Do you think Wedding Planners are useful?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Janis Flagg on June 19, 2011 at 12:19am

Yes!  We also need to help vendors know how to best educate brides that they come in contact with about how we can help them.  Many vendors suggest that brides hire a coordinator, but it doesn't get beyond that.   If we spend some time educating vendors on how we really can help brides, it puts vendors in a little bit stronger position to recommend coordinators.

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Lewis on July 22, 2009 at 3:14pm

As a wedding photographer planning my own wedding next year, I know all too well what it takes to throw the kind of wedding I envision (simple & elegant!) - hiring a wedding planner was the second thing I did, after booking my venue. Being in the industry, there's a lot of stuff I can do myself, and am enjoying, however, there's also a lot of stuff I don't want to deal with! I also know that I don't want to deal with any issues on the day itself! I'd rather hire a professional so I can really enjoy the day, and maximize my energy with my family and friends, instead of worrying about why the flowers are late etc etc etc ...

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Permalink Reply by Panache Event Group on July 22, 2009 at 9:57pm

I can understand the mentality of scrapping the wedding planner if budget is tight. After all, a wedding can be pulled off without a planner, but not a photographer, caterer, baker or officiant. So in the bride's mind, the planner is perceived as more of a luxury than a necessity.

However, the job of a wedding planner is not just to help the day of. A good planner will identify money saving areas, as well as let the bride know when she is paying too much. Recently, I met with a mother of the bride who is considering hiring me. I took one look at her catering contract and noticed that she was being charged twice as much on the rentals than she should have. That savings alone paid for my services. So in reality, brides can actually save more money in the end by hiring a planner versus not hiring one.

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Permalink Reply by Mariana Leung on July 23, 2009 at 10:13am

Depending on what functions the coordinator or planner does, they are absolutely beneficial. I planned my own wedding, detail for detail. The coordinator/planner I hired may not have contributed creatively, but certainly facilitated my plans and saved my family and me hours and hours of extra legwork and phone calls. The coordinator can also be the 'bad guy' in contract negotiations and be the stern one to keep things on schedule.
Financially, a vendor may have worked with the planner before, and has a long-standing relationship to give better quality work or discounts. (It also works the other way, the planner may or may not push their own vendor). Reputable planners don't take kickbacks from vendors though. If you source a vendor that gives you a certain price for things you are not comfortable with, the planner could tell you if it is reasonable or not. The planner could also help you figure out different solutions that reduce your cost you wouldn't think of.
My planner, and every planner my friends/family have worked with, worked their A**es off! Each and every one of them said they were well worth the money, no matter what budget they had. Most also went above and beyond as far as service, and they do it out of love for the job for the most part, not profits.
Weddings I have been to that didn't have a coordinator on the day of at least, have always been a disorganized mess. Lots of people running around crazed, not knowing where people are, where transportation is, losing things. The guests standing around annoyed and waiting for some direction or information.

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Permalink Reply by Celestial Event on October 26, 2009 at 12:32pm

I’m a DJ (I prefer wedding host).
Planners are great, depending upon their expertise and people skills. I spend a lot of time with my clients; develop a schedule, time line, play lists learn about the brides style choices and colors as well as copious amounts of information about the B&G, the bridal party, their friends and family. Armed with that information, I produce/design a program/performance specifically for them.

Good planners will work with us to make it even better. A few will pigeonhole us and treat me like an interloper during the run up to and the day of the event.

On one occasion, an issue arose, when a planner reviewed our contract and would not work with us because of a clause holding the client somewhat responsible for damage caused by them of their guests.

Lou

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Permalink Reply by Karen Lynn on October 26, 2009 at 4:20pm

Not only can planners get couples discounts with their vendors, we can let couples know where it's important to spend their money and where they can save. When a couple is dealing with each vendor on their own, the vendor is 'selling' them everything possible and the couple doesn't have the benefit of an expert letting them know what they really need and what they can do without.
Also, many vendors charge more when they have to deal with a bride directly, rather than with an experienced planner, because it's so so much more work for them.

Couples who hire wedding planners are guests at their own wedding and they have FUN!
Couples who plan their own weddings usually can't wait for it 'to be over with' before the day even arrives.

When DIY couples are asked, after their wedding "what would you have done differently"? The answer is usually "hire a wedding planner".

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Permalink Reply by The Calligraphy Girl on October 27, 2009 at 12:05pm

Absolutely! You do not want to be thinking about anything but having fun and looking beautiful at your wedding. A wedding planner is behind the scenes making sure all goes smoothly so you don't have to wonder about whether or not the cake knife is next to the cake or if the dinner will come out on time so the guests aren't left waiting.

Also, my planner was able to tell me who some really great vendors were, and she gave me a nice list to choose from.

I had a great wedding planner and never gave a second thought to how my day was going to go. I just showed up and had a great time. When we got to our hotel room that night, the planner had even made sure there was cake and a midnight snack waiting for us. :)

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Permalink Reply by Stylish Affair"s By Mickey Long on October 28, 2009 at 2:27am

So that wh
at we say! I think that most brides like to plan their own weddings , so we need to be specific in what it is that they are paying us for. Have you ever watched that show Bridezilla, Have you noticed that the Brides never have their MOH helping them with the DIY project.. Perhaps we can concentrate on such personal services we can offer our brides. Not just people we know in the industry, but really take an interest in our clients. Just a Thought !

Best Regards,
Mickey Long
Stylish Affairs
Wedding & Events

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Permalink Reply by Barbara Ann Fackler on October 31, 2009 at 10:27pm

At the very least, a day of wedding coordinator is helpful. If you don't know where to begin, a wedding planner can help you stay focused and organized. Most of the wedding planners that I work with help things run smoothly, especially the ones that I know well. We get a routine down as we get to know each other which makes things move more smoothly on the day of the event.

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Permalink Reply by Beatrice de Guigne on November 1, 2009 at 7:04am

I am a photographer in France. In my opinion, no the wedding planners are not useful. they are the guarantors of a successful day, they will manage everything, even small unexpected, without worrying the couple and guests...

In France, attitudes are different. People prefer to hold their wedding themselves because they are stingy! they wish to hold great ang big things, but the lowest possible. They want luxury in hard discount supermarkets ! lol
For them wedding planners are a matter of rich. But a small portion of the population begins to understand the interests of wedding planners, and realize that it's not to "seem to be rich" but it's really useful !

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Permalink Reply by linda vandenburgh on November 1, 2009 at 10:55am

yes they are very useful with helping the brides with all function of their event

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Permalink Reply by Rosemary Worrell on November 3, 2009 at 7:30pm

As planners or wedding vendors, we are all convinced of the wisdom of hiring a planner. Of course, I hope that brides will want to hire me for full-service planning, but I know the reality of wedding budgets. I offer a free consultation and I always ask about the total wedding budget. If the budget doesn't support a full-service package, I never try to convince the couple to over-extend themselves but immediately focus on offering day-of-wedding coordination. I will also work by the hour, I try my best to offer them some assistance within their budget.

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