Why use a planner?

As a wedding planner, I often hear, “I don’t need a planner, my mom is helping me” or “We don’t need a planner.  We did everything already.”

 

Let me just tell you, a planner cringes when she/he hears those words!

 

Planning any event is an arduous task that takes months of work and you get one chance to showcase all of your efforts.  Most weddings average $28,000 and last about 8 hours on one magical day.  At a rate of $3500 per hour, does your mom or bridesmaid really have what it takes to pull off your day?  Not to mention, family and friends are there to share your day with you, not WORK!  I can’t tell you the countless stories I hear from brides and their friends after the fact that wish they would have had a day-of coordinator to tie all the loose ends and manage the last minute details.

 

Here is a short list of some frequently asked questions and reasons why you should be using a planner.

  • What do you do?
    • A wedding planner is hired to assist couples plan and manage their wedding.  Most planners offer anything from full-service planning to day-of coordination.  Full-service planners help you plan and organize your wedding from early on and oversee all of the details.  Day-of planners can assist with your wedding day, manage rehearsal, confirm with vendors, and tie up the loose ends.  Make sure you and your planner agree on all of the tasks involved.  Wedding day is NOT the day to realize your contract doesn’t include running last minute errands!
  • How much is this going to cost?
    • Planners range anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand depending on the scope of work.  Details, Details, Details' Day-Of package is $600 and includes many more items than some of our competitors.  Mid and Full-service planning is often a percentage (10-15%) of your overall budget as the amount of work generally increases with the number of guests and budget.  A professional wedding consultant is committed to providing the best possible wedding for the lowest possible cost.  The consultant's job is to keep you on budget.
  • Can you save me money?
    • YES!  Details, Details, Details!, Inc. works with some of the best vendors in the St. Louis area.  Our job is to match clients with vendors that suit their needs, style, and budget.  Because planners essentially buy in bulk from many of our vendors, we receive discounts.  While some planners retain this discount, we extend the discount to our clients.  We do not believe in getting paid twice especially since we are here to save you money.
  • Do you have references?
  • Why do I need a planner?
    • If you have never planned a wedding before, are limited on time, are unsure of how to save money, are unsure of how to manage multiple tasks and companies, can’t be in two places at once, or have lots of questions about what to do next, a planner is something you should consider.  Wedding planning is a specialized field, like dentistry, financial planning, or real estate and should not be left up to chance.  Would you let your bridesmaid give you a root canal if they were not a trained professional?!?!?

 

By the way – the term “wedding coordinator” is used to indicate many things.  Make sure you understand that the hotel coordinator or church planner is NOT a wedding planner.  Their job is to take care of their facility.  They do not make calls to vendors on your behalf and do not understand the flow of the entire day.  Try asking your hotel coordinator to call the florist to review the plans for the altar flowers!  On-site managers are a huge help to Day-Of and Full-Service planners but we work as a team and one does not necessarily replace the other.

 

In conclusion-even if you have all of your plans in perfect order and mom is willing to help, hire someone to “conduct the orchestra” on wedding day for a day that will run smoothly and be enjoyable for all of your friends and family.  A few hundred dollars spent on a planner is a wise investment on your $3500 per hour day!