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Planning for your big day can be a bit overwhelming, but you do not have to go at it alone. Especially in 2020 with all of the complications that COVID-19 has hurdled at couples a wedding planner on your team isn't a bad idea. Hiring an experienced wedding planner can have so many benefits.
Now, a wedding planner does not automatically mean that your wedding will be snafu-free - again, especially with COVID happening. There may be some hiccups along the way, however, with a few things kept in mind a wedding planner could reduce the chances of your wedding day speed bumps and keep a little rain on your parade from turning into a full blown hurricane. Here are some ways to make the most out of the wedding planner that will leave you as stress-free as possible on your big day.
Get To Know Your Planner
You want to know your planner like you know you would a personal trainer. You want to know what their strengths are before you book them. Find out their background. Ask about what they specialize in and why they chose to do wedding planning over other career options. Do they specialize in event planning or interior decorating? Do they have vendor contacts with years of experience? Once you really get to know their strengths and specialties it will help you better understand how they could help you that may not be obvious on paper or in their Instagram feeds. I am always happy to send my couples to planners I have worked with and enjoyed doing weddings with in the past (like Lucky Day Events Co. - who planned the destination wedding you see in these photos).
Ask For Some Level Of Customization
Your timeline and budget is not a one-size-fits-all situation. It is specific to you and your wedding - and a template online might seem helpful but then you're planning your wedding around that timeline instead of your timeline being designed with your wedding in mind. While I am always happy to help with timelines (and do, often) I love to delegate this task to someone who does it for a living. Make sure to ask your potential wedding planner to customize your timeline and explain your budget. Ask for a customized to-do list for your wedding, specifically and a budget for your whole day that is still able to fit in all of those things you consider priorities.
Trust Them To Do Their Job
Knowing vendors and having a vast network is crucial when it comes to booking the right people that will make your wedding a memorable moment for you and everyone involved. Rely on your wedding planner to make those recommendations, but don't feel obligated to go with any vendor you don't love. Your wedding planner can provide you with great insight into who to work with and who not to work with. They can also make your life much easier, handling the hiring of other key people in the wedding planning process. Trust that they know what they are doing but don't be afraid to voice your opinion - they want you to be 100% happy with every vendor they help you choose.
Let Their Creative Juices Flow
It is understandable that your wedding day and plans are just the way you want them. Though that may be the case, if your wedding planner has better ideas in mind that enhance your vision, be open to those. Remember, this is what they are paid to do. This is what they love. This is what they are experts in. Let them have at it. They may have the job to solely execute your vision, but they can come up with some excellent new ideas and help that vision flow together cohesively.
Do Not Be Afraid To Spend A Little Extra
Spending more money upfront for white-glove service can actually save you more money in the long run and give you a more peaceful wedding day. Since those wedding planners that cost a little more tend to be more exclusive in the weddings they chose to help plan, they typically do not have as many clients to divide their time between. That means they can spend more time dedicated to you and your wedding. They will know exactly how to make your wedding budget stretch because they will have the time to devote to making your wedding one of your best days ever. The experience they have also allows them to get the most for your budget because they have learned how to make every penny count - while a great deal is always the goal, when it comes to planners you really do get what you pay for.
If you're looking for a planner in the Asheville area I would be happy to send you a list of my favorites.
[Disclaimer - some content within this blog post was in part a collaboration with a blogging company who compensated me monetarily for including links and some content/ideas and some links included are for companies/clients they represent while others are local companies I felt were good examples of things the blog post content discussed.
All photographs provided are mine.]