6 Common Myths About Wedding Planners
When you first begin the wedding planning process, there is a lot of information to digest between Pinterest boards, friends and family, cultural traditions, and everything in-between. It can all get overwhelming really fast without an experienced professional by your side. Hiring a planner is the easiest way to alleviate wedding anxiety and ensure that your day is beautiful and organized.
While this should be common knowledge, some people get caught up in misconceptions about wedding planners and our intentions. Maybe someone they know had a bad experience or they thought that wedding planners were only for big weddings and celebrities. Whatever it may be, I’m here to clear up confusion and educate couples on the value that an experienced wedding planner can bring.
Keep in mind that I am basing my knowledge on my own personal experience and relationships in the industry. I know a lot of other planners with a similar business model, but I cannot speak for everyone! It is important to do your research before hiring a planner or coordinator to ensure that your values and vision align.
Now, Let’s debunk 6 common myths about wedding plannerS
Myth 1: Wedding Planners Are Only For Large Weddings With Big Budgets
Most wedding planners offer packages that accommodate smaller weddings and budgets! This also includes micro-weddings and elopements. Aside from a few luxury-specific planners, you should be able to find a package that fits your needs AND doesn’t break the bank.
No matter the budget, I recommend having AT LEAST a 30-60 day coordinator to cover the major details and wedding day prep. As a professional planner, I truly believe that coordination should be a top priority at every wedding. Think of it as having a “captain of the ship” to prevent your day from going off course!
Myth 2: Wedding Planners Will Make You Go Over-Budget
More often than not, wedding planners save you time and money by setting realistic expectations. For example, a $30,000 budget just won’t cut it for a 150 person, extravagant wedding in Southern California. A good planner will help you set priorities and avoid costly mistakes by aligning your budget with your overall vision.
Your planner should never pressure you into spending more money or having an event you cannot afford!
Myth 3: Wedding Planners Are Unnecessary - Your Friends & Family Can Do It All
There is no substitute for a professional planner! Weddings are generally high-stress with a lot of logistics and last-minute details. Having someone with wedding experience and an outside perspective is vital to successfully planning and executing a wedding.
No family member will be able to manage vendors, juggle the thousands of miscellaneous tasks AND actively participate in wedding festivities. Hiring a planner will provide peace of mind and comfort in knowing that everything will be handled professionally. Every moment of your wedding day should be spent living in the moment, not worrying about vendors and decor.
Myth 4: Wedding Planners Will Get You A Lot of Discounts
Although it may seem like wedding planners have all the hookups, the reality is that industry discounts are far and few between. As wedding professionals, we value each other’s business and time. Being respectful of pricing is key to establishing long-lasting relationships with vendors. Occasionally we are able to score a discount for our clients, but that should not be the expectation.
Where our expertise really shines, however, is reviewing contracts. We read the fine print so you don’t have to. Not only is this extremely time-saving for you, but will prevent any surprise fees and help you get the most out of your money.
Myth 5: Wedding Planners Take Over the Wedding & Don’t Listen To Your Ideas
A great planner will never make you feel like your wedding isn’t yours. On the contrary, we serve as an experienced guide to help you make informed decisions, utilize resources, and provide ideas that you might not have considered.
Most couples have never planned a wedding before or even been to an event of this magnitude. A trusted planner will lay out all your options in a way that’s easy to digest. Wedding planning should be FUN, not full of unnecessary stress and anxiety.
Myth 6: You Only Need a Day-Of Coordinator
Planning a wedding takes months of preparation and fine-tuning. For someone to step in day-of and be expected to carry out an event of that measure and detail is simply unrealistic. Instead, try a 30-60 day coordinator. Even 1-2 months of advance support will be a huge relief and weight off your shoulders.
