Do I need a wedding planner??

I dont know anyone who has used a wedding planner.

Oh dear, Trickers2 seems to have a bit of a downer on wedding planners!

A wedding planner can help you to save money by sourcing the right suppliers for you at the right price. In some cases, the money you can save would more than cover the fees charged by the wedding planner.

A wedding planner can also take a lot of the stress off the bride and her family - you can't put a price on that!

Even the most organised bride can't be there on the day to ensure everything runs smoothly - I've been told numerous times that I'm worth my weight in gold (wish I weighed more!)

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No. I think they are an unnecessary expense.

I wouldn't have had one.

I haven't had one, except my trusty planning book and some brilliant advice, and tbh.... no, they are an unneccessary expense..... sorry!!

It also takes away some of the pride knowing that this special day has been organised (with perhaps a little help from outsiders) entirely by you....

However, if you really feel you need one..... then, that decision can only be made by you.....

Also, a lot of good venues also have a semi planner in the wings too, as don't forget they do a lot of functions and get can hold of most things.....

Don't be afraid to shop about, use the internet, etc etc.... you'll be amazed at the prices you will find some things, what you can get.... and don't be afraid to ask for the best price and compare like for like what each venue does... as although no 2 venues are the same, you may be surprised at what is offered after asking!!

Good luck x x x

I feel that it totally depends on the kind of person you are.

If you feel that you need a bit of hand with things, some suggestions or just an extra big of reassurance then it's something to consider. Some brides are all over the place on their big day, so knowing that there is someone there to lend a hand and oversee would be priceless for them.

As already addressed, with things like budget they can also be useful. If you're likely to get bored with planning or not do your research as thoroughly as perhaps you should then again, it's something to consider.

Personally, i'm not that kind of person at all and I could never have one.

My rule is generally, never pay for something that I could do equally well myself.

On top of which, if something is important to me I will MAKE time for it. If I don't have the time to plan my wedding, I don't have time to get married as far as I am concerned.

I'm wondering whether to get one at the moment. I genuinely think that in some cases using a wedding planner can be (at least) cost neutrral, as they can use their contacts to get better rates on things. Plus it takes away a lot of the stress. Then again, lots of people love doing all of the research and planning themselves.

The one at my venue has just quoted 650 Euros for sourcing and arranging pretty much anything we want (cake, flowers, transport, hotels, TOG, VOG, fireworks, favours etc etc). The price also includes sorting out all of the paperwork (we are getting married in Italy), various licences (ie for the band), as well as attendance throughout the day. I think that's pretty bargainous myself.

I'm just torn between wanting to do everything myself and not having the damn time to do it!

I agree with Tricks, they are an unnecessary expense. If you are proper loaded and can afford it then go for it. But I think the internet and google make things so much easier as you can just search for all the idea's and bargains yourself.

I think if you were getting married abroad and therefore needed help sourcing things/contacting suppliers, then they would be handy

I personally would see it as a waste of money

A lot of the brides I'm working with at the moment have a budget of £5,000 or £6,000 and I have saved them all money! I have other brides with higher budgets, but I still like to ensure they get the best value for their money no matter how much they are spending.

Not everyone enjoys planning or has time for it - they don't have to be 'proper loaded'!

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That's a bargain for 650 Euros! Go for it!

I'm also in the unecessary expense camp. I didn't find planning our wedding that stressful and I liked the shopping around, I wouldnt have wanted someone doing it for me,

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? Just out of interest, how much do you charge for your services???

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That's an impossible question as all weddings are different and all brides want something different from a wedding planner. It varies depending on how far along in the planning process the wedding is. I have brides who want everything from venue sourcing through to co-ordinating the day and others who have planned everything and then want someone to bring it all together for them.

I'm getting married in Italy,and I felt it best to use a wedding planner for all the legal bits! Your price quoted is half of what I'm paying, which I'm gutted about!!! But hey ho.....

I also think they're an unnecessary expense and I don't like the fact that they can't seem to give you a ballpark price. I am getting married in Italy and arranging it all myself including paperwork. It's amazing how quickly, easily and cheaply you can source everything yourself online with a quick click!

I have quite enjoyed all the planning so far, I wouldn't have liked to pay someone else to do it for me. I might have reconsidered if I was a different kind of person, but as it is I like being organised and being in control of the details.

Im enjoying planning all of ours and im even making all my save the dates, invitew, seating plan and other lil bits and pieces. i cant wait for the day to sit there on top table and look around and think ive done all of this myself!! personally i would hate to just turn up on the day that someone else has planned and organised!!

We have a wedding planner and she is amazing!

For £800 we get...(in the midlands)

venue searching

supplier sourcing for these item - florist, venue decoration, suit hire, entertainment, TOG, make up/hair stylist

on the day coordination (from morning until start of evening reception)

she makes all the appointments, deals with all correspondence, negotiates prices (we have got right deals)

planning meetings every 3mths

update emails and reminders to do things (eg; she emailed me today to remind me to give notice in Feb)

we decided on awedding planner as my job is mega busy and my OH works away alot, so we didnt want to spend our weekends trawling round endless shops/hotels etc. Plus we are doing up a house and all our spare times goes to that.

If you are short of time and need your spare time to do other things (DIY/Study/etc) then i would highly recommend it...

We ar eusing one because we are getting married abroad. She is organising the priest, venue, wedding breakfast, flowers, music and hair and make-up. Tbh at the moment if she werne't doing it, I wouldn't be getting married. I am SO busy with 2 jobs and a uni course, wedding planning has gone out of the window. We are having a UK reception and that's not at all organised. Just as well it doesn't really matter that much since we'll be married by then!

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At risk of sounding 'on the fence', I can see the point in wedding planners. If you want something specific thats hard to track down or organise, they will know where to go, they can find great deals (I've been told of amazing prices for venues and flowers from friends who used a planner) and will know what to do when, eliminating some stress from a busy bride and groom.

On the other hand, they cost money, to essentially do the hard work and stressing that you can do for free. I am an organiser, so there was no question of a planner. I say regularly I'd love someone else to sort it all but when it comes down to it, the minute anyone tries to help, I get a tad possesive and want to do it all myself with OH. I have spent hours endlessly searching for bargains and speaking with people and emailing, it's stressful, but I wouldn't do it any other way.

You just need to decide if you would rather the stress but know you did it, or MUCH LESS stress (imo) but at a price.

I think it really depends on the couple and their situation whether a wedding planner is a good idea or not.

They can save you money if you don't have the time/inclination to search through lots of suppliers or you don't like negotiating. Also if you are marrying in an area you don't live they can really give you the local knowledge you don't have.

If you really enjoy planning your wedding then obviously it is an unnecessary expense but that isn't everyone.

Also a lot of planners will give you a free no obligation consultation to discuss whether their services are right for you.

Anna

I always thought I would never be able to afford a wedding planner, but I was offered one for free and honestly, I am seriously considering paying her!

She is fantastic and have saved us so so much money, her advice has been invaluable and she isn't over bearing or over the top. If I ask her she will do it. We have a monthly meeting to discuss progress, she is great she checks to make sure we are on track but will leave us to it when we know what we are doing.

She is doing our on the day co ordination and I have every confidence in her!

LaynaRose - you are not a commercial member, and the above is your email address. If you are not confident enough to become a commercial member here, please do not mis-lead members into thinking you are recommended.

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Busted!

Hi Not sure when your wedding is taking place or if it already has. There are clearly differing views on this subject and ultimately you do what you want. My advice would be to look at the link below before you make your mind up and then you can enjoy a clear prospective. All the best Sheila Taylor-made Weddings UK Planning Made Easy Access our FREE 7 Reasons why guide here http://www.taylor-madeweddings.co.uk/#/wedding-tips/4566660518

Personally I'd say if you can afford it and aren't confident about organising - get one! The best weddings I've filmed are usually run by a Master of Ceremonies who takes charge of the couples responsibilities when they arrive at the reception venue.

They make sure everything happens on time etc. The worst weddings are the ones where no one knows what to do next or if something goes slightly wrong on the day that upsets and confuses peoples plans.

Wedding days are very stressful and any help is needed to keep it running smoothly. I've filmed weddings where people didn't even know when to have the speeches! Or even when to cut the cake!

I'd say it totally depends on the wedding you want and how much time you have. If you are in more than one place, or somewhere totally DIY then it may be ideal as you can be sure you have someone to coordinate everything on the day, as well as to negotiate good prices on things. We don't have one as whole wedding is all-inc at one venue and the planner there is great. Plus I'm a SAHM so have plenty of time to do stuff. Too much time.... Must stop going on eBay

I'm with Trickers.

No, you don't need one. Planning a wedding is not rocket science, whatever anyone may tell you.

IMO if you don't want to organise something yourself then it's obviously not that important to you. If it seems like an effort, don't bother.

An on the day planner is worth her weight in gold, or was for me anyway. It meant I didn't have to go there first thing to sort everything. Some venues/hotels have planners but I chose a venue that didn't really do weddings so I had to sort it myself.

She made everything run smoothly on the day!

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