Is it too late to hire a wedding planner???

Why not hire one for the day of? You will get a consultation with her/him before hand and he/she can tell you if you are forgetting anything. I think since you have so much done you don't need a "wedding planner" but a day-of coordinator. Their job will be to make sure the vendors are where they are supposed to be when they are supposed to be there and will make sure all your vendors get paid, and everything goes smoothly.

I'm sure it's not too late. A planner can help you get all the little details organized and out of the way. If nothing else-you could hire her as a day of coordinator to take care of all the details on the day of the wedding, like overseeing the venue being decorated, and having all your vendors phone #'s and she can call and coordinate with them. I'd say if you have it in the budget it's not too late to hire one.

Since you have already done a great deal of the planning yourself look into getting maybe a day-of-planner. Or I have seen some that offer week of services. That way you can have someone there to make sure everything runs smoothly on the day of the wedding.

I think a day-of planner is the way to go. I think getting a wedding planner early on is worth it because they can get you discounts on venues etc however, since you have already booked all these things I don't know if you would get much benefit at this point. We are having a family friend serve as day-of coordinator, so if you know someone who has done their own wedding and is up to the job, you might be able to save some $ by having them do it. Good luck!

Thanks, you all bring up a good point. I didnt realize just how many perks hiring a planner early on can bring. As we were talking last night I realized I probrably could have saved some money but its too late now, the money has been paid and is so far gone. I will definitely bring up the suggestion to her for maybe a day of type service or something like that. You all brought up good points. Im just trying to think what else could I be missing along the way??

Typically there are different levels of services offered by wedding planners. While you may have done a bulk of the heavy lifting there are still lots of details still to come. Work with her to outline where and when you need her help--like the last few potentially crazy, hectic months of last minute buying decor, reconfirming vendors, following up with straggler guests, assigning responsibilities, etc.--and work out a fair price for her assistance. I think a day of coordinator is almost a must have IMHO but if you've got the funds I bet SHE could come up with a list of things to help you with prior to the actual day. Put the work on her to show you a detailed plan of what her services could be over the next few months and see if you agree with her. Once you've got her 'proposed services' if something seems odd (e.g., does it really take THAT much time to do X?) then post it here and we'll all be happy to give our opinions.

Thanks Southern girl I will definitely keep that in mind when we meet next week.

Here is an article that was just posted today on this exact subject. I think it'll help!

http://www.weddingaces.com/2009/10/how-to-choose-the-right-kind-of-wedding-planner/#more-7443

Never too late.

At the bare minimum have a Day Of Coordinator.

www.itsallaboutm-eweddings.com.

Just start now, so you have the one that fits your wedding ideas and will know how to execute them. AND nows how to deal with any "crisis". VERY IMPORTANT.

God Bless.

Id go with a day of planner... not a whole wedding planner.

My cousin had the same question. You've already done most of the work that a planner would do, so just find someone who can make sure everything is in order the day of. We had the whole family pitch in before hand, and had some of the venue's staff do the rest. It worked out perfectly and saved her the money she'd have to pay for the planner. Why pay for what you've already accomplished yourself and can get for free, right?!?

You should look into Wedding Day Coordinator...

At No.1 Wedding Planner we appreciate the excitement and passion involved in planning a wedding, and we believe you should have the opportunity to enjoy the results of all your hard work. The management of your schedule and the event’s essential details is a wonderful way to pamper yourself in the final run-up to your big day.

We provides assistance and reassurance to couples who have made all their own wedding arrangements, but want to spend their day safe in the knowledge that a professional will be managing the finishing touches. We will ensure that your whole day runs according to plan, paying careful attention to the little details which make a wedding so special.

Please feel free to give us a call.

Joquetta

I am a cake decorator and I have had the opportunity to work with Tannie Barnes McGregor of DeVine Choices Wedding and Event Planner. You have done a great deal of work and I would suggest you give Tannie a call to assist you in coordinating your dream wedding. Please visit her website at www.devinechoices.com. You will not be disappointed.

We ALWAYS recommend that brides obtain the services of a professional wedding planner, either full or day-of services. Your family, friends and guests are there to celebrate this moment with you, and you cannot micro-manage the affair when you're trying to be the beautiful bride! Who in the world will be there with the expertise, the tact, and the backup resources to handle all the things that can potentially go wrong? It's the one of the most important days of your life...don't leave it to chance. We have 3 recommendations: Galas Inc. (www.galasinc.com), Wedding Wire 2009 award-winning A Perfect Setting Weddings & Events (www.apsetting.com), and Upscale Events (www.upscaleevents.com). All excellent planners, each with their own uniqueness and specialty. Perhaps one of them will be right for you. Best wishes!

Thanks everyone for all of your input and referrals Looks as if I will be reaching out for a day of planner to bring all of my hard work to reality on the day of.

Save some cash and hire one for the day of, or spend no money at all and ask a family member/friend to do such a thing and give them a list of what needs to be done and go where, and have them attend rehersal incase anyone forgets what/when/where they are going at what time.

Never too late to have an expert set of eyes and ears come in to make sure everything is really taken care of. I have actually planned weddings before from beginning to end in as little as 6 days and as much as almost 2 years, and can tell you that there's ALWAYS something that comes up the week of the wedding that will make you think, "Wish I'd hired a professional to take care of this!"

Sure, a planner may not be needed for booking, but when I'm hired after a vendor I still look over all the contracts to make sure the bride got a fair deal and that all the details are in place. I've even been able to renegotiate some bad contracts or get the bride completely out of them if it was clear to me that the vendor was up to no good.

In addition, like others have mentioned, it's great to be able to have someone else thinking through timelines and tasks while YOU ENJOY BEING THE BRIDE!

I am in the Orlando area if you want to talk...