Article: 8 Reasons to Hire a Wedding Planner

This seems lazy, but I've read this article about 6 times in the last week, and in lieu of writing my own post, I thought I would just share it with you. This is reposted from www.elegala.com. If you google the topic header, you'll find a multitude of articles with practically the same focus. I have read many of them, and so far this is the best and most concisely written. This one happens to touch on really the 8 most important reasons, without only stating the obvious. So if you are at all curious as to why I believe my career choice is a necessity in the wedding industry - read on.

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Eight Reasons to Hire a Wedding Planner 

An etiquette and protocol expert explains why hiring a wedding planner will help you avoid some dreadful mishaps…

Article [EXCERPT] by Luxurious Wedding Etiquette & Protocol Expert, Claudia Lutman

If you are having more than 25 guests, the idea of working with a wedding planner should appeal to you. As the creative director for the most important day of your life, your wedding planner will help you avoid some dreadful mishaps that could ruin your day.

Reason # 1: A Theme is More Than a Hodgepodge of Great Ideas
Your ideas are fabulous. But they are only the foundation of your theme. Remember: They are only ideas and pictures ripped out of magazines. Brides have ended up blowing their budget on one item to the detriment of the whole wedding. This is where your wedding planner becomes your magician. Knowing all the tricks and resources, your wedding planner can create a theme that runs through the whole event. They see the whole picture. If budget is a constraint, they will advise you how to economize and still achieve a similar look.

Reason #2: Is your Budget a Guideline or a Blueprint for Bankruptcy? 
A budget is an essential part of your wedding planning. Even a million-dollar wedding has a budget. A budget will give you perspective and it will center you. It will be a great comfort to you when you want to know where you stand financially. Expenses tend to mount up quickly, and your budget will always give your a realistic assessment. I have witnessed brides being so out of control that they end up randomly buying items that have no rhyme or reason. That money could have been spent elsewhere to make the wedding a better experience for the guests. Being realistic about your budget is essential. Don’t fool yourself with a figure knowing you can go over it. You will only be hurting your chances of selecting the best possible vendors. Your wedding planner is your accountant and will believe the budget you give them. They honestly try to work within your parameters. Therefore, decide on a realistic figure so your wedding planner can recommend the vendors who will deliver the best work within your budget.
 
Reason #3: The Venue Event Manager
When the event manager from your venue tells you she can do your wedding planning, she is not lying. She will do everything under the sun to oversee everything she is responsible for; however, she is not responsible for 90 percent of the details that go into your wedding. Some brides are shocked when things go wrong. They thought their venue person would be on top of things. Not necessarily. If they have several events that day, they can’t be held responsible for letting you know your flowers haven’t arrived or your best man is held up in traffic. Imagine walking into a bald room instead of the floral intensive ballroom you paid for. Your wedding planner is your overseer. Her job is to make sure everything arrives on time and complete. If you have 15 tables, 13 centerpieces just won’t do. She will get the florist to fix it. If the videographer does not show up, she should be able to find a replacement for you. Things happen, but it is your wedding planner’s job to see that things are fixed and end up perfect. Your wedding planner is your fairy godmother.
 
Reason #4: Timelines and Other Annoying Details
Checklists. Do we know anyone who likes them? And timelines. “Who has time to think of these boring things? I’m getting married!” I recall one bride saying. Actually, you might not be getting married after all if the minister does not show up. Timelines are critical. Timelines are necessary. And timelines keep your wedding planner sane. She thrives on them. You, however, should never be subjected to them. These are the things a bubbling bride should be kept far away from. They will certainly kill the excitement.
 
Reason #5: Synergy Applies to Vendors, Too
There are vendors who work so well together you almost get double your money’s worth. Having a vendor with an attitude can affect everyone. Your wedding planner knows these things and will steer you in the right direction. By involving your wedding planner in the selection of vendors from the invitations on, you will be guided down the path of success. After all, synergy is what we are striving for!
 
Reason #6: What are the Rules?
Brides need a go-to person for etiquette, wedding-related questions, and to keep the planning timeline moving forward. All brides need a liaison to help keep emotions and relationships from straining during planning. Your wedding planner is a combination of Martha Stewart and Emily Post. Do you really have the time and inclination to research, answer, and solve the problem yourself?
 
Reason #7: Overtime Charges Accrue Faster Than Champagne Pours
One hour of overtime with a location site or photographer can cost you plenty! Everyone is on the clock, and so is your wedding planner. The difference is your wedding planner is on your clock. She keeps everything in motion so extra costs are avoided. In the end, your wedding planner is the most cost-effective choice you can make.
 
Reason #8: Frazzled is not Fabulous
Wedding planning and the events that lead up to your day will be stressful. You should have one job only. Keeping yourself relaxed and living in the moment. You need time to take in and enjoy this special day. Be with your loved ones. Be happy. Be kind. And mostly, be assured that your wedding is going to be the most fabulous day of your life.

Yes, all weddings have glitches. And yours will, too. But your wedding planner will make sure you never have to deal with or see them. You may never even know anything out of the ordinary happened. And that is the sign that you are a genius at wedding planning. You started out with great ideas, hired a wedding planner to bring them to life, and sat back like a pampered princess on your wedding day accepting all the accolades that you deserve.

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Honestly, I'm not posting this to get people to contract me (that probably wouldn't work anyway, seeing as how practically everyone who reads this is a relative in some sense or another, and you all would hire me out of obligation). But, I have been a guest at weddings that seemed disorganized, and it made me uncomfortable for the bride and groom. The vendors I know personally have many times complained to me about working weddings where there is no coordinator and they don't know who is their point of contact for scheduling and problems. And then there's the simple fact that when you get married, usually you've never been through that process before, so how WOULD you know or be able to anticipate all of the problems that could arise?
 

The more I think about it, the more I don't understand how I kept it together even just planning our wedding for 50 guests with a very small bridal party. I really worked and shouted instructions right up until we walked down the aisle. In fact, I remember shout-whispering to the groomsmen to "Look like you're having fun!" as they set off down the path. And then afterwards I realized some things I had worked months to create or planned for were never set out, or were laid out incorrectly, and I discovered that little details were overlooked. How badly I would love to go back in time and have had someone who was solely dedicated to making sure all my plans happened exactly as I planned them.

{this is not - in ANY WAY - meant to discount the parents/cousins/friends/special people who DID a ton of work and DID pay attention to my plans . . . but had there been ONE person in charge of all of that, it would have been so much simpler and then those family members would have gotten to enjoy themselves more}

Earlier this summer I coordinated a wedding for a friend's son. She is one of the most organized and creative individuals I know, but wanted to be able to also enjoy herself on her son's wedding day. She could easily have done every thing I did for her, but by having me there, she was able to visit with guests, sit through the ceremony without making sure the food was staying warm, not worry about busing tables, or refilling the margarita machine. She wasn't having to tell her son and new daughter-in-law when it was time to have their first dance, or to toss the bouquet and cut the cake. She didn't have to pack them a meal and gather up all the gifts. She didn't have to worry about paying the service providers or making sure they arrived to set up on time.
 

In this era of budget weddings, the first thing that gets cut is the planner. Brides think they can do it on their own or will enlist a friend. And sure, some can... especially those who have really great friends, or one friend in particular who is going to sacrifice their presence as a "guest" and be there only as "the planner."

So just make sure that if you ask a friend or a family member to coordinate your wedding, they are really up for the job. There is no down time. There is no pause. They can't also be a guest. And make sure they are really OKAY with you robbing them of the delight of being a guest at your wedding, and sticking them with all the millions of details... because a lot of people don't realize that's what it means, and that's the sacrifice they will need to make.

 

Plus you just don't want a disaster like this . . .