1. Wedding Planning is Their Full Time Job
Planning a wedding can take anywhere between 250 to 300 hours or even more depending on the complexity and logistics of the big day. This may not seem like a long time considering you likely have a year to plan, but how do you keep up with planning when you have to keep up with work and social commitments? You likely have a very busy schedule and it could get difficult to schedule in meetings to discuss the types of flowers you’d like at the altar or the location options for your wedding day photos. A wedding planner will take these responsibilities off your plate, all while ensuring they get your approval on big decisions.
Given the current climate we’re in with the pandemic, government restrictions are changing everyday which could also impact the amount of time you actually have to plan your wedding. There have been situations this year where couples have had to replan their big day in a matter of weeks to adhere to guest count restrictions. You may think it’s as easy to simply uninvite guests (which actually isn’t easy at all) to meet the maximum guest capacity, but this impacts your floral and rental order, the floor plan, a potential change in venue and much more. Not to mention, you now need to ensure you are providing a safe environment for all of your guests which is likely to include masks, hand sanitizer, temperature checks, assigned seating by social bubbles and social distancing. Keeping up with planning, yet alone with government updates during a pandemic, can take up a lot of time that you unfortunately may not have. It’s definitely wise to hire a planner as their full time job is to help you.
2. They’ll Help You Budget & Schedule
Wedding planners know the ins and outs of the industry and this includes the costs that come with the big day. Many couples may have strict budgets they must follow and knowing how to spend that budget may likely be a new concept to them. From divvying up the budget by vendor category, knowing vendors that meet the budget and vision, prioritizing the right vendors and tracking spending are just a few things planners take great pride in when managing the budget. Because wedding planners have strong relationships with many vendors in the industry, they will not only save you research time, but also money as they could negotiate deals that you would not be privy to otherwise. Wedding planners will also ensure they keep you on track, check off to-do list items in a timely manner and create a wedding day schedule that is realistic, but one that also suits your needs.
3. It’s Like Renting a Friend Who Will Always Have Your Back
Wedding planners are not just planners. They become your adviser, therapist, designer, bookkeeper, scheduler, stylist, friend and overall, your confidant. A wedding doesn’t only involve two people, but the unity of two families as well. And so, it can be expected that there will be several opinions thrown your way. One of the greatest benefits of having a wedding planner by your side is that they’ll help you manage those opinions and help make decisions that are in the best interest for you and your fiancé. At the end of the day, if you need a shoulder to cry on, your wedding planner will always be there for you – especially during the emotional stresses that come with planning a wedding during a pandemic.
4. Unlike You, They’ve Planned More Than One Wedding
A seasoned wedding planner will have planned several weddings in the past which means they likely know almost everything there is when it comes to planning a wedding. From recommending the right vendors that fit your budget and vision, asking the right questions before signing contracts, knowing the right amount of time to allocate for getting ready, adding in buffer times within the timeline where delays will be inevitable, suggesting the perfect time for speeches, managing any fires on the day-of to so much more, planners will help you avoid any mistakes you may not know you’re making. Planners also have great knowledge of when to book in vendors throughout the planning journey so that you can secure vendors you love, but also secure vendors in a logistical way – you wouldn’t book your florist without booking your venue first, would you? And now more than ever, you can rely on your planner to educate you on how to plan a safe wedding for your guests. The pandemic has not stopped planners from curating beautiful weddings while still following all health and safety protocols.
5. They’ll Expose You to New Design Ideas
Every year, 40 million people are pinning on Pinterest. That’s a lot of the same inspiration, isn’t it? When hiring a full service wedding planner, they really take the time to get to know you and your love story to help personalize your big day. Personalization is how you can make your wedding unique from others. At the end of it all, it’s a wedding planner’s job to research trends and inspiration from all over the world and when they do, they bring forth brilliant ideas for your ceremony and reception. Some wedding planners also offer design packages where they will help you curate a beautiful, unique wedding.
6. Your Vendors Have a Single Point of Contact
One benefit that can often be overlooked is that wedding planners are there to make sure your vendors are able to do their best work too. What happens if your vendors can’t get a hold of you or need to schedule design meetings that you can’t make? In these instances, you can always rely on your wedding planner as they are the single point of contact for every single one of your vendors. Because the wedding planning journey spans a year or more, vendors may forget details such as the style of charger plate you wanted, the flower pedestal you changed to or the signature drinks you chose. By having a wedding planner by your side, your vendors can rely on that one person to answer questions and keep the planning going. Communication is key when it comes to planning any event and because wedding planners are extremely detailed-oriented, they’ll ensure nothing is missed. You can also rely on your planner to constantly communicate with your vendors if you ever find yourself having to downsize or postpone your wedding during a pandemic.
7. You’ll Actually Enjoy Your Wedding Day
A wedding planner will be your saviour throughout all of the planning and you can trust them to be your saviour on the big day as well. From being on-site hours in advance to manage setup details with your venue and vendors, coordinating logistics, putting out any fires that may arise, ensure that everything runs on time and answering any questions your vendors and guests may have throughout the day are only a few responsibilities planners take on – the list really does go on! Your planner will be the first person on scene to tackle any issues on the day and you can rest at ease and enjoy your special day with loved ones knowing you have someone who will take care of everything. Trust us when we say wedding planners are some serious stress relievers.
