Do you Really Need a Wedding Planner?
Do you REALLY need to hire a wedding planner? The answer will be different for every couple, so let’s go through what exactly a wedding planner does, and why hiring one is something you should consider for your big day.
First off, what exactly does a wedding planner do? While each planner’s package may be slightly different, there tends to be three levels of service; Full Service Planning, Partial Service Planning, and Day-of Coordination. Generally speaking, a “full service” wedding planner/service will take most if not all the work of planning a wedding off your hands while still allowing you to make all final decisions. They are typically booked very early on in the process and can help you find/book your venue as well as your vendors (DJ, Photographer, Catering, etc.). On the opposite end of the spectrum, Day of Coordinators will come in towards the end of your planning process (1-2 months prior), help wrap up all the details and be there to coordinate the wedding day. Then there’s the Partial Planning packages, which vary from planner to planner, but tend to be somewhere in the middle. They will join the planning process around 6 months before the wedding, help you book any additional vendors and coordinate the wedding day. Each wedding planner/coordinator will have slightly different packages, so make sure you get a full breakdown before signing anything.
So, how do you know if you should hire one? And which level of service is actually worth the cost?
Hire a Full/Partial Wedding Planner if:
You have a heavy work/school load and don’t have much spare time to spend Googling vendors & wedding info. It takes more time than most realize.
You are on a limited time frame (6 months or less). Some vendors (especially venues!) book years in advance! You’ll want someone with insider knowledge to make sure you get the best vendor team for your wedding.
You don’t live in the location you’re getting married. Speaking from experience, planning a long distance wedding can be stressful. Hire someone local to help you navigate everything.
You have Non-Traditional or DIY venue (backyard, Airbnb, anything that isn’t typically used for weddings). Non-traditional wedding venues are just that - Non-traditional. That means they haven’t been set up by wedding professionals to make sure the space is comfortable for your guests and that there is proper access to electricity, bathrooms, running water, etc. Having a professional with you as you navigate creating your dream space out of nothing is a must!
You don’t have a great support system for the wedding (issues with in-laws, family drama). Let’s be real, weddings tend to be a family affair unless you’re eloping and if you don’t have that support system (or if your family situation is a little more complicated), then having a Wedding Planner is incredibly helpful. Your wedding planner will have your back, affirm your decisions, and can be a neutral third party to help everyone get along for your wedding day. We’ve also seen all (if not most) of it before. We can help give you advice and find creative solutions to make everyone involved feel as included as you want in your special day.
Hire a Day-of Coordinator/Wedding Manager if:
You have a handle on all the details but need help bringing it all together at the end. Basically, you’re feeling confident with the actually planning process but you want a pro to come in and make sure nothing is missing to make your day run smoothly.
Does your wedding have multiple locations or lots of vendors working together? Hiring a professional will GREATLY reduce everyone’s stress on the day of the wedding as they will be the point person for everyone to go to with questions, not you or your family.
So, do you really need a wedding planner? I can’t answer that for you, but I will say that we provide an amazing service that allows couples, their families, guests, and vendors to enjoy the wedding day. Ultimately, your budget is what it is, but if it fits into your budget I absolutely recommend hiring on a wedding planner/coordinator for your wedding!
Check out more about our services here!
