is hireing a wedding planner worth it?

They can steer you towards the best deals at times but other times they just steer you towards the vendors they are in cahoots with whether it's a deal for you or not. And the ones who charge a percentage of the final budget will sometimes try to up your spending to get more commission. But having said that, I know that if my venue had not provided a day of coordinator as part of the package I would have hired at least that. No way could I have run around making sure each vendor had shown up and was doing what they were supposed to the day of the wedding. It depends on how much personal time you have to commit to this wedding planning. It's a LOT of research and leg work and having a professional to guide you can be invaluable. I had the kind of job that was flexible, then got laid off a month before the wedding which gave me all kinds of fre time! f that had been diff I would have hired one. Just be careful about which one you hire.

I would totally if you don't want to spend the money at least fork over the cash for someone to coordinate the day of the rehearsal and the day of the wedding. They can que peeps to walk down the aisle, call vendors if they show up late, and pickup the slack for things you may have forgot. I have done this before for anywhere from 200-400 depending on the size of the wedding. I have saved a bride's butt many times...one who didn't think about how to get the rented tables and chairs out of a venue location and almost lost a 500 deposit.

I have a wedding coordinator that comes with the hotel. For the day of I think its cool but you have more than enough time to do your research and plan the wedding.

It depends. If you have the extra $ I would. I mean I don't so I am not but if I did I would. Planning a wedding is a lot of stress I MEAN A LOT! You want to get all the help you can get and if you can afford it I would say go for it. Just make sure that you get a reliable individual. I have heard some weird stories about wedding planners that have been really really lazy and incompitant! All I can say is be careful!

If you are planning an out-of-state or particularly elborate wedding, I'd say planners are a good idea. If not, day-of coordinators are definitely worth it and a good alternative to a full-service planner. A lot of venues say that they do this for you and some are very good - but will they do all of the little extra things that make the day go smoother/easier for the bride and groom, and will they also be at the ceremony? I do so many things that I can't even put in black & white in a package because it varies so much by event from situation to situation.

Find someone you are comfortable with who is not just all about the money but has gotten good reviews and will work hard to make your day how you imagined it. Part of that is enjoying what you do and it should show in their work and the recommendations they have received. I like the Wedding Wire reviews as they take caution and seem to weed out any fake reviews.

We have a day-of coordinator that comes with the venue too BUT I don't know them and have no relation with them. I JUST JUST talked to our bestman's wife and she said she'd do it. I totally trust her - we painted our walls the same color and hung the same blinds without even talking or seeing each other (and their completely not normal colors/blinds). So I completely trust her taste and she's kind of bitchy and just got married last year so it's a great job for her. Know anyone like that? It's super hard work and done usually in heels so make sure it's not a lazy whiner.

Be careful with venue coordinators. They do a great job, however keep in mind they are just that...Venue coordinator. Their main focus is on the venue and what goes on in it and making sure things go properly according to the venues policy. On the other hand a non-venue wedding planner/coordinators' main concern is you and your guests. They will do everything in their power to make sure you and your guests are tended to. You are their first priority and they will be working FOR YOU to make sure your day runs smoothly and according to your plan. Any calls and anything that needs to be fetched or fixed they will handle.

Good Luck

HIRE LIBRAGURL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. CONGRATS

Good advice from all PP. Remember ... the site coordinator works for the venue and has their best interests in mind. An independent planner works with all, but her job is to please you. If you can afford a planner for any or all of your needs, please interview 2 or 3 and hire one!

Yes, and here's why.

My company can do anything required for an event at anywhere from a 10-30% discount. The bottom line always translates to a better event for less money because we always pass the savings onto the customer.

Just make sure you look at what you are getting for the money. For example, we charge a flat rate plus a percentage of the budget for the event. However, included in that is vip services prior to the event (hair stylist, makeup artist, masseuse, etc.), limousine to and from the event, videography, photography, and some other little surprises we throw in to make it special. All of these are offered at a significant discount than if you got them individually through vendors PLUS we do all the coordination and organization.

Its all about what you get.

A lot depends on what you are planning. My FI and I actually had the chance to get a DOC free, and turned it down. We've done all the planning to make our wedding totally "us," and didn't want a stranger coming in and potentially interfering with that.

As some of the planners have said, they can get you discounts on various services. But if you are otherwise planning on DIY, having friends help, or just not having those services, that discount is not going to save you anything. For example, we don't want a "limousine to and from the event" or masseuse, we're having professional photography for the ceremony only, and friends are doing our videos.

And the other question is what they are getting you a discount FROM. For example, in many instances it is cheaper to buy linens and resell them afterward than to rent them. However, I don't know of any wedding planners that would suggest that.

Yeah, I think I'm getting a pretty good idea. I'm going to be ignoring Hollywood Nights entirely, because I didn't say that vendor were allowed so they could come in here and tell me everything they can do, besides I don't want most of those things anyway. I don't where makeup, I don't need a masseuse (I can get my FH to crack my back if I need it), I rather drive away in my FH's 65 mustang than a limousine, and I although I like surprises, I don't think I want them on my wedding day. It doesn't sound worth it to hire a planner for the whole thing, but I think I may consider a coordinator for the actual day, because I rather be busy getting ready than worrying about if people are doing what they are supposed to, and I don't want to make my MOH's job too stressful. I have plenty of time to do this on my own, and I don't have a whole lot of money, that is probably better spent other places. Thank you everyone for your help.

HELLO !!!

I think that hiring a wedding planner depends on the size and complexity of the wedding. Large weddings, several vendors, demanding expectations probably need a wedding planner. But if you want a simple ceremony and reception you probably don't. Wedding planners can get you discounts but it's usually with selected vendors, who you might not want to work with anyway. I usually recommend that if you are going to use someone for the day of, that you bring them in about one month prior so that they can become familiar with you, and your vision for the day.

Good Luck !!!!

As a wedding vendor (speaking for my company only), we rely on planners to bring us continious business as they are the ones who will work closely with the bride. Therefore, we may offer discounts anywhere from 25% to 30% off on our invites where as on our website it’s only 20% for a limited time only. As for planners, their discounts vary (to stay within the bride’s budget) and will not expire. Hope this helps!

I have a day of planner to take care of everything on the wedding day so i dont have to do anything but it back and look beautiful lol jj anyway she created a package that included all her rentals, rehersal dinner and day of coordination and discounts through her vendors. I think she is totally worth the money.

I just gotta say I think you were unnecessarily harsh to Hollywood nights. They weren't trying to sell you their services since they are in Florida and you are in Delaware. They were giving you an idea of what planners can do for you, which I thought was what you asked. Let's not make this a vendors vs. brides thing. We're all on here to share ideas and help out!

Perhaps I was a little harsh, but you have to remember that the tone is completely lost in text, and the way I red it I felt as though they were just trying to flash things in my face because of the way they phrased some things, and I'm reading back now, and seeing I did read some things wrong because my eyes skip over things sometimes, and I'm sorry. I didn't realize they were from Florida until after I typed that comment. And btw, I didn't actually ask what vendors can do for me, I asked if the discounts that they can get for me are worth it if I am also going to be paying them. I don't have a lot of money and I'm trying to find the best way to save. Everyone has been very helpful, I've just decided that maybe hiring a planner isn't the best thing for me as far as my budget goes.

I think it's really as must for the day of. There is a lot that goes on with set-up, other vendors, etc... that you wont be available to deal with. I have a day of coordinator but am doing all the other planning myself.

Joy - Congratulations! I'm a So Cal Planner who happens to also be a mother of 5 girls. If you are considering a decision to hire a planner, you need to shop their sites, ask to see their preferred vendor list and then ask them straight out how much of a percentage they mark up the vendor pricing. Any that won't tell you aren't worth your time. Most of the time, the discount they're offering are just that -their markup. That being said - not every planning company swims in that particular bottom line $$ pond. A good planner will let you use whomever you want, and handle your day however you want - afterall, it's your day - if you really want one, there's a perfect planner out there for you. Best of luck to you with your wedding!

We are planning to hire a wedding planner the day of to coordinate everything for the reception site (probably meet with her a couple days prior to give her an idea of what we want). Our ceremony location (which is separate from our reception location) comes with a coordinator, which helps us a lot. We won't have to worry about set up and tear down and the day of I don't want to be having to worry about it at our reception, I just want to focus on me.