Tricia Thomas, teacher of a bridal consulting certification course at Houston Community College, recommends that novice wedding consultants interview local wedding consultants and assist and observe them on a volunteer basis for a few months to avoid liability before accepting money for wedding consulting services. Some wedding consultants will let novice wedding consultants observe them at work for a behind-the-scenes perspective.

Research is a key element in developing a wedding consulting business. Experts suggest that inexperienced wedding consultants spend a great deal of time researching and contacting local vendors and event professionals to let them know you're a new wedding consultant in the area and to find out about their services. It is important to develop a good vendor base in order to provide clients with a selection of vendors to fit every budget and every need. Clients should have a choice of reliable vendors that the wedding consultant knows and trusts. Wedding consultants who have event experience often have a developed network of vendor contacts.

"Researching and developing vendor relationships is an ongoing process no matter how long you've been in the wedding consulting business," said Marianne Mazzella of Phoenix's That Special Touch. "Businesses are always changing and the larger your vendor base, the better you can meet the needs of each client." "Knowing your vendors is an extremely important part of the job," said Maureen Moss, owner of Maureen Moss' Fairytale Weddings and author of "A Survival Guide for the Groom to Be or How Not to Let Sex Become a Fond Memory." "Wedding consultants need to choose the right vendors for their clients because the represent who you are. If the vendors aren't credible, you're not credible."