The first few days of planning a wedding are a haze of excitement! That ring is sparkling on your left hand, and all your girlfriends are helping you choose bridesmaid dresses and the perfect date. Sometimes, however, the next few months become just a bit more stressful. You want it to be beautiful and meaningful, to not break the bank, and to have it capture your true personality. This is where a professional wedding planner can really come into play. As experts in the wedding field, they bring a wealth of creativity and industry knowledge to the table, and can help your dream day become a reality. Here are just some of the many benefits to using a professional planner:
-Using a planner reduces your personal stress: Planning a wedding can be incredibly demanding, especially if you are working full or part-time. A planner will be able to manage the aspects of your day and field the vendor phone calls during the weekdays. When looking at your options, be sure to choose one with a full-service package that offers vendor management as well as day-of coordination if that is what you need. Many people opt to have a friend or family member handle day-of moments, but keep in mind that whomever you choose will miss a ton of the day. That’s why a planner is a great choice to ensure the people you love will be fully present for your big moments!
-A professional planner can maximize your budget: A trustworthy and experienced planner can help you stay within your proposed budget by negotiating with vendors as well as shopping around for the best price and quality. They can also guide you to what will be most cost-saving in the areas you want or need. When you hire your coordinator, be honest about your budget, giving firm numbers and asking them to keep you in the loop as things are due. By being clear about your financial priorities, you can make sure they are tailoring things like catering or flowers to your recommendations and vision.
-An experienced planner can help connect you with the perfect vendors. In the wedding industry, it’s often about who you know, and planners can open doors to the vendors you dream of using! Planners with high-level clients and experience can forge relationships and connections over the years and help you secure the service providers who match your vision and your budget. When you are considering your planner, ask for a list of their preferred vendors so you can see the style they gravitate to. This simple step can save hours of research and ensure that they have the connections you need.
-Planners can problem solve on the fly: Weddings can have unexpected moments, including emergencies. A good planner will remain stress-free and calm (and chances are, you may not know any emergencies even happened until after the honeymoon!). Choose a planner you can trust so that you know everything will be handled. Ask them to share emergency plans or ideas with you (such as what to do if it rains) so that you are well-prepared and go into your wedding day with confidence.
-Wedding planners offer creative perspectives: Wedding planners can help put together your ideas and inspiration into a cohesive look. While you may have tons of Pinterest ideas and Instagram inspo boards, it can be hard to channel those into an overall look that suits your venue and location. A planner can take your ideas, tell you which ones will be feasible and practical, and then bring them to life with proper execution. They can also help you consider things like the height of the ceilings (will that arch look too short?), the length of the room (can we fit that many tables in there?), and the season (will certain colors look strange in the fall?).
If you are struggling to find an excellent wedding planner, we will be sharing some of our preferred vendors soon here on the blog! A wedding planner can be the secret to a beautiful and stress-free day that goes off without a hitch (except of course, the two of you getting hitched!).