While weddings are a joyous chapter in a couple’s life, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the many details and stress that come along with wedding planning. Hiring a wedding planner can make a world of a difference to help create the best day ever. After all, the wedding day isn’t just about the magic the brides and grooms create, but also the start of a new journey with each other. Here are some of the major benefits in hiring a professional wedding planner to support your big day.
Wedding planners typically take on all of the work, so couples can enjoy planning their special event.
“We attend vendor meetings, create layouts, coordinate the wedding design elements, plan for the most appetizing courses and drinks to be served and are on-site to make sure everything runs smoothly on the big day,” said Ashley Moss Kurkiewicz, president of Hello Productions. “We love to work with couples who want to be involved in the planning process and make it a fun experience.”
Tiffany Jackson of Tiffany Jackson Wedding Planner & Designer shared, “A wedding planner fills the gap between vendors and the couple while being a constant go-to girl, problem solver and guide. We make sure the wedding day flows cohesively and allows the couple and their guests enjoy the day.”
If you thought about managing the entire wedding planning without an expert, Karlie Lewis, co-owner of bumble burgh Events Co., added, “Trying to manage it solo is like navigating unfamiliar terrain without a guide, making the journey less successful, more stressful and even potentially, an unmitigated disaster. Wedding planners manage the heavy lifting, while walking clients through the enjoyable, personal parts of the planning process.”
Planners are there to advise and guide couples as they make their vision a reality. If you’ve spent time creating a mood board or know what color palette and style you’d love to have, the planners will bring everything together to match the look and feel of your goals. “Not all of my couples come to me knowing what they really need from a wedding planner and designer. They just know that they need help,” said Jackson. “This is one of my favorite places to start. It’s like starting with the foundation before building a house. I can artfully take their vision and craft a day with vendors, venues and style that is personal to them.” Jackson also advises brides to avoid falling for a theme just because it’s trendy. “I coach my couples to create their own trend, and it’s so exhilarating!”
A wedding planner will also talk to you about your priorities and will help set a realistic budget. They’ll also help negotiate with vendors and cautiously look over contracts to avoid costly mistakes. Ultimately, it’s up to the couple to make the final choices, but planners will guide couples to make informed decisions.
“Our founders worked in corporate finance before opening the company and are uniquely poised to help clients navigate the financial landscape of planning a wedding. Negotiating contracts, providing detailed budget estimates and giving sound advice on where and how to spend are only some of our specialties,” said Lewis.
Expert planners create custom timelines based on the wedding day and incorporate the vendors’ schedules and deadlines in the mix. “As a wedding planner, I help my brides stay on track with personalized timelines based on their wedding day versus a generic to-do list,” said Jackson.
With all the tasks needed to do on your big day, and leading up to it, the wedding planner will be right by your side to keep you on schedule and remember every detail, so you don’t have to stress over the little things. They take up the time-consuming responsibilities, so you can focus on the big picture, still manage to do your day job and social commitments.
For couples who are traveling to the Pittsburgh area for the wedding, businesses like Hello Productions work with out-of-towners to get the job done. “We attend appointments for you or schedule them on your behalf for when you’re in town,” said Kurkiewicz.
Vendors in and around Pittsburgh are plentiful, and a wedding planner can share their insider knowledge of the the best vendors that match your vision and budget, saving you time from searching the internet and making calls to get quotes. From florists to photographers, DJs and more, your planner will be ready to share the best matches for you.
“Not all vendors and vendor services are created equal, and this industry is dynamic, ever-changing and full of creative talent,” said Lewis.
Their relationships with vendors often lead to quicker bookings and quotes, fair prices, and the best suppliers that make a good fit for the couple.