So you just got engaged! How exciting! You are about to marry the man of your dreams, your prince charming, the love of your life! It’s going to be amazing. Who could be more prepared to plan the biggest, happiest day of your life than you? You have been planning this since you were a little girl..
But have you really? You probably have some magazine cutouts of dresses you like stuffed away somewhere, and maybe you know you want to have it outside, with only your closest friends and family. But can you afford those dresses that you love on pinterest? What does your mom have to say about your meager fifty person guest list? And Grandma Lil has always pictured you getting married in the chapel where she married Grandpa Jack! How can you live without that dress, and with the disapproval of your family?
And have you researched your states laws and regulations regarding marriage laws? Where are you taking your honeymoon? How are you going to pay for it? Who is going to marry you? When are you going to send your save the dates? How far in advance do you need to hire a dj?
We all love to think about the fun aspects of the wedding planning process, such as dress shopping with your closest gals and cake testing with your future hubby, but the reality of it is much, much less glamorous. More like screaming matches about the guest list, and break downs regarding chair covers.
Having a wedding planner on your side can help with all of these issues and many more. Wedding planners plan your budget, and should stick to it. They can find you deals you wouldn’t be able to attain otherwise- businesses are always eager to work with coordinators because it makes their job much easier, and they may get future business out of recommendations from them. They know the ins and outs of the industry, they know where to skimp, and where to embellish. So maybe you can’t afford that $15,000 Vera Wang gown, but your planner knows a talented seamstress and can get you a discount to boot!
And let’s be real about just how much work one wedding is. Have you seen the to do list on The Knots website? The mere size of it was enough to send me into the thralls of a mini panic attack and, I’m sure, to make many seriously consider elopement. Planners are amazing at “assigning” aspects to concentrate on at the moment, and then following thru and actually getting them done, making the process much less intimidating.
A planner is a Godsend for the organizationally challenged bride. Can’t seem to manage to hold onto your car keys? How are you going to keep track of hundreds of RSVP cards?
A planner can also be the scapegoat in many situations. Your mom isn’t crazy about not having an open bar? “Mom, the planner said she’s seen one too many drunk uncles ruin the brides big day. She thinks that will be much less likely to happen with a cash bar.” Mr. Fiance isn’t 100% sure about hiring a professional officiant as opposed to having his friend from work do it? The wedding planner’s experience can help to make these decisions and conversations go much more smoothly. I’m not saying to use your planner to get what you want in every situation, (but wait a minute- that is what you are paying them for- right?) but their professionalism and knowledge of the industry itself can help shed light for some who just don’t get why you want things a certain way.
And the main reason I think EVERY person should consider a wedding planner? One word- stress. The stress of planning a wedding is not to be tampered with, and should not be taken on by just one person (because let’s face it- how many grooms out there are super excited about the planning process?) Do you want to spend the entirety of your engagement stressing over all of the elements that pop up left and right? Do you want to spend an eternity researching venues, booking appointments, jotting down every nitty gritty detail along the way? Or would you like to actually be able to enjoy your fiance, and keep is so that he still actually able to enjoy you! A bridezilla is never becoming, ladies.
So, for everyone’s sake- especially yours, hire a planner, kick back, and watch as the living, breathing entity that is your wedding day comes to fruition effortlessly. And then maybe you’ll still be sane enough for you to enjoy your honeymoon!