Are you at the point in planning your wedding that your to do list is getting overwhelming and you dread making *another* phone call? It doesn’t take very long to realize that planning a wedding requires a LOT of work, time and energy. Who knew it wouldn’t all be as fun as trying on dresses and attending a cake tasting?
Once you make the realization that pulling off your dream wedding could take over your full time job or drive you crazy in the process, it’s time to call for some backup.
That’s where we come in! But what, you ask, does a wedding planner actually do? Do they actually do much to ease your mind? The simple answer? Yes. And here are a just a few of the many things that your planner will handle, most of the time even without you knowing!
Photo Credit: Addie Eshelman Photography
Vendor Communication
Don’t speed past this job that planners take on! It may sound like they just make a few phone calls and quick emails to help you book your perfect caterer, but that’s far from the truth. Vendor communication starts with vendor relationships – the real key. Your planner has likely been working in the industry and has “friendors” they can call on. This means they can easily offer you recommendations, make quick connections, and maybe even hook you up with an occasional discount to help you maintain your budget. But, fear not – planners are also happy to reach out, make new connections, and do whatever they need to in order to make your day perfect! Plus, once wedding month rolls around, your planner will be sending a flurry of emails to ensure that all the necessary people are in the right place at the right time, with the right equipment, and answer any questions along the way. Good planners handle these things with discretion and you are none the wiser – meaning you focus on YOUR day, not answering questions and problem solving.
Timeline Management
We all know how important it is to have your photographer able to get pictures of you getting your hair done and giggling with your bridesmaids. Pair that with an equal desire for candid shots of your friends dancing on the dance floor and you’ve got a conundrum. How do you know when each of these things are going to happen, let alone ALLLLLL the pieces in-between? Da-da-da-daaaah! Enter your wedding planner. They can help you map out your day in a way that is realistic (much harder than you think!), and help you actually stick to it! Don’t get me wrong, with us as your planner we are happy to flex when needed, but know that in order to get those cake-cutting pictures, we have to stick to a timeline. It’s also nice when you are actually able to start the ceremony at the time you told your guests you would!
photo credit: cmc photography llc
Assist with Family Dynamics
In case you haven’t experienced this yet, you may find out that planning a wedding is stressful – and not just on the bride and groom! So many people are cheering you on and wanting to celebrate your love in the best way they know how. Unfortunately, good intentions sometimes turn into differing opinions and frustration. We know it’s all rooted in wanting the best for you, but also recognize it can be helpful to have someone else around to help navigate the murky waters and being a neutral party involved in the decision process.
Help You Stay on Budget
Ask around and you’ll find that a huge number of couples end up blowing past their budgeted totals for their wedding. While hiring a wedding planner is of course an extra expense, their expertise can actually save you money in the long run. Managing a budget – no matter how large or small – is vital, especially when it involved other family chipping in to cover costs. Having a planner on your team will allow you to make educated decisions about where your money is going, and how that will affect the different aspects of your day. Think of it like this: spending more or less than you planned is all fine and dandy, as long as you are able to make an informed decision and not be surprised in the end or forfeit your dream in other avenues.
Map Out the Details
If you’ve ever started a to do list for planning a wedding, you’ve most definitely seen the never-ending details that have to be organized, coordinated and prepped. From the favors, to who is going to pick up Aunt Sue from the airport, to what songs you want played when, the list of jobs just keeps on going. On top of that, you add in needing to get the guest gift bags to the hotel, stuff the invitations and make sure there are lighters for the candles at the reception. We’ve heard so many brides exclaim that they forgot something in the days leading up to a wedding because they didn’t have someone who knew common head-hurters. Your planner is not only familiar with all these tasks, they’ve done them multiple times before! We not only help you think through these details in bite-sized pieces to keep planning manageable, we also keep an emergency kit around on the day-of for those often-forgotten items.
Advocate for YOU
Last, but certainly not least, your planner is there for YOU. We’ve got your back and are excited to help you experience a fun wedding, and even better marriage! Planning, coordinating, organizing and managing logistics are all part of the job (that we love!), but we really are based in relationships. We want our clients to know that we care. We care about you, your upcoming marriage, your families, budgets, and making sure you kick-start their marriage with a memorable day! For us, planning is a service to help our clients experience their best day in the best way – and we love every minute of it!
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