Products and Services
Wedding planning can be exciting, but it can also become overwhelming. Between researching suppliers, comparing options, managing budgets and making countless decisions, many couples find themselves needing support without necessarily wanting a full wedding planner.
Established in 2009, Sharon Valentine has supported couples through various business brands over the years, including Taylor Made Weddings and Valentine Weddings, before evolving into VALS Consultancy in 2025.
As a former certified international wedding planner, Sharon recognised that many modern couples wanted professional support whilst remaining in control of their own wedding. This led to the development of an Alternative Wedding Planner service, combining supplier research, trusted recommendations, planning guidance and wellbeing focused support.
Today, VALS Consultancy helps couples navigate wedding planning with greater confidence, clarity and peace of mind, providing a flexible middle ground between planning entirely alone and hiring a full wedding planner.
UK-based, supporting couples worldwide.
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Experience
What is an Alternative Wedding Planner?
Unlike a traditional wedding planner who takes over the logistics and management of your wedding, I provide guidance, supplier research, trusted recommendations and ongoing support whilst allowing you to remain in control of your wedding planning journey.
Do I need a wedding planner to work with you?
No. My services are designed for couples who want professional guidance without the cost or commitment of a full wedding planner. I provide supplier research, trusted recommendations and ongoing support whilst allowing you to remain in control of your wedding planning journey.
Many couples are unsure what level of support they actually need. By starting with a consultation and guidance package, we can explore your plans together and identify where support would be most beneficial. In many cases, this can save valuable time, reduce unnecessary costs and help prevent common wedding planning mistakes.
Should you require additional hands on support at any stage, such as an on-the-day coordinator, venue stylist or wedding planner, I can also introduce you to trusted professionals from my network.
How is your service different from a traditional wedding planner?
Traditional wedding planners often manage the logistics, supplier bookings and coordination of your wedding on your behalf.
My approach is different. As an Alternative Wedding Planner, I provide guidance, supplier research, trusted recommendations and ongoing support whilst you to remain in control of your own wedding planning journey.
This means you benefit from professional expertise and industry knowledge without handing over ownership of your wedding decisions. The result is a more flexible and cost-effective approach that can be tailored to your individual needs.
What is included in a Research & Guidance Package?
Each Research & Guidance Package begins with an initial consultation to understand your vision, priorities, budget and planning requirements.
Based on your chosen package, I will carry out personalised venue or supplier research, providing carefully selected recommendations tailored to your needs. This can help save hours of research whilst giving you access to trusted options that align with your style, location and budget.
You'll also receive planning guidance, expert insight and a follow-up consultation to help you evaluate your options and decide on your next steps with confidence.
As every couple's journey is different, additional mentoring and support can be added if required, ensuring you receive the right level of guidance throughout your wedding planning experience.
Can you help me find venues and suppliers?
Yes. Venue and supplier research is one of the core elements of my service.
Rather than spending countless hours searching online, comparing options and reading reviews, I can help identify suitable venues and suppliers based on your vision, budget, location and individual requirements.
My role is to provide carefully researched recommendations and guidance, helping you make informed decisions with greater confidence whilst saving valuable time throughout the planning process.
You remain in control of all final decisions and bookings, whilst benefiting from professional insight and support along the way.
Can you help if I feel overwhelmed by wedding planning?
Absolutely. Many couples come to me because they feel overwhelmed by the number of decisions, opinions and responsibilities that come with planning a wedding.
My approach combines practical guidance with emotional support, helping you break the planning process into manageable steps whilst maintaining focus on what matters most to you as a couple.
Whether you're struggling to know where to start, feeling stuck on a particular decision, or simply need reassurance along the way, I'm here to provide a calm and supportive sounding board throughout your wedding journey.
The goal is not only to help you plan your wedding, but to help you enjoy the experience whilst reducing unnecessary stress, overwhelm and decision fatigue.
Do you book suppliers on our behalf?
No. My role is to provide research, guidance and trusted recommendations, allowing you to remain in control of your wedding planning journey.
I can help identify suitable venues and suppliers, share professional insight and support you in evaluating your options, but all final decisions, contracts and bookings remain between you and your chosen suppliers.
This approach gives you the confidence of professional guidance whilst ensuring you maintain full ownership and flexibility throughout the planning process.
Do you only work with couples in the UK?
No. Whilst I am based in the UK, my services are delivered remotely, allowing me to support couples both nationally and internationally.
Most consultations, guidance sessions and supplier research can be carried out online, making the service flexible and accessible wherever you are located.
Whether you're planning a wedding close to home or further afield, I can provide guidance, supplier research and ongoing support tailored to your individual needs, provided you are English speaking.
At what stage of wedding planning should I contact you?
The earlier, the better.
Many couples reach out shortly after getting engaged, which allows them to make informed decisions from the start, avoid common planning mistakes and secure suppliers before availability becomes limited.
However, support is available at any stage of the planning journey. Whether you're just beginning, feeling stuck partway through, or approaching your wedding day with unanswered questions, I can help you identify priorities, explore your options and move forward with greater confidence.
No matter where you are in the process, my goal is to help save you time, reduce overwhelm and ensure you're focusing on the support you genuinely need.
Who is your service best suited for?
My services are ideal for couples who want to remain in control of planning their own wedding whilst benefiting from professional guidance, trusted supplier recommendations and ongoing support.
Many of my clients are busy professionals, business owners or couples balancing wedding planning alongside demanding careers, family commitments and everyday responsibilities. They value expert guidance that helps save time, reduce overwhelm and avoid costly mistakes.
Many couples see my services as a flexible and cost-effective alternative to hiring a traditional wedding planner.
For general wedding planning advice, helpful resources and answers to common wedding planning questions, please visit my Support for Brides webpage.