Do You Need A Wedding Planner?

Do You Need a Wedding Planner?

Your wedding day may be one of the most important events of your life. You may have dreamed of the perfect wedding for many years. Traditionally, the bride's family picks up the tab for the formal wedding, and weddings can cost thousands of dollars. So do you need to add the expense of a professional wedding planner?

 

A lot depends on the type of wedding you're planning. A small, intimate wedding won't require the level of planning that a huge formal affair will.

 

Most wedding planners offer three levels of service: single-day, consulting, or full service.

 

The single-day planner will help the couple create a plan, confirm with vendors, and handle the details the day of the wedding, and will charge an average of $1500.

 

For about $3500, the consulting package may include venue and vendor recommendations, color and style advice, etiquette guidance, and make sure the couple is on track with the plan. On the wedding day, the planner will attend to details, work with vendors, and make sure everything runs smoothly.

 

Finally, the full-service wedding planner will help establish style and colors, locate venues, recommend and screen vendors, go with the couple to taste food and cake samples. Some will send invitations and track RSVPs. On the wedding day, the planner will handle all details, troubleshooting problems, and keep the event on schedule. This level usually costs an average of $5000, but can run as high as $10,000 or more.

 

Some planners may be able to negotiate discounts from vendors, which they generally pass on to the couple.

 

No matter which package you are considering, get all the details in writing so both sides know what to expect.

 

Can you do the planning yourself and save the expense? Yes. There are dozens of books and online guides to help you plan your wedding. However, there are many details to attend to, and you may easily become overwhelmed. On the day of the wedding, there will be many details you can't cover yourself, so you will need at least one trusted helper to keep things running smoothly.

 

Is the savings in money worth the additional stress? Only you can answer that question. Are you detail-oriented and well-organized? Do you naturally think of a "Plan B" even when "Plan A" seems invincible?

 

Is the wedding a simple social gathering for friends and family or are there business or political undertones that make a smooth running event imperative for more than memories?

 

A professional wedding planner can do everything from advising to handling all the details for you. Only you can decide if you need a professional planner for your special day.