These days you can research every detail of your wedding ceremony on the internet – so why do you need anyone else to organise your special day? Here are the real reasons for choosing a wedding planner and how to choose the best person for the job.
What is a wedding planner?
- A wedding planner takes a dream and makes it into reality - all within a budget!
- A wedding planner is an accomplished negotiator – and always gets the best prices!
- A wedding planner is a problem solver – often without you ever knowing there was an issue!
- A wedding planner is the ultimate project manager – always with a smile!
- A wedding planner knows all the best suppliers – and trusts them!
Can anyone organise a wedding?
With research, contacts (and a knowledge of the language if you are not Spanish) then of course anyone can organise a wedding.
Tatiana Llevenes is a wedding planner at Llevenes Events. She urges a few words of caution:
“Do you really want to be responsible for every single detail of the most important day in someone’s life?!”
I agree with Tatiana.
I am an award winning wedding celebrant and I have enormous experience officiating a variety of ceremonies. I have worked professionally in many different types of venues. I know a lot of fantastic wedding suppliers, from florists and makeup artists to photographers and DJs. But I am NOT a wedding planner and I never want to be!
Writing and officiating ceremonies is my specific area of expertise and I recognise that everything outside of the ceremony is the responsibility of other experienced professionals – including the planning!
What is a wedding coordinator?
Even though you might have booked your venue yourself and personally contracted your photographer, your florist, your caterer and of course your minister or officiant, on the day of the wedding you want to be the bride or groom. You do not want to be solving problems on the day of your wedding!
A great option for couples who want to organise as much of their wedding themselves as possible is to employ a coordinator just for the day of the wedding.
Depending on your agreement, a wedding coordinator can:
- Check your suppliers’ contracts
- Check wedding timing throughout the day and make adjustments to the timetable if needed
- Solve a myriad of practical problems from changing a lightbulb to helping sick guests or directing lost suppliers to the venue
- Essentially ensure that every detail of your planned wedding runs smoothly
An event coordinator is different to a wedding planner
Remember that an event coordinator is most commonly employed by the venue to organise their events.
An event coordinator works for the venue.
A wedding planner on the other hand is independent and will look at a range of venues.
Ana-Maria is event coordinator at Play Mijas and says,
“We always consider the best menu option, celebrant, photographer, makeup artist, entertainer etc. to fit your needs within your budget.”
So how do you choose a wedding planner?
You are trusting your special day to a stranger, so speak to a number of different wedding planners.
They all have different personalities and ways of working. Ultimately you need to trust them and get on well with them.
- Ask for a free face to face consultation either in person or with a video call
- Write down a list of questions
- Check out their website and social media platforms – and read the comments!
- Find out about their different packages from planning every detail through to on the day coordinator
- Confirm if you have a choice of supplier for each area of your wedding or does the planner only work with one caterer, one photographer etc
Most importantly, read reviews and testimonials from other couples – and if you are still not sure, ask if you can speak with previous clients.
Remember, you only get one chance to get your wedding day right and realise your dream!
Author bio: Debbie Skyrme is "Celebrant Spain". Award winning bilingual destination wedding celebrant officiating elopements, vow renewals and wedding ceremonies in the Spanish sunshine.
Featured photo of Tatiana at Llevenes Events by @anneandceleste
