Why You Should Hire a Wedding Planner

With the enthusiasm that surrounds being newly engaged and wedding planning in the horizon, it can sometimes be a stressful and intimidating time for the bride with most of them asking "Where do I start? or How do I begin?" As any newly engaged couple knows, planning a wedding can be a huge amount of work. There are countless decisions to make, and they're all the more daunting for brides and grooms who are inexperienced with putting together such a big event. One of the best steps a couple can take is to hire a wedding planner.

Wedding planners are no longer just for couples with larger budgets. They have become indispensable today to many brides and grooms, who find their services well worth the investment. A wedding planner can actually save you money by helping to avoid costly mistakes. You might consider hiring a planner soon after you get engaged if you have a demanding job that leaves little time for wedding planning or if you simply feel overwhelmed by the details involved.

Wedding planners will:

- help you with manage your budget and understand your budget constraints.

- negotiate with vendors on your behalf. We have a built a community or network of trusted vendors in different fields that we would recommend. 

- take the logistics so that you can enjoy the fun part of wedding planning. 

- become the go to person at the wedding so that you don't have to answer ever question or request that come your way.

- manage your timeline to make sure that everyone including your bridal party and vendor tea sticks to the schedule and that you enjoy every moment of it.  

- make sure that all of your guests are taken care of. 

- help bring your vision to life and make your day and unique and personal to you and your fiance. 

- allow you to have a life outside of wedding planning.

With all of that said, full wedding planning may still not be practical or even feasible for everyone. If a couple has already booked their major vendors and only decides to consider a planner mid-way through the process, most planners still offer partial or packages that can be tailored to fit your needs. Don't make your family members or friends who have been gracious to offer their help with your wedding planning miss out on a one of your most special days by having them work your wedding. 

 

Enjoy your day and hire a professional

This is a once in a lifetime event and having a professional on hand to help you execute this day is priceless and well worth your investment. 

Just Engaged? What's Next!

Engagement season is here and I don’t know about you, but my Instagram feed is overflowing with engagement announcements starting from Thanksgivng weekend. There is so much love and excitement that surrounds a newly engaged couple. 

When the excitement wears off, reality sets it and now you have to start planning your wedding - something that you have may not have any experience in planning so we figured we would help you with your next steps to jump start your wedding planning.  

Decide on a budget

Budget is imperative though it's not the funnest or most exciting part of the wedding planning but you really should not do anything before deciding on your budget. Figure out your finances, outside contributions, how much they can contribute and your total budget. 

Choose your date

Start by thinking what time of the year you like, consider the weather, work schedules/vacation time and holidays. Choose 2-3 potential dates that would work for you and rank them based on your preference. Consider that most venues still offer lower rates and packages on Friday and Sunday receptions due to their popularity. 

Start your guest list

Like the budget, your guest list is another task that might not seem as fun to get started on right after you get engaged but it's necessary since it will provide you an idea of your ideal guest count. Be realistic when you're creating your guests list since you're gonna want to add everyone but know that the more people you have, the more you have to spend. Guest counts typically decrease by the time the wedding day comes around but it is highly important to know how many people you're planning on having in order to make some decisions especially when it comes with your venue and catering. 

Decide on your wedding’s style

There are many different styles from modern, rustic, boho, vintage and classic. Do your research and find out what style you're most attracted to and what you envision your wedding day looking like. Know the general style of how you want your wedding to be. Knowing this will help you find your most perfect venue.  

Decide on your venue

Deciding on your budget, your ideal guest count, your possible wedding date and your general wedding style will help shape which type of venue you are looking for. Start your research and schedule some venue tours with your possible venues. Take advantage if the venue is offering an Open House event since this will be a wonderful opportunity for you to see the venue all "dressed up" and meet some of your potential wedding vendors. Be prepared when you do your venue tours with the appropriate questions that you need to ask the venue and potentially caterer. Once you have your venue booked and your date secured,

Celebrate with your fiance!  

You're off to a wonderful start to your wedding planning.