Do I need a wedding coordinator or planner?

Many of your engaged friends have one, your relatives or co-workers are suggesting your hire one, or maybe you recently attended a wedding & the couple swear they wouldn’t go without …. A wedding planner! And you’re wondering…. how do I know if I need one? 

While there’s not one answer, as a working mom, wedding vendor & friend, I can speak to the common factors to consider & ways I’ve witnessed (and personally been able to provide) how hiring a wedding planner relieves couples of stress on their wedding planning journey. Here are 4 key points to consider when deciding if a coordinator is a need or worth the investment:

1. Your work-load/life pace. Are you managing a career, home life, relationship, kids and more? Planning a wedding- finding a venue, deciding on vendors & creating a design that embodies all of the elements you desire- can be its own, BIG thing. Research shows that couples spend an average of 528 hours planning their wedding according to this article. Short for time? Wedding planners not only save your hours of calling, emailing, cost & service comparison, but their experience can spare you risk of making mistakes or being taken advantage of (check out my blog article that touches on this!).

   
   

2. You have a large guest count. A larger guest count usually requires more logistics for traffic control, table settings, and larger staff size to make this all happen in the time needed-especially as the guest count reaches or exceeds 150 people. Additionally, a larger guest count typically means there will be more guests popping in for pics, hugs, and catching up. Your planner can help tend to needs during your wedding day, allowing you and your spouse more time to connect with your guests.

3. The list of details to make you and your spouse’s dream wedding a reality is long or complex. To bring a wedding vision to life, couples hire 14 vendors for their wedding (The Knot) on average.  A planner will help manage the operations and direction of all parties involved who are helping create your wedding day experience. Even in smaller weddings of 50 guests or less- your list can grow, depending on how elaborate or complex your wedding design logistics are; do your vendors need to set up a temporary catering kitchen in a remote or unusual location? Is the wedding taking place all in one room and need to be changed from ceremony to reception? Logistics can get can get a bit hairy fast!

   
   

4. Time and location: recently engaged & planning a wedding in less that 6 months? A day-of-coordinator or planner can streamline your plan & help you prioritize tasks needed to pull off your dream wedding in a shorter period of time. Getting hitched at a destination location? A planner can help coordinate destination logistics- like arranging decor rentals or shipping, reviewing your contract for outside vendor policies, helping you create a travel itinerary and so much more.

However you decide to tie the knot, you deserve a wedding planning experience that balances your mental & emotional well being and life's every day demands. Investing in a wedding coordinator or planner, along with any additional vendor professionals, can prevent an INCREDIBLE amount of stress & help bring your wedding dreams to life.

Cheers!

Brea

If you are finding yourself in need of wedding planning or day-of support, reach out!