When is the best time to hire a wedding planner? As early on in the planning process as possible.
Most brides will agree – help makes everything go more smoothly. Then why is it that most couples attempt to plan their entire wedding on their own only to discover a month before they are in desperate need of extra help?
Two types of wedding planning are available, and most professionals offer various packages of assistance. A wedding planner is a professional consultant that will work with you throughout the planning process to coordinate the logistics and details of your wedding and make sure it runs the way you envisioned.
Affordable Wedding Planner
For couples that are on a tighter budget or want the responsibility of planning their wedding, there is a happy medium between taking on the entire process and hiring a wedding planner. The day-of coordinator can help up to a month before the wedding to finalize details and make sure that the big day goes according to schedule.
Both wedding planners and wedding coordinators allow the mothers and bridesmaids to be guests, and for the bride and groom to relax and enjoy their wedding day. It also gives you the peace of mind to know that it will be a [mostly] stress-free day in which the only thing you need to worry about is one or two pieces of cake.
Day-of coordinators are recommended for couples trying to manage a DIY wedding. A coordinator will, at the very minimum, carry out small tasks, pay attention to details, and keep things organized and moving on the big day. Even budget weddings can greatly benefit from a day-of coordinator; most brides find that hiring one is well worth the peace of mind.
Wedding planners are highly recommended for busy professionals that don’t have the time to check wedding details five or six times until right. Otherwise, hiring a wedding planner might be the best decision you make is if you are having a destination wedding, a large wedding, or you have limited time to plan.
So How Much Does it Cost?
While wedding planners usually cost 10% - 20% of the wedding costs, it may make more sense to hire one if you are concerned about going over budget. These professionals can save you time and money by avoiding common planning mistakes and using their professional connections to get you deals and packages that would not be offered otherwise.
The bottom line is that outside help can save you time, money, and most importantly, the aggravation and stress of wedding planning.
