But Do I Really NEED To Hire a Planner?
Over the years, as the wedding industry has indeed grown as a whole, weddings in an individual sense have also seemed to only get bigger and bigger.
Whether it’s the number of guests in attendance, the overall budget couples have to spend, or, the ever-increasing access to trends and unique inspiration through things like the internet and social media, there is so much more that goes into a wedding day than there used to be!
In terms of size, while yes, elopements do still happen all the time, in general, it has become very common in recent years for couples to either have a mid-size, or, somewhat larger wedding, with guest counts often ranging from about a hundred to three hundred people!
Even if it means a slightly longer engagement, many couples are willing to push back their date a little so they have more time to save up for the things (and people) they’re truly desiring to include in their day.
Looking at costs, there are certain aspects of a wedding day that many people don’t realize until they jump into the planning process. For example, you may visit your local grocery store’s flower section and see arrangements selling for 9 or 10 dollars a pop, but then, be shocked when you find out that the total cost of wedding florals is typically in the thousands.
This isn’t without reason, of course, as it takes a lot of time and effort to source and put together such beautiful bouquets, archways, etc., but it’s just one of the contributing factors to the need for larger budgets, and again, why some couples find themselves taking the extra time to save.
And then, there’s social media, which has influenced and affected this world in many ways. Whether you’re an avid scroller or the occasional browser, it’s easy to hop on one of those apps and fall down a deep dark rabbit hole of content and new ideas.
Not only that, but when you’re standing at the start line of your planning journey, being bombarded with inspiration from others’ weddings can open your eyes to things you probably would have never even thought to consider for your own!
With the vast amount of trends sprouting up all over the place and re-imaginative design, the notion of a “cookie-cutter” wedding is beginning to become a much more foreign concept.
Now, you may be wondering why we just talked so much about growth in the wedding industry when this blog is supposed to be centered around whether or not you need to hire a wedding planner. Let us explain…
Given all that a wedding entails these days, it would make sense to assume that just about all couples looking to host an event like this - especially mid-to-large size weddings (with all the normal vendors incorporated - catering, florist, DJ/band, etc.), would want to hire a planner to assist them in their efforts and provide a helping hand. However, there are still many couples out there that choose not to.
There are many possible reasons for this - sometimes it’s budget-related, sometimes it depends on your desired wedding location, and sometimes, it’s just because couples think that they can do it themselves, or, have a friend/family member do it.
Now, really fast, whether you’ve been engaged for five months or your partner hasn’t even popped the question yet, the intention of this post is NOT to try and shame or guilt someone into hiring a wedding planner! We know that everyone out there has a specific vision for their special day, and that is absolutely okay!
Members of the Fancy Fox Events team who have not only worked on the planning side of things but have also worked at wedding venues, have seen firsthand how differently a wedding day can pan out if there’s no one behind the scenes helping things to run smoothly throughout the day.
We’ve also seen how the latter of the three reasons for not hiring a planner (mentioned above) - the DIY/friend/family member option - can sometimes prove to be difficult and stressful in more ways than one.
So, with that being said, our hope, for the person out there reading this who is financially able to hire a planner but is maybe still on the fence about it, or, is considering asking their neighbor, aunt, or one of their bridesmaids to take on that role for them, is that their eyes will be opened to the many benefits that can come from hiring a professional in the industry.
Hiring a wedding planner is an expense you will most likely NOT regret once your wedding is all said and done with and you and your new spouse are off enjoying your honeymoon, for many reasons!
Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of the things a professional planner usually helps with, and rather than going into a ton of detail for each, we’ve broken it up into two sections - things often done during the process of planning, and things done more on the day of the wedding.
During the Planning Process
Meets with the couple to determine their vision and overall goals for the big day.
Helps the couple find vendors appropriate for their vision and projected budget.
Works on crafting the couple’s timeline, floorplans, guest overview, and more.
Acts as a soundboard for questions/concerns from the couple in the months leading up to the wedding and serves as a point of contact for vendors during this time as well.
On Wedding Day
Sets up decor in ceremony/cocktail/reception spaces and strikes (tears down) at the end of the night.
Can assist with wedding party attire (putting on boutonnieres/corsages, bustling dress) if no one else has done it or needs help.
Serves as a point of contact for vendors and guests throughout the day if anyone needs anything.
Follows a timeline to make sure everything is flowing smoothly and as scheduled.
Leads the processional down the aisle, gets everyone ready for formal introductions into the reception, and leads the sendoff if there is one.
Can help photographers with photos, specifically family/large group photos if needed.
Assists the catering team to ensure dinner service flows efficiently.
Serves as the couple’s right hand and number one cheerleader during the entirety of the event. :)
As stated before, the things above are merely some of the things you’ll often find a wedding planner helping with, but there could be so many other things added to that list! Every wedding and every couple is so different, so the things a planner lends a hand in/does can definitely vary!
No matter what your vision is for your wedding day, one of the main perks to hiring a professional instead of having someone close to you fill that position, is that they will get to fully enjoy the day as a guest right alongside you, and not have to be concerned about all the little things - that’s a planner’s job!
Ultimately, while we hope this shed some light on why a planner is so useful these days with the ever-expanding industry and all the tasks to be completed both before and during a wedding, it’s completely up to you and your partner and what you think will work the best for the two of you :)
