That's a good question. Let's start at the beginning. You will need, venue, caterer, florist, invitations, photographer, videographer, oh!, and lets not forget entertainment. Take a deep breath because there's more than what was just mentioned above. There are too many details and too much stress associated with weddings. And why is it so stressful ? BECAUSE IT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT DAY OF YOUR LIFE! That is the number 1 reason why people are now choosing to work with wedding planners.
This is something you do once, but a planner has experience and a network of vendors with experience to help any wedding couple breeze through the wedding preparation without needing a prescription of xanax.
Without a planner you will first have to research each category to find the vender that will best suit your needs. That step is completely eliminated by having a planner. The vendor contacts that a planner can offer you has already passed the test of experience, reliability, and quality. A good planner will have the versatility of budget, style, and quality standards. That saves you time, and we all know time is money.
Another important issue is contracts. Contracts for bands, DJ's, photographers, etc. Wouldn't it be nice to have someone else take over that responsibility. And all those vendor phone calls. The fact is 90% of all couples work full time. I don't know of one boss that will allow people to make 10 - 15 personal phone calls daily to work with the wedding network team.
Special needs! Every couple wants to make their wedding a little bit different to make it their own. A planners expertise and talents also vary, so depending on what your special needs are will also help you make the correct decision in choosing your planner. Remember your planner will be the person you will be in contact with so personality and professionalism are a quality you should look for. Ask for references and always follow up on the references.
Wedding Planner Fees? Don't automatically write off the expense as something you can't afford. Fee structures vary with every planner that I know. I'm sure you can find one that will suit your budget and needs.
So congratulations on your engagement, now get on the web or phone and call a wedding planner today.
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About the Expert: Fran Koltun is the owner of Cordially Yours, a full service wedding coordinator and party planner dedicated to providing clients with exceptional service no matter how big or small the event.