A wedding consultant is a must for couples who are time poor and need help to plan their perfect wedding. And your wedding doesn?t need to be a Hollywood extravaganza to justify the use of a consultant.

A consultant can orchestrate your entire wedding and offer you ideas and advice, and keep an eye on your budget. Or you may want more control over the event, but don't have time to say, colour-co-ordinate your wedding stationery, spend time in consultations with photographers or reception venues. A consultant can just pick up the small pieces you don?t have time to deal with.

Consultants offer three services - design, planning and wedding day management either individually or as a complete package.

Design
This is how your wedding day will look and feel. A consultant can help you achieve exactly what you want ? romance, elegance or sophistication, or something more unique such as a theme which can be as fun as you dare.

Planning
A consultant can recommend and liaise with bridal services, arrange appointments, review contracts, plan your budget (and keep you to it), manage invitations and RSVPs and arrange pre-wedding parties.

Management
A consultant can be with you on your wedding day to keep everyone to a pre-determined timetable and ensure that everyone is where he or she is supposed to be.

How do consultants charge? Usually the first consultation is free and after that some charge by the hour, others charge a flat fee for the individual elements or for the whole event.

So make a list of your requirements and call a few consultants to see how they charge. At your initial appointment always view their portfolio of recent weddings and ask to see testimonials from other couples.

With the help of a professional your dream wedding will be easier than you think.