Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Don't Go It Alone: Hire a Wedding Planner!






The two largest purchases a person will probably make in their lifetime are a house and a car.  In many cases, paying for a wedding rounds out the top three (sometimes even coming in at number two!).  The average homebuyer will hire a real real estate agent to assist in the home buying process, while a person looking to buy a new car will seek the guidance of a car salesman.  Why not also hire a skilled professional when it comes to planning your wedding?  After all, this is the day most brides have dreamed of since they were little girls...and with so much money being spent on this special occasion, you wouldn't want to be so stressed from planning the wedding that you don't have time to enjoy it.  Forget about the myth floating around that wedding planners are only for the wealthy.  In this day and age, wedding planners are common and affordable to the everyday working-class professional.  Not convinced?  Well, here are just a few reasons why you shouldn't go it alone, and should consider hiring a wedding planner:

1. Peace of Mind - Planning a wedding can be a long and stressful process.  There are so many decisions to be made and so many little details to be considered.  With that being said, wouldn't you like to have peace of mind that everything has been taken care of, no stones are left unturned, and all you'll have to worry about is showing up, saying I do, and enjoying one of the most special days of your life?  A wedding planner can give you just that.  After all, your job is to be the bride, not the wedding planner!

2. Time - Did you know that the average wedding takes over 200 hours to plan?! Can you imagine researching vendors, scheduling appointments, doing follow-up phone calls, and keeping up with contracts all while handling you regular day-to-day obligations: work, school, family, etc?  When would you find time to sleep?!  An experienced wedding planner can save you countless hours by doing the legwork for you.  They know the best venues and the perfect vendors that can make your special day everything you imagined it to be.  Most likely, the planner has worked with the venue/vendor and can vouch for the quality of their service.  Can you imagine how much time you'll save by not having to run around all over town trying to narrow down your choices?!

3. Savings - If you've never planned a wedding before, chances are you're unfamiliar with the going rate of many of the products and services you'll need to obtain for your wedding.  A planner can help you avoid costly mistakes and shield you from the risk of being taken advantage of.  Not to mention, most planners are skilled in the art of negotiation and will go to bat for you to get the best rates on services.  Also, wedding planners often have access to deep discounts that are not always available to the general public.  If a planner provides continuous business to a vendor, it is not uncommon for the vendor to show their appreciation in the form of discounts that can be passed onto their clients.  In most cases, the wedding planner's fee more than pays for itself in terms of the amount of money you can save by hiring an experienced planner.

4. Problem Solving - Sure, you could ask a family member to be the go-to person on your big day, but think about it: your guests should be just that: guests! They are there to help celebrate your most joyous occasion.  Don't they deserve to sit back and enjoy the festivities?  Secondly, your wedding is one of the biggest investments you will make in your lifetime.  Would you want to run the risk of a serious problem arising that will put a damper on the entire day? An experienced planner will be able to think on their toes and solve problems without your knowledge that there is even a problem.  Knowledge and experience play a key role in solving last minute problems without panicking.  Also, a good planner will come equipped with a "Bridal Emergency Kit" in the event an unforeseen problem arises.

5. Guidance - There is a big misconception that hiring a wedding planner means you'll lose all control of your wedding.  That couldn't be further from the truth.  In fact, it is a wedding planner's job to advise you of the best options available to you, then carry out your wishes.  A good planner will be your go-to person for etiquette advice, wedding-related questions, and assistance with timelines.  In fact, wedding planners often wear several hats throughout the planning process, acting as your counselor, financial advisor, middleman, mediator, therapist...the list goes on and on!

No comments:

Post a Comment