Afraid to Hire a Wedding Planner… Think Again!!

Afraid to Hire a Wedding Planner… Think Again!! Pt2

The first question you may be asking is what is a wedding planner?

A wedding planner is a professional organizer, who plans and executes those plans during the wedding process. He/she is involved in every aspect of the wedding (from budgeting to acting as a psychologist). A wedding planner is passionate about their work and achieves the greatest satisfaction when they see the smiles on their bride and groom’s faces. That happiness from their clients is what makes a wedding planner pat themselves on the back.

Now that we understand the definition of wedding planner, let’s discuss the cost of their services. There are two myths that come to mind concerning the cost of a wedding planner:

·         They are expensive-- beyond what my budget can handle.

·         Wedding planners are only for couples who have busy schedules and/or those who have a more expensive budget.

Here’s the reality—a wedding planner will work within your budget. They will manage the established budget, locate the appropriate vendors and construct creative ways to make your dream wedding come alive within your budget.

Each wedding planning company or individual planner is unique regarding their prices, packages and style. My advice before hiring a wedding planner is to look at your overall budget and subtract 10-15% of that budget for a wedding planner. Many wedding planners charge this percentage after the amount of the entire budget is established. You also have options to pay a flat rate or an hourly rate. For example, a wedding planner who uses a flat rate would command  $1,200 for a wedding with a $12,000 budget and so forth.

At this point you’re screaming at the computer “How do I know if I’m picking the right planner?” Choosing the right wedding planner is not difficult when couples know the qualities that a great wedding planner should encompass. First let’s look at the three types of wedding planners:

·         Same-Day Planner- He/she executes the wedding day (ceremony/reception). This planner is your go-to person for your special day.

·         Part-time Planner- He/she works one to six months before the wedding to make sure that all the final details are done right. They also execute the ceremony and receptions for their clients.

·         Full Service Planner – This planner executes everything from start to finish. From finding the vendors to helping get your Thank You cards out to your guests.

o   Event Designer-He/she will creatively design your ceremony and reception. They do not participate in the organizing/planning aspects of the event.

When interviewing a potential wedding planner these are a few qualities to look for:

·         Communication –strong listening skills and how they articulate answers to your questions are a must. A wedding planner must be able to respectfully express their opinions and also interpret anything they may be confusing to their clients.

·         Creativity – viewing a potential wedding planner’s portfolio and website can reveal their creativity skills regarding a variety of components such as flowers, stationary or DIY crafts. Another aspect to look for is if the potential planner can fill in the blanks as you describe your wedding in detail.

·         Organization/Availability -- knowing whether the wedding planner will be available to give you one-on-one treatment is very important. The planner should also have a natural ability to make you feel comfortable in their presence.

·         Courtesy – He/she should represent you positively and honestly relaying proper etiquette tips and serving as an intermediary between you and the vendors.

·         Professionalism – the wedding planner should represent themselves professionally in speech and attire at all times. They must also articulate to vendors well and have an extensive knowledge of the wedding industry.

o    Tip #1. Before meeting your wedding planner write down a list of questions to ask them. This will ensure that you're prepared to make an accurate decision in determining the wedding planner's ability to make your wedding dream come alive.

Now that I have provided the definition of a wedding planner, the cost of their services and how to choose the right wedding planner, what role/ responsibilities does a wedding planner play?

There are a wide range of roles and responsibilities that a wedding planner can have regarding a wedding but I will list a few:

·         Learning your wedding vision

·         Helps you budget and stay within your established budget. The planner also books keepers for deposit due dates and keeps track of when it’s time to pay vendors.

·         Helps shape your wedding. Gives suggestions, vendor recommendations and assistance in various ways.

·         Creates a blueprint to help map out the wedding process. Creates a timeline for the wedding party and vendors ensuring that you maintain your schedule. Supervises all last minute details of the wedding.

·         Supervises vendors during setup and clean up. Counsels on proper etiquette and keeps you updated on the newest trends.

·         Serves as your spokesperson during the wedding process. Finds vendors that suit your budget and helps to interpret the wedding contracts.

If you are still questioning whether you need a planner, consider if a family member or friend can manage the roles and responsibilities I listed effectively and  to your standards.

When problems arise can your friend or family member adjust their schedules to be constantly available for all the details and processes required for a wedding? Most weddings require six months to a year to plan and several decisions must be made, budget must be considered and the appropriate vendors and venues must be secured and accounted for. You should place your important day in the hands of an experienced wedding planning professional.

I hope my blog has given you detailed insight on the definition, roles and value a wedding planner can add to your wedding planning process. Thank you.