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A Wedding Planner: How do you know if you need one?

You’ve got the right guy, the engagement ring, and the dress – so what’s next?  Nowadays, planning your wedding can be easier than ever. There are many web-based resources that can help you from narrowing down vendor choices to creating your color pallet. You figure you can do this on your own. But, as you start digging into the planning process, reality slowly starts to set in. You’re over budget, your vendor appointments are over lapsed, the guest list continues to grow and, the entire planning process becomes less fun. No matter which category you fall into, this may be a good time to enlist professional help – a wedding planner.

Why a wedding planner? Besides having the planning skills of a Fairy Godmother to turn your vision into reality, the most obvious reason of hiring a wedding planner is the ability for you to sleep at night and focus on what is important – the both of you. If you are having a long engagement, a small wedding, or you think you will fully enjoy the planning process, chances are you may not be interested in hiring one. But, you may still be interested in hiring the services of a professional, just to take care of the small details on your wedding day.

The degree to which you want a planner to be involved, coordination services can range anywhere from full production to day of, and anything else in between. Depending on your needs, this will dictate the price you will pay. Planners can charge for their services in several different ways. Some charge a flat rate, some by a percentage of your budget (usually 10% to 15%), and some by the hour. But, you may find the prices of a wedding coordinator to be reasonable when it comes to maintaining your sanity on your wedding day.

Hiring a professional wedding planner can be one of your best wedding decisions.

Visit our Wedding Planner’s partner pages for Dallas and Chicago.

From top to bottom – Dallas Wedding Planners: Nina Nichols Austin Weddings, Jordan Payne Events, Holly Tripp Event Design, Chicago Wedding Planners: So Stacy, Lola Event Productions, Bliss Weddings & Events

8 tips on working with Wedding Vendors!

1. Don’t let your fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages. Pick up the phone and call family and friends first to get referrals for wedding vendors. Obviously, talk to newly married couples and grill them on their experience with specific vendors they used.

2. Even after a glowing review from someone you trust, check with your local Better Business Bureau to ensure your friend’s experience wasn’t a fluke. They have consumer complaints on file against vendors who don’t play by the rules.

3. Interview more than one. Even if your buddy had the best experience with the photographer, that photographer’s portfolio may not reflect the style you’re shooting for. Interview two or three.

4. Bring a list of detailed questions. If a vendor isn’t willing to give you all the details of his services, prices, and products up front, you’ve got trouble.

5. Get everything in writing. Not only is a signed contract or written estimate a sign of good business, it also ensures that there are no miscommunications as to the services you’ve requested and the services the vendor thinks you requested.

6. Make a deal. Don’t ever just agree to what’s first offered. Try to negotiate a lower price or extra services.

7. Be a pest. Periodically check in with your vendor (let them get to know you by name) to ensure that everything is on schedule and there are no hiccups. You’ll at least want to confirm two weeks before the wedding.

8. Use StrictlyWeddings.com when all else fails! We are here to help you have the perfect day on your wedding day!

Deciding On a Wedding Consultant/Planner

Planning a wedding is no small task. This is why many couples go with a wedding consultant to help them plan the big day. There are many things to consider before choosing a wedding consultant, however, and whether or not you need one depends on how involved you want to be in your special day.

Some couples find that the wedding planner is an invaluable tool for their big day, and others find them to be an unnecessary expense. You should consider the amount of time that you have to plan the wedding, whether or not you have friends or family that can help you, and how comfortable you feel with planning ideas yourself. For couples that have busy schedules, a wedding consultant can take care of many of the smaller details. Family can be both a help and a hindrance, depending on how well everyone gets along and if you can agree on the details. If you already have in mind a firm idea of your wedding, a wedding planner may not be necessary, but if you are still on the fence about certain items, a wedding planner can help you decide.

The Wedding Consultant’s Responsibilities
If you have not nailed down the details of your wedding, your wedding consultant can help with everything from choosing the type of wedding, the color scheme, venue, and more. He or she can also assist you with coming up with, and sticking to, a budget that works with your financial situation. A wedding planner can help you stay on task with the details, ensuring that everything is ordered in time for the big day. In addition, saving you headache and hassle, the wedding planner takes care of any last minute emergencies. Sometimes you can also get discounts on wedding services like catering or wedding bands through the wedding consultant’s contacts.

Choosing the Perfect Planner
Since your wedding planner is responsible for your wedding, you want to make sure that you find someone that you are totally comfortable with. Ask other brides who they have used, or visit a wedding fair to get names. Make sure that your wedding planner has completed a course in wedding planning and received a diploma. In addition, you should ensure that they are organized and seem to have a solid grasp of the whole process. Asking for references is also a good decision so that you can see what other couples liked and disliked about the planner. Lastly, make sure that the coordinator is available to help with your wedding date, and that he or she fits into your budget. Interview at least two wedding planners before coming up with your decision.

Saving with Packages
Depending on your personal needs, wedding consultants offer a variety of packages. For instance, you may go in for a consultation only which works like a crash course in wedding planning. After that, you will be on your own. Other wedding planners will offer planning and preparation packages that will cover searching out vendors that will work in your budget and time frames, and they take care of the administration of setting up appointments. Some wedding consultants are also available for hire the day of the wedding, where they will direct events and make sure that everything runs smoothly and according to plan.

Budgeting in the Wedding Planner’s Pricing
The cost of a wedding planner can vary, and you may want to shop around to find the coordinator that will do what you need on your budget. Some wedding planners will charge a percentage of the wedding cost, others by the hour of work done, and others will have a flat fee. Find out ahead of time what the costs cover, and what, if any, additional fees might come up during your wedding planning.

For the bride who has a flexible schedule and understands exactly what she wants, a wedding planner may be an unnecessary expense. However, for a busy bride who needs assistance with some of the wedding details, a wedding consultant can be an invaluable tool.