One of the first decisions couples make when planning a wedding is whether they are going to go it alone or seek out help from a professional. This decision can be difficult, so to help make it smoother, here are the pros and cons of hiring a wedding planner.
Pro: You can relax knowing someone else is taking care of everything
I feel this is probably the main reason most couples go with a wedding planner, planning a wedding can be stressful! The relief you feel knowing someone else is taking care of everything is huge! From the linens to the vendors, wedding planners have your back, take all the stress off your shoulders, and let you sit back and enjoy the ride.
Con: The Expense
Nothing comes free, and that is definitely true when it comes to hiring a wedding planner. Wedding planners are a huge expense, anywhere from $1,500 to upwards of $7,000, depending on the size of your wedding and many other factors. This can be overwhelming for couples and make them feel like they are just taking on another expense.
Pro: They have great ideas you never thought of
Wedding planners think of every little detail, so they have some great ideas! Because of their experience they can come up with some amazing visions for decor, entertainment, or really any part of your wedding. Their unique expertise can really make your wedding stand out and one to remember.
Con: They introduce you to things you might not originally have spent money on
Now the problem with all those amazingly unique ideas is…they cost money. And even though they can come up with some fantastic stuff, it may force you to pay for things you wouldn't even have considered purchasing otherwise. It can turn into one of those “now that I've seen it, I gotta have it” scenarios.
Pro: If something goes wrong, you don’t have to fix it!
The DJ is drunk, the officiant is lost, and the cake has the wrong names on it?? Guess what, you don't need to stress, someone else is taking care of it. Your wedding planner’s job is to take care of all problems that could arise on your big day. This leaves you stress free and ready to party!
Con: Your giving up a lot of the control
If you're a person who likes to know everything that's going on, and wants your hands in everything, having a wedding planner might be difficult for you. Wedding planners take over and organize all vendors, decor choices, and basically everything that happens on your big day. Of course they make all the decisions based on what you would want, but it can lead to some couples feeling out of the loop, powerless and a little detached from their wedding.
Pro: They could get you a great deal!
Wedding planners do a ton of networking and can have many connections in the industry. This means they can finagle a killer deal on something you and your fiancé desperately want for your wedding. Also, because of their experience, they know what things should truly cost, and if someone is trying to rip you off.
Con: You might not “Vibe”
Wedding planning is a specialized industry, which usually means there isn't a huge amount of planners to choose from. If you and your wedding planner don't mesh well, it could be difficult for you to communicate the vision you have for your wedding day. And on the other side, it could be difficult for them to see the vision and understand what you want and don't want. This could lead to awkward tension that no one wants.
Hiring a wedding planner can be a huge stress reliever but also a huge expense. So consider all these points before deciding whether to hire a wedding planner. Whatever you decide, your wedding is going to be a wonderful day because it is a celebration of your love.
