Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life and you will want it to be everything that you ever dreamed of.
So, how can you reduce the stress of planning such a big event and ensure that everything is perfect?
Consider hiring a wedding planner.
Gone are the days when hiring a wedding coordinator or day planner was only something wealthy people did. Today there are so many wonderful options available to marrying couples to help ease the burden of event planning and save you time and money – not to mention reducing stress!
Your first thought is probably “What does a wedding planner cost?”
Well depending on how much assistance you require, you should be able to find a planner within your budget. Let’s take a look at the options available.
Full Service Wedding Planners:
You can choose to hire a wedding planner who will take care of every single facet of your wedding from the styling to hiring all of the wedding vendors and even making payments on your behalf. Of course, this type of service does not come cheap. Full service wedding coordinators may charge a flat fee or a percentage of the total wedding cost. Some even charge an hourly rate so be careful as this can really add up.
Having said that, anyone who has ever hired a wedding planner will tell you that they are worth every cent, especially if you are not very organised yourself or you simply don’t have the time or patience to plan such a big event.
Day Planners:
Wedding planners who offer this service usually get involved in the final month or so before your wedding. They are ideal for couples who are happy to make most of the arrangements themselves but need someone to make sure that everything comes together and runs smoothly on the wedding day. They will confirm and coordinate all of your wedding vendors and be present on the wedding day to take care of all of the little details, leaving you to relax and enjoy every moment of your wedding.
Hourly wedding Coordinators:
Paying a wedding coordinator an hourly rate can work if you want someone to plan a specific part of your wedding such as finding the perfect wedding dress or reception venue. They can also be ideal to bounce ideas off and give you creative input and invaluable advice often suggesting ways to achieve your goals without going over budget. If you are looking for someone to assist you with their expertise, paying a wedding coordinator by the hour can be money well spent and it’s easy for you to keep tabs on how much they are costing you.
Whatever type of planner you choose, you can rest assured that they will not only reduce the stress of your big day but their knowledge, expertise and contacts will be invaluable. Arranging a wedding is a complicated and time consuming process, so hiring a wedding planner will most definitely ease the burden of planning your wedding on your own.
Here are the top reasons to hire a wedding planner:
They Reduce Stress and Anxiety.
Wedding Planners assist in reducing the overwhelming anxiety, stress and pressure surrounding the planning of such a big and important event such as a wedding. They will ensure that you feel in control every step of the way during the planning process. They will deal with your wedding vendors and make all of the necessary arrangements. On the wedding day they will ensure that not only the Bride and Groom, but also the guests and wedding vendors are at ease whilst taking care of every detail so all that you have to do is relax and enjoy this wonderful occasion.
They Save You Time.
Wedding planners have not only a wealth of knowledge and experience but they also have the contacts to help make your day perfect. They have worked with numerous wedding vendors and they know who the best in the industry are. Their list of contacts is invaluable and they will save you countless hours of doing your own research trying to find professional, reputable, affordable service providers.
They Save You Money.
Experienced wedding planners have successful relationships with the best wedding vendors and will often receive discounts which you, as a one off customer will not be offered. They usually receive discounted rates and special discounts which they pass on to you, the customer. A good wedding planner will help you stay in your budget whilst using their expertise to give you the wedding of your dreams. So, whilst hiring a wedding planner initially may seem like a costly thing to do, the amount that you will save will be well worth the investment.
They are Experienced.
A good wedding planner will help you achieve your vision of your perfect wedding. They are familiar with the costs of all aspects of a wedding and they can give you the best possible wedding vendors at the best prices. They will suggest the most amazing ideas and experiences to heighten the quality of your wedding. They will orchestrate your wedding to ensure that every little detail goes according to plan and they will be able to foresee any glitch that may arise and deal with it so that you did not even notice.
Now you have decided to hire a wedding planner, here are some simple steps to keep you on track and ensure that you hire the right person.
Do Your Homework.
Check out prospective wedding planner’s websites for photos of recent weddings they have arranged to see what you like. Take note of the styling and find someone who reflects your vision. Check whether the elements of the wedding such as colours, lighting and décor look well styled and work well together. You may notice a theme which indicates that the wedding planner is experienced in this type of styling. If you notice that their weddings look extravagant and over the top and you are looking for a simple but elegant wedding, then that planner may not be for you. Make sure you check out what type of planning services they offer, look at the clients they have worked with and their testimonials and note if they are a member of an industry association.
Follow Up.
Now that you have several wedding planners that seem to suit your requirements, make enquiries though their website or give them a call to discuss the type of services they offer, availability for your wedding date and their price range or the cost of the average wedding they plan. If their answers fit with your vision and budget, make an appointment to meet them and discuss your wedding.
Be Prepared for Your First Meeting.
Make sure you bring lots of photos from magazines and your favourite Pinterest picks. Have a list of questions ready and feel free to take notes. You may find that once you get to the meeting all of those questions you had simply disappear. You want to get a sense of the quality of the weddings they have planned so ask them about the events they have done, look at their portfolios and ask for references. Voice your own vision and ideas and note the planner’s response. They should respond to your ideas professionally and enthusiastically. Take note of their personality. Do you think that this is someone who you can work well with over a long period of time? Ask the planner what they can bring to your wedding. A good planner will listen to your ideas and hone in on them to make your wedding truly unique.
Follow Through on their References.
Don’t feel pressure to hire the wedding planner on the spot. Call their references and ask them questions about the planner and their team. Questions to ask should include:
Was the wedding exactly what you wanted?
How closely did the planner interpret your ideas?
Did they offer suggestions?
Did they stick to your budget?
What exactly did the planner take care of?
How good were the wedding vendors?
Did they coordinate everything and everyone well?
Were they professional?
What did your guests think of the wedding planner?
Were there any glitches? If so, how did the wedding planner handle them.
Did they respond quickly to your calls and emails?
Did you feel that their expertise saved you time and money?
Ask if they would mind sending you some of their wedding photos as that will really give you a feel of the overall styling and coordination.
Book Your Planner.
Now that you have done all of your research, take time to compare planners. Their prices, their services, their personalities and their proposals.
Choose the planner that best suits you and who you feel you can work well with. Call them and advise that you would like to move forward with their services and receive a contract. Make sure you are aware of their terms and conditions and read the contract carefully. Once you have signed the contract and paid your deposit, you can start taking advantage of your planner’s expertise and plan your wedding.
So, there you have it. The top reasons to hire a wedding planner and how to find the perfect planner for you!
To plan your destination wedding in Australia, contact Australian Dream Weddings now.
