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Why you should hire a wedding planner.

Why you should hire a wedding planner.

Michigan Photographer

why you need a wedding planner

WEDDING PLANNING CAN BE OVERWHELMING….

This is why it is so important to hire a wedding planner to organize your day and to take the pressure off of you.

Being a wedding photographer for going on 15 years now, I have seen so many things go wrong during a wedding day. These things often go unnoticed because my couples had amazing wedding planners there for them to put out fires (sometimes literally) and to make sure the couple never know if anything does go haywire the day of.

Not only do I recommend planners, I require one. It is something that is always needed on the wedding day in order for the day to go smoothly and for me to be able to do the job I am hired to do….take photos. When you book with me, you get my full list of preferred vendors, including all of the amazing planners I work closely with.

Ok! Let’s dive in to why you need a planner.


Weddings are a huge investment so why not have someone that is there to make sure it all goes to plan.


Planning a wedding is truly a full-time job in itself, which is why having a wedding planner can feel like an invaluable asset. The logistics involved in planning a wedding—whether it’s a grand celebration with hundreds of guests or an intimate gathering with a smaller group—can be overwhelming. From selecting a venue to curating the perfect guest list, every detail requires careful attention. The process often takes months of preparation, countless hours spent researching, and sifting through endless options for vendors, decor, catering, and more.

A wedding planner brings expertise and experience to the table, helping to alleviate the stress and uncertainty that often come with planning such an important event. They can guide you through making the best decisions for your vision and budget, providing a curated list of vendor recommendations or thoroughly vetting the ones you’ve found on your own. Wedding planners also play a critical role in reviewing contracts, ensuring nothing is overlooked, and helping you ask the right questions when meeting with vendors. Their ability to manage the fine details allows you to focus on enjoying the journey to your special day rather than getting lost in the logistics.

Not only is your wedding planner there pre-wedding but they are there day of to make sure everything is set up right, transportation is correct and on time, organize your family and wedding party and to make sure your vendors are on time and where they are supposed to be. The planner also helps keep everyone on time so we don’t get behind throughout the day (Your photographer helps with this as well).

candid wedding photography


Venue/On-Site coordinator vs. Wedding planner.

When planning a wedding, many couples wonder about the difference between a venue coordinator and a wedding planner, as both play distinct yet important roles in the success of a wedding day.

A venue coordinator is employed by the wedding venue/Hotel and focuses on managing the venue’s operations. Their primary responsibility is to ensure that everything on-site runs smoothly. They handle tasks like coordinating setup and teardown (only if they provide the tables and chairs), overseeing the timeline for catering (if provided by the venue), and ensuring compliance with the venue’s rules and regulations. However, their scope of work is limited to the venue itself. While they may assist with logistics related to their space, they typically do not handle external vendors, personal details like decor styling, wedding parties, transportation and the overall planning process.

In contrast, a wedding planner works for the couple and offers a more comprehensive service. Wedding planners oversee the entire event, from start to finish. They help with everything from selecting and coordinating vendors to managing the wedding budget, creating timelines, and ensuring the couple’s vision comes to life. On the wedding day, the planner acts as the go-to person for all vendors, manages last-minute issues, and ensures a seamless flow of events—taking the burden off the couple and their families.

To put it simply, a venue coordinator ensures that the venue is ready for your wedding, while a wedding planner ensures your wedding as a whole runs perfectly, no matter where it’s held. While their roles can overlap in small ways, they ultimately complement each other to deliver a stress-free and memorable day.

romantic miami wedding


“Day of coordinator” what does that mean?

First things first, day of coordination does not exist. You will see month of coordination when looking at different packages that planners offer. Not all of wedding planners offer month of coordination as they would a full-service planning company. This is not a job for Aunt Nancy to do because she does events back home in North Carolina or any other family member or friend. Especially if they are in your wedding party or a part of the wedding in any capacity.

A day-of coordinator’s primary role is to ensure that all the couple’s carefully made plans come together seamlessly, allowing the you and your families to relax and enjoy the celebration without worrying about the details. Although their title suggests involvement only on the wedding day, their work typically begins a few weeks prior. They meet with you to review timelines, vendor contracts, and the overall vision for the event, confirming final details and creating a detailed schedule to keep everything on track.

On the wedding day, they act as the central point of contact for vendors, guests, and the wedding party, ensuring everything runs according to plan, from vendor arrivals and setup to the ceremony, reception, and tear-down. They oversee vendor coordination, confirm timing and services, and manage the delivery and setup of items like flowers, decor, and rentals, ensuring all details align with your vision and expectations. The coordinator also manages the day’s schedule, ensuring a smooth flow of events like the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception, while providing cues for key moments such as the grand entrance, toasts, and cake cutting.

michigan elopement


Things to look for when hiring a wedding planner.

1. Experience and Expertise
-Look for a planner with a strong portfolio of weddings similar in style or scope to yours.
-Ask about their certifications, industry experience, and years in the field.

2. Communication and Compatibility
-Choose someone you feel comfortable communicating with, as you’ll be working closely together.
-They should be responsive, organized, and attentive to your ideas and concerns.
-Ensure their planning style aligns with your preferences, whether you want someone detail-oriented or big-picture focused.

3. Services Offered
-Determine whether they offer full-service planning, partial planning, or month-of coordination, depending on your needs.
-Check if they assist with design and styling or focus solely on logistics. This is super important as many planners now offer styling with their planning services, which is a huge plus.
-Clarify what’s included in their packages, such as vendor selection, budget management, or timeline creation.

4. Reputation and References
-Read reviews and testimonials from past clients to gauge their reliability and professionalism.
-Ask for references and speak to previous clients about their experiences.
-Verify they have a solid reputation within the wedding industry, including good relationships with vendors.

5. Budget and Pricing
-Ensure their fees fit within your budget and understand how they structure their pricing (e.g., flat fee, percentage of the budget, or hourly rate).
-Be clear about what services are included and if there are any additional costs.

6. Problem-Solving Skills
-Ask how they’ve handled unexpected issues at past weddings.
-A good planner should be proactive, resourceful, and calm under pressure.

7. Creativity and Vision
-They should be able to bring unique ideas to the table while respecting your vision and preferences.

8. Contracts and Professionalism
-A professional planner will provide a clear, detailed contract outlining services, fees, and terms.
-Look for someone who demonstrates professionalism in how they communicate and handle initial meetings.
-Taking the time to thoroughly vet potential wedding planners will help ensure a smooth planning process and a stress-free, beautifully executed wedding day.

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