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Having a wedding planner can relieve the stress of planning and help you make the most of your wedding day.
- Wedding planning can be stressful - no matter how organized you or your family may be.
- A wedding planner can help you meet deadlines, make informed decisions, and ensure your wedding day is as special as possible.
- I have no regrets about paying extra for a wedding planner - here's why.
My husband and I weren't looking for a luxurious wedding. We had generous contributions from both sets of parents, but we wanted to spend our money on tangibles that our guests would enjoy: food, beverages, and a venue with a great dance floor. The idea of hiring a wedding planner seemed crazy.
I'd always thought of a wedding planner as a tool for the wealthy bridezilla. It wasn't until after a week or so of scouring wedding forums that I had a change of heart. One thing that everyone on the internet seemed to agree on was that not only were wedding planners an invaluable part of the wedding experience, but they were also more affordable than I'd anticipated.
So I went ahead and hired a wedding planner for our wedding, and it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Here's why you should consider it, too.
What our wedding planner handled
There are multiple tiers to wedding planning, from full-on planning to day-of logistics. We only hired a day-of planner, and our package included the following:
- Three one-hour planning meetings
- Six hours of services the day before
- 16 hours the day of
- Two planners on-site for the rehearsal and wedding
Starting about 10 months before the wedding, our planners kept us on track with a list of goals to meet each month. We knew when we needed to send out save the dates cards, finalize vendor contracts, and book honeymoon flights. They took care of everything, ranging from the important issues to the smallest of details.
As the big day grew closer, my partner and I realized that we had a potential problem: Our beloved beagle would be stuck at the kennel during the hours of our pre-ceremony photos. It was really important to us to have her present for our wedding, but all of our friends and family were unable to pick her up, as they'd be at venue with us.
Our planners saved the day by arranging for a friend of theirs pick up our dog from the kennel and drop her off at the venue. Then, someone else came to pick her up after the photos were done. Every time I see a wedding picture of us with our sweet pup, I remember how amazing it was to have her there.
Our wedding rehearsal ran smoothly due to the careful planning and foresight of our wedding planners. They ran minor errands that relieved us of stress, such as picking up the flowers for our centerpieces and arranging them on the tables. They told us exactly where to stand and when to enter and exit during the ceremony. Our officiant couldn't make it to the rehearsal, so they filled him in before the wedding.
The planners also ensured that my wedding day was as stress-free as possible. On the day of the wedding, a few guests were locked out before the ceremony because our venue had a gate with a special access code. The planners went down there and relayed the code to those who were stuck outside. Without them, some guests would have missed the ceremony entirely.
Why I have no regrets about paying extra for a planner
No matter how organized you, your family, or your bridesmaids are, you'll never be able to stay on top of everything the way a wedding planner can. After all, they're professionals! I was amazed at all of the little tasks they assisted with, like helping my bridesmaids steam their dresses or packing up all the cards and gifts at the end of the night.
Though these details seem trivial, without our planners, the burden would have fallen on my mother or mother-in-law. Instead, everyone got to relax and enjoy the evening.
I was lucky. Our planners only cost $650, though I know they have since raised their rates significantly since our 2015 wedding. According to Angie's List, the average cost of a day-of planner is $1,500, and a full-service planner costs more than $5,000.
I regret certain aspects about our wedding, such as not having enough pie for our guests, but I've never regretted hiring a wedding planner.