Do I need a wedding planner?
Well, that is a question that more and more engaged couples ask themselves. In short: “necessary” is perhaps a big word. A wedding planner is of course not necessarily a basic necessity. But fun, handy and above all stress-reducing? Yes, it certainly is! Because planning a wedding can be quite a challenge. The "wedding world" is enormous and there is often more to it than you initially expect. How do you start, where do you find what you are looking for, how do you shape that unique dream wedding that really suits you and who will help you with that? With the help of our 'own' Evi from By Evi Bespoke Events (the wedding planner behind Bart's Wedding) we will answer this question.
Of course, there are many useful checklists that will help you quickly find out whether hiring a wedding planner is a good fit for you (you have a busy job, you don't want stress, you don't want to burden your friends, etc.) We know few people to whom such lists do not apply, because hey... Ain't we all busy?
As wedding planners we regularly hear: “How would we have ever done this without you?!” or “Pff, I totally underestimated how much work a wedding is”.
What is not unimportant is whether you can make room for a planner within your budget. Because yes, it is true that a wedding planner can partly earn himself back through smart negotiations and good deals with suppliers. But at the same time you hire someone to do work for you, and that of course costs money. Logical. So not unimportant side note: hire a planner primarily for the expertise, experience, creativity, network and to relieve yourself and your inner circle. So the question you need to ask yourself is: do we want to budget for an expert to help us organize our dream wedding?
Of course it differs per wedding planner, but in general you can count on a number of things. From the beginning you will be guided and supported in making choices and designing your day. A planner is not only a sparring partner, but also has a wealth of experience and (creative) ideas. They know better than anyone that planning a wedding is not the same as organizing a 'regular party' and understand exactly what is involved. Your planner provides a complete overview of everything that needs to be done, so that nothing is forgotten. That alone gives so much peace of mind.
A good wedding planner also has a large network of suppliers. This way, you can be directly linked to suppliers that fit your style, personality and, not to forget, your budget. This not only saves time, but also ensures that you work with reliable parties that will make your day perfect. On the day itself, the wedding planner is of course there to ensure that everything runs smoothly and to pamper you and your guests.
Please note: not every wedding planner also provides (standard) styling and design for your wedding.
You absolutely do not have to worry that with a wedding planner you will no longer be able to do anything yourself in the preparations for your big day. There are still plenty of fun and important choices that only you can make. Think of drawing up the guest list, making playlists or writing your vows. These are tasks that are so personal that only you can do them. Of course, your planner can always give you advice, but the execution of this remains entirely in your hands. There are also plenty of fun, stress-free ceremonial roles to divide among friends and family. Trust us, it's a lot nicer when your besties (yes, that best man or your maid of honor) actually have the time for you instead of them flying around and having to keep everything on track.
Of course, you can share all your personal input and ideas with your planner, who will make sure that everything is processed correctly in the overall picture. They will keep a critical eye on whether everything fits within your concept and budget and help you make difficult decisions. In fact, it comes down to this: you enjoy the process, without the stress of the practical matters. Win-win, right?
If you have decided to hire a wedding planner, the next step is to determine who you want to work with. It is important to have a good connection with the planner, because you will be working together intensively. Look at what the planner has done before: does this match your style and wishes? Checking reviews or reading the experiences of others can also be nice. But the most important thing is that you feel comfortable with the planner. Most planners offer a free introductory meeting. This is an ideal moment to discover whether there is a connection and to hear more about their working methods. Every wedding planner works slightly differently, so it is nice to know what to expect.
Wedding planners come in all shapes and sizes. Some wedding planners offer other wedding planning services or professional ceremonial mastery for 1 day in addition to full-service wedding planning. By Evi Bespoke Events offers full-service wedding planning including styling and design from €3800.
Is a full-service wedding planner a bit too expensive for you? Or would you rather do it yourself, but could you use some help? Then a Barts Wedding Speed Date Session maybe something for you. During this two-hour brainstorming session you can ask all your questions, get practical tips and lay a solid foundation for the concept of your wedding. This way you create overview and unity in all those ideas that are running through your head.
So yes, do you need a wedding planner? You decide that together. But if you ask us, we would know..
