Literally hundreds of decisions have to be made: the date, banquet hall, guest list, your gown, flowers, photography and video, music, honeymoon....it can boggle the bridal brain.

If you're like many other couples, both of you are working full time, paying bills, buying a home, saving for your dream nuptials. And that's where a wedding coordinator can begin to help.

A coordinator can assist you in deciding on venues, decor, and many other wedding components. Sometimes we are relied upon to quote proper etiquette or delicately handle certain family politics. It's all in a day's work.

On wedding day, I think the bride should literally just have to show up - it really is her day. She shouldn't have to worry about whether the florist will go to the wrong address, if the limo's late or who's got the liquor permit. At the same time, you don't want to burden family or other guests with those responsibilities. They take away from being able to share this special day with you.

Experienced coordinators also help you establish a budget for the wedding and work within it. They should recommend at least three service suppliers in each category, usually offering varied styles and price ranges. In some cases, their relationship with a supplier can help negotiate for a slightly lower price, or a few extras thrown in. The better coordinators are paid solely by the client, and do not accept hidden commissions - any discounts they secure on your behalf are reflected in a cost saving to you.

In the final days leading up to the wedding, your coordinator should work with you to develop a timeline covering everything from early morning hair appointments to the arrival of limousines to meal service and speeches, even down to the last dance. You'd be surprised how smoothly your day will go when a well thought out yet flexible schedule is in place. And attending the wedding rehearsal not only helps organize and relax people, it also gives me a chance to introduce myself to other family members and the bridal party, and explain that I'm available to help on wedding day.

At weddings where there is no professional coordinator, sometimes a very important element is overlooked - the well being of your guests. Brides and grooms may not consider that if you have a ceremony at noon and cocktails at 6:00 in the evening, people, especially out of town guests, need something to eat and somewhere to go. As a coordinator, I make sure to discuss with clients the possibility of offering a light lunch, and even preparing maps if it's a long distance between the church and the hall. Sometimes, if a ceremony is late in the day, guests are left standing around with no cocktails or hors d'oeuvres while the couple is off taking pictures - again, something a good coordinator won't let happen.

Some coordinators charge a flat fee based on level of service. Others charge a percentage of your wedding budget. Either way, before hiring one, compare coordinators the same way you would any other vendor.

I would be pleased to speak with you at any time and answer questions based on more than 22 years in the wedding industry. Congratulations on becoming engaged and remember, a coordinator is one of the best investments you can make at your wedding.

All About You, Event Consultants is an event planning company that specializes in making any event memorable and filled with great memories. The head consultant and owner Amanda James has been doing this practically her entire life, but only 2 years ago decided to make it official. The main idea of this company is simply to make every aspect of planning an event stress free as well as fun . Amanda can help assisting in handling every detail or as much as you need her, freeing you and your family to savor every moment. She can help clients with any or all of the following:

• Facility & Vendor Selection and Coordination
• Day of On-site Coordination
• Research

The help doesn't stop there. She can do a lot more once you've sat down with her and explained what your vision for any event is. She is committed to helping you create your dream event. She will listen to your needs, desires, and brainstorm with you to make the day even more extraordinary. She is there to help bring your ideas to life, not to tell you how your event should be.

She has tons of experience when it comes to communicating people and making them smile! She also has a background in Business Administration, Small Business Management and Retail, which means she can bring increased attention to detail and innovative creativity to her work with clients as well as vendors.

Coming from parents who both have large families, she knows how it feels to be overwhelmed when it comes to special events, such as weddings, birthday parties, family reunions, anniversaries.