How a consultant can make your day
Written by Kat Ngoi-Lim of It's Made in Heaven
2 April, 2001

It's ecstatic to truly be in love. And when you've made that crucial choice in your life to commit to the one you love, wedding bells are a-tolling and for a while that's all you hear. Getting married can be the most exciting time in a person's life. But let us finishit will be a taxing affair as well, this business of getting ready to tie the knot. Ask anyone who's been through it, and sadly, chances are that the pains in planning it have remained in their minds rather than the fond memories to hold!

And if you have yet to walk down the aisle or are planning to do it soon, the grief of having to deal with that lengthy list of 'to dos' can almost put you off saying 'I do'. Even the most determined couple can fall prey to the insurmountable tasks of planning a wedding. Where to hold the ceremony? Merry-making on a yacht, guests dancing under the stars, or prim and properly in an old cathedral? What type of cuisine to feed 500 guests and god knows how many cultures? To use dad's old creaky Beetle or your brother's mean Harley bike as your wedding vehicle? A bridal gown is a piece of white ceremonial garment until you realize it will appear in all of your wedding shots, which you will have to display for the rest of your lives. To top off, your mother-in-law to be just adores yucky chrysanthemums, but guess what, your mum insists on tulips, which cost a bomb. You feel like you just grew a brain tumor and maybe a wedding is the last thing you need.

Not unless, of course, you could find someone else to do the thinking, planning and legwork for you. The wedding consultant is a resource to simplify the often complicated planning process of a wedding by consolidating advice, services and information within easy reach. The 21st century's answer to getting hitched is helping the couple conceive of, create and execute the wedding of their dreams without the nightmare process. The problem is, not everyone knows they can go to a wedding consultant for a nightmare-free wedding.

Remember though, that your consultant is there to simplify matters for you and assist you with your dream celebration, not to dictate how it should all be. Your big day belongs to you and your partner and you should do it your way. Leave the painful details to the professionals while you savour the precious moments that behold this most valuable time in your lives. Heartiest congratulations.