What do wedding planners do? What will they NOT they do? There are some misconceptions about wedding planners – what tasks we do and do not handle, that we’ll take over your planning experience, discounts we can secure, our role on the wedding-day, etc.. Since you’re likely here because you’re considering hiring a wedding planner, I’d like to clear a few of those questions up! Below are six things we absolutely will not do as your wedding planners, and what we do instead.
1. Rush you through your wedding day or stick to a rigid schedule.
Sure, we love a good timeline and the adrenaline rush that comes from being down-to-the-minute-on-schedule. . . but that’s really not what we’re shooting for. The goal is for the “big stuff” (photos, ceremony, dinner) to start on time and the rest to ebb and flow naturally around it. That way you feel relaxed, your guests are happy, and nothing feels rushed or choppy. It’s all about strategic guidance and looking ahead throughout the day.
2. Act as a “catch-all” for other wedding pro categories.
Wedding planners and coordinators are not replacements for vendors that should have been hired to do a specific job in the first place. It’s not that we are unwilling to pick up slack if the unexpected happens. It’s that we have our own purpose and responsibilities, and won’t be able to execute them to the standards we’ve promised (what you’re paying us for.) if we’re bussing tables, cutting cake, transferring florals, taking out trash, or setting up linens and rental decor (unless hired, i.e., paid and contracted, to do so ).
3. Accept kickbacks for bringing your business to another vendor.
It’s icky and unethical in my opinion. If a vendor offers some sort of commission to planners, we ask for them to apply it to your invoice. *There is an exception for planners with an IATAN # (they receive commission from hotel blocks through a legitimate and ethical accreditation. We do not have this currently.)
4. Crank out designs on a conveyer belt or duplicate your Pinterest board.
Pinterest – simultaneously a wedding planner & engaged person’s best friend and worst enemy. It’s fantastic to draw inspiration from, but your wedding design will be your own! We’ll get to know your taste, style, hobbies, and interests to create a design that’s unique to you.
5. Squash your dreams. . . or set unrealistic expectations.
We’ll be up front and let you know if we think your expectations are unrealistic for the budget you’ve set, and offer alternatives to match either your price point or vision. That said, we can’t make things cost less than they do, just as no one can force you to spend money you’re not comfortable with. We’ll work together with the goal of finding a happy medium, if the initial idea isn’t feasible.
6. Ask vendors for discounts.
There is a lot of bad advice out there that says to hire a wedding planner, simply because we’ll get you discounts and “negotiate contracts”. And while we often do negotiate contracts, it’s not in the exact way you might assume. For example, if you’re getting married at a hotel we will likely negotiate some complimentary upgrades or perks into the contract based on your total spend. What we won’t do is ask a small business owner to lower their pricing (i.e., profit margin + livelihood) to fit an ideal budget OR to “match” another wedding professional’s bid/proposal.
Planners save you money in time, costly mistakes avoided, and by sourcing vendors based on your wedding priorities.
We pride ourselves on our integrity, creativity, and ability to navigate the complexities of wedding planning with grace and professionalism. Our mission in dispelling these common misconceptions is to set clear expectations, build trust as your dedicated no-BS planning partner, and to ensure your wedding day is as seamless as it is beautiful.
Schedule a consultation with us today and let’s start planning.
Haylee
