The other day, I was chatting with a woman while waiting on our pick-up orders. It came up that I’m a wedding photographer, and her response made me a little sad. She said, “I know it seems terrible, but all I seem to remember about my day was the stress. I remember forgetting to cut the stems off the bridesmaids’ bouquets, and I remember hustling from one activity to the next. We even forgot the champagne for our newlywed toast and had to use tea instead!” She went on to laugh about it. She and her other half are very happily married. But I wish she had fonder memories from her wedding day. One of my top tips to prevent wedding day regret is to hire a wedding planner.
Inspirational platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are chock full of ideas for magazine-worthy weddings. But those beautifully styled images have some couples feeling a little overwhelmed when planning their own weddings.
First, I just want to remind you that this is your wedding day. It should look and feel like you, and you should enjoy it. Try not to feel pressured into planning a day that’s just not you. Maybe you want a small, intimate wedding. Perhaps you both love the outdoors and want to exchange vows at an epic outdoor location (Colorado has plenty of those). Maybe your style is traditional and classic. You do you and enjoy every minute of it. Don’t worry about the rest.
But, if you do have a precise vision or location for your wedding, I highly recommend that you hire a wedding planner. Even micro weddings can benefit from a wedding planner. A professional planner is well-connected with other wedding professionals in your area and can make the planning process fun and seamless.
6 Reasons to Hire a Wedding Planner
1. Have More Fun
DIY weddings are not for the faint of heart, especially if you have a large wedding or particular vision you want to carry out. Setting up a gorgeous Pinterest board is one thing; bringing that board to fruition is another story. It’s more than florals and décor. You’ll need to select the best vendors for the job and your specific style and needs. And if you truly do it yourself, you’ll need some help. While your friends and family may say they’re excited to help, it can be a bit tricky to get them all on the same page just because they probably don’t regularly plan and design weddings.
However, when you hire a wedding planner, you get to do the fun part of putting together that awesome mood board and sharing your vision. Then, your planner will come alongside and help you flesh it all out, fine-tuning every detail of your big day. That means more fun and less stress for you. Instead of remembering which centerpieces go to which tables, you can spend more time enjoying your big day. You deserve it!
2. Do More with Your Budget
Whether you’re keeping it small or going all out, a wedding planner can help you set your budget and then optimize it. A planner will also help you prioritize what’s most important to you. Plus, they’re often able to get services at a better price due to their established connections within the industry—similar to how a travel agent can get you the best deals, insider tips, and exclusive packages. They’re the hookup you need to get what you want at the best price possible. Some couples think a wedding planner is just an extra expense for those planning luxury weddings, but they can actually help you save money in the end—more honeymoon adventures for you!
3. Build a Cohesive Look
Skilled wedding planners seem like magicians the way they can take a couple’s ideas and design something more remarkable than you ever imagined. They have a keen eye for aesthetics (not unlike a professional photographer). A great wedding planner knows how to seamlessly tie details together, from the wedding cake to artful tablescapes and floral arrangements. Each element of your day is carefully curated to elevate your theme. If you want a truly personalized wedding, a wedding planner is the way to go.
4. Get Better Photos
On that note, a cohesive look naturally lends itself to better photos. We’ll have the perfect backdrop to capture every moment of the day, and you’ll end up with beautiful heirloom albums and wall art that showcase your love story. Your wedding might even end up on another couple’s inspirational Pinterest board!
5. Keep Things Moving
Without someone to keep the schedule of events on track, it’s not uncommon for a wedding day to get stuck on one activity or transition a bit too long, causing the rest of the day to feel backed up and rushed. A wedding planner can keep the groomsmen on track, the bridesmaids together and move the schedule along in a natural, easy progression without detracting from the fun.
6. All-in-One Wedding Pro
A wedding planner is the ultimate party pro. From selecting and coordinating vendors to pulling together incredible designs, a wedding planner is the Swiss army knife of wedding professionals—well, along with your wedding photographer. Both of us fill more than one role, and we have experience working alongside many other wedding professionals and vendors. A wedding planner helps you carry out your vision from start to finish, and it’s a huge stress relief to have support from the moment you say, “Yes!” to the big day when you get to say, “I do!”
Make Every Memory Last with John Moler Wedding Photography
I am a Colorado Wedding Photographer who specializes in authentic, emotive images. I strive to tell your story through my lens so you can relive it for years to come. View recent weddings in my PORTFOLIO, get more INFORMATION, and BOOK YOUR WEDDING directly at johnmoler.com.
