Do you have a wedding planner - The PASH Wedding Forums and Message Boards

AngelRoseFyre · #1 09-03-2006, 07:09 PM

I am maybe possibly considering a wedding planner, but I think i have been doing a pretty good job finding good deals, and making everything come together on my own (and with ALOT of help from my mom). My mom doesn't think we need one, and I am not sure we do either, but I don't want to mess anything up. I also don't want to hire someone, and fork out extra money if we don't need to. Do you guys have wedding planners, and whats are the pros and cons of having one?

breezy · #2 09-03-2006, 07:26 PM

I didn't use one, and didn't want one. I don't miss that we didn't.

Like you my Mom was an invaluable help to me!!! I was lucky that my best friend does day of coordination. That is something I thought about and would have possibly done.

I was lucky that I was able to let everything go the day of. Little details I had planned didn't get done. It was all ok, everything was still perfect. If you don't think you'll be happy if everything is 'exactly' how you planned, I would go with a day of coordinator at the least

I was also lucky that all my friends and family pitched in and helped. One of my girlfriends, my Mom, my middle brother, Dad and Grandfather did the bulk of stuff on Friday. (started early) Sat. Mom, Girlfriend, all 3 of my brothers and 2 of their girlfriends all pitched in to finalize the reception room. Sunday my best guy friend, his wife, my parents and my FIL all helped pack up the stuff at the reception site. We had paid others to clean... so we just had to put it all back in place, vacuum, take all the trash off site, and load up the cars with all the boxes of decorations.

Crystal and Tommy · #3 09-03-2006, 07:43 PM

How would I find a "Day of Coordinator"?

breezy · #4 09-03-2006, 08:06 PM

Most wedding planners do day of only too. Check your yellowpages.

Heather · #5 09-03-2006, 08:13 PM

Didn't have one, didn't want one and glad I didn't hire one. Our ceremony/reception location had a day-of coordinator that attended the rehearsal and helped with everything the next day.

I think unless you're having a destination wedding or getting married somewhere other than where you live, I wouldn't spend the money.

We have friends in NYC that got married in Seattle - they needed one. If you don't want to hire someone, check with the ceremony and reception locations to see if they already have someone that will be there for you. If not, enlist a good friend to help out. I gave a schedule outline to my Mom, my MOH and to the DJ to be sure things ran as they should.

deputysgurl · #6 09-03-2006, 11:55 PM

I didn't have one and I am so glad I didn't. I had a friend who ran all my arrands the day of and was the one to make sure everything ran smoothly.

whiddle · #7 09-05-2006, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heather

Didn't have one, didn't want one and glad I didn't hire one. Our ceremony/reception location had a day-of coordinator that attended the rehearsal and helped with everything the next day.

Ditto.

Complicated Woman · #8 09-05-2006, 10:10 PM

No wedding planner, but I do have a day-of coordinator that is a friend who works as a professional events planner. She is fantastic.

555Ann555 · #9 09-05-2006, 10:33 PM

We hired a Master of Ceremonies. I don't know if you have them over there

This is ours:
http://www.toptabletoastmaster.co.uk

He did a fabulous job, but I had experience of him working at my SIL's wedding so I saught out his services. It was one of the things I was very set on having becuase I didn't want any of the hassle of things running off schedule.

I've been to a few weddings that were pretty chaotic (guests given no information on when to go where/who was needed for photos etc) and I knew I wouldn't be ble to handle that sort of disorder at all. I'm a self confessed control freak, but although I wanted to plan everything myself, right down to the tiny details, I still wanted to sit back that day & not have to worry about organising anything.

We were lucky that our Chapel has a verger who takes care of the little things there (like making sure the programs are on the seats for the B&G, or that the BP knows the processional order & timings) so we only needed to hire Douglas for the ceremony, but I have to say that I'd recommend him 100% to anyone who (happens to be in Scotland

) and wants their day to run smoothly!

But I don't think I'd hand the "creative control" over to anyone, I don't think I'd like to have had someone else make decisions for me

But it would have been nice to have had a co-ordinatinator for the last week (to tie up all the loose ends).

ladedah · #10 09-05-2006, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heather

Didn't have one, didn't want one and glad I didn't hire one. Our ceremony/reception location had a day-of coordinator that attended the rehearsal and helped with everything the next day.

Ditto, here too

Yelycrazygirl · #11 09-06-2006, 03:41 PM

I don’t have one, and don’t think I’m going to hire anybody. Even though my wedding will be in Puerto Rico, I guess that you can consider that a “destination wedding” I’m not going to hire anybody because my mom, sisters and friends are willing to help with everything.

Daementia · #12 09-12-2006, 09:26 AM

Nope, i dont think that ill look for one....same for me my family and friends will help !

Simply Sophisticated · #13 09-30-2006, 04:43 PM

I just wanted to outline a few pro's for brides who are skeptical on hiring a consultant.

1. Although you may think a planner will step on your toes and control your day, that's completely untrue. If you ever meet with a planner who tries to do that, get out immediately! A planner is there to keep the logistical part of your day flowing. They are there to refer vendors, not choose them. Typically they will provide you with a few vendors in each category (photo, video, catering, etc) that ALREADY are in your budget range and meet your style. Therefore, although it's easy to find 50 different photographers in your area, is it worth your time to call each one of them to see what they charge and if they fit the style you like? You meet with the vendors (you can bring the consultant if you like to ask questions) and YOU choose. And, typically your planner will be able to provide you with discounts at these vendors because they work with them regularly. Discounts range from 10% off, to free services, extra pictures, etc.

2. Your planner may think of things you haven't. Typically brides forget about the little details like card boxes, ordering food for your vendors and so forth. In addition they may have worked with a vendor or location that you have chosen, so they are already experienced in the many different ways to set up the venue, or that your caterer tends to overcharge for alcohol, so it's actually cheaper to purchase it on your own. And, in my experience, brides tend to not know where to stand ethically. For example, one bride wanted to put registry cards in her invitation and put "adults only" on the invitation. Both are BIG NO NO's.

3. And although your reception site may have a consultant on hand, they are responsible for their site only. So, if your baker doesn't show up with your cake, they are NOT responsible for contacting your baker to see where they are. But if you had a consultant, they manage EACH vendor to ensure your layout is right (many times they are not set up the way they should be), your cake arrives in one piece and if not, they find a solution, your DJ is there and set up timely, your photographer is taking the shots you requested, and so much more.

4. Consultants have a variety of packages you can choose from starting with an hourly charge all the way to full service planning. If you want to do all the planning yourself you can bring in a consultant to do rehearsal and day of services or just have them set up the reception site, get you down the aisle and leave. No matter the budget, every bride deserves a planner to be at their side and take care of what YOU need. From the stain on your dress to the wilting flowers and fueding family.

5. And although you might be able to get free service from you aunt, is it going to be worth it? Would you have your uncle who knows nothing about photography, other than how to take a picture, be your photographer? Probably not. So why would you have someone with no experience or certification, be in charge of the most important day in your life? I once spoke with a bride and her mother who were not wanting a planner b/c the mom was going to set everything up at the reception. I then asked the mom who was going to be with her daughter as she was getting her hair done and putting on her dress and putting on the veil. She sat back and really thought about it. She was going to miss an important moment in the day. She booked us right then. Another bride was going to have her aunt set up her reception, but the aunt would miss the ceremony because there was no time in between. Know one wants that.

Those are just a few of the benefits a consultant/planner can bring to your day. If you have any questions or need specific advice on a situation I'd be more than happy to assist (no charge- most planners charge by the hour). Just drop me an email at weddingplanner_orlando@yahoo.com. Even if you don't live in Orlando that's still drop me an email. Advice runs the same all over!

Julz518 · #14 10-01-2006, 11:41 PM

I don't plan on having a "planner" per se, but I'm hoping to find someone to do the "day of" coordination for me. I'm hoping one of my sister's friends, who I would ideally like to invite to the wedding, but can't, will do it for us. We will of course offer to pay her, but not the $700 a "professional" makes! I just remember my mom running around like crazy after my sister's wedding trying to clean everything up. She was SO stressed out and her whole family was kind of waiting to spend time with her and didn't get to - I want her to be able to just relax and hang out with them this time.

I think if you already have a lot of the details worked out for yourself, then you should forgo the planner. I don't particularly think their job is to find good deals, but more to work with you within your budget - and you might end up compromising what you want when there actually is something affordable out there.

MarthaA562 · #15 10-02-2006, 12:06 AM

The only time that I think that I would like to have one is during the reception, to maintain the flow. Otherwise, I really enjoy doing the research myself. Although I have a decent engagement time-1year3months. If I only had a few months before the date, I would definitely have one, especially if I have to work full time as well. Also, I really don't want to pay for one... I believe that I am creative enough and don't want someone else telling me how I should do my wedding.

Emily · #16 10-02-2006, 02:58 PM

I responded yes - although this is not entirely true, we have someone taking care of all the marquee, food, bar, reception stuff where we are organising the rest or the wedding ourselves - so I suppose we have half of a wedding planner!

I am glad we have that because with me being half way across the world its pretty hard to remember everything, so if we have someone organising the Reception side of things then it frees up time and effort for us to think of other aspects of the wedding!

syringa · #17 10-03-2006, 05:32 AM

Simply Sophisticated makes several good points about the benefits of having at least a day of coordinator. There are a couple more that come to mind. One is allowing the mother of the bride to be the mother that day - to enjoy her guests and to experience every part of the day. Many moms think that they can experience it best by rushing around and taking care of details, but they will miss so much that in hind sight they will regret their decision to try to do everything.

A coordinator can be invaluable when there are mothers and step-mothers and other family members, such as aunts, that may be overbearing and who each tries to insist on her own way. The coordinator can sit down with the bride and find out what she wants and then act as the buffer between her and others, allowing the bride to be "heard" on her day.