Who will be your special day planner? Do you really need a wedding coordinator or can you save money by not hiring one?
A special day planner is the one person responsible for planning, budging, organizing, coordinating, and monitoring every aspect of the special day and associated events. It is quite common for a professional special day advisor to manage bridal showers, pre-special day parties, rehearsal, ceremony, reception, and even assisting with honeymoon plans.
Hiring a professional special day coordinator is quite popular today. While it may not be essential and it can be expensive; someone must assume the responsibilities of a special day planner over every aspect of the events. This is vital to insure the success of your wedding.
Many couples will attempt to manage these details themselves, but the larger the events become, the more critical it becomes to have a capable person manage these details for the bride and groom. Sometimes, you have a Maid of Honor, friend, or relative who especially adept at organizing things. Frequently, couples will divide up the responsibilities and spread the duties. Still, someone must coordinate all of these details.
Small special days may not require the services of a professional special day planner. I have performed many events without the assistance of a wedding advisor. The minister and event party can manage many details in a simple special day. As a wedding gets larger with added parties and associated activities the need for special day planner increases.
If you are planning a medium to large wedding, you really need a professional wedding advisor. In any case, it is worth remembering that a special day planner does your bidding. Their job is to make sure you desires are fulfilled. You may enlist the coordinator to do only a limited set of duties, or you may have them take on supervision of all event.
When you begin interviewing potential event planners, you should ask the candidates for advisor what services they provide. Often the coordinator will have a group of subcontractors or associates who specialize in certain services. For example, a planner may delegate the catering to one person; and delegate flowers and decorating to someone else. A capable wedding planner has access to the key resources you will need and as a couple, it is smart to take advantage of these connections.
Guidance and advice from your wedding planner can be among their most important contributions. You should ask lots of questions, and expect your special day coordinator to ask many questions to help sort through the many choices. It is important to work with your special day advisor.
One of the first questions a good advisor will ask you is how much money do you have to spend. Establishing a working budget is vital. Your planner can anticipate expenses you might well over look. If they know you have X dollars to spend, they can scale different parts of the event to reach a balanced budget. For example, if you have a $10,000 budget, the advisor can help you budge adequate funds for flowers, decorations, wedding dress, catering, and all those little details that slip in unexpectedly unless you have a capable coordinator controlling expenditures. If one item increases in cost, another can be adjusted to maintain a balanced budget.
How do you pay your special day planner? How much? There are two typical ways for event advisors to charge for their services. They may charge a percentage of the special day budget or they may charge a flat fee for services rendered. Be sure to work out compensation and service agreement prior to beginning your event planning.
Imagine being able to relax and truly enjoy your event. Imagine having the stresses, aggravations, and disappointments alleviated. This is what a good wedding planner does for you. How important does that make your special day planner?
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