With the internet and everything being DIY nowadays many brides that contact me say, “Oh never mind, I can have my cousin help me” or “I can do it myself”. I just want every bride out there to know that no matter how much you DIY everything before the wedding, you will need someone completely no apart of the wedding (family) to be your eyes and ears.

I have had my fair share of brides call me within days after the wedding, saying that they should have used me or if not me taken my suggestion of having someone else help them. Everything you can imagine from, photographers not showing up, to the food not being brought out or all the vendors were calling the bride because no one knew where to go or what to do once they got to the venue. Trust me when I say that I am not trying to scare you into getting a planner.

But for a couple getting married with well over 100 guests, I think you may need help. I try to explain to my clients that; you and your mom (family members) can all do the planning before hand, but at least you need to have a “Day Of” coordinator. Your family can enjoy the wedding and so can you with that special person you love right by your side the whole night.

One of my favorite weddings from last year was when a GROOM called me. His bride was in school, working a full-time job and trying to plan the wedding herself. I was in contact  met with the bride months before hand and she hesitated to sign. Luckily, I keep in touch with all couples who contact me and she sounded like she was very intersted so, needless to say the bride and groom met with me 3 days before their wedding. (Good thing I wasn’t booked-November wedding) and signed with me.

All in all, they are a very sweet couple and I loved every minute (although crazy) trying to finalize all of their small details to make sure the night went without stress. There were lots of small fires that they didn’t even know about until the end of the night and they said they would have never known because of the way I handled everything.

TIPS:

• Check to see if the planner you want to use offers a FREE consultation
• Check with all references given (phone numbers, e-mail, yelp)
• If you’re budget can’t handle their price, see what else they can offer you. I like to offer A la carte/hourly rates or some couples pick a smaller package and add to it gradually.
• If a friend of a friend is your “planner” make sure they know to work for you and not party the night away. Everything to make sure you’re night runs smoothly is in their hands.
• Schedule that FREE consultation. The consultation gives you a chance to see what type of person you are meeting. Do your personalities clash or match? If for anything it’s FREE and a planner is more willing to give you more information in person rather than on the phone.

If all else fails RESEARCH planners in your area, and even some with a 50 mile radius. Because they could possibly be the right person for you.