Amanda and Case SpencerAmanda Spencer was born and raised in West Lafayette, Indiana. She graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelors of Science in Hospitality Tourism Management. While attending Purdue she worked for Marriott International in Indianapolis, IN and Lexington, KY. Hospitality was a natural fit for Amanda.

In 2003 Amanda accepted the position of Event Manager for the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. Her responsibilities included planning meetings and events for Chamber members, business leaders and State Officials throughout the Bluegrass state.

kimbachelder6.19.10 Kim Bachelder and Hunt Werner

Have you ever been to a wedding that felt like a fairy tale?

That must have been how guests at Kim Bachelder Werner’s casual-chic June wedding at Honey Horn felt.

By HEATHER BRAGG

Hilton Head Island has cornered the market on romance with its serene sunsets, light ocean breeze, swaying palmetto trees and miles of pristine sandy beaches. And more destination weddings are taking place on the foot-shaped island than ever before.

“Weddings have changed over the years,” said Charlie Clark, vice president of communications for the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce. “From weddings with a ceremony and reception in one night to these weeklong extravaganzas, people are looking to make the wedding a family reunion or vacation.”

Wedding consultants, also called wedding planners, help brides and grooms of all ages. It is easy to feel overwhelmed once you agree to marry and realize all the planning and details that are involved when two people become husband and wife. This is when the wedding consultant can step in and make life easier for everyone involved. Consultants offer expert advice and experience to couples who are planning to wed. The wedding consultant helps take away stress so the happy couple can relax and look forward to their big day without worrying they are forgetting something.

Wedding consultants help couples “tweak” their wedding budgets, if necessary, to get what they really want. The key to selecting the right wedding consultant is to get one who will really listen to you and what is important to you. They have the knowledge and experience to help turn your dreams into reality. They also should know when to step in and help you and when to “back off,” which is a delicate art.

The right wedding consultant will become a trusted advisor and perhaps a friend. They will listen to you and be with you through every step of the process. A great wedding consultant will help take care of problems, both large and small. They use their experience to help couples avoid common wedding blunders.

When interviewing wedding consultants, it is imperative that your personalities click. They need to be excellent listeners, and should be up front about their cost, what specifically is included in their services, and the flexibility of those services. Ask for references and contact them. Ask about their experience, training, and accreditation. Also, find out how much time you need to set aside to work with the wedding consultant. This will help make your search efficient.