Monday, December 31, 2007

Is A Wedding Planner For You?




For most couples, their wedding day will be the most expensive day of their life and you might need some guidance when spending this much money. You consult an expert for advice when it comes to buying a home or paying for a vacation, why not the most important day of your life?
The average bride spends 250 hours organizing her wedding - that's equal to 6 full-time working weeks!
Saving you valuable time isn't the only benefit of using a wedding planner. Wedding planners are NOT only for those couples with enormous budgets. Most couples are on a restricted budget and want to do things right. A wedding planner will help you set a realistic wedding budget, based on how much you have to spend. In most cases, a wedding planner will save you money.
The prospect of planning your big day can be the most stressful part of a wedding. There may be aspects of your wedding day that you've been dreaming about for a long time, but have no idea where to begin. This is where a weddingplanner can become your best planning partner.
Not having the time to plan all the minute details is only one reason to consider hiring a wedding planner. They have a wealth of knowledge about wedding etiquette, handling last minute emergencies and negotiating contracts. They have worked closely with professional suppliers and will recommend the best people for your special day. They can come up with creative solutions to problems you may have not have even anticipated.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Do I have unlimited time to plan my wedding day?
Am I able to visit suppliers during the daytime when their offices are open?
Am I comfortable negotiating contracts with caterers, photographers, car hires, florists, stationers, cake makers, etc.?
Am I prepared to deal with disagreements about the details?
Can I deal with last minute problems that may come up the day of the wedding?

Hiring a wedding planner might seem like an extravagant extra, but it could be the best investment you make. Most charge a flat fee, rather than accepting commissions from the vendors. This ensures that your wedding planner is working for YOU and not the suppliers. The best thing about charging this way is that you'll know from the start exactly what your wedding planner will cost.
Wedding planners can cost as little as $900 depending on the size of your wedding and your specific requirements of course. Wedding planners can often save you as much as this if not more by negotiating discounts with suppliers.
Wedding planners could actually save you money.
Generally the most time consuming aspect of organizing a wedding and the most crucial is finding a venue that is right for you. Venue finding services cost as little as $70 and you only pay on success. So, why not try them?
At WeddingApproved.com we include a thorough list of wedding planners. Alternatively, contact wedding stores in your area and ask who they would recommend.
It's important that you feel comfortable and confident with the person you choose. Your wedding planner acts on your behalf and you should trust them to help you make the right decisions.
When you meet with a wedding planner to discuss your wedding day, there are some essential questions to ask yourself:
Will this person push me into decisions I don't want/can't afford, or will they commit to my budget?
DO they have a good rapport with the best suppliers (venues, caterers, photographers, etc.) in the area? Are they in a position to negotiate discounts on my behalf?
Will they be there the day of the wedding, overseeing the entire event from supervising suppliers to troubleshooting emergencies?
Does this co-coordinator seem excited about my special day, able to make educated decisions, calm under pressure?
Does this wedding planner have insurance, both Personal Liability and Professional Indemnity?

Your wedding planner is a creative partner and can offer advice and opinions, in addition to looking after all the practical arrangements. They will help you prioritize, plan ahead, consider risks and always be one step ahead.
For specific questions and help please contact us at daniel@wedding-in-heidelberg.com