9 Reasons You Need a Wedding Planner

If you’re getting married, hiring a wedding planner could very well be the best decision you make. As a Mississippi Wedding Photographer, I believe hiring a wedding planner should be one of the first things you do. Reason number one…You get to sit back and enjoy your special day without worrying about all the details. Not convinced, keep reading for my top 9 reasons why I think every bride needs a wedding planner. 

1. Planners are amazing advice sources.

Wedding planners are professionals who have extensive knowledge of the wedding industry. Basically, there is no reinventing the wheel when you use a planner. They already know what works and what doesn’t work, they can offer advice on vendors, venues, design choices and more. If you’ve been on Pinterest lately, you have seen about a million and one things that you like, but which direction should you go for your wedding? A planner can help with that. They can help you narrow down what you like and advise how elements can come together to be cohesive on your wedding day.

2. They’re great for finding your vendor dream team.

The last thing anyone wants on their wedding day is drama from vendors who aren’t quite as invested in making sure everything goes well as you are or even vendors who can’t deliver what you thought they could. It is so important to hire vendors who best suit your style and budget while also fitting in well with whatever venue you’ve chosen for your big day. A good wedding planner is invaluable for their knowledge and experience in working with other vendors. They can narrow down vendors to who is right for your style, budget, expectations, and personality and show you vendors who they have personally worked with and know will give you a fabulous experience (and weed out those that aren’t able to deliver the wedding you dream of). 

3. Wedding planners keep you on track (and sane!)

Hiring a wedding planner can help you stay on track and most of all, keep your sanity. A good planner will help you stay focused, keep track of important dates and tasks, and make sure that everything is done in time for the big day. They can also help keep costs down by suggesting ways to cut costs without losing quality. For example, by recommending less expensive alternatives for certain aspects of the ceremony or reception (such as flowers). My favorite planners keep very close contact with their brides (as well as other vendors) to ensure that tasks are accomplished when and how they should be. Whether done by in person meetings, questionnaires, virtual meetings, or a combo, all that hands on attention means a smooth planning experience for you!

4. A planner saves you time and stress.

A wedding planner saves you time and stress. You’ll have more time to enjoy the wedding planning process, focus on other things, and relax and enjoy your wedding day without worrying about checking off every little list. This means you’ll be able to focus on what matters most: your fiancee and family! A professional will make sure everything is taken care of so that your day goes off without a hitch–and this means less stress for both of you as well as those closest to you (like parents).

5. Planners help you stay on budget (and even save some $$).

Some people think hiring a planner is just an extra expense, but honestly hiring a planner is one of the best ways to stay on budget. Most brides don’t realize exactly how much goes into planning a wedding and all those little things can sneak up on your quick! Your planner will help you plan for the cost of your wedding in every aspect and find vendors within your budget, which will allow you to avoid overspending or going into debt. A good planner can also advise where you might be able to trim cost based on what is a priority to you and what isn’t and help you decide what things shouldn’t be skimped on.

6. Planners are expert problem solvers.

As a wedding photographer, I see this one SO much. Hiring a planner means you get a built-in problem solver. As the day approaches, you may find yourself worrying about how everything will come together. But with your wedding planner on board, there’s no need for worry! They’ll be there to help you solve any problems that arise and keep you calm and happy on your wedding day. –and if something goes wrong (which it almost never does), they can be your advocate if necessary. Plus, with their years of experience planning weddings and events like yours, they’ll know exactly how best to get the most out of every minute of your special day. I can’t tell you how many times something didn’t go right, but the bride didn’t even notice because they had an amazing planner to take care of it for them.

7. Planners are the point person for other vendors.

A wedding planner should be able to coordinate with all of your other vendors. They will make sure everyone is on the same page, so there are no surprises on your big day.  A good planner will work with each vendor before and during your wedding day to ensure that everything runs smoothly. This includes coordinating things like who should arrive when and where, timing and scheduling, making sure everyone has what they need (like extra chairs or table linens), giving directions when needed and answering any questions that come up.

8. They ensure a smooth schedule on the wedding day.

One of the best parts of hiring a planner happens on the day of the wedding. It is so helpful having an expert there to handle things and ensure that everyone is where they need to be at the right time and keeping things running smoothly from one moment to another.

A planner will help keep your day running on time, which can be especially important if you have other events or family members traveling long distances who need transportation back home after the reception ends. By keeping things moving forward throughout all parts of your event, including during photos and speeches, a good planner helps ensure that there are no delays or events missed-keeping last minute stress at bay! 

9. Having a planner allows you to actually enjoy yourself.

You may know by now how stressful planning a wedding can be. It’s easy to get caught up in the details and lose track of what really matters-the people you love, having fun with them on your big day and celebrating the love that brought you together. A professional wedding planner can help keep things running smoothly so that all eyes are on you – instead of on miscellaneous details that don’t matter as much as they seem like they should. 

This also means that you aren’t the one stuck answering questions all day or having to do all the things yourself. A planner is your point person for all the questions and things that can arise on a wedding day. Someone else handling the logistics means more time spent enjoying your day. 

I hope this list has helped you see the value in hiring a wedding planner. While it may seem like a luxury, having someone to help with all of these details can make your day so much more enjoyable and actually end up saving you money in the long run! Not sure who to hire? As an experienced wedding photographer, I happen to know some amazing wedding planners that I can personally recommend. 

Ready for more wedding planning tips, want to see more gorgeous wedding images, or need an awesome photog? Keep reading, or contact me now!