Hiring a Wedding Planner, Wedding Planning and Wedding Coordinator

How much does a wedding cost?
In 2010, the average wedding for 150 guests in the State of Ohio was $26,100. (Source: Association of Bridal Consultants.) In Southwest
Ohio, it was $29,950 (The Wedding Report). However, the rate varies throughout the United States depending on where you live.
Weddings in large cities like NYC, Chicago or in states like California will be more expensive. However, you can have a wonderful
wedding on any budget. Focus on the cost per guest versus your actual budget. Your taste in decor, flowers, attire, food, reception, transportation, invitations, programs, place cards, whether
you choose a band or DJ, and how much you will do yourself will all impact your budget dramatically. Your Dream Day works to provide
services to all budget ranges. Your wedding coordinator should be 10 to 15 percent of your wedding budget.

What is unique about Your Dream Day?
Your Dream Day LLC not only works with people planning weddings and events but we also work with event and wedding vendors. This
gives us the opportunity to network with more vendors than the average event planner. We don't do this on the side -- this is our full time
job. We don't work off our kitchen table office space -- we have three professional offices throughout Ohio. We also pride ourselves in customer service and helping clients create their dream day. This isn't our event -- it's yours.

I don't want to spend the extra money on a wedding planner. Why should I?
A wedding planner is a part of your budget. By not using a wedding planner, you can figure that you can add at least 20 hours of work per
week to your schedule for the next year. By hiring a wedding consultant, you can significantly reduce the time you spend researching
vendors and contacting vendors that you'll find out are either a bad personality fit or out of your budget, scheduling appointments and
stressing out. The question is this: What is your time worth to you and what is the value of a lower stress level now that you're planning a
wedding? For example, some people choose to install their own appliances in their kitchen or install their own roof; others subcontract
the work out to an expert in the field. Wedding coordinators are no different than any other contractor.

My friend planned her wedding, why shouldn't I just use her for consulting? My mom can help me.
Planning your own wedding and planning someone else's wedding are two different things. Back in the day, when your grandmother
helped your mother plan her wedding, it's very likely that your mother wasn't working 40 plus hours per week or going to college full time.
Wedding coordinators know what issues to expect behind the scenes on the actual day of the wedding. Your friend doesn't have
relationships with wedding vendors, and probably doesn't know how to negotiate rates, or what loopholes to look for in contracts.
Remember that professional wedding planners, like Your Dream Day, coordinate at least 25 weddings per year, so we know how to do all
of this and keep your stress level to a minimum. We are members of industry organizations like the Association of Bridal Consultants to
keep our skills sharp. We also serve as a buffer between mom and bride, who may have different ideas of what a dream wedding is.

What information do I get at an in-person consultation?
Prior to the consultation, you'll tell Your Dream Day your budget. At the in-person consultation (also referred to as the "Brainstorming
Package"), you'll receive a breakdown of your budget, a timeline, the names of vendors that are within your budget and a chance to
brainstorm ideas, discuss etiquette and ask any other questions related to the planning process. It's a roadmap to get you started on the
event planning journey during the next year.

What is the difference between a meet & greet and an in-person consultation?
A meet & greet is a chance for you to meet the consultant you'll be working with, discuss the package(s) you're interested in booking
and get a feel for their work style and experience. You'll also get a few free wedding magazines! Our consultants will not give any wedding or event planning advice, etiquette advice or vendor referrals at this complimentary one hour appointment. Should you want specifics, you will be asked to put down a retainer prior to you receiving a custom proposal or quote for services.

Why does Your Dream Day charge for in-person consultations?
Unlike a cake vendor, which sells a physical product, Your Dream Day sells its service of time, knowledge, experience and expertise. To
conduct an in-person consultation requires preparatory time, transportation time and the actual consultation time on our part. Most of the
communication with your wedding planner will be by phone and email, regardless of who you choose. If you feel comfortable with the
communication with Your Dream Day by phone and email, it is a strong indication that this company may be a good fit for your wedding
planning needs. At that point, you should schedule the in-person consultation to book further services. The cost of the in person
consultation is deducted from the total cost of any additional package you book with Your Dream Day.

Why is a BBB membership or review important?
The BBB membership is by invitation only. When a business is asked to be a member it is because they have had many inquires about
a particular company or positive reviews about that company's customer service. We have an A+ rating with the BBB, a Bride's Choice Winner on WeddingWire.com for three consecutive years and a Knot Best of Weddings Pick twice (2007 and 2011).

What is a kickback?
A "kickback" is when a wedding vendor (consultants included!) get a commission from another wedding vendor for sending a referral or a
new client. You will never know how much this amount is. However, when you get a vendor referral from another source that you've
already booked (such as a photographer or a reception hall) keep in mind that this referral may be based on a potential kickback for
them. Be sure to ask your vendors how those referred vendors got on their list, if they paid to be on that list and how much, and if they
are given kickbacks from the owners of that list or to the owners of the list.

Do you offer any discounts?
Your Dream Day offers a 10 percent discount when you pay for any package in full at the time of signing from December to March.
During the rest of the year, it's a five percent discount.