Wedding Planners...Are they really needed?

Just curious..

If you used one please talk about your experience, especially if you used a day-of-event coordinator.

If you didn't use one, and you wished you did. Why?

Thanks

Re: Wedding Planners...Are they really needed?

I did it my self a wedding planner is too expensive.

Re: Wedding Planners...Are they really needed?

We had a day of coordinator and she was amazing. I didn't worry about anything the day of the wedding or at the rehearsal dinner. She made sure we were on time and managed all of the vendors throughout the day. She paid them all at the end of the night and was the last person to leave the reception hall. She was a life saver when the zipper on my gown broke. She knew exactly what to do and took control when everyone else around me was a mess.

ETA: Not a coordinator is not needed, but if you want a stressfree day and the satisfaction that someone is taking care of all the detail then you should get one. For me it was the best money I spent.

Re: Wedding Planners...Are they really needed?

So many views, so little replies....



Come on LIW.. I know ya'll have some advice..

Re: Wedding Planners...Are they really needed?

Need would not be the right word. I didnt need a wedding at all. I didnt need to make it a fancy affair. I didnt need everything to go smoothly. I wanted all of those things.

I hired a day of coordinator and she was fabulous (Elaine of Exquisite Events). If she wasnt there I would have had to do all the little things and I wouldnt have enjoyed my day nearly as much.

The cost of a coordinator is so little when you look at the cost of the entire wedding, it was definitely worth it to me.

Re: Wedding Planners...Are they really needed?

I think a coordinator would have made my day much smoother.

Re: Wedding Planners...Are they really needed?

I personally did not have one and I did not need one.
I got married somewhere that was wonderful with the details and I had excellent vendors that I did not need to micromanage.

Re: Wedding Planners...Are they really needed?

I said 'no, I did it myself and I did it well'

My situation was this: I am a procrastinator BUT I know how to get organized if i have to.
I am also a stage director and I have a passion for party design and decorating.

I decided that for my wedding, it made no sense for me to hire someone to do the job I have always DREAMED of doing.

I will say this; It woulnd't have happend if I didn't keep my wedding organizer/binder and File folder with me at all times, keep all phone numbers in one place and keep all receipts organized.

I did pull it off, and I was told over and over again 'you are the most organized bride i've ever seen' by vendor after vendor! (This was great to hear!)


I knew myself well enough that If i didnt' make the effort to be SUPPER organized, it might all fall appart. It's a lot of work to pull together a wedding!
I am now concidering being a wedding designer professionally! I loved every minute of it..and I think if the stress was off me even more, (not also being the bride) I could be even better!

I will say, if I had a more stressful job, more money and less time; i would have hired someone for the organizational aspects planning. If I was spending over $30K...DEFINATLY!

I think it's all relative to the total picture.

Re: Wedding Planners...Are they really needed?

I used one and she stunk. I would have been better off doing what she did myself. But, I am a total perfectionist and it might just be that she wasn't up to my controlling standards. Anyway, point being, if you are going to hire one - make sure they are fabulous or it will totally defeat the purpose and be worse than if you did it on your own.

Re: Wedding Planners...Are they really needed?

I had one, and I loved her. I probably would not have hired her if I wasn't planning from out of town. She was able to get so much done that I needed to be in NY for (and I am half way across the country). That being said, I am happy I hired her.
(I used Jodilynn from Simplicity Planning)