Sammond Events Shines on FOX54 News: Navigating Wedding Costs at the Hello Beautiful Bridal Expo

In the heart of Augusta, Georgia, Sammond Events has been making waves in the wedding planning industry, and their recent feature on FOX54 News is a testament to our dedication and expertise. During the Hello Beautiful Bridal Expo, Ainsleigh Edwards stopped by our booth to discuss the intricacies of wedding costs, offering invaluable insights to engaged couples. This feature not only highlights the financial aspects of wedding planning but also showcases how Sammond Events supports couples in creating their dream weddings.

Watch the News Segment Now! Love Don’t Cost a Thing, But Weddings Do! Here’s How Much Money You’ll Need in 2025

Wedding Planner in Augusta Georgia being interviewed by FOX 54 News


One of the key topics discussed during the FOX54 News segment was wedding costs, a crucial consideration for any couple planning their big day. Sammond Events, with our wealth of experience, provided insights into managing these costs effectively. We also discussed how a wedding planner can be beneficial in developing your budget and keeping you on track.


The Hello Beautiful Bridal Expo served as the perfect platform for us to engage with the community and share their knowledge. This event brought together a myriad of vendors, offering couples a one-stop-shop for all their wedding needs. Sammond Events not only provided planning services but also by educating attendees on the nuances of wedding budgeting.


Sammond Events’ commitment to supporting local couples is evident in their community-driven approach to wedding planning. By participating in events like the Hello Beautiful Bridal Expo and engaging with local media, we continue to build strong connections within the community. Our personalized services cater to the unique needs of each couple, ensuring that every wedding is a reflection of their love story. This dedication to creating memorable experiences is what sets Sammond Events apart in the wedding planning industry.

Ready for our experts to guide you through the process of wedding planning and get you down the aisle with ease? Book your free consultation with us now!

3 Myths About Wedding Planners

There are many ideas people have when thinking about wedding planners. Some feel they are completely necessary to get through the wedding planning process, while others feel they are not needed or may not be the best option. Here are 3 myths we are busting today about wedding planners.

They make executive decisions for your wedding and are in control.

Not at all! Wedding planners can add value to your wedding with guidance and advising you. Wedding planners are here to keep you organized and on track for everything to be ready to go for your wedding. A wedding planner should never be making decisions for your wedding without your approval. At the end of the day, the wedding planner works for you. Even if your idea is a terrible idea, a wedding planner may try to persuade you into an alternative option, but if your mind is made up (and legal/permitted), then ultimately the wedding planner needs to allow you to make the call.

I don’t need a wedding planner because my friends and family can help DIY everything.

Wedding planning certainly took a change when Pinterest became a thing. With Pinterest and YouTube allowing folks easy access to learn new skills including crafting and designing, it’s not always the best option to save a buck and DIY your wedding. Your wedding is so much more than setting up the pretty stuff, you also will be spending the day with your loved ones. This will likely be the only day in your entire life that this group of people will be in the same room. You should focus on the special time with those you love. A wedding planner can alleviate many of the responsibilities on your plate so you can enjoy the social aspect of your wedding. They also may know quicker ways to finish tasks.

Wedding planners are only an option for those with a large wedding budget.

Wedding planners can work in any kind of budget! Planners are happy to work with couples no matter the size or cost of wedding. You can also customize the services the planner will provide from you. Some will be by your side from the moment of proposal to the end of your reception, while some work only with you on the day of to make sure everything is happening as it should. If you are curious on what kind of planning is right for you and your budget, we’d love to give you a free consultation today!

Wedding Planners Vs. Wedding Coordinators

Your wedding is not only one of the most significant, but also one of the most costly days of your entire life. Many brides wonder if they really need to invest in all of the vendors involved in a wedding, and some look forward to being able to plan a wedding themselves. So the question is, do I really need a hire a wedding planner, or even a coordinator? The answer is, yes! However, a wedding planner’s involvement will look different for every couple.

Hiring a wedding planner will save you so much time and energy on the things that matter the least, so you can focus on the things that matter the most. While you’re clinking glasses with your closest friends and family, your wedding planner will make sure all of the bits and pieces come together perfectly. There’s no way you can be the bride and also cue the music, tell the chef when to start dinner, and make sure everyone makes it down the aisle before you do.

Wedding Planner working with Bride on floral arrangements

ROI – Return on Investment

In finance and investing, there is a term often considered, ROI. The Return on Investment is what you will get out of investing in something. In this case you are investing in a professional to plan your wedding for you. The return you will get out of this investment is a case-by-case situation. However, most couples will get extra leisure time and a more enjoyable experience on their wedding day. Keep in mind, investing in a wedding planner will also allow time for more time for sleep, exercise, and making decisions on your daily life, such as food choices. Your health is very important during this time as well – you don’t want to have bags under your eyes on your big day!

Types of Wedding Planners

There are a few different types of wedding planners and coordinators you can choose from, which allows some flexibility to fit the needs of your wedding. Whether it’s the budget or the control that is holding you back from hiring a wedding planner, you can utilize a wedding professional at the proximity that works best for you. But before shopping around, it’s important to see what your needs are and know the difference between wedding planners vs. wedding coordinators.

Full-Time Wedding Planner
A full time wedding planner will start with you from start to finish. Meaning not only will they set up your event and send you down the aisle, but they will also help you with the small, tedious tasks along the way, like setting your budget, constructing your seating chart, and planning your rehearsal dinner details. This options is great for couples that are overwhelmed and need a lot of help, or the couple that just doesn’t want to have to deal with it all and would rather have someone else deal with it while they have fun.

Month-Of or Day-Of Wedding Coordinator
If you need the help, but a full-time wedding planner isn’t in your budget, or you’d just rather plan yourself but understand you will need some extra hands in the days leading up to your big day, a month-of or day-of wedding coordinator could be the answer for you. While the name may seem rigid, a month-of or day-of coordinator will usually work with you some time before their name leads you to believe, in order to prepare to make your wedding day easy.

If your wedding venue includes a Day-Of Coordinator in their package, it’s important to ask as many questions as needed to see what all they handle as your coordinator. Some venue coordinators will only handle the details owned by the venue, such as tables, chairs, electricity, etc. Others will also handle your personal details, like your decor. Make sure you get an full understanding of what your venue coordinator will provide well ahead of your wedding in case you need to enlist additional help.

Wedding Coordinator at Wedding Venue with clipboard

Wedding Consultant
A wedding consultant’s role is to provide you with knowledge. A wedding consultant can assist you with advice on how to complete a task for your wedding, but they are mostly utilized for their knowledge of wedding vendors in the area and can guide you in finding the right one for your. Wedding consultants are great to use if you would just like help with wedding planning as needed or just need some help with things a la carte.

*Destination Wedding Planner
If you are getting married in a destination, meaning far from home and most likely in a beautiful location, you will 100% need a destination wedding planner. The good news is, if you’re getting married in a popular venue or resort, a destination wedding planner is usually included in the package. It is very important to have a wedding planner located at the destination of your wedding because they will be knowledgeable about things beyond the wedding logistics, such as weather conditions, safety, and even good timing to schedule around a beautiful sunset.

While a wedding planner is an important part of your wedding team, what that looks like is completely up to you. You can decide to have someone support you through every step of the way, just when things get hectic, or just as you have questions. It’s always important to discuss with your fiancĂ©/e on your needs for wedding planning and what will work best for the both of you. Happy planning!