Once you are engaged and starting up the wedding planning process, you and your partner will probably ask yourselves: should we hire a wedding planner? A wedding planner can be an incredible resource, but many couples are unsure of whether it is the right or necessary option for them. If you are considering hiring a wedding planner, ask yourself these questions to help you make a decision.
Does a wedding planner work with our budget?
Of course, if you are looking to hire a wedding planner, you need to find someone who works within your budget. Look around at wedding planners in your area and their rates to get a general idea of what it will cost. If it looks like hiring a wedding planner doesn’t work with your budget, there are other options. Many wedding planners also offer wedding coordination or consultation services. These offerings can vary from professional to professional, but a coordinator or consultant will typically work with you on a shorter timeline (generally around 1-2 months before the wedding) to finalize details and take the stress off of you on the actual day of the celebration.
What do our schedules look like leading up to the wedding?
Many vendors have weekday office hours and aren’t available on the weekends to meet with clients (often because they are working events). If you and your partner work standard 9 to 5 jobs on weekdays and won’t be able to sneak away here and there for a vendor meeting, it can make the vendor selection process more difficult. A wedding planner can be a valuable resource since they’ll be able to make meetings that you can’t. Even if you don’t have “standard” work hours, if you have a lot of work or life obligations that are keeping you busy, a wedding planner can help take a lot of the logistics off your plate.
Are we working with a short engagement?
If you are working with a short timeline, a wedding planner (or at least a coordinator) might be a necessity. There is a lot that needs to be pulled together to successfully plan a wedding. For a couple that has never been through the process before, it can be daunting to get everything done, especially with a small time frame. Professional planning help may be in your best interest to make sure everything comes together in time.
Are we throwing a destination wedding?
For destination weddings, it is highly recommended that you hire a wedding planner local to the area where your wedding will be. They will know the ins and outs of the local wedding scene, how to deal with different currencies, and can handle matters and finalize details when you are out of town.
Is our vision of our dream wedding a little muddy? Or do we have an idea of what our wedding vision is, but no clue how to execute it?
If you don’t have a somewhat clear idea of what you want your wedding to look and feel like, it might be a good idea to work with a planner who can talk you through ideas and draft a wedding vision that reflects your style. Alternatively, maybe you do have a vision of what you want your wedding to look like – many couples are able to dream up wedding ideas that perfectly reflect them. However, when it comes to actually executing these ideas, they get stuck – that’s where a wedding planner can help bring your vision to life.
Are we organized?
Simply put, you need to be pretty organized if you are taking on planning a wedding without help. There are vendor meetings, contracts, and payments to stay on top of, design decisions, communication with guests, and so much more to take care of when planning a wedding. Be realistic with yourselves – are you organized enough to take this on? If not, a wedding planner is probably a necessity.
Do we know what the local wedding vendor scene is like?
One of the most valuable resources a wedding planner brings is connections. They know exactly what vendors are in town, who does what, and who is the best of the best. If you don’t have friends or family members who have thrown their wedding in your town and can give you recommendations, it might be a good idea to have a wedding planner who can connect you with the local wedding vendor scene. Plus, they’ll often have relationships with these professionals and are able to extend discounts to their clients.
Are we excited about the process of planning a wedding?
Some people are natural planners. They love figuring out the logistics and watching everything come together, piece by piece. On the opposite side of the spectrum lives the people who despise having to plan anything. Wedding planning is a huge undertaking, and for most people, it is the biggest event they’ll plan in their lifetime. If the thought of having to plan your wedding without professional help is filling you with dread and anxiety, it is probably a good idea to take the stress off of yourself and bring in a wedding planner. It’ll make the entire process a lot smoother and much less emotionally draining.
If you are in the process of planning your wedding, come to the next Georgia Bridal Show near you. You will have the chance to meet with professional wedding vendors (including wedding planners) of all talents from Georgia and the Southeast who can help bring your vision to life!
Georgia wedding vendors, as well as other wedding professionals across the Southeast, can contact us about opportunities for exhibition and online marketing with Georgia Bridal Show.