8 Things Your Wedding Planner Wishes You Knew
Keep this expert advice in mind as you're hiring a wedding planner and working with them leading up to your big day.
Your wedding planner can be a major lifesaver in the months, weeks, and days leading up to your nuptials. After all, they literally plan weddings for a living (this means that they have all of the nitty gritty details down to a science, plus a great network of industry connections), and their ultimate goal is to make your life easier while simultaneously hosting the best, most beautiful event you've ever seen. Who could say no to that? Hiring a wedding planner could be one of the best decisions you make during your engagement—especially in certain scenarios—and to prove it, we asked real-life planners and event coordinators to share some of their favorite tips and advice for engaged couples.
Whether you're considering hiring a wedding planner or are already working with one, these expert tips will help make the process go more smoothly.
Your personalities should easily click
“It sounds simple, but when a couple is choosing a wedding planner (or any wedding vendor), they should make sure their personalities click," saysJaclyn Fisher of Two Little Birds Planning in Haddonfield, New Jersey. "They'll be working very closely with their planner on the wedding day and throughout the planning process, so they should feel comfortable and trust him or her. Couples will also want to choose a planner who understands their vision and is just as excited about the wedding as they are.”
Compatibility with your wedding planner is key
“Make sure that you connect with your potential planner on multiple levels," says Linnie Hughes of L&L Events in Centreville, Virginia. ""Check out their websites, blogs, and social media to get a true sense of their aesthetics. Make sure their style complements yours! Your conversations should be comfortable and should leave you feeling confident. By taking the extra steps to make sure it will be a compatible vendor relationship, you will be setting yourself up for the best event possible.”
Always prioritize your budget
“Hire the best vendors you can afford in your budget," says Raquel Shutt of Wedding Savvy, Inc. in Charlotte, North Carolina. "The old adage is true: You get what you pay for. Spend a bit more on the categories that are most important to you and save a bit more on ones that are less important, but always be sure you can live with the quality of work /workmanship you are hiring."
Your wedding planner is on your side
"So many couples think that if they hire a wedding planner, they won't have any control over their wedding," says Kristi DePew of Eclipse Event Co. in Austin, Texas. "We aren't here to take away your vision at all — we are here to help you achieve your vision with the help of responsible, professional vendors in your allocated budget. A lot of people think they can't afford to hire a planner. I say you can't afford not to! Between our experience and knowledge of the local market, we can save you headaches, time, and most of all, money!”
Your wedding planner wants the best for you
“We are your advocate," says Brooke Altman of Orchard Avenue Events in Sonoma, California. Throughout the planning process, we are always here to stand up for you and make sure everything is exactly as you would want it. We want to make sure you are being quoted reasonable prices for vendors and other wedding-related items and that the product will exceed your expectations. Sometimes it can be hard for clients to know what exactly they are getting when they chose a certain vendor, so we are here to make sure it’s a perfect fit for your style and budget.”
They plan so you don't have to
“A lot of couples don't realize how much time and labor goes into the production of their wedding," says Lindsay Merhege of Fox Events in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. We start production 3-4 days before their wedding day, and we have a team of 8-10 people helping us out! We take care of all the behind-the-scenes activities so that the bride and groom can sit back and enjoy their big day without having to worry about every last detail.”
Always double-check your attire before the wedding day
Brides have lots of backup plans for their dress," says Rebecca Shenkman of Pink Bowtie Events in New York, New York. "But things happen with the groom’s attire, too. Always check your suit or tux after it’s been dry cleaned and/or rented to be sure all is in working order. Bring an extra shirt, and make sure you have that extra button or two for the groom’s tuxedo or suit. I’ve sewn on more than one backup button the morning of the wedding!”
They'll help you relax and have fun
"I think it is important for couples to consider the benefit of a planner/coordinator in their own stress and labor for their wedding," says Melanie Jannicelli of Kimberly Rose Events in Englewood, Colorado. "We take full charge, especially on the day of their wedding, and handle everything down the tiniest details, so that the couple and their family and friends are able to relax, enjoy, have fun, and soak up the memories! Planning a wedding can be a stressful and overwhelming endeavor for some couples, and we are here to truly take the weight off their shoulders and make the experience fun!"
