3 Myths About Wedding Planners

by sammondevents_tao5l0Wedding PlannerPosted on No Comments

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 Duties: Who Does What?

by sammondevents_tao5l0How ToPosted on No Comments

There is a lot to do when it comes to putting together a wedding. Even if you hire a wedding planner who’s taking care of the little fine details, there are some tasks your planner just can’t simply do. Getting these tasks done does not mean you have to tackle them all yourself however. Your bridal party, family, and friends should be happy to help you take care of the little things. But the question is, who does what? Truly, it is up to you. However, we’re providing you with a list to guide you on who you can ask to help you.

Maid of Honor:

  • Serve as the leader of the bridesmaids; coordinating luncheons and fittings
  • Plans/Finances the bridal shower, with assistance of bridesmaids
  • Plans/Finances the bachelorette party, with assistance of bridesmaids
  • Lists who gave gifts for future thank you cards during showers and parties
  • Assists in wedding tasks such as addressing invitations, managing guests lists, etc.
  • Serves as emotional support of the bride throughout the wedding planning process and on the wedding day
  • Holds the bride’s bouquet during the wedding ceremony
  • Holds a tissue for the bride during the ceremony
  • Makes sure the bride’s train is photogenic during the ceremony and during photos
  • Serves as a witness on wedding certificate
  • Helps with cleanup of gifts, decor, etc. after the wedding reception

Bridesmaid

  • Finances/Assists in the planning and set up of bridal shower
  • Finances/Assists in the planning and set up of bachelorette party
  • Assists in wedding tasks such as addressing invitations, managing guests lists, etc.
  • Serves as emotional support of the bride throughout the wedding planning process and on the wedding day
  • Attend fittings, luncheons, and any other pre-wedding events
  • Helps with cleanup of gifts, decor, etc. after the wedding reception

Best Man

  • Serve as the leader of the groomsmen; coordinating luncheons and fittings
  • Supports the groom in wedding planning tasks
  • Plans/Finances the bachelor party, with assistance of groomsmen
  • Serves as emotional support of the groom throughout the wedding planning process and on the wedding day
  • Holds the rings during the ceremony until it is time for them to be exchanged
  • Serves as a witness on wedding certificate
  • Helps with cleanup of gifts, decor, etc. after the wedding reception

Groomsmen

  • Assists the best man with planning/financing bachelor party
  • Serves as emotional support of the groom throughout the wedding planning process and on the wedding day
  • Attend fittings, luncheons, and any other pre-wedding events
  • Helps with cleanup of gifts, decor, etc. after the wedding reception

Parents typically help financially with weddings, however, finances are always a touchy subject, especially given the costs of weddings. It is best practice to speak with your parents/family early on about what they can contribute.

Groom’s Parents

  • Host the rehearsal party
  • Finance the bride’s rings

Bride’s Parents

  • Host the engagement party
  • Finance the grooms rings
  • Hosts Post Wedding Brunch

Why Hire a Wedding Planner?

by sammondevents_tao5l0Wedding PlannerPosted on One Comment

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? 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.

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 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.

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.

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 fiancé/e on your needs for wedding planning and what will work best for the both of you. Happy planning!