Planning your wedding, while exciting, can also be a lot of hard work and organization. Many people choose to enlist the services of a professional Wedding Planner, but is the added expense really worthwhile? Take our quiz to help determine if hiring a Wedding Planner is the right decision for you.
Which of the following best describes your lifestyle:
b. Between work/school, my fiancé/family/friends and other commitments I barely have a moment to myself
c. I am always looking for some type of new project to occupy my free time
Choose the answer that best describes your organizational skills:
b. I am so disorganized I thought this was a quiz on effective listening skills
c. My spice cupboard is alphabetized and my closets are colour coded – organizing is my life
Of the following, which best describes your "vision" for your wedding day:
b. There's so many styles and ideas out there, how can I ever decide what I want???
c. I know exactly what I want from the venue to the décor to the dress
If you mostly answered A, you can probably handle your wedding planning on your own with a little help and advice. If you choose reputable and experienced vendors, such as decorators and caterers, they can often offer their advice and suggestions to help your day go the way you plan, without the added expense of a Wedding Planner. Using a good bridal planner, like the Divine Details Wedding Planner book, can help keep track of appointments, contact information for vendors/venues, offer tips, and keep your wedding planning organized and on track.
People who find themselves answering the quiz mostly B may want to consider hiring a Professional Wedding Planner to help make their big day a success. A Wedding Planner can help you get a clear "vision" of what you want your big day to be, as well as organizing all the details such as venue, vendors, caterers and décor. Keep in mind that the more you require your Wedding Planner to do, the more you are likely to spend on their fee. You can expect to pay anywhere from 10-20% of your entire wedding budget on a Full-Scale Wedding Planner. Choose your planner carefully (get references), making sure their personality and vision match up with your own. You will also want to have a clear and concise contract with the planner you choose, outlining exactly what services they are responsible for providing.
If you fall somewhere between A & B, then maybe you should consider hiring a "Day of Planner" for your wedding day. A "Day of Planner" will keep your day running smoothly, while dealing with any unforeseen issues that happen. They will keep you, your guests, your venue and all your activities in line with your timeline and your wishes. For a small investment of between $500 and $800 this is an economical way to keep your sanity and enjoy your wedding day. As with any wedding professional, obtain references and be sure to have a written contract with expectations and pricing.
As for those of you who answered mostly C, you are perfectly capable of planning your own wedding. You are more than likely a DIY bride who will be doing her own invitations, seating chart, favours and centerpieces. You have your own personal Pinterest board and have everything organized to the last detail. Hire your professionals that you need to make your day a reality. Make sure your wedding professionals understand your vision and are willing to work with you to succeed. You got this!
