Congratulations! You are engaged and you are elated. Your wedding day is going to be the most important day of your life and you envision everything is going to be perfect. Yes, the thought of planning a wedding is very exhilarating. But in reality, it is like solving a Rubik’s Cube. Getting all the pieces to work and fit together precisely to complete the design is the objective.

Christina
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Often couples begin thinking about their wedding and are confused as to how much to spend, where to obtain specialized services, and how to choose vendors. It’s shocking to discover how much preparation is involved. Couples are faced with decisions about everything from invitation wording to planning their honeymoon. Couples often find they want experienced professional help. Much like a movie, a wedding has to be produced, scripted, edited, and directed. As a visual feast for the eyes, a wedding has to have a flow and a tempo. As the creative director for the most important day of your life, your wedding planner will help you avoid some dreadful mishaps that could ruin your day.

Not long ago, a wedding coordinator was thought of as a luxury, only used by the wealthy. Now a coordinator is essential to a well-planned affair. It is no longer “trendy” to engage a coordinator. Being experienced in negotiating contracts with caterers, florists, photographers, and other suppliers, the coordinator saves valuable time and money. The coordinator can take advantage of discounts not available to private parties and avoid costly mistakes, while turning your dreams into reality.

Here are just a FEW of the reason’s a Wedding Planner is a MUST:

1. Stress Management

Wedding planning and the events that lead up to your day will be stressful. There are a million details that go into planning the perfect wedding ceremony and reception. You should have one job only- keeping yourself relaxed and living in the moment. You need time to take in and enjoy this special day. Be with your loved ones. Be happy. Be kind. And mostly, be assured that your wedding is going to be the most fabulous day of your life. Yes, all weddings have glitches. And yours will, too. But your wedding planner will make sure you never have to deal with or see them. You may never even know anything out of the ordinary happened. Wedding planners know how to handle all unforeseen circumstances.

2. Budgeting

The wedding budget is essential and needs to be done prior to everything else. However, by hiring a wedding planner, couples can save a great deal of money.  A wedding coordinator is well versed with and knows how to get you the best deals from the best vendors. Even a million-dollar wedding has a budget. A budget will give you perspective and it will center you. It will be a great comfort to you when you want to know where you stand financially. Expenses tend to mount up quickly, and your budget will always give you a realistic assessment. Wedding planners are well versed in helping couples set budgets and sticking to them. A wedding coordinator will save you time and enable you to get the most for your money and even end up saving you money!

3. Scheduling

Wedding planners have planned countless weddings and know exactly what works and what doesn’t.  There are so many events leading up to the big day!  Couple that with the many things that happen during the wedding and who can keep track?  The wedding planner can!  Wedding planners are well-versed at making detailed itineraries for all involved (including other vendors) and making sure the planning moves forward and that everything happens on time! Timelines are critical. Timelines are necessary. And timelines keep your wedding planner sane. They thrive on them. The Bride, however, should never be concerned with them on her big day, let alone trying to coordinate it. One hour of overtime with a location site or photographer can cost you plenty! Everyone is on the clock and so is your wedding planner. The difference is your wedding planner is on your clock. They keep everything in motion so extra costs are avoided. In the end, your wedding planner is the most cost effective choice you can make.

4. Advocate & Vendor Referrals

With so many possibilities, the bride and groom can feel overwhelmed, however by involving your wedding planner in the selection of vendors from the invitations on, you will be guided down the path of success. A planner will connect you with vendors that match your style, budget and personality; as well as compliment each other so well you almost get double your monies worth. Also, wedding vendors may ask you several technical questions you may have no idea about; and this is also where your wedding coordinator will step in to act as a go-between and keep you away from all the unnecessary headache.

5. Design

A theme is more than a hodgepodge of great ideas. Your ideas are fabulous. But they are only the foundation of your theme. Too often brides end up blowing their budget on one item to the detriment of the whole wedding. This is where your wedding planner becomes vital. Knowing all the tricks and resources, your wedding planner can create a theme that runs through the whole event. They see the whole picture. If budget is a constraint, they will advise you how to economize and still achieve a similar look giving you the uniqueness you desire. They are not here to make decisions for you, but to guide and assist you in making informed decisions. Their training, knowledge, and experience will turn your dreams and expectations into reality.

6. Saves Relationships

Weddings are very stressful.  This stress often results in many arguments for couples as well as with family members and friends.  Wedding planners have been there time and time again and know how to avoid such problems before they begin as well as act as a buffer when there are conflicts. Wedding planners are also able to take on the responsibilities often assigned to loved ones so that everyone is able to enjoy the wedding.  They can act as the family counselor for apprehensive brides and the mothers; a wedding coordinator can become as close as your best friend.

7. Etiquette

So many traditions our parents grew up with are no longer expected. A planner will be able direct you as to which traditions are still in play and which can be modified. More often than not, these days, there is not a ‘right’ way to do things but rather a right way for you. Planners with help you decide what fits you and your family and cultivate consistency.

8. Time Management

Planning a wedding takes an enormous amount of time.  In fact, the average couple spends well over 250 hours planning their special day.  A good wedding planner will save you time and energy by researching vendors, taking care of the many, many details, and coming up with various creative ideas to make your wedding amazing! With today’s hectic lifestyles, you may not have time to compare all the options, making sure you get the best deal, and make sure all the details are in place.

9. On Site ‘Go-to Person’

Your Wedding Planner orchestrates from rehearsal through the end of reception – Do you want to be responsible for organizing rehearsal or making sure the bridal party is properly lined up?  How about making sure that the guest who had a little too much to drink departs safely?  Wedding planners orchestrate from rehearsal through the end of the reception, ensuring everything goes off without a hitch. The average wedding has at least 22 different vendors.  Combine that with the entire wedding party and all of the guests and that is a lot of people with questions and concerns!  By hiring a wedding planner, couples can simply tell others “talk to the wedding planner!” Their job is to make sure everything arrives on time and complete. If you have 15 tables, 13 centerpieces just won’t do. They will get the florist to fix it. If the videographer does not show up, they should be able to find a replacement for you. Things happen, but it is your wedding planner’s job to see that things are fixed and end up perfect. Your wedding planner is your fairy godmother.

How do you know you’re hiring the right coordinator?

Most importantly… Do you ‘click’? Make sure to meet your Planner, face-to-face. If you are doing a destination wedding, I highly recommend Video Conferencing through a site such as Skype.com. Trust is important in any relationship. You should feel completely comfortable with the coordinator and feel assured that he or she completely understands what your needs are. You will end up spending more time with your planner than any other vendor. Also, does their approach and style fit your needs? And lastly do they have the skills and experience to carry out your special day?

What’s your next step?

Start right here, give Silver Lined Weddings a call @ 406.671.7842 or drop an e-mail @ jena@silverlinedweddings.com to set-up a complimentary consultation and find out if we are the fit for you! Congrats again, and I look forward to meeting you.

~Jena Silverness, Silver Lined Weddings

Check out our Wedding Page where you can find more local articles on weddings and apply to receive a $40,000 wedding from “The Gift Worth Giving”.

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