What Does a Wedding Planner Actually Do?

Planning a wedding can be an exciting journey, but as you start thinking about all the details, decisions, and research involved, it can quickly become overwhelming. With a full-time job or other commitments, finding the time and energy to plan can be challenging, even with a helpful family member. But what happens when a family member’s opinions become too much, or the wedding weekend arrives and they want to enjoy the fun? This is where a wedding planner can step in, alleviate the stress, guide you through the decision-making process, and ensure that you and your loved ones can fully enjoy the day.

Why Hire a Wedding Planner?

Wedding planners are industry experts who can offer invaluable resources to create a personalized, beautiful, and seamless event while respecting your budget. A planner allows you, and anyone else involved in the planning process, the chance to focus on the overall details and what most consider the “fun” parts of the planning process (menu tasting, design, etc.) while they handle the logistics and back-and-forth details with the vendors.

What Does a Wedding Planner Do?

Many planning companies, like Capstone Occasions, offer a variety of packages ranging from “The Final Touches” to “Full-Service Planning.” These packages may vary between planning companies, but at the core of all these packages is ensuring the wedding day runs smoothly. Sounds simple, right? The reality is that your planner will spend anywhere from 40-50 hours on an event management package and 250+ hours for a full-service package—plus an average of 15 hours straight on your wedding day alone!

Here are some key tasks a wedding planner typically handles:

1. Budget Management

•    Helps you create and stick to a comprehensive budget.
•    Tracks expenses and manages payments to vendors.

2. Vendor Coordination

•    Recommends reputable vendors and attends meetings.
•    Reviews contracts and negotiates terms.
•    Coordinates all vendor logistics and timelines.

3. Design and Styling

•   Assists with the overall wedding design and theme.
•   Provides guidance on decor, colors, and layout.

4. Logistical Management

•   Develops detailed timelines and schedules.
•   Manages the setup and breakdown of the event.
•   Handles any last-minute changes or emergencies.

5. Event Execution

•   Ensures everything runs smoothly on the wedding day.
•   Coordinates the ceremony and reception events.
•   Manages the timeline of events, such as toasts, cake cutting, and first dances.

6. Guest Management

•    Assists with seating arrangements and RSVPs.
•    Handles special requests or accommodations for guests.

By hiring a wedding planner, you can focus on enjoying the engagement period and the “fun” parts of planning, while your planner handles the detailed logistics and ensures everything goes off without a hitch.

Ultimately, a wedding planner’s role is to make your dream wedding come to life while allowing you to enjoy the journey without the stress of managing every detail.