Reason n. # 1: Hiring a wedding planner is a good idea for brides who: “They can’t put in at least 12 hours a week to do the job themselves.”
Planning a wedding is a tedious thing (trust me, I know!), Especially when you work or go to school full time.
Brides who have access to a phone at work tend to do a lot of their planning arrangements during the workday, thinking that this concern about their wedding goes unnoticed. Well, with the exception of your boss, who may be clueless about your new bridal consulting ‘position’, it’s probably safe to say that your coworkers are certainly paying attention.
For the full-time employee (who happens to be a bride) who may not want or think she can’t afford her full service package, please let her know that she has the option of hiring you, the professional wedding planner, to research vendors. like finding the place or choosing a photographer.
Depending on your style and budget, it gives you a choice of three or four vendors in each category and then lets you make the final decision, saving you countless hours of planning time … on the job!
Reason # 2: Hiring a wedding planner is a good idea for brides who: “Plan to invite more than 100 guests to the wedding.”
Truth be told, working with a guest list of just over 100 guests is not unmanageable. But as the guest list grows (as it inevitably does), logistically, things start to get complicated.
The ever-changing seating arrangement is enough to send a sane person to the limit. Crafting a menu that satisfies the strict vegan tastes of the bride and the groom’s family’s love of meat and potatoes almost requires the skill of a magician. And then there is the budget. Each name added to the guest list increases the cost of the wedding. Tasks that are overwhelming for any wedding, but are emphasized by an ever-growing guest list.
You, the professional wedding planner, have the familiarity (and professional wedding planning software) to make managing things like seating charts a breeze. A last minute addition of 10 more guests to the list probably won’t upset the fabulous vendor you’re used to working with.
And your experience and knowledge means you know how to get the most out of your girlfriend’s money to make your budget stretch beyond belief!
Reason n. # 3: Hiring a wedding planner is a good idea for brides who: “Organize their wedding somewhere other than a full-service venue (for example, at home, a museum, or outdoors).”
There’s a reason hosting a wedding at a local full-service hotel or banquet hall is such a popular choice for many brides; It has been done before, so the wedding is likely to go ahead, as planned, without too much hassle.
The flip side is that, well, it’s been done before (yawn!), So the wedding risks looking like all the other events held there. Hosting a wedding in an unusual location like at home (my personal favorite), or at a local museum or barn is a fun and quirky option.
But these kinds of out-of-the-ordinary events come with a special set of problems of their own and shouldn’t really be planned without the help of a professional wedding consultant.
Depending on what is available at the venue, it will be necessary to bring various items: think chairs, tables, the dance floor, portable toilets … the list goes on! Then there are other considerations like ‘where will everyone park?’, ‘Do you need a special permit?’ ‘Where will the provider be installed?’
A professional planner is ready to address all of these concerns and more.
Reason # 4: Hiring a wedding planner is a good idea for brides who: “They are getting married in a distant place (that is, in a different place than where they live).”
Weddings away from home are exciting, fun … and complicated. Since many couples live and work far from their hometowns, and several others are planning destination weddings in exotic locations unknown to the bride or groom, they are likely unfamiliar with local venues and local wedding professionals.
If the destination is in another country, there is the added anguish of dealing with and understanding local wedding licensing laws.
Then enter you, the wedding planner.
By hiring you, a professional wedding planner, (whether you are at the wedding venue or just an expert located elsewhere who is familiar with the destination), you are technically doing some of the same things as you. . Always do it like a professional wedding planner – find the right wedding providers, manage the wedding budget, negotiate guest accommodation.
You also need to be familiar enough with the local specialties, places, and atmosphere and then creative enough to inject some of that culture into the festivities (that’s why they hired you, remember?).
The only thing left for your partner and your guests to do is show up!
Reason # 5: Hiring a wedding planner is a good idea for brides who: “Are planning a wedding in six months or less”
Having 12 months or more to plan a wedding gives the bride some flexibility in selecting her wedding providers. With less planning time, you lose the ability to negotiate with service providers and may end up paying more for services.
Availability is another short-term planning problem. After all, there are only so many weekends in a month, and the best providers usually book fairly quickly.
A wedding planner already has a short list of brilliant vendors and can quickly determine who is still available and can proceed from there.
Plus, the mere fact that you have a working relationship with such a large network of service providers means you can ask for a favor or two on your girlfriend’s behalf. (She will love you for it!)