Are wedding planners necessary?

If you have time to plan your wedding and actually want to do it then you don't need a planner. A day of person is all you would need. That's what I'm doing

@Kayla, I'm a teacher so summers are free for planning (score!!!) I'm glad to know there are others who will forego the planner. I've always wanted to plan a wedding, whether it be my own or someone else's, lol.

Nope, I didn't have one. My venue came with a coordinator but we had no planner. I enjoyed planning myself and it was fine. I think it's an unnecessary expense unless you really don't want to do it yourself.

Awesome! I'm definitely a checklist kinda gal, so I'll be adhering to that and adjusting it for my timeline. I can have an unlimited number of meetings with my coordinator and venue, so I will probably start setting those up a year out, 6 months out, and then frequently until the big day. I've gotten so much advice from WW already, I'm fairly confident without a pro planner. Thanks, y'all!

I have been having so much fun planning my wedding and doing all my diy projects!

I have been having so much fun planning my wedding and doing all my diy projects!

Sara J, it sounds like you have everything under control. Please keep in mind coordinators employed by venues work for the venue. As professional as they may be these folks can sometimes job-hop and may not be the boots on the ground come wedding day. I always recommend contracting your own DOC who works for you. But again, it sounds like you've got a good handle on things. Best wishes!

As long as you have someone at your venue to be there to accept deliveries from the florist, etc. you are fine. My mom has worked as a chef in banquet halls and as a wedding decorator on the side for years, so we pretty much have it down to a science. Ask your vendors for recommendations of other vendors that they work with. Generally they will know who to trust in the industry.

Hi Sara, I am somewhat similar. I don't have a wedding planner and everything has been going pretty smoothly thus far. Since you have the time, create checklists, utilize the one on the app, and use spreadsheets. I also do project management professionally, so I haven't had any issues with organizing things. Time, patience, and organizational skills are all that's needed.

I loved the planning process, but we did have a DOC which made the day go so smoothly. While a planner is not necessary, I would recommend a DOC for sure. That way, you will be able to enjoy your wedding without being bothered by things like making sure decor gets set up, making sure vendors stay on track, etc.

A planner isn't necessary, but like PP said, a DOC is very important. If you don't hire a pro, at least have a good friend help with a few things such as keeping track of rings and license, vendor payments etc

I don't have a planner and feel like I've been doing pretty well just following wedding checklists (along with my own), and I have actually really enjoyed the planning process! We did just hire a DOC and I am SO GLAD that we did. Our venue also comes with a "Day-of Bridal Captain" but make sure you ask them EXACTLY what that includes. When I asked about ours, it didn't include all the things we needed to be handled the day of, so it was necessary for us to hire a DOC.

Thanks everyone! @Diana, I definitely plan to ask what the coordinator does. If they don't perform all of the necessary tasks, then I will hire a pro DOC. @BayBride, I LOVE my spreadsheets. My mom and FH think I'm nuts, but I believe organization is key, lol.

I love planning parties so I will be Planning my own. However I definitely want a DOC

I've had no planner and am not having a coordinator and have loved every minute of planning. We've have no issues!

I hired a planner. I seriously couldn't have done it without her. Her connections with other vendors was amazing and it helped us put together the best team possible for our wedding day. She also presented each vendor proposal in an apples to apples format which helped us see the pros and cons of each offer. Even if you are super organized I still think their services are worth it.

I have a similar personality and love to plan events, vacations, etc. and definitely didn't need a planner. Just stay organized! The day of coordinator was worth her weight in gold though, so you'll be glad you have one through your venue.