Another Poll!

[Mashira]

Every magazine I've been reading lately is talking about how 'invaluable' and 'necessary' and 'absolutely essential' a planner is. I think it's a bunch of bu... er... marketing... if you ask me. So, how did you ladies do it?

 

[Anonymous]

Does an amazingly organized STB MIL count? If not, then nope! I think it's seriously a waste of money unless you have NO time to do it yourself and have the extra $$ to toss at someone to do it for you. That's just my .02 though!

 

[mrscushion]

Theoretically. I paid the lady running my venue for wedding planning services. She did coordinate vendors and was extremely hospitable to guests once we all arrived. Was she a particularly talented planner (as in organized, prompt, responsive)? Not really.

ETA: I think a planner can make your life a lot easier if you are working long hours in whatever you are doing. I was in an intense grad program while planning my wedding and I was pretty miserable at times because said planner above was not coming through for me very much. Working a 9-5 job with some spare time in the evening every day, I think it's fun to spend a little time on your wedding every other day or so (IF you are excited about hosting a wedding, that is).

 

[Diamond.Lover]

I think the wedding industry 'pushes' wedding planners because so many women today are incredibly busy with life and they just don't have the time to plan and go to meeting after meeting.

As for me, I'm an exceptionally organized person that loves to plan things, perhaps a little too much, not to mention a MAJOR control freak, so I wouldn't need one. With that said, I wouldn't fathom getting married without one. I want someone to do all the work, and make decisions, so I can try and be as relaxed as possible.

If you feel one is unnecessary, and you can handle all the work, don't have one.

 

[getting excited]

I have one and I love her! I found most of the vendors myself so I got one for "month of." That basically means, she will come in six weeks before and go through all the contracts, make contact with my vendors, create a detailed timeline, and then make sure the day of runs smoothly. I am still 9 months out and she has already helped me tremendously. Even though I did not hire her for "full planning" she still lets me bounce ideas off her, gives me suggestions on the vendors I still need, and helps calm me down when i am stressed about something. I am not the most creative person and have a hard time visualizing things so when the fiance and I are stuck on something, we call her and she helps us.

I understand that not everyon needs a planner, but I would highly, highly highly suggest at least getting a "day of planner" These people come in and take the stress away from you and your family that day. They take care of making sure everything iss et up how you want it and that the day runs smoothly. I agree wtih the magazines when they say that part is invaluable.

 

[lucyandroger]

I have a wedding planner because I work long hours and am planning a wedding in a different state. She's been wonderful but I don't think I would have needed her if I were working a regular 9-5 and getting married in my hometown.

That being said, I DO think that a day-of coordinator is an excellent idea for everyone if you can swing the costs. As the bride, you want to relax and enjoy your wedding, not answer questions about where the table the DJ requested is, make sure the favors are set up, or give the lost baker directions so that you have a wedding cake, etc... There is just simply too much that needs to be done day-of!

 

[Bleed Burnt Orange]

While it may not be crucial to the success of your wedding, I feel like a day of planner at least would help with the level of stress. If not for actually doing stuff, at least for keeping things on schedule.

I had to hire one. I lack creativity. While I COULD be anal about what I want, I don't plan to be. I hired a planner to help me have a cohesive wedding and not just things all over the place willy nilly. Also, the wedding will be in another city, so...that's going to help me a lot.

I think it depends on what you want though...you may not need one at all. Lots of chicks go without.

ETA: Sorry... lots of BRIDES!

 

[slg47]

also I think it depends on the scale of your wedding. If you are having a huge budget wedding for 400 people it makes sense to have a planner, whereas if you are having ~60 people I don't think it is as important. I plan on getting a day-of person just to help with coordinating everything so that the day goes smoothly and I don't have to assign family members to do stuff! Also I am planning my wedding from out-of-state so I think having someone would help.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I was my daughter's fulltime wedding planner! If I had been working, I couldn't have pulled it off. But I found things and then asked for her approval. It was very stress-free for her and a lot of work for me. Of course, I enjoyed it immensely, but I would have hated to have had to pay the price to someone else for all I did. The friend that directed the wedding also served as the overseer at the reception as well. The DJ was indispensable because he really ran the reception and told everyone what to do when!

 

[hawaiianorangetree]

I didn't have one but I am in Australia and I think they are less common here anyway.

When I think of wedding planners I always think of that movie 'bride wars'. That kind of wedding would need a planner.

 

[ts44]

I hired a month-of coordinator a year out from the wedding, and met with her a few times to bounce ideas off of her. We got along really well but the month before our wedding she quit the company and moved to Germany. So they assigned me the only person who could make my wedding date, which was one of their main wedding planners. We didn't mesh as well because she was used to driving the bus, and I had already organized everything - just needed somebody to take it and run with it. Everything went ok on the wedding day, but I did notice other people doing things (the florist, the venue event manager) that she should have taken care of, but didn't. I got the distinct feeling that she felt "just coordinating" was beneath her. However, I still think month-of coordination or even day-of coordination is a good idea, just to keep the little stuff off your back on the actual day (and hope your coordinator doesn't move to Germany!)

 

[CurlySue]

I did not have a planner, but our venue provided us with a day-of coordinator who was helpful throughout our planning process. He gave us some good suggestions for vendors - that's how we found our DJ and linens provider. Our wedding was only about 120 people, and b/c our venue was a hotel, many of our decisions were made for us (meaning we didn't need to find a caterer, venue for the ceremony, etc. since it all came with our hotel's package). So I personally didn't think a planner was necessary given all those factors.

I did find it invaluable to have a day-of coordinator. I didn't worry about one thing the day of our wedding, which was wonderful!

 

[turboflgrl]

No planner for me and I don't think they are just good for people with hectic schedules... I work full time and go to school full time along with wedding planning and have found a way to do it. I think it boils down to your ability to make decisions, be creative, and not give up. There have been a few fairly minor hiccups throughout the process but nothing that a planner would've made any better.

I think a day of coordinator is valuable and that is exactly what we have. I want to enjoy my wedding and don't want family members feeling like they can't relax and just enjoy the wedding as guests.

 

[Future Mrs. Sterling]

I do not have a planner; I'm doing all of that myself and with a bit of help from my mom. I do have a friend who has graciously volunteered to be my day-of-coordinator. She will be the contact point for vendors and make sure all the decorations are up/out.

 

[sillyberry]

I just had another meeting with my wedding planner this week, and so far I'm really happy that I have one. In some sense, it's nice to have someone who understands the ins-and-outs of weddings by your side. Ours is a somewhat difficult affair (planning from out of town, venue is an empty space where everything must be rented, location off the beaten path so transportation is needed for all guests, etc) and having her there to think about all the moving pieces is super helpful.

I went with an intermediate service package and I'm doing a lot of things myself - found the hotel block, found the photographer, working with a graphic designer on invitations, making calls to vendors to schedule appointments - but she's there the whole step of the way. She's made recommendations, offered advice of what will and will not work, and is the master of the timeline. Her company is doing the floral and decor, as well as just planning, so she's really involved in the hands-on aspects. She's been able to transform my inspiration pictures into a cohesive wedding plan.

Importantly, for me, I feel like I'm still planning my own wedding, though.

Is a planner necessary? Of course not. But for me, my circumstances, and my venue, it is making my life much easier.

 

[Italiahaircolor]

I had one and couldn't imagine my wedding without her.

My life was far to busy the year I got married to deal with everything and I wanted someone who could, if I asked, take the stress off. I interviewed a bunch of people and found one lady who was so on my wave length and we clicked instantly, I felt like I could trust her entirely and so I did. She made the wedding planning process fun. I never had to argue with anyone--she did it for me, like when I fired my photographer three weeks (I think, can't remember exactly) before my wedding...she made the called, found me someone else and got all my money back. That incident alone made her priceless, because left on my own I would have gone into a tailspin.

In my personal life, my business life I am organized, decisive and I can shoulder a lot...but I knew when I was at my limit, and my wedding was to important to give it 1/3 of my attention. Amy did a great job and I am thankful for her.

 

[megumic]

I had a DOC only and would do it again in a heartbeat!

 

[Mashira]

Thank you ladies!! Your input is very helpful!!