I been looking at checklists on software, magazines, and books. Most of them lack of what I consider the most important step, to hire a bridal/wedding consultant as soon as possible after the engagement, especially if the wedding will be on a busy weekend. It's all about relationship, knowledge, and guidance.  An investment that you can limit only to what you need.  Most of the consultants/planners belong to an association or a support network and it is up to you to check this out and find out where the knowledge and ethics is coming from.

For your guidance, there is the following:

http://www.bridalassn.com/  Association of Bridal Consultant
The Association of Bridal Consultants has been the professional organization for the wedding industry since 1981 and has over 4,000 members in 26 countries on six continents. The Association of Bridal Consultants is a membership service organization, designed to increase awareness of the wedding business and improve the professionalism of members. 

http://www.instituteofweddings.com/index.htm The International Institute of Weddings

http://www.afwpi.com/  Association for Wedding Professional International
AFWPI is an international organization dedicated to providing quality service and a central source of information and referrals - for those planning weddings and those who service weddings. Members receive benefits through networking and discounted services.

http://www.junewedding.com/   An Association for event professionals

http://www.acpwc.com/  Association of Certify Professional Wedding Consultants
The Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants (ACPWC) is a National Organization celebrating sixteen years as the primary registered training and certification program for Wedding Consultants.

Many correspondence coursers range from $25.00 to $999.00. (No network support)

Reviewing the leading local links for wedding consultants, I find out that more than 80% do not have any formal training or don't like anybody to know that by looking at their website.  More than 50% are new to the business by less than one year.

Most of the new weddings planner software packages recommend local vendors, which is done when you update the software online, this is simply paid advertisement.  Also when you request FREE quotes throughout various internet services, they charge the vendor from $3.00 to $30.00 dollars for your lead meaning all the information you wrote on their site, some ask for 10% to 20% of the business from that lead.  Eventually you will get responses from a limited types of vendors.

Your comments, review or questions will  be appreciated..

Thanks,
Pablo
www.bisli.com