You Don't Need a Wedding Planner

I met with several venues recently and discovered something interesting!

Venue 1: "We tell our brides it is an option, (to hire a planner) but it is not necessary. We take care of everything for them."

So I asked, "do you recommend the best vendors to your couples?"

Venue 1: "We give them a list of local vendors, but do not tell them which ones to chose."

What this means for you: That you may not always get the best vendors for your needs or budget.

Venue 2: "We will book vendors for them for a 21% fee."

What this means for you: When the venue books the florist for you at $2000.00 you will also then have to pay the venue $420.00 for booking the florist. So now you are paying $2420.00 instead of $2000.00.

Venue 3: "We charge a 21% fee to the vendors that we book for a couple."

What this means for you: This fee you will more then likely not be aware of. When the venue books the florist at $2000.00, the florist is required to give up 21% of that $2000.00 to the venue. The florist will make up for this lose by charging more for their service and flowers. So you will then pay $2000.00 for $1500.00 worth of service and flowers.

The venues that book vendors for you have a fee, whether visible or not. Beware when they say they can gladly help you take care of everything, "You don't need a wedding planner". They seem to be looking out for your best interest but are really looking out for their bottom line. Most of the time these people get bonuses or incentives for the amount that they book. So yes they are happy to help, but they are not necessarily helping you!

If you want extra help planning your wedding, hire a planner we are hired by you to work for you! We become an extension of you. We intern represent your needs, wants, likes, and dislikes. We make sure that our relationship with you allows for the production of a spectacular event. A planner is the best investment you can make, and you will have the ease of mind that there is someone carrying out your every wish on your wedding day.

For those of you planning your own wedding, my best advise is, "Do So." Don't let the venue book your vendors for you. It will be more work for you to book your own vendors, but it is well worth it in the long run. It will not only save you money, but if an issue arises with a vendor you can deal directly with them.

~Roshel~