Why You Should Hire a Wedding Planner—and What to Expect in the Process

You may have helped a friend plan their wedding day or spent hours on Pinterest creating your dream board, but that doesn’t mean you have to tackle it solo. There are so many different reasons why we suggest hiring a wedding planner. Between booking vendors, organizing your RSVPs, and managing your budget, planning can be a lot of work. Add in your normal day-to-day responsibilities, and it’s enough to make even the most organized to-be-weds stressed. Working with a pro can take a huge weight off you and your partner, leaving you time to enjoy the process. Here are six reasons why you should hire a wedding planner.

They’re Experts

Here’s the number one reason why you should hire a wedding planner. Trust us—whether you’re expecting 50 or 150 guests, planning requires a lot more than just picking out pretty flowers or tabletop décor. A planner essentially juggles the roles of designer, legal counsel, budget manager, coordinator and so much more—all while helping you pull together your wedding. They can be tapped to take care of everything on your to-do list, from choosing aesthetic details to going over vendor contracts and dealing with day-of emergencies. All of this makes planners a huge asset for busy couples hoping to approach the checklist with minimal stress. They’re clued into everything there is to know about throwing a wedding, and all that comes along with such an emotionally charged event, so you’ll be in good hands whether your issue is bouquets or overbearing in-laws. Plus, they’re connected with top venues and pros in your area, ensuring you have the best team of experts to pull off your celebration. Simply put, an experienced planner is one of the key investments you can make when bringing your wedding day to life.

They’ll Help You With Your Specific Needs

There are essentially three types of wedding planners: full-service, à la carte and month-of coordinators. A full-service planner will handle it all, start to finish—from crafting the vision for your event to hiring and meeting with your vendors, and coordinating a weekend of activities for guests. This option is best for a pair looking to host a multi-day affair or destination wedding, or for couples who simply want a professional to guide them through every step of the wedding planning process.

Prefer a part-time pro you can contact on an as-needed basis? An à la carte planner can help you iron out specific details, like your tabletop rentals, or give suggestions for the perfect caterer to execute your French bistro menu. Ideal for couples who just need someone to help refine their wedding day blueprint, an à la carte or part-time planner is also a more price-conscious choice. They give you the help you need for a price that doesn’t put you over budget. 

For assistance during your wedding day (but not throughout the entire process), opt for a month-of coordinator. Different from an on-site venue coordinator, they’ll be solely focused on your priorities and responsible for making sure your wedding day runs smoothly. Typically, a month-of coordinator will begin working with you anywhere from two weeks to a month ahead of your wedding to make sure everything is in order. They’ll coordinate both your ceremony and reception setup, keep you and your wedding party on schedule, and handle any necessary, immediate post-wedding duties, like tipping. If you’re unable to include a full-service or à la carte planner in your budget, adding a day-of coordinator to your team will help you and your partner relax and enjoy your wedding day festivities to the fullest.

They Can Help You Stick to Your Budget

Packages can range depending on the pro you hire, but a wedding planner typically charges their clients a flat fee, an hourly rate, or a percentage of their overall wedding budget. These days, most planners list a flat fee for their contracted services. If they don’t, expect to set aside around 10 to 20 percent of your overall budget for a full-service planner. An à la carte planner will charge an hourly rate or flat fee for each service they provide, while day-of coordination is generally a flat fee. While hiring a planner may seem like a big chunk of your budget, it’s an investment that will give you peace of mind and ensure you enjoy the moments you’ve spent months planning. Plus, with an expert behind all your decisions, purchases and negotiations, you’ll save money in the long run. Their pull may be able to score you insider deals, and they’ll always look out for your budget so you don’t have to.

They’ll Bring Your Vision to Life

The right planner will help you make the wedding of your dreams a reality—but only if you pick the right one. Think of your initial meeting with a planner like a first date—you want to make sure the two of you get along and have the same vision, as you’ll be spending a lot of time together over the next year or so. Arrive armed with a few basic questions, and then listen to their responses carefully. Whether you’re envisioning a formal ballroom affair or a rustic outdoor ceremony, the right planner will know all of the best venues and vendors to pull it off. 

They Can Help You Enjoy the Day 

Think of your planner as a safety net on your wedding day. If anything goes wrong (and something typically does) they’re there to troubleshoot so you won’t have to fret. They’ll be the one able to make the rain call to move your affair indoors when you can’t bear to or hunt down your set of heirloom champagne flutes before the first toast of the evening. On your wedding day, your only order of business is to soak up every memorable second, which is why so many couples hire a wedding planner. Trust the pro you’ve hired to do their job, and let go of control day-of. Working with a pro also means you’ll get to spend precious extra time with loved ones instead of worrying about the cake not showing up or a missing flower arrangement. Trust us on this one—you want (and deserve) a helping hand on your wedding day. After all, this is going to be the happiest day of your life.