I was hesitant to write this post because, as a wedding
planner, I don’t want to sound biased or come across like a sales pitch, BUT
after planning my daughter’s wedding and experiencing the horrors I went
through, I realized that it is necessary to inform couples on the IMPORTANCE OF
A WEDDING PLANNER! Yes, I know I am a planner and I thought I could handle it.
I had the help of family and one life-saving friend, and everything went
smoothly until the day of. That’s when the dam broke and I almost did myself! I
forgot little things that I do weekly at other people’s weddings, because I was
stressed that MY baby girl was getting married.
I didn’t even get to hair and make-up until 5:25 and she was going down
the aisle at 6PM! It was still a beautiful wedding and everything turned out
well, but if I had to do it over, I would hire a wedding planner!
There are many wedding horror stories, out there on the
www. Do your research and have the wedding you DESERVE! But remember, there is
a huge difference between a venue coordinator and a legitimate wedding planner.
Check out this article by Lelia Khaila, entitled "Hire a Wedding Planner... or Else"
What
is the difference between a “wedding planner” and “wedding coordinator”? A
wedding planner and wedding coordinator are essentially the same thing. The
main difference is between the role of a “day-of coordinator” and a planner.
A
day-of coordinator usually begins services close to the
wedding date, after the couple has hired all their vendors and secured their
venue. Their role is to be in charge of the actual wedding by managing all the
details the bride and groom have spent months planning. They make sure that everything
comes together exactly as the couple imagined. A coordinator allows the couple,
wedding party, and guests to enjoy their special day without the stress. Think
of a “day-of coordinator” as a general contractor or a symphony conductor.
A
wedding planner’s role goes beyond the day-of the wedding
duties. A planner will work with the couple for up to a year before the big day
helping with everything from design creation, budget management,
stationary/invitations, suggestions for and booking of venues, contract
negotiation or review, and coordination of everything the day of the wedding. A
wedding planner is there to help reduce stress by managing and organizing all
the details from start to finish. This is a great option for couples who want
assurance that they are hiring reliable vendors and getting the most for their
budget or those who have demanding lifestyles and schedules.
A wedding planner is there for YOU. It’s YOUR day and
YOU deserve the best! A planner will not make decisions for you or take away
the fun of planning, but she will be there to help you make informed decisions
and to ensure that your plan is executed accordingly.
Why
Hire a Wedding Planner?
I
don’t need a wedding planner because….
I can’t afford a planner. It’s just not in my budget. Think about the amount of money you allocate
to feeding your guests, hiring the photographer to take the perfect photos, and
choosing a DJ that will get the party started. Despite this, couples tend to
skimp when it comes to hiring a planner that will orchestrate the whole wedding
day! It’s like having a car filled with passengers, but no driver or GPS! So
why do some couples stop at hiring the planner. In reality, a planner can SAVE
YOU TIME & MONEY! Planners have relationships with vendors and venues since
they work on many weddings so they can give you economies of scale. They can
also help you put together a realistic budget. In the end, the money and time
saved might be greater than the cost of the planner, so you basically got the
planner for FREE!
The
venue coordinator & catering manager assured me that I don’t need to hire a
planner because they can handle it. All I have to say is read Leila’s article
above. The bottom line: venue coordinators are there because they are hired by
the venue to maintain and manage the venue only (i.e. food, rentals, staff,
etc…). They work for the venue, not for you. Their main goal is to ensure the
facility runs smoothly. So if you arrive and your flower arrangements are wrong
or guests can’t figure out where they are supposed to sit, don’t look at the
venue coordinator to help you out because they won’t have any idea on what you
wanted.
Shouldn’t
the vendors be able to manage themselves since they work weddings all the time?
According to feedback from vendors with whom I have worked, there is a huge
difference between a wedding with a planner vs. one without, but with a venue
coordinator. Not only are the finishing touches and design usually better, but
the flow of the event and communication between the parties is also better
(i.e. the photographer will be ready for photos and not out in the cocktail
area when the DJ plays the song for the Grand Entrance). Although it’s your
day, think about the vendors you have hired. What will help make both your
lives and their lives easier? A wedding planner!
So in the end, a wedding
planner/coordinator WILL:
· Convert your vision into a reality
· Guarantee that you make the most informed decisions
when hiring vendors and signing contracts
· Ensure that your special day runs smoothly by
management of the timeline and troubleshooting
· Manage vendors, guests, and all the details
· Help you SAVE MONEY
· Be a resource of knowledge, a sounding board for
decisions, a mediator, a therapist, and a stress reducer!
A wedding planner is there to help YOU design your big
day and ensure that YOUR big day is everything you dreamed of and more!
Cheers!
It is a common question asked by the people around the world. The answer is in the post and also most of the people know. Those who want to plan the wedding within the budget. They have to make use of the wedding planner iPad app to ease their wedding tension.
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