and places of worship often call their staff member who helps with weddings at their facility the wedding coordinator or wedding director. They ensure everything goes well at their location but seldom manage vendors or handle anything outside of their location.
Wedding Planner
You’ll probably want to use this title if you set wedding budgets, create timelines, provide vendor referrals, negotiate contracts, handle all of the details leading up to the wedding day and oversee everything on the wedding day itself.
Bridal Consultant or Wedding Consultant
This title is often used by people who work in a business that provides services for weddings among other services. For example, a florist or photographer may have a wedding consultant who works only with brides. A store that has a large wedding registry may have a wedding consultant on staff who helps couples make their selections.
Popular shows, like “Say Yes to the Dress,” that feature brides buying wedding dresses, refer to their sales staff as bridal consultants. If you use this title, be aware that some brides might confuse you with someone who works in a bridal salon.
The most important thing to do when selecting your title is to think about the brides who you wish to have as clients. What would they use when they need the services you offer? What would they put into a search in order to find you? They’re your target audience. Decide how they would look for you and use that title so they’ll easily find you. Then select a business name that further tells them that you are the professional they want.
And if you have a pressing question about starting or running your wedding planning business, you can send me an email at [email protected]. I will answer them on this blog or in my ezine, “Wedding Planner Tips,” which you can subscribe to here.
