Often I am asked “how do I know I need a planner” or “what can a planner help me with?” Most couples don’t know where to start. Most people have not planned an event as large as a wedding before, so a wedding planner like 13 Cedar Events can not only be your guide all along, supporting you and your vision, but will also be there on the day of your wedding to execute your plans so you can celebrate and actually relax and enjoy your big day!
Here are 10 ways to know you should hire a wedding planner:
You have no idea where to even start with wedding planning.
Wedding planners are guides, helping you find your vision in the beginning stages, and ultimately executing it all at the end. We’ve done a few weddings in our time, and we know the folks that can make it happen in your budget and the way you want it. If you aren’t convinced you need a planner for the long haul, many planners, like 13 Cedar Events, offer consultations at an hourly rate to get you started in the right direction.
You do not live in the same place as you are getting married.
Trust a planner in the area you are getting married to know the right venues and professionals that match your style, budget, and needs. A planner can also schedule meetings and tastings for you ahead of time, so when you do come to town you can get down to business with your vendors.
You do not want to take on another job in addition to the one you already have.
Maybe you are busy professionals and aren’t ready to take on additional workload in your free time. Most wedding planners, like 13 Cedar Events, are full-time planners. Wedding planning is fun, but it also takes a lot of time and ninja organization skills to not miss any details. Having a wedding planner allows you to choose how involved you would like to be in the day to day planning.
You are more interested in working on the fun parts of the wedding.
Yes wedding planning is exciting, and my clients and I have a great time selecting colors, florals, dresses, linens, and even vintage china! But if maintaining a budget, working through contracts, negotiating fees, researching vendors, renting tables, counting flatware, making timelines, and managing crises doesn’t sound like fun, then maybe let someone else who’s an expert do that for you.
You strength is not managing a budget.
The average wedding cost between $32,000 – $40,000. You can’t afford NOT to have someone manage all the intricate details and costs for you. In most cases, a planner can actually help you save money by recommending the right vendors, helping you prioritize your wants vs. needs, and helping to streamline your time and money to where it makes the biggest impact.
You would like to have a stress-free wedding day so you can enjoy every moment!
Maybe you need planning guidance all along, maybe you don’t, but at the very least hire a wedding coordinator to make sure your day goes smoothly. Hire a professional who will begin your wedding day coordination process well in advance of the day of. This person should help you plan your ceremony logistics, make timelines for the day (so all family, bridal party, and vendors know where to be at what time), and coordinate the setup and the breakdown of the event. Unless your aunt/cousin/best friend/mom's friend from church/etc. Is an actual wedding planner, then it’s best to hire a pro to take on this task.
You have no idea how much things like cakes, flowers, and rentals cost.
A wedding planner knows the industry, how much all the details will cost, and can assist you in picking vendors that will fit your style AND your budget.
You need help managing the longest to-do list you’ll ever see.
When getting started with your planning, the to-do list can seem overwhelming. Wedding planners will ensure that you are working on the items that are a priority at that time, depending on how many months you have to plan. This will ensure that you are not faced with a massive to-do list all at once, turning the planning process from fun and exciting, to stressful and chaotic.
You don’t have a lot of planning support from you family or friends.
A wedding planner is on your side. In fact, I become great friends with my couples because we work so closely together for several months during such an exciting life change! Your planner will have your back, your interests in the forefront always, and will help you manage any family or friend dynamics along the way.
You need ideas.
We don’t all grow up imagining what our big day will look like or what dress we will wear. Wedding planners know industry trends and are creative event designers. So if you just don’t know what your wedding style is, what flowers are in season and how they should be arranged, or what favors you want to have, then your planner can assist you in creating a vision for your wedding.
Sound like you might want to chat about your planning?
