(Re-Post!) Wedding Planner, Experiences??

Question

Hi Everyone,

Just wondering about Wedding planners and what choo all think?? yay or nay?

I have heard that wedding planners can also get you good deal on wedding related things. Would these details justify the planner costs?

Answer 1

I may be biased because I am a Day-Of Coordinator.  But, putting my job aside, let me share you what my clients and their vendors (florists, djs, make-up artists, etc.) have said to me so far...

Clients usually love planning their own Big Day as most of the brides dreamt of a fairytale wedding either for a long time or since their engagement day.  Thus, few advices and tips here and there are sufficient to cover this part.

However, without a coordinator on the day-of, the bride panicks, family members are busy paying off due balances, friends are making sure that all flowers, programs, favors, candles, etc. are in place.  At the same time, vendors have to deal with the panic mode of all helpers.  The result is that none of the family members or friends can really enjoy their wedding day.

Thus, most of my clients have seen this on their friends or family members' wedding and seeked for assitance to avoid the same problem.  

You may really do everything on your own, but it's a matter of how less frustrating, less worrisome and more coordinated a wedding can be with the help of a professional.

Wedding planners are usually 10%-15% from your budget.  Day-Of Coordinators are much more economical.  

If you need any help, let me know.  I may even help you (free of charge) with tips and advices with your planning part (if you are in the New Jersey or New York areas).

two teacups

Answer 2

Wedding Planners are very helpful - what most people don't understand, is that they can score you major discounts with vendors. They pay for themselves and then some.

If you are having a very small wedding, they aren't necessary - but for large weddings, they are a must have to keep things under control. You will be stressed enough on your big day.

Answer 3

Hi,

this is Sophie and I am a wedding planner.

I always suggest to do on your own what you can, BUT don't do what you can't!

Planning a wedding is easy and fun. If you have a lot of time to research and you are organized.

You can plan your own wedding, that is fine but how about your wedding day?

Imagine: getting breakfast  on the go -while checking on your site, being on the phone with the florist while having your hair done and she letting you know she will be late, than between make-up and ceremony running to the venue and the cake is nowhere and you just can't find the cell number??

Or let handle everything by your planner, and have breakfast with the girls, hair appointment with Mom and get dressed with MOH.

Even if you do not hire a planner, hire a coordinator for the day of!

Answer 4

I am a planner and given the current increase in business I think a lot of people are going with planners these days.  We help take away some fo the stresses of researching, planning and shopping and put it right at your fingertips, saving time and effort.  Also, planners have relationships with many vendors and get get package deals and know who does the best work.

Answer 5

Save your money and start doing your homework :)  

http://www.frugalbride.com

http://www.theknot.com

http://www.weddingchannel.com

These are great sites to get you started.  Wedding planners cost a lot of money and some of them micromanage you.  I am a full time teacher and my family has been too busy with other matters to help and I've done just fine.  Just start early!  Best of luck.

Answer 6

I found the better deals on my own to be honest (her prices where wayyy overbloated for the same vendors), but my wedding planner has taken so much stress off of me and I'm very grateful for that.

She will coordinate the rehearsal and also the order of things on the ceremony

She will book the golfing for us

She and her staff will set up the favors, fold and place the colored napkins, table numbers, flower arrabfgements, chairs at the ceremony site, will have the table for the DJ ready, will coordinate all the catering arrangements, will coordinate delivery of cake, will aid the musicians with the instruments, will provide snackls for the bridal room etc. etc. etc. and do everything that is needed for us.

IMO , it's worth it.  I do not have any family and all of my attendants are out of state, so I needed someone to help me coordinate all the little details.

So far, I've been satisfied, she knows what she's doing what gives me peace of mind. I do not need the added stress. It sometimes frustrated not to get her on the phone, but again, she has other brides to tend to : )

Good luck

Answer 7

I would say if you are having a lavish expensive wedding planners are necessary or if is a destination wedding. They can not get you better rates necessarily, however they do have relationships with people that they do business with which is helpful because they know there work ethic and how good a job they do.

Answer 8

I'm an event manager and also do wedding planning and here's my tip for you:

If your wedding is very large, elaborate, complex and you cannot rely on friends and family much to organize and actually do a proper job, then get a wedding planner. You need reliable people that all the service providers can go to for any urgent situations and to get paid or to wrap up or to set up.

As far as the good deals are concerned, yes they get good deals but then they mark everything up to make money for themselves. If you want good deals then research alot and ask for referrals anyway possible. Go to wedding shows, go on your local craigslist website and research.

For example, there are a few florists in my town that sell the exact same flower arrangement on their website for different prices. One's $89 and one's $40!!!! How I found out? I googled florists and kept going through the pages... on page 15 or so was the cheaper florist! Incredible huh? They all use the same thing... FTD so it's all the same but one marks up dramatically compared to the other.

All the best.

Answer 9

Well, I am not to sure about a wedding planner but you diffidently want a wedding coordinator for that day! I was so happy I didn't have to worry about a thing. I gave him a list of our vendors and what they were bringing and when. He made sure every one was there on time in place, I didn't have to worry if any thing was done or be asked where does this go, where is this! I was stress free our wedding day (well beside family members) but that a hole other story.

If your an organized person and have time to plan your wedding you should be fine. I didn't have one but I also had a year and nine months to plan so really didn't need one.

Best wishes and good luck to you in all your planning!

Answer 10

Wedding planners are a waste of money.Plan everything yourself and with family.Most wedding planners will try to get you to have all these nice things for your wedding.