Weddings are big business. The Association of Bridal Consultants estimates that consumers spend a whopping $46 billion on their weddings every year. In 2008 the average wedding cost about $32,000, and many couples spend more than that! Today's bride is spending more money than ever before to ensure that her wedding day the single most important day of her life is planned to perfection. Once reserved only for the very rich, today's brides and grooms-to-be, often busy with dual careers yet wanting to make their wedding uniquely personal, are turning to consultants for help to help save time, money, and considerable stress planning a wedding. More people are finding that a good wedding consultant is a great source of information, ideas, and contacts for the bride-to-be. Hiring a wedding coordinator could help ensure that the wedding day turns out to be far more spectacular than the bride ever envisioned. They provide guidance on etiquette, invitations, planning and directing the rehearsal and ceremony, even arranging transportation and accommodations, and help you manage your time with all the details. Wedding coordinators may also assist in locating a site for the ceremony, shopping for the wedding gown and wedding accessories, and even arranging for childcare. As such, professional wedding consultants are compensated well for their knowledge, talent, time, and expertise.